The Chronicles of Biscuit - Happily Ever After

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Do you like the Hallmark Channel movies?  My family does, but usually I don't pay close attention to the TV, so rarely watch it enough to know what's going on.  But this past weekend, the channel had a Christmas movie marathon. I was doing the same....not paying close attention, and I got into one of the movies. If finished the whole thing! (So proud of myself for sitting down and paying attention for that long!)  Then I watched another. And another.  And did the same thing for the next few days every evening.....into the wee hours of the night!

Monday the channel switched back to regular, non-Christmas movies. My daughter was watching one and Biscuit came in and said, "Oh, great! They're in a conflict, then they'll get back together, get married and live happily ever after! They're all the same."  We couldn't help but laugh at his 10-year-old wisdom! But, he's right.  They're all the same.  Same layout, but different story.  But very predictable.  And we're glad they are.  They're basically "clean" shows and have happy, feel-good endings.  Yes, there may be some sad, teary-eyed moments, but you know it's going to turn out right, so not too bad.

Biscuit's idea of the Hallmark movies made me think about the story of Jesus Christ.  Here was a man who came to earth to be the Savior of the world.  He had great conflict, but "got together" with some who decided to follow Him. The conflict continued and the followers continued.  Then He was arrested.  A BIG conflict.  Then He was sentenced to die on a cross. HUGE conflict.  The people of the day must have thought that this story would have a great ending for them and an unhappy ending for His followers. His followers mostly believed, too, that the ending was going to be unhappy - not fully understanding what Christ tried to tell them all along.

But guess what?  It WAS a happy ending! It was the happiest and most shocking ending there could ever be!  Jesus Christ AROSE!!  How surprised the followers were when they realized what their Teacher had been trying to explain to them for so long!  And what a shocking revelation when those who were unbelievers heard what they had done to the Savior.  Crucified Him.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 

Matthew 28:5-6

Hollywood can make up movies with happy endings - sometimes with a little "magic" thrown in to make everything work out perfectly.  But Jesus didn't need any magic or Hollywood screenwriters.  He had His Heavenly Father. He had the Holy Spirit.  That power is all He needed.  It's all we need, too.  With that power - that Spirit - we, too, can have a happy ending and live happily ever after.

On this GRATITUESDAY, I am grateful for happy endings. I am grateful for the happily ever after God has given His people - those who have chosen to follow Him.

Join us for GRATITUESDAY at HeavenlyHomakers.com!

25 Years Ago.....

...our life together was just beginning!  I had planned my wedding date for six years.  I wanted to be married on June 18th, after attending a wedding on that date in 1982!  At that time I was 13 years old! Who would have thought that those plans would really come true six years later!

Not a lot changed about my wedding details from the time I was 13 until the time I was 19.  My 13 year old plans had colors of ivory and pink and gray. But one very big thing did change:  THE GROOM!!!  That's a pretty major change and my original "groom" would have been a very, very big mistake!  Thankfully my more mature (well, more mature than 13, anyway) choice was a very, very great choice!

Our lives have been blessed.  We've laughed and cried together.  We've had ups and downs.  We've had disagreements and make-ups.  We've grown closer to God and closer to each other. We're committed to each other and believe that marriage should be a life-long commitment. We love each other, and look forward to many more years of marriage together.

The fruit of our marriage would be, of course, the births' of our four children.  Those would be the four most important days in our marriage, other than our wedding day.  The day we lost our little boy to stillbirth would also be an important day in our marriage, but not a happy day, at all....just relevant to our marriage.

I've included some of my very favorite wedding photos and photos of special things from our wedding and engagement. This picture with my dad putting a penny in my shoe is one of my very favorites. I love the look on his face! :)

 This is our wedding invitation.  The little phrase was on several things at our wedding.  I still like it a lot!

Here's a little poem from one of our showers written by a sweet sister-in-Christ.

These little papers were given as favors, rolled up and secured with a gold ring. (The inexpensive ones that come in bulk.)

I didn't take a picture of it, but I had a schedule all written out for our wedding party.....to the detail....and there were several (okay, many!) details!  Two songs that were led by Joe's uncle - congregational singing - then 13 songs (yes, you read that correctly!!!!!) sung by Joe's twin brothers and their wives.  Hard songs.  All acapella.  All very beautiful!  They did such a great job!  We have it on tape, but 25 years ago things weren't as clear as they are now.  

This is a very special picture for us.  My grandpa is on the left and did part of our wedding. He wasn't too sure about it, at first, but he did a great job! I didn't know for a long time that he was really sick and running fever that day!  And Joe's dad did the wedding vows and lesson for the wedding.  He was a preacher, so used to speaking.  Both of these special men have passed away now. We're thankful they had a wonderful part of our wedding day!

On this GRATITUESDAY, it's pretty easy to see what I am grateful for, isn't it?  And looking forward to many more years! To see what others are grateful for, visit HeavenlyHomemakers.com.

 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’^[b]? ⁶ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Matthew 19:5-6

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Part of the Plan

Note: The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit

Recently Biscuit got in trouble for having a bad attitude.  It was while we had company, so I had taken him into his room to talk to him and made him sit on his bed for a while before coming back in and joining the group.  While he was in there, he wrote a sweet letter - acknowledging his bad attitude and the fact that sin is in the lives of both sinners and forgiven sinners.  Here's his letter (his words and punctuation):

Dear church:

If possible I would like prayers from you. I've had problems with attitude towards my family & others. And ever time I hear what a wonderful plan it was to put Jesus on the cross I ask myself, "How could sin be part of the plan." They say that God is amazing but why did he know that sin was gonna come?

(And then his signature.)

What a sweet letter of repentance!  Biscuit knew as soon as I looked at him and asked him to go with me to his room that he was in trouble.  He knew why right then, because he knew how he had just talked to me was a BIG NO NO!  He especially knew that doing it in front of guests was even worse.  But Biscuit also is a Christian, so he knows of God's plan for forgiveness.

Each time one of our children has become a Christian, the first thing I've talked to them about was the fact that they still would do things wrong - that we all do.  I don't ever want them thinking that being a Christian means that one will never sin again.  Obviously that's not true. Only Jesus was totally sin-free!  But, I also made sure that they knew about recognizing sin and repenting of it - that God would forgive them.  The blood of Jesus continues to cleanse!  That is the plan!  God's wonderful plan!

So obviously Biscuit is having a hard time understanding all of the plan, and that's okay.  He's still young.  He is learning to recognize sin....learning to have a repentant heart....and learning about forgiveness.  Sometimes mature Christians even have trouble with that concept.  On this GRATITUESDAY, I am grateful for God's plan!

As I write this post this morning, my head is humming the tune and words to "Thomas Song".  It goes so well with Biscuit's thoughts.  I want to share it with you.  It's sung by Hallal - the group I have playing on my blog - along with The Zoe Group.  It has a beautiful message in the lyrics.

Join us for GRATITUESDAY at Heavenly Homemakers!

Thomas' Song

Ken Young

Verse 1
Jesus, You were all to me,
Why did You die on Calvary?
O Lamb of God I fail to see
How this could be part of the plan.

They say that You're alive again,
But I saw death and ev'ry sin
Reach out to claim their darkest win.
How could this be part of the plan?

Chorus 1
If I could only hold your hand,
And touch the scars
Where nails were driven.
I would need to feel Your side
Where holy flesh by spear was riven
Then I'd believe, only then I'd believe
Your cruel death was part of the heavenly plan.

Verse 2
Holy presence, holy face;
A vision filling time and space.
Your nearness makes my spirit race.
Could this be part of the plan.

I see the wounds that caused the cry,
From heaven, ocean, earth, and sky;
Where people watched their Savior die.
Could this be part of the plan?

Chorus 2
Reaching out to hold Your hand,
And touch the scars where nails were driven;
Coming near I feel Your side
Where holy flesh by spear was riven.
Now I believe. Jesus, now I believe.
Your cruel death was part of a heavenly plan.

Ending
I proudly say with blazon cry.
"You are my Lord and my God."

Copyright © 1993 Hallal! Music Exc., Dayspring Music, LLC, Toddler Tunes Music Exc.

"It's All About Me!"

There is a belief system that is prevalent in America today (and most likely in much of the world) that defies the power of God and the existence any religious/spiritual force in life.  This belief system is called "humanism".

The definition of humanism is "a system of thought that rejects religious beliefs and centers on humans and their values, capacities, and worth.  It is the denial of any power or moral value superior to that of humanity; the rejection of religion in favor of a belief in the advancement of humanity by its own efforts."

Sadly, I'm afraid that there are many in our world that agree with this system.  But something else I wonder. Are there those that say they believe in God, but live and act as if He doesn't do anything? That everything they have or do is by their own doing?  That God has no power in the world at all?  I remember my husband using the term "practical atheism" in a sermon.  This term means the same thing I mentioned - believing in God, but acting as if He doesn't exist".  When we begin to think to highly of ourselves and what we can do, we begin to think less of our God and what He can do!

Philippians 4:13 is a popular scripture, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.".  I love that verse, don't you?  But maybe we put to much focus on the first word....the "I".  Maybe we forget the most important part of the verse......through CHRIST!  What we do, as Christians, is because of what Christ has done and because of the blessings we having in God, not on our own doing.  Yes, we may be blessed with talents and abilities that give us recognition on earth, but do we take that praise as something that puffs us up because of what we believe "we" did on our own? Hopefully not!  Hopefully, if we have successes on earth and receive praise for them, we acknowledge the fact that everything we have and do is because of what we are doing through Christ.  It's for HIS glory (or should be) and not for our own glory.

Self-confidence becomes God-confidence.  "It's all about me!", becomes, "It's all about HIM!".  I become less dependent on myself and my abilities, and become more dependent on HIM and what I can do through HIM.

The biggest problem with humanism is that one may believe they can "get to heaven" on their own....their own goodness.  They may believe since they are a good person, wouldn't hurt anyone, may do some good things, that that is all that matters....just being "good" and not evil. They may not see a need for a Savior.  But the Bible tells us that there is no other way to the Father, except through the Son.  We all have sin in our lives (even if we may claim to be "good" people) and we all need Jesus to cleanse us from that sin. We cannot expect to be in Heaven some day unless we follow God's Word and His plan for salvation laid out in the Word.  We can not get to Heaven on our own!

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6 

There is no place for an "It's all about me!" attitude in the life of a Christian.  There is no way that humanism can go hand in hand with being a follower of Christ.  It can not work!  It has to be all about Him.  

On this Gratituesday, I am thankful for God's power in my life.  I could not make it without Him.  I am thankful, also, for the Savior, for Jesus.  He gave His life on the cross so that I could live in Heaven for eternity.  It's not all about me.  In fact, it has nothing to do with me at all!  It has everything to do with Him.  And I am blessed because of what He has done.  That's definitely something to be grateful for!

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Senior Saints' Valentine Banquet 2013

 

Sunday was our church families' annual Senior Saints' Valentine Banquet.  Our young adults have hosted this event for over 20 years.

The theme for the banquet was "Wild About You".  I posted about the decorations on my craft/recipe blog, so you can read more about that HERE.

The Senior Saints look forward to this event each year.  Teenagers are asked to help serve at the event.

It's great hearing stories about the past, listening to them tell about their favorite Valentine's Day, and hearing them laugh.

We have a few members that are in their 90's.  It's especially good to hear their interesting stories!  

For this Gratituesday, I am GRATEFUL for the wonderful examples we have of these "senior" Christians.  I thank God that they are in our lives - as examples for us and our children.   What a blessing they are too us!

Join us for GRATITUESDAY at Heavenly Homemakers!

Vintage and Music-Themed Baby Shower

Typically in our small town congregation, we have a baby shower every once in a while, but over the last year, we've had MANY baby showers!  What a blessing!  This may be the last baby shower for a while, but we're sure enjoying having all of the little ones in our midst!  So very THANKFUL for babies!  They are a gift from GOD!

Instead of doing a generic themed baby shower, I began trying to base the decor on the nursery theme - just to make it more special for the parents and the baby (even though he/she won't know and probably won't ever care!). It's just a little more sentimental, even though it takes a little more time.  This shower was a whole new theme and nothing I'd ever done.  I was excited - but a little concerned because I had no idea where to start.  The theme was a vintage/sepia/music theme.  Lots of possibilities!  THANKFUL for this challenge!

Here's a burlap banner spelling out BABY.  The chipboard letters are covered in music themed scrapbook paper.  The shabby material strips are made by tearing muslin and cotton materials in strips and tied onto the jute cord.  I had been wanting to make on of those!  The banner went home with the parents-to-be for the baby's room.

The "Rock a Bye Baby" banners tied in the music theme.  The mini pennant chipboard pieces and mini clothespins came from Hobby Lobby.  I covered the chipboard with burlap and wrote the letters with a thick Sharpie marker.

Above the table an old wooden ladder held "tissue" balls, glittered music notes, and sepia tinted photos of the parents-to-be.  

The whole view doesn't show the different dimensions, so it kind of looks cluttered, but it really wasn't.  

What's a shower without food?!  We had yummy cupcakes, nuts and mints.  The cute cream and brown bears came from Walmart - in the Valentine's stuffed animal aisle!  I had seen them a few weeks ago, but they sold quickly!  There were only three left when I got these two.  I took their Valentine's sweaters off and added mocha colored bows around their necks.

Here's a close up of the balls.  They are made from coffee filters.  The white ones are just plain, unaltered filters that were attached to a styrofoam ball with straight pins.  The larger, tannish colored one was made by dyeing the filters in tea.  They were attached to a larger styrofoam ball with floral pins.  Click HERE to go to my recipe/craft blog to get directions on how to make these pom poms.

My mother-in-law loaned me this child-sized piano.  A friend let me borrow the CUTE, vintage-style burlap pillow.  My mom had given me the candle stick and crystal dangling thing (don't know what it is called....), so it fit perfect with the theme.  (That friend also let me have an old window she had for the mantle in the first picture. SOOOO pretty!)

I made this easy wall hanging by covering a painter's canvas board with burlap, adding burlap/muslin trim, and cutting out letters on the Cricut.  The glittered music notes were added for fun, and the wall hanging was given to the parents for the baby's room.

Beverages for the shower were Mocha Punch and Tea Punch.  You can find the Mocha Punch recipe HERE - on my recipe/crafts blog.  I'll post the Tea Punch when I get that recipe.  The tea punch was served in a soup tureen that was my grandmothers.  The mocha punch beverage server was borrowed from the same friend that had the burlap pillow.

She also let me borrow this CUTE metal heart wall hanging.  The burlap flower is a magnet and held sepia tinted photos of the grandparents-to-be.

There were lots and lots of presents....even more than is shown here!  The parents-to-be were blessed by so many people who love them and who are anticipating the arrival of their little one!  And, oh.....one more thing:  The gender of the baby wasn't known!  It was different, but so much fun being a surprise!  (We didn't find out with our first three, either.  We did on the last one because our daughter said she would cry if she wasn't having a sister.  We wanted her to get all of the crying done before the brother came instead of when he came :).  THANKFUL for the outpouring of love for this family!

On this GRATITUESDAY, I am thankful for the church and the baby showers we host for our Christian brothers and sisters.  What a special thing to have that special bond between God's children!

To see what others are grateful for, visit Heavenly Homemakers!

IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE.....

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’  

Acts 20:35

While we were at Disney World during Christmas break, we tried to find a way to do things for others.  Each day, right before we left the parks, we would use our tickets to go get "Fast Pass" tickets to a really popular ride.   I stayed back and snapped a few pictures one day - just to get the reactions.

As we left the park, many others we just arriving.  Our kids would give our "Fast Pass Tickets" to people as they entered.  It was so much fun watching the reactions of the recipients!  One guy said, in a thick Australian accent, "WOW!  You really made my day!"  It was great! Occasionally the language barrier made some a little worried - not sure what was really happening, but for the most part, everyone was very thankful for the generosity.

One of the Sundays we were there, we decided to go to Epcot in the afternoon, after worship and lunch.  By then, there were no Fast Pass Tickets available for the popular rides, so we knew we couldn't ride them or give any tickets away that day.  During the afternoon, two kind boys came up to our two middle boys and gave them tickets for "Test Track" - a car ride!  It was so neat to see the reaction of our two - realizing that perhaps God blessed them because of their generosity during the previous days.  I thanked God for showing that generosity and giving spirit to my boys that day!  I am GRATEFUL for Him showing this truth in such a unique and fun way!

It truly is more blessed to give than it is to receive, but the Bible also teaches that when we generously give, we will be blessed.  It works both ways!

The lesson learned during our vacation was that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you can always, ALWAYS find a way to do good and be a blessing to others.  Maybe it's a kind word to a stranger.  Maybe it is giving something to a stranger.  Maybe it's buying something for a stranger.  Maybe it's just not getting angry when something doesn't go the way you had it planned.  You and I can always find a way to do good.

To see what others are grateful for on this GRATITUESDAY, visit Heavenly Homemakers!

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Put it to Use!

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Last week I was talking to my mom on the phone when I picked Biscuit up from school.  When we got home and walked through the garage, Biscuit was eyeing a new golf bag.  He touched it, examined it, and smiled.  I asked him (still on the phone), "Is that your dad's?"  Biscuit said, "Yes."  As he raised up the cover I could tell there were new clubs, too.  "Are those new clubs?", I asked.  Biscuit replied, "New irons."

I began to tell my mom about my husbands' new bag, clubs, and a recent 'how to swing' video he had bought. "He's really trying to improve his game," I said to her within earshot of Biscuit.  Biscuit turned around and joined in the conversation with, "Yeah, but it would be better if dad actually got out and swung the club instead of just watching a video!"  Biscuit walked on to do his homework, as I kind of laughed about what he said and went on to finish the phone conversation.

When my husband got home, Biscuit and I relayed the whole 'new golf stuff' conversation to him.  He laughed about what Biscuit said, too, but quickly told him he had been practicing - even when Biscuit didn't know about it.  The old bag and clubs I had bought for him 23 years ago, so obviously he was due for more.  The old bag had holes in some of the pockets.  Even so, my husband and I laughed about his renewed hobby and getting new gadgets that go with it.

(Disclaimer: My husband knows about this blog post and approves.) Our conversation led to us joking and laughing about other 'things' that he had purchased over the years.  He's always been into the newest 'health/exercise' products and sometimes get-rich-quick schemes when we were newlyweds.  He admits it. It's not uncommon to find new things that are going to help him in this area, yet they sit around the house often unused. 

I'll never forget finding boxes and boxes and boxes of envelopes and papers in the closet in the first few years of marriage.  It was one of those 'stuffing envelopes' scams.  I never asked what happened to those.  Pretty sure they ended up in the trash!  Other things have been exercise bars (huge) that hang on the door frames.  Never saw it used.  Haven't seen it in years.  A huge, plastic exercise ball....I saw it used a few times.  FUNNIEST THING EVER!  There's no way I could have balanced on that ball.  I'm pretty sure my husband found that it was that way for him, too.  Didn't see it very long.  Many smaller, less HUGE things have stayed and gotten used: kettle bells, books, exercise videos, and a few other things.  But you know what?  It's true what Biscuit said.  If those 'gadgets' and self-help things aren't put to use, they will never help.   

Nothing - no matter how new and nice and useful it may be - will work, if we don't put it to use.

The same is true with our spiritual life.  When we become a Christian - which can ONLY come through Jesus. That process begins by believing in Him, realizing that our sin separates us from God and that repenting of that sin, confessing that belief, and coming in contact with the blood of Jesus that is symbolized through immersion/baptism.  It's at that moment we receive a wonderful gifts: Remission of our sins and the Holy Spirit to live in us!  

Maybe we found out about Jesus by hearing a sermon or lesson.  Maybe you read about Him yourself or someone told you about Him.  Maybe some of you even read about him online - through a website or blog.  Perhaps even now your are just now hearing about Him by reading this post.  YOU NEED JESUS!  HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO OBTAIN SALVATION!  HE IS YOUR ACCESS TO GOD!

But, just like Biscuit said, that my husband must swing the club and put those new tools to use, YOU must use the gifts God gave you.  The gifts He has or He will freely give you!

Here are THREE STEPS TO PUT OUR GIFTS TO USE:

1.  USE GOD'S WORD

You and I must use God's Words.  Even if we hear the words from someone else, we'll never grow and mature like we should if we don't read them ourselves.  

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 

1 Peter 2:2-3

2. BE MORE LIKE JESUS BY RELYING ON THE HOLY SPIRIT

You and I must strive to be more like Jesus.  The Holy Spirit lives within us and will help us grow and be more like Him, but we have to allow that Spirit to help us.  When we don't 'put the Holy Spirit' to use, we are grieving Him.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

Ephesians 4:29-32

3. WALK IN HIS FOOTSTEPS

We can talk the talk of Christianity, but if we're not walking the walking our talk is useless.  There is more to believing and confessing that a one-time-covers-it-all deal.  True belief, true confession results in true change in our lives.  Not that we'll never sin again, but that our walk is striving to imitate Jesus....that we're not deliberately sinning.

Changing attitudes and habits is not always an easy task! Established thoughts and behaviors resist being altered! However, change is easier when we clearly see the dangers of continuing old habits, understand the benefits we can gain by adopting new behaviors and learn what actions are needed to replace our old behaviors. This gives us a clear path we can follow.  The path is the one where we're following Jesus' footsteps.  We can read all about that in the Bible.

If we are not walking with Him, we're not living in the light.  And if we're not living in the light, we're in serious trouble.

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

1 John 1:5-7

To remain in Jesus is to strive to walk with Him....by His example we read about.

 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.  

1 John 2:5-7

When we stop walking with Him, we're forsaking God, His Word, His Spirit, and His Son.  We're saying to God that we don't want His gift of salvation.  And that's the saddest and most heartbreaking state of "not putting to good use" there could ever, ever be.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because^[b] to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Hebrews 6:4-6

Nothing can separate us from the LOVE of God, but we can choose to turn away from Him.  We can reject His salvation. Sadly, it happens all of the time. 

Put to 'good use' all that God has given you!  Remember, if you've got all of the 'stuff', but not actively doing it, it's useless.  And Biscuit might need to have a talk with you!

On this GRATITUESDAY, I am grateful for the opportunity God has given me to put His gift to good use!  I pray that my goal and desire is to serve Him to the best of my ability.  His gifts of salvation are free, but He wants me and all of His children to love Him and serve Him.  That is how I show Him I love Him.  I want nothing more that to do just that!  I hope and pray that is your desire, as well.

Pray, Pray, Pray

My thoughts and prayers are with all of the people on the east coast who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.  May God strengthen and comfort each one of them during this time.

Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

...pray continually...1 Thessalonians 5:17

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:2

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16

On this GRATITUESDAY, I am grateful that we have a loving Heavenly Father who hears our prayers. 

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Thoughts and Opinions

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Today after school Biscuit and I were discussing something.  I'm not even sure what it was now, but when I corrected him or tried to explain something to him further he said, "Mom, I'm just trying to express my thoughts and opinions.  That's the author's purpose!".  Well!  I guess he told me, didn't he???!!!!

Apparently Biscuit didn't feel like I was letting him explain his thoughts and opinions....and maybe I wasn't.  He wasn't the author at the time, but he was the speaker.  Point made.  I will do better, Biscuit! :)

God is the author of His Word, the Bible.  It was inspired by Him, yet written down on paper....scrolls....by men.  As I thought about what Biscuit said to me about his thoughts and opinions, it made me think about how I treat God's Word.

God's Word is full of God's opinion, but His opinion is truth and the only one that even matters.  There is no other choice.  We have a choice to accept it, but it's not going to change.  It's His thoughts.  It's His Will.  It's His plan of salvation for you and for me.  With God as the author, that was His purpose.

So what do I do with His Word?  Do I neglect it?  Do I count it as insignificant as Biscuit felt like I was doing to him?  Do I disregard it?  Or do I read it?  Do I live by it?  Do I strive to follow His Will for my life by reading those words?

Remember, that is the author's purpose, just as Biscuit taught me today.  God wants us to listen to His thoughts and opinions.  Not opinions that will change.  But opinions that are truth.

Thanks for the lesson, Biscuit!

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful for these small lessons that life with Biscuit gives.  Today when I wrote this little conversation down, I told him why I was.  He seemed pleased that I have a whole section of "The Chronicles of Biscuit" on here.  I told him that some day I'll print them out for him to have and to read.  He'll enjoy them when he's a daddy, I'm sure!  He's provided me with much material and for that, I'm grateful.  Nothing is sweeter than the heart of a child.  They were special to Jesus.  They are special to us.  Biscuit is special to me.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

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The Chronicles of Biscuit - Pullin' Weeds

The Chronicles of Biscuit: Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Sunday morning before worship, we had been discussing our afternoon plans.  My husband was preaching out of town that morning, then preaching here that evening....filling in for his brother, our minister.  I was taking the three oldest kids to a youth rally out of town, so Biscuit and his dad were going to be home together all afternoon.

Biscuit asked his dad what they could do together.  My husband said, "Pull weeds."  Biscuit responded (shockingly) with, "But, Dad, that's a woman's job!"  My husband asked Biscuit how he figured that it was a woman's job to pick the weeds to which Biscuit responded, "Because she ate the fruit first!"

My husband had a quick talk with Biscuit about his response:  "Women and men can pull weeds," "Attitudes like that aren't going to get you very far with the female population,"....things like that.  He didn't have time to go into deep discussion as he headed out the door.  Later that day I had all three boys - and our daughter, too -  in the kitchen helping get lunch on the table.  I asked Biscuit about his earlier conversation with his dad and explained that, yes.....it was the woman who ate the fruit first, but asked him who the head of the house was supposed to be.  He answered correctly - the man. (Although he quickly pointed out that Adam and Eve probably didn't have a house!  OH THAT BOY!!!)

We all talked about how Adam should have done what was right, no matter what Eve said.  We talked about how Satan tempted Eve first and she gave in and then how she tempted Adam.  We agreed that they were both guilty, because they both were.  She did sin first, but it didn't really matter.  They both sinned and it changed life forever because of it.

Biscuit seemed to be doing what a lot of us do some times.....blame someone else for our mistakes.  It's easier to put blame on someone else than it is to just admit that we've failed.  We don't want to be wrong.  We don't want to mess up.  We don't want to admit that we have sinned against man or against God.  We'd rather blame.

My husband has a sermon that says to blame we are "being lame.....it's "b + lame".  The definition of lame in this sense is "weak and ineffectual; unsatisfactory".  So when we blame, we're being weak...ineffectual....unsatisfactory.  Those words aren't too appealing, are they?  Not at all!  None of us want to be though of as weak, do we?  What about ineffectual or unsatisfactory?  Nope!

Owning up to wrong-doing is the quickest way to get back on the road to "right doing"!  It's the quickest way to get back to being strong and effective!  It's the quickest way to get back to doing what God wants us to do.

On this GRATITUESDAY, I am thankful for the conversation Biscuit had with his dad Sunday morning.  Biscuit learned a lesson that day and I'm guessing that the next time we have weeds to pull, he'll be elected to do that duty!  Funny how the strangest conversations end up making great teaching points for children.  God's Word is best taught when it is lived out in every day life.  Never waste those little moments.  They'll affect your child for eternity.

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Lauren & Kalli - Friends Forever and Always

When my daughter was born I was working part time....three days a week.  I was fortunate to have my mother-in-law take care of Lauren (and later two of her younger brothers) the majority of the time.  My mother-in-law also took care of three other children whose parents were both school teachers.  Their oldest two were twins and were two years old, then a baby girl named Kalli.  Kalli was exactly a month older than Lauren so it was almost like having two sets of twins to care for!  Not a problem for my mother-in-law who had six children (plus 15 or more others when they were house parents for a children's home) - the first two being twins!

Fast forward 18 years.  Recently Kalli celebrated her 18th birthday and Lauren will be 18 in a few weeks.  You see....Lauren and Kalli were best buds from their cribs.  They're actually more like cousins than just friends.  Their friendship has lasted, grown, and even changed and blossomed over the years.

Kalli moved away after 3rd grade, but the girls have remained very close.  Thankfully they've been able to enjoy many activites together, even though they live two hours apart. For Kalli's birthday, Lauren made her a special scrapbook.

Since my goal is to eventually print out a book for each of my children with posts from this blog about them, I wanted to share the book with you.  Here is the slide show of the book.

I hope you enjoy looking at the adventures of Lauren and Kalli!  At the end there are a few pictures of the inside of their "A-Z Designs" book.  Not sure when they made that book, but I remember it!  So cute and special!

I am GRATEFUL for this special friendship between these two girls.  What a blessing to have such as special friend!

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CLICK ON BOOK SLIDESHOW TO MAKE IT LARGER!

Another "Last"

So a few weeks ago I posted about the first day of school for my four children......and that it was the last first day of school for our oldest - and only daughter because she is a Senior.

And now another "last"......the local fair.  In fact, because she's needing to take the ACT, she'll miss the county fair.  And - the kids aren't showing at the State Fair this year for the first time in many years.  So it's the last fair - of all fairs! Kind of weird, and neither of us thought of that until it was over.  Maybe that was best!

Our small town (Small meaning less than 1,000 people.....not less than 10,000 people like some surveys consider small!) fair isn't much, but it's still a fair.  I don't know of many little towns that have their own fair....do you?  It's always a special time and kicks off the school year with a fun activity.

So Lauren did pretty well in her final fair year.  She won Grand Champion Wether in the goat show and won 1st place in her AP English class "Summer Booklet".  This booklet is a kind of paper scrapbook that the teacher, Coach Tyler, has her students do every year at the beginning of school.  It's such a wonderful idea - giving the students something fun to write about, while making it a quick project that is graded and also entered at the fair.  Lauren can enter her scrapbook in the county fair, as well.  Who knows? It might even go to State!

Isn't he a "pretty" goat!  Looks like she's really enjoying being "shown".  She's a natural, it seems :).

Years ago the local fair had a parade.  I was in charge of it for many years and enjoyed it immensely.  I was sad when it ended, because I love parades and so did my kids and other kids!  I remember working hard to help my own children get ready for the parade.  I would decorate their little Fisher Price battery-run cars, build props, make costumes.....lots of fun things.

Lauren and "Rooster" decked out in "Luau Attire" for the Best Dressed Pet Contest and Tipton Fair Parade - August, 2004  **Correction: Lauren says this dog is "Pepsi", not "Rooster".  Rooster was a Dalmatian!

Lauren's 1st year in 4-H - showing at the fair - August 2004.   I think there were only four goats at the fair that year!  Times have changed!

GRATEFUL!  What great memories!  What small-town fun!  So thankful for the pictures!  So thankful to share with Lauren in each of these "lasts".  So very grateful to have had all of these years watching Lauren grow up, mature, and seeing how God is working in her life.  Looking forward to seeing what He has in store in the future!

This post is linked to GRATITUESDAY at Heavenly Homemakers. See what others are grateful for by visiting www.heavenlyhomemakers.com.