Please pray for Erica!

Please add Erica Pimple to your prayers. She is a sweet 22 year old young lady who just graduated from college, is newly engaged, and is planning a June 2009 wedding. I will try to give the facts as best as I know them. Last week, Erica went to the doctor for what was a routine check for some anemia concerns, loss of weight etc... In the process it was discovered that Erica has Hodgekins lymphoma and a large mass taking up most of her left lung and part of her right. Friday, she went in for a CT scan of her chest, abdomen and pelvis to determine which stage of the disease she is in. When they did the scan they discovered fluid around her heart (I think that's right). So, she went in to surgery to have fluid drained from around her heart. When they got in there, the mass was too big to perform the surgery as they had hoped. From what I understand, they ended up putting in some sort of drain to relieve the fluid. As of yesterday afternoon, Erica was in the ICU. That is all I know to this point.

I can tell you that Erica is a strong Christian young lady! Please pray as you feel led!

ETA: Forgot to mention to all of you Sterlingites (and former) that Erica used to work at The Bible Lighthouse. Thought that might help you put a face with the request!

Can't Wrap My Mind Around It!

I "stumbled" across this on a blog tonight. I was on the message board for a curriculum we use and it was recommended on a thread there that we read Heather's post on her blog. Well, I went to the wrong Heather's blog (at least as was intended by the recommendation)!

It is truly and literally mind-numbing to think on the fact that we can do nothing to earn Jesus' love for us or our entrance into heaven. NOTHING! I mean, outwardly and intellectually we KNOW this is true. But knowledge is only a part of the whole picture. Our lives must reflect what we know to be true. Nothing means just that! NOTHING! Huh? I don't know if I am making sense at all simply because I don't fully appreciate the concept myself. All I know is that I think I unintentionally and even though I KNOW better, I try to do things to earn my Lord's love. I can do nothing more than I've already done! There's that word again: NOTHING! I just need to bask in His love and glory! How is that really done? Maybe I won't really "get it" this side of eternity! I don't know... Now I'm just rambling. This is what I read: (you can go here to read it on her blog or other posts by her).

January 24, 2008

Brownie Points

“Whatever past achievements might bring us honor, whatever past disgraces might make us blush, all have been crucified with Christ and exist no more…” - The Ragamuffin Gospel.

There is something very profound to me about this sentence.

Of course I know He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12). And I am amazed and grateful and dumbstruck at times over this knowledge. All of my sins are gone? Forgotten? Forever? Are you sure? Because we are talking a lot of sin here. Not just a few white lies now and then but some stuff I would never admit to anyone except God.

But it’s true. They’re gone and it’s wonderful and liberating and I will spend the rest of my life praising Him for it. It’s the OTHER part of the sentence that I never really thought about. Sure, I knew my sins were gone but I didn’t realize that all my earthly achievements were crucified, too.

You mean all those academic awards won’t count in heaven? Even my spelling bee trophy from 5^th grade? Do you mean my grades, college degrees, and professional awards aren’t going to get me a seat closer to God?

Well, what about homeschooling? I have dedicated myself to educating my children and bringing them up in the way of the Lord. Surely, that must get me a few more points, right?

And let’s not forget all those Sundays I worked in the nursery changing those nasty diapers, wiping those runny noses while my husband enjoyed the sermon, and the countless desserts I made for all those baby showers, and all the women’s bible studies I attended. That has got to count for something!

But, of course, my greatest act of service, full-time ministry with these troubled teens, will surely garner the most reward for me in Heaven. No? WHAT? Where is that score board???? I KNOW I’ve got to be near the top by now.

The reality that our “earthly” accomplishments are buried right next to our sins is a sobering thought. Making something of oneself is the American way is it not? Pulling yourself up by your proverbial bootstraps, blazing a trail, making your mark, leaving a legacy…that’s what we are here for, right?

If you walk up to Joe-six-pack-America and tell him that God is not interested in his 401K or his home equity or how many times he attended church this year, he would be surprised. But if you told Susie-Christian-homeschooling-mom that God isn’t all that impressed with her child’s astonishing grasp of Latin at the tender age of five she might be downright shocked.

It goes against everything we’ve been told and taught. Man is the measure of all things. That’s the way of the world. I had no problem letting go of my past sins. As soon as I understood the Good News that Christ’s crucifixion paid my debt I joyously accepted, more than willing to let go of those things of which I am ashamed.

It’s the idea that I have to let go of my pride in the “good” things I have done and accomplished that makes me buck and rear. It’s the idea that the Bible is serious when it says I can never be good enough, smart enough, strong enough, fast enough, or “Christian” enough to earn my salvation that makes me stop and think.

But I can feel a tiny smile starting to spread across my face…does this mean I can stop running through this maze desperately trying to be the first one to find the cheese? I don’t have to be the best or the first or the prettiest or the smartest? And God will still want me? My good and my bad buried together, a new person, a clean slate, a fresh start, a second chance and I don’t have to try and earn it…it’s a gift I don’t deserve but I can have it anyways…that’s the Gospel.

Jesus, I’m trying so hard to stop trying so hard and just let You be who You are in me. –Casting Crowns

Thanks Heather for your post. VERY thought-provoking!

7 ...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

So, I guess what we have to ask ourselves is: What does the Lord see when He looks at our hearts?

What a day!

Today seemed like it was jammed packed. About 9:00 Marlie, Hannah and I left to go to the house of one of the ladies in my Bible study. If you think of her, please be in prayer. Her name is Susie and her husband, Ted is battling liver cancer that has spread to his stomach and colon (I think those facts are right!). While Susie and Ted went to his chemo treatment, another dear lady, Twila, met us there and we washed some of Susie's windows while Marlie and Hannah dusted and vacuumed. It was a great time of fellowship and serving a sweet sister in Christ. Keven, bless his heart, stayed home with Dani and Tyler and even came over to help us for about an hour.

It was home for a late lunch and then Marlie was off to piano lessons. Come for find out, she had a rough day with Mrs. Brown, her teacher. Apparently Marlie was "tired from cleaning a lady's house ALL morning" (oh brother!) and was a little sensitive to Mrs. Brown's "criticism". You better believe we called her tonight to make sure Marlie wasn't disrespectful or anything. She said that when she found out Marlie was tired from cleaning she thought maybe she'd been a little hard on her. Great! Now the piano teacher probably thinks we're pimping our 8 year old out to clean people's houses or something! :)

Anyway, I've been coming down with a head cold for a couple of days and it really hit me when I got home from Susie's. I'm really glad it waited until I was home. I layed on our bed for "just a second" and ended up falling asleep there for nearly two hours. I woke up just in time for Keven to leave for a doctor's appt. He was home just in time for supper. Luckily we had tons of leftovers so I didn't have to cook. The kids were bathed and now here we are!

I noticed a note hanging on the fridge for me as I was cleaning up the kitchen after supper. Marlie must've felt sorry for me or something. I really was trying to not be too grouchy or short in patience this evening. Don't know how my report card would look but I really did try!



Oh, and did I mention that I have the best, most thoughtful hubby around? He watched the kids today, helped me plant flowers on Saturday, went on a HUGE grocery trip yesterday, skipped playing his guitar at church tonight to help me at home, ran out at bedtime to get some more whole milk for Tyler... He's the best! Sometimes I feel like he's more of a helper to me than the other way around as it should be. I'm just thankful that he's naturally so willing! Don't know what I'd do without him! Hopefully next year, when the big girls are off to school and we're no longer officially homeschooling, I'll be able to slip better back into my role of being his helper! Only SEVEN more days of school, but who's counting. Just had to throw that in there!

So true!

My mother-in-law sent this to me today and I thought it was great! I'll try not to feel quite so bad when I am dragging cheerios from my kitchen floor across the house on the bottom of my feet!

For those of you who are great moms, those of you who plan to be great moms and those who have great moms...

REAL MOTHERS
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of shag carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child ' s growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom ' s opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

If You Can't Spend Mother's Day....

With your REAL mom...



(Love you Mom! Don't kill me for posting this picture, K?)... you might as well do the next best thing and spend it with your mother-in-law! Here's where a lot of women would post a rolling eyes little guy or something! But, I am so blessed to have a mother-in-law that really is the next best thing to my own mom!

Anyway, we went to Keven's parents' house yesterday to spend the day with them. It is always so much fun catching up with them, playing cards, eating like pigs (whoopsie!), shooting my .22 pistol for the first time and having an all around great time! Keven's brother Kelly was there too which was an added bonus!

On Uncle Kelly's Harley! I am such hot stuff!



An old favorite with Granny! Wonder if she ever REALLY had a horse named Jack? ha ha Oh, and you gotta love maestro Dani on the organ in the background! Oh the memories they are creating of Granny's house. I LOVE it!



We decided to buzz Tyler's hair this morning! I don't know why I feel the need to share my son's haircut experiences with the world! Maybe it's because this boy thing is still so new! I promise this is the last haircut I will feel compelled to share but he's just so darn cute!

Ready for the first pass! Don't Keven's hands just look monstrous? They really are monstrous but next to a baby's head, MAN! Anyway, I thought Tyler might be a little freaked out by the clippers but he sat there like a champ for most of it!



Look at all that hair. I think it was time, don't you?

I think my little man is a homebody! He didn't nap worth a hoot the whole time at Granny and Papa's (but was still a good boy I might add!) and was just generally a little outta sorts. But, first thing when we got home, he headed straight for his bedroom and started playing with his toys. I really need to get out more! ;)

Nothing like getting into the stove. Just call him Hansel!



And, I just HAD to share this picture of Marlie reading to Dani. It's a rare moment in this house right now that these two girls aren't at each others' throats. I'll save that drama for another post! This was very shortly after we got home and notice Dani, looking like a little ragamuffin from the time at Granny's and long ride home, in her pink ballerina skirt and red "tap" shoes! Oh, that child! She is something else!



Gotta love it! Hope you all had a very happy and blessed Mother's Day!

Tea Anyone?

The girls and I had such a fun morning! Well two of my girls and I did! A local home school support "group" hosted a Mother Daughter Tea for girls ages 5 and up and their moms. We had a BLAST! The morning began with a time of devotion focused on the theme of growing where you are planted. The ladies who spoke all shared some great insights. Then we were off for some crafting. This was the girls' favorite part (other than the chocolate-dipped strawberries of course!). They made flower pens in little pots, tissue paper flowers and little foil flower thingies. Then it was tea time. Let me tell you, this little group did a fine job of putting together a "for reals" tea party complete with fancy finger sandwiches, individual sized desserts, and all the fixin's for a bonafide tea party! The girls were in heaven! It was a sweet time with them that I don't get very often!

You may wonder what poor little Dani did while we were at the tea party... Well, as you can see in the slide show, she got all dressed up too. She and her daddy were going to have a tea party of their own and we couldn't leave her out of the dressin' up! But, the girls and I weren't out the door ten minutes before the fancy dress came off for something a little more "comfty"! Oh Dani! That didn't stop them from having their own tea party complete with crumpets (crackers), pecans and chocolate chips. Oh, and for tea they had pink lemonade, in a tea pot of course! And I mustn't forget the "tea party kiss" that the two of them perfected! Too cute! I wish we had two cameras so Daddy could have captured some of the fun, but here is Dani telling about HER tea party!




Darn cell phone! ;)

Just LOVED this!

A lady posted a question on the message board I am a part of. This was her question: Do you read your Bible in the morning, or at night?

Just the title peaked my curiosity because sometimes (often) I struggle with just not fitting my reading in during the day (more like MAKING the time) and I wondered what other ladies do. A wonderful, wise woman of God answered in this way:

"If you got a letter in the mail from your dh (dear husband), would you set it aside and wait to open it in the morning because that is when you open your mail? I think the Lord is excited to speak to us through His Word whenever and wherever!

I haven't read the Word yet this morning, but I did sit on my screened-in porch praying and singing to the Lord! I think it made Him smile!"

I don't know about you but I thought that was a great analogy. Hope it blesses someone else today!