Oh What a Night . . .

Really, you know the song . . . "what a lady, what a night . . ." Well - actually (and basically as Emily would say) What a Day! I'm emotionally worn out and don't even have much reason to be!
Ellen's basketball season is coming to an end this Saturday. And, while that will free up 2 evenings a week for me; I will also miss it very much:( I love this sport and I wish I could go back and relive so much of it again.
The girls are doing very well and I really just want them to learn some life lessons along the way - after all, it's not really about basketball; it's about learning to get along with others - about working together - really, it's all about love & respect. I so want Ellen's class to be Awesome! Not in basketball, in life. I want to save some heartache of growing up if possible . . . i've been there and it is not much fun at times. Anyway (I want this for all my girls).

Erin helps us out alot and is a little go getter! She is good at handling the ball and the other evening after practice Ellen was telling her she needed to go easy on one of the girls and Erin just replies 'that's how i get better' in her sweet little no 'r' pronounciation! I love it! Like i tell the girls - we don't say 'sorry' in basketball and we don't apologize. we respect others and play hard!

Emily was telling Ryan last night that she thinks it was good that Ryan & I dated and are her mom & dad (or something to that effect - so very sweet!).

The girls are growing up so fast. Dear God - please give us wisdom in raising them!!! Oh, Lord, we humble ourselves before you and praise Your Holy Name! Give us guidance; direct our paths; show us the way to walk Lord. We love You so much. Help us to leave Ur of the Chaldeans and Go to where You direct(be it WEd. night, be it church, be it work, be it relationships, be it whatever). Help us to be steadfast and obedient and not to turn back. Grow our faith Lord and Bless us. Amen!

First Week of 2010

Have i written before how much i just love Beth Moore? Honestly--she is one of the most 'real' people i can think of - yet still a celebrity in her own right! We share the same birthday and i do not think that is at all coincidental! God knew exactly what He was doing - praise Him!!!
My girlies are in bed; Ryan's watching some college football game and i'm heading to bed soon as well. I was so sick on the 3rd of January--it was AWFUL! Honestly, i was peeing out of the wrong end and i puked--like dry-heaved puked--it was so gross. After hitting the bathroom 15 times due to stomach gurgling - i gave up couting and hoped i could sleep a little in between. Oh . . . did i say it was just awful? But, yes, i would rather have it than my girls or Ryan. Please God, let it pass by us - over & around us all!
Church was supposed to start tonight (it's wed jan 6) but we decided not to head out due to the below freezing temperatures and wind. It is so stinking cold here. Thank you God for a roof over our heads and warm inside - oh thank You, thank You!

Work is getting hugely busy as our 'tax season' has begun. This means working Saturdays for me. The 2 positive things are that 1) time flies during the day because i have a ton to do and 2) the paycheck will be nice.

Emily started pre-k today. We didn't have her go the 1st part of the year because i ddn't work on those days. Now, I will work on WEdnesdays, so she'll go on those 2 afternoons.

Um . . . figuring out Miss Ellen's birthday celebration. She has 3 more games scheduled. So, about 4 more weeks of practice. I love watching her play - she's really quick. Erin is so good also! She holds her own and does a great job!!! I hope they continure and are able to play together - how fun!

Okay - I pray i can get out of bed tomorrow and get off my heiny - as it's not getting any smaller just laying & sitting on it. So . . . off to bed i go.

Much love. Thank You God for the blessings You give us! Be with Elsie Schrag's family! Annie Toews. Jim Graber. Julie Swanson. Be with them Lord! Let them feel Isaiah 41:13--let them feel You holding their right hands! Praise You!!!

Merry Christmas

I am getting ready to head for bed pretty soon on this blessed Christmas Day! It is absolutely freezing here in Kansas and different parts of the country have had a major winter storm--namely Oklahoma. Even Texas has had snow - some parts for the first time since 1926!!! Wow!
We have been so very blessed this past year and this Christmas Season. Our girls are alive & healthy; we have a warm home; food to eat; clothes to wear; a mind to understand and a body to live--we are so very blessed. Most of all, we have a Saviour who gave himself up for us; for me. I am so very blessed.

Ellen (8), Erin (7), Emily (5) had a great Christmas. Ellen & Erin each got Nintendo DS's and Emily got an MP3 player. They were so pumped!!! It was so fun getting that for them and watching their excitement - it was awesome and I hope every parent can experience this joy. However, it wasn't long before Emily was a little forlorn that she did not get an Nintendo DS and it about did Ryan in. So, while we were getting ready for church this morning (Shari spoke and did a great job) Ryan asked what i thought about getting her one--can you say his little finger is taken?!?!?
Mom & Dad & Marlo Gehring came over for lunch and then we napped and then we went to see Nelson and then we went over to Drue & Amber's new house and enjoyed the evening with them.

God has been growing me as satan has been testing me--what have i learned most through the past couple of weeks/months/days . . . that God is 'my exceedingly great reward' (Gen 15). He is! Like the Mark Schultz song says, He is, He was, He always will be . . . You are God - You are my EXCEEDINGLY GREAT REWARD! I PRAISE YOUR NAME AND HONOR YOU. It has been a time of much growth; thus, inherent in growth is some strecthing and some growing pains . . . i have learned that God alone can rub them and make them dissipate. God alone. God. Alone. God.

Last night's Christmas Eve service was very nice. Ellen & Erin each played a duet with their Uncle Vonn on the piano - he is so very good and we are so fortunate for his willingness to do so! The girls were so proud and so excited to do that with him; after all, he is Isaac & Isabelle's daddy (and that is what really excites them!).

Ryan gave me a Nikon camera and I am so pumped to start reading about it and using it - yea!!!! I guess if you keep on asking; he will give in. Next, i'm working on an indoor dog - ha! I really am serious and just need to do some research and give some time to set & prepare the stage. We'll see . . .

Tomorrow i am looking foward to a long run on the treadmill and preparing for Russ & Lisa and girls for the evening.

Thank you Lord Jesus for Your gift; thank You for Your love; thank You for Christmas, for Emmanuel, for the Word made flesh so that ALL may be saved. You and You alone - yes, You and You alone are to be praised!

Wisdom is my Sister

Yes - of course it's been a while again! We have had Thanksgiving; Emily's 5th birthday; Ryan's 39th and life just happening. Ryan is in Istanbul, Turkey right now and we both have Skype on our computers, so this trip we are able to call & video call each other which is marvelous!
Yesterday, Sunday, soon after lunch he skyped us and the girls were watching and talking and Emily shouts out 'are you naked dadddy?'. Oh - you did have to be there, but it was so stinkin' funny! Speaking of Miss Em! She did turn 5 years old and we had a friend birthday party for her that was soooo fun:) We had 7 of her friends over and did some crafts; played some games; and ate some cookies! It was a good time. And I'm so happy for her. For Ryan's birthday, we gave him some cool presents and he really wasn't expecting any - so that was an even bigger surprise!

I'm coaching Ellen's basketball team with Duane Helms & Dr Marla. They had their first game on Saturday and Ellen did really well. They all did better (and worse) than expected, but it was alot of fun! I hope my girls enjoy playing and then work hard so they can really enjoy it because, truly, i love it! I wish i could go back and play and practice and experience it all again.

Saturday (Ryan had flown out already) we went to The Old Mill Theatre in Buhler for their Christmas show (Kirk & Blaine's Party) and it was so much fun! "Away in the Manger" was sung accapella by Jamie Kamikow and it was AWESOME! . . . 'stay near me dear Jesus . . .'

Through the month of December I'm reading through the book of Proverbs. I just love Proverbs 7:4 which says "say to wisdom you are my sister and call understanding your nearest kin". I miss the love of a sister sooooooo much! I need God so very much. I know--my head knows--that i don't need approval or affirmation from this world. It is just so very sad to me, however, that we withhold that from each other. I know it says in the bible to encourage one another; that two are better than one for if one falls the other is there to help him up. I kid you not - besides Ryan & Doug I have 'no one' that would help me up. So then i wonder - wisdom be my sister - am i or have i done something wrong?

The world looks not at the hearts of people; the world looks at what house you live in and how pretty is it? The world looks at what clothes you wear and how pretty are you? The world looks at the kind of vehicle you drive and the type of job you have and asks how much are you worth? The world says 'get more and want bigger'. The world says 'you will never be satisfied or impressive or complete until you buy in - literally'. You know what - the world LIES. Over and over and over again - it looks you in the face and spews out bold faced lies. So, lets call it what it is - a liar.

Most importantly, lets run from lies and run to TRUTH. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life . . . he who comes to me . . . Oh, Jesus, I am coming!

Okay - now for the part that so befuddles me . . . many, many, many christians 'buy in' to the ways of the world. Folly you are so sly and so sneakily deceptive so I call you OUT! and say 'WISDOM YOU ARE MY SISTER AND UNDERSTANDING BE MY NEAREST KIN!' Open the eyes of my heart and give me wisdom & truth!

Again, this is another reminder that my hope does not come in people (never), my hope is found in Jesus Christ.

Mercy Abundant & Full Redemption

Today is Friday and it is absolutely, the most gorgeous Fall day God ever created! Most of the leaves are lush on the ground; the sun is setting in the sky; the wind is blowing slightly; my girls are alive & healthy; my husband loves me; my home shelters & warms me; my health is a gift to me; my Lord & Saviour adores me! How blessed I am.

Oh God in Heaven - how Majestic is Your name in all the Earth! O Lord, O Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the Earth . . . Oh Lord!

I was priviledged enough to spend the day with my darling daughter, Emily. We played together; we made a craft together; we made some no-bake cookies together; we read some books together; we walked to get the girls together. Dear Lord, although You know; I write this so that my girls will know how I cherish each one of them. I was literally so full of joy today, I almost just wept tears of love. Thank you for the great privilege of being their mom in spite of the abuse i gave my body when i was younger. Thank you for washing away all my inquity and remembering it no more.

I am so grateful for the love of a mother & father--a Godly love from each of them. Thank you for the example they have been and are to my personally and to my family. Thank you for the sincere love they have for my husband, Ryan. And, mostly, thank you for the love they have for You!

God, thank you for my dear brother & sister; both of whom have walked some ugly roads with me. Thank you for letting me be loved by them and for the opportunity to know and love them as well.

Psalm 130 - my soul crys out to You, Yahweh. All are guilty - no one can stand before You. My soul watches and awaits Your coming; You will give Mercy Abundant & You will give Full Redemption!

Praise You O Mighty One - Lord of Lords & King of Kings! Amen.

I survived & earned a PR

Yea!!! I'm home from leaving yesterday with Doug & Pam to meet Sara & AJ in KC for the 'big race' today. Oh! It is so good to be home. I missed my little girls very much, but it was also very nice to just not worry about anybody but me. Regarding the race: the weather was cold and I'm so glad i bought a jacket there to wear while we ran. I wore capris, my new warm long-sleeved shirt, my gloves and my new jacket. Actually, I took the jacket off and tied it around my waist for about 9 miles of the race, but i was glad i had it. I thought i was going to die around mile 10 - there were some really major hills. I also thought 'i have to go to the bathroom very, very badly and I would feel much better if i could go to the bathroom'. There were no bathrooms from mile 10 - the end. I also remember thinking 'why in the world am i doing this?' 'this is awful!'. I prayed and asked God to carry me & help me through this, because I was pooped!
As I crossed the finish line, I was jacked! I made 2 hours (my personal goal) and so I was pumped! Overall, it was a great time. I enjoy Doug & Pam and there family and we just had a great time:)

Regarding at home: this was the menu. McDonalds for Emily Friday night (the girls were at a cheerleading clinic). Donuts Saturday morning; McDonalds AGAIN for all the girls Saturday for lunch. House was clean when I left - not too bad when I returned. All the beds were made - have not learned if that was this morning or quick before i got home. I made supper tonight - turkey tacos (yum!). Enjoyed a bud light w/ lime. Totally kissed on my girlies! I love being home! Thank you God for Your blessing this weekend on my life. May I honor You with it and may "I sow seeds and not grow weary so that I may reap a harvest" Gal. 6:9

Poor Jerry.

Before I forget to record this; I wanted to write and try and describe how precious it is, the voice of my little girls. Emily, in particular, right now warms my heart as I'm relaying a recent drive of ours. We did get a new vehicle about a year 1/2 ago - one with a DVD player which we were definetely NOT going to use unless a long trip. Well, anything over a block can constitue as a long trip depending on mom's needs (i.e some quiet time, some dicussion time, some mom music time). Anyway, a favaorite of the girls' shows to watch is Tom & Jerry (of which we now have 2 dvd's). And, it never fails, during certain episodes, as I look back at all 3 munchkins lined up in a row with their ear phones on, I hear this "poor jerry" with the sweetest little voice God ever created I think. A few minutes pass, and again I hear this "poor jerry" from my little Emily. Emily has yet to figure out that Jerry, the cat, will always lose. And, so, he succeeds in getting her sympathy for the moment. Sometimes I secretly play that dvd so I can hear her say . . . "poor jerry". Oh, Emily - lucky mommy! I love you:)