from who we are going to visit in Morocco. She and her son were on a bus going home and it passed their stop. It was dark by now and although it did stop not too far away, she was very uncomfortable. This is how neat our Father is. When she got off, a lady did also and started to question her about where she was walking, etc. And this is what our Father did for her and her son.
"On a lighter note - a language blunder - and this one in English! When the "police woman" escorted us home she quickly told me she was a "police woman" in English, but with her accent, I thought she was saying she was a POLISH woman. So, we talked back and forth in Arabic and some English. She knew a bit of English, but not a lot. She must have told me two or three times that she was a "police woman" and I was thinking "well, I'm really glad that you're proud of your heritage". Eventually I asked her if it was dangerous for her to walk from our house to hers by herself, and again she responded, "no, because I'm a "police woman" - me thinking "POLISH". And, again, I thought "what difference does it make if you are Polish or British or Australian, you're still walking alone", but I didn't say anything. Then she pulled out her ID card and it said in plain English "police" and had a picture of her in uniform. Then I was really smiling inside that the Lord had provided such timely intervention and an opportunity to laugh!
We're so very thankful for the Lord's promise to never leave us or forsake us…thankful for His guidance and encouragement…thankful for His grace and mercy. Please pray that we would be bright lights in this dark place.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
today my adam is
23. It is actually hard to believe. I mean, he looks 23, acts 23, sounds 23. But, when I think that it has been 23 years since the first time I met him, now that is hard to believe. It is also very bittersweet. I so enjoy having our sons as our friends. I love hearing their views, taking their advice, watching them as adults……and at the same time…….my heart swells up and I have to close my eyes to keep the tears in. Particularly when I allow regret to come in. That I did not live each and every day to the fullest. That I allowed many precious minutes to fly by. When I would love to go back to day one and “do over”. Not to really change a lot. Just to enjoy the do over. And then my Father brings me comfort in memories. Many, many memories. Many filled with laughter, with smiles, with just being goofy. How full my treasure chest truly is.
He will leave in just six months. He will leave with his brother. They will have their own “home”. A place where they will create family memories without mom and dad. And that is okay. That is a part of life that I have prayed for them to have. Knowing that one day Curt and I will be gone, I want them to have their own memories to keep them even closer. To help blend their future families. For our future grandchildren to grow up more as siblings than cousins.
Happy Birthday to my special prince. That is what you are. For you so love and serve the King of Kings. I shall always look at your face and see the many images of years past. That first sighting in the delivery room, that blond curly hair above those eyes so blue they looked black. Forever will I hold that precious face as you looked up at me and smiled, in the middle of the night, as you were nursing. The sound of feet running to the door, the look of excitement and joy - because you heard your daddy’s key in the door. The times you taught, shared, loved, teased your brother - and still do. I love your sense of humor. I love the choices you have made. The friends you fill your life with. I am so very proud of “whose” you are. I am excited to see where He is leading you. And there will continue to be times when I have to close my eyes. You know, to keep the tears in.
Christopher Adam - Happy Birthday my precious son. Philippians 1:3,4
He will leave in just six months. He will leave with his brother. They will have their own “home”. A place where they will create family memories without mom and dad. And that is okay. That is a part of life that I have prayed for them to have. Knowing that one day Curt and I will be gone, I want them to have their own memories to keep them even closer. To help blend their future families. For our future grandchildren to grow up more as siblings than cousins.
Happy Birthday to my special prince. That is what you are. For you so love and serve the King of Kings. I shall always look at your face and see the many images of years past. That first sighting in the delivery room, that blond curly hair above those eyes so blue they looked black. Forever will I hold that precious face as you looked up at me and smiled, in the middle of the night, as you were nursing. The sound of feet running to the door, the look of excitement and joy - because you heard your daddy’s key in the door. The times you taught, shared, loved, teased your brother - and still do. I love your sense of humor. I love the choices you have made. The friends you fill your life with. I am so very proud of “whose” you are. I am excited to see where He is leading you. And there will continue to be times when I have to close my eyes. You know, to keep the tears in.
Christopher Adam - Happy Birthday my precious son. Philippians 1:3,4
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
supper last night
was delicious. Roasted chicken with artichokes, tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano, seasoned pepper and balsamic vinegar.
While preparing it………
Nichalas: “Why are artichokes so sweet?”
Matt: “I don’t know.”
Nichalas: “Because they’re all heart.”
Matt: “Ha-Ha”
Deby: “Oh Nichalas stop, you’ve got me all choked up.”
While preparing it………
Nichalas: “Why are artichokes so sweet?”
Matt: “I don’t know.”
Nichalas: “Because they’re all heart.”
Matt: “Ha-Ha”
Deby: “Oh Nichalas stop, you’ve got me all choked up.”
Monday, February 11, 2008
"Grace is not a blue-eyed blond."
Define grace in your own words.
The kiss Christ allowed Judas to give Him in the garden. And then He called him friend. When I am as Judas, He still calls me friend. The tears He wept while kneeling in the garden - the tears He wept for me. Releasing His soul to darkness-for me. Raising from death to live. He didn't "go on" and forget me. He came back for me and then "went on". He keeps me.
The kiss Christ allowed Judas to give Him in the garden. And then He called him friend. When I am as Judas, He still calls me friend. The tears He wept while kneeling in the garden - the tears He wept for me. Releasing His soul to darkness-for me. Raising from death to live. He didn't "go on" and forget me. He came back for me and then "went on". He keeps me.
to come so far...
and then regress back in just a moment. I love our God. I really, really do. I wouldn't know or want to know what a life without Him would be like. I know that I am His child. I know that He loves me so much He gave me Jesus. I know and believe all of this. And then with just a few words....I fall back to who I was when I was growing up. The feelings that come make me want to vomit. It makes me doubt everything about me. Words have so much power. But, only if I allow them.
Thankfully, my regression only lasts for a very short time. How I pray that that time will one day be none at all. Until then, He surrounds me in His gentle love. How thankful I am for that.
I am facilitating an awesome study, "Conversation Peace" -Mary A Kassian. Wow. There are not a lot of questions, so I underline high points to discuss. More and more I find myself underlining whole sections.
I love how she said this, "When King David was focused on what he should have been receiving from the people who bothered him - respect and kindness, for example-he had nothing good to say. Yet when he becomes focused on his relationship to God and kept his focus there, he found himself filled with "a new song" and began to say good things to his adversaries.
A focus on scarcity results in stinginess while a focus on abundance results in generosity. If we focus on the resources of God, we realize we have an abundance to give. On the other hand, if we focus on what we should be getting from others, we become "stingy" and reluctant to give.
Now that is where true power of words lie. His Words. Each and every one of them.
Thankfully, my regression only lasts for a very short time. How I pray that that time will one day be none at all. Until then, He surrounds me in His gentle love. How thankful I am for that.
I am facilitating an awesome study, "Conversation Peace" -Mary A Kassian. Wow. There are not a lot of questions, so I underline high points to discuss. More and more I find myself underlining whole sections.
I love how she said this, "When King David was focused on what he should have been receiving from the people who bothered him - respect and kindness, for example-he had nothing good to say. Yet when he becomes focused on his relationship to God and kept his focus there, he found himself filled with "a new song" and began to say good things to his adversaries.
A focus on scarcity results in stinginess while a focus on abundance results in generosity. If we focus on the resources of God, we realize we have an abundance to give. On the other hand, if we focus on what we should be getting from others, we become "stingy" and reluctant to give.
Now that is where true power of words lie. His Words. Each and every one of them.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Things are......
getting checked off my list. So far, I have gotten our home completely organized and cleaned - except the kitchen cupboards and now am ready to paint. That is a problem....what colors do I choose? I am blessed with a husband who is happy with anything I pick, it's just I don't know. We have one job of brush removal to do for a client and are waiting on the weather to change. Right now it is snowing and everything is covered nicely with white icing. It is so beautiful out here today. I love our Father's paintbrush.
There is a sense of urgency in getting my "to do" list completed soon, very soon. We are taking a trip across the ocean to visit our friends the McMichaels in Morocco for ten days. I am already anticipating nonstop mowing when we get back - which is why I want to get everything done before. This could be our last family vacation. The guys are moving to Chicago this fall to begin the next stage of life. It is exciting - bittersweet. Adam is applying to Columbia and Nichalas has been accepted at the School of Hospitality and Cooking. I love that God has blessed them with such a close relationship and that they will be roommates. What neat memories they will be making.
We are also in prayer about something major. Something wonderful if it pans out. If not, we wait on God's time. No-I am not trying to get pregnant! or adopt.
We are also going through the process of digging for gold - scholarship, grants, etc. gold. That is such a fun thing to do - but worthwhile.
I have kept up with my blogger friends and have received such blessings in reading them, corresponding with them. I also fight envy in how artistic some of them are. One day I will take the time to learn how to do the same with mine.
My goals for 2008 - so far on track.
Continue in His word every day. Listen to Him and write what He says down.
Laugh more. Spend as much time as possible with my family and friends.
Have company more.
Cut back on my gardens. I burnt myself out with all the planting last few years.
Get Neko trained, Pet Safe fence installed and get him off that chain.
I would really like to ride in a hot air balloon. So would my dad. That would be a big step in my overcoming the fear of heights!
Send notes of encouragement, love, to someone once a week.
Forgive and move on in regard to relationships that I am not Christlike in. To choose to allow Him to transform my heart.
Lose 10 pounds a month for the next six months. Slim Fast seems to be working. They have a menu plan filled, and I mean filled, with vegs. So, we are eating healthier and most of the recipes have been quite good. Returned back to Aldi's as their vegs, milk, etc. are so much cheaper. Their milk/eggs over a dollar!
Get the house completely cleaned, organized, and painted before we leave.
Taxes - to the accountant. Put on her desk the second week of January!
Bookwork/records/receipts - all files have been purged, updated and receipts are recorded except yesterdays groceries.
Continue to stay on the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Budget - all I can say ----it works!
It will be interesting to see what the end of 2008 will bring in regard to this list. I do know that as I age, the list keep changing and it really isn't a complete tragedy if things aren't crossed off.
Okay - honestly - the 10 pounds a month would be a tragedy if they are still following me around come 2009.
There is a sense of urgency in getting my "to do" list completed soon, very soon. We are taking a trip across the ocean to visit our friends the McMichaels in Morocco for ten days. I am already anticipating nonstop mowing when we get back - which is why I want to get everything done before. This could be our last family vacation. The guys are moving to Chicago this fall to begin the next stage of life. It is exciting - bittersweet. Adam is applying to Columbia and Nichalas has been accepted at the School of Hospitality and Cooking. I love that God has blessed them with such a close relationship and that they will be roommates. What neat memories they will be making.
We are also in prayer about something major. Something wonderful if it pans out. If not, we wait on God's time. No-I am not trying to get pregnant! or adopt.
We are also going through the process of digging for gold - scholarship, grants, etc. gold. That is such a fun thing to do - but worthwhile.
I have kept up with my blogger friends and have received such blessings in reading them, corresponding with them. I also fight envy in how artistic some of them are. One day I will take the time to learn how to do the same with mine.
My goals for 2008 - so far on track.
Continue in His word every day. Listen to Him and write what He says down.
Laugh more. Spend as much time as possible with my family and friends.
Have company more.
Cut back on my gardens. I burnt myself out with all the planting last few years.
Get Neko trained, Pet Safe fence installed and get him off that chain.
I would really like to ride in a hot air balloon. So would my dad. That would be a big step in my overcoming the fear of heights!
Send notes of encouragement, love, to someone once a week.
Forgive and move on in regard to relationships that I am not Christlike in. To choose to allow Him to transform my heart.
Lose 10 pounds a month for the next six months. Slim Fast seems to be working. They have a menu plan filled, and I mean filled, with vegs. So, we are eating healthier and most of the recipes have been quite good. Returned back to Aldi's as their vegs, milk, etc. are so much cheaper. Their milk/eggs over a dollar!
Get the house completely cleaned, organized, and painted before we leave.
Taxes - to the accountant. Put on her desk the second week of January!
Bookwork/records/receipts - all files have been purged, updated and receipts are recorded except yesterdays groceries.
Continue to stay on the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Budget - all I can say ----it works!
It will be interesting to see what the end of 2008 will bring in regard to this list. I do know that as I age, the list keep changing and it really isn't a complete tragedy if things aren't crossed off.
Okay - honestly - the 10 pounds a month would be a tragedy if they are still following me around come 2009.
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