Stamp out the devil!

The Simple Woman's Daybook - First one of 2011

2011-01-22T16:08:00.001-05:00

The Simple Woman's Daybook... DAY #1

2011 Edition

To join yourself... or to read other's musings, click the link below. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-2011-daybook-edition.html

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

Hmmm... there is still alot of snow. Not as much as in past posts though.

I AM THINKING

about Mark, as he is at work again today, while I am warm and comfy at home.

I AM THANKFUL FOR
my physical family, my church family, and of course salvation through Jesus! (Yepper, it will always be on the list). I had a wonderful time fellowshipping with friends/family last night, and for prayer! Expecting GREAT things from God! I am thankful for a faithful & true God who loves and forgives eternally & unconditionally.

FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS
I have had the past 2 weeks off of programming, and it has been nice. The next 2 weeks are mine to lead, and I am excited for a new year of fun with the kiddos in my care. The learning themes are;
Penguins & Polar Bears -- Jesus Chooses Special Helpers
Hearts, Hugs & Special Friends -- Jesus Calms a Storm

So I am excited about imparting the love of Jesus into the kids, and also being a part of their early childhood education.

FROM THE KITCHEN
The last you heard from me, it was December, and I was preparing for Christmas. Well I did indeed attempt a yummy soup in my crock pot... and it was super yummy. Infact, I would love some right now, as it is a little chilly here. I haven't attempted my own roast beef dinner, but someday soon I hope to. Mark and I love roast beef dinners. I still do love my McDonald's fries, and maybe Mark will bring some home to me sometime. :)

I AM WEARING
My McDonald's sweater and jeans... I must find a pair of socks, as my feet are super chilly.

I AM REMEMBERING
Hmmm... I am remembering that again I have to finish my curriculum web-sheets for work on Monday. LOL! Super funny... I am also remembering to write down things that God tells me, or that are inspired of God. I am looking forward to cool and exciting dreams and visions! :) Praise the Lord!

I AM GOING
Downstairs soon, as I have been up in the cold office most of the day... maybe play a little WII, crochet some things, watch TV... dunno yet. Waiting for Mark to get home from work... in 4 hours. :)

I AM READING
The Book Club is starting again on Monday, with our new one 'THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS' by Robert Morris. I have yet to pick up my copy from the store though. Tsk! Tsk! Hopefully I can today... since I need to get my Mom her copy too. OOPS! I have picked up my 'THE ME I WANT TO BE' book again, as I really want to start the small group soon at church!

I AM HOPING
That the indoor day syndrome will soon stop at work... we need to get outside in the fresh (not stale) air to run and play. We need to use up our energies out in the world God created, rather than stuck inside for 10 DAYS... :(
I AM HEARING
pretty much silence... I didn't put on any music while I was at the computer, so basically I can just hear my fingers typing on the keyboard... again! LOL!

I AM PRAYING
For wisdom, family and friends, healings, renewed passion and gift-opening, and for the GREAT expectations for the year of 2011!

ON MY MIND
Not much right now, other than of course Mark, being chilly... and wanting to be done this daybook so I can get off the computer. Eeek! It's almost 3:48 PM. (Now after editing, etc it's 4:07 PM)
I AM PONDERING THESE WORDS
"If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place." Proverbs 24:10 THE MESSAGE
Wow eh? I wrote a devotional message about this verse check it out here.

AROUND THE HOUSE
Ok, so funny... last post I wrote, "hee hee, there is still a bit of a mess... piles here and there, which will be tidied somewhat so we can DECORATE for CHRISTMAS... we were supposed to have the tree up already, but one thing after another came up, and we haven't got there yet! Hopefully this week!" This post week we still have our Christmas tree up... LOL! It does need to come down, but that is something we should do together... and we haven't had much 'together' time to do so. HA HA! Hopefully soon!

I AM CREATING
Since my last post, I have finished the wedding invites, and they are beautiful. I have to take a pic of them, and post here later. Of course, I am still creating Crochet hats and want to create critter caps, and critters soon too! And I am still creating hand-stamped/handmade cards and papercraft items too, which I want to do more of, to sell and donate some money to our church missions, etc.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS
is Pop & Potato chips (Lay's Wavy Original) and dip -- yet this month I have chosen not to drink pop... its going well, yet I do miss having a coke here and there. We'll see how it goes...
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK
We shall see... "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

PICTURE FOR THOUGHT

Spring is coming... Hallelujah! Thank you Lord for NEW BIRTH, NEW GROWTH & NEW LIFE! <3

This is it... last day of 2010~

2010-12-31T13:19:00.001-05:00

2010 has come, and is soon to be over... What an interesting and fun year it has been... Many exciting and new things have come our way, and we have been pleased to be a part of them. It has been a year of ups, and downs... but most of all we know that God has again proved faithful with us, even when we haven't always been hanging out with Him as much as we should have. A resolution most Christians make if they are being honest... What is it with resolutions? So many people sit back on this day, or close to this day and look back to the year that has past, and try to make up NEW things that they will 'try to' do better or do at all in the new year ahead.

The new year is actually less than 12 hours away... and we are all gearing up for the party of the year (wherever we may be celebrating it). We are supposed to be thankful for the year we've had and be excited for the new one coming. NEW things are always fun for me... change is a good thing. I am looking forward with great anticipation and expectation for what is going to transpire in 2011. I really would like to not be giving this same speech in 364 more days... 365 more days (whatever).

This year has been a lot of fun and there has been a lot of interesting changes! Through the year memories include...

* The year started off as we rang in the New Year with Ken and Tammy! :D

* 2010 Winter Olympic Fun YAY Canada!! So many Olympic memories, so little time and space. I do love my Olympic Red Mittens though! (Even my hoodie from the last Olympics)

* I am now a REGISTERED Early Childhood Educator (and have to renew that title every year)! YAY GOD! (Basically, each ECE now has to become 'registered' in the College of Early Childhood Education as acknowledgement that it is a 'real job' and not just 'glorified babysitting'. -- just like teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc. Sweet eh?) LOL!

* A 'down' of the year happened in March, when we had to give Uncle Ken back to Heaven. It was a sad time, yet a very peaceful time, as we knew where Uncle Ken stood in his relationship with Jesus! We shall see you soon! (not too soon though) :D

* Mark's position at work changed, as he was promoted to 2nd Assistant Manager (which will flow in with God's plan to use him in the Church as well as in the Marketplace.) He however had to give up his pastoral credentials with the 4C's, as he isn't really involved with a 4C Church anymore, as we happily attend and are a part of Faith Tabernacle. (See more notes regarding Mark's work changes later)

* Teaching and Worship at FTL has been exciting for the both of us... Mark has been a Sunday School teacher, and is a guitarist and back-up singer on the worship team, and also an assistant Worship Leader. I have been a Jr Church Director and Teacher for a while now, but it was a little more exciting this year, as I moved from the 'kids' class to a new 'tweens' class - the 'God Chasers'. It has been a super cool year teaching the 'tweens' from our church and letting them experience God and the Holy Spirit for themselves. I look forward to continuing something with them in the New Year, but I also enjoy teaching the little ones too, so they don't always sit in front of the TV watching videos. We shall see where God wants to take the 'little ones' of Faith.

* In May of 2010, right on Mark's birthday, another driver hit our car (while Mark was driving) and basically it was a write-off due to the airbags inflating and breaking the windshield. So we had to say goodbye to our 'Boo' (Mailbu) -- but in June of 2010 we became the proud owners of a Dodge Caravan. YAY GOD! We are enjoying travelling and driving/riding in our new minivan. Such a difference from a car.

* It was a busy and fun year, as this year we saw our sister (Mark's sister) Shannon get married, and we were all a BIG part of that 'one-day' affair. (a day that lasts forever and ever) We were excited to be the Maid of Honour, and Best Man as well as 'Wedding Co-ordinator' and 'Decorating Co-ordinator'... and alot of other fun jobs that fit into those categories... August 7th, 2010 will go down in history as a fun and interesting day full of love, friends, family and hmmm... no sleep?! LOL! Thanks for the memories everyone.

* Thankfully we won tickets to KNIGHTS games a couple times this year... technically others won them, and gave them to us... but they were still FREE so it was great to go and cheer on the Knights. We both love hockey!!

Speaking of hockey, our NHL challenge is underway, and both our teams are doing fairly well... still an interesting match to watch when Montreal and Boston play. We raise our pillows high and cheer loud!

* During summer of 2010 around our 7th Anniversary we got vacation time together... one of the first years that we didn't have any church ministry things to do for our vacation time. (IE Camp, Africa, Retreats, etc) We enjoyed day trips and more... to the Hockey Hall of Fame with Mom & Dad Fletcher, hanging out with my brother and his family, hanging out with our cousins and their family in Stoney Creek, road trips to see beautiful sites and take beautiful pictures (Ben Miller with Mom & Dad Hall), beach fun and MORE.
* Of course we celebrated alot of family & friends (who are like family) birthdays and anniversaries and enjoyed time spent with family and friends.

* Time in the Fall is one of my favourite times of the year (except Christmas fun) -- and it's especially fun for me as it is also my birthday around Thanksgiving. Well this year it was on Thanksgiving Monday. We again spent time with both sides of the family, and enjoyed time at the beach again with the Fletcher side, and enjoyed time with the Hall side with another fall walk. Time with family is important to both of us thankfully, as we are both family-oriented.
* I have had many creative endeavours this year, and have begun to tidy my craft area in our home. There is tooo much stuff, so I am still working at it when I have time. I love to stamp, scrapbook, make cards and other papercrafts. Yet I also again picked up my crochet hooks and wool and have started making cute lil' winter hats. This coming year I want to attempt a sweater of some kind. :)
*Christmas -- Phew! What a busy and fun time, as the year is coming to a close, we enjoyed special time with our friends and family. Time together watching movies, playing games, eating treats and yummy dinners, opening presents (shopping for those presents in crazy filled malls) and MORE! What a blessed time celebrating the Saviour's birth. Again I was involved in the church drama production. I was Drama Assistant to our wonderfully talented Director. It was a fun play called 'Arrest These Merry Gentlemen', and our actors did a superb job. Unfortunately Christmas was also a time that I did not get to take snapshots of, as my memory cards were full of all the above memories... LOL!
*Mark's job update-- Well we were excited as his McDonald's was getting some reno's done, and a whole new look outside and inside... however near the end of this month we learned that he is being transferred to another McDonald's. Highbury will no longer be his 'home' away from home. His new workplace will be the McDonald's at Hamilton Road & Highbury as of Jan 3rd. (so you can all visit him there) The NEW McDonald's has the 'Head Office' above the restaurant, and Mark is going to help that McDonald's get up to the AMAZING standards that they worked together to do at Highbury McDonalds. We love CHANGE, and expect God to do great things in and through Mark while he is there! YAY GOD!

... well that brings us to today I guess... Mark is working for 2 more hours, and then we are off to celebrate with our friends (who are like family) for Christmas & New Year's fun!! We enjoy getting together with ALL of them when we can... board games, dinner, treats, presents, and more!!

Today is a GIFT that is why it is called the PRESENT... and we need to cherish each day as it comes. We need to wake up and thank God that we are alive and breathing. If we wake up and are able to breathe, then that is a reminder that God is not finished with us yet! Through all the busyness of the year, and especially during the holiday times, we need to remember the SAVIOUR and what He has done for us. We can be thankful for family, friends, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Christmas, tickets to hockey games, etc but we need to thank Him each and every day for all the provisions that He gives. He is the GREAT Healer, Provider, Peacemaker, and whatever we need Him to be for us. Too many times we take more time for other things, and don't take time out for Him. We need to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth ALL year long, not just at church or other worship services. Live a life of worship! Be real... and remember the words of Romans 12:4-21... and live them out!

"In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good."

May God Bless each and every one of you, and may you be also living the life with salvation, and be in expectation of what God is going to do in 2011! It's not too late to ask Him in today...

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing...

WEDNESDAY WICKEDNESS... on a Sunday (for DEC 1st)!

2010-12-05T19:00:00.001-05:00

Hi and welcome to Wednesday W'onderful'ness! Dunno what 'Wednesday Wickedness/Wonderfulness' is??? Well they are like other memes in that they will ask you ten questions each and every Wednesday. But their little "twist" is that each week they pick a famous person and pick ten of their quotes. Each of the meme questions will be based on the quotes. Got it? Great! Let's begin this week's meme!

(CLICK the LINK here to join for yourself -- the GROUCHO link can be found here.)
For WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1st -- Today we picked Groucho Marx.

1. 'A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere."
What is a superstition that many have that you think is crazy?
Pretty much ALL of them are crazy... I love black cats. But when you see one your first thought goes to the general concensus that they are bad luck... but I choose not to think that way. It is of course a LIFE CHOICE not to be superstitious. I do however pray for an individual when their picture falls, whether it be from the fridge or from the wall, etc. Not a superstition, just a gentle reminder from God that they may need prayer at that time.

2. "A hospital bed is a parked taxi with the meter running."
What were you in the hospital for the last time that you were admitted?
Hmm... that's been a while since I was admitted into a hospital, but I'm guessing it would have been when I had 'Facial cellulitis' the 2nd time... um, I think that's right. I wasn't hospitalized for the 3rd and 4th times... What is 'facial cellulitis' you ask... well let's just say the doctor told me the first time I got it, that it was a rare disease, and you would only likely get it once! :( Ha ha ha...

3. "Alimony is like buying hay for a dead horse."
What payment do you make that seems ridiculous?
I'm not sure... I don't think any payments are ridiculous that we make... the amounts may be seen as ridiculous. LOL! Especially now that Christmas is coming. :) I guess TAXES could be seen as ridiculous, as we now have the beautiful HST! :(

4. "Humor is reason gone mad."
How would you describe your sense of humor?
ROFL!! HA HA HA! HEE HEE! SNORT! I have a great sense of humour... I can crack it up with the best of them, I can understand even the silliest of them, and I can chuckle at the stupidest. I love to laugh! :D
We were actually just talking about different types of humour with friends of ours, and we were commenting a really funny story, although it wouldn't have been seen as funny to the person... yet in a sick way it was hilarious!

5. "I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it."
Who was the last person that you wanted to beat with something or other?
I plead the 5th... LOL! I need to show love and forgiveness... <3

6. "I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception."
HA HA HA HA HA HA! Hilarious...
Would you ever like to change something about your face?
YES... that I would have never gotten facial cellulitis 4 times... although I do like the new baby skin that grew each time, so my face is still very youthful. :)

7. "I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury."
I read an article recently that asked if marriage was still relevant. Other than to raise children do you see the point?
I don't have enough time or space to answer this one, but MARRIAGE is important, yet it like most things has been made a mockery of. Men marrying men, women marrying women, and raising children in these so-called 'family' environments. Marriage is not just to raise children. I am happily married and have no children YET... but I am claiming they are on the way... however, God made woman so that man would not be alone, and that he would have a helpmate. So yes I believe marriage is relevant, and there is a point. However, it all needs to focus back on the Word. If it's not in the Word, it's Absurd! :)
Obviously, as Paul wrote, marriage is not for everyone, but marriage itself does have a point! I LOVE IT! <3

8. "If you've heard this story before, don't stop me, because I'd like to hear it again."
Do you find that you tend to repeat your stories?
Well there is this time that I got facial cellulitis 4 times, and the doctor said it's only a disease you get once... JK! HA HA! But I'm sure I do... but it's probably hereditary. My family tells stories again and again. Sometimes however there are new truths found out.

9. "There's one way to find out if a man is honest - ask him. If he says, "Yes," you know he is a crook."
Do you find most people that are in your life to be honest?
Um, I would have to say yes... well at least I hope they are honest. I like to be authentic and real in my dealings with people, and I would like to have the same in return. I know that is tough for some, and they have a work face, a home face, an out-and-about on the town face, etc... but that is just silly. I am ME, and if someone doesn't like it, well too bad. I am the same everywhere I go...

10. "Wives are people who feel they don't dance enough."
Have you ever felt that your significant other did not go out with you enough?
Nope... I love my husband and he is most definitely the BEST one in the world... for ME! We have a lot of the same likes, and dislikes, and we take time out at least ONCE a week for 'date night'. His weird work schedule, and our busyness with church and more have made 'quality time' sometimes challenging, but we ALWAYS make time for each other. LOVE YOU MARK! <3

... and this ends our 'WEDNESDAY WONDERFULNESS' for the week of WEDS DEC 1st... (sorry it's late!)

The Simple Woman's Daybook... DAY #1 Christmas Edition

2010-12-05T18:24:00.002-05:00

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
there is alot of snow... it's finally stopped blowing and there's lots of it on the ground.

I AM THINKING
about Mark, as he is at work tonight, while I am warm and comfy at home.

I AM THANKFUL FORmy physical family, my church family, and of course salvation through Jesus! I am also thankful that I have a warm and cozy house to relax in on a cold and stormy night.

FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS
Well of course with it being December, we have moved our focus to the 'Christmas' historical facts... the word 'story' has a whole different connotation now a days. It's not just a story or a fable, it's the TRUTH. So this past week we learned about the angel visiting Mary and Joseph. Next week we are learning about the trip to Bethlehem. Phew... I love Christmas, yet it's so busy with all the Christmas Concert practices, etc. We are doing a Christmas concert for daycare on the 17th, and one for the Church on the 19th, both of which I have an important role. :) CHRISTMAS is the BEST time of the YEAR!

FROM THE KITCHEN
Well, soon as it is December, I will be trying our some Christmas baking, and I want to attempt to make yummy soups and stews in our crock pot. I also want to try a yummy roast beef dinner too! I am excited to be doing more cooking in the near future, as we do have to eat more healthier! I do love my McDonald's fries though! :)

I AM WEARING
my comfy NEWSBOYS hoodie, and my FANSHAWE joggers, as it was chilly outside, and now I'm cozy inside.

I AM REMEMBERING
Hmmm... I am remembering that I have to finish my curriculum web-sheets for work tomorrow. (but I have time later) I am remembering the love that the Saviour has for each of us. God GAVE His ONLY Son to die for us, as a sacrifice for OUR sins. What a reminder, as we celebrate His birthday this Christmas, we can also celebrate WHY He was born! <3 THANK YOU LORD!

I AM GOING
downstairs in a few minutes to do my daily WII training, and to sit and be cozy and finish some more crochet hats, maybe try to do some more invites, and maybe some Christmas Cards... but we'll see how cozy and lazy I get. :)

I AM READING
hmmm... well I still have to finish the 'Mary' portion of my "LINEAGE OF GRACE" book by Francine Rivers. The Book Club has now finished with this book, and we are starting our new one 'THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS' in January. I have picked up my 'THE ME I WANT TO BE' book again, as I really want to start the small group in the NEW YEAR!

I AM HOPING
that we have a 'SNOW DAY' tomorrow... then I can have another cozy day inside. But work will be okay tomorrow as long as it is NOT an indoor day! :)

I AM HEARING
pretty much silence... I didn't put on any music while I was at the computer, so basically I can just hear my fingers typing on the keyboard.

I AM PRAYING
for Mark and my family and friends who are not home on this snowy day. May the Lord keep His angels around those of you that have to travel in this snowy weather.

ON MY MIND
the above... the Christmas concert(s)... the Christmas TOP-SECRET presents at FDN... if I am ever going to get to the end of this daybook... LOL!

I AM PONDERING THESE WORDS
"Only GOD can turn a MESS into a MESSage, a TEST into a TESTimony, a TRIal into a TRIumph, a VICTim into a VICTory. GOD is GOOD... all the time!"

AROUND THE HOUSE
hee hee, there is still a bit of a mess... piles here and there, which will be tidied somewhat so we can DECORATE for CHRISTMAS... we were supposed to have the tree up already, but one thing after another came up, and we haven't got there yet! Hopefully this week!

I AM CREATING
still wedding invites... handed the Bride-to-be 1/3 of the invites today, have to finish like 12 more. I am creating Crochet hats and want to create critter caps, and critters soon too! Of course I am still creating hand-stamped/handmade cards and papercraft items too, especially at Christmas!

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS
THE COLOUR BLUE... tis' why I chose to do the headings in BLUE this time around.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK
We shall see... "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

PICTURE FOR THOUGHT
I really wanted to go out on my lawn tonight and make a snow angel... yet it was too chilly, and I was comfy cozy. So here's a pic of me last year making an angel on our lawn!

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

The Simple Woman's Daybook... eek skipped quite a few!

2010-11-21T09:00:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone...

(PS If you are interested in participating in 'The Simple Woman's Daybook' as well, please feel free to click THIS LINK to join for yourself. There is also a link on the picture in my sidebars.)
So blogging has again come to a lull... and I will try to do it more, as I also like to do my 'devotional' which I haven't done in a while either. It is definitely not Tuesday, but I saw the list on the top of my computer and felt like blogging this early Sunday morning.

TIME STARTED -- 8:49 AM

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW -- I see one house with Christmas decorations... a mini-Griswold's, not too flashy, yet cute at the same time. I am excited to see it actually, well one because I love Christmas, but two because at Halloween their home was decorated all evil-like... quite creepy. Now it's quite cute as they have inflatables, and really cute lights that flash like icicles and a really nice light-up garland around their door. I told Mark that I wanted one of those too! :)

I AM THINKING -- about Mark, as he is at work, and going to miss Sunday School, worship, and church this morning. Praying that everything is great for him, and its a fast and easy day. Church together tonight will be great!

I AM THANKFUL FOR -- FAMILY! I love my family... both or should I say ALL of them. We love, support, pray for, encourage, and just like to have fun! I am also thankful for CHRISTMAS, a time to remember JESUS and the humbleness of how He entered the world to live and then die (when we reflect at Easter) so that we can live! WOW! I am also thankful for Christmas, because it's a time to bless and also be blessed. This past Friday night we held our staff 'Secret Santa' party, for which we draw names and purchase gifts for another staff member. It's fun to bless and watch others open their presents. I loved my gifts as well, perfect for ME! Thanks again Ro! :)

FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS -- Well we are learning alot, and growing physically, mentally and spiritually. I love the kiddos in my group, and of course my co-worker too! It's is truly a blessing to work in a Christian daycare. We have set up our 'Angel Tree' as well where each child chooses an 'angel' from the tree which corresponds to an individual child at the daycare, and they purchase a small gift for them. We all open them together on a specific day. It's fun and a great way to show 'giving' and Christ's love!

FROM THE KITCHEN -- Well, between the last answer and this one, I have been to church and back. Mark is working, and Mom had to work, so we didn't go out for lunch together, so I am at home and in my kitchen I am baking a stuffed potato and making fish sticks for lunch! Mmm... maybe Mark and I can grab a bite somewhere before church tonight. Since my last 'The Simple Woman's Daybook' we cleaned and re-arranged our kitchen a little. :)

I AM WEARING -- My new Christmas sweater I purchased for myself (for our Secret Santa party) and my jeans. I wore them to church this AM to be comfortable as I play the piano (so no one really sees what I am wearing) and I work with the children on Christmas Concert practice. I wanted to be comfy and warm. Jesus says that we are to 'come as we are', so there is no need to be anything other than yourself. The Bible says that 'man looks at our outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.' <3

I AM REMEMBERING -- Hmmm... not sure. I guess I should be trying to memorize the Christmas play lines alongside our actors as I am the drama director. I must from now on remember to put my pop bottle back in the fridge if I don't finish the contents, as this morning I realized I left a bottle of pop out, and I put it in the fridge before church, and I took it out when I got home, and it has little fizz. It's cold, yet flat. So I added fresh stuff in, but its' still not the best. :)

I AM GOING -- to put on some music in the background as it's quiet in the house. Eeek... I must go check on my potato in the oven too... and add the fish sticks in so I can eat. :D I am also going to church tonight... to be blessed! :)

I AM READING -- hmmm, lots of books I have going. I have to finish my LINEAGE OF GRACE series, ending with Mary. Tomorrow night is our last book club for this book. I totally recommend FRANCINE RIVERS and this series. (You can either purchase each book individually by name, or as the series under the title Lineage of Grace.) Not all her stories are based biblically as these ones are fiction and non-fiction, but she is a great author. I have picked up 'THE ME I WANT TO BE' (by John Ortberg) again, as I want to start a small group at church (well at our home) in the new year. It's been on my heart for a while, yet I haven't moved on it!

I AM HOPING -- that Mark will be home soon. 2 more hours to go... Hoping in God still is the #1 answer. All faith and hope and trust is in Him, for He will keep His promises!

I AM HEARING -- nothing... I haven't put that music on yet. LOL! :D HA HA... my MIDI files popped up first (which is weird), so I have saved a bunch of 80's songs, so the first one alphabetically is 'All I Need is a Miracle'. LOL! :D Now it's KOKOMO... ha ha! 'Off the Florida keys...' Oooh, I would totally love to go to an island... Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego... Sunny south! Florida and Disneyworld would be great again though! :D

I AM PRAYING -- for continued health, strength, financial blessings, increased spiritual passion, etc in myself, my family and those in my circle of influence. I pray that I can be the example to those that don't believe. I pray for our new leadership as well... and lots of other things.

ON MY MIND -- actually not too much right now... but my oven timer is ringing, so I must go get my dinner moving... :)

I AM PONDERING THESE WORDS -- 'no more SLOPPY AGAPE'... we've been discussing this in our Sunday School class, and with our worship leader. We need to truly LOVE God, and others unconditionally, and in ALL circumstances worship in spirit, truth and with JOY! We must LOVE as He loved. :) We must be DEVOTED, COMMITTED and LOYAL in our love... no committing 'adultery' with other idols or gods. Be the ME that He has called me to be... live up to my MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS as part of the Body! :D

AROUND THE HOUSE -- Unfortunately there are still 'piles'... yet Mark and I have been organizing some of them. My craft area, and our family room has been rearranged for better usage, and is being more organized slooooo-wwwly. I am proud of us though, we have worked hard. :)

I AM CREATING -- Well my crafty self has been busy with more paper-crafting, and I actually am in the middle of creating more wedding invitations. YAY! An order actually that I am being paid for. Exciting!! However, I have also picked up my crochet hooks and wool again, and found a cute pattern for hats. WOW, I can make hats! Now everyone wants one... so cute and fun. (Pics to be posted for 'Picture for thought').

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS -- Knowing that God still loves me and is IN CONTROL in all circumstances. YAY GOD!

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK -- Hmm... not sure. Tomorrow night is book Club, and after that, well it's all in the air due to Mark's work schedule and God's plans. Hopefully I will complete the tasks at hand that need to be accomplished! :)

PICTURE FOR THOUGHT -- Well I thought I would share a pic of the cute lil' hat I made FIRST. It's a cute lil' hat that I gave to my co-worker/friend's daughter. The one that started it all... :) Hope you like it!

sorry, it won't flip... LOL! I will post again... but you can see it!

TIME COMPLETED -- 2:07 PM (LOL! I bet this will be my longest time between time started and time completed.)

Blog Catch-up Fun...

2010-10-01T22:45:00.004-04:00

Yes, my blogging skills are lacking as of recent, and I haven't posted a lot in the past few months. (although on this one I did get two posts in September)

THEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAYS... pick a song and reflect on it.
(Click the pic above, and it will take you to the site, where you can read more about 'Then Sings My Soul Saturdays' and you can join too!)

The song I would like to pick is COCOON by Jack Johnson-- not a Christian one, but one that I have heard lots in the past month as it is on one of the lullaby CD's that our daycare children listened to at naptime. Surprisingly we have also found a lot of actual cocoons at work as well (one of which I will talk more about below). Such an interesting creation by God! (see I can always bring things back to God, even though they don't start out as 'Christian' and as I went along it turned into more of a deotional too.)

Here is the song on YOUTUBE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMaRDHqvhps

The lyrics for the song are:

Well based on your smile

I'm betting all of this

Might be over soon

But you're bound to win

Cause if I'm betting against you

I think I'd rather lose

But this is all that I have

So please

Take what's left of this heart and use

Please use only what you really need

You know I only have so little

So please

Mend your broken heart and leave

I know it's not your style

I can tell by the way that you move

It's real, real soon

But I'm on your side

And I don't want to be your regret

I'd rather be your cocoon

But this is all that you have

So please

Let me take what's left of your heart and I will use

I swear I'll use only what I need

I know you only have so little

So please

Let me mend my broken heart and

You said this was all you had

And it's all I need

But blah blah blah

Because it fell apart and

I guess it's all you knew

And all I have

But now we have

Only confused hearts and

I guess all we have

Is really all we need

So please

Let's take these broken hearts and use

Let's use only what we really need

You know we only have so little

So please

Take these broken hearts and leave

This song is really about a tough break-up between a couple, which does seem rather sad. Yet the man (as it is a male-Jack Johnson, that's singing) wants the woman to see him as more of a cocoon than a regret. A cocoon is a place where growth (sometimes undesired) happens, and something great comes out of it in the end. A regret on the other hand is an undesired thing that has happened to you, that you wish didn't happen.

Life is made up of all kinds of choices, and the choice to date is an option facing many people young and old. Not all relationships have fairy-tale endings, whether they be dating or just friendship, accquaintance, co-workers, etc. Every relationship that people are involved in will most likely have some type of conflict come, because we are just that human people. However, we do have the choice also to see our obstacles, problems or conflicts as a time to whine, complain & 'wish it didn't happen' (regret) or a time for growth (cocoon). I have been meditating on this thought, as I have been reminded during Sunday School & Sermon/Teachings at church, as well as living it out in my own life. Paraphrasing a quote from the teachings, and from a status line I have posted on my FB page, 'STOP LOOKING AT YOUR PROBLEMS AS OBSTACLES, LOOK AT THEM AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOD TO DO SOMETHING BIG IN YOUR LIFE!'

A cocoon itself, is something that requires 'patience & waiting'.
Caterpillar - a time of growth
Chrysalis - a time of change
Butterfly or Moth - a time of rebirth & flight

Taking another look at this idea, we found a huge green caterpillar (which we were told was a Cecropia Moth Caterpillar) at our daycare on a Friday in August. So we thought it would be cool to keep him inside our aquarium for the weekend, so that we could show our other teachers & friends (who didn't get to see him). I didn't have my camera with me on Friday, so because my daycare is also in my church, I was going to get a picture of him on Sunday. So on Sunday when I went to see him in the aquarium I couldn't find him anywhere. I opened the lid carefully, and there was already a brown cocoon made and attached to the top of the lid. WOW! God is amazing! Since I couldn't get pictures of the caterpillar (and I didn't think to take on of the cocoon) I found some online to post here.

So, because we had studied some info from the internet, my co-worker decided to take our friend home and keep it in cold storage for the winter, and then we will release him in the spring. I am so excited to see the transformation. The kids were all a part of it, so they are excited as well. (Assuming we don't forget all about him) =)

This is what he/she will look like when he/she emerges and spreads her wings...

He/She will be able to take flight and soar after many months 'trapped' in his/her cocoon. (I will try to remember to post pictures if we can get any, and link them here.)

Anyway, every thing that may come our way, whether positive or a challenge/conflict is a time where we can grow our character. God is busy at work in us, and as with the caterpillar, it's not a one-day event. It takes time for our real character to emerge, and soar beyond our wildest dreams.

So I pray that you will receive these words of instruction and encouragement, and let God 'challenge, grow, change & give you wings'! I know I am excited to see the transformation of the Cecropia Moth, but I am even more encouraged and excited about my own transformation, and you should be too (about yours)!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

I think I will create a 'butterfly' card for this occasion... in anticipation of the one that will emerge! I may try to make an 'encouragement' card to help encourage others in their transformation! (Will link here when complete!)

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING,

LOST... what's the BIG deal??

2010-09-11T16:38:00.003-04:00

Now that LOST has had it's Season Finale, and SURVIVOR is on it's way for another season... I thought I would blog a little on the theme of 'LOST'... I have been wanting to do this blog for a while, yet have never worked on it. Actually I haven't done a lot of blogging as of late. Summer fun, a wedding and work have taken their places on the priority list. I have done some stampin' and craftin' (which I still have to post), yet I haven't had thoughts together to sit down and relax and blog. Yes, I hear you... NO EXCUSES! LOL!

Anyway, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the LOST, and it was encouraged more so when we did Vacation Bible School at our church. The week's Bible lessons revolved around 5 of the Parables of Jesus. The Sower & the Seed, The Lost Sheep, The Good Samaritan, The Friend at Midnight, and The Parable of the Talents. Well, the lessons followed a great pathline... The Word of God gets sowed into our hearts, which may be rocky, weedy or fertile. We are all like lost sheep, when we are separated from the Good Shepherd through sin. The Good Samaritan reminds us that we are all important, and we should help and encourage everyone. Persistance pays off in the end... and we all need to use the gifts and talents that our Heavenly Father gives to us. It will bless and glorify Him in the end, if we use them with the right motives.

The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, The Prodigal Son and the blindness of the Pharisees found in Luke 15:1-32 are the basis of this blog. The WORLD is full of LOST people, and the people of the world have a fascination with being LOST. Take for instance the shows LOST and/or SURVIVOR... These reality-based shows were & still are very popular. Being LOST is NOT a good thing. If you are LOST, you need to be FOUND. Every person who does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ is LOST. All these lessons brought back to my remembrance a message that was spoken at a meeting regarding Evangelism. John Mitchell spoke to us regarding how we see the world. We need to see the world with God's eyes. I have a T-shirt that says 'CROSS-EYED', because it reminds me to look at the world and the people (no matter how rich, poor, annoying, dirty, etc) through God's eyes. Using the CROSS to cleanse them from all unrighteousness. God cannot look on us because of our sin, but when we accept Jesus into our lives and ask Him to change us and transform us, we are no longer LOST.

In John Mitchell's message (because I take great notes, and found them recently)... He says:

God's PICTURE OF THE CHURCH ~ He saw them as BLIND!
God's PICTURE OF THE LOST SHEEP ~ He saw them as LOST!
God's PICTURE OF THE LOST COIN ~ He saw them with VALUE!
God's PICTURE OF THE SONS ~ He saw them with CHOICE!

Therefore, we all were once BLIND and LOST... but we need to remember that we have VALUE, and we also have a CHOICE. God would like us to make the RIGHT choice that leads to eternal life, rather than the one that leads to eternal death. Our eyes can be opened, and we can be FOUND!

But what do the LOST look like? At one or more times in our lives we are LOST or can feel LOST...

1. The LOST COIN -- A person who is LOST and DOESN'T KNOW it.
    They NEED -- REVELATION!

2. The LOST SHEEP -- A person who is LOST, KNOWS IT, but DOESN'T KNOW what to do.
    They need -- REDEMPTION!

3. The PRODIGAL SON -- A person who is LOST, KNOWS IT & KNOWS what to do.
    They need -- RESTORATION!

4. The PATHETIC (Pharisees) -- A person who is FOUND, KNOWS IT, but DOESN'T KNOW why
    or what for.
    They need -- REBUKE!

It makes you think about people you see... what shape is their heart in (rocky, hard, weedy or fertile), yet also where they are on the 'lost scale'? We are sent by God as messengers and Jesus told His disciples in John 20:21, the same thing He is telling us today, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

Too many people are worried about searching for the 'immunity idol' in life, and about 'trying to not get kicked of the island' rather than worrying about themselves & their friends who are really 'lost'. Put away all idols, and turn back to God. He will never 'kick you off'. The devil comes to 'steal, kill and destroy', but he will never snatch us from the Father's hand. For it says in the Word, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:27-29) As in the story of the 'sower and the seed', the enemy can 'snatch' away the message, if our hearts are not in the right spot. "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path." (Matthew 13:19)

So I pray, that your desire for LOST increases... the LOST of the world!

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Check out this YOUTUBE VIDEO, playing the songs, EVERYTHING (by Chris Tomlin) and LOVE CAME DOWN (by Ben Cantelon) -- the cool line in the last one is, 'I once was lost, but now I'm alive in you'!

Name-Dropping...

2010-09-04T14:22:00.000-04:00

Just a quick thought, as I haven't 'blogged' in a while, on any of my blogs. We have been blessed to be on vacation for a week, and that has enabled us to be a part of special camp-meetings being held. Usually due to time, people want to go to things, but they can't. The guest speakers at this camp are quite famous in the sense of well known by people, as they go around the world. My husband however, knew the young man when he was little. He taught him in Sunday School and counselled him at youth camp. Name-dropping came into mind, as people lined up to speak with or even get touched by the minister, and we could just walk up and hug them because they knew us. We don't 'name-drop' for the point of 'name-dropping' to rub it in people's face, but we have relations with people of favour. For example, one of our cousins is actually an actress in the TV show 90210, but we don't walk around telling EVERYONE about it. We are proud of her, and the fact that we knew her when she was little and growing up and see how far she has come. Same as with this guest speaker/minister/prophet. Mark is proud of how far he has come and his family, in their ministry.

We all do it... if we know someone, or meet someone who knows us we bring it up in different circles of friends to 'show off' a little. We are proud, yet we are also trying to make ourselves higher than we are. So as I was sitting in the meeting, I was thinking... in the case of God, we don't 'name-drop', some (not all) of us are actually ashamed to use the name of God in our circles of friends. We don't walk around saying much about our relationship with God... we don't declare enough of His promises and blessings into our lives.

So we need to start 'name-dropping' and share the things that God is doing... No testimony is too small or too insignificant! I for one used to think my testimony was small or insignificant because I was the 'good kid'. I didn't have the background of drugs, or alcohol or sex problems, so God didn't have to do a SIGNIFICANT amount of change in my life. But about 13-15 years ago when I counselled in kids camp, and each of us as counsellors were asked to give a little blurb about our testimonies, I realized that my testimony could be significant in showing kids or teens that YOU CAN do it through God. You don't have to follow temptations and follow the crowd, you can go through and hang out with those who do crazy things, yet still follow God and be true to His word and to the covenant relationship you have with Him. I totally thank God for all He has done, and He has done a SIGNIFICANT change in me, but in a different way then in others, same as He has or will do in YOU! My testimony is one of the provision and protection of God. He brought me through the storms of life safely. Now I wasn't 'Mary', but I was a pretty good kid, as my mom liked to say I was the 'closest thing to Mary' to others when relating about my childhood experiences. There were times when I disobeyed, and even times when I 'broke the law', but was released on account of my past and my mistaken behaviour. But I know that my FAITH in God has brought me through a lot, and I can still relate to others in their situations, and I can tell them about the goodness of God.

So never ever think that your testimony (or your 'story' or 'lifesong') is too insignificant for God to use!

Be Blessed and be a blessing!!

~Mitzi

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays...

2010-07-17T17:04:00.002-04:00

So ya, I haven't BLOGGED for a while... OOPS! Anyway, today is SATURDAY and so I will try to accomplish at least one for 'Then Sings My Soul Saturdays'...

The song I am choosing for today comes from GOSPELIGHT'S VBS 'SONQUEST RAINFOREST'. We are hosting this VBS at our church in two weeks, so these weeks are busy listening to the songs, learning actions, drawing/tracing & painting posters and murals, buying/collecting 'critters' and decorations, and more... I have ALWAYS loved VBS! As a child I learned songs, verses, etc, and I still remember some of them today! This song is one that I hope the children who attend will keep in their hearts and minds forever!

"WHATEVER YOU DO" - Lyrics

Colossians 3:23
by Jamie Owens Collins

Whatever you do, whatever you do,

Work at it with all your heart.

Whatever you do, whatever you do,

Work at it with all your heart

As working for the Lord, not for men.

Work at it with all your heart

As working for the Lord, not for men,

Work at it with all your heart.

Bridge:

Hear God’s call, big or small.

Give your all. (Get Going!)

Make a start. Do your part

With all your heart. (Get Going!)

Whatever you do, whatever you do,

Work at it with all your heart.

Whatever you do, whatever you do,

Work at it with all your heart

As working for the Lord, not for men.

Work at it with all your heart

As working for the Lord, not for men,

Work at it with all your heart.

Here's the YOUTUBE Video...

This verse has always been an important one for me, as I try to do all my work for God and not for men. I am soooo glad that we are teaching our younger generations this. As we learned from a young woman at our church, today's youth and children (and even older adults) need to be trained in work ethics. This is one of the MAIN things that should be taught. Everything that we do is not for the people, it is for the Lord. This will help us take time and care into all we do.

I love this song, as well as the others in the VBS... if you are from LONDON (or nearby towns) and you have children or grand-children (neices, nephews, neighbour kids, etc...) plan to bring them to VBS for an adventure they will never forget. JULY 26th - 30th, 2010 ~~ 9:00 AM-12:00 PM ~~ Explorers ages 4-12 are welcome! For more information visit our website/blog here!

WEDNESDAY WICKEDNESS... on an actual Wednesday!

2010-06-10T00:12:00.002-04:00

... ok, so I unfortunately posted this after 12:00 AM, so it's posting on a Thursday. ~M.

Today we picked Frank Sinatra. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. “I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day.” How often do you drink alcohol?

NEVER. Maybe the odd sips of wine at a wedding... but not usually. A person DOES NOT NEED alcohol to feel good all day. I am one of the happiest people I know, and I do not need alcohol to make me feel that way. I feel sorry for those who NEED alcohol... some want it, or desire it, and that's ok. It's not a BAD thing to drink, it's a bad thing to GET DRUNK and be stupid.

2. “The best revenge is massive success.” Have you ever gloated or wanted to over success?
I'm not much of a gloater, but I am very happy when I can succeed at something that other's think I may not be able to do. I do not need the praise of humans, nor do I seek after success as to show it off. But for sure I will take it, when I get it!

3. “You gotta love livin', baby, 'cause dyin' is a pain in the [butt].” What do enjoy most about your life?
That I am a CHRIST-FOLLOWING, SPIRIT-FILLED, BIBLE-BELIEVING Christian woman, who is married to the same kind of Christian man.

4. “I'm not one of those complicated, mixed-up cats. I'm not looking for the secret to life.... I just go on from day to day, taking what comes.” Do you ever overthink a situation in your life?
LOTS OF TIMES... but then God reminds me to simplify it all.

5. “I would like to be remembered as a man who had a wonderful time living life, a man who had good friends, fine family - and I don't think I could ask for anything more than that, actually.” Tell us about your best friend.
I am married to him... he's a male version of me, and I am a female version of him. We are different, yet we are alike in many ways. It's what makes us PERFECT for each other. God brought us together for reasons beyond our imaginings, and I couldn't imagine life without either of them! <3

6. “I like intelligent women. When you go out, it shouldn't be a staring contest.” How important is intelligence when picking (or having picked) a s/o to you?
Intelligence is important, as a cutie can't always carry on a well developed conversation. I married my best friend, who is a teacher like me. We both are intelligent in different ways, and on similar and different topics. BRAINS and BEAUTY is a winner... INNER beauty for sure over outer beauty. But I got a little of all three in my 'man', so I am totally happy! =)

7. “I drink to the confusion of our enemies.” What's the closest situation that you've had to dealing with an enemy?
Hmmm... I don't know if you can call anyone, my 'enemy'. I might have felt like people were the enemy, or being led by the enemy... but the true enemy is satan. I deal with satan closely alot... but mostly in the form of his 'messengers' not him himself.

8. “Orange is the happiest color.” What's your favorite color?
I love ORANGE... but my favourite is still BLUE! =)

9. “Dare to wear the foolish clown face.” Are you ever a clown?
All the time... that's my personality. I enjoy being a literal clown though, for birthday parties, and carnivals, etc. =) What a joy... except when children are afraid of clowns and scream!

10. “Don't get even, get mad.” Have you ever tried getting even?
Yes, of course, we all have... but "vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord, I will repay..." and God ALWAYS takes care of things. I am soooo glad I have him on my side!

Closing this FIRST "Wednesday Wickedness" out, I close as FRANK SINATRA sang, "I DID IT MY WAY..."
THANKS FOR THE FUN JANERA!

The Simple Woman's Daybook... Day #4 (for June 8th & 9th, 2010)

2010-06-09T23:40:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I am REALLY NOT doing well on doing this on Tuesdays... but I am excited, because I got an invite to join another fun MEME-type activity... Wednesday Wickedness... found here! Thanks Janera! =) It looks fun! =) I will do that one after I finish this one (and the Random Dozen)... Ooops!

So, here goes, for today... =) (Wednesday actually...)

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...

It's pretty dark, cause its now 11:06 PM. Our 'broken' car is no longer parked outside... I miss it! =*( Our rental car is now parked in it's spot. We are awaiting details regarding the purchase of a new vehicle, which I would love to see in the spot next time I write this... =)

I AM THINKING... of wedding stuff... for my sis-in-love, and of course of Mark... but he is home with me this week! YAY! <3

I AM THANKFUL FOR... GOD! He is my EVERYTHING! =) I am also THANKFUL that the CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS won the Stanley Cup tonight... I sooooo did not want PHILLY to win. (Truly I wanted the HABS/CANADIENS to win the STANLEY... but there's always next year!)

FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS... We have been learning about PICNICS IN THE PARK this week... and Friday we are going to a local park (if it doesn't rain) and possibly to the splashpad there too! The kids will be soooo excited, so we are praying that the rain stays away (at least for our picnic and trip there and back). We are also busy working on TOP SECRET presents for our F.U.D.G.E. (Daddy's Day Gifts). F.U.D.G.E. stands for Friends, Uncles, Daddies, Grandpas, etc... (as some of our kids do not have 'Dads').

FROM THE KITCHEN... Well again this week, I have no news from my own kitchen... ha ha! We have had leftovers, and fast food this week, as it is much faster, and we have to clean out our fridge. Tonight we served at ARK AID, so their kitchen was hopping. Mmm, we had lasagna and pizza... well we didn't... but almost 100 people did! PRAISE THE LORD!

I AM WEARING... my jeans, and my new tanktop from my Mommy... it's so cute! =)

I AM REMEMBERING... how blessed I am! Thank you Lord!! <3

I AM GOING... to bed soon, it is 11:23 PM now.

I AM READING... "ONE GIRL CAN CHANGE THE WORLD" by Claudia Mitchell and Kim Goad, and will be reading "LINEAGE OF GRACE" by Francine Rivers with my Church BOOK CLUB. I am excited to join them this month, I missed out on the last one.

I AM HOPING... (the same as the last one, cause its good...) that I will never give up hoping... I am a HOPER, not a SETTLER. Thank you Lord for your answered and unanswered prayers... You hold all things in Your hand. I must remember "God isn't at work producing the circumstances you want. God is at work in bad circumstances producing the YOU He wants." ~John Ortberg (The ME I Want to Be, page 237)

I AM HEARING... the voice of the Lord in my spirit, which is awesome. I totally feel the presence & power of God. I am actually listening to "ABOVE ALL" sung by Michael W Smith. AWESOME SONG! <3

I AM PRAYING... Ugg... still for the same 'friends/family', as some have 'tough' decisions to make, and other's lives really need GOD'S TOUCH to be changed, and remain changed. I am praying for GOD'S WILL to be done in our lives and in the lives of our FRIENDS and FAMILY! I am thanking the Lord for NEW BEGINNINGS!! More answers are coming, and life is getting a little easier. God is showing me that He is still at work, even if we (or others) take steps off the path He has chosen for us... He can turn 'crap' into 'great', and things CAN and WILL happen for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. I am praying for our NEW VEHICLE too, for favour and blessing, and that we get the RIGHT one for us, FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. We are hoping to get a 'minivan', as 'build it and they will come', will be our STEP OF FAITH, to beginning our 'family' too! <3 Thank you Lord for fulfilling your promises, if only we CRY OUT to you! GREAT THINGS CAN AND WILL HAPPEN! =)

ON MY MIND... the above... wedding invitations and preparations etc..., and Mark! <3

I AM PONDERING THESE WORDS... "The grass is always greener, when there are NO sides". (I saw this on a sign tonight) These words are great... so prophetic as well, as God wants ONE CHURCH, ONE FAITH, ONE GOD... no sides, no denominations, no barriers, etc. Peace and green grass... where HE LEADS US. (Psalm 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd)

AROUND THE HOUSE... Of course there is a BIGGER mess, as we had to empty our 'old' car out, and someone came to pick it up. =*( The piles are in our living room! =( We are slowly tidying though, so its all gonna be good!!

I AM CREATING... so many things... now I have added 'wedding items' to the list again. I am in midst of making my sis-in-love's wedding invitations. I could post pics for my pic, but the memory card is downstairs (so I will add it later for my pic of the week) =)

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS... Laughing and making others smile & laugh... and sharing JESUS' love while doing it! Tonight at the ARK I made a few people smile and laugh. One of the men, I told him it was good to see him smile, and he said, well smiles can be deceiving... I told him, but eyes cannot be. A fake smile, and your eyes still show anger or sadness... but a true smile, and your eyes smile right along with your mouth. He smiled, and then his eyes smiled even bigger, and he thanked me! =)

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK... Hugging Mark lots... and of course working on the above mentioned 'wedding stuff', as it should have been out like YESTERDAY... LOL! I was 'supposed' to take a day off this week, to work on wedding stuff... but really, I'd rather get paid, and just stay up late working. =) No one else understands that, but I would rather hang out with the 'little people' who make me smile, and give me hugs all day, then stuck inside cutting, taping, distressing, assembling, etc... THANK YOU LORD for your strength, patience, time, and creativity/gifts! <3

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS...

Picture of the sample invite COMING SOON... have to upload it to the computer... but not now, as it is now 11:37 PM. I think we should add that to the MEME... TIME STARTED and TIME ENDED... that would be fun to see how long some actually take to answer. =)

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Week #4

2010-06-02T21:56:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I am not doing so well doing these on Tuesdays... LOL! I have been visiting with my Mom and Dad, and so I didn't come on to do this...

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... Really, since I am at my Mom & Dad's, I see bushes and grass, and houses. When I get home, I may no longer see my 'sad' lil' car, as someone is coming to take 'him' away... We are getting a cheque, and getting a new vehicle... NEW BEGINNINGS!

I AM THINKING... of Mark... he's away at a McD's Convention.
I AM THANKFUL FOR... My Mommy and Daddy! <3

FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS... Today and yesterday, we made cute lil' footprint crafts... each child made a CHICK and a TRACTOR... I will post a pic of them later... as I don't have my camera now. They are soooooooooooooo darn cute!! =) We are learning about "DOWN ON THE FARM" this week and we are being reminded that JESUS HEALS ME TOO! This is an exciting truth for the children to know! I am sooo happy to be a part of their learning!

FROM THE KITCHEN... Well again this week, I have no news from my own kitchen... but my Mom and Dad's kitchen has been busy. We had mashed potatoes, salad and salmon tonight for dinner... and yummy pumpkin muffins for dessert. YAY MOM!! =)

I AM WEARING... my LARRY veggie tales shirt, and my Jammie pants... it's a little chilly in Mom and Dad's house... so they are comfy...

I AM REMEMBERING... how blessed I am! Thank you Lord!! <3

I AM GOING... to get my 'moustache' waxed... LOL! Thanks Mom! =P

I AM READING... "ONE GIRL CAN CHANGE THE WORLD" by Claudia Mitchell and Kim Goad (I have finished 'THE ME I WANT TO BE' by John Ortberg, and it is amazing! I highly recommend it!

I AM HEARING... My Mommy and Daddy!

ON MY MIND... the above... and Mark! <3

I AM PONDERING THESE WORDS... "If you refuse to accept the throne, then the kingdom will cease to exist as we know it." The author of the book continued, "Oh sure, life will go on if you stop right here... if you decide you prefer the status quo over taking on the call of living as God's princess. Our kingdom will not cease to exist entirely... but it will not exist in the way that it could have if YOU had accepted the throne."* It is regarding a quote from the movie PRINCESS DIARIES... Mia's (Anne Hathaway) grandma (Julie Andrews) said it to her...*AROUND THE HOUSE... there is NO mess, as I am at my Mommy's and Daddy's! LOL!

I AM CREATING... so many things... now I have added 'wedding items' to the list again. I was so much more at peace, when they weren't on the list. =( Trusting God in all things! <3

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS... Playing Games... I am going to play 'GOLF' with my Mom and Dad later tonight. It's a cool card game!

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK... Hugging Mark lots... and of course working on the above mentioned 'wedding stuff', as it should have been out like YESTERDAY...

=( ARGG!

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS...

Since I couldn't upload a pic at my Mom & Dad's I waited until I got home, and Mark and I had this one taken tonight, when he returned from the McD's Convention. Don't you love our Ronald McDonald grins?

(Book- 'One Girl Can Change the World' by Claudia Mitchell and Kim Goad)

"Then Sings My Soul Saturdays"

2010-05-30T01:42:00.003-04:00

Welcome to MY very first edition of "Then Sings My Soul Saturdays."

Check out the link in my sidebar, or HERE. I am posting the instructions, on this FIRST one...
I think you are going to love this! The instructions are easy. Just write a post on your blog about a song. It can be a song that has spoken to your heart during a difficult time... a song that brings back a special memory... a song that makes you want to sing along to the top of your lungs... a song that makes you glad... a song that makes you want to dance... a song that has inspired you... a song that makes you feel like the words were written just for you... a song that makes your soul sing.

You can include the lyrics or maybe include the You Tube video. After you write the post, come back here and link your post to Mr. Linky at the bottom of the page. Then you can come back and read about all the other songs and stories that are posted.

I'm sure many of you love to worship through music and feel like God speaks to you through the words of songs just like I do. I can't wait to hear all of your stories about it :) ~~Amy Wyatt

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

PRAYER FOR A FRIEND...

CASTING CROWNS

Lord I lift my friend to You.

I've done all that I know to do.

I lift my friend, to You.

Complicated circumstances

have clouded his view.

Lord I lift my friend up to You.

I fear that I won't have the words

that he needs to hear.

I pray for Your wisdom , oh God.

And a heart that's sincere.

And Lord I lift my friend up

to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.

My best friend in the

world, I know he means much

more to You.

I want so much to help him, but

this is something he has to do.

Lord I lift my friend up to You.

There's a way that seems so right to him.

But You know where that leads.

He's becoming a puppet of the world.

Too blind to see the strings.

And Lord I lift my friend up to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.

I've done all that I know to do.

I lift my friend, to You

This song means alot to me right now, as I am in the midst of praying it through... there are many circumstances that I could be praying about, and many 'friends' that I am praying for. One or two come to my mind over and over, because they are struggling... and I know that left in God's hands, He can and will do the extraordinary. (IF they let Him!)

I am just so tired of them wearing their 'blinders'... too "blind to see the strings"... they are basically puppets to the world, and each other. It makes me frustrated that I CANNOT DO ANYTHING (except pray)... as the words in this song say, "I want so much to help him, but

this is something he has to do." I am also frustrated because one of them is very spiritual, and the circumstances around them are bringing them down, instead of drawing them closer to God. As the song also states, "Complicated circumstances have clouded his view."

But... this song also reminds you, when you can do nothing else, when you can say nothing else, just take it to God... "Lord I lift my friend to You. I've done all that I know to do. I lift my friend, to You."

THANK YOU LORD FOR HEARING OUR PRAYERS... and FOR BLESSING EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T ALWAYS SEE AN ANSWER RIGHT AWAY!

~God bless you!

RANDOM DOZEN FUN... Week #3

2010-05-29T22:48:00.000-04:00

1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party?

Depends... hosting is fun, and you get to go to bed sooner than everyone else... LOL because you are already in your own home. I like attending parties... I love people! I do want to 'host' more, when I have a clean, new home! <3

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.
Oh my word... I've been to alot... I guess the last party that we hosted at our home (which wasn't really a 'party'). We had the 'Young Adults' over at our home in February for fellowship, food and fun. We played CRANIUM POP5, one of our fav's, and one of the girls had to do charades for "RED BULL"... her interpretation was amazing and really really funny. Especially when her brother couldn't stop laughing and rolled around on the floor with her, while she was acting like a 'bull'. It was good to see everyone open up, and be themselves. I want that in my home...

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?
Well, the 'after-life' is HEAVEN for me... I have a relationship with JESUS CHRIST and when I die (or if He comes back to get me first) I am going to walk on 'streets of Gold'. THANK YOU LORD for Your promises!

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?
The heat... that it shines into the darkness... just as we are to SHINE our light (the light of JESUS) to the DARK world. Sunshine makes a person smile... and it reminds us that God is faithful. The sun comes up each morning, and goes down each night... a beautiful sunrise, and a beautiful sunset. Just as the SUN shines, the SON also shines, and that is awesome!
5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?
Um, it all depends... I like chipping in with others, cause then you can give more... I really enjoy wrapping my presents now with a 'paper baby' that looks just like the baby I am giving the present to. (see pics below as example). Bridal showers are fun too... depending on how well I know or how close a friend I am, I may like to give my own gift, which represents something she means to me as a person. Either way, I make the CARD for the bride (bride-to-be) or the mom (mom-to-be), because I love making cards.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?
Huh... that's a good question... A FREE week of house cleaning would be GREAT... but then I wouldn't want them throwing anything out anything, or moving things around... that's something I need to do. I guess I would choose meals cooked... then we wouldn't have to worry about it. That would be nice I guess...

7. What song describes your mood today?
"GOD WILL DO IT AGAIN"... A good ol' country gospel song...

"God will do it again and again and again. He's the same God today, that He always has been. Yesterday and today and forever the same. There's no reason to doubt God will do it again.

Time after time I hear people say to me, Why don't we see miracles like there used to be? I still believe in miracles, God hears us when we pray. God was God way back then, and God's still God today.

God will do it again and again and again. He's the same God today, that He always has been. Yesterday and today and forever the same. There's no reason to doubt God will do it again.

You've asked God to meet your need, so why not trust in Him? God has done it all before, He'll do it all again. He's willing, much more willing than I could ever say, to perform a mighty miracle in your life today.

God will do it again and again and again. He's the same God today, that He always has been. Yesterday and today and forever the same. There's no reason to doubt God will do it again.

...there's no reason to doubt, GOD WILL DO IT AGAIN!"

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)
Hmmm... lots of things... yet there are also lots of things we received at showers and for our wedding that I have in a closet that I haven't used yet. LOL. We received money that we put towards our TV, and we still use it. We have several towels, and clocks, and picture frames... and other stuff too. We have been married for almost 7 years, but I still have and use items that my Aunt gave to me for my 'marriage/hope chest' years ago as a teenager. She has now passed away, and I think of her often as well.

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?
Hmmm... I have lots of favourites... anything with CHOCOLATE is good... I love MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP... I love MOOSE TRACKS... anything with nuts is good too... Right now I am enjoying a *NEW* Mint Aero McFlurry from McDonald's... it's actually a little melted now. Mmm... Mmm... Good! =)
10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"
All the time... but it's expected, as you do 'good things' for God, satan tries you with other things, to get you to lose your faith. Some of his tests are for our good though, and I must remember that. THANK YOU LORD!

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."

Lay's WAVY Regular Chips... especially with dip! mmm...

12. "-----" is the best motivation.
* Looking at Mark
* Watching the children around me
* Reading the Bible
* Starting the morning with prayer
* Remembering past testimonies of healings, signs & wonders, etc...
* Breathing, and being alive

The Simple Woman's Daybook... Day #3 (for May 25th, 2010)

2010-05-29T22:01:00.000-04:00

Ya, so I am not doing terribly well at this 'Tuesday' thing... as this week was rather eventful... and again BIGGEST LOSER was on, the FINALE... so here I sit on Saturday evening... I will answer for today, as I don't really remember back to Tuesday all that well... Wednesday was my husband's 39th birthday!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW~ is my sad car... Someone ran into my husband on his birthday... and it has a cracked windshield (from the airbag), and a little smushed in hood and scraped bumper. Awww... we are waiting for news from the 'adjuster' and 'insurance' to whether we are going to get money to fix, or to buy a new vehicle!

I AM THINKING~ of my husband... as he is at work now until 3 am... with all the interesting 'drunk' people who are up at that hour.

I AM THANKFUL FOR~ God and His protecting angels, who were with Mark on Wednesday during his accident. A car is replaceable, but certainly not him! PRAISE THE LORD!

FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS~ Hmm... we have learned alot this past week. Our theme was 'The Birds & the Bees' (ha ha, it's not what you think). Beautiful birds and buzzing bees... we enjoyed Honeycomb Hives, and a walk to the park with our binoculars. We also had to say 'see ya later' to our Co-op Student. She was a great asset to our team, and she will be missed. However, her Co-op teacher is letting her return next semester instead of doing another co-op... YAY!

FROM THE KITCHEN~ Ha ha ha! I am loving this question/topic the most. I haven't spent much time in our kitchen... since it was Mark's birthday, Wednesday we (the two of us) went out for dinner and bowling. (I beat him both games, but he wasn't focused on the game, he was thinking of his 'eventful' day.) Thursday we went to dinner with 'his side' of the family to Crabby Joe's, and Friday we went out with my parents. Mmm... we had dinner at the Keg, what a surprise! I had been wishing for CRAB LEGS... and I got 'em! (THANKS AGAIN Mom and Dad F!)

I AM WEARING~ A mixmatched outfit... LOL. I had shorts and a tanktop on earlier, and then we had to cut the church grass, so now I have a light t-shirt on, and my shorts. I smell like grass, gas, and oil... YUM! Maybe it's a good thing Mark isn't here... LOL!

I AM REMEMBERING~ my Grandma! She passed away in 1997 (13 years ago today) on May 29th. She was just a few days short of her 84th birthday... instead of her birthday party, we had her funeral and memorial on June 1st. I miss her terribly, as I used to visit her alot, and she used to come to our home alot, and I 'Grandma-sat' her. She had the best humour, and a positive outlook on life. I loved playing the piano for her, and the residents at the home/hospital. Actually the main reason I remember this day (rather than the days my other grandparents passed away) is that I was in the hospital room with her, holding her hand as she slept, and as she 'graduated into glory'. The nurses had to awaken me, and let me know what had happened. She meant alot to me, and she knew it.

I AM GOING~ well, originally I was going to clean my 'craft' area... but I don't really feel like it right now. I do have to catch up on my devotionals for my 30-Day True Woman Make-over though... and of course finish my lesson for tomorrow's "THE YOUNG GOD CHASERS".

I AM READING~ "The ME I Want to Be" by John Ortberg... I have like 1-2 pages left. It is so good, I have re-read some bits and pieces, incase you are wondering why its' taking me this long to read it. I try to read a little everyday, but that doesn't always happen. I am looking forward to beginning a STUDY GROUP with others from my church on this book. Check the info out here. I am looking forward to also starting a *NEW* book, "Becoming God's True Woman" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It goes along with my 30-Day Makeover... Check her page out here...

I AM HOPING~ that I will never give up hoping... I am a HOPER, not a SETTLER. Thank you Lord for your answered and unanswered prayers... You hold all things in Your hand. I must remember "God isn't at work producing the circumstances you want. God is at work in bad circumstances producing the YOU He wants." ~John Ortberg (The ME I Want to Be, page 237)

I AM HEARING~ The sound of my air conditioner... Thank the Lord for air conditioning. It was a scorcher today... I am also clicking my music player back on, and listening to ANITA PEARCE. Check out her ministry page here.

I AM PRAYING~ Ugg... still for the same 'friends/family', as some have 'tough' decisions to make, and other's lives really need GOD'S TOUCH to be changed, and remain changed. I am also remembering to 'pray' to God all day, everyday. Don't just bring your requests... remember to thank Him, praise Him and worship Him! <3

ON MY MIND~ Well, gosh... obviously the above is still on my mind. I am a lover, a peacemaker, a people person, and friend who loves and cares. I try to tell myself to leave it alone, and let them do their own thing... but out of love and respect, I have to be involved still. I am just glad that God is in control, and we have given it ALL to Him. I am also thinking of Grandma, Mark, and other stuff.

I AM PONDERING THESE WORDS~ I already shared the main one above, "God isn't at work producing the circumstances you want. God is at work in bad circumstances producing the YOU He wants." ~John Ortberg -- which reminds us that bad circumstances do happen for a reason, and we are to be changed and altered by GOD Himself. We need to stop letting our cirumstances control our joy, peace, etc... GOD IS IN CONTROL. We needn't fret, worry or stress so much. John also shared/tweeted this message... very thought-provoking...

Jack Nicholson: "You can't handle the truth" (in A Few Good Men)

Jesus: You shall know the truth & the truth will set you free. (in the BIBLE)

Do you believe Jesus or Jack?

AROUND THE HOUSE~ is still a MESS... ha ha... It's getting fixed little by little...

I AM CREATING~ ha ha... not much 'creatively' in my craft area (as it is one of the areas that needs a cleaning). I am enjoying my blogs, etc... and photo editing. I have taken a lot of pics with my *new* camera, and found new and fun editing sites online.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS~ My CANON REBEL XS... My *new* camera... (well its not so new anymore) it is so much fun. New things I am learning every time I use it. I highly recommend it! So much more fun than a 'point and shoot', although I still use mine when I don't want to ruin my CANON.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK~ Well, as I said, this is Saturday, so the week is just about over. Tomorrow is church... AM I teach the "Young God Chasers" and in the PM I get to go to service. I play the piano on the worship team, and I am becoming more comfortable, and letting the Holy Spirit lead me as I play.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS~

This is my husband at one of his 3 birthday dinners! What a handsome guy! He's my superhero!

RANDOM DOZEN FUN... Week #2

2010-05-19T22:18:00.000-04:00

WEEK #2 - supposed to be TUESDAY, MAY 18th, but due to BIGGEST LOSER, I am completing it today, WEDNESDAY, MAY 19th, 2010!

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?
McDonald's?? LOL! Um, I dunno... Kraft Dinner, Soup & Sandwiches, Grilled Chicken & Fries? Corn on the Cob... Mmmm!

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)
ARMOUR OF GOD!

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?
Hmm... I love visiting... so anywhere... WALT DISNEY WORLD, GREAT WOLF LODGE, anywhere...
4. Share one factoid of your family's history.
FLETCHER = 'arrowmakers' (my maiden name)

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."
...was a princess, and I kissed a frog and he didn't turn into a prince, nor did I turn into a frog. Yet I did not get warts either... LOL!

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?
Money? Gas (for car, not personal LOL!)? Craft supplies? Michael's Giftcards?

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."
... ha, I dunno... I have 'eagle eye' eyebrows... it was a nickname from my English teacher. It was funny, we even had to write poems/short stories about them. LOL!

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?
not much...

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."
"POOP PARTIES" -- LOL! Love ya Maureen! <3

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?
go to bed before midnight... LOL! Finish my '30-Day True Woman Make-over' for today and the last 2 days... eek!

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?
Well, today is almost over, but I think I did a lot of things today to bless others. We mowed the lawn at church for our 'lawn maintenance' friends, as we are part of the team to bless them, so that they aren't responsible for it all, all the time!

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?
PromiseS fulfilled... from God of course, because He is the one who gives you the desires of your heart, when you delight yourself in Him!

PIC FOR TODAY...

This is a bud from last spring on one of the trees at the church... I love this shot! I took the pic myself one afternoon on my lunch break, when I took my camera around with me! I love to shoot GOD'S CREATION!

bE bLeSsEd & bE a BlEsSiNg!

The Simple Woman's Daybook... Day #2 (for May 17/18, 2010)

2010-05-19T21:57:00.000-04:00

...ok so I was so excited to start this game on Monday... yet on Tuesday I forgot to go back and get the new one, as I of course had to watch BIGGEST LOSER!! Finale is next Tuesday, so I think I may have to do next week's earlier in the day... =)

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... Again, it's dark... my window is also a little dirty... LOL! What a beautiful day we had today, we can truly say "THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, I WILL REJOICE & BE GLAD IN IT!"

I AM THINKING... My mind is kind of at rest... which is a good thing. I guess I am thinking about what to respond today for today's DAYBOOK... (although it was really supposed to be for yesterday) Yesterday I was thinking about BIGGEST LOSER!! WOW, Final 4 is going to Final 2 and a VOTE for America... one thing that sucks about BL is that only Americans can vote! GO DARIS! (Koli I love ya man, and ya worked hard, but this season the BL contestants proved it's not all about 'ME'... They loved and supported each other!) For who I want to win... um, I really don't know that for sure yet. I really don't want Ashley to win, yet another PINK victory... I would really love to see Michael really thin, and Daris... Koli is awesome... but I dunno!

I AM THANKFUL FOR... WOW, alot! Today (& yesterday, and alot recently) I am thankful for 'unanswered prayers, and answered ones', and for not 'settling'. Thank you Lord for granting me wisdom to move on, and receive the 'best' that you wanted for me! I await with great expectation the fulfillment of more blessings and promises! <3

FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS... (well since I don't homeschool, but I am an ECE this somewhat applies) Today we learned more about 'creepy crawlers' (as did we yesterday), so yesterday we talked about 'The Grouchy Ladybug' (a book by Eric Carle, author of the Very hungry Caterpillar). We talked to the children about things that make them grouchy. Pretty funny responses... One of the children told me what makes him grouchy, but that he wasn't grouchy. He kept saying, 'but I'm not grouchy'.

I AM WEARING... My bug shirt (as it was dress like a bug day at work), and my jammie pants... Yesterday I am not sure what I was wearing... I know I wore my RED Hawaiian Tropic Shirt (for ladybug day)... My jammie pants are comfy and they of course have POOH bear on them. =)

I AM REMEMBERING... to do this post, and the RANDOM DOZEN one I need to finish after... and to also finish my BLOG for my 30-Day True Woman Make-over.

I AM GOING... to put on some music, as it is very quiet here tonight... and hopefully I will be in bed before 12:00... LOL!

I AM READING... the same book, "The ME I Want To Be" by John Ortberg! I love it!

I AM HOPING... that answers to prayer will come quickly... for me, my family and others...

I AM HEARING... the song "PRAYER FOR A FRIEND" by Casting Crowns! <3

I AM PRAYING... for a few friends... "Lord I lift my friend[s] to You, I've done all that I know to do, I lift my friend[s], to You. Complicated circumstances have clouded [their] view. Lord I lift my friend[s] up to You. I fear that I won't have the words that [they] need to hear. I pray for Your wisdom oh God, and a heart that's sincere. Lord I lift my friend[s] up to You. Lord I lift my friend[s] to you, my best friend[s] in the world I know [they] mean much more to You. I want so much to help [them], but this is something [they] have to do. Lord I lift my friend[s] up to You. There's a way that seems so right to [them]. But You know where that leads. [They're] becoming a puppet of the world. Too blind to see the strings. And Lord I lift my friend[s] up to You. Lord I lift my friend[s] to You. I've done all that I know to do. I lift my friend[s], to You..."

ON MY MIND... obviously the above situations... work, home, family, and the PEACE of God that passes all understanding and His love and JOY!

NOTICING THAT... the days are passing faster...

PONDERING THESE WORDS... "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle... I just wish He didn't trust me so much!" ~Mother Teresa. Actually I am glad that God has entrusted me with soooo much. I love it! I just have to remember that I NEED HIM to handle it all!

FROM THE KITCHEN... well, my honey-bunny had a WORK DINNER tonight at the KEG... the managers were all treated to a dinner because they did really well last month in their store... (but no spouses) so I got to have KIPPS LANE FISH & CHIPS (yum!) Not quite the same as the KEG steak's, but still delicious... so there was nothing from the kitchen technically today! LOL!

AROUND THE HOUSE... is still a MESS... but it's becoming an organized mess... LOL!

I AM CREATING... these fun blogs, and hopefully more cards & crafty creations soon... that is another mess I have to tidy. LOL!

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS... Children! Their innocent faith, and being able to impart into their lives! =)

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK... Hmmm... well we have to mow/cut/whippersnipper the rest of the church lawn (almost done)... now we have added 'cleaning the daycare' to our chores for Friday... and then ANITA PEARCE is coming to minister at our church this weekend... it's the LOOOONNNGG weekend, yet my honey-bunny works all weekend... so we are hoping to go to the movies on SAT evening, to see IRON MAN 2. (Please don't comment anything regarding the movie, I like to watch EVERYTHING! THANKS!)

MY PICTURE TODAY...

My honey-bunny! LOVE YOU BABE!

The Simple Woman's Daybook... DAY #1

2010-05-18T00:05:00.000-04:00

So while I was 'blog-hopping', I found this site and activity, and unfortunately it is done every Tuesday too... hmmm.... oh well, that's ok, it helps keep this blog updated... (but I will do it for today, and then check back tomorrow to do it for my 'first' Tuesday...)

FOR TODAY (MONDAY MAY 17th, 2010)

Outside my window... Hmm, hold on while I open the blinds... LOL! Right now it is dark, because it is 11:30 at night. There are many townhouses and apartment buildings in my view, some are dark, and some have a light on. Some even leave a bright light on through the night, which is a little weird to me... but then it reminds me of the message we heard Sunday night at church, where JESUS is the LIGHT, and he dispells darkness. There is NO darkness in Him. I thank the Lord that there are still those who 'let their little light shine' in this dark world, and I thank Him that I (and my family) am ONE OF THEM! "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 NIV
I am thinking... that I really need to go to bed BEFORE Midnight... and I also have a lot on my mind that I cannot disclose here. I am also thinking, why oh why did I start this quiz now... it is 11:33 PM, really I took 3 minutes to answer the first question?? LOL!

I am thankful for... ALOT!! Nothing compares to the blessing of my SALVATION in Christ, and REALLY KNOWING Him! I am thankful for my loving man of God husband, who is more than amazing. I am thankful for my family... and for lots more...

From the learning rooms...(if this applies) Hmm... we all should have 'learning rooms' at least even in our hearts. I work in a Preschool, so I am in a 'learning room' everywhere I go... A teacher is a teacher, but if she/he is a great one, she/he also is a learner. Today, hmmm.... what did I learn? GOD IS EVEN MORE AMAZING than I KNOW. My GIFTS are not just found in my talents, but also in my characteristics and personality. GOD MADE ME ME for a REASON... so that I can share it with the world, to glorify Him! I am excited to become a "Me-ier Me"!

From the kitchen... eek... ANTS! LOL! I try hard to save most of them... yet I have to kill some, and I tell them before hand (like I think their friends are listening) that they don't belong in my house, so I have to get rid of them... LOL! (now I didn't have to kill any in the kitchen today, just the bathroom (where I flushed him)! My husband did the cooking tonight... and so I really haven't seen much of the kitchen today. I was just down there to get a bottle of water for my thirst... and my "PINK LEMONADE" Crystal Lite! Yum! =)

I am wearing... the clothes I wore to work. My jeans and my 'MUZUNGU' T-shirt. I was blessed with the privilege of going on my 1st Mission trip to Kigali, Rwanda, Africa last September for 2 weeks, and there the Rwandans call 'white people' 'MZUNGUS'.... it's really funny when you walk down the street and there is no one, and all of a sudden a whole group of kids come running, yelling 'Muzungus'... It was a name in 'respect' too, it wasn't like they were making fun of us... so of course I loved it, so we bought a T-shirt with 'Mzungu' on it. I wore it today, because the 'mission team' that went this year was coming back TODAY from a 2 day flight delay from Rwanda. They were stuck in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia for 2 days. They were due home to CANADA on Sat at 2:00PM, (home at around 5:00 PM), but instead they got home today (Monday) after dinner. I wore it to think of them in prayer. I wore my 'RWANDA' T-shirt the day they left, to think of them in prayer as well... =) (of course I prayed while they were gone)!

I am creating... interesting BLOGS to inspire the 'world' of readers... I have this one, and I have a Christian devotional one "Fresh As A Daisy Devotionals & More", and another one that is of the devotional nature following my 30-Day True Woman Make-Over right now (I'm on Day#17), "Cre8ted 2 Share"... I also have a photo one, that I have to update... "Cre8ted 2 Shine"! Thanks for checking them out if you do...

I am going... to bed!! (as soon as I finish this!)

I am reading... "The ME I Want To Be" By John Ortberg! AMAZING BOOK... I totally recommend it, and recommend doing the 'bible study' that goes with it too. I want to start that now too! <3 Obviously I am reading lots of blogs too... I love 'blog-hopping'!

I am hoping... that God will be in control of different situations, and I know that He is going to fulfill His promises... and I AM EXCITED to be a part of that too!!! THANK YOU LORD!! I claim those blessings and promises!!

I am hearing... silence, because it is late, and my husband is probably already in bed, possibly asleep... I am also hearing the voice of Holy Spirit, and wanting to have all things done for the 'good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose'. (Romans 8:28) --- hmm, actually I hear worship music still from my husband's CD...

Around the house... is a BIG mess that I need to get busy on... so that I can make room for the 'promises'!! WEHOO! Praise the Lord!

One of my favorite things... is going to bed... LOL... Resting in the presence of the Almighty God, my Heavenly Father, my Heavenly Daddy... just being able to 'run' into the presence, and sit on His lap, and have Him hug and embrace me...especially after a long day at work (or when I am stressing/thinking about things that are bothering me regarding my family and friends)! PRAISE THE LORD!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... WORK... Um, ordering something from PAMPERED CHEF for my cousin... cleaning the 'BIG' mess that I spoke of earlier... LOL! TO BE IN BED BEFORE 12:00 more than ONCE this week... I have like 4 minutes tonight...

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
This picture is of me in Rwanda, with a MZUNGU shirt, however I bought the BLACK t-shirt, not the blue one.

Oops... it's 12:02 AM, because I am waiting to upload my pic! Oh well, I am on the way... I had a small nap after work today which probably wasn't a good idea...

JOIN IN THE FUN HERE...
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Random Dozen Fun... Week #1 for me...

2010-05-17T23:19:00.000-04:00

I've been 'blog-hopping', and found a FUN weekly activity to do...

it's called RANDOM DOZEN

and it's found HERE and then every Tuesday after...

(but because I just found it, I'm doing this one today, as a new one will be posted tomorrow.)

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!
Um, I don't really remember the 'graduation' aspect of it all, I do remember graduating, but I don't even remember receving my diploma on stage. I do know that I didn't go to the grad dinner/party, but I got memorial glasses from the grad committee. One funny remembrance that I have, does have to do with pics. My grad pics was a fun time... the photographer was hilarious, and because photographers always tell you to smile, it makes me laugh, because I always am smiling... so this guy said something, and I laughed soooo hard, that I dropped my flowers, as he was snapping the pic. He told me that I would get a copy of that one, but I never did. I have the pic basically before, and the one after where I am laughing a whole-hearted laugh (which ended up being everyone's favourite pic of me). [when I find the pic I will post it here!]

2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?
My BIBLE... =) But I guess sometimes I don't always leave it in the car. I don't just use it in times of emergency though, but it can be used in times of emergency. I'm not sure... we used to have baby wipes and we have a first aid kit... We have the BLOOD of JESUS in and over our vehicle too... so we thank God daily for His provision and protection! <3

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?
We do have 'grad' parties, and open houses sometimes... depending on what the family has planned for the child/teen/adult. I don't think we generally call them 'open houses'... but we do have a lot of bridal showers, graduations, baby showers, weddings, etc... and there are a lot of 'showers' on my calendar... as so many women at my church are pregnant, or just had their baby... and we have a possible wedding coming up, and therefore many showers to be a part of for that one bride. I would love to attend an "OPEN HOUSE" for my *NEW* Dream Home... that we are going to purchase in the NEAR future!! =)

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.
Motherhood is an important job -- and one that requires a lot of love, patience and prayer... (and more). As I am not yet a mother, I have priviledge of 'mothering' and teaching and training other children who are in my circle of influence. (nieces, nephews, friend's children, children's church class/Young God Chasers class, (work) daycare/Preschoolers, and more...) But as I wrote in one of my latest devotionals... "We have to show them the example, we cannot let the world teach our daughters about modesty, honesty, purity, etc... because the world does not believe in it. They allow our 'girls' to wear tight clothes (tighter than a school bag full of books); short dresses, skirts & shorts (shorter than a english paper); and low, revealing shirts or dresses (lower than the Grand Canyon)! (examples taken from today's devotional) The movies, tv shows and magazine ads all portray these 'awful' images to our young ladies, and they begin to think they have to dress like this, or act like that to be accepted in the world today. WE HAVE TO STOP THIS BEHAVIOUR, DRESS & ATTITUDES NOW! We must lead by example... especially if the young ladies in our 'circle of influence' do not have a mother, or a mother-figure who is a Christian/true woman of God." ~Mitzi Hall

5. What was the last thing you broke?
Um, I really don't know... I had to break apart my Grilled cheese Sandwich to eat it... =) Honestly, I cannot think of anything right now... (which I guess is good).

6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?
LOTS... flyers, coupons, duct cleaning services, LOL...

7. Do you like to shop by catalog?
Um, at parties like Stampin' Up, Avon, Partylite, Pampered Chef, etc... but I don't generally shop by catalogue from like stores likes SEARS, etc. I do like looking at say the WISH BOOK for example.

8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?
Lawn maintenance at our home is done by the landscaping company that our landlord hires. We rent, so we are not responsible for lawn maintenance... but technically our backyard is 'weeds', and I try to help my husband attack the weeds... LOL!

9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?
ALL OF THEM... LOL!

10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?
News is found online or on our local news TV show... but I read the paper the odd time on the weekend. COMICS are my favourite part, not the news.

11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
Darn tootin'! God is in control of EVERY situation, and knows the goings on... If there is a 'flight delay' for example, maybe we needed time to rest and recooperate, maybe there was someone at the airport that needed a 'friend' or a 'prayer' or even just a smile. Even when there are rough times, we go through them for a reason, to increase our faith, and to fully rely on Him. WE NEED HIM (GOD!)!

12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
I would have to say 'doing the right things right'... LOL. Doing things right, is not always the right answer... we may do negative things 'right', but are they the 'right' things that we should be doing?? Sometimes you can spend too much of your time, trying to make things 'right' before actually doing them, and then you don't end up doing the 'right things' out of fear, or laziness.

http://cre8ted2shine.jalbum.net/CHRISTMAS-CARD-COLLECTION/

2010-04-24T14:09:00.000-04:00

http://cre8ted2shine.jalbum.net/CHRISTMAS-CARD-COLLECTION/
Check out Jalbum.net -- cool FREE gallery options! WOW!

Here are some of my Christmas Card Collection... More to come!

BE BLESSED & Happy Stampin'!
~Mitz

SORRY I'VE BEEN GONE SO LONG...

2010-02-16T23:23:00.000-05:00

Hey BLOGGER Readers;

YES, I am still here, and I am still stamping and still STAMPIN out the dEVIL...

I have started a devotional blog, and have been busy with that. Since last October, I have begun to write short devotional material, for me and for others. May you be blessed as you read them.

Here's the link to my NEWEST Blog... FRESH AS A DAISY DEVOTIONALS and MORE!

ENJOY!

My Very First Card Tutorial... Tri-fold Square Card!

2009-06-06T21:52:00.052-04:00

Hey Family, Friends & Fellow Stampers!

Well I've finally accomplished the task of creating & designing a card, and taking photos along the way, so that I can do my very first card tutorial. YAY!

Here is the completed card...

Easy-peasy Directions:

1. Assemble pieces needed. (I stamped and pre-cut the paper in the picture below).
* 6" x 12" piece of neutral (or colour of choice) Cardstock.

* 6" x 6" piece of patterned paper.

* 1&1/8" x 3" piece of patterned paper (x4)

* Embosser of choice (Big Shot, Cutterbug, Sizzix, Paper Crimper, etc)

* 26" of Ribbon of choice

* Ink: I used 'Versafine Onyx Black' & 'Stampin' Up - Soft Sky'

* Stamp sets: Stamp sets I used; On Your Birthday, Seeing Spots,

* Card Embellishments - Brads, eyelets, etc. I used 'Colorbok Card Embellishments - Bright Metal Dots'

* Punch-out Paper Embellishments, or stickers of choice that match theme of card.

* Adhesive: Tape or Glue (whatever you choose - I'm a tape girl)

* Pop-dots (or whatever brand of pop-up adhesive you use)

* Sponge Dauber

* Stampin' Up Markers (or markers of choice)

* Paper Cutter of choice, and Scor-Pal (or score tool of some kind)

2. Cut a 12" x 12" piece of neutral (or colour of choice) Cardstock in 1/2. (Leaving you two pieces that are 6" x 12"). Take one, and run it through an Embosser of choice (IE. Big Shot, Cutterbug, Sizzix, etc), I used a 'Marvy Paper Crimper/Embosser'.

3. Take one of the CS pieces, and score at 3" and 9". (or 3" at both sides). Fold in like a gate-fold card. I guess it's more of a gate-fold card than a tri-fold card... but either way it's cute.

4. Take the 4 pieces of 1&1/8" x 3" patterned paper, and attach them to the tops and bottoms of the gate-folds as shown in the pic below.

5. Attach other embellishments, stamped CS to the front of card as desired. I sponged/distressed the edges of my stamped CS with Soft Sky before attaching.

6. Open the card. Attach the 26" piece of ribbon to the inside of card (only in the 6" x 6" square - not on the folds). (Step I forgot in my putting together of the card - but it was in the plans. My card still worked as you will see in the pics later, as I added another piece of the patterned paper on top of the ribbon. But you can skip this step if desired, if you want the ribbon showing when they open the card.)

7. Attach the 6" x 6" piece of patterned paper to the centre of the card. (between the score lines basically). (If I did the 6th step above, the ribbon would be hanging out from under the patterned paper in the pic below. OOPS.)

8. I used the sponge dauber again to distress the stamped piece of white CS, and then I attached it to the centre of the patterned paper.

Here's the proper shot after these steps... ribbon is under the patterned paper. I just cut a small piece of the left-over patterned paper to fit under the stamped CS image, and taped it over top of the ribbon. (You can't tell from the pic below.) Make sure the ribbon is out long enough on the sides for it to tie equally.
Close-up view...
9. Make a small slit where the arrow is on the pic below, and slide the ribbon through it to the other side. Make a slit on both sides of the 6" x 6" patterned paper, where the ribbon is to go through.

Here's my pic of before the extra piece of patterned paper was attached, so you can see the ribbon going through the CS. (pic below)

Here's the correct pic, where the patterned paper is over top of the ribbon, and the ribbon is going through the CS.

10. Attach more embellishments, like punch-out paper embellishments, or stickers of your choice on top of the stamped image.

11. You are almost done! YAY! You can leave the card like this if desired... but I like to add a little sparkle or shine...
Close-up view to see the paper embellishments are popped-up... and to show the ribbon tyed.

12. I added alphabet & number stickers for the birthday boy... can't believe my honey is 38!

13. I added some 'Colorbok Card Embellishments - Bright Metal Dots' to the outside of the card for some shine... (but you could add brads, or eyelets, or whatever embellishment you choose.)

YAY! That's it! You are done, and have a beautiful card. But obviously a 6" x 6" card is not a normal sized card. I made this one, because I found many large square envelopes in my envelope drawer.

So here's a BONUS item for you... the ENVELOPE! Many people just write the name of the person receiving the card on the outside (if you are just handing it to the person, and not mailing of course)... but the envelope is always an important piece of the card for me! You can decorate it to match the card, or with matching ink.

Here's my fun envelope for my honey... His initials are M.W.H., so I used my sponge dauber, and the Soft Sky ink (which I used on my card) with an alphabet stencil, and stenciled his initials on the envelope. I overlapped them a bit to make it unique.

I used the dotted circle stamp from 'Stampin' Up - Seeing Spots' and Soft Sky and stamped all over the envelope.

I used a stamp (not used in my card) from the same set (On Your Birthday) and added it to the bottom of the envelope. I used a Stampin' Up marker, 'Certainly Celery' I think, and doodled lines around the M.W.H.

HAVE FUN! Remember to STAMP OUT THE DEVIL!

I BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE MY HEALER!

2009-05-03T16:38:00.004-04:00

Heal: –verb (used with object)
1. to make healthy, whole, or sound; restore to health; free from ailment.
2. to bring to an end or conclusion, as conflicts between people or groups, usually with the strong implication of restoring former amity; settle; reconcile: They tried to heal the rift between them but were unsuccessful.
3.to free from evil; cleanse; purify: to heal the soul.
–verb (used without object)
4. to effect a cure.
5. (of a wound, broken bone, etc.) to become whole or sound; mend; get well (often fol. by up or over).

Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009

A person who needs to be healed, is in sometimes desperate thoughts and actions. They dwell on what the doctor says, or what the media says, but they don't seek the Word of God. In the Bible, God did many healings, deliverances, and all-around miracles. He made the lame walk, the dumb talk, and He opened blinded eyes. He brought the dead to life, and delivered many from demonic powers. PRAISE THE LORD! But those things can still happen today... God is still in the miracle business! Don't ever think your problem, or your doctor's diagnosis is bigger than God! God says in His Word that He is the God that heals us. (paraphrased into plain English) I for one can speak from experience.

For those of you who don't know me, or know what has gone on in the past month (and in 2 times previous) I had been diagnosed with FACIAL CELLULITIS. It is a painful bacterial infection that flares up on the face. (Cellulitis iteself can flare up anywhere on the body, usually for adults it comes on the legs or the arms). The first time I got this bacterial infection, I was told by the doctor that it is a low percentage of people in the world that contract this infection, and an even lower percentage of people that it will reoccur with, so I wasn't to worry about it coming back. (Kind of like Chicken Pox, you may get it, but you usually only get it once) I was hospitalized, and put on IV antibiotics, and taken care of, and within a week I was sent home, and it healed. (Through antibiotics and prayer of course). However, five years later, it began to flare it's ugly self up again, and attack my face, and I was again hospitalized and put on IV antibiotics. (The medical staff and some of the University students used my infection for their medical studies, and a medical journal as they had never really dealt with Cellulitis before, and it shouldn't have re-occured.) Again, through lots of prayer by my family, my church, and others I was healed thoroughly, and went on living life normal again. Thinking it will never return again, I put it behind me, and prayed against the infection returning. However, again about five years later (which would put it to 2009), I contracted the Facial Cellulitis again! I was preparing for a "TWEENS" conference that I was a part of, and knew that I had to do stuff, and help get organized for the tweens that were coming to seek more of God. That is my heart, so I prayed, and didn't let the Cellulitis bother me. We went to the hospital, and I self-diagnosed that it was facial cellulitis, whereas the doctors and nurses on staff were thinking it was an allergic reaction or something. Once I told the doctor that I knew it was facial cellulitis, because I have had it twice before, he checked out the signs and symptoms, and diagnosed me with facial cellulitis. I was given IV antibiotics, and oral pills as well, and I returned to the church to be a part of the Conference. I had to return to the hospital the next three mornings for an IV dose. (As they now have a Cellulitis Clinic set up --- gee I wonder if I may have had a part in that.) Again, through much prayer I was healed. However, again just the end of April, I had a flare-up again on my nose, and I prayed against it, and used God's Word to curse the infection, and went to the hospital yet again, and was diagnosed again for the 4th time with Facial Cellulitis. The medical staff still cannot determine what is causing the flare-ups, and cannot determine why it is re-occuring. According to their study of Cellulitis, it happens most in those that are Homeless, live in a Shelter, or have poor living conditions. According to the internet, facial cellulitis happens mos to Children or Men over the age of 45. Neither one of these findings helps me out... I am neither a child, or a man, and I do not, nor never have lived in a shelter or on the street. We are believing in prayer that "NOTHING EVIL SHALL COME NIGH MY DWELLING PLACE" (Psalms 91:10) We are praying against the root cause of this infectious disease, and declaring that I am healed, I am whole, and I am restored in the name of JESUS! AMEN & AMEN!

For those of you who may not be believers in the HEALING POWER of God... try it for yourself. Look at your situation or circumstance (just briefly of course), call it out by it's name, and claim the following scriptures over your life. Do this for a month... and see what happens. If you do, and you would like to give a testimony, please comment as I would love to read how God is working in your lives. If you do this, and nothing changes, then you have not lost a thing. However, I know that my God can do anything, and through Him I can do anything by His strength! (Philippians 4:13)

Psalm 91
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[a] And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” (New King James Version - The Holy Bible)

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU!

2009-02-26T22:38:00.003-05:00

Thanks to my friend, and a devoted pastor Jason, for teaching us this message, and sharing the DVD "Christianity Seduced" with us. (Thanks Donna for sharing it with him...) It totally opened my eyes to the deception in the Christian world. WOW! (I copied the below message from another blog, who posted it from Jack Van Impe's website.) Read it, then pray, and act upon it. DO NOT BE DECEIVED... GOD IS NOT TO BE MOCKED. WHATEVER YOU MAY SOW, YOU'RE GONNA REAP THAT CROP! (from a DC Talk song & the Bible!)

Christianity Seduced

Beloved in Christ Jesus our Lord, July 12th - 17th, I presented a televised message to the entire world reporting on the Pew Research Institute's investigation of tens of thousands of evangelicals who now believe that there are many other roads to heaven besides Jesus.I am not talking about liberals and apostates within Christendom, but the original and former cream of the crop believers, who just a few years ago would have laid down their lives by "earnestly contending for the faith," especially about Jesus being the only way of salvation.The next week following the program, I was inundated with letters and emails from listeners throughout America and Canada thanking me for castigating and correcting 57% of the present-day evangelicals, yes almost 6 out of 10, who no longer believe the 400 biblical texts that say Jesus is the only way. Their plea and request was for immediate help and information.Within days I began to "pray without ceasing" and to investigate "the seeker-friendly churches" to see what was behind this pathetic "falling away" from the faith. During this spiritually important moment in my life, God burdened me to produce “Christianity Seduced” in which I answer the questions - Who? What? Where? When? Why?Well, as I always knew, the seducer was and is Satan and his demonic beings, the fallen angels of Revelation 12:4. I Timothy 4:1 states: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 2 Timothy 3:13 adds: "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." God forgive the pastors who never preach doctrine. This is why God gave us the Bible.In 2 Timothy 3:16 ministers are commanded to preach doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 says, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."In my early days of ministry some 60 years ago, biblical pulpiters bombarded their audiences with the Word of God, and the old hymns of the faith backed the sermons. What has happened? Let's see.The Wall Street Journal on July 3, 2008, carried the following shocking report: "In the Protestant community, traditionalists object about the new wave of seeker-friendly churches: the permissive dress code - not only jeans, but shorts and flip-flops are often OK. The 'messages' (never sermons) are jazzed up with video clips and hard-rocking nine-piece 'praise bands.' The Starbucks cart often sits in the lobby (and worshippers can take their nonfat lattes into the pews.) Their bigger concern, however, is with the spiritual teaching ... The sermons tend to be buoyant, hip, and dedicated to self-help themes rather than theology".The tragic result is that we have multiplied members of our "seeker-friendly" churches who are totally ignorant of what God's Word teaches.Dr. Vance Havner warned that such a day would come within Christendom. More than 30 years ago, Vance Havner, in his book "Playing Marbles with Diamonds" offered the following insightful warning. “The devil is not fighting religion; he is too smart for that. He is producing a counterfeit Christianity so much like the real one that good Christians are afraid to speak out against it... We are plainly told in the Scriptures that in the last days men will not endure sound doctrine and will depart from the truth and heap to themselves teachers to tickle their ears. We live in an epidemic of this itch, and popular preachers have developed ear-tickling to a fine art. Today, the angle is to avoid ‘negative’ preaching and accentuate only the positive."What happens to those who change the gospel message and preach, teach, propagate, and believe there are many roads to heaven? Hear the great apostle Paul in Galatians 1:7-9: "There be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."Now look up the word "accursed" plus its synonyms in Webster's dictionary. It means "doomed", "damned", and "to fry in fire" - which means Hell. Wow! That's plain enough for intelligent people to understand.But during that July 12th - 17th program, I also shared reports from religious periodicals including Dr. Tim LaHaye's prophetical paper, World magazine, Christianity Today, and Charisma magazine, all warning believers about the deception being promoted by the "Queen of Media" - Oprah Winfrey.My video reports the numerous and shocking releases concerning her. The Los Angeles papers carried a report entitled "Signs of Dissatisfaction in Oprahland." It mentioned that "Oprah's crown as Queen of Media is becoming tarnished. Her ratings have fallen three years in a row because she has strayed into New Age spiritualism." I call it spiritism based on the seducing spirits mentioned at the outset of this article. A few of the books she is now promoting are basic New Age teachings about becoming gods.One of these blasphemous doctrines of demons is promoted by John Randolph Price, a New Age leader. Listen to his terminology as he uses the "I am" name of God from Exodus 3:14, and also the "I am" name of our Lord Jesus Christ from John 8:56-58. Price states, "Say to yourself silently: 'I am God' in expression. God is as me now. I am God. Be me." He states this nonsense again, "I am God ... I dismiss all thoughts of right and wrong ... I no longer hold any un-forgiveness toward MYSELF. I rise above all feelings of guilt, and I am free to love myself as never before ... My love for ME, MYSELF, and I am that I am, knows no bounds."This is the same hue and cry of all the New Age members. That's why Shirley McClain cried out, "I am God" as she stood on Malibu Beach in a TV movie and why Oprah, in the fourth hour of her series featuring Eckhart Tolle's book The New Earth said, "I am that I am and that's all that I am."Dr. James A. Smith, Sr. warns in an article entitled "Oprah's 'Jesus'" dated April 3, 2008, "in America's celebrity-driven culture, perhaps the most harmful 'Pied Piper' of heresies leading millions astray is Oprah Winfrey. Her adoption of anti-biblical doctrine is on display every day this year through her satellite radio network channel 'Oprah & Friends.' It's time for Christians to 'just say no' to the big 'O.'"Why? It's your duty Christian, as commanded by God in Romans 16:17, to "...mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." And also in 2 John 1:9-11, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."In our video study we show how Eckhart Tolle, in his book The New Earth, promoted by Oprah Winfrey, asserts that "the Bible is corrupted and filled with errors. Scripture, he says, has become 'distorted and misinterpreted,' and 'many things' have been added 'that had nothing to do with the original teachings.'" Clearly, we have some rather bold anti-Christian sentiments being propagated by Tolle and Oprah in her world classroom.But Tolle's book is mild compared to “A Course in Miracles”, which at 1249 pages, is one of the most blasphemous volumes ever penned under the inner voice of a demonic Jesus impersonator who spoke through Helen Schucman from 1965-73 and degraded the true Jesus of Scripture.In our video, we deal with the most heinous and shockingly evil statements I have ever read. Rexella reads the abominable remarks about our precious Jesus and presents each page number where the blasphemies are mentioned. I then answer every point with scores of verses.In this one-hour, twenty-minute video study we delve into the most abhorrent, detestable, and loathsome statements about Christ and His sacrifice at Calvary ever made. This irreligious trash is being taught by Marianne Williamson, another Oprah-promoted celebrity, who teaches this irreligious course with Oprah's help and blessing throughout 2008.This is the most important study Rexella and I have ever released because it is Oprah Winfrey who is propagating the many roads to heaven and 57% of the present-day evangelicals do not have enough Bible knowledge to refute this malarkey.Furthermore, we deal with pastors who mock or reject the message of Christ's return found in 10,385 verses of God's holy Word. If ever you needed a video study including what I have just shared, plus scores of other facts - it's now.I want you and your family to have this critical information, so you can protect the ones you love and sound the alarm in your church as well. This New Age spirit of the Antichrist is so overwhelming throughout American media; it reveals that the return of the Lord is close at hand. If we want to bring as many lost souls with us when we hear that beautiful "come up hither" of Revelation 4:1, we must get this information out to the people who most desperately need it.Please send for it today. You need this for yourself, for your family, for your pastor, and especially for any friends who are in danger of being deceived and destroyed by the false gospel of Oprah and those like her!Your gift will help Rexella and me keep sharing the truth and letting the lost world know that Jesus is coming soon.

Yours in world evangelism,
Jack Van Impe
http://jvim.com

BE BLESSED TODAY AND ALWAYS!

2008-12-26T12:24:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love & Prayers, Mark & Mitzi

xoxoxox

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-26T12:21:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone!

Just wishing you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON! You can try to take "CHRIST" out of Christmas, but then you're left with a "MAS" --- a BIG 'MESS'!!!! LOL!

* I take the time right now to thank God for His many blessings this year. It's been a year of CHANGE and I am excited to see what 2009 has in store. I thank God for the SALVATIONS and PRODIGALS returning this year! WOW! Thank you Lord for all our changed hearts. We will never be the same again!*

Be blessed this BOXING DAY, and see you in the NEW YEAR!

2008-12-07T16:47:00.001-05:00

Jesus is Better than Santa
Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name,

all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you".
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,

repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2008
And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year 2009.

(Taken from an e-mail I received - author not noted)

2008-11-22T17:45:00.003-05:00

I've read it many times before, but I received it in an e-mail from a friend, and at the end it asked me to share it... to not be ashamed of the Father. I don't believe in chain letters, but the story is worth sharing. Open up your heart as you read the story...

"A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does God still speak to people?'

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways. It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'God...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.'

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, 'God is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, he thought, buy a gallon of milk.

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. 'Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.' This is crazy he thought,and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street . At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, God, I will.' He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.' The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or theywere already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. 'Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for some thing, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.' He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside.

A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young mancould get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?' The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.'

The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.' His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?' The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him andput in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers."

So if there is something in your life right now, maybe you are like the couple, and in these times of a world-pronounced coming recession, you are needing a miracle. KEEP PRAYING! Keep the FAITH alive and strong. It may not be a financial need, it may just be a small thing. It may be a physical, emotional, social, mental need for you or for a friend or family member. BUT KEEP ON BELIEVING! Maybe you are like the young man, maybe you need to stop in life to hear the voice of God, and not only to hear it, but to act upon it! WOW! We are the hands and feet of Jesus, we need to reach out into our community and help our fellow man the only way we know how.... again, it may not be only financially... (as we all have our struggles - but if God is asking you to give, then expect Him to give back to you in great abundance!). Look around, and see the people that you associate with, that you come in contact with. Some may even just need a hug, or a reassurance that they are special and worth something!

GOD STILL LISTENS, GOD STILL ANSWERS, GOD STILL SPEAKS, GOD STILL WORKS MIRACLES!!!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door

will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds;

and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:7-8

WOW! (yes I am cleaning my email folder and posting another great one - this one is true though!)

2008-09-20T22:41:00.003-04:00

Kindly read this, I'm sure your life will not remain the same... this story happened sometime last year:

A Muslim man in Egypt killed his wife because she was reading the Bible and then buried her with their infant baby and an 8-year old daughter. The girls were buried alive! He then reported to the police that an uncle killed the kids. 15 days later, another family member died. When they went to bury him,they found the 2 little girls under the sand - ALIVE!

The country is outraged over the incident, and the man will be executed. The older girl was asked how she had survived and she says:- 'A man wearing shiny white clothes, with bleeding wounds in his hands, came every day to feed us. He woke up my mom so she could nurse my sister, she said.

She was interviewed on Egyptian national TV, by a veiled Muslim woman news anchor. She said on public TV, 'This was none other than Jesus, because nobody else does things like this!'

Muslims believe Isa (Jesus) would do this, but the wounds mean He really was crucified, and it's clear also that He is alive! But, it's also clear that the child could not make up a story like this, and there is no way these children could have survived without a true miracle.

Muslim leaders are going to have a hard time to figure out what to do with this, and the popularity of the Passion movie doesn't help! With Egypt at the center of the media and education in the Middle East, you can be sure this story will spread. Christ is still turning the world upside down!

Please let this story be shared.

The Lord says, 'I will bless the person who puts his trust in me. Jeremiah 17

Please forward to all on your list.
Grace and peace unto you!
Lakram Govinda.

Church Gossip... JOKE!

2008-09-20T22:32:00.003-04:00

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business.

Several members did not approve of her activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused George , a new church member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told George (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.

George , a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and then just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing.

Later that evening, George quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house. Walked home and left it there all night.

You gotta love George!!

Cute Church Signs...

2008-09-20T21:57:00.011-04:00

Hey everyone... Thought I'd post these pics here. I received them in an e-mail... and since I am in cleaning mode still, I am erasing old e-mails, but before I erased this one, I copied the pics and decided to share them with my bloggin buddies! Love you... Be blessed! My favourite one below... "TRY JESUS! If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back!"

* ANOTHER GREAT ONE THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE ONE ABOVE IS... "CAN'T SLEEP? DON'T COUNT SHEEP, TALK TO THE SHEPHERD!"

COMING SOON...

2008-09-17T01:45:00.003-04:00

MITTER'S CRITTERS, CRAFTS & MORE...

New blog showcasing my creations... Cards, Stamping, Scrapbooking...

* HOMEMADE STUFF FOR SALE

* FUNDRAISERS

* WORKSHOPS/CROPS/ETC...

Join me for some fun. Do you love Scrapbooking, Card-making, Stamping... or just crafts in general? You will want to keep in touch with me!

THANKS!

Web blog will be up and running soon...

http://mitterscritters.blogspot.com/

Be blessed & HAPPY STAMPIN'!

THANK YOU.... GOD & EVERYONE ELSE!

2008-09-04T16:31:00.005-04:00

Well, GIANT or KING #1, is falling... LOL!

We are taking the territory back again..... 2 steps forward, one minor step back, and now we are taking 2 steps forward again.... so we are still ahead. LOL!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. God again proved faithful, as I proved faithful! YAY! I continued to worship and thank God in the tough times. I am so glad he made me who I am, and that he gave me friends and family like the ones I have. Thanks so much for caring and sharing!

Be blessed today and always...

** I wish to pray a blessing over the life of the ones involved, over the ones who tried to help the "KING" or the "GIANT" succeed in this matter. (You know who you are) I want them to know that I still love and respect them, and I have learned a life-lesson in all this too. I took captive all the negative thoughts that wandered into my head, and I am praying a prayer of blessing instead of cursing. Thank you God that you reminded me to "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13**

Thank you for the refining fire and testing, to which I proved faithful, and I am very excited about that. WOW! I have also spiritually grown again, of which I am very excited. I cannot wait to start a NEW BEGINNING soon... Our last official Sunday is next Sunday, the 7th of September... and from then on, it's taking the step of faith to where God is leading us next. Keep us in your prayers for this new ADVENTURE! Wehoo...

In His Love & Service,

ROMANS 12: 4-21 taken from THE MESSAGE Bible...

2008-09-03T01:43:00.007-04:00

"In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. 'I'll do the judging,' says God. 'I'll take care of it.' Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good."

I am going to print this out and hang it up, to remind myself... I love the wording in the MESSAGE! So true, so true... for Christians and non-Christians alike... for personal life, for church life, for work life... for life in general! Please read again, and take the words to heart like I did! Be blessed today and always, as you try to live the life God has called you into! USE YOUR GIFTINGS! If you don't use em, you lose em!

Don't know JESUS??

Heres a little pic to help you understand more about what He did for YOU!

Just say a little prayer... following the ABC's...

A- Admit to God you are a sinner, and repent and turn away from your sin.

B - Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He gave His life for you and me.

C - Confess your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and your Lord

Thank Jesus for what He's done in your life!

FACING THE GIANTS... or KING'S.... or TRIALS... in the DESERT of life!

2008-09-03T00:23:00.007-04:00

WOW! Mark & I were blessed to attend HILLSONG UNITED CONFERENCE in Toronto, ON on Saturday August 30th, 2008. (Our 5th Wedding Anniversary!) We were in awe of HILLSONG and the worship and the presence of God with tons of Christians worshipping along with them. Beyond words and comprehension...

Anyway, it was a Conference as well as the Concert at the end of the night. Pastor Brian Houston and Joel Houston were the Main speakers, and they shared their passion and their heart. WOW! Pastor Brian taught us about "TAKING THE TERRITORY" on Saturday Morning. He spoke on the KING'S that Joshua had to face in taking the territory to get to the Promised Land. There were 31 Kings that Joshua came against. He reminded us that there will always be opposition and pain. The Bible says, "Every place you put the sole of your foot, I will give to you", which was a promise from God to Joshua, but also to us. He also stated that "If you gain territory, someone is losing it. (satan)" There were many "KINGS" he has faced in his life and in his ministry with his wife Bobbie. (for more info on Pastor Brian and Bobbie see Wikipedia -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Houston_(pastor) ). He stated that the generation is coming who will stand firm. We need to stand against the Kings in our lives... Example KINGS are; King over demonic activity; King over stress & anxiety; King over lonliness; King over temptation; King over disillusionment; King over discouragement; etc... There are 3 things that are Crucial to us taking the territory, to fight against the KINGS that we may come up against: 1 - HUMILITY (1 Peter 5: 5-6) 2 - HONESTY (James 5:16) and 3 - HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 10:38) --- God has great things in store.

WOW.... so true! We have faced a few KINGS in our ministry these 5 years together, and I didn't know how quickly I would face KINGS again in my life.

We have been in a DESERT for a while... and now we are trusting in God for a release, and a new change and beginning for us, to flow in the area of ministry that God is calling us towards. For those of you that do not know, Mark and I resigned from our Pastoral position at King Street Community Church. We are not moving on to another Pastoral position as of yet, but we will be making a home at another church, which we will obviously assist in the ways they need us, according to our giftings and talents. We are excited about this NEW BEGINNING... and we know that we are following the Will of God for us, by taking this step of faith. We have to WALK the TALK now... we always said that God is our Healer and Provider, but now we have to stand in the faith and believe that to be true, as resigning from the paid position will be taking money away from our monthly income towards rent. But we know that "all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28), and we are trusting God to provide what we need.

More recently we have come against another KING, who will indeed bow to the name of Jesus. We are claiming the victory that God has given us in this situation. At the conference, we also heard one of the new songs on the new Hillsong CD, "This is Our God", called "THE DESERT SONG". The words of the song are amazing, and oh so true, and just what I needed for this situation that I am involved in.

The Desert Song

Brooke Fraser (Ligertwood)

Verse 1:

This is my prayer in the desert

When all that's within me feels dry

This is my prayer in my hunger & need

My God is the God who provides

Verse 2:

This is my prayer in the fire

In weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved

Of more worth than gold

So refine me Lord through the flame

Chorus:

I will bring praise

No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice

I will declare

God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:

This is my prayer in the battle

When triumph is still on it's way

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ

So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:

All of my life

In every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:

This is my prayer in the harvest

When favor and providence flow

I know I'm filled to be emptied again

The seed I've received I will sow

Written by Brooke Fraser (Ligertwood)

Sung by Brooke Fraser/Ligertwood & Jill McCloghry

"All of my life, in every season, YOU ARE STILL GOD, and I have a reason to sing, and I have a reason to worship. I will bring praise, NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL REMAIN!" Those words I sang over and over, while I prayed to God for deliverance from this situation, and for His peace to flow over me. WOW! God does answer prayer, and I know that this is an attack from the devil, 'cause we are taking the territory, and he's mad that he is losing ground. I know that God will prove faithful, when I prove faithful. In James there is a verse regarding facing trials and tests... "When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." James 1:3

So I will continue to trust in God, and WALK the WALK and TALK the TALK... and WALK the TALK, so that my life will prove faithful in the test, and I will be an example to the world of the faithfulness of God. I know that I am not alone in this struggle... because NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD!

Some Bible verses that are helping me (and will help you when you face TRIALS, or GIANTS, or KINGS) are:

- "We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going." 2 Corinthians 4:9 (NLT)

- "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. " James 1:2-8 (NIV)

- "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NIV)

- "God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." Matthew 5:10-12 (NLT)

- "Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:13-18 (NLT)

- "Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

- "Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:4

- Romans 12 (see next blog regarding this one)

- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

- "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

- "He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:3-8

- "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea." Psalm 46:1-2

- "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT)

- "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

- All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6

- "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

- "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13

- "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

So in the end, I am thankful for my trials, giants and Kings... because they allow me to show that God is real, and that He is in control. However things may turn out, I know that I will trust in the Lord forever and ever. Just like JOB, who was a faithful man of God, when times of trials came, I stand firm and say, "BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!" To God be the glory in all of this, is my prayer!

Please keep Mark and I in your thoughts and prayers, in our new adventure... and for this situation as well. For wisdom, truth, and discernment to be shown, and God's love to be poured out on all involved.

THANKS!

"May the Lord keep watch between you and me while we are away from each other"

It's my Anniversary on Saturday!! <3 .

2008-08-29T21:32:00.003-04:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you MARK!

I love you baby!

These 5 years have been amazing!

WOW - Time sure does fly when you are having fun!

xoxoxo

~Mitz

Are YOU called into MINISTRY?

2008-08-24T16:29:00.004-04:00

... why of course you are!!

You don't have to go to BIBLE COLLEGE or SEMINARY or have a Biblical degree to be in ministry. A pastor friend of mine, and I were just discussing this fact. He is trying to instill in his people that everyone is called into Ministry. Ministry by definition is,

The act of serving; ministration.
One that serves as a means; an instrumentality.
The profession, duties, and services of a minister.
The Christian clergy.
The period of service of a minister.
A governmental department presided over by a minister.
The building in which such a department is housed.
The duties, functions, or term of a governmental minister.
often Ministry Governmental ministers considered as a group.
The profession, duties, and services of a minister.
The Christian clergy.
The period of service of a minister.
A governmental department presided over by a minister.
The building in which such a department is housed.
The duties, functions, or term of a governmental minister.
often Ministry Governmental ministers considered as a group.
A governmental department presided over by a minister.
The building in which such a department is housed.
The duties, functions, or term of a governmental minister.
often Ministry Governmental ministers considered as a group.

"ministry." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 24 Aug. 2008. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ministry>.

In all its basics, as the first definition above points out, ministry is "the act of serving". Everyone is called to serve. Just as Jesus was sent to serve, "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ~ Mark 10:43-45

Mark bought me a cool book at Kingdom Bound, called "SHINE" by the Newsboys, and it talks about them not as performers, but as Christians. I have yet to read it all, but I browsed through it, and found this cool quote which is about this topic of ministry.

"No matter what your occupation or calling in life -- whether you're a pastor, a missionary, or someone who checks water meters all day -- it's people that count. God has you where you are to touch the lives of those who cross your path. God has you where you are to hold your light high, like a city on a hill" - Ron Mehl (pg 261, Shine!c 2002 by the Newsboys.)

So be blessed as you go out and SERVE others in Jesus' name.
SHINE your light for all to see... "make em wonder what you got!"

Love & prayers,
Mitz

I AM "KINGDOM BOUND"!!

2008-08-07T16:08:00.007-04:00

WEHOO! Mark and I (and a couple of our Young Adults/friends) just returned from DARIEN LAKE in New York where we attended KINGDOM BOUND!! WOW! It was my very first time attending KINGDOM BOUND and I was amazed! The park itself is amazing, all the rides, and games... and yummy food, and friendly people! But adding to the park was all the amazing concerts, speakers, merchandise, Enemy Opposition Bike/Skateboard tricks, and more!! I am soooo glad that we had 4 days to do it all in, 'cause my body is sooooooo tired. But I would so go through it all over again if I had to! WOW!

Of course my favourite CONCERT performance was .....(drum roll) the NEWSBOYS!!!! Oh my word!!! They surpassed the excitement that I had for their concert at the BIG TICKET. I was ready this time for Duncan and his DRUM FUN....(for lack of a better term), and Peter and his drum solo, but I wasn't ready for the two of them to be on raised platforms. WOW! It was so amazing! I had the batteries in the camera this time, and I got to see the entire spinning of Duncan and his drumset.... and I got lots of pictures of course! THE NEWSBOYS are amazing!! I even felt like a true CANADIAN 'cause I bought and wore a NEWSBOYS touque, and everyone looked at me weird cause it was soooooooooo hot!!

My favourite SPEAKER was CAROL McLEOD (from Just Joy Ministries) - I also enjoyed the Worship as well lead by Kelly, Kerri and Amanda! WOW!!! God is sooo amazing! Carol taught more than 400 ladies (and some men & children) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Her theme this year was "Minding your Thought, Holding/Guarding your Heart & Taming your Tongue!" This was an amazing time in God's presence. The KIDZ tent was filled with the annointing of God each and every day. The JOY of the Lord is our strength, and we already have defeated the enemy, but we need to remind ourselves of that when he tries to deceive us with his lies. We must attack him with the WORD OF GOD! If we don't, then it is just like we are "throwing water balloons at Sadaam Hussein". (HA HA, one of my favourite quotes of hers). I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the tent with Carol and the other ladies from Just Joy Ministries. Check out more about her and the Just Joy Ministry at http://www.justjoyministries.com/ . I bought her book "DEFIANT JOY" and the CD set "HEALING SCRIPTURES" and also the Devotional "Signposts, .... and I forget the rest of the title". She just exudes with the JOY of the LORD! WOW!!!! =)

My favourite THRILL RIDE..............HMMM..... that is a thought... all of the rides were cool in their own way. Some rides were of course much better than the others... but each of them gave you a different sensation. I really enjoyed the MIND ERASER, the RANGER, GRIZZLY RUN and of course the TORNADO. Whoa..... it was crazy, but it was fun to see all that God had to offer. Knowing that we were in the hands of God as we rode each and every ride was also amazing. Seeing the glorious sunsets each evening... and even on Tuesday when it POURED, it was sooo much fun. There were so many people hiding under canopies, etc trying to stay out of the rain. But nope, not me, I was splashing in the puddles, and enjoying the RAIN of GOD! I even sat down in a puddle... =)

My favourite RANDOM "star" MEETING... We stayed in a hotel in Buffalo which was about 25 minutes from Darien Lake.... but it was also the hotel where most of the other radio stations, and some musicians and speakers stayed. So at breakfast we would get the honour of eating with ROBIN MARK and his band, and the crew from GOD ROCKS! I even talked to "CHIP" (his real name is Todd). hee hee! We even got a picture with Robin Mark at breakfast... (Yes, I asked first!) There were also random speakers there too like Brett Ullman and his family and Bob Lenz. We swam at the same time as Bob Lenz on night... and then we swam with Ilia (well they were in the hot tub when we were in the pool, and then they were in the pool when we were in the hot tub. LOL!) Funny thing was Thursday AM when we were getting ready to head to Breakfast, there was a Tour Bus in the parking lot.... we were hoping it was NEWSBOYS... but we still don't really know who's bus it was. It was pretty cool overall!!

My favourite PARK FOOD.... hmmm.... it would be the CURLY FRIES & CORNDOG. Yum! The funnel cake wasn't as good as I was anticipating... it was a little greasy, and it didn't have as much icing sugar as CANADIAN ones! LOL!

One of my favourite MISCELLANEOUS MEMORIES was getting our Caricature done by ROB DUMO. (http://www.robdumoart.com/) Mark and I were Spiderman and MaryJane... LOL! It was a lot of fun! Check out his work at his website. He is pretty cool!! =) Another MEMORY is that Tammy won a spot to play on the new game "AND THE ANSWER IS"... and she got to pick a member of the audience to come draw a pic for people to guess, and Mark and I made it just in time to see her, and she "randomly" picked me!! I had to draw WISHBONE... and so the audience guessed it, Tammy got 4 points and I won a Darien Lake glass. Too cool! Tammy went on to win the game too, and she won a couple cool things.

PICTURES to come.... I took 542 pictures!! So it will be a bit to download them all!! I have to check some of them out too... they look fine on the camera, but who knows what they look like once they are online, or printed. Plus, I took a few extra pics at the BIG concerts of THIRD DAY, DELIRIOUS and NEWSBOYS... so we shall see how many pics are relatively the same!! =)

** I WISH TO THANK "GRACE FM - 105.9 - LONDON'S POSITIVE MUSIC STATION" AND CAPTAIN DALE, AND SANDRA FOR MAKING THIS TRIP POSSIBLE! MARK WON THE TRIP PASSES/ACCOMODATION AS PART OF THE PACKAGE FOR WINNING THE "ULTIMATE SUMMER TICKET". SO THANKS AGAIN GUYS, SO SORRY THAT YOU COULDN'T HAVE SHARED THE EXCITEMENT WITH US.... MAYBE NEXT YEAR!! **

(http://www.gracefm.ca/) Check 'em out... you can even STREAM music ~~ Christian Canadian music that you might no hear elsewhere!!! =)

I pray that we will be able to attend next year, if not for the entire thing, at least for one day! WOW! If you are a Christian and you enjoy music, and speakers and fun... then I totally recommend KINGDOM BOUND to you and your family. It is totally family friendly!! =) I am soooo glad to know that I am truly KINGDOM BOUND!! HALLELUJAH! =)

WEEDS.... of life!

2008-07-12T01:43:00.014-04:00

Hey everyone...

I don't know how many of you have seen the VEGGIE TALES movie about the RUMOUR WEED, but you don't really think how bad weeds are until you watch it. Most people kill or wee-whack their weeds before they get to far.... but sometimes, a little weed or a little "rumour" can grow quite quickly into a BIG PLANT or mess. So, little to our knowledge, we had a BACKYARD full of weeds growing in leaps and bounds, now that the sunshine can shine into our backyard. Basically, Mark and I had a JUNGLE in our back yard full of weeds. LOL! Had, being the operative word, as we attacked it on Wednesday night. So here are some BEFORE and AFTER pics for you to see.....

BEFORE...

THE "BURR" tree.... plant... whatever!

DURING TAKE-DOWN, and AFTER....

Anyway, I guess this has a spiritual message too... not just about rumours. Don't let the devil plant seeds of problems into your life... or the fruit of God will not grow properly. SOW SEEDS that will produce good fruit. Some weeds may seem pretty, or really neat, but underneath its actually just a BURR plant, which will stick to you, and tear you down. You need to tear down the WEEDS in your life... and you need to get right down to the ROOT. Some roots are actually thicker in size, and need more than a little tug. You need to get the SAW of LIFE (the Holy Spirit) to cut it away right from under the ground. Here is a picture of the BURR "tree" root, that we still need to SAW away.... the underlying ROOT of all our problems is found in satan's deception.... it can only be taken down with the POWER of GOD! And, as you see by the above picture, it takes a lot of time to get rid of them, once they take-over your life. But bit by bit, through the power of God, they will be destroyed.

THE ROOT of the "BURR" tree...

Claim your promises in Jesus, and live the life that God has called you to.

LIVE WEED-FREE! Literally, connotatively, spiritually, etc....

Be blessed!

Mitzer....

BE a BIG BLESSING to someone today... it feels great!

2008-06-26T19:31:00.002-04:00

Well, since I just told our story today on the radio, I thought I'd share it here with all of you...

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDESS are something that we all should do, at least once in your lifetime, as it is such a blessing back on you too.

According to Wikipedia, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_act_of_kindness) A random act of kindness is a purportedly selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases even an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities. An oft-cited example of a random act of kindness is, when paying the toll at a toll booth on a highway, to pay the toll for the vehicle behind you as well.

My husband and I have always thought it would be cool to "bless" someone with a RAK or an ARK (as in the movie Evan Almighty). It would be really neat to be in a Drive-thru like Tim Horton's or a fast food place, and pay for the person's meal behind us in line. But we haven't done it yet. So, since we ourselves have been blessed by MARK being the "ULTIMATE SUMMER TICKET" winner from our local (and most awesomest) Christian Radio station.... which is like a REALLY REALLY BIG RAK on behalf of the radio station (We love you Capt D and Sandra B), we have the opportunity to bless others. We cannot go to all of the concerts, etc, that are planned. We had the opportunity to bless two of our friends, by inviting them to come along with us to the BIG TICKET FESTIVAL that just happened last weekend in Gaylord (pronounced Gay-lerd) Michigan. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, they could not attend, so since we won 4 passes, and it was late the night before we were to leave EARLY the next morning, we couldn't invite anyone else. So, we decided to BLESS someone at the BIG TICKET. It was soooo exciting....

When we got into the gates of the BIG TICKET, we saw the line of people waiting to pay for tickets (which is really silly cause the price of tickets was crazy the day of...) but anyway, we had to decide who to give the tickets to... so Mark saw that there was a lady in line who already had a BIG TICKET bracelet, and she was with a couple others who didn't. So we went up to them, but they only needed one ticket, and they were only staying the 1 day, instead of the two that we had the passes for. So I apologized to them, and said I would find someone else. There was a young couple behind them in line, and they caught my eye as I was talking to the others in line, so I went up to them, and asked them if it was just the two of them, she said yes, and that they overheard us talking about 1 day, but that they were hoping to come for two days. So I took the bracelets/tickets and handed them to them, and said WELL GOD BLESS YOU THEN... and they really didn't know what to do. They asked if I wanted money for them, and I told them NO. They were given to us, and our friends couldn't come, so we had to give them away. The lady hugged me, and cried... so of course I cried, as I am doing now again as I write this. The man kind of stood there shocked, and he shook my hand I think. Mark smiled at them, and I think shook their hands too? I don't really remember the moment totally, cause I was sooo touched that I could bless someone like that. =)

After we got home, I checked the BIG TICKET website (http://www.bigticketfestival.com/) and saw that the prices for tickets the day of were $75. So our RAK was for like $150 which would be totally amazing to me. WOW! It was amazing for me, cause we were basically just blessed with the same thing from the radio station (GRACE FM - http://www.gracefm.ca/), but I'm sure they paid a little less, as it was probably group tickets, and they were bought earlier... but still, it's amazing to me!

I thank God for this blessing daily... and I know Mark does too. It sometimes sounds like we are boasting, or winning too much stuff... which I feel is not good, but it was all done fair and square, and we are fans of GRACE FM and love them either way. It's good to win prizes, but its even better to share the LOVE of JESUS with the world. THE MESSAGE IS IN THE MUSIC~ You can listen to Grace FM Streaming audio online... to hear CANADIAN Christian bands too... you won't hear on the American stations. (http://www.gracefm.ca/)

Anyway, no matter about money, you can do FREE things for people too.... get out there and do ACTS OF KINDNESS for people.... whether you get praise for it or not. =) Your reward is in Heaven!

Be blessed!

*Here's a pic of me with BOB and LARRY from the BIG TICKET*

Love and Prayers,

MITZI xoxo

DO YOU HAVE JESUS KNOCKING??

2008-05-27T20:51:00.003-04:00

Hey everybody... I received this in an OLD e-mail and thought I would share it. It's CUTE!

Hopefully, you have JESUS inside too!!

A nurse on the pediatric ward, before
listening to the little ones chests,
would plug the stethoscope into their
ears and let them listen to their own hearts.
Their eyes would always light up with
awe, but she never got a response equal to
four-year old David's comment.
Gently she tucked the stethoscope
into his ears and placed the disk over his heart.
'Listen', she said...........'What do you suppose
that is?' He drew his eyebrows
together in a puzzled line and looked up
as if lost in the mystery of the strange
tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest.
Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin
and he asked, 'Is that Jesus knocking?'

Memory Loss........... now what was I saying?

2008-05-25T21:18:00.005-04:00

** POSSIBLE KLEENEX ALERT!**

Hey, who are you? Do I know you??
(Most likely not if you are just browsing... so it's okay!)

MEMORY LOSS is a sad thing. I know it sucks when you forget little things throughout the day, like "where's my keys?" or "Why did I come in this room?" or "What's his name again?"... but there are two major forms of memory loss...

LONG TERM MEMORY LOSS & SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS

Short Term Memory Loss would SUCK, and be really sad.... although you wouldn't remember you had it, so maybe not? Waking up one morning and it's for example SUNDAY and then waking up each morning there after, and you still think it's Sunday because you can't remember anything short term. It would even suck if you couldn't remember things past 10 seconds....

Why am I saying this, what does this all mean?

Where is this random topic of conversation coming from???

Mark and I finally watched 50 FIRST DATES with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Now the story is cute, and really stinking funny (especially the part where Drew's character Lucy gets to beat up Rob Schneider's character Ula on the side of the road).... but the emotional side of me took hold hard of the thought of someone seriously having Short Term Memory Loss. Could you imagine going through your life not knowing who people are, or knowing anything other than what you normally do? WOW! It makes you NOT take your life for granted.

For those of you who haven't seen the movie yet, I won't ruin it for you... so I won't tell details. But seriously, if you haven't watched it you should. It's a great movie!!

Each day is a GIFT from God, and use it accordingly. WOW!! I remember back to when my maternal Grandma had her strokes and aneurysms and lost her memory of even who we were. It was a sad time for my family, and those who were her children, and she couldn't even remember who they were, or even that they were her children. I remember that my name was one of the first ones she re-learned, and then she would call everyone that name, because I used to visit her, and she used to visit me quite frequently. She didn't know any better, but it would frustrate other family members to no end, especially when she called them by my name. She is in Heaven now, and has full capabilities now as she walks on the streets of Gold... and one day I will see her again, and she will remember me!

I personally would hate to have MEMORY LOSS, as I have so many good memories... and would love to make more! THANK YOU LORD FOR MY MEMORY!! =)

Take time to cherish with your family, and your friends. Sorry if this blog made you cry.... Crying is good every now and then. It is a GOOD release!!

Be blessed and have a great week!

~Mitzi

SPRING CLEANING........

2008-05-19T14:45:00.004-04:00

Hey! WOW, another holiday is here, and well, almost gone.... My honey and I decided to do some SPRING CLEANING in our home. We--- I guess I should say "I" am the PILE QUEEN. I get things, or bring them home from work, or from my mommy and I just set them "here for now". Well, we are attacking some of those piles today. I move some, clear some, and slowly our room is looking a little more normal. Whew.... I am taking a little break to write.

CLEANING house is good... and the BIBLE also reminds us to clean HOUSE too! Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and they need to be cleansed DAILY. Hopefully my spirit is not as full of PILES as my material house is... eek!!

On the bright side, I guess we can have a really BIG Spring Cleaning GARAGE SALE when we are done... (which certainly won't be today!! LOL!) ... and make some MONEY for "one man's junk is another man's treasure. I know for sure there will be a lot of shoes in that sale. (If you are a size 7, and may be interested in some. Let me know. HA HA!)

Take time to clean YOUR house! (material & spiritual)

BE BLESSED today and always.

Enjoy the rest of the VICTORIA DAY Holiday! =)

(for those of you who are celebrating it! LOL~)

Just for fun........

2008-05-15T19:50:00.002-04:00

http://therealmitz.blogspot.com

Check out my other blog for a fun new questionnaire. It's like SCATTERGORIES! I love that game!

Thanks!
~ Mitzi

"No, NOT THE COBRA"

2008-05-06T21:48:00.004-04:00

LOL!!!

Inside joke... (the title line)

Well, its official.... IRON MAN ROCKS! Mark & I had a date tonight to see IRON MAN, and it was amazing. I was of course not really an IRON MAN fan, as I only knew what Mark, and one of my friends--who of course is a MAJOR IronMan fan --- who was supposed to come with us to see it... =( Anywho, I totally recommend this movie.... for everyone, not just comic book or superhero fans. It was a great movie from start to finish.... and I mean "finish". **HINT HINT!!! **

Be blessed and have a rockin' day!

~ Mitzi

DAY 41.... Where are you??

2008-04-29T22:50:00.003-04:00

HA HA! Time to reflect.....

I attended an amazing conference called OUTPOUR... and was reminded that DAY 41 is coming!! How exciting....

I will write more... but wanted to touch base, and remind myself about DAY 41, and what a great Blog that will be!! An even better day that will be too!!!

According to my blog, "day 41" (for the "desert" of Change) would have been in the same week and the day of our FUN night out at work.... what an encouragement that was!! Growth as a team is important to me too!

We shall see....

As always, be blessed and Happy Stampin'......... stamp that devil under your feet. We have the authority!!! AMEN!

Listen for the whisper.... or wait for the Brick!

2008-04-19T11:53:00.006-04:00

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind.

Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you.
It's your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick. -Unknown

I was just browsing through some of the SPLITCOASTBLOGGERS, and was picking random ones to look at. I was coming up from the end, and stopped at Taylored Expressions - wow... so cool. As I was reading and checking out her post "Papertrey Ink Sneak Peek", and checking out her really cool tree, I browsed to the right, and saw a list of bloggers she visits... HA HA. Silly me, can't do one thing at a time... and noticed KIMS BASEMENT STAMPING... it made me laugh, I stamp in my basement, as that's where my desk is set up... until we move to our own home, and I can maybe have my own room!! WEHOO!! Well, of course I enjoyed myself there too, but again I was was browsing her posts, and noticed a CHALLENGE... with a card sketch. The post titled, "Technostamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #13" caught my eye, and I saw that Mary Jo (a.k.a. Technostamper) hosted the Sketch Challenge. Well, as my other blog "THINGS ARE GETTING A LITTLE SKETCHY" shows, I love sketch challenges... so of course, I have to click, and check out TECHNOSTAMPER..... and WOW.... that leads me to why I am writing this post.... LOL! (Long story, not shortened!!) =)

As one of my posts below mentions, I added an MP3 player to my blog, and I am really enjoying it... and sometimes, I just put it on in the background when I am surfing online. So my music had stopped, while I was browsing the above, and one of my favourite worship songs came on... DRAW ME CLOSE. What the heck.... so I clicked down on Mary Jo's blog, and found that her MP3 player was playing it.... along with more of my favourite songs!!! WOW~ Thanks for the blessing Mary Jo! (I have yet to comment on your blog). So while I was checking out her blog info... not even getting to the sketch challenges, as they are second to WORSHIPPING GOD... I read a couple quotes she has.

One of which is the one I posted at the beginning of this post...

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind.
Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you.
It's your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick. -Unknown

Anyway, I find this to be an amazing quote and wanted to share it... I don't know how many people actually come to read this... I try to remember to post to my FACEBOOK when I post something worth reading... I have to take the time to LISTEN.... take the time to seek His face. In our Young Adults Bible study yesterday, Mark taught us about Seeking God, and the Altar, and how in God's word it says, If we seek the Lord with all our Heart, we will find Him. God tells us to seek Him, and our heart has to make the conscious decision, to help our brain make that decision, and we have to speak it, Your heart Lord, will I seek. I hope I don't have to get hit with the brick too often....

The brick line also reminds me of another cute story I heard somewhere, where a young man's car was hit with a brick by a young boy in need of help... hmm, why not just google it....

Here it is...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A Motivational Story with Wisdom - Stopped By A Brick by Author Unknown
About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12-cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and -- WHUMP! -- it smashed into the Jag's shiny black side door! SCREECH...!!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jaguar back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown.
Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!" Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's my new Jag, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?"
"Please, mister, please...I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!" pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop!"
Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother, Mister," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat.
Straining, he lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12-cylinder Jaguar XKE - a long and slow walk.
Josh never did fix the side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention.
---- What a great story!
At times in our lives, we tend to become so wrapped up in other things. We become focused on ourselves or our job we do not realize there are others around us that need our help.
We can react in a negative way to a situation without fully realizing or taking the time to look at the other persons situation. Or to take the time to find out the reason the other person has taken the action that they did.

Don't let the bricks in life hit you, be sensitive to those around you. Catherine Pulsifer

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Seek the Lord, while He may be found.... Draw on Him while He is near.

Isaiah 55:6

May you be blessed today and always.... watch out for the BRICKS!

STRIKE... GUTTER...

2008-04-14T22:47:00.003-04:00

Well, we officially started our "FUN NIGHTS OUT" at work, and let me tell you, it was a blast!

I added a BOWLING game at the bottom of my blog to commemorate our BOWLING fun! Check it out... it's a game of trial and error. You need to guide the ball with your mouse... the faster you aim your mouse at the pins, the more power you have to hit them down! EEK! It's kind of tricky at first! LOL!

CHECK IT OUT!

~ Mitzi

My NEW Tunes...

2008-04-14T21:25:00.004-04:00

YAY! I am soooo excited to add a free MP3 player to this blog and to my Facebook. If you have been here before, you would have noticed right away....

You can add one to yours too... you can choose your own tunes! My player is a mix of some of my fav's... Hope you are blessed as you read the page!

I LOVE to WORSHIP... I love to Sing (although I'm certainly not a CANADIAN IDOL! LOL!)

"When the BIG ONE finds you, may the song remind you that they DON'T SERVE BREAKFAST IN HELL!" ( taken from song #1, "Breakfast)

Music is a BIG part of my life, and just like me, I like a mix of it. I am happy listening to almost any kind of music.... well.... country, opera, and REALLY heavy metal (and hip/hop swearing songs) are some of the ones I can live without! Good ol' Elvis and the Beatles and songs of the 50's are amazing!!! The good ol' 80s songs of high school dances bring back the memories!! LOL!

In the words of Geoff Moore's song, "When all is Said and Done" (the last song on my MP3)

"...When all is said and done.... Will they say I loved my family, that I was a faithful friend? That I lived to tell of God's own Son, when all is said and done?" ... "...you can forget my name, and the songs I've sung. Every rhyme and every tune. But remember the truth of Jesus' love, when all is said and done!"

I pray that these lines prove true in my life too... I don't want people to know "ME", and I want them to know JESUS!! I pray that they see JESUS in ME, more than ME in ME! In the end, I would love to hear "Well done, thy good and faithful servant"!

May you be blessed today and always. Find a song (or two) that has some meaning for you and your life! It can be a Christian tune, or just a tune that you've heard on the radio or at a secular concert! God can USE anything! Remember that He loves you, and it only takes ONE step to walk back in His arms!! =) HALLELUJAH!!

Have a blessed and ROCKIN' day!

BE BLESSED...

2008-04-04T00:21:00.006-04:00

Just writing 'cause I haven't written in a while...

I am soooo overjoyed and blessed to be able to teach JESUS and His love to the children at the daycare. I am reminding myself daily of how blessed I am, to share God's love with the kids, their families, and the other staff at FDN!

Today was a blessing to me, as the parent of one of the little girls I teach, came up to share a story with me. She told me that her daughter was so happy and so overjoyed, and shared with everyone that she had Jesus in her heart.... cause Miss Mitzi told me so. Understandably, you have to put Jesus in your heart yourself, but just the thought that I truly helped her have Jesus in her heart, was amazing to me.

As I sit here teary-eyed, thanking God for the experiences I have at "School"... I also think of and pray for the teachers and those who are afraid to share, or those who cannot share, out of persecution, or the thought/reasoning that they could be fired if they share.... I know it's hard to see the children/youth of today falling... but keep praying, and know there are those praying for you as well. Just knowing that you have changed the life of even just ONE is totally amazing. I thank GOD for it... the glory is not mine. All the glory goes to Him!! PRAISE THE LORD!

SHARE THE GOSPEL... SHARE THE LOVE!! BE THE JESUS THAT'S INSIDE, ON THE OUTSIDE TOO!!

ONE life... Is it really that important... am I really making a difference???

I am reminded of the story thats been told many times (well to me anyway) of the little man on the beach, who kept picking up jellyfish or starfish of the beach (I forget) and tossing them back into the water... but there were like hundreds on the beach, and someone who was watching him... said to him something like, "don't you think this is useless, look at all the starfish on the beach, do you really think you are making a difference?", and the little old man replied, "well I did for that one!"

HAVE A BLESSED DAY and get out there and change ONE (or more) lives for the Kingdom!

May you be blessed... not stressed!

WINTERFEST 2008... has come and gone!

2008-03-12T18:04:00.005-04:00

Well, of course WINTERFEST was amazing... actually the word for this year would be INCREDIBLE!!! LOL! (You had to be there... =) )

Anyway, we learned more about JONAH... and GOD of course. We had to decide what chapter of JONAH we were in; CHAPTER #1 - "Are you RUNNING AWAY from God?"; CHAPTER #2- "Are you RUNNING BACK to God?"; CHAPTER #3- "Are you RUNNING WITH God?"; or CHAPTER #4- "Are you RUNNING AHEAD of God?"... WOW! I prayed that I was in Chapter #3... and hoped to be there for a long time. I try not to run ahead... but know some situations come where it seems I may make my own decisions, but I need to trust God to see things through. WAIT ON THE LORD... Follow His directions and leading.

It kind of goes with the verse from LAST BLOG... He will direct my paths... if I trust in Him!

Hoping and praying that you can find your way into CHAPTER #3 with me... If you don't know JESUS yet... it's kind of like you are in CHAPTER #1... and you just need to bring yourself into CHAPTER #2, and then you will flow into CHAPTER #3... It's easy... all you gotta know is your ABC's!

A - ADMIT you are a sinner... ROMANS 3:23 "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

B - BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus... ROMANS 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

C - CONFESS your sins and ask for forgiveness; and CONFESS with your mouth that Jesus is Lord! Romans 10:9-10 "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then you shall be saved. For it is with your mouth that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

A little prayer of Faith...

"Hey God, I don't know if you are real or not, but it says in your Word (the Bible) that all have sinned and fall short of your glory. I admit that I am a sinner. I have done some wrong things in my life, but I want a change that only you can bring. I believe in your Son Jesus, and that You sent Him to die on the cross for me, and the sins I have committed and will still commit; but I also believe that He rose again 3 days later, to live eternally with you. I believe in the Holy Spirit that you left here on earth to help me and to guide me. I ask you to fill me with that same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and to say that Jesus is Lord, and I want Him to be Lord of my life too. Come into my heart, and make me clean. Help me to love others like you love them. Change me from the inside out. I pray all these things in the Name of Your Son Jesus, AMEN!"

GOD BLESS YOU! If you prayed the above prayer for the first time, or if you are WEHOO in Chapter #2, and coming back to Him; leave me a comment with even just your name, and/or where you are in your walk with God and I will be blessed to pray for you! THANKS for reading... even if you don't make the decision today, God still loves you and wants the best for you!

Have a blessed day... and keep STAMPIN' out the devil...

~ Mitzi

Random ramblings of my heart.....

2008-02-26T19:52:00.002-05:00

Hey!

"TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS." ~ Proverbs 3:5&6

This is and probably always will be, one of my favourite verses.... we seem to lean or want to lean on our own understanding a little too much, and it brings us down. I am SICK of being SICK... and dwelling on my own understanding and interpretation of situations going on around me. I am sooo thankful for friends and family that I know are praying/interceding for me at all times.... (some whether they know it or not) When my body gets stressed, it holds it in, and lets out tears every now and then.... well.... right now, its picked up a cold virus AGAIN, and it doesn't want to get rid of it... I joke that it likes me. (I guess I need to remember that my words are important too, and claim my healing instead....) I think the inner stress is helping it to stay, so I am trying to LET GO and LET GOD!!!! I know in the end, God will outperform my greatest expectations, and I will wait on Him for the completion of the C-R-A-P! (pardon the not-so-swear-word, word)

Well, thanks for listening, and I hope to return with much happier news! I can't wait for WINTERFEST... unfortunately, it will be our last YOUTH event, as our Pastor (& I guess under the support of the Elders) has "fired" us from Youth Ministry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We still are involved with the Older teens and Young Adults... 18+, but it breaks our hearts to see the younger ones....... both Mark and I are spirit-filled, and want the best for them, and are praying major for them. One of them said she was even going on STRIKE, until we return as their youth leaders.... which was really sweet. We love her, and will miss her deeply!

THANKS FOR LISTENING....
Blessings, and Happy Stampin'!! (Praying you don't catch this cold virus.... Yeccck!)

~ Mitz
(PS I HATE BUCKLEYS!)

CHANGE.....

2008-02-21T22:36:00.006-05:00

IS INEVITABLE... and is GOOD!

Times change... things change... people change... jobs change... hair colours change... the world is changing as we speak... Some people love change, others despise it... some can handle it well, and jump in, and others are hesitant, and become very bitter.

I am a person who loves change... it doesn't really phase me at all .... USUALLY! I know that God has a BIGGER plan for things, and when change occurs, its usually for the good of GODS PLAN.

CHANGE (by definition...): –verb (used with object)
1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
2. to transform or convert (usually fol. by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.
3. to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.
4. to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.
5. to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.
6. to give or get smaller money in exchange for: to change a five-dollar bill.
7. to give or get foreign money in exchange for: to change dollars into francs.
8. to remove and replace the covering or coverings of: to change a bed; to change a baby.
–verb (used without object)
9. to become different: Overnight the nation's mood changed.
10. to become altered or modified: Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.
11. to become transformed or converted (usually fol. by into): The toad changed into a prince again.
12. to pass gradually into (usually fol. by to or into): Summer changed to autumn.
13. to make a change or an exchange: If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.
14. to transfer between trains or other conveyances: We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.
15. to change one's clothes: She changed into jeans.
16. (of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.
17. (of the voice) to become deeper in tone; come to have a lower register: The boy's voice began to change when he was thirteen.
–noun
18. the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed.
19. a transformation or modification; alteration: They noticed the change in his facial expression.
20. a variation or deviation: a change in the daily routine.
21. the substitution of one thing for another: We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.
22. variety or novelty: Let's try a new restaurant for a change.
23. the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another: a change of seasons; social change.
24. Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.
25. the supplanting of one thing by another.
26. anything that is or may be substituted for another.
27. a fresh set of clothing.
28. money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.
29. a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.
30. coins of low denomination.
31. any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.
32. Also,'change. British. exchange (def. 10).
33. Obsolete. changefulness; caprice.

Right now, there are some CHANGES going on, and I know that "ALL THINGS WORK FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE," (Romans 8:28) so that is one PROMISE I am going to hold true to in these coming days.

Blessings, and Happy Stampin'

Personality Test Results...

2008-02-17T23:33:00.001-05:00

I scored 42 on Dr. Phil's personality test...
To read more about this... and other PERSONALITY type tests, see THE REAL MITZ!

Thanks for readin'!

Blessings, and Happy Stampin'!

SWEET SNOWMAN CARD

2008-02-16T23:17:00.000-05:00

WOW... so many posts in one day... the reason?? I am so excited... I am working on my Christmas Cards for the SCS (Splitcoast Stampers.com) Christmas Card Challenge (see thread here). I made the cutest lil' snowman for a card... we are supposed to make 10 for the challenge, but I was soooo proud of him that I thought I would post him early here, and then get busy on his friends.

He was actually very easy to create... Just print off the template below, and trace it onto a 5"x7" card, and then decorate to your likings. I used buttons, ribbon and googlie eyes... but there is no limit to the fun. If only he came alive when I put his hat on him...

Thumpedy, Thump Thump... Thumpedy, Thump Thump... Look at Frosty go;

Thumpedy, Thump Thump... Thumpedy, Thump Thump... Over the hills of snow!

TEMPLATE:

Thanks for looking and commenting please... =)

Blessings and Happy Stampin'

What fun...

2008-02-16T20:06:00.000-05:00

I love Ben and Jen... and of course Violet... so since I now have the HAIR MIXER application on my facebook, I had to do a Ben and Mitz pic... Just for fun!

If you have Facebook... add the HAIRMIXER app. it is HAIR-RAISING fun! LOL!

VALENTINE FUN...

2008-02-16T18:56:00.004-05:00

Phew........ what a busy lil' bee I was! Well, I originally wanted to make a 2-4-6-8 treat box for each child and staff member at my daycare (60+ kids and 13 staff).... but because I am such a procrastinator, and love and thrive on doing things last minute... I did 12 of them (11 for the Toddler class, and 1 for my Chef's son). So, I decided it was toppers for cello bags for the rest...

I did separate ones for the Babies, the Junior Preschoolers, and the Senior Preschoolers. The staff all received a cute lil' heart box in a cello bag. (Of course all were filled with Valentine candy and chocolate!

Here are my creations...
BABY ROOM VALENTINES (Toppers)

TODDLERS 2-4-6-8 Boxes

JUNIOR PRESCHOOLERS VALENTINES (Toppers)

(My class) SENIOR PRESCHOOLER VALENTINES (Toppers)

STAFF VALENTINES (cello bags with mini cards)

Thanks for looking. They were fun to make... I really like the 2-4-6-8 boxes.

Be Blessed, and Happy Stampin'!

JESUS LOVE IS THE BEST VALENTINE'S GIFT...

2008-02-13T18:22:00.000-05:00

GOD BLESS YOU ALL as you celebrate VALENTINE'S DAY tomorrow! Remember where LOVE came from in the first place. RETURN to YOUR FIRST LOVE (GOD!)

Blessings and Happy Stampin'!

Stamp out the devil!

The Simple Woman's Daybook - First one of 2011

This is it... last day of 2010~

WEDNESDAY WICKEDNESS... on a Sunday (for DEC 1st)!

The Simple Woman's Daybook... DAY #1 Christmas Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook... eek skipped quite a few!

Blog Catch-up Fun...

LOST... what's the BIG deal??

Name-Dropping...

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays...

WEDNESDAY WICKEDNESS... on an actual Wednesday!

The Simple Woman's Daybook... Day #4 (for June 8th & 9th, 2010)

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Week #4

"Then Sings My Soul Saturdays"

RANDOM DOZEN FUN... Week #3

The Simple Woman's Daybook... Day #3 (for May 25th, 2010)

RANDOM DOZEN FUN... Week #2

The Simple Woman's Daybook... Day #2 (for May 17/18, 2010)

The Simple Woman's Daybook... DAY #1

Random Dozen Fun... Week #1 for me...

http://cre8ted2shine.jalbum.net/CHRISTMAS-CARD-COLLECTION/

SORRY I'VE BEEN GONE SO LONG...

My Very First Card Tutorial... Tri-fold Square Card!

I BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE MY HEALER!

BE BLESSED TODAY AND ALWAYS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WOW! (yes I am cleaning my email folder and posting another great one - this one is true though!)

Church Gossip... JOKE!

Cute Church Signs...

COMING SOON...

THANK YOU.... GOD & EVERYONE ELSE!

ROMANS 12: 4-21 taken from THE MESSAGE Bible...

FACING THE GIANTS... or KING'S.... or TRIALS... in the DESERT of life!

It's my Anniversary on Saturday!! <3 .

Are YOU called into MINISTRY?

I AM "KINGDOM BOUND"!!

WEEDS.... of life!

BE a BIG BLESSING to someone today... it feels great!

DO YOU HAVE JESUS KNOCKING??

Memory Loss........... now what was I saying?

SPRING CLEANING........

Just for fun........

"No, NOT THE COBRA"

DAY 41.... Where are you??

Listen for the whisper.... or wait for the Brick!

STRIKE... GUTTER...

My *NEW* Tunes...

BE BLESSED...

WINTERFEST 2008... has come and gone!

Random ramblings of my heart.....

CHANGE.....

Personality Test Results...

SWEET SNOWMAN CARD

What fun...

VALENTINE FUN...

JESUS LOVE IS THE BEST VALENTINE'S GIFT...

My NEW Tunes...