Just thoughts...

... to pass along...

a friend posted to me about this ministry in Uganda...
http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/2009/08/be-warned-i-always-re-read-things.html

Then another posted this song by one of favorite artists...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_q3LGYR3oM

Then I also got bombarded by a message from Chip Ingram...
Uncovering Counterfeit Christianity - Fatal Deception: Are We Kidding Ourselves to Death? Part 1
http://www.livingontheedge.org/home/broadcasts/online_daily.php
(I have to admit... I've only heard part 1... it was convicting enough...)

Seemed so appropriate things come together together.

I'm like the Psalmist David...
Psalm 70:5
"Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay."


Revelation 22:20
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Hugs ya'll!

"Perfect boundries"

Well... you know... sometimes you just have to share the "little stuff"... because God is so concerned the "little stuff" in our lives....

So, we were embarking on a trip to MO to continue the great house hunt. We contact some folks that we stay in touch and tell them we are heading out for another round of looking. Of course, we get the standard.. "We're praying for you." from some of the sweet saints in our lives that continuously pray to keep us on the straight and narrow. Then we get an email from a cohort and inside it says, "We are praying that God has the perfect house for you." I first thought how sweet for them to pray for us a house. Then the thought crossed my mind that "Is there really a "perfect" house? And does God really even care what house we are in as long as it isn't a bad fianancial decision?" Hmmm....

Fast forward a day or two... a different friend calls me back and we chat [while I grocery shop... a mother always multi-tasks]. She tells me that it was so funny that I called and left her a message earlier in the day when she was at Bible study and prayer. She was praying specifically for our family and us finding a house. Then she told me the scriptures she had for the day....

The Message (MSG)

5-6 My choice is you, GOD, first and only.
And now I find I'm your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
And then you made me your heir!

NIV
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Some translations say that He has set the boundary lines in "perfect places".

My friend just wanted me to know that God had the perfect house and situation for us and not to fret over it.

Isn't God just so..... well, awesome??!!!??? He has this big plan and yet He is still so interested in the little details of our lives! Right down to even the bricks/mortar and fence lines in our lives.

So... we are back from MO and nope... we don't have a house yet. We narrowed down our choices, put a offer on one, was rejected... and we are still searching! But somehow I know (way back in the recesses of my mind) that God has set those boundries exactly where they need to be and in the time they need to be. So keep praying....

God's got this plan.... and I still haven't figured it all out yet. ;O)

Parenting, House hunting & Surgeries... oh, my!

Well... there hasn't been a tornado at our house, per se; however, life has definitely been a whirlwind these last few weeks. I feel like Dorothy being blown around in the sky with our whirlwind of constant activity.

[Toto: we're not in Kansas.... yet!] The great house hunt is still ongoing. (We're not really that picky... just haven't found that right "fit".... yet!) All of this compounded by the fact that we are half a continent away doesn't help matters.

[The Lion:] Missionary Man (MM) himself had to study for the "Missouri Boards" and take that test (something about needing a license to practice). Well.. HE PASSED!!! Woo hoo!!! He's the man! Now we can all live with him again! ;o) Pray for him as he tries to finish all the work/jobs he has to do here and prepares for the work/job he has upcoming in MO.

[The Scarecrow: read... feeling mindless here.] I did finish one class and am on the down swing of finishing another class. My first online course... it's been a bit of a challenge, but all is well. The scientific calculator and I have learned to be friends.

[The Tin Man: that would be the doc with the ax... ha! ha!] MM had his FOURTH knee surgery at the end of last month (such timing this man has... I told him that it did not exempt him from helping with the move!). The surgery went well and he is very much on the mends. PTL!

[The Munchkins:] In the mist of it all we still have to take care of the little chickens. They are all "growing like weeds" (in the southern vernacular) and "chicken feed" is costing us an "arm and leg" right now! The older chicks are finishing up piano, drums, tae kwon do testing, and Royal Rangers/M-Pact girls advancements. #1 Sweetie is preparing for his first black belt testing. The next two are just a few belts behind. (They have some serious-dangerous kicks... I'd hate to be the board that meets up with their furry.) #3 Sweetie will Gold medal for finishing the three years of advancements in Ranger Kids. #1 Sweetie (who is almost as tall as me now!) is furiously working to finish the last merit for his Gold Medal of Achievement (equivalent of Eagle Scout) before we move. #2 Sweetie will have to finish her last year as a "Star" in MO to finish her honor star. So as not to leave out little bit (Z-man), he is pretty much potty trained (except for nights), talks in paragraphs now, counts to 20, says his alphabet (and the sounds associated with them), has half the people he meets wrapped around his little pinkie, and will probably be swimming by the age of four the rate he is going in the water right now!

Well.... since there really isn't a good fairy in a big pink puffy dress that comes and makes all things right and easy.... guess I better stop typing and go pack some more of those lovely brown cardboard boxes. God has a bigger plan than we can always see and things always seem to fall into place as they need too. (Think house falling right where it needs to...)

We would covet and so appreciate your prayers as we follow that "yellow brick road" to MO. As soon as we have a firm address we will email (en mass) info for those who want it. (So please feel free to email me and let me know your physical/email addresses so I can reciprocate back at you... hopefully soon!)


(Man! We forgot our ruby-red slippers!)

1 Chronicles 22:19 (New International Version)
19 Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God.
(So hard to do in all our daily activity.... but so necessary!)

2 Thessalonians 1
11With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.[b]
(Amen.... what the apostle said... for all of you!)

House Hunting 101

Well.... I'm back! What a whirlwind trip!

I feel so blessed sometimes. I mean, I travel half-way across a continent within a matter of hours, stay with people I've never met, spend 3+ days with an organized/industrious realtor I didn't know(who kept me very focused), and come back feeling it was a positive experience! Hey! I even got to stop by and say "Hi!" to several of the regulars at HCM.

God always seems to know just what we need. The missionary friend lived near HCM and I felt like I found my long lost aunt (hope she enjoyed me as well as I enjoyed her!). The realtor was a wonderful lady with a sense of adventure (which was right up my ally). We even got to experience a little Springfield culture with a play and fireworks on Friday night!

Nope.... didn't put a contract on a house... but I think that dear realtor and I drove over most of the land mass within a 30 minute radius of Springfield! So the saga continues... but with me much more clued in to what life in that area is all about!

So, I thought I'd share a few tips I learned in my 4 day adventure.....


"House Hunting 101"
1) Fly to the place you want to live and rent a cute candy apple red car to drive around in! (nope, it wasn't a convertible... but zippy none the less)
2) Find a fun and adventurous realtor (trust me...you'll find the adventurous part is mandatory at some houses!)
3) Give realtor an impossible house wish list for our price range (as we say down South, "Bless her heart!")
4) Get in car and drive 8 hours a day in 90+ degree unusually hot, humid weather, getting in and out of the car to look at homes.
5) Take notes on houses to remember them by: (the following are few of the more humorous notes.... you'll see why "adventurous" is definitely a requirement in Realtors):

House #1 - We shall call it "Le Orange" (can you guess the color of the exterior?)

House #2 - "The Lodge" - gorgeous woodwork, you could build a ship from the beams of this house! Too bad the back deck loomed over the steep incline down to the train tracks where a lovely train blew it's horn as it passed by.

House #3 - Never saw this house. "Beware of Delilah the Rottweiler!" posted in the realtor's listing somehow helped us head to see a different abode.

House #4- The Spider House. I have NEVER, EVER seen a free roaming spider that large outside a zoo before! I mean when the realtor and I (and the male realtor with us that day) are all pulling out our cell phones and snapping pictures... it had to be big! I need to post an ad in the the Springfield paper that someones' pet is loose... seriously!!!!

House #5 - The "Charming" Dump. Well... er,... what can I say? The outside had some "charming" potential... such a well spoken realtor, she really is.... the inside... well.... The realtor looked at me and whispered, "Seen enough?" I responded, "Yep." We left...

House #6 - The Suspension Bridge. OK. You know she's a fun woman when you look at her and say, "If you go first, I'll follow!"... then she hikes up her skirt and carefully throws her leg around the gate pole (the gate was locked) that was the entrance to the pool and scoots around. I shall mention that the gate opened to a bridge suspended over a nice deep gully. Well, I couldn't NOT follow... so I hiked up my skirt, threw my flip-flopped foot around that pole and scooted over there too! Such fun! :o) [Remember.... "adventurous"]

House #7 - The Incline. Graveled road... straight up hill.... that little red car jiggled mercilessly.... [can you see a Georgia girl driving up that thing in the snow and ice?]...but, hey!, there was a hot tub on the deck we had to see..... 'nuff said.

House #8 - The Missing Sign. Or should I say... the one we went 10 minutes out of the way to find.

House #9 -
(ah.... I figure you've had enough.... I won't get into the 1980's wall paper or the 1970's colored appliances.... or the two different dogs that about scared us snotless.... seriously.... people should consider these things when they want to sell their houses...)

6) Drive back to airport to check in hot red car, fly home, then drive in 9 lane stop-and-go traffic to get past a wreck to finally get home before midnight!

7) Kiss my honey and tell him that tomorrow is another day... and we shall keep looking!

===========================
To "K": I loved hearing all your missionary stories! We are dangerous together woman.... we could talk all night! Thanks for the show, fireworks and your generous hospitality!

To "R": Thanks for the yummy Mediterranean pizza! Artichokes are my new favorite! Your company was just lovely!

To "D" [my adventurous realtor]: Your patience, kindness and adventurous spirit is awesome. We WILL find a house! We WILL!!

Just thankful...

So much in life goes by at such a blur and seems to trivial to post about. In reality... it's probably more important than we realize. Not so much the stuff itself, but how we live/walk it. Know what I mean?? I was reminded of this once again yesterday (I'll get to that in a minute... first the update).

Daniel is studying his head off for the State exam. I've been house shopping online (amazing what you can do these days!) and taking my course. The kids have been completing all their "end of the school year" activities. A million little things happening all simultaniously it seems.

However, knowing that there is an impending move, I think I'm hugging people a little longer when I say goodbye. Making things a little bigger deal than normal knowing it may be "the last time" we do this living here in Georgia. Trying to make all those little group/family gatherings because "who knows when we will make it again". It may seem silly.... but it's a reality right now.

Yesterday, the kids had a rehearsal for their piano and drums recital tonight. I had to leave for class, so Daniel was there with the kids. Then at around 5:30 p.m. the teacher looked at her watch and sighed. Since Daniel was there and it was a calm moment, she said, "I have to tell someone this. Seventeen years ago at this very moment on this date, my son was hit by and car and died...." The story went on. It was all a tragic accident.... the wrong place at the wrong time.... no malicious act. Her precious first grader was struck by a car driven by an eighteen year old coming home for his birthday. A large tree in a curve prevented the driver from seeing the young child until it was too late. That was the beginning of many sad subsequent events in their lives. A day of play and rejoicing turned to tragedy.

So, I'm reminded once again.... go hug the kids once more (hey! go hug your spouse! it might shock them!)... make doing dishes fun, go ahead put up the streamers for my husband's birthday (even if it seems silly).... it's not about the money or the event.... it's about the walk/talk/attitude. What would I do differently if I knew this was the last time we would... [fill in the blank here].

Well, so as not to leave you on a sad note, our piano teacher and her family has been such a blessing in our lives these last five years. God has walked her through some tough stuff and I'm sure there are days she feels it. But she is such a blessing and "shining star" to us. An example of patience and resilliance and faithfulness. (And an example of someone who truly makes learning fun!)

Ephesians 5:15-17 (Amplified Bible)
15Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
16Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
17Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.

Philippians 2:14-16 (New International Version)
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sometimes someone says it so well.... well... no need fixing something that isn't broken.....

Happy Mother's Day!
The Familyman
Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries

Question: Of the following successful women, who has impacted your life the most--Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Mother Teresa, Hillary Clinton, Michele Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher, Julia Childs, Julie Andrews, Susan B. Anthony, Vera Wang, Estee Lauder, Rosa Parks, or . . . your mother?

The answer is obvious, but sometimes when you're up to your armpits in dirty diapers and bad attitudes (they both stink), you're tempted to forget and think . . . "I'm wasting my life. I could have been something. So-and-So leads such a significant, glamorous . . . appreciated life."

Let me tell you, Mom, those lines you're being fed smell like smoke and come from the pit of Hell.

Your life as a mom is significant. All of the sacrifices you have made, are making, and will make are worth it. What you do as a mom is way more important than being a doctor, business woman, author, humanitarian, and world leader. You are impacting future generations who will never meet you or know your name and will only refer to you as great, great, great grandma.

Your sons and daughters will answer the above question the same as you did. The greatest impact on their lives will not be by a president, an inventor, or a business person. Without a second's thought, they will answer, "Oh yeah, my mom was the greatest influence in my life."

So quit looking on the other side of the fence and wishing these days away so that you can get on with the important stuff in your life.

You are already doing the important stuff in your life.

Happy Mother's Day,
Todd

[I think I shall frame this and put on the bathroom mirror! Hugs and blessings! T]

Collossians 3:23-24
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Daniel's Philippine Report

Well, last Thursday Daniel came back from the Philippines after traveling for almost 24 hours straight to get home. There was the traditional unpacking of the little gifts for the kiddies, the mounds of laundry, the uploading of pictures from the camera, the catching up on family life issues and the missionary stories...

Usually I try and sit down and post some sort of "report" here after a few days of Daniel walking around the house telling me, "Oh yea.... and this happened too.... and you wouldn't believe.... and did I mention..." Well, yesterday I walk downstairs to see "Mr. Missionary" typing wildly on the computer to "save me some time" on writing about the trip. I smile and say "Oh...[big pause]... thanks, hon." [for those who know, laugh now.... for those who don't, my dear husband is anything but short on words]

Yep... it's a small book... but instead of re-writing it, I thought I'd cut and paste a little and give some words from "the man, himself"...
[comments in brackets are just my sarcasim and can be completely ignored!]

"Corregidor Island is located in the mouth of Manila Harbor giving it strategic military benefit. In fact it was during the Spanish era of the Philippines that bonfires were lit to alert Manila of incoming ships. Still recognized as having military benefit, years later, American forces placed gun batteries all over the island as part of a harbor defense system of Manila bay. Big guns were placed to repel sea invasion and smaller mortars were placed to prevent land invasion during the 1920’s, but guns were never upgraded to newer weapons by WWII. It was on this island that Gen MacArthur fled the Philippines, after promising his eventual return. After Bataan fell on April 9th, 1942, American and Philippine forces held Corregidor for 27 days and surrendered to Japan May 6th 1942.

What does this history lesson have to do with a medical trip to the Philippines? Well, we like so many Christians have built our churches “forts” if you will. Trusting in our “forts” and our church services we can ignore the gathering forces around us. We are already seeing this as churches have less and less services during the week. Church attendance is down and membership is declining. The state is granting less favor to benevolent giving to the church and is making inroads into the basic liberty of Christians. We are not upgrading the “guns” just like on the Island of Coregidor. Just what are our “guns” you ask, souls, adding as many Christians to Lambs Book of Life as we can possibly see.

In any mission work we are preparing “forces” or more Christians for the Lords army. Reaching souls that will be accepted into God’s kingdom. Rather than be just on the defensive (although often necessary) we need to be on the offense – being part of a church outreach or plant. In the Philippines just that occurred. The local missionaries were Dave and Debbie Johnson. They partnered with two local churches in the Bicol Region."

[told you he was wordy...good stuff though]

"There are active volcanos in the Philippines. One volcano that we worked right at the base of is called Mayon. As one counsoler said “ we have to see these people saved they live in the shadow of death from the volcano”.

Mayon did erupt 3 years ago and the gov’t doesn’t know how many people died est, are 1000 individuals. Roughly 70,000 people were displaced during that time."

[and you thought your neighborhood was rough..]

"Supporting the out reach was the Pilipino equivalent of our Health Care Ministries the Philippine Health Care Ministry, PHCM. This team supplied a full dental team including 3 dentists, support personnel and two different local doctors that traveled with us for the clinics."

[these people give up their time away from their jobs/families too]

"During the clinics we saw a total of 1,835 people and 1,069 people accepted Christ as their Savior. Never have I seen a response like this. Even Dave Johnson, the missionary made a comment that not all those professing Christ as Savior were true conversions. But he did make one important point – with all those “conversions” we definitely have two churches planted! In addition all the people will have a follow-up with pastors, relationships will be started and if not before then hopefully soon true salvation will occur."

[can you just say "Wow!"]

"Gen MacArthur eventually returned to the Philippines and Corrigedor was recaptured – history tells us what happened. The cost was tremendous in men, women, and resources.

We as Christians, however, know the spiritual war for this world is already won, but the “battles” between now and then have lasting effects on us as well as those around us. Lets make haste than to save as many souls for Christ and keep the casualties to a minimum."

[see why I married this man?!]

There is so much more... but you just may have to give us a call to hear some of those good stories.

James 1 (NIV)
27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.