Rock On---Oops---Walk On!

I have been reading a book called "Heaven is for Real". It is a true story about a four year old boy who while on the operating table goes to heaven then comes back. He says he went to heaven for 3 minutes. He describes everything he saw and learned. His parents were amazed that he knew things they had never told him or anyone, not even relatives, like the fact that the mother had lost a baby 2 months into a pregnancy before the boy, Colten was even born. Anyway. It is good and encouraging, uplifting. It reminds me just how much God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit love us and how awful Satan is. The little boy has such an urgency, that people "have to know Jesus" so they can go to heaven. My uncle Frank passed away and his funeral was today. Sadly I was unable to make it to Midland Texas to go to it, but my mom and dad went. All I could do is call my cousin and send flowers. Doesn't feel like much. I am praying for them, since it is all I can do. I know prayer is powerful and the best thing we can do for someone, but still...I wish I could do more...be there for my cousins. Death always has a way of reminding us of how short life is which causes us to look at and evaluate our lives. Am I doing enough to let others know about Jesus? The business of life makes it so hard. It is so easy to put things off then time goes by and you wonder if you have done enough. It is hard to know when your focus is so unclear and distracted. Mine is. Ugh. Give me clarity so that I can see your heart, your plan and follow your agenda, not mine Lord! I pray you are having a day of more clarity than me. Keep focusing on God and pricking your ears to hear him lead. "Walk On!". That will be my mantra instead of "Rock On!" But yes I will still think of the words in a rocker voice to motivate me. Can't help it. Just the way I roll.

Brothertition

Yes, it isn't a typo. The new word in the house is "brothertition". Max coined the phrase this morning. I brushed his hair, upon request which is unusual in itself. Usually he doesn't want me to mess with it and if I do he runs his hands through it to mess it up on purpose again. Anyways, after his shower this morning I brushed his wet hair quickly and said he looked handsome. As any brother does he asked, "Am I more handsome than Sam?" I said they were both handsome and asked why everything was a competition. He said it was "brothertition", brother competition. I laughed. He likes making up words like his mama does.

Well, a few minutes later he came back out of the bathroom looking suspicious. (I love this age because it is so easy to tell if they are up to something. They haven't learned to hide it well which makes life easier. Woe be the day he catches on and gets sneakier.) I took a double take and his hair was wet, but shinier, strange. I asked if he had gotten in the hair gel and he said no. Then I asked if he had gotten into the hair spray and he said yes. Uh huh. Gross wet, greasy, stiff hair sprayed hair, after I had just gotten him clean. Ugh. It never lasts but a few minutes. Anyway I told him to not get into the stuff in the bathroom. But later I had to lock the bathroom closet because I kept finding him sneaking in there to get into lotions, perfume and even the deodorant, wanting to check it all out. Don't know why the curiosity all started up this morning, he has never done it before. But what a mess! Maybe it is because I said he was handsome and he felt the competition. Who knows what goes through their heads at this age? Anyway it makes me chuckle.

We are having trouble getting Max to stop talking in class to his friend Collin who is Pokemon obsessed just like Max. Ugh. I feel sorry for the teacher. We keep trying to talk to him and have taken stuff away from him. I just wish the teacher would let the two switch seats so they don't sit next to each other where the temptation is sooo strong. That would help, but so far she doesn't agree and won't allow it. Oh well. I'll keep trying from the home front. I guess if this is the only issue we have we are pretty lucky. Ooops, Blessed. I don't believe much in luck. But I do keep entering the PCH sweepstakes twice a day...still hoping?! I know, I know. Fat chance. But it is still worth a shot. Hope your day is blessed.

Spring Break

Have had a fun Spring Break week. I worked Monday and Tuesday while Brook watched my boys and I watched hers on Wednesday and Thursday while she worked. I had so much fun. I had gone to Barnes and Noble and bought two science experiment kits at thier going out of business sale, so I was all set for PROJECTS!!! We made thirsty crystals that we put inside a clear wand to make a "Magic Wand", we also did three other experiments; We made a Test Tube Crystal Ball. This is one you don't need a kit for. You can get vegetable oil, color tablets or food coloring, water and a clear container to put it all in. You fill half container with oil and half with warm water then put in food coloring. Close up the container. If you turn the container over several times the colors swirl and look cool because the oil and water don't mix. Easy! We also made Magic Wizard Lava and Feverish Fizz where the potions bubbled up and out of the container. Very cool and fun. But you need more ingredients with these which kit provides. As you have guessed the kit was a "Magic Science" kit. Sawyer, my nephew had happend to bring his Harry Potter wand over to my house that day so it was perfect.

We also walked to the park near my house and played for a few hours there. The boys got into the volley ball pit sand and pretended it was the beach and took turns burying each other in sand. I took cute pics on my phone, but don't know how to put them onto the blog. Sorry. We had a quiet time each day and great discussions about their walk with God and each kid took a turn praying. Yay! Thank you God. We also made a secret art project for my husband's birthday and one for my nephews to give to their parents. Haven't given them yet, but will post pics of them when not a secret anymore. It turned out soooo cute. Anyway we had a great week.

Yesterday, Jason took off work and we got our taxes done then went to lunch and took the boys to the aquarium. They got to pet sting rays and baby sharks, starfish and prawns and see some cool jellyfish, big sharks, otters and more. Maizie got groomed and her annual check-up so she is feeling pretty and frisky herself. I decided to cut all my hair off this morning so am feeling (not so sure what....sad?...old and unnattractive?...ok?...if anything its nice to have a change). And my big therory about hair is that IT ALWAYS GROWS BACK, so if you don't like it, no big deal, it will grow and you can change it again. At least you had a change for a while. Right? Right!

Anyway, I will post some pics when the hubby helps me again. Have a great end to your Spring Break too.

Arrogant Agendas

Lord, help me to be always highly aware of my faults and sinful nature but not dismayed/discouraged by them. I need to be aware of my motivations. If they are from anything other than wanting to please you and follow you, then they are from my sinful nature. Where are my ambitions? Are they to lead a certain number of poeple to Christ, to do something great for you Lord? These things are noble and good, but if the motivation isn't to please you and the task isn't given from you, then it is founded in my pride. Oswald Chambers wrote, "My worth to God in public is what I am in private. Is my master ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how noble?"

Today I am questioning my so called "right motivations" and "noble callings". Are they really from God? I need to learn to live each moment of each day in communion with God so I can hear His voice leading me. It may just be to rest in Him that day. It may be to do a humble, monotonous chore that seems unimportant. But if I follow God obediently I am honoring Him instead of myself. I never want to steal God's glory or arrogantly ignore his voice, assuming that I know what is best. God's ways are so much higher than mine.

Ask yourself today, "Do I care more about following my agenda or following God's? Do I cling more to my comforts than to stepping out in faith out of my comfort zone to serve God? Who do I really believe knows best? Me or God?" It tells who I trust, who I follow. I find myself thinking, surely God doesn't want me to do that. I justify my own stance and agenda choices becuase I know more than God, He surely can't understand this. How arrogant of me. But it is true. It happens more than I like to admit, more than I probably even realize. It is so natural, unfortunately. I pray my first instinct would eventually become looking to God so that I am keenly sensitive to his voice and can hear Him at his slightest whisper. I pray the same for you.

Movie Nostalgia

OK, I'm up late tonight. Its about 1:00 AM. Yes, its morning but I still call it night. I know, I know. I am tired and need sleep, but I have had a blast from the past tonight watching my favorite high school movies from the 80's. Yes I'm old. I love Molly Ringwald. I watched "Pretty In Pink" and then "Sixteen Candles". They were on back to back on t.v. and I just couldn't not see them. My third favorite movie from that era was "Better Off Dead" with John Cusak. He was actually in Sixteen Candles also as one of the geeks. Anyway, I loved the humor/comedy of that movie. Soooo, I guess I'm admitting I'm nerdy and old. But I don't care. I had fun. What's your favorite movie from high school? What's your favorite movie of all time? I also love "A Walk To Remember" with Mandy Moore. Yes, I'm cheesy and I don't care. Hope you have fun watching some blasts from your past too.

Blessings

I love this song by artist: Laura Story on her album "Blessings" which is also the name of the song. Listen to the words and let them pierce your heart and do a healing work. It is even more beautiful with the music and her voice.

"We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel you near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from your Word is not enough
All the while You hear each desperate plea

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rains, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise"


I truly believe that God uses all things for His good and that sometimes there is no other way to penetrate our hearts than though trials and heartaches which open us up to God's true healing. I do think that many trials are Blessings from God in Disguise. Isn't it worth it? We are here for such a short time. Do you truly beleive that a thousand sleepless nights are worth knowing that God is real and near? I do. What a priceless gift He gives us. He is truly a perfect parent, a perfect God, a good God, no matter what!

I Heart American Idol

I admit it, it feels like a guilty pleasure, but I love, love, love American Idol. Miss Simon Cowell. I think the new judges (Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez) are too nice. They don't give great feedback. There are some performances that just aren't that great and they rave about them. I agree with Randy usually, and like the judgement called as it really is. Just my opinion. I have been nicely surprised at how Super Sweet Steven Tyler is. He is such a sweetie to everyone and so genuinely kind. That is why it is hard for him to judge as critically.

Anyway, now on to the contestants. This year my favs are all males. My three favorites are: Scotty McCreery, the sweet, humble cowboy singer you just can't not like; James Durbin-a powerful rocker with an amazing voice who has the diagnosis of Turrets Syndrome and Aspergers. You wouldn't even know it if he hadn't said it. He seems nice too. And last, but not least, the most talented one of the bunch, Casey Abrams. He can play so many cool instruments and never dissappoints. He is so naturally gifted, and comfortable up on stage and Crazy Good!

So there you have it. Yes I like the other contestants, but these three really Rock! They blow me away with their talent. Especially since I have none musically. I can't carry a tune for the life of me, never have and never will. Neither can my husband so my poor kids don't have a chance. Sigh. I can't play any instrument either. After two years of piano I got kicked out of lessons for not practicing enough and was told by my teacher that I was the worst student she had ever had. I went home crying but relieved. Alas I won't be on Idol myself, but sure do enjoy watching others. Soooo, are you an Idol Lover too? I know, biblically that sounds bad, don't mean it that way....Just love the show....and those awesome Boys!

Ok, I'm embarassed to admit it, but I'm a little bummed. I always know the odds are ridiculously against it, but can't help but hope and get excited. I didn't win the hgtv dream home giveaway this month and I didn't win the publisher's clearing house sweepstakes for a million dollars. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know better, and think I won't expect it, which I don't, but still...you do hope. God never works that way in my life though. How do I know? I hardly ever win anything, and if it is, it is a book or a pencil. Ugh. God wants me to look to him daily for my provisions...my Daily bread. I should be grateful because it keeps me focused and dependent on Him, aware of my need for him. Soooo, I need to just get over it...again...until next year when I go through it again. Ha.

One of my newfound addictions is "Words With Friends" on my iphone I got for Christmas. I never thought I would use such a fancy phone, except to call people. But I was wrong. I am LOVING it. I love to text now too. Can you believe it? I may just be entering the 21st century and becoming a techno gal. My co-workers can't believe it, I am so old school about everything. AND speaking of technology, I am loving the Nook. My mom got herself a color one so gave me her old one. I didn't think I would use it much, I love paper books sooo much (the smell of print, the feel of a book in my hand, especially an old one...I know, I'm weird), but I am loving it. Sooo, maybe I won't be so afraid of technology. But I still have a lot to learn!

So instead of moping around I will just go grab my phone and play some more "Words With Friends". How about you? What is your new fav thing?