Homesickness....

....just received a call from Jill telling me that she had called her neices this morning. She adores her neices and had to tell me a part of her conversation w/KK....

KK....Auntie? Do you know what homesick means?

Auntie....yes, KK.

KK....well I think I am DeeDee-sick!

KK.....what about you and Uncle Warren?

AUNTIE.... I think we are both DeeDee and Sir-sick KK.

KK....yeah, I think I am both too!

TOUCH MY HEART! Tears to overflowing! Out of the mouth of babes!

How I miss those girls, how I miss my daughters and sons! Now after I journaled about 'desires of my heart'....I pray that my heart will be pliable to God and that maybe, one day, my hearts desire will be fulfilled....for us to all live closer one day.

DeeDee & Sir loves you KK, LB,AA!

Psalm 37:4

says....."Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

A few years ago I read a book titled I Surrender by Author, Patrick Morley.

The subtitle: "Submitting to Christ in the Details of Life"

In Chapter 33 he talks about Expectations: surrendering to scripture....The author said the words of this verse stalked him for 10 years, then it hit him..

"He had always delighted in God, believed by faith, but never got the desires of his heart." Till he understood the Hebrew word for DELIGHT... "pliable or soft." Like clay in a potters hand, our hearts need to be pliable. To come to God humbly w/o heavy demands, eager to know the God WHO IS instead of the God WE WANT. That is when Patrick Morley's heart changed. His desires were not the same as before. God began granting these desires b/c they were actually His will for Patrick.

I pray that we start focusing on God's hand working on our very soft and pliable hearts. Surrender your expectations, then He will give you the desires of your heart.

Fireproof....

R U FIREPROOF? Not insurance wise, not strictly salvation either....although many people take salvation as some sort of 'fireproof' insurance.

FIREPROOF THE MOVIE... please read the comments below from a dear friend who has seen this movie.

This movie is something we can all relate to and be challenged and reminded of God's plan for our marriages. There is so much trash out there, and to have a Godly film to support is such a gift!
According to Box Office Mojo, Fireproof finished 4th for the weekend, showing on 839 screens. The top three were on over 2400 screens! Wow! I think we have communicated to Hollywood what we want to see.
Here is what USA Today said, “The surprise of the weekend, though, was the Christian-themed Fireproof. Made for $500,000 and released on 839 screens, the Kirk Cameron drama did $6.5 million and took fourth place.
“Most analysts did not expect the film to crack the top 10, yet it enjoyed the second-largest debut this year for a film opening on fewer than 1,000 screens; the biggest was Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour, which debuted to $31 million on 683 screens.”

It is however a wonderful movie made by Sherwood Bapt Church in Albany, Ga. This church also brought to the screen "Facing the Giants." We are going this weekend. If your marriage is in great shape or crumbling or just in a "funky" way...take time, spend the money, get a sitter and go see this movie! You will not be dissappointed! Joy~

What is ACORN??

Well the article is long but very interesting, expecially with the financial crisis we are in right now. You may think that this is non-essential to your life BUT it is essential. Check out ...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/09292008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/os_dangerous_pals_131216.htm?page=0

Then draw your own conclusion. This election year is very important. I heard Pelosi yesterday blaming the Republician party and this administration for the problems we are facing but just read the article above from the New York Post.

Fannie and Freddie started a long time ago, and yes even under republican controlled House and Senate. But who knows what is under the table, so to speak, when bills are pushed thru these government agencies...this has got to stop. I mean they all act like schoolyard bullies in DC. Even Barney Franks and his "show me the names of the Republicians who didn't like Pelosi's speech and I will go talk to them nicely." He and others of his party were told BY Pelosi that they could vote NO...why? So it looked like they were being bi-partisian? Give me a break.

IF You Could...

...have dinner w/anyone, who would it be and why? (you can pick up to 3 people)

My answer.....
* Margaret Thatcher~ b/c she was and still is one of the most influential people in the world. I would love to hear her talk about her family life growing up and her years in the world of politics. Imagine her insight!

* Newt Gringrich~ b/c he is one history buff. I could listen to him all day long talk about the events that caused people to do remarkable things. When he talks about history, he inspires people!

* Ruth Graham~ b/c of her stick-to-of-ness in anything that was presented to her in her lifetime. How she saw so many things God was doing thru the eyes of her remarkable husband. Her earthy-ness and frankness of living. Her wisdom is like Proverb 8. I am sure she messed up many times, just like we all do, but think about it.....dinner w/Ruth!

Who would you choose to have dinner with? And here's another question? Would your dinner get cold b/c you didn't have time to eat it, mine would! JOY!

Laughter is the Best Medicine....

It turns out that LAUGHTER is actually better than medicine...it can help you loose weight also!

GO TO THIS SITE:
www.laughteryoga.org

And watch the video....

What is Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga is a unique concept developed by Indian physician, Dr. Madan Kataria. It is fast sweeping the world and is truly a life changing experience. It combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing which brings more oxygen to the body and brain making one feel more energetic and healthy. The concept is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits. Safe, easy and scientifically proven, Laughter Yoga is a lot of fun. Started with just five people in 1995, today it is a global phenomenon with over 6000 clubs in 60 countries.

So no matter if you stand in front of a mirror OR do it with some friends...laugh the pounds away. Maybe this will be hotter than Richard Simons "Dancing the pounds away."

I know some of you ladies out there will be trying this in the comfort of your own home.

Joy~

Heaven's 11...continues (pastor Terry's sermon)

#2 Who is your Jonathan?? (#1 Who is your Nathan? 4th one down)

A best friend, usually the same gender, a person who will sacrifice for you. Jonathan's can raise us up.They stand beside you and at some point, they will stand in the shadow so you can shine! (think movie: Lord of the Rings)
Look into 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (better yet go back into chapter 17)
Saul was King of Israel but his heart turned away from God. Young David appears on the scene to take on Goliath, Saul takes notice. Jonathan, the son of the King takes notice also. J & D become best of friends. 2 Samuel 1:26 talks about how Jonathan loved David like he loved himself. They became one in spirit. Jonathan gives David his royal robe and sword, showing that he valued David's friendship. David longed for a real friendship and found it w/Jonathan. Remember how Jonathan protected David after the King's anger got so bad that King Saul wanted to kill David?
Jonathan's help us to be the best. They are true friends that our souls are designed for. Jonathan's encourage us to take risks and they stand in the gap supporting us....thru prayer or physical needs.(go back to sacrifice)
If we are to multiple in this mission called life then we must become a Jonathan in order to have one as our very own. You see, this then becomes contagious! (see multiply mission called life)
Who was King Saul's Jonathan? David of course! He protected him as King and always stood in the gap for him. His sacrifices proved his dedication to the King.
My Jonathan, would have to be Kathy D. in Mississippi. She has always stood in the gap for me...encouraging me when things got tough. Being the friend I so desperately needed when even family members were not there. So thanks Kathy D. (funny, her husbands name is John) I am proud to name you as my Jonathan!

Sports....

....what a great way to spend a weekend w/your dearest friend!

Saturday was spent munching on cheesball & tortilla chips~my food of choice with Steve loving every bite of his (Ohio made) Conn's Potato Chips and cream cheese.....as we watched The Ohio State Buckeyes win another game...w/a first time ever freshman quarterback and center...and w/o Beenie Wells.
Score 28-10! The sweet smell of victory!

We also was rooting for Univ of TN against those Gators, and inside I was rooting for LSU against Auburn! Two out of 3 games weren't bad...and since we loved living in Tennessee, we will continue pulling for the Vols! (oh, and our son in law is an alumn from UT- that's a biggie)

Of course we can not leave out golf~ The Ryder Cup! The tourney between USA and the rest of the world (well, almost) Sunday was "game face day" for the golfing fanantics in our home (Steve and I) We enjoyed watching USA win The Ryder Cup for the first time since 1999!!!! Sweet Victory again, and they did it w/ 3 younger players and w/o Tiger Woods!!!

Steve played Jr high football and has played golf since he was 8, but Me??? I am an avid sports watcher!!! I was born w/2 left feet and no athletic skills...but I love sports-watching!

So much so that I consider "SPORTS-WATCHING" a sport all to it's own! I mean, I prepare for the event w/great food, I am energized for the competition at hand and I am the best ever cheerleader! Ask anyone in my family, they would agree w/me. Or ask anyone sitting to my right at any sporting event. Warning: I am dangerous to those on my right!

Friday is a comin, and then another fun filled Saturday! This week I am making my sisters baked bean dip for game day.....AND we are going to the Skull Session at 10am for The Buckeyes!! Maybe I'll paint my face for that event. ;)

Joy!

Be careful b/c someone may just....

...drop a house on your head, says the good witch of the north to the wicked witch of the east!

Well, we didn't experience a tornado Sunday afternoon...but the after effects of Hurricane IKE! In Columbus, Ohio no less, 75 mph gusts w/65 mph sustained winds. Costal folks know that 75 mph is a Cat 1 Hurricane and most of us have handled at least a Cat 3 once in our lives...but Buckeyes had no idea what was hitting them Sunday.

(of course The Buckeyes had no idea what hit them Saturday night either, but that's another story) Erin, I agree w/you...leave the freshman quarterback in Tressel!!!!

Back to the Ike-thingy.....Schools were out today, all over mid-Ohio. Steve went to work but came back home at 9:30am to work from home-no electric and roof damage at church. We sat and watched shingles peel off of rooftops at our apt complex like it was sunburn skin pealing off your back! At one point I walked out to see the sky situtation...and about got hit by flying shingles!

The Canadian geese and Mallard ducks at the pond here, finally decided to fly south...or was that north, no maybe east!!!! They were having a hard time deciding!

Our electric went out at 4pm and came on sometime in the wee hours of morning, but many are still w/o electric tonight. You see.....most of mid-Ohio's eletric company trucks are in ~ YOU GUESSED IT...Houston tending to Hurricane Ike! So we heard today that they were calling them back home to fix things.

Of course many people were doing crazy things while this was going on...just like those on the coastal part of our country always do when a hurricane is approaching. Which just proves, people are nuts!

Funny thing is...we never got hard rain, just a few sprinkles here in Columbus.

"Someone lef my cake out inthe rain, and I don't think that I can take it

b/c it took so long to bake it and I'll never have that

receipe again."

That song was for my daughters and their friend Andrea H. (who just had a baby girl named Sophie.) I remember being on vacation w/these teenagers and they laughted at the lyrics of this song! Memories, like the corners of my mind....OK I'll stop!

Memory Lane...

..Can you walk down Memory Lane? Answer this question.....What song inspires you back to a place in time where you can remember EVERYTHING you were doing when that song was being played?

My daughters blog caught me in tears when she remembered her and her little sister dancing to "The Rainbow Connection" by The Muppets.(mid 1980's)

I can remember lipsinging w/motions (and my brown go-go boots) with my little sister to the Nancy Sinatra record (yes, a 78, not a CD) "These Boots are Made for Walkin".
Brenda and I would listen to this song over and over in front of the stero that sat in the dinning room....while mom and dad took a motorcycle ride. (late 1960's)

Last Friday, I spend the night w/my mother and while out at dinner I heard "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John....it took me back to my days before Christ, at The Stein! Peanut shells on the floor and a small crowded bar. A place where (just like the song) everyone knew your name. (mid 1970's)

Right after I started dating Steve, Peter Phramton sang "Show Me The Way" (1976)

Then there will always be the song that was played at our wedding..."Color My World" which was sang by a couple guys on guitar from my high school. (1976)

So CHALLENGE! Your turn now! Have fun going down that "long and winding road, that leads to your door" (Beatles 1960's) Sorry I regressed! Can you tell I love music?

Where is Your Nathan?

Nathan?..who is Nathan, you ask? Nathan was the subject of our sermon today at Grace Point. After hearing the description of this guy, I know you have a Nathan too.

2Samuel 12:1-13

Whenever I need to accomplish a task, I can always count on Nathan to assist. Of course his name could be Nathan, Paul, Jonathan, Debra, Matthew, Mark or Luke....or his name could be Shana, Jill, Terry, Morgan, Tiffany or Jenni.

In 2 Samuel, Nathan, a good friend of King David's tells him a story in order to show King David how displeased God was toward him after he slept w/Bathsheba and then had her husband killed. Nathan tells David, "your the man." (Not like we say in 2008 "your the man" w/a cocky shake of the head) Your the man, meaning, you are the man in this story David, listen up.

In v-13 David then sees his sin and repents w/a broken heart. (also see Psalm 51) Nothing is hidden from God in as much as we think else wise. God loves us and often sends a Nathan into our lives to reveal our weaknesses/sin/selfishness/and pity. These Nathans encourage us to walk close w/God.

1Chronicles 17..shows us that Nathan once again shares w/David what God desires. David wants to build an awesome temple for God, but God tells Nathan to tell the King "DO NOT go there, I will raise up your son to build a temple..it is no for you to do."

A Nathan helps us to be better. Nathan's also can get "under our skin", irritating us. Their words sting, but to the one who understands the job of these Nathan's, he is a welcomed intruder. A Nathan asks questions that challenge, convict. Intrusive questions that get to the core of the matter. MOST OF ALL A NATHAN TELLS THE TRUTH, EVEN IF IT HURTS.

So by now are you thinking about your Nathan? I had to do the same. My biggest Nathan is my husband of 32 yrs...but along the pathway of this life that is my book...I have had a few Nathan's: Lisa from Texas has to be my #1 Nathan, Ann H. from Arkansas has to be my #2. Sue L. from LA.is always ready to give me scripture advise and calm my fears. MaryBea from TN. always makes me smile and my sister Beth is the one who intercedes in my behalf. I would be amis if I did not add my daughters to this list...Shana and Jill, they are always encouraging my heart and soul but will be honest enough to talk straight w/me, their mother.

When you do figure out who your Nathan is, respect them! God has given them into your life for a purpose or for a season. Whatever the reason or time of space, respect them as prophets from God, sent to stir in your heart...reasoning, compassion, healing, encouragement or service.

Joy!

Oh-io!!!! Part 2 (see Part 1 below)

After we got thru Atlanta, the rain was no more and no more was I aching! About 7 hrs into this first day drive another tune ran thru my head. You all know this one, sing it with me...."Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle w/you.” ….as we waited for a guy to come along I-75 to fix our broken moving truck! (It just slowly stopped on Steve.) Of course his first thought was the fuel filter, and he was right! If it had been anything else, they would of repacked us into another truck and 2 days later we would of been on our way! The next day as we pulled into Ohio, I start humming “Across The Field.” (For those of you who do not know, that is a fight song for The Ohio State Buckeyes)….OH-IO!

God is amazing in his infinite wisdom. We are now being healed emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally and that is b/c There is a God!

Thanks for hanging in there on this blog entry….next one will not be as long!

ps....I have tried to put up 2 cute pictures but for some reason (after getting a new printer) it keeps kicking me offline...so maybe I will try later, until then picture this:

stuck on the side of the interstate, the truck in front of me. I look over to the left side of the hwy and notice a McDonald sign. ('clowns to the left of me' tune started playing in my head at that point) Why? I have no idea, haven't heard that song in ages. I immediatly looked to the right side as I was humming this song and saw a FIREWORKS sign ('jokers to the right') I started laughing my fool head off...as Steve sat w/a courious look on his face...now picture this....he is on hold w/the Budget Rental Emergency line for 25 mins at this point. Then I said outloud "stuck in the middle w/you."

Sunday as we are driving thru Ohio, Steve calls me, put your radio on (such-n-such channel) and there was my song Stuck in the middle w/you! It was amazing that just one day ago, I was bawling my eyes out and Steve was forever asking my forgiveness in putting me thru the last 3 yrs. Now we are both laughing and loving this life that God has choosen for us. So here we are still not knowing what is down the road, we just know we are suppose to go!

And to question God as to why we are not stationary at this time in our lives is really not ours to question. His way is best...He knows the plans He has for us. All we have to do is follow. And I honestly would do it all over again with Steve by my side! Joy for your tomorrow!

Hurrican Hits Georgia and my heart....Part 1

Time has passed so quickly since August 23rd, the day we pulled out of Albany. I will never forget the scene on Warren & Jill’s front porch. It had been raining since Friday afternoon from the rings of Hurrican Fay and now rings are forming around my heart forming a heavy storm of tears. I can’t seem to turn them off! Where are they coming from? There they are, our family standing….all our children, preparing to wave goodbye as Steve reaves up the large moving truck in the torrents of rain. I am sitting off to the side in the car, boo-hooing. Because on one hand, I know we are following God, yet I will miss – no- terribly ache over – being so far from the ones who matter the most to me: Shana, Billie, Jill, Warren, JennahKay, Lorahbeth and AudreyAnn.

We leave, not knowing what is down the road for us. Most people our age are stationary in life, how many times have I asked God, “Why not us?” So now I am trying to drive in hard rain & for 15 mins. I think it is actually raining harder INSIDE the car than outside. I recognize that I am mad at Byne for hindering a ministry that we felt was the right place to be. I am mad at Byne b/c I watched my husband bang his head against brick walls way to long…only to watch him shut down. It scared me b/c I have never seen him react this way before. Although I am mad that it broke up our time as family, it will never break our family. I prayed fervently for God to keep bitterness from my heart and He has! Victory! Just when I thought I was ok, that I could go on, the cycle started all over again…..Snapshots of the grands, hearing their voices. Oh my- once I was in another room that Friday night and stopped to the sound of all of them talking, laughing, playing in the front room. I thanked God for the sense of hearing…what a wonderful sound. Kind of like a “Mary took all these things and pondered them in her heart” moment!

After 15 mins of this round & round I decided to stop & focus on God, so I put in my 33Mile CD. The first song started like this: “I’ve heard it said today is all we’re given. Tomorrow may not come so you’d better start livin. I guess it all depends on your point of view. Pardon me if I don’t listen to everything the world says I’m missin. Cause I’m living in the days ahead. I’m already dancing on the streets of gold and I can’t stop celebratin in my soul. When I see Jesus face to face, tell me what could be better?”

Hummm! That started putting things into perspective. However my tears, my sob story did not stop but I kept listening. “There’s a beauty in the dawn, a rhythm to the rain, a silence in the soul that I just can’t explain. There’s a breath of life I breathe, a beating in my heart. A scary sense of what lies past the stars. Behind the mystery I know it could only be…There is a God, this is the proof. That all around the evidence is speaking the truth. From the center of my soul to the edge of the universe, creation is crying out. Believe it or not, There is a God.”

As we rolled slowly down US-300 God was w/me. The creator of the universe helping to dry my tears, guiding my path, holding my torn heart, mending my hurt, protecting me from bitterness. He was encouraging me thru song of His constant and abiding love, joy, peace and understanding. I had also been praying for no more tears once we got onto I-75 to Atlanta when the next song played….."What if in the morning when I wake up, before I fill my coffee cup I say Thank You. What if I looked at the day and the hours ahead & before I moved forward, I bowed my head to say Thank you.” In the middle of this very bouncy song, I changed! My tears stopped, I remembered to say Thank you Lord & as the lyrics go “ I know it would change all the moments in between.” Well, hey! This is what I do everyday but today w/the forever rain in front & back of me I was NOT-SO-ENJOYING-A-PRIVATE- PITY-PARTY.

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