Yahoo!! Women of Faith Conference - Here I Come!

For several months now, I have been reviewing books on BookSneeze.com. Recently, their site offered a chance to receive a free two-day pass to the nearest Women of Faith Conference. The venue nearest my home is in Pittsburgh, PA in October (which just happens to be the weekend before our sister's reunion in Michigan!) I was thrilled beyond belief to learn that I have been chosen to blog about the Imagine conference! In order to receive the ticket - I am required to post a badge on my blog - (see right) and write a blog post about the event prior to attending and then another after attending.

Having never attended a Women of Faith conference - yet always wanting to attend - I am REALLY looking forward to this time of refreshing and worship and teaching and preaching and fellowship. What more could a Christian girl ask than to spend time in the presence of her King along with thousands of other sisters in the Lord! I do believe it's going to be a glorious event! Why don't you join me? There are dozens of conferences throughout the United States! Find the nearest to you and plan on experiencing God!

Book Review: Max On Life

Love Love Love this book! As anyone who has read anything by Max Lucado knows, he is an awesome author. In Max on Life, author Max Lucado shares his answers to life’s toughest questions. While covering a wide range of topics, everyday situations and questions are answered with not your average answers, but answers backed with God's Word. The questions asked range from very simple to very complex - but his answers are easy to understand. I have always enjoyed Max’s style of writing, and this is no exception. It’s easy to read, and written so that you can open to any page and start reading. Makes a great "on the go" book - or a great "bathroom reader" book (if you're into reading in your "small room.") I guarantee that there are answers to questions you have asked or are asking and I highly recommend this book!

Uninvited Guest

Olivia left the screen door ajar.

Soon I heard a little bit of rustling near the front door.

Lo and behold....



I asked him what he was doing in the house.

He quacked a reply....
but I don't speak duck!



Silly Bird!!!

He was quite the unhappy quacker when I told him he had to go back outside.
I think he had plans to stay for dinner!

...never a dull moment here in "The State Park!"

Happy Mother's Day....

to all the Moms ....but especially to my Mom.

Mom, you know I've told you many times over how much more I appreciate all that you've done for me ever since I became a Mom myself. The sacrifices you've made, the unconditional love you've shared, the way you've encouraged me and always believed in me...for all of that, I will be forever grateful. You deserve an armful of roses...
I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

The Bathroom Trash is Glowing...

Glowing?

What? I must be seeing things. For after all, it's 2 am and I'm walking around in a dazed stupor - coughing my lungs up - with a horrible cold which is trying its best to turn into bronchitis. ....the bathroom trash can't be glowing! I hadn't turned on the light because I didn't want to assault my eyes in the dark of night. And there was no mistaking the blue glow coming from the black trash bin. I must be dreaming. Either that or I've seen one too many reruns of Close Enounters of the Third Kind and my mind is playing tricks on me. Besides, I'm coughing so much that I'm seeing stars. Must be hallucinating.

I return to bed, only to awaken an hour later - still coughing. Retreating once again to the bathroom so as not to disturb Brillo Man, I see that the bathroom trash is still glowing. This can't be. I go back to the bedside to retrieve my eyeglasses. Yes - even in clear view - there is definitely a blueish glow. Very strange.

Nah! Impossible! I must be seeing things. Wait. What did I discard into that trash bin? I recall it being in the kitchen after Brillo Man emptied it...and I placed some items into it before carrying it into the bathroom....hmmmm? I can't remember. In the morning, I must look.

Morning breaks. The light of day. What is in the trash bin? Oh my gosh --it's a piece of twisted up butcher paper with a plastic bag wrapped inside that had held the contents of last night's dinner: big, thick filets of Orange Roughy.

I immediately went to Google. Aha - my suspicions confirmed. Orange Roughy is among the many species of bioluminescent fish. The fish oil remaining in the bag was glowing through the white butcher paper...a blue glow. I wonder if the remaining filets which are in the refrigerator are glowing even now. I'm thinking I may go carry them into a dark corner and see if they glow...

Mystery solved. Good thing. I would hate to think that we were breeding aliens in the bathroom trash.

Book Review: REGGIE by Reggie Dabbs with John Driver

Reviewing this book for BookSneeze:

Initially, I wasn't sure that this book would be one that would hold my interest as the author is a motivational speaker primarily to teen audiences. However, I have found this book to be delightfully funny and sad all at the same time. Reggie Dabbs shares many stories of his past which I think will bring out many emotions in his readers. Causing them to go deep into their past in order to conquer their future!

Reggie was born to a young, unwed mother who asked the only friend she had in the world, her English teacher, to raise her baby. Reggie was eventually adopted by the English teacher and her husband. He never knew his birth mother. The circumstances of his birth were unsettling to him - but he turned around the negativity of his past.

His book is filled with stories of his life. Some very humorous, some sad, some bittersweet - but all with a lesson. He compels you to look beyond what is in your past (and yes, even your present) and use it, learn from it - in order to make the best of your future. The book is filled with faith - and its transforming power! He gives all the glory to God.

At the end of each chapter are questions which would be perfect to stimulate thought and discussion in a group setting.

Reggie Dabbs is a motivational speaker - primarily to teens. He speaks in schools throughout the country. One day, when our daughter is a teen, I would love her to hear him speak.

I would recommend this book!

Sunday Song

I've been catching up on a lot of reading on our sister's blog and am dedicating this song to all of us...who have been through various trials and tribulations in this life...yet we remain with God. And He, ever faithful, walks with us through the pain.

Sunday Song

How is it possible that an entire week has gone by and I haven't had time to blog?...

Here it is, Sunday again....time to get your worship on with this one:

Sunday Song

This song is in memory of my friend, Cindy. Too short were her days here on this earth...one day, we will meet again...



There let the way appear steps unto heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Cindy...I'll be checking in on MattMeister...as you smile down on him from Heaven...

Fast Falls the Eventide....

...but I don't need to fear or fret

because I am basking in the soothing, glowing, warming light of...

THE EGG INCUBATOR!



Yep. The Erskine State Park is now in the chicken egg hatching business!

Olivia received a small incubator for Christmas. It has been sitting in the box - waiting for Spring.

The other day, Brillo Man returned to the house from his daily trek to the chicken coops. (Note - I said 'coops' - we now have two. More on that in another post)...anyway, he returned with five eggs in hand and gleefully announced, "They're still warm!!"

Hooray.

Okay - so he grabs the incubator (which was "some assembly required".) I told him he was on his own as I was busy cleaning the laundry room.

A few minutes later, he brings me a rectangle of aluminum foil and asks me if I can cut it in half.

Are you kidding?

Okay. Done.

The correct positioning of the foil is apparently essential in reflecting the heat from the small light bulb onto the eggs....

Okay.

The temperature is critical. It must be between 90 and 102 degrees fahrenheit. Preferably closer to 100.

Three hours later...we are still waiting for the temperature to rise to the occasion so that the eggs may be placed.

Isn't it too late?

What do you mean?

Haven't they eggs been sitting out on the kitchen table too long. I mean...they're no longer warm.

Doesn't matter.

Doesn't matter?

Nope.

Why not?

Because the hens will leave the eggs in a pile for awhile before one finally gets in a "brooding mood" and begins to sit on the eggs.

Oh. (What do I know? ...nothin')

SO...finally, after about four hours, the temperature is high enough that the eggs may be placed inside. By this time, Olivia is home from school and simply beside herself with excitement. She drew an "X" on one side of the eggs and a "deeley bopper O" on the other side of the egg. (Every "O" which Olivia draws contains a smiley face and antennae - or rather - deeley boppers.) We've got eggs with deeley boppers.... And they must be turned. Three times a day. The X's and Deeley Bopper O's will make it easier to keep track of which side is "the opposite" side.

Okay.

For three days now we've been turning eggs three times a day.

How long do we have to turn these eggs, anyway?

21 days. Or maybe 22. But for sure, 21 - but never less than that. (...says Olivia, the chicken egg hatching expert.) And you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT TOUCH THEM WHEN THEY START TO HATCH!

I knew that.

So how do we know if these eggs are fertile? How do we know they're not going to just sit there and rot?

Olivia informs us that she knows they're fertile because she saw the rooster jumping on the hen. Which, by the way, how does that work? (I'm thinking I'm not ready to have that conversation yet....)

SO....moving right along. I've been told that we will candle the eggs to see if there's an embryo developing.

Wonderful. When do we do that?

Neither Brillo Man nor Olivia has any idea.

Well...maybe we should find out.

Because I just went over and turned the eggs...and I'm detecting a fowl (pun intended) odor.

...I'm thinkin'...Tractor Supply will be selling baby chicks in a few weeks...isn't that easier?

For all you reality TV fans, stay tuned for...The Hatching....(the miniseries...)



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She lays her eggs on the ground
and lets them warm in the sand...
-Job 39:14
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Today....

I will be heading to the lab to have my blood drawn. I hope the artist uses a nice bright shade of red.

Next stop...anyplace that serves breakfast! My physician did not specifically order fasting bloodwork, but being a Medical Technologist, I know that some of the tests the doctor ordered are best interpreted when the patient has been fasting. Needless to say - it's 9:15am as I type this...and I am HUNGRY!

Then I'll be going to The Good Shepherd Center to DONATE the things that are packed in the back of the van! Get those things out of my life and into someone else's who can use them!

After that...off to StuffMart to exchange a pair of jeans which I purchased for Brillo Man for Christmas...they've been sitting in the house for too long now. Wrong size - he needs a size smaller! (Wish I had that problem...)

Then I'm going shopping for new glasses. (Note to self, bring your eyeglass prescription...) I have been wearing my current pair for a little over two years. In that two years, I think my left ear has grown larger - causing my glasses to sit higher on that side of my face - causing them to appear crooked. Because they are. Besides, my eyes have changed...and I need a stronger bifocal. Again.

That all should give me plenty of time to meet Brillo Man at his appointment at the VA clinic...we're attending a nutrition class together. Maybe I'll learn something about how to reduce my jean size...

Hopefully all will be accomplished in plenty of time to be here when Olivia gets off the school bus. Because, after all....it will then be time to turn the eggs! (More on that in a future post!)

So...I'm off! Have a blessed day all!

The Things That Amuse Me

It doesn't take much to amuse me.

I'm sure you've figured that out if you've ever read some of my posts.

The other night, I couldn't sleep. It was Saturday night...time to turn the clocks ahead one hour for the start of Daylight Savings Time. What time does that officially happen anyway? Ah.. 2 am. Yep. I can do that. I can wait until 2 am. But what to do until then...

I was looking for something to do to keep myself amused. There's always YouTube...and besides, I hadn't yet chosen a song for my Sunday Song post...

In searching for Sunday Song post, I somehow came across this incredible(ahem) makup tutorial for Lady Gaga's Poker Face Makeup (Whatever that is...) Nevertheless, it piqued my interest. And actually, the artist in me found it a tad fascinating after all.



Then I discovered a video that some filmmaker guy posted with his theory about a cross-dressing time traveler appearing in a 1920s Charlie Chaplin film - it's long - over eight minutes - so don't click 'play' unless you have the time. Of course, much is repetitiveness, therefore, one doesn't necessarily have to watch the entire video to get his point....



Phooey. I did my due diligence. It was indeed a hearing aid. Click HEAR, I mean HERE for proof.

But as the clock was ticking away while I was wasting away the minutes, I was about to experience my OWN time travel! It was almost 2am!! The magical moment when time jumps ahead and we lose an hour. Yahoo!

Guess what...you'll be happy to know that I captured the ENTIRE thing on FILM! (I'm thinking a film production career may be in my future, as the quality of what you are about to see just may astound you!)



Did you catch that? I hope you didn't blink. Because if you blink. You miss the entire thing! Just like that - in a split second...we all traveled ahead in time by one hour. Amazing.

Come back in the Fall and I'll show you how we all travel BACK IN TIME!!!

Sunday Song

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Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
-Psalm 111:3
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Are You a Random Popper?

Or do you prefer to pop in rows?

What am I talking about?

Why plastic bubble wrap, of course!

I was popping a sheet of bubble wrap. In rows. Because I'm a row popper.
When along came Olivia. She picked up the sheet that I had left on my bed and began to pop it. Randomly.

There's something all wrong about that.

Then she jumped on it!

Oh man!

Then she handed it back to me and said, "Here, I saved you some" and then proceeded to skip away downstairs to her "hang out space."

Are you kidding me?!

Now I have a sheet of partially popped plastic bubble wrap which is randomly popped - not to mention that it's now grimy from being pounced upon by an eight year old with dirty feet on my kitchen floor....

ugh.

I accepted the challenge.

92 pops later....it's all popped out.

And I feel good.



My tent (bubble wrap) is destroyed;
all its ropes (bubbles) are snapped.
-Jeremiah 10:20a

The Importance of a Name

Has anyone every mispelled or mispronounced your name? Does it bother you as much as it bothers me? I thought after I got married that my name would be so much easier for people to pronounce. Nope. I was wrong.

E-R-S-K-I-N-E Pronounced: ER'-skin

It's not Er-SKIIIIINE...with a long 'I'
It's not ERKS-skin...with an extra 'K'
It's not ERKS-steeeen...with an extra 'K', an extra 'T' and a long 'E'

It's just Erskine. Period. Simple Easy.

In thinking about my name, I started to think about God's name. One thing led to another and some research revealed the following information about "THE NAME" of God. His name, of course, encompasses so many names - and He is called by so many names. But at the very root...Hashem.

Shem is the Hebrew word for "name" (the "Ha" before it is the definite article). The Bible speaks of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem as the place where God's name would dwell—the place where his people could pray and be heard. Jesus himself prayed that the Father would glorify his name through him. He also promised to do whatever we ask in his name. Philippians 2:9-10 affirms that God has exalted Jesus and given him "the name that is above every name."

______________________________________________
Hear the cry and the prayer
that your servant is praying
in your presence this day.
May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day,
this place of which you said,
"My Name shall be there,"
so that you will hear the prayer
your servant prays toward this place.
-1 Kings 8:28-29
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GOD REVEALS HIS NAME

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said...

"Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive...

"When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance...

"As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name—for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name..."

When Solomon had finished building the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do... the LORD said to him:

"I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."
(From 1 Kings 8:22-9:3)

My prayer is that the Lord will teach me what it means to "hallow his name," to glorify, exalt, declare, and praise his holy name, to live in a way that honors his name so that others might find forgiveness, peace, and healing through the power of hia name.

God's name is associated with his glory, power, holiness, protection, trust, and love. To call on his name is to call on his presence. To act in his name is to act with his authority. To fight in his name is to fight with his power. To pray to his name is to pray to him. In fact, the very first mention of prayer in the Bible appears in Genesis 4:26: "At that time people began to invoke the name of the LORD" (NRSV). Though we are to exalt God's name and proclaim it to the nations, it is also possible to dishonor it, which is the same as dishonoring him. God's name is his reputation.

Though God's name is holy and powerful, it cannot be invoked as a magic formula. Rather, his name becomes powerful whenever it is uttered by men and women who are exercising their faith in God. Jesus taught his own disciples to pray by saying, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." In John's gospel, Jesus prays to his Father, saying, "I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me" and "I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known" (John 17:6, 26 KJV).

When we pray to Hashem (ha-SHAME), we are praying to the holy God who dwells in our midst, hearing and answering our prayers.

ErKstiiiine...not so important....

Breakfast

Breakfast: An orange the size of a softball. (And this one is small compared to some others from the bag which have already been consumed. Note - that's a SOFTBALL - not a baseball. This is a HUGE orange!

That's it. That's all I got.

Off to the eye doctor....Have a blessed day!



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Then the land will yield its fruit,
and you will eat your fill and live there in safety.
-Leviticus 25:19
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Sunday Song

This song is in honor of Diane's precious Mother.

Book Review: Fasting by Scot McKnight

At any given time, if you ask me what I'm reading, I may respond with several different titles. I have books in my Kindle - books in my iPhone - books on my PC - and books strewn all over our home! But recently, this book by Scot McKnight has captivated my attention.

Fasting is a book which takes on the subject with profound clarity. Such as none other I have read on the subject. The author stated something very early on which grabbed my attention. He says that fasting is not to be a manipulative tool to see what we can get, but rather fasting should be a response to a very sacred moment or event.

Repentance often expressed itself in the physical act of fasting. The moment of turning away from sin and back to God was so sacred and so filled with God's grace that the Israelites chose to refrain from eating.

Our repentance today doesn't often lead to the same place. Very good points to ponder in this book. We should fast, not because the fasting is some magic bullet to insure that our prayer requests are granted, but rather because the request is something so intense and we desire something so deeply. Eating in the midst of that intense plea would be almost considered sacrilegious.

The author states that he believes there are very real, tanglible benefits from fasting. but not to be utilized for what we want. Rather the benefits will emerge out of the greater context of fasting as we respond to the sacred moment. It is in our response to these moments that as we turn to God in faith that He will bring about the results that undo the grievous situations in which we find ourselves.

A study guide is included at the end which poses questions to stimulate small group discussions. All in all - a very good book - I recommend it. A departure from the "name it - claim it - fast it and grab it" theologies that sometimes infiltrate Christianity.

I felt as though I just needed a laugh today...

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A merry heart doeth good like a medicine...
-Proverbs 17:22
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Flax Seed: The Low Carb Whole Grain

So - I've discovered a new favorite snack. Salted Corn Chips With Flax Seed from our local Amish Bulk Food Store:



They are delicious! I decided to do some reading about the benefits of flax seed in our diet. I had previously known that flax seeds are good for us...but had forgotten all the specifics.

Let me tell you - this tiny seed is mighty! I learned that it carries one of the biggest nutrient payloads on the planet. And while it’s not technically a grain, it has a similar vitamin and mineral profile to grains, while the amount of fiber, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids in flax leaves grains in the dust.

Additionally I learned that flax seed is very low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for people who limit their intake of starches and sugars. And its combination of healthy fat and high fiber content make it a great food for weight loss and maintenance -- many dieters have found that flax seed has been a key to keeping them feeling satisfied. WhooHoo! Something to help me with weight loss issues!

Flax seed is high in most of the B vitamins, magnesium, and manganese - which is awesome, because when we are under stress we completely deplete our supply of B-complex vitamins in our body ...therefore ...flax seed can help out if I'm stressed! I am really liking these new corn chips with flax seed!!

AND...they are rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acid! Omega-3 fatty acids are a key force against inflammation in our bodies. Mounting evidence shows that inflammation plays a part in many chronic diseases including heart disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and even some cancers. Yes! Omega-3...here I come! Bring on more of those chips!

Flax Seed is also high in fiber. You’d be hard-pressed to find a food higher in fiber -- both soluble and insoluble -- than flax. This fiber is probably mainly responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of flax. Fiber in the diet also helps stabilize blood sugar, and, of course, promotes proper functioning of the intestines.

Flax Seed is high in phytochemicals, including many antioxidants. It is perhaps our best source of lignans, which convert in our intestines to substances that tend to balance female hormones. There is evidence that lignans may promote fertility, reduce peri-menopausal symptoms, and possibly help prevent breast cancer. In addition, lignans may help prevent Type 2 diabetes. ...Don't even ask me about my peri-menopausal symptoms. This Flax Seed enriched Corn Chip can help with that??!! Whoa-baby! I'm heading back to the bulk store to buy some more!

And then I read this: Note that flax seeds need to be ground to make the nutrients available (otherwise they just “pass through”)

In case you missed it in the photo...my delicious, flax seed enriched, salty corn chips contain WHOLE flax seeds.

So... Nevermind.