Is Green so Good?

You know, I think so often we act the way we do and others act the way they do is because of the green-headed monster called Jealousy! Man - why is it so hard for some to compliment, encourage, empower others? I love making people feel good; but, alas, I must be the first to admit that I struggle to compliment, encourage, engage those who are ugly to me; who have hurt me; those to whom the only relationship between us is based on more negative than positive. I am so often--daily--reminded of Eph. 4:1 - 5 which says to "walk worthy of the calling to which we were called. Be completely humble & gentle; patient, endeavoring with one another to work for unity in the bond of peace. There is one spirit; one baptism; one body; one Father of all who is in all and through all." Okay - that was from memory and I know I missed some. But, what I remembered is pretty darn convicting. Today Lord, help me to walk worthy of the calling to which I was called. Help me to display Your splendor. Help me to guide my girls to see & long for the calling You are purposing for their lives. Help me Lord to better because of who You are in me. Much love,m.

Pick Up Day

Saturday morning! Light Rain, a good cup of coffee right next to me, leaving in 10 minutes to get Ellen - I can't wait!
God - You are so good. Thank you for completely gracing me when I am so awful. Thank you for loving my heart even when it feels so unlovable.
Dear God - please tell my baby sister hello and that I miss her just terribly and that I wish so much she were here with me.
Extended family get together last night at Harvey County Park (Norm & Nadine's kids were all home & around). I met some really neat people and learned more about others. There family seems to just love each other - its really neat. They just seem to enjoy being around one another--not to brag about themselves or their lives, but to just build relationship. That is what it seems (totally could not be that way). I pray for my girls a love like that - one that enjoys each other because they are God's creatures and nothing more. Ellen - I can't wait to see you!

Wow - Ellen is going to camp for the 1st time in her life and for the 1st time in her life she will be in someone else's care other than family. Lord Jesus, I pray your protection over her. Guide Your angels to make straight her path and keep her safe. Lord, I pray also that her eyes may be opened and her heart enlightened and her spirit be more aligned with Yours. Thank you for the willing volunteers who will care for her these next few days.

99 Balloons, A Tribute to Eliot. What a touching memorial to a little boy with Trisome 18. Thank you God for revealing yourself through him and for parents that loved him and love You! What a blessing.

b/t/w - it was my birthday on Tuesday - 38 years young! I miss my sister soooooo much! I miss having a girlfriend that just loves me for me. Thank you God for allowing her in my life - because, truly, it is better. Thank you for allowing my girls to be plural. I pray they learn to cherish each other so completely and in doing so, they honor each other and You! Thank you Lord Jesus for being my Savior - not because You had too, but because You chose too. You are Amazing. Thanks.

Again . . .

Again, more than a month has passed since I've written - ugh!!!
Gosh, school is out in 5 days - my babies are growing so fast (tear). Steve & Steph are moving into their Brand New house this weekend (it's gorgeous). I'm trying to be jealous FOR them and not OF them. I am really having to practice 2 Cor. 10:5 - I give it to You, Lord. You are so faithful. You have so blessed me. Forgive me. Thank you Jesus, thank you.
Life has been rather harried with the 'state of the economy'. Bradbury Co. has had to let 40 people go . . . not easy things. Ryan & I have been down on our knees . . . again, God--You are faithful. God, we walk not by sight, by faith. Increase our faith.
Ellen, Erin & Emily are just awesome - I love them sooooo much. I have been having such fun with my mom as well - she is one beautiful person and I am so lucky to have her in my life. She is one person (besides Ryan) who truly encourages me and tells me I do a good job. I have never understood why people withhold blessing like that? I don't know, maybe I over do it. But, I have learned (albeit painfully) that some people like that power so I choose not to allow it over/on me. I have stopped trying to 'please' people and gain approval. My esteem is not based on others' affirmation, rather on my God's view and approval of me. AGain, thank you Sweet Jesus!

Almost midnight, the clock's about to strike and off come the glass slippers.
love,
m.
p.s. i did the OKC 1/2 marathon again this year. ry is so supportive. God, thank you for allowing me the ability and opportunity to run. Let it be for your glory!

i ama pc

well - i was just typing in here on my new laptop computer - first ever lap top owner - whoo whoo! thanks to ryan for getting my a BIG screen and a full keyboard - i love it!

today is Tuesday, April 7th and Ryan's school board election is Today - so tomorrow i might be married to a school board member - double whoo whoo!

A full week away from Tax Day - yea! Pray we get a lot done in the next couple of days!

Girls made their own Easter Baskets - out of empty milk containers - pretty cute.

see ya
mad

going to hopefully run 10 miles tonight - major prayers needed to get my mind right!

Good Reads!

Monday, March 02, 2009
Wow – crazy past couple of weeks! WE are in the full-blown tax-season and life is busy. This past weekend we took our Christmas Kaufman Trip to GWL (Great Wolf Lodge) and had an absolute awesome time! The girls just love it and it was great fun to be together as a family.

Ryan’s been home lately after having traveled for 2 weeks out of 3 so we are very thankful.

The dow jones industrial average hit an all-time low in the past 12 years I believe!!! Economy is suffering. Bradbury announced 32 hr work weeks for plant people and Ryan is really feeling the pressure to bring in sales. I believe he said it best to his guys when he said ‘ this is time for the 4th quarter gut-check. We don’t sell, people don’t work.’ Dear God, You know. You are in control. Please help.

The girls are awesome. I love them so much. Lord, I pray for their safety, for their spouses, for their school/ball experiences—that Your hand may be in all aspects of their lives and that You work to Your will which will always exceed our imaginations & expectations. We praise You O Lord!

I read 2 great books: Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy. About a girl (child of 4 at the time) who survived the Nazi invasion of Poland and her, along with her family, was forced into the Lodz ghetto where she hid for the next 5 ½ years of her life. It tells of the nazi’s coming & taking children from the arms of their mothers to ‘put them on the train’ (to the death camps). Dear Lord, forgive me for all the times I was too tired to carry my babies or to self absorbed to give them my attention. I humble my self before You and ask forgiveness and 2nd chances.

Ryan & I also read Beyond Belief, the true story of Josh Hamilton—an all American kid who signed with the Devil Rays straight out of highschool for 3.97 million dollars. He found himself with a alcohol/drug addiction. He almost killed himself many times over and FINALLY surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus. He came back to Major League Baseball and was 2nd in the 2008 Home Run Derby. A miracle story where God is given the glory and Josh’s testimony leaves no question as to who His Lord & Saviour is. Awesome read!!!

Okay – time for bed. Thank you Lord that in the midst of life, You are here. You are always here. Thank you for the word of Life in Your bible and the Light of Life in Your Son. I am so blessed.

Dear God, please help my mom. I love her so and I know You do too!

Get It!

I have been meaning to post these thoughts a few days ago! When putting Miss Emily to bed the other night, I was laying down with her and then Ryan came and lay on the other side--so here, all 3 of us are laying on this twin size bed - ugh! Can you say uncomfortable. Well, Emily was totally comfortable as she was relaying any thought that came into her head and would look at either Ryan or I and say 'git it? kay - git it?' with her forehead scrunched and her chin tilted down a bit and her hand cocked at the wrist. Oh my - I had to almost pinch myself from laughing out loud! What a doll baby.
Speaking of doll babies, Vonn & Casey had a little doll baby of their own tonight--Isabelle Taylor Durst. So, now Isaac has an Isabelle! How sweet is that?! I love it!!! We will go see them tomorrow night.

Also, speaking of 'getting it' do men? Uh, I don't think so. Well, I take that back--some men definitly do. Some definitely do not! Mine, does not. Do they have any idea what goes into meals, clean clothes, room to walk in the house, a made bed, a clean bed, a Sunday School lesson, a night out, a babysitter, homework, kindermusik, signing & returning papers to school, getting girls to school on time, grocery shopping, any & all home improvement projects, dr. & dentist appointments AND I could go on - believe me! However, enough irritation before bed. Okay, I am so thankful I am running with my friend tomorrow (at least he cares about being healthy & working hard to accomplish something bigger than yourself). Thank you God for allowing me that opportunity!

Lord, help me to 'get it'! Because right now I'm sick of always getting it! Ugh!!!