The Bug Invasion

Yesterday was Randy's birthday --so Olivia and I celebrated by going caching. Randy doesn't know this --but as soon as he reads this post, I'll be busted!

At one point, I found myself in the middle of an old cemetary --not an unusual place to find a cache, but this day was unusual in that I was surrounded by hundreds, if not THOUSANDS of ladybugs! And every one of them was yellow! Hundreds and hundreds of yellow ladybugs --pelting me from every direction! I've never seen so many bugs before in one place! One had no spots. I've never seen a 'spotless' ladybug either.

Anyway, after finding the cache, signing the logbook and returning to the van --I had to scrape these bugs off of me so I could get back in the van without filling the inside with flying insects. I went to flick one off my sleeve and noticed that it was RED. Only one red bug amongst all those yellow ones. Odd. I picked it up ---it crawled on my finger and just as I went to flick it out the window - it relieved itself on my finger! LadyBug Pee --on me! ...and it was YELLOW. ...so they WERE all yellow after all!

Case closed.

Olivia Sings

Sunday night in church we had a sectional Singspiration. What happens is every month where there is a fifth Sunday ---the evening service is all music. Several churches in the section get together and anyone who wishes may sing, play an instrument, recite poetry etc. It's always a great night of fun and fellowship. And then, of course, afterwards we all go eat together in the annex.

As I was practicing my song for the service, Olivia said that she wanted to practice a song too. I asked her if she would like to sing in church and she got all excited! "Can I stand on the stage and can I have my very own microphone?!" "Yes, you can stand on the stage and have your very own microphone." She practiced singing her favorite song a few times: Days of Elijah

When it came time for her to sing, she marched right up on the stage, grabbed the microphone from Jim (our worship leader) and looked at it - then looked at me (in the front row) and then looked at the congregation and said, "This is a really big microphone!" Everyone laughed, of course. I asked her if she wanted to sing....she said, "YES!" ...and then proceeded to belt out the tune - several times!
"Behold He comes
riding on the clouds
shining like the sun
at the trumpet call
so lift your voice
it's the year of Jubilee
out of Zion's hill salvation comes"

Except she sings, ...out of Zion's hill salbation comes,

Of course, she received an enormous ovation ---and is ready to sing again real soon. I was SO proud of her! She did an awesome job! We're already practicing our next number for the next Singspiration.

Rosa Parks

Here's something awesome....in today's newspaper I read that Rosa Parks is joining a select few, including presidents and war heroes, accorded a public viewing the the Capitol Rotunda. On Sunday, Rosa Parks will become the first woman to lie in honor in the vast circular room under the Capitol dome. The House agreed to voice vote Friday that the body of Rosa Parks will lie in honor in the Rotunda on Sunday and Monday so that the citizens of the United States may pay their last respects to this great American.
Rosa Parks contributed greatly to this nation and to the African Americans when in 1955 she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. This decision led to her arrest and to the subsequent 381-day boycott of the city's bus system that helped initiate the modern civil rights movement.
I applaud you, Rosa Parks --and join countless Americans in saying, "Thank you" for your act of bravery and courage.

Maggie May

Last evening, little
Maggie May went home to be with Jesus. Her courage was inspiring and her smile won the hearts of all who knew her or followed her story. I never had the pleasure of meeting Maggie May in person - but she stole my heart. Her family has shared her story - her triumphs, her pain. And now we ask the Lord to comfort them as only He can as they mourn for their darling princess. May we always remember Maggie May and the lessons she taught us - to be courageous and to smile --always --no matter what ---smile --because God is on our side! As deep as I hurt, I am also rejoicing knowing that today Maggie is pain-free and dancing with Jesus!

mulling over

I just finished my 30 minutes on the exercise bike! (yeah me!) It was a little more difficult today than it has been the last few times --- it was probably because I hadn't warmed up my legs first. My legs just didn't want to cooperate when I tried to keep my speed up beyond eight miles an hour. Finally I settled on 7.5 --got a good pace going ---and let myself get lost in the music playing in my headphones. The CD of choice is Casting Crowns. For one thing, I love their music - for another thing - it's lively enough to encourage me to keep pedaling!

There is a song on that CD --Here I Go Again. It talks about how we can so easily talk to our friends about "the rain and mulling over things that won't live past today", but there's a fear that grips our hearts when we attempt to tell them about that only thing that matters in this life and that is whether or not they know the Lord as their Savior. "Maybe this will be the day when I speak the words of life with Your fire in my eyes"...

Wait --this song is really good --let me get the words and type them out:

Here I Go Again

Father, hear my prayer
I need the perfect words
Words that he will hear
And know they're straight from You
I don't know what to say
I only know it hurts
To see my only friend slowly fade away.

So maybe this time I'll speak the words of life
With Your fire in my eyes
But that old familiar fear is tearing at my words
What am I so afraid of?

'Cause here I go again
Talkin' 'bout the rain
And mulling over things that won't live past today
And as I dance around the truth
Time is not his friend
This might be my last chance to tell him that
You love him
But here I go again, here I go again

Lord, you love him so, You gave Your only Son
If he will just believe, he will never die
But how then will he know what he has never heard
Lord he has never seen mirrored in my life

This might be my last chance to tell him that You love him
This might be my last chance to tell him that You love him
You love him, you love him
What Am I so afraid
What am I so afraid
What am I so afraid of?
How then will he know
What he has never heard.

It's really a great song --and it has spoken to my heart. Because my days are filled with caring for Olivia, I don't really have a whole lot of contact with other people. But tonight, it's our monthly "cousins dinner". All of us "girls" get together and go out to eat --we each take turns picking the restaurant. Tonight it was my turn - we're going to The Hickory Grille in Hermitage, PA where they serve the very best Stuffed Portabella Mushroom appetizer! Anyway...I digress. My prayer is that tonight I will not pass up any opportunity that the Lord gives me to speak His Truth. Most of my cousins know Him. Some do not. May I be faithful to share His love ---wherever He leads me. I challenge all of the Christians reading this to do the same. And...if you're reading this and you don't know the Lord. You are missing out on so many blessings in this life. God sent His Son to die for you so that if you would only believe and ask Him to be the Lord of your heart --you will live forever with Him. It's too good a deal to pass up! He loves you more than you know! Ask Him to reveal Himself to you --He will. Read the book of John in the New Testament. Okay --gotta go get ready for the cousins dinner. Until next time....

riding on the clouds....

While giving Olivia her bath this evening, she said to me, "Mommy, I'm riding on the clouds!".

"You are?", I replied.

"Yes! Just like Jesus!" (refering to one of her favorite songs Days of Elijah - Lyrics: Behold He comes, Riding on the clouds....)

"Oh, yes, one day Jesus is coming back and you can ride with Him on the clouds as long as He is living in your heart."

Olivia pondered this for a moment and then said, "Nope - He lives at His house and He's probably swimming right now in HIS bathtub because He really likes to swim."

missed blessing

I received a call today from someone at church asking me if we would bring food to church on Sunday for a member who has no food - and no money until her check comes in at the beginning of the month. Absolutely ---of course we'll contribute! Here's the part that annoys me....earlier this week, the Lord brought this person to my mind....in fact, told me that I should send a card to encourage her ---and maybe put some money in the card as well.

Did I do it? no.

Does it REALLY bug me that I wasn't obedient at a time when this woman really needed some encouragement? yes.

It's a missed blessing. What an awesome honor it would have been to have received that phone call today knowing that we had already reached out to someone in need. argh. I'm glad that the Lord is "on top of things" and is organizing this "food drive" so Elaine will have food for the rest of the month....still...kicking myself for not listening when He prompted me to do something. Moral of the story ---ALWAYS LISTEN TO THAT STILL SMALL VOICE.

Okay...gotta go raid the pantry and pack a box or two for Elaine.

To Trick or not to Treat?! That is the Question...

This morning, in my Bible study time, I came across the following verses while doing a search on cleaving to the Lord:

Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.
4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.


I was curious as to what the characteristics this false god (Baalpeor) possessed. So - I googled "Baalpeor false god". Following is the article that I found --copied from the BibleUniverse website.

Before I copy the article --let me just say this ---as a Christian, when I was a child - we celebrated Halloween. We dressed up in cute little costumes and ran door to door collecting all the scrumptious, cavity-causing, tummy-aching, sugar-high-inducing candy that we could fit into our bags. Some of us even carried pillow cases - allowing for 'Maximum' Load! (Not me - I was too 'chic' for that!).

I remember one year, I even had a Halloween party --complete with, among other things, cooked spaghetti and peeled grapes representing intestines and eyes (props for a creepy story that I shared). My parents, while Christians, obviously approved of the party - helped plan it - bought the food, etc. Mom even sewed a cute witch costume for me.

In fact, our youth group at church held Halloween parties for us - we all dressed up - bobbed for apples - played games and had a great time. Today - this same church where I grew up would not dream of having a Halloween Party. Now they have a Fall Harvest Party --kids get candy, play games, dress up (no creepy costumes allowed) and generally have a lot of fun. The church we attend now had their Harvest Party last night. (We stayed home since the party was outdoors and we have colds.)

Anyway, now that I'm married and have a daughter of my own - I am wondering how I'm going to handle the subject of Halloween. Right now, she's three. It's not an issue. But one day, when she goes to school - there will be many of her friends who will be out trick or treating - and wanting her to go along. I have come to realize that celebrating Halloween is not something in which I want Olivia to be involved.

My question for all of you is - what do you do? Do your children participate in Halloween activities? Where do you draw the line and what do you say to your children? ....just curious.

By the way: Cleave Unto the Lord Your God

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary:
"cleave ... to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly."

Here's the article....I would appreciate your feedback:


Halloween
Hallowe'en has been given an innocent face and people say it's "only fantasy" after all. However, Hallowe'en is not innocent, it is the celebration of death and the dead which is condemned by God's word.

When God, through Moses, instructed the nation of Israel regarding the practices of the nations whose land they were going to inhabit, He warned them not to learn the ways of those nations. God wanted to make sure that the occultic practices that the nations of Canaan were accustomed to would not become part of Israel's practices. Divination, witchcraft and seeking to communicate with the dead were all considered abomination by God.

"When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee." Deuteronomy 18:9-12

A person who had a familiar spirit or a person who practiced necromancy were people who communicated with the dead. This practice of trying to communicate with the dead was categorically condemned and those who engaged in it were to be put to death by stoning. Leviticus 19:31; 20:27.

Hallowe'en, All Hallowed Eve and All Saints Day are names for the same day. The Catholic version, or All Hallowed Eve, christianized this Pagan holiday by stating that the dead being celebrated were the dead saints now in Heaven. Here is a Catholic perspective of Hallowe'en.
"Because October 31 lies exactly between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice, it is theorized that ancient peoples, with their reliance on astrology, thought it was a very potent time for magic and communion with spirits. The 'veil between the worlds' of the living and the dead was said to be at its thinnest on this day; so the dead were invited to return to feast with their loved ones; welcomed in from the cold, much as the animals were brought inside."

Here are details about Hallowe'en from an witches perspective.)
By comparing a few Bible verses together, it becomes evident that the feast of Hallowe'en or the feast of the dead is really feasting with demons.
On the borders of the Promised Land, Israel fell into whoredom with the daughters of Moab and Midian who came into the camp. This had been on the instruction of Baalam who found that Israel could not be cursed unless they fell into disobedience.
"And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel." Numbers 25:1-3
Israel sacrificed to the gods of the Moabites, feasted with them and bowed down to their gods. Thus they left the true God and were joined to a false one, Baalpeor. What was the feasting about? What did the worship of these false gods involve besides the licentious practices.

"They [Israel] joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead." Psalms 106:28

The book of Psalms explains that the feast being conducted (back in Numbers 25) was a feast for the dead. This is what the feast of Hallowe'en is about, a celebration and feast of the dead. When we turn to the New Testament, Paul tells us that when the Gentiles sacrifice, they are really sacrificing to demons. "But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. " I Corinthians 10:20
Celebrating Hallowe'en is a Pagan ritual that goes farther back than the Celtics of Ireland. It goes back to ancient civilizations many thousands of years ago. The celebration of the dead, the feast for the dead is really having fellowship with demons.

These practices are not innocent. They are occult practices that open up you and your family to demonic harrassment. If you have any occult paraphenalia in your home, such as Tarot cards, crystals, games, or occult books, get rid of them. They are invitations to the spirits of devils to invade your life.

When there were converts from paganism in Ephesus, these new converts who had practiced occult ceremonies, burned their books and so should you! Acts 19:17-20 Don't be trapped by the innocent face that is being put on Hallowe'en and the occult today. It is still the witchcraft that God in His word condemned as being incompatible with Christianity. God does not want his people having fellowship with demons.

quip de jour --i.e. Olivia says the darndest things...

I have been reading a delightful blog entitled Mommy Matters.

Every so often, there is a post entitled, "...quip de jour".

I was thinking that I should adopt the idea. Since actually writing down the things that Olivia says in her "book" isn't happening with great frequency.

So...here are some things she said earlier: While outside in the chilly night air with Daddy - swinging on the swing - wearing a hat with flaps covering her ears....She removed the flap and said, "Daddy, I really just need to hear the night sounds."

When seeing me typing in my blog..."Mommy, you need to close up that computer because I need a really big hug or else you're going to the naughty spot."

After refusing to eat the nutritious lunch I placed before her...."No, thank you, I'm just not hungry."...then gets up - gets a spoon out of the drawer and a snack-pack vanilla pudding out of the cupboard..."I have an idea! I'll just be the taste tester to see if this pudding is good."

Being a Mom is not without it's comic relief!

May your days be FULL of smiles...

Oliver

I just spent the past 90 minutes on the phone with a very dear friend. She called me to ask me to pray for her brother, Oliver. Oliver has so many physical problems right now --he's in critical condition in an intensive care unit - suffering with graft vs. host disease and many complications from several other inherited disorders that plaque him. He is in horrific pain - and in septic shock - and the physicians don't know where the infection came from - nor can they find an antibiotic to treat it. He has had a fever of over 104 degrees for the past four days.

What could I tell my friend, Sherry, about her brother? Because of my medical background, I know that a lot of what is happening with Oliver is pointing to the fact that he may not have much time left on this earth. As Sherry said - she's not stupid - she knows this. Oliver is a Christian. Sherry is a Christian. I told her the only thing that is absolutely - without a doubt - a certainty: God is still on the throne and still in control and still knows every detail of Oliver's situation and still has him in the palm of His hand.

Over and over again, the Lord is showing me that He is the One in charge. It seems that everywhere I look recently - there are no other answers. Situations are such that there is no other hope but the Lord. Why He is showing me that frankly has me a little bit frightened. I wonder what He may be preparing me for....

argh.

Still ---I must maintain --He is in control. He knows what's best. He will ultimately work all things out for good for those who are called according to His purpose.

Lord --be with Oliver tonight. Comfort him as only You can do. Take away his pain. Heal him. In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Trust

I have been reading some blogs recently with some really inspiring posts. (Refer to my "Places to Go" on the sidebar.) Some of these people are presently going through some significant struggles. The common thread is that all of them are relying on the Lord to get them through.

As I reflect upon my own life, I see that I have leaned on the Lord during the hard times - choosing to trust Him rather than rely on my own strengths. It's easy to trust Him when you have no where else to go. But I'm wondering if during the "good" times, I'm trusting Him as much? Am I as devoted to spending time with Him when things are going my way? Do I long to crawl up in His lap and let Him hold me on a daily basis? There's not a day that goes by when my daughter doesn't come over and crawl up on my lap wanting to be loved. And there's not a day when I would turn her down. Our heavenly Father is the same way ---He yearns for an intimate relationship with us. He loves us more than we can imagine and desires that we share our hearts with Him. It can be easy for us, as humans, to take the Lord for granted. Today, my charge to you is this: Put aside all the "stuff" of this life for a few minutes and spend time with your Abba Father. Let Him love you. Relax in His presence and allow Him to fill you with His love and peace. You will be forever changed.

It's God's Problem

This morning after church, someone asked me about something that I've been praying about for quite some time....my response to her was, "It's God's problem." It's out of my hands. There's nothing I can, or should, do to contribute to the solution. I read a comment in another blog recently: "Control is an illusion." Isn't that the truth? Control - in a Christian's life - is something that should be relinquished to God. He's in charge. He's on the throne - at least that's where He was the last time I checked. And since He never changes ---that means He's still there.

So often, we neglect to surrender people, things, situations, relationships, whatever...to the Lord. We lay them at His feet --asking Him to take control of the situation and then a few days or even a few hours or minutes later --we've got our heads and our hands right back in the situation. Give it to God. He's the One Who knows exactly what's best. He promises that He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

I have a few issues in my life right now that I'm dealing with ---Today - I gave them all to God. They're now His problems and I'm not going to stress about them anymore!

Go ---Give it to God!....and leave it at His feet!

what a workout!

Okay ---the new recumbent bike arrived yesterday. Last night, Randy dragged it in the house (the box was over 150 pounds) and proceeded to unpack it. Halfway through his task he received a phone call and had to abandon the project. By the time he was through talking with his client, he had lost the motivation to finish unpacking the box. At this point, I'm wondering if this box was going to sit unpacked - much like the palmetto bug sat on the kitchen floor for days....(refer to previous post)....anyway, today, I decided that I was going to unpack and assemble this bike. THREE HOURS later, with sweat pouring off my head, I finally finished the project. At this point I had decided that I probably could count that as my workout and forego actually RIDING the bike today....but I was anxious to try it out. I read the directions regarding how to program my workout and I began. Well....20 minutes and 2.5 miles later, I was done! I was going up hills that I didn't know I could climb! Of course, they're all imaginary. The tension on the bike would increase or decrease based on my target heart rate - which I had programmed previously. However, I neglected to account for the fact that my high PB medication causes my heart to beat slower. Therefore --my target rate should be lower than the normal person. At the end of this workout, I was DRIPPING sweat off my head - into my eyes (I hate when that happens --note: wear a headband next time...). I was feeling slightly nauseated and COMPLETELY out of shape! BUT - I accomplished something - so I'm feeling good about that. Now, if I can just resist the temptation to go eat everything in sight. Exercise always causes me to feel famished! Okay...yeah me! I will keep you posted on the progress.

Chug-a Chug-a Chug-a Choo!

Yesterday, Olivia was flat on her back most of the day. She had puked all night and was "resting up" and recharging for today.

Presently, as I type, she is RUNNING around the living room singing, "chug-a chug-a chug-a choo - I'm a train! ...the train went over the mountain...now, I'm a plane! Look Mommy! Mommy, you come and be a plane too!...." etc. ad nauseum. WHERE do kids get their energy? And why can't I have some of it?!

I have been complaining to Randy a lot lately that I'm unhappy with the fact that I've gained 40 pounds since our wedding day (4.5 years ago). That's roughly ten pounds a year. The last time I added ten pounds a year started when I was in college ---I added ten pounds a year until I had reached the jelly-belly weight of 323 (that was the last time I had weighed myself --I probably weighed more).

I worked REALLY hard at losing weight and managed to take off 132 pounds! YEAH ME!
My plans were to lose an addition 40-60 pounds. Instead, I got married, gained ten, had a baby, and gained 30.

I don't get enough exercise. No, let me restate that. I don't get ANY exercise. The majority of my time is spent taking care of Olivia. She's three. You would think that there would be a lot of "running to keep up" with her --but the truth is, I can orchestrate most of the day from the comfort of my couch. Olivia runs. I watch.

Well - I've made up my mind that I'm going to lose the weight that I gained back --and I'm also going to take off an additional 40 pounds. That's 80 pounds. I've already lost five (yeah me!) by cutting out all pop (soda or soft drinks for those of you who are unaccustomed to calling it pop). I've also stopped eating so many pretzels (one of my favorite snacks).

And....we just invested in a really expensive recumbant exercise bike. We ordered it from the PX (one of the benefits to being married to a retired military man - PX shopping - no tax - no shipping --except we had to pay shipping on this one because it was "oversize").

So - that means I can exercise while Olivia is running around the house.

My plan is to record my progress in my blog. I'll keep you posted on "weigh-in" day. Maybe, if I can find some old photos - I'll post one before I lost the original 132 - one from now - and another when I lose the other 80.

Here's what I'll need from you folks who visit my blog --encouragement! Tell me something that will inspire me. Pray for me. Tell me that it's worth it to turn down the piece of chocolate cheesecake with caramel drizzled on top....no, better yet, remind me that I'M worth turning down the piece of chocolate cheesecake with caramel drizzled on top....because somewhere, down deep inside, I think this weight is a result of self-hatred - or low self-esteem --or something....

I recently read in another blog that women's addictions recur when they feel that they aren't being pursued.....I think there's something to that. I'm definitely addicted to food....and once again, I've allowed food to become my god. I thought I had learned that lesson --apparently not. Thanks for the prayers --I'm gonna need them!

....until the next post,
fatfully yours,
Deb

getting to know you poll

You know those goofy "getting to know you" question thingys that seemingly circulate endlessly from email to email? Who writes that stuff? They ask (and expect you to respond) to all kinds of whacky questions from "what was the last thing you ate" to "if you were a crayon, what color would you be?". What color would you be? Who knows! Depends on my mood! Today, I'd be deep purple because I'm tired and have been taking care of my sick little girl since last night. If you asked me last night, at 3am when I was putting the puke-covered sheets in the wash, I might have said, "Gray". If you ask me on payday, "Bright Yellow". If you ask me just after I've eaten too much, "Green". Anyway....here's my question of the day - actually, it's a two-part question. #1) If YOU were a crayon - right now this minute - what color would you be? and #2) What question would you include if you were writing one of those seemingly endlessly circulating question thingys?

don't ever stop praying

I recently came across an entry on someone's blog --this person remarked that she has been praying for over 25 years for her husband's salvation. That's a long time. I was able to share some thoughts and words of encouragement with her.

There were (and still are) times in my life when I didn't quite understand why the Lord would answer my prayer for something seemingly trivial --yet years and years went by --as I prayed for my father's salvation and received no answer.

I love how God is in the details. He does care about every little thing which pertains to His children. It's awesome that He he always provides a good parking spot at WalMart as I whisper a prayer on the way into the lot, "Lord, please let there be a space near the door." Yet, I persistently prayed for my Dad for over 20 years... Let me just say this --never stop praying.

My father never minded that the rest of our family attended church. He was a good man - would give anyone the shirt off of his back --but didn't have room for the Lord in His life. His opinion was the the church was full of hypocrits. He couldn't recognize that we're all forgiven sinners --not perfect people.

I can remember, as a child and a young person, going into my bedroom, closing the door, getting down on my knees and weeping before the Lord - pleading for my Dad. There was no request more urgent on my heart. My mother prayed too. And we waited. And waited. And waited.

Over twenty years later --after Dad endured some very serious heart surgeries and a heart attack which eventually led to him being placed on the heart transplant list---the day came --when he literally had been given just a few days to live --that he got the call --they found a donor.

Dad went into that surgery --and came out - not only with a new physical heart - but with a new spiritual heart. Later, he would tell us that since God had given him another chance - He thought that it was about time that he start being grateful and he surrendered his life completely.

We saw him transform from a "good man" to a man after God's own heart. To see him standing in church - singing and worshipping the Lord - leading a Bible study - being an officer in the Men's Ministry - going on missions trips. --and always -wherever he was - whenever he had the opportunity - sharing the love of the Lord with anyone who would listen ---it was an amazing thing to witness. And the long-awaited answer to countless prayers for his salvation.

Dad is at Home with the Lord now. He lived six years post transplant before he died in the O.R. when they were removing the lower right lobe of his lung because he had been recently diagnosed with lung cancer.

The Lord knew that Dad had endured enough - and took him Home to be with Him - where he is now completely healed.

He is the person that I miss the most - every day - and it's been ten years since his Homecoming. I am sad that he never met my husband or our daughter. I am sad that I was never able to share with him the deepest secret of my life --and that I finally allowed the Lord to break through my stubborn, sinful heart and call me to a COMPLETE surrender to Him.

But --I'd like to think that Dad's a part of that great cloud of witnesses of whom the Bible speaks. He knows. He sees. He smiles at us from heaven --just as our Heavenly Father does.

I say all of this to say this --don't ever stop praying for your unsaved loved ones. Don't be discouraged. God works in so many ways in the human heart - ways we cannot see. ...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved - and thy house. God is faithful - he will give you the desires of your heart as you continue to serve Him.

My prayer is that the day of your loved one's salvation will come soon --so that they may reap the benefits of the many blessings that the Lord bestows upon us.

I will continue to pray...
God bless you dear reader!

Matt on the Ellen show

I just happened to tune in to The Ellen DeGeneres Show this afternoon. She mentioned this guy's website - you're going to have to "cut and paste" this into your address because for some reason, I can't get blogger to accept my html code. (argh.) Here's the site: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com (well, we wish it was "heck" and not "hell" - but, you'll have that. It sounds better, don'tcha think? Visit the site. It's funny.

blog

I happened to find my way earlier tonight to a blog by a writer by the name of Donna Butler --- By His Grace Alone. I recommend this blog - awesome poetry and insightful, inspirational writing!

Here's another of my favorites ---an aspiring photographer: Robin. The photographs she shares are incredible! Visit A Little Bit of Me when you have some time!

Everybody Loves Raymond

Have you all seen the episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where the suitcase sits on the stair landing for DAYS because neither Deborah or Raymond will put it away? - each waiting for the other one to do it? Well....we returned home from Florida on Friday. It's now Thursday. Tomorrow will be one week since we've returned. It's not that I expect my husband to unpack the suitcases - because I don't. He works long hours at the office and when he comes home, the last thing he wants to do is unpack a suitcase. There is the matter of the dead Palmetto bug that is lying, upside-down on the kitchen floor ---hitched a ride in the suitcase. It is not in a direct traffic area....so I haven't picked it up. I only knew it was a dead Palmetto bug just yesterday ---previously, I thought it was a piece of fuzz. I think if the FDA or whomever it is that inspects restaurants were to come in my kitchen and inspect - we'd fail. Can't serve food here! Comtaminated! Dead Bug Area! ARGH! Okay --that means I don't have to cook dinner tonight right?!

Randy is also aware of the dead Palmetto Bug ---he hasn't bent down to pick it up either. And since Olivia is old enough that she's no longer putting everything in her mouth....I'll just let it sit there and see if Randy picks it up....

We're Baaaaccck!

Wow. What a vacation. Florida. Disney World. Mickey. Minnie. Cinderella. The "Fountain Little Pool". (Olivia's favorite pool at our resort.)

We had a great time ---now I'm trying to "catch up" on all my computer stuff. Following the progress of the little ones we're praying for has been a priority. Of course, can I EVEN remember how to add their link?! I'm telling you --early onset alzheimers --or something. My memory is not good at all. My neurologist says it's normal for me (I have MS) --but it's SO VERY FRUSTRATING!

Okay --gotta go "catch up" on my friends' blogs --and then figure out how to do the "link" thing --and maybe upload a photo of Olivia and Minnie. At one point, we were leaving breakfast with the characters and she got this very sad expression and then big tears started rolling down her face. I asked her what was wrong..."Mommy, I need to give Minnie Mouse a really big hug." Oh the drama of being three! She's too precious at times.

Okay --later gator (which we saw, by the way, in the wild, in Florida.)