On A Lighter Note

Prayer

Friday I attended one of the hardest funerals that I will hopefully ever attend. The Hastings family was struck with tragedy when the wife and 3 kids were in a car accident. The mom(JoDee), and her 2 daughters(LynDee 5 & Paiton 3) were killed and the son was critically injured.

I know that JoDee, LynDee, and Paiton are in heaven with their Savior right now. JoDee confessed her love for Jesus Christ and showed it. It gives me joy that she is walking on streets of gold but it brings me sadness to think of her family that is left behind.

I do know that God was preparing JoDee for her time to leave. She left Scott and Jonathon an amazing gift with the scrapbooks and journaling she did. They are memories that they can treasure forever. She wrote a wonderful letter to Jonathon explaining her love for him and the relationship that he had grown to have with his father. God had given her that nudge to do that and it is something that you could never put a price on.

No one knows for sure when their day will be. We can know where we will end up and that is very reassuring. Putting our faith in Jesus Christ makes death not so scary. Knowing that we will be in heaven someday by that faith. It may not make it any less sad for those left behind but it can make it less scary knowing we are safe in the arms of someone who loves us more than any earthly being could think possible.

I ask everyone to pray for Scott and Jonathon as they continue the healing process both physically and mentally.

Thursday Thirteen #3

Thirteen Things about Michelle 13 Books That I Have Read And Enjoyed 1. The Bible 2. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers 3. Of Mice and Men 4. Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park (they are soooo fun to read out loud to your kids) 5. And The Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers 6. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers 7. The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers 8. The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers 9. Believing God by Beth Moore 10. Janet Oke's Women of The West 11. Hidden Places by Lynn Austin 12. October Sond by Beverly Lewis 13. Ramona books by Beverly Cleary (another fun bunch of books to read with the kids) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Kate 2. Stacie 3. my 2 cents 4. L^2 (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Queen For The Day

Before-A Mangy Mut Covered In Snowballs

After-The Pink Princess

Lillie was queen for a day. She got the royal treatment with a bath, haircut, and pretty pink bows in her hair. I don't think that she enjoys it as much as the kids do. We did the before and after photos because last time we got her groomed she didn't even look like the same dog. I actually thought that they brought me the wrong dog but it was Lillie. We may not be the biggest pet lovers but you have got to love Lillie.

We Are HIS

This is the devotion that I got today from Worthy Ministries. It was very much meant for me and I thought that maybe you all could benefit from it as well.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

In 2nd Samuel Chapter 9 we read of the story of King David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of the first king of Israel, King Saul. After Jonathan's death, David went forth to show kindness to Saul's house. Mephibosheth had become lame at the young age of five -- he had lived his entire life as a cripple. When David calls him forth, Mephibosheth replies "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" His identity was completely based on his disability, when in fact he was the grandson of a king! He had forgotton his royal lineage and was wallowing in self pity. Yet David looked beyond his disability and recognizing who he was, offered him a place at the King's table.

How much time do we spend wallowing in our own self pity, groaning about things with which we struggle daily...so much so that it becomes who we are! The enemy would love nothing more than to keep us focused on our disabilities so that we are distracted from the calling of God on our lives. He wants us to have a "victim mentality". But let's not lose focus of the reality of who we are. In Jesus we are a chosen generation, part of a royal priesthood, and the King has offered us a place at His table! We are heirs of His great throne!!

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen Things about Michelle 13 Things I Would Like To Do Someday 1. Fly in an airplane 2. Go on a cruise 3. Get my teeth fixed(braces) 4. Take a pottery class 5. Take dance lessons with my husband 6. Take a photography class 7. Go to Disneyland or world(I don't care which one) 8. Be in a triathalon(although I am far from a triathlete) 9. Go deep sea diving 10. Have someone take me shopping and tell me what looks best(What Not To Wear-kind of a thing) 11. Go on a trip with my girls 12. Hire a personal chef and/or maid 13. Watch all of my children living a life for Christ! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. renee 2. my 2 cents 3. chickadee 4. caylynn 5. she (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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I Am A Boll Weevle

I am just like the bug in this song and I am getting tired of it. Brandon is the one telling me to get out of my home. I am not a cold person at all and with all this snow and freezing temperatures I am about ready to go crazy. I will take a 100 degree day over this any day. It is suppose to get above freezing this week so hopefully some of the snow will melt off. I am sooooo looking forward to summer. It has been beautiful though. The blanket of white is very pretty to look at (from inside). The mountains change with every new storm.

Boll Weevil
By Presidents of the United States of America
BestAudioCodes.com

CLUTTER

I have been very convicted lately about the amount of clutter I have around my house. I know it is very distracting from the things I should get done (bible study, time with the kids and hubby, healthy meals, etc.) and from the things that I want to get done (scrapbooking, knitting, blogging, etc.). It is so overwhelming that sometimes all I get accomplished is staring at it because I don't know where to start.
I think my convictions have been stronger for a few reasons...
1. God wants me to focus my time on him
2. I am starting a new job soon and I won't have as much time
3. We will be moving in a few months and probably to a smaller house
4. The new year always makes me evaluate my life
I believe it is time to get back to shining my sink. I hope to keep you informed on any decluterring revelations that come my way.

Exercising For Comments

I am doing it. I will exercise for comments. I need something to get me motivated to move my behind away from the computer. I have decided to do 1 sit-up for every comment I get at the end of the day. It isn't much considering that I only get 1 or 2 comments a week but that is 3 more sit-ups than I would do in a regular week. It is a start and when I have rock hard abs (haha!) you will be wishing you had done it too.

My First Thirteen Things about Michelle B. Thirteen Favorite Movies (in no certain order) 1. Hope Floats 2. Dumb and Dumber 3. Steel Magnolias 4. Top Gun 5. Mommy Dearest 6. Grease 7. The Outsiders 8. Cheaper By The Dozen 9. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 10. Father of the Bride 1&2 11. Pretty Woman 12. Nacho Libre 13. Dirty Dancing Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thankfulness

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS ITS HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAININGI HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

Some Favorite Friends

Jeff, Robyn, and LeviThis boy was all smiles!
Zach had someone to boss around for a couple of days.

We had the wonderful privelage of having Jeff, Robyn, and Levi at our house for a couple of days. It was so nice to be encouraged by them and to have them attend an evening with the Emmaus team. Levi made us all smile several times while he was here. The Lord has blessed us with so many friends. More than we can count.

Right On!!

You Belong in 1982

If you scored... 1950 - 1959: You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in! 1960 - 1969: You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule - oh, and drugs too. 1970 - 1979: Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you're partying or protesting, you give it your all! 1980 - 1989: Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day. 1990 - 1999: With you anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

What Year Do You Belong In?

I am all about taking these dumb quizes when I find them. They are kind of fun and oh so totally right on. I am a child of the 80's and I do need some new underwear!!!

What Your Underwear Says About You

You've washed your underwear so many times, you don't know what color it used to be. You're comfortable in your own skin - and don't care to impress anyone.

The Underwear Oracle

Somebody Thinks I Am COOL!

I couldn't resist taking such a fun test. Just try to beat a 2. Go on I know that you know more than me.

Wild, Wild West

Three Mean Cowpeople!(you have to be politically correct)
Stick Em Up!

Yet another day of snow and NO SCHOOL!!AWWWW!! Luckily the kids have been busy entertaining themselves playing cowboys. They were oh-so-willing to pose for the pics. Maybe it will be a fun day after all.

A Little Humor

A preacher was making his rounds to his parishioners on a bicycle, when he came upon a little boy trying to sell a lawn mower. "How much do you want for the mower?" asked the preacher. "I just want enough money to go out and buy me a bicycle," said the little boy. After a moment of consideration, the preacher asked, "Will you take my bike in trade for it?" The little boy asked if he could try it out first, and after riding the bike around a little while said, "Mister, you've got yourself a deal." The preacher took the mower and began to try to crank it. He pulled on the string a few times with no response from the mower. The preacher called the little boy over and said, "I can't get this mower to start." The little boy said, "That's because you have to cuss at it to get it started." The preacher said, "I am a minister, and I cannot cuss. It has been so long since I have been saved that I do not even remember how to cuss." The little boy looked at him happily and said, "Just keep pulling on that string. It'll come back to ya!"