Some Pictures Of My New Van

2 hours ago Derek and I purchased a 1992 Dodge Caravan. Derek saw it as he was driving home from work on Saturday. We called the guy and were able to see it right away. It was all so easy and so God! We had some money saved so we offered him what we had and the guy agreed. I love it and what I love even more is that I don't have to make a car payment. It was also exciting that there is a CD player in it. I think God did that just for me. I praise God so much for this, we really needed a bigger vehicle. 3 more pounds and Asher will have to be in a forward facing car seat and then we all won't fit in our Nissan Maxima. God is good!

I'm Sad To Report

I'm sad to report that we didn't try a church today. I'm sad because I really want to find a church, but it is so discouraging when it doesn't work out.

I would appreciate everyone's prayers while we go through our "hunt".

We Tried Another One

We went to a new church today, the United Church of Christ.

Now before I go any further I just want to say that these were some of the nicest people I've met in a long time. They welcomed us with open arms.

Now to why we are not going back. Much to our surprise the pastor was a woman and I don't agree with it (1 Timothy 2:12). The pastor also told Derek "We welcome homosexuals with open arms". I'm not saying they don't need God's love because they do! I'm also not saying that they shouldn't be in church, how else will they know that they are living in sin? But by welcoming them into their church without telling them that their behavior is wrong and sinful they are condoning the lifestyle of homosexuality. Which God clearly states is a sin. I just don't want my children growing up thinking that's o.k.

I'm praying for all of these people. I'm also praying that we find a church soon.

An Arachnophobia Moment

Have you ever seen the movie Arachnophobia? It's awesome and awful all at the same time. I don't have an irrational fear of spiders, not like my mother :) I don't usually freak out when I see them, I just try to find something nearby to spray or squish them with.

It was a funny moment today though. There is a scene in the movie where somebody goes to turn a lamp off and the spider comes down and bites their hand and they die--instantly. Well today I had to turn this pipe on so the water outside worked. So I had to go in the basement and if you've ever seen a horror movie you know that's where all the bad stuff happens. I turn on the light and it isn't working in the back room of the basement so I had to put a light bulb in the light fixture in the ceiling. So when I take the cover off this scene from the movie flashed in my mind, I kinda giggled then thought "this would be funny to blog about" I got the light bulb screwed in without any death spiders getting me, but now I had to turn the handle on the pipe that was in the ceiling which is actually the floor. I reach my hand out to turn the handle (while I'm standing on a wobbly desk) and the scene flashes in my mind again. I got it turned and then beat it out of there before any huge deadly spiders got me. I'm proud to say I'm alive to write about it. If you've seen the movie I have no doubt that your skin is crawling and you are looking down to make sure that isn't a spider crawling on your arm.

Selfishness Abounds

You know how I've been in a funk lately? You know how I've been kinda sad and in a weird place? Well, after a much needed devotional time this morning God gently pointed out that it was all rooted in my selfishness. I was the problem, who would have known?

I certainly didn't. I kept thinking, it isn't me. It's the kids not behaving, or God isn't answering my prayers, or I deserve time to myself. I don't deserve anything except hell, but God in all His wonderful mercy, grace, and love chose to save me from myself and my sins. Even if I sometimes slip back into my old ways. I praise God for the gentle and much needed reminder. God is good!

We Tried...We Really Did

Derek and I decided that we were going to start going to church again. So I got out the phone book and decided on one.

We got up yesterday and got all ready. We were out of the house at 9 because church started at 9:30. We wanted to get there early to find the nursery, seats, etc...

Much to our surprise there isn't anybody in the nursery, we thought maybe they will come later. We were wrong. They didn't come at all. The pastor told us that they have a cry room and that we could sit back there. They had some toys and books and my kids were interested...for a while. By the time service started Asher had woke up from his nap and Alexander and Ashley were bored with the toys. While everyone was standing up and the pastor couldn't see us we left. Yup, that's right...we left.

It was a disappointment, but there is always next Sunday. I know God has a church for us and we are going to keep trying until we find it.

Pictures and a Video

Alison in the bassinet, she's really happy right now :)



Ashley and Jaylee hugging. As you can tell they are pretty excited about it.


Alexander, Asher, Ashley, Alison, and Jaylee.


This is one of Ashley's cakes.















Ashley's butterfly cake (I tried)





I took this video a couple of days ago. We had a snow WARNING. It snowed all day long! I was pretty mad, let me tell ya.

Weird Place

Do you ever feel really weird, but don't know what's wrong? I'm in a funk right now. I don't feel like doing the usual stuff. I just want to stay home and I don't really feel like conversing a whole lot. It's really frustrating because I don't exactly know what's going on. I try to pray and and feels like my prayers hit the ceiling. I know God's there, but I don't feel Him there.

I thought maybe my loyal readers *smile* were wondering where I was, so I thought I'd reassure everyone that I am o.k. I'm just wallowing in my funky state unsure of how to get out.

Unbelievable

This is what I woke up to on Wednesday morning. I've never seen snow in June before. It's crazy and I've decided that I hate it.

The Darkness Is Crowding In

Do you ever feel like the darkness is crowding in? Do you feel like it is smothering you and making you feel like you are the only person in the world experiencing that kind loneliness and sadness? I do. Then the depression sets in. It is at that time that we are vulnerable to attacks. Attacks on our mind, emotions, and spirit. There is good news though!

"For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness." Psalm 18:28

King David wrote that after God delivered him from Saul and all his enemies. I'm sure David frequently felt alone. He had been crowned king of a country that he couldn't rule. He was on the run for his life, but David knew God was with him always.

We need to claim that in the times when the darkness is so thick we can feel it. God promised to "never leave us nor forsake us" We are never completely alone.

Are You Obesessed With Something?

I know I am. Internet, books, t.v., electronics, etc... This was the title from "My Utmost For His Highest" that I read this morning. It was amazing and really got my heart thinking. Here are some excerpts I'd like to share with you.

"The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God. A child's awareness is so absorbed in his mother that although he is not consciously thinking of her, when a problem arises, the abiding relationship is that with the mother (we know this is true). In that same way, we are to "live and move and have our being" in God (Acts 17:28), looking everything in relation to Him, because our abiding awareness of Him continually pushes itself to the forefront of our lives.
If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives--not concerns, nor tribulation, nor worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us. To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy."

Isn't that amazing? I thought I'd share that with you and hopefully it helps your heart as much as it helped mine.