Joey's Journal :)

Volkslaufe 2009...

2009-07-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

The Peoples Race! A few friends have asked how the race went on July 4th, so I thought to write a post for you. Volkslaufe, which means "the peoples race" in German, was amazing: many different racing events, lots of excitement and a perfect day weather wise!

Preparations. I was excited to prepare for another race, my first one of the year, but it was a challenge. After the pneumonia, my lungs have been so resistant to improving. Thank God for the patience He's provided! I took it slow and kept pushing myself little by little, but after only a week I knew I'd only be up for a 5K this year.

Once a runner, always a runner. The day before the race, I went out for a light jog to prepare for the race. I was testing out some new shoes and it was a hot day, but I was unprepared for the brick wall I would hit. After only a mile, I became sick and struggled to keep myself moving even at a walking pace. It was then I realized that on my own I could not possibly run this race. I paused on a footbridge overlooking the Shiawassee River, and humbly bowed my head to pray, "Lord, I cannot run alone, I need your strength, your breath, your life. Tomorrow, I run for you. (and should I need to walk, I walk with pride for You too:) Amen." I felt such a peace as I lifted my head to be sure that no one was looking and kept running, this time with ease.

The day of the race. Beautiful outside. Excited. Nervous (this kind of energy tends to be good:). I was so thrilled to accompany the Egger family for the event. Nate, a friend from high school, ran on the same cross country team as I. His wife, Kristen, is an enthusiastic runner who brings a smile wherever she goes. Bethany is also a high school friend, actually Nate's sister, who I played soccer with. Many family members came to support, including baby Aoife, Justin, Becky, Linda and Daniel.

The race. A blast! Because of the 2200 or so runners, it took us at least 20 seconds (which felt like forever) to even move when the gun went off. The course was marked on the roads through Frankenmuth and several music bands and water stations provided excitement along the way! The finish line fooled me because I thought it was sooner than it actually was...but two kicks helped shave seconds lost off of my time. I finished fourth in my age group. A little disappointing because only the top three are awarded a really cool, engraved German beer stein, but I was pleased nonetheless and enjoyed seeing Nate's first place stein!

Racing provides experience. Running is a mind game and makes a beautiful analogy for life: It's not always easy, but one must keep going! Whatever your condition, don't give up! Running is a great way to clear the mind and release unwanted toxins! Pregnant, nursing, injured, recovering, young, old...everyone alike has a different challenge but the game is the same. I encourage you to keep persevering as you run!

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

God's Chisel

2009-06-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

I just watched this 9 minute video and found it well worth it! Click on the link below and take the time to watch this today! YOU ARE A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD! You are HIS masterpiece!

"God's Chisel" by the Skit Guys: http://www.ingham.org/PK/BUR/burtrips.htm.

Eph. 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Timing & Trust

2009-03-04T18:13:00.000-08:00

A pair which go hand in hand. Today I read that timing plays an important part in learning to trust God. If He did everything we asked for immediately, we would never grow and develop. Timing and trust are twins. They work side by side. "But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand." Psalms 31:14

Have you held someone's hand when life was good and full of ease, the hand full of warmth and assurance. Have you held the hand of another when pain struck...cold and clammy, shakey, almost lifeless yet hanging on. Jesus promises to always hold our hand, lead us, comfort us, and even hold us up when our strength has failed. In times that are unsure, let Jesus be your refuge and strength. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped." Psalm 28:7

When God plants a dream in your heart, he starts preparing you for its fulfilment. He strengthens your character and deepens your spiritual roots. Don't try to bring it to birth prematurely, instead trust God's timing.

Family Court

2009-02-22T13:12:00.000-08:00

For the first time in my life, I have had first hand experience with our family court system...most of us have nowdays in some form. Nearly two weeks ago, I appeared telephonically, due to distance, in court to witness my marriage being dissolved. This was an experience that crushed me and left me heartsick, not only for my husband but also for families in the United States that are daily subjected to the same kind of treatment that I experienced, perhaps even worse, especially when children are involved. I don't want to go into bitter details, I just want to share with you my experience and pray you never have to go through it for yourself.

In an article I read titled "Divorced from Reality," Stephen Baskerville makes the following points. I have summarized a few of them that struck me. "The decline of the family has become a dangerous epidemic and major source of social instability today." I personally run into its effects on a daily basis, in the classroom, at the grocery store, etc... "For a little over thirty years now, the government has had the power to disolve a marriage over the objection of one spouse, an act known as unilateral, or no-fault, divorce." 80 percent of divorces today are unilateral, according to Frank Furstenberg and Andrew Cherlin in Divided Families. "Divorce dissolves a private household and subjects citizens to state rule and authority. Police and jails enforce the divorce and the post-marriage order."

My marriage was happy, never perfect, but always happy. My husband and I met at an early age and fell in love. We married and in service to one another became advocates for marriage and families for the near decade that we were together. Our marriage ended abruptly and with little closure, the pain for me came with a breakdown in communication and witnessing my husband turn against me in a chosen effort to walk away. I wanted to reconcile, he wanted out. Our marriage ended.

I will always love and pray for my ex-husband, a legal term I must now become comfortable with using, and possess memories with him. Nothing could change that, even if all of the memorabilia from our relationship was burned. I have been advised to move on, and I have, otherwise the pain would consume me; it is a slow process and takes time. Although my life again will be filled with happiness, I forever bear the wound of a pain worse than the death of a loved one. During our court hearing, the judge spoke routine and disturbing words to us. He said, "I hope you two will be able to put the past behind you. I wish you luck in the future. Thanks for calling in (somehow my husband was given permission to not be present!)." I found his words and treatment of us heartless and the very behavior of the judge, for lack of a better word, flaky.

In Matthew 19:6 it says, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must never separate" (NIV). May we not forget that the marriage relationship was designed to be a symbol of the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. God's love for us is everlasting and never changes, just as the symbolic ring has no ending. If you are considering separation or divorce, please reconsider. You have made a marriage vow before God and this is a covenant. Don't let our family court system tell you otherwise! Stick together, work out your issues together. Wives, respect your husbands and husbands, love your wives as you have been called to do, and you WILL be blessed (Eph. 5:22-33). Most importantly, pray for each other and never give up!

If you are struggling in your marriage, don't worry, you're not the first! Seek the help of a biblical counselor (to find a biblical counseling center, just google "biblical counseling" and include your city and state). Seeking the help of a third party is never a shameful thing, it is what we are called to do in scripture if there is an issue that cannot be worked out between two. Also, check out retrouvaille at http://www.retrouvaille.org/. It is a program designed to help you rediscover your marriage! Marriage is tough, let God heal yours today, just stick together!

One day at a time. His grace...His pace!

Winter Break!

2009-02-13T09:05:00.001-08:00

Picture of the Amaryllis a student got for me, which bloomed on my birthday!

Today begins a short winter break for the teachers at Lansing Christian! Praise God! I am told that from now until Spring Break (which is the first week in April) can be very long because we don't receive any breaks throughout the 3rd marking period, at the end of March. Today I am spending getting some errands done, doctors appointments, etc... in preparation. This evening I will go to visit my Grandma G. because her birthday was Wednesday.

It's been such an eventful start to the year. School is nearly in full gear with concert season fast approaching. In the high school, we just had auditions for the Spring musical Beauty and the Beast last night, we have a great cast picked out, which is such a blessing! In the middle school, 7/8 grade is preparing to go to festival, all 88 of them! In sixth grade we are building our song repertoire (the girls LOVE to sing!). In fifth grade we are preparing the musical play 13 Colonies to be performed March 24th. And in fourth grade, we just finished our Recorder Karate kickoff and students are practicing away to see who can obtain the desired black belt first; we hope to have an in-class concert at the end of March opened to parents only. In addition, the weather here in Michigan has begun to warm, although we don't expect Spring for a good while. Other items of praise: my birthday was really nice and I enjoyed all of the lovely cards, flowers and gifts from friends and family...Thank you! Also, there are a couple family members who are pregnant. This is the greatest item of praise and also prayer!

The truth remains: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." A new chapter has turned in my life, and I don't know what it contains. I am really clinging to Romans 12:12, "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." Our God is a great God, His mercies are new everyday and His love endures forever! Call anytime, or write, I'd love to hear from you!

You were made for God!

2009-02-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've really written, yet often it takes reading the works of another writer to inspire. :) I just read an interview of Rick Warren and wanted to share with you several points that struck me; I hope they encourage you. First of all, "We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense." Once you realize that it's all about God and not about you, peace flows in. I have had moments where I give in to doubt and despair one minute, then the next a lightbulb comes on (aka obedience to God) and I am reminded of the love God has for me. When you seek Him with your whole heart, it gives your life purpose. Oh, beloved brother, dear sister, wandering sheep, return to Him and seek His rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Today if you are doubting His unfailing love for you, read I John 4 and Romans 8. God is love and His steadfast love endures for ever!

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.

Reminders

2009-01-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

Ten Things God Wants You to Remember:

1. I am for you. (Rom 8:31)

2. I love you. (John 15:9)

3. I believe in you. (Rom 8:37)

4. I will bless you. (Acts 3:26)

5. I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28)

6. I will be with you. (Matt 28:28)

7. I will not fail you. (Josh 1:5)

8. I will provide for you. (Phil 4:19)

9. I will strengthen you. (Eph 3:16)

10. I will answer you. (1 John 5:14-15)

Have FAITH. You and I serve a great God who is able to do above that which we ask or think (Eph. 3:20). His word is the key.

P.S. I Love You

2008-12-29T20:38:00.000-08:00

Great Film by Cecilia Ahern, written at the age of 21. A story about Holly and Gerry played by Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler, about love and loss and hope. Really paints a picture of a pure kind of love. "You don't ever have another best friend, like that first one you have, when you're old enough to know who you are in life, when you're comfortable with yourself, you're not competing all the time." The journey of Holly is a work in progress. "You never know what tomorrow is going to bring. Live in the moment, live each as it was your last and hold those that you love near." A real tear-jerker. Be prepared. P.S. I Love You.

Living Water

2008-12-28T15:49:00.000-08:00

It's been really hard for me to write lately, and I'd rather not just write to write, but have some purpose. Ya know? Do you ever experience periods of drought or loss? Well I do. You see, it's just been a hard time for me and I've experienced this void in my life. As I seek to fill the emptiness in my heart, I am often slow and I try to fill it with things that won't completely satisfy or last. For instance, food. Everyone gets hungry and has to eat, but the truth is that no matter how much you or I eat, we will always wind up hungry again! That's why I love John 4, the story of the woman at the well. Beth Moore's study on Breaking Free has been enlightening. God gives us this beautiful picture about living water. Jesus asks the woman for a drink, then shows her that the water in the well will cause her to be thirsty again, but that He has living water that will not only satisfy, but be a "fountain...springing up to eternal life" (vs. 13). Now that's what I'd like to fill me up! I hope you do too!

Christmas Vacation

2008-12-19T11:27:00.001-08:00

Today I woke up to a snow day, our first one this year. What a cozy way to begin Christmas vacation. I've wanted to go out to do Christmas shopping, but the snow keeps falling, so I'm playing it safe and staying indoors.

This week, I've been singing hours of Christmas carols...tis the season for a music teacher...this carol keeps ringing in my mind:

"Oh the weather outside is frightful

but the fire is so delightful

and since we've no place to go

Let it snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"

I'm just glad the snow waited until early this morning because last night I took my select choir caroling at the Wonderland of Lights at the Potter Park Zoo. This picture doesn't show faces, but may give you an idea of our evening of fun, santa hats in all. The kids had a blast!

I thank the Lord for today.

Give Thanks

2008-11-27T17:25:00.001-08:00

Truly one of the most life changing phenomenons is learning how to give thanks. "Give thanks with a grateful heart!" I was challenged this week to find five things that I was thankful for. It didn't take long before my list was filled and I realized all the daily comforts and joys and wonderful relationships that I am priviledged to have. It's when I choose to be selfish, angry, to doubt or to make excuses that joy leaves my heart and consequently thanks leaves my lips. What about you?

On this Thanksgiving holiday, may you remember all that you have to be thankful for: Family, friends, food (gobble, gobble:), and especially our Heavenly Father who gave His only son to save us from our sins!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 118:1).

Does a puppy have a heart?

2008-11-03T14:45:00.000-08:00

Today my Dad left the house on some errands, while he was gone his puppy, Maximus, cried while carrying around the bone that my Dad had given him before he left. The dog cried and cried, moped around and all the while carried his bone from place to place around the office. As I watched Maximus, I realized that he has a heart, a big one. His heart recognized the absense of his best friend and just couldn't cope with life as a result, not even to eat a yummy bone.

I understand Maximus' heart. This is how I feel today.

Isaiah 53 tells me that Jesus was "acquainted with grief...Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows."

Just a piece of grace

2008-10-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

It has been such a long day...and it's only Monday! Tomorrow evening we have our first middle school choir concert. I am looking forward to the event, to see all of the students in their concert white and black and performing their little hearts out (hopefully;), but sometimes I wonder if I have the energy left inside of me... I just want for the students to love music.

Just a piece of grace for tomorrow, Lord. Not for me, but for them. Use me. That's all I ask.

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (Ps. 27:14).

Living Faith

2008-10-11T19:23:00.001-07:00

Here is an example of living faith!

"If you can, take the time to listen to this 12 year old because everyone asks this same question at one time or another in their life. A remarkable phone call from a 12-yr old boy to Houston radio station KSBJ FM 89.3. So profound, the station has it posted on their website. Click below to listen to it. It's short."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0r_FbARIn8

God is at work in the lives of His children!

Prayer

2008-10-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Prayer is: Powerful. Lifechanging. Essential. Scriptural. And builds the most important relationship a sinner could ever know, that with his Savior. No wonder we are called to pray without ceasing, to pray for all men, to pray and not to faint.

"Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins-even those you do in secret. Then you won't be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge." Job 11:13-16

A Fight to the Finish
10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Carmel apples

2008-09-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

Tis the season! Apple season that is! Today I went apple picking with Marguerite, Heidi and Annie and Annie's son Isaiah. We had beautiful weather and the orchard practically to ourselves. We picked jonagold, golden delicious, fugi and jonathons. I also got some honeycrisp apples (a new fav. in Michigan).

I thought it would be fun to make some carmel to accompany the fresh apples. There's a really simple recipe online with three ingredients: sugar, butter and heavy whipping cream. You can check it out online at: http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001979caramel_sauce.php. The carmel sauce turned out perfectly, rich in flavor and creamy in texture (I give God the credit b/c I prayed over it first as everytime I've tried to make a sauce it turns out either runny or rock like;).

Thanks be to the Lord for his many blessings today: friends, apples and beautiful weather. His grace is sufficient!

Teaching

2008-09-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

Not sure where to begin...it's been so long. I've been teaching music at a school in Lansing, MI. I teach middle schoolers how to sing (or should I say coax them to sing:). What a fascinating age: in and out of emotion, full of excitement, so eager to find an identity and all the while hungry for challenge after challenge. I feel like I've failed miserably when the students leave the classroom without questions or a lite up smile. I love my students; they are my jewels.

Teaching is so full of challenges, perhaps the biggest for new teachers is not letting yourself become shaken when things don't go according to plan. In these moments I'm learning to stop and take a deep breath, pray for stillness and set a careful watch over what words to speak to steer things in a positive direction. I say I'm learning because no two situations are the same. Another thing I'm learning is that you have to teach kids EVERYTHING: how to stand, how to sit, how to walk, how to talk, how to listen, how to respond, ect... Then, within the structure of rules and discipline, real learning takes place.

Teaching is my life during the day, my life during the night is a stormy sea. My Lord has been graciously giving me 8-5 each day. His grace is sufficient. I look at the hurdles ahead and shiver with fear of the unknown. But then, I'm driven to release my fear and walk forward in faith, believing that He has a plan, trusting and waiting.

"Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord" (Ps. 27:14). He is so good, so faithful and always reigning on His throne. He is the only teacher who can say that NOTHING catches Him by surprise!

Fears

2008-08-23T10:46:00.001-07:00

God takes away only as many of our fears as we give to Him!

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you. Ps. 56:3

Divorce

2008-08-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking of separating from a spouse or getting a divorce. DON'T DO IT. It really sucks. Nothing seems to go right, because your favorite person is GONE! All those habits that perhaps annoyed you, or those characteristics that drove you crazy...well, everyone has them so get over it, you'll never find perfection (except in Christ). Go against the grain!

You know our media doesn't help out any. Television, celebreties, music, everything is against the family and against marriage. On the other side of the fence, nobody seems to have a problem with two people living together; it is the norm. Instant gratification. The philosophy seems to be, if you're not happy than it's not worth your time. Well, I DISAGREE! You see beauty takes time. A person doesn't become beautiful overnite! And a marriage, well a marriage isn't always beautiful, people do stupid things, say mean things, but be the Bigger person, grow up and forgive. God put you together for a reason, and He makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecc. 3:11). Ecclesiasties says seven times to enjoy your spouse, enjoy life and as a result you'll be happy.

I miss my husband more than anything. He is my best friend. My favorite thing used to be ending up in the same bed together after a long day. I always knew I could talk to him, tell him anything. Now I journal and pray, which is great too, but it's not the same. You know?

Don't be selfish. Stay true to the one you fell in love with, they may be really screwing up right now, but he/she will come around in time. I receive advice everyday like, "Well he must not have been worth it, just move on." Bullcrap. And where will that get me...Ten years down the road still filled with regret and pain, twenty pounds heavier, wrinkles from crinkled eyebrows rather than smiles and in a relationship with someone that I have to force myself to love. No thanks.

"Marriage is honorable among all and the bed undefiled." Hebrews 13:4a

Driven...

2008-08-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

to my knees. Where else can I turn? I am lost in this sea. I cling to the only one who holds the key. Prayers are turned to praise. The prayer needs seem to multiply...so many requests...for family, for friends...so many...

Just one breath of air. Please. Just one answer, I pray.

Silence. Peace. Contentment. Jesus. I'm so glad He forgives and forgets. He is Awesome! There is always hope found in Him. I rejoice in this.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10

my little peace

2008-08-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

Today I watched my neice, Sophia, who is nearly eight months. (Mom and Sister Lily had gone off to the airport to pick up Grammy.) After a good nap and bottle, Sophia needed a little snack. I reached for a baby biscuit, put on my shoes and we went out for a walk. The stroller wasn't in sight, so I decided to carry Sophia as she was a bit clingy.

While we walked, I experienced such a joy and a peace. Sophia gently lay her head on my heart and was calmly sucking on her biscuit as my heart melted inside. As we slowly strolled along, I looked up to the sky to thank God for her. The wind blowing through the trees seemed to respond by singing praises, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Holy, holy, holy, the earth is filled with Thy glory!"

That was my little peace for today. Thank you, God.

well...

2008-08-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

I'm going to GR today to help my sister find a place to live. Her radiator on her car cracked yesterday and she is without a car. :( She moves in three weeks...I can't believe I just got here and now she is leaving. So sad.

Well, we've got our coffee and a slue of excellent tunes so we should be golden. :)

Reflections

2008-08-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

I have been blessed. As I reflect on this past summer before getting into gear for the school year, I am amazed at all that has taken place. From the fun things such as visiting family, blueberry picking, cedar point, swimming in Lake Michigan and reuniting with friends, to the necessary tasks such as moving.

Sometimes I ask God, "what now?" But there is one thing He's given me, that being my new job as a music teacher, and I think that's all He wants me to do right now in addition to being an aunt, sister, daughter, friend, etc... :)

Sometimes I explain to God that I've had enough pain and that I can't handle any more questions...but He doesn't seem to think so. All of His ways are a mystery, and I know that He wants me to fully rely on Him. It's character He's concerned about, not my comfort and He daily gives me the grace I need to live in His presence.

This years theme at school is "Created for a purpose," taken from Eph. 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Isn't it wonderful to know that you and I have a purpose! To God be the glory.

Miracles

2008-07-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

I am tired and need to go to bed, but I have to share that miracles happened today! I received some help from three young, strong men to load my truck. Before we began work, it was raining. As we began our work, the rain stopped. Miracle. We worked steadily for two hours, which was all the time it took to load and secure the truck...miracle! After the very last box was loaded it began to poor down rain! Miracle. God's hand was evident through every detail from the biggest to the smallest. Coincidence? Good planning? I think not. God! Because of Him, packing was a breeze and there was even time to treat everyone to burgers. Thank you, Lord.

"The Lord is near to those who call upon Him" (Psalm 145:18). We leave in the early morning. I'm not worried about the trip, there's no need to be.

Simply Trust

2008-07-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Some days it is really hard for me to trust the Lord, trust that He will lead me each step of the way. I always come back to the verse in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." That part about "leaning on your own understanding" is tough for me as oft my mind works a mile a minute to try to understand the depth of my situation and where it is leading to. I thank God that He is in control and trust that today I must do what He's called me to do and He will lead me each step of the way! Lord, I'm keeping my eyes on You and resting in the fact that nothing I do can separate me from your love.

Read Romans 8:24-the end today to be assured that your life is in God's hands.

Patience waits!

2008-07-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

"Lord, I pray for patience." This was my prayer last Fall. At the time, I didn't know why I was praying for patience. I think now I am learning why.

Why is having patience so hard? Maybe it's because the world in which we live is not conducive to patience. When we want something, we want it now and we have the means to get it! Right? I know if I order coffee at a restaurant, I expect it to come hot and fast. If one store can't serve me coffee the way I like, I can go to another one! Then, there's instant communication through cell phones, which allow us to be available for others all the time. I've often felt like a slave to my phone! Living with daily conveniences can cause me to be impatient, presumptuous, or to have expectations, but convenience does not produce character! So patience does not come naturally in a world of convenience; it is a daily struggle as we learn to wait on the Holy Spirit.

Often I question, "Lord, what it is that I am waiting for? Won't you give me a clue to my fate. Why is it that you tell me to wait?" But I think I am missing the beauty of patience! Maybe you are too? You see we are called to "let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:4). Gold when it is refined must go through a process. First, the gold is placed in the fire and the impurities on the outside are burned, turning black before being removed by the goldsmith. Then, as the fire is heated hotter, the impurities on the inside of the gold surface and when these have also been consumed and darkened by the flame, the goldsmith will remove them as well. The finished product is a purified piece of gold!

Even so, Lord Jesus, come! Whatever it is that God might be doing in your life, beckon Him to purify you! It is a beautiful thing. It hurts at times, it is humbling, it may feel like God's chipping away at your heart, but He has a purpose for refining us. We must never think that our waiting is in vain! We may be confident of this, "that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6). The practice of patience helps complete something lacking in us!

So go ahead Lord, rid me of my blackness, bring out the worst in me so that the Holy Spirit can dwell here! I'll admit that I'm not perfect, I'm sorry for things in the past, but You have offered forgiveness and hope and You never give up on us! That is a promise! Teach me that patience waits!

Moving craziness

2008-07-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh! There is so much to be done. Sometimes I don't even know where to start. Moving is crazy. This will be my third move in seven months. Ahhhhhhh.

Crazy. New job, new life, same struggles. It's a balancing act, mixed in with patience and trust. I am so exhausted...and it's Monday!

Known Love

2008-07-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

It's late at night...I shouldn't be writing...but I just had to say that I'm thankful. I'm thankful that I have known love. That I have known love in its purest form. A kind of love that isn't birthed overnight but comes slowly. A love that wasn't chosen by you but for you. A love that is everlasting, just like its symbol, the ring.

I was loved. Because I have known, I am able to give. Maybe this is my calling...to give love so that others may know.

We love, because He first loved us. I John 4:19

Broken

2008-07-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

I feel so broken. I miss my best friend. I miss my companion. I just want to fix everything myself. I want to change myself. I want to change the past. I want to orchestrate the future. But I can't do anything. Why, I ask. Why. Even Marilyn Monroe understood pain when she wrote, "When love goes wrong, Nothing goes right." This is true. Nothing feels right. Nothing works right. Everything is wrong.

Broken, I need Jesus. This song talks about how it's all about Jesus. It's about a relationship. "It's just you and me here now." He's more concerned with our character than our comfort. Broken, take heart in Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPs-2hn5ZOg

Only You
David Crowder Band
from the album illuminate

Take my heart. I lay it down
At the feet of you who's crowned
And take my life, I'm letting go
I lift it up, to You who's throned

And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord
And I will bow down before You
Only You, Lord

Take my feet, take my fear
All I have I'm leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams
Be all my delights, be my everything

And it's just You and me here now
Only You and me here now

You should see the view
When it's only You

Priceless!

2008-06-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

So I don't often share my little events of the day, but today's was priceless...

Tonight I had dinner with my two-year old niece, Lily. Three-bean casserole was on the menu, one of my sister-in-law's specialties. After Lily finished her dinner, she came and sat on my lap. It wasn't long before she had taken possession of my spoon and was soon exploring my plate. As I watched her inquisitively, she began loading up a spoon full, but since she was no longer hungry, she offered it to me! I maneuvered my head to reach the spoon and carefully took a bite. She must have really enjoyed this opportunity and proceeded to feed me the remains on my plate. I smiled as I watched her. I decided things had perhaps gone to far when she reached her messy, little fingers onto the plate to rescue the last bean before forcing it into my mouth!

Priceless!

I Love to Laugh!

2008-06-29T18:21:00.000-07:00

Psalm 42:5 says, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." This was my feeling when I woke up this morning, I was very unhappy, and here I am at the end of the day, happy once again. Why?

Well, today I spent time with my eldest sister, Julie. Lately, Julie has been such a joy in my life and a healing balm for me. Today she invited me to a picnic on the lake. We must have spent eight plus hours in the sun eating, drinking, visiting and...LAUGHING! We laughed and laughed until our bellies hurt and gentle tears dimmed our vision. Now, at the end of the day and after hours of laughing, I feel great. I could go out and run ten miles! "I love to laugh," a memorable song from the classic film Mary Poppins, states so fittingly:

I love to laugh Ha Ha Ha Ha

Loud and long and clear

I love to laugh Ho Ho Ho Ho

It’s getting worse every year

The more I laugh Ha Ha Ha Ha

The more I fill with glee

And the more with glee He He He He

The more I’m a merrier me!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine!"

Proverbs 17:22

Praise the Lord for good times and remember to laugh today!

Living a kid's pace

2008-06-26T19:25:00.001-07:00

I am sitting in the extra room at my parents-in-law's home reflecting on the past week. Tomorrow's the big drive home! Laying next to me, the deep breathing of my sleeping neice, Lily, calms me.

I love being an Aunt! Lily and Sophia bring me so much joy! Lily turns two tomorrow and Sophia is seven months! This past week has been spent around the girls clock: playing, eating (kid stuff of course), napping, changing diapers, traveling (between the two car seats;), and, of course, cuddling! I have gotten more slobbery kisses this week than I can count, and all of them well received!

Kids are amazing. Inventive. Fun. And hungry to learn! It's fun to see my neices develop! For example, Lily has been talking a lot! It's impressive...she's moving from single words to forming sentences and, at times, I can almost have a conversation with her! She's great at communicating her needs! Sopie also talks, or should I say babbles, quite a bit, especially when she's happy.

An amazing thing about children is, when you're with them, you almost feel as though you are reliving your childhood! I feel as though it is God's perfect design so that we remain youthful inside! I love teaching and learning with children, most of all my neices! I am excited too that my new job will bring me close to them! By God's grace, being with the girls helps me forget about my hurt. Happy days ahead. Perhaps some day I'll have my own.

Boston

2008-06-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in a comfortable, reclining chair, sipping tea and overlooking the city of Boston from an eighth story apartment. The windows are open and there is a peaceful lull to the constant sound of traffic below. Looking up, the sky feels so close to me. It's truly amazing to gaze upon God's creation from different views. It is a blessing.

This picture was taken along the Charles River across from Harvard and MIT. Everyone looks thoughtful.

I'm smiling as I think of the events of the day. Walking around Boston with a beautiful baby, my neice, Sophia, eating out at Melissa and Kyle's favoirte pizza place, Pizza Reginas, and then crashing back at the apartment at the close of the day (Four adults, four laptops:-). We are so pampered! God is good.

Strings Attached

2008-06-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

From today's Daily Bread:
Ray Bethell is a world champion kite flyer. He can make multiple kites twist and turn in such precision that they behave as if they are one.

"The Kite; or Pride Must Have a Fall."

by John Newton

a selection of a poem about a kite who dreamed of being cut free from its string

Were I but free, I'd take a flight,

And pierce the clouds beyond their sight,

But, ah! Like a poor pris'ner bound,

My string confines me near the ground.

The kite does finally manage to tug itself free, but instead of soaring higher in the sky, it crashes into the sea.

The analogy calls me to reconsider some "strings" that make me feel constrained. Vows. Promises. Commitments. Responsibilities. Although such things make me feel tied down, God uses them to hold me up. As James teaches, it is our willingness to be humbled (or held down) that God uses to lift us up. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:10).

Before cutting any string, make sure it's not the one that's holding you up. -Julie Ackerman Link

Read James 4:1-10.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-14T18:57:00.001-07:00

Dad's are so special. Around to listen, to talk, to guide, to support and most importantly...There to love.

Happy Father's Day, with love.

I heard a sermon this weekend by David Jeremiah called "Deciding to be a New Man;" it was a tribute to men in honor of Father's Day. If you have time, you may find this sermon food for your soul. Just click on the link below:

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Turning_Point/archives.asp?bcd=2008-6-13

Just breathe

2008-06-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

I am so tired of coping. It hurts...it hurts so bad. Sometimes it feels as though my chest is the only thing keeping my heart in place.

A friend reminded me, "Joey, just breathe." Just wake up each day and breathe. Then, walk step by step...and trust.

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you." I Peter 5:7

There is a Reason

2008-06-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

This is a music video taken in April of my brother and I singing the song "There is a Reason" from Caedmon's Call new album entitled Overdressed. The video isn't pristine and the first few minutes of the video are shaky but it soon becomes clear. If nothing else I hope you can listen to the words and think about a time in your life when things didn't go as planned...There is a reason!

Cademon's Call � There Is A Reason
From the album � Overdressed (2007)
Words and music by Andrew Osenga and Randall Goodgame

Late at night I wonder why
Sometimes I wonder why
Sometimes I'm so tired
I don't even try
Seems everything around me fails
But I hold on to the promise
That there is a reason

Late at night, the darkness makes it hard to see
The history of the saints who've gone in front of me
Through famine, plague and disbelief
His hand was still upon them
Cause there is a reason
There is a reason

Chorus:
He makes all things good
He makes all things good
There's a time to live and a time to die
A time for wonder and to wonder why
Cause there is a reason
There is a reason

I believe in a God who sent His only son
To walk upon this world and give His life for us
With blood and tears on a long, dark night
We know that He believed
That there is a reason
There is a reason

Chorus:

For the lonely nights
And broken hearts
The widow's mite
In the rich man's hand
And the continent
Whose blood becomes a traitor

For the child afraid to close their eyes
The prayers that seem unanswered
There is a reason
There is a reason

Chorus:

Liberating Truth

2008-06-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

We all have fears. One of my fears is failure. I have recognized that often fear inhibit's me from walking with God. Sometimes the spirit may lead me to do something and before giving it a go I say, "no!" When pride gets in the way, we can't be used by God. Mike Clarkson, a pastor from South Carolina, follows the motto "Get out there and do. Some of the things you do are going to work, so keep doing it. Some of the things you do aren't going to work, so stop doing it."

Today's daily bread speaks about the liberating truth for Christians.

"An unmarried missionary had been disparaging herself. She was unhappy with her life in general, but she was especially displeased with what she felt was her low level of spiritual growth.

One morning she looked searchingly at herself in the mirror. Then, very slowly, she said, "God I thank You that I am myself and can never be anybody else."

That was her moment of liberating self-acceptance. She realized that by God's design she was an absolutely unique person, a Christ-redeemed human being who could never be replaced or duplicated.

Do you condemn yourself because you aren't as spiritual as you think you ought to be? Do you see yourself as a second-rate disciple, lacking the gifts and graces possessed by fellow believers who seem to be models of prayer, witness, and service? We can rise above the mood of self-rejection and enjoy grateful self-acceptance when we put our lives into the nail-pierced hands of Jesus. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, [and] the forgiveness of sins" (Eph. 1:7). We are accepted and chosen by Him (V. 4-6).

If the Lord has accepted us, surely we can accept ourselves! That's the liberating truth." -Vernon Grounds

He made us accepted in the Beloved. -Eph. 1:6

Character

2008-06-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

~ Helen Keller

Questions

2008-06-05T04:43:00.000-07:00

I have recognized that one of my greatest strengths and my greatest weaknesses is my optimism. I know pain, but revealing it only welcomes weakness, a character trait innate to my gender yet fought with fierceness within my inner self. Will the pain ever disappear? How could I trust anyone ever again? I’ve been rejected by the one I’d become most vulnerable to. What kind of trust is that? I question my readiness to give and to love. How could I love another with deepest passion? Perhaps my love had become intoxicating and is still causing me to drive under the influence.

So many thoughts and questions and few answers. I look to the healer, my great physician, with longing eyes and a broken heart.

Addiction

2008-06-03T07:26:00.000-07:00

I read this following excerpt in a book by Larry Crabb, a well-known psychologist, conference and seminar speaker, Bible teacher, popular author, and founder/director of NewWay Ministries. He shares on his website, "If I ever publish my autobiography, I’ll call it Sovereign Stumbling. My life journey to date is a series of how I have stumbled and how God has consistently guided me in His sovereign ways." He testifys that the Christian walk is filled with testings; how we deal with them makes us who we are.

"All of us are trapped by addiction to a desire for something less than God. For many women, that something less is relational control. “I will not be hurt again and I will not let people I love be hurt. I’ll see to it that what I fear never happens.” They therefore live in terror of vulnerably presenting themselves to anyone and instead become determined managers of people. Their true femininity remains safely tucked away behind the walls of relational control.

More common in men is an addiction to nonrelational control. “I will experience deep and consuming satisfaction without ever having to relate meaningfully with anyone.” They keep things shallow and safe with family and friends and feel driven to experience a joy they never feel, a joy that only deep relating can provide. Their commitment is twofold: to never risk revealing inadequacy by drawing close to people and, without breaking that commitment, to feel powerful and alive. Power in business and illicit sex are favorite strategies for reaching that goal.

The only cure for addiction is the gospel. We will not find the power to resist the pull toward lesser desires until we discover a more powerful desire that we long to fulfill, a desire the Spirit creates within our hearts when the Father forgives us. We must discover our desire for God. As we discover that desire, we come to see that we cannot pursue God and a lesser source of pleasure at the same time. The desire for God and the desire for anything else are competitive. Only one can serve as the guiding rule of life.

When we attempt to serve two masters, we end up bowing before the one who is more apparently responsive to our needs and hating the other. An hour of pornography reaps more immediate dividends than an hour of prayer. It’s only play money, but it looks real. And it does buy pleasure on demand. Prayer doesn’t do that.

We will not win the battle against addiction without discovering our desire for God. Therefore, if you want to know God, welcome shattered dreams. Nothing reveals our desire for Him so effectively.

But we must also discover God’s desire for us. A recognized desire for God exposes our idolatry and sets us on a better path. But only a fulfilled desire for God provides the power to consistently resist the lure of lesser pleasures and to stay anchored in Christ when life’s storms rage. The branch must draw life from the vine or it withers and dies."

The Pitcher

2008-05-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

I guess sometimes I want to write but cannot so I read other's blogs. This story is amazing! It's a testimony of a woman who was lost and searching and met with her Savior! She intertwines her life story with a therapeutic activity she engaged in: the breaking of a piece of pottery and then putting the pieces back together again!

I hope you enjoy it!

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Plan B

2008-05-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine shared these thoughts with me from the blog of another sister in Christ who is going through the fire. As I read her words, they felt like mine so I made them mine...

I am learning a lot lately. God is truly sharpening me, molding me. Sometimes it feels as if He is literally chipping away at my heart. It hurts. Its unwelcome. Its needed.

I am learning many things. I am learning that I have no control over my life, HUGE wake-up call! I am learning what it means to live a spirit-controlled life. I am learning that I can't change who I am...that I must follow my heart. I am learning that I must be real with myself and others, I cannot hide from my circumstance. I am learning that if I tried to bear all of my anxiety, fear and pain that I could not stand to live. I am learning that I can still be in a relationship with God and yet question why He has allowed me to walk this path. I am learning that I am happiest when I am being used by God. I am learning that I have the awesome privilege of being surrounded by amazing people who are so gracious to me, and that God remains the only consistent thing in my life. I am learning that many people I encounter daily don't have the appreciation for life that I have. The appreciation of committing to one person for life and caring for them regardless of circumstance. They just tell me to get over it and move on, but they aren't walking in my shoes. I am learning that no matter how much I try, some people just don't get it. Why I continue to hope against all odds (I guess I don't even get this). They don't get the pain that comes from that. The pain of trying to predict the future and failing miserably, knowing that the situation could lead me down two paths that are polar opposites: restoration or separation (a terrible word that turns my stomach and the knowledge that what I have always hated may be my reality, regardless of my disapproval towards it). I am learning that God is still the same today that He was the day before he allowed me to be torn away from my companion. He is still the same God that I entrusted my life to, the same God I praise.

I am learning that some days I handle my grief with grace and eloquence. Other days I fall apart at the seams. This list could go on and on but I guess my point is that God is changing me, molding me and hopefully one day I can stand on the other side of this and say, "Thank you" and "I understand." I am not there yet. Not even sure how long it will take me to get there but I know that God doesn't expect me to be there. He doesn't expect me to have it all together. That's why I said "I am learning" not that "I have learned."

Some days I do better, some days worse. But isn't that His prayer...that broken people would find Him; seek Him? And yet I think most the time we question Him. It's only natural after all. Someone always has to be at fault, right? So that leaves me asking, "Whose to blame for this? "Is it me? Is it her? Is it God? I ask myself questions every single day. It haunts me. I DON'T KNOW. But I do know that placing the blame on someone else won't bring me lasting joy. It is not my job to defend what I have done and will do. God is my judge, my defender, my all. God has a bigger purpose, a bigger reason. I rest in knowing that this is not Plan B. Plan B to us, yes, but never once was any of this a surprise to Him. He is my God and I trust Him with it all. All the ugly, yucky parts of it. But believe me when I say, I don't have it all together. I don't get up every morning and praise God. I struggle with trusting Him fully. I don't always wake up thankful for the journey I am walking...What I do is get up every morning and ask for the strength to get through the day...in one piece. I ask that He will wipe my tears and hold me close. That even though I can't be all to Him that I should be, that He will carry me. And 5 months later, He is doing just that.

If it is above your head, it is below His feet!

Friends

2008-05-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

This song has been around for nearly twenty years, yet it's still so touching...can you hear the tune as you read the words?...

Packing up the dreams God planted

In the fertile soil of you

Can't believe the hopes He's granted

Means a chapter in your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always

It won't even seem you've gone

'Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Refrain:

And friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them

And a friend will not say "never" 'cause the welcome will not end

Though it's hard to let you go, in the Father's hands we know

That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends

With the faith and love God's given

Springing from the hope we know

We will pray the joy you'll live in

Is the strength that now you show

A friendship in the Lord truly lasts. Think about friends of yours who have stood with you over time through thick and thin when all others dwindled away. Can you see the Lord's hand at work?!? How?

Even more amazing is the friend we have in Jesus. He sticks closer than a brother.

Abigail

2008-05-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had dinner with some local friends, including a family from Mexico. The dinner was served buffet style and we were given direction to sit anywhere we pleased. I chose to sit outside because the weather was gorgeous--nice and cool with a gentle breeze. I was actually the only adult to sit outside, but after a few minutes Abigail, the four year old daughter of the family from Mexico, joined me. She was escorted outside by her mother who asked politely if Abigail could sit with me because she wanted to eat with me. I was touched and willingly agreed. After a short while of choppy conversation (me asking Abigail questions and receiving answers which completely diverted from my question) I was shocked when Abigail asked me if I knew the story of Jesus dying on the cross. After confirming my answer she asked me if I would tell her the story. When I finished, she asked me if I would read it to her from the Bible. At first, I reacted a bit annoyed because this would mean I would have to stop eating my dinner, but then I realized the privilege and joy this would be and I soon found more enjoyment in reading to her the account of Jesus' death found rather than finish my food.

Children certainly teach us many things, such as how to live without worry, speaking what's really on your mind and finding enjoyment in the little things. To Abigail, happiness wasn't about the food, it was about talking about her favorite subject, Jesus. Precious, huh!

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them,"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16

Pain

2008-05-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

As one to whom feeling pain is still quite new, it is hard to write about this subject, but I hope it may bring direction or comfort to those of you who have recognized its existence in your life. Let me begin by quoting scripture, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes" (Psalm 119:71).

Pain is real. I know this now. I feel as though I am losing my best friend in the whole wide world. I feel lost. This is painful, the kind of painful that makes you sick...not because you have a virus or a stomach bug, but because you have been physically traumatized. For me my pain has been targeted in my heart; it aches with a constant numbness and sometimes feels as though it is scattered within me.

Pain shapes who you are and who will become. I've wanted to hide my pain or run from it at times, but I am starting to understand that it is good for me to recognize it, rather than ignore it. It's better to deal with it now and pursue my walk with the Lord than to harden myself towards it and live a defeated life. "In all these things we are more than conquerors to Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). There is a kind of strength that comes from dealing with it, rather than shoving it to the side. I've been told, "Whatever doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger." If I'm in the pit, then I know only two things can happen: I can either give in and let go or I can be pulled up and out. I choose to go up (by God's grace).

God can do wonders with a broken heart if you give Him all the pieces. Victor Alfsen

The Patience of Faith

2008-05-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says-- "I cannot stand anymore." God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. TRUST yourself in God's hands. For what have you need of patience just now? Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. "Though He slay me, yet will I WAIT for Him."

FAITH is the heroic effort of your life; you fling yourself in reckless confidence on God. There are spots where that faith has not worked in us as yet, places untouched by the life of God. There were none of those spots in Jesus Christ's life, and there are to be none in ours. "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee." The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we take this view, life becomes one great romance, a glorious opportunity for seeing marvelous things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.

Taken from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Amazing, hugh! This book is really a must-have. It is set up into 365 daily readings that are rich in truth. I received my first one (KJV) as a graduation gift in 2001 from Linda Egger and my second one (NIV) from my husband, Rick, before I left for New Jersey to be a camp counselor in 2002. I love both editions.

Step by Step

2008-05-05T17:03:00.000-07:00

It's funny, I want to write so many things these days, but I just can't...I feel vulnerable enough as it is. It's been so hard to share my feelings, though they are many, they are mine and I feel safest when I keep them that way. It's so much easier to share facts. Feelings are nebulous.

Today a friend asked me how I was doing. I responded with my usual, "Fine." One sister interpreted "fine" as meaning: frustrated, irritated, narotic and exhausted. Is that what I am?

So do you want to hear facts? I have been doing a lot of running these days. I love running. I would run all day if I could. I have a few hindrances holding me back. One, I work. And, two, I have a slight injury in my "It band" (or Iliotibial Band), a muscle which is very difficult to stretch correctly (demo stretch at left). I think it will take time to heal, but it gets better with each run. I just ran in a 10K. I'm hoping to work my way up to a marathon, just for fun. We'll see, only the Lord knows.

It's quite apparent that I live step by step these days, but I've realized an amazing lesson: No matter how many steps you take backwards, it only takes one step to move you in the right direction!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." Psalms 37:23-24

Perseverance. Determination. Endurance. Strength. Courage. The Remedy. Hope.

National Day of Prayer

2008-05-01T04:53:00.000-07:00

Being the first day of May, today is the annual National Day of Prayer. This years theme is America's Strength and Shield, taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusteth in him and I am helped."

Pray with adoration:

we worship and praise an awesome God! Psalm 103:1-5.

Pray with thanksgiving:

Psa 100:4, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. "

Pray for an awakening:

for revival in the Church and Family.

Pray for advancement for our community and country:

Right choices made in our schools, military and media. II Timothy 2:1-2, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." II Corinthians 7:14

2008 Prayer for Our Nation

Dr. Ravi Zacharias

2008 Honorary Chairman, National Day of Prayer Task Force

Holy Father, in a world where so many are hungry,

You have given us food in abundance;

In a world where so many are hurting,

You offer to bind up our wounds;

In a world where so many are lonely,

You offer friendship to every heart;

In a world longing for peace,

You offer hope.

Yet, we are so stubborn and resistant.

Have mercy upon us, Lord.

Our nation is at a crossroads this year;

we look to you to be our strength and shield.

Please give us the guidance to elect one who will honor you

and to respond to the wisdom from above

so that our hope may be renewed and our blessings be treasured.

In God's holy name. Amen.

Julie

2008-04-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

This is my new friend Julie. Julie is five years old and has a younger sister, Sydney, who is eight months old. Julie is in Kindergarten and is a joy to be around. Julie loves to sing and help her mom by taking care of her sister. Her daddy is in Iraq and she prays daily for his safety. Julie recently got a pet gerbal and named her "Joey."

Last night, Julie and I went for a walk with a few other friends. I asked Julie if she would sing for me. She said she wanted to sing a new song that she learned at school, "The Star-Spangled Banner." I was AMAZED to hear her beautiful voice. Sung with clarity, good intonation and expression, Julie's rendition of the "The Star-Spangled Banner" moved me to near tears.

I thank God for Julie and for her mom, who has also been a wonderful new friend. Their life is a testimony of God's provision. "Be strong and courageous! Do not terrified, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -- Joshua 1:9

Picture posted with permission.

Our precious Jewel!

2008-04-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

This week was hard. My tears have been my food. My Jesus has been my peace.

Yesterday, I thought I saw my husband. My heart sank and nearly rose to leap for joy when...I realized it was not him. I thought I was going to lose it. I prayed, "Lord, I need you." I waited. I cried. I searched. I waited... He answered my call. "My child, I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will supply your needs and I will comfort you...you need only ask."

A primary hindrance of prayer is that we do not ask in faith believing that God can do the impossible, that he can heal broken hearts and offer a life of peace and hope and that he will answer us in our time of darkness! It is normal to have doubts. As the chosen we are always under attack. Our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a lion seeking whom he may devour. There are so many things in this world that we do not understand. But we do not have the mind of God and we must believe in him by faith. Romans 11:33-34 says, "Oh the depths of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become his counselor?" Then, Deuteronomy 4:29 exclaims, "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

As Christians we must guard our hearts from anything that would attempt to steer hearts from Jesus saving grace. Jesus is our precious Jewel, our faithful. A friend that sticks closer than a brother. He will care for you, protect you and carry you home. Hear his voice, "Come all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Confess all to Him and he will listen. Go to Him today. Tell him what's on your heart and let him remove your sin and doubt and heal you. He wants to listen; you must go to him in faith! He is our precious Jewel!

Birthdays!

2008-04-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

Wow! April seems to be a hot month for birthdays!!! I thought I'd write an ode to you all!

My brother Jeff, April 15th: I hope your day was filled with fabulous things to eat!
My Dad Stephen, April 16th: I hope you enjoy an extra long motorcycle ride and hugs from your "neighborhood granddaughters," and your wife, of course;)
My cousin Jonathan King: April 16th, I hope you bask in the joy that comes from being anointed by the one true King, our Savior! You are a true example to us all!
My dear friend Kristen Rabler: April 17th, I hope your students do something extra special for you!
My "twin" cousin Christopher: April 18th, I hope you enjoy a day of non-stop physical energy!
My two sisters Julie and Jesse: April 23rd, I hope you enjoy a day of pure kindness from everyone who has the privilege of interacting with you! You are the best sisters in the world!
My dear friend Heidi Decker: April 24th, I hope you enjoy a smooth-sailing day at work and overwhelming love from all your friends!

(My precious kitty Miss Traminette: April 27th, I hope you are sleeping well at night. I miss the warmth you brought sleeping by my tummy;)

And to you all: I pray that you are seasoned with salt to speak the good news of Jesus, to shine like the sun, and to be a city set on a hill in the calling to which God has placed you. I love you! Joey

First week update

2008-04-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

This first week back to work has been really wonderful. I have been doing a lot of listening and learning as I instruct during the day. The fifth grade students are so eager to be done with the year and with elementary school, but they are not ready to graduate and have many lessons to learn. I am implementing new procedures; they are slowly adapting. I look forward to every day! I am enjoying establishing relationships with my new collegues; many of whom are exhausted from a trying year and have welcomed me like a breath of fresh air.

Jesus is my best friend and He sticks with me closer than a brother. He carries me through each day. As I go with Him, trusting nearly every step of the way, I know that as I change, he changeth not. I must be queit enough to hear His whisper.

The little things

2008-04-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

Today was a BIG day for me; I started a new, semi-permanent job! I'm a fifth grade co-teacher/assistant with another home-room teacher! We have a wonderful group of students (25 in all) and the school is a small and friendly, family-like, public elementary. With this new job, I'm just taking it a day at a time; the Lord's mercies are certainly new every day! I feel like I'm being pulled along, but hey, I guess that's better than being pushed!

Well, even though this is a big day, it is still the little things that held my attention. For starters, I loved teaching subject matter! Today I taught social studies; we talked about the stamp act and its effect on the people. Then, after school, I was waiting for the bell with a couple of my 5th graders. I noticed that their backpack straps were so lose that their bags hung down to their knees, so I asked them if their backpacks were comfortable or if they'd enjoy a better fit. I thought they would shove off my help and move on, but to my surprise they responded positively and asked me to teach them how to solve the issue! These kids are hungry; they're just longing for attention, for someone to care.

After school, I went to this event called "Running Club." It's a club for all elementary students that meets on Mondays. Students get together, stretch, talk about running and personal goals, then walk/run together. I went to represent "teachers" and to motivate the students. We have a running meet on Saturday that was the highlight of today's conversation. The club leader is the P.E. coach; I met him at the professional running group that I joined. It's amazing, he's run 150 marathon's in his lifetime! He's a role model to me through his inspiring students by organizing activities fit just for them. I find it providential that these people just happened in my life!

Then another, more personal situation stood out, this thing actually quite small. After running club I went out to do a quick errand before meeting a friend for an appointment. During the errand, I got held up. Instead of pushing time and all limits and ploughing through the errand to have it "be done" (while worrying the whole time as I'd be late for my appointment), I chose to do the right thing and gave up the errand to meet my friend on time. This is a breakthrough for me as I'm very good at pushing limits! The peace that came over me was amazing!

It's funny. Often when we reflect on our life, we measure change by the big events, yet in actuality we change by incriments, which makes change hard to see during the process. Little things really do matter...they can add up to form strength! One ant won't budge an elephant, but an army of ants is a different story!

I praise my God for his faithfulness in guiding my day. "And the God of second chance. picked me up and he made me dance!"

Tilling the land

2008-04-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

These past few days, I helped a friend work in the yard to plant this seasons herbs and vegetables. It felt good to get my hands dirty, to till the earth, to rid it of weeds and dead roots and to plant new life. We talked as we worked.

As I shared of my hurt and pain, he said to me, "I know you don't want for this right now, but regardless, this is your life. Now. Today. Whatever you're going through, you were meant to endure. So live. The question is: Are you who you want to be?"

I haven't been able to get those words out of my head: This is your life, are you who you want to be.

Today, as I was working in the dirt, I realized that Jesus is my gardener. He has to work on me to rid me of impurities (weeds, rottenness, things that dirty my vision of him), then he waters me and makes me grow. I guess this season is just part of the process. The problem is that plants don't grow over night. I must wait to see what I'll become.

"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him" Psalm 37:7a.

Cup of tea

2008-04-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been very difficult. My emotions are as fragile as a piece of blown glass. I wake up in the early hours of the morning, broken; it takes all the energy I posses to make myself a cup of tea and crawl to the chair where my Bible sits eagerly awaiting our morning reunion. Sometimes I cry as I read knowing that God's love is going to see me through this day.

I'm thankful that my appetite has returned. There's comfort in food. It gives me energy to do the things I love: run, teach, sing, help others, and visit with friends.

But what about my expectations, my dreams, my future? Daily comforts could never fulfill these longings.

My world has been turned upside down. Everything I have ever wanted has been put on hold. My expectations to live at peace with my husband and eventually have children. My dream of sharing Jesus with others through the testimony of a godly home. My future with the husband of my youth. All of my expectations are tossed into a sea of confusion as a greater and new desire sprouts and blossoms. I desire to give my life entirely to Jesus. I submit my life and everything I ever wanted and walk in faith!

I have peace living for my Lord. I wake up every day, not knowing what will be accomplished or how my mood will interfere or affect circumstances, then I give the day to God. It's seems simple, I guess, but it's a daily battle. It's been amazing to see what the Lord brings my way. God is good. I don't deserve His love, yet He is so gracious. I submit, Lord, my life is yours. This is my cup of tea.

Relationships

2008-03-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Thank God for relationships. All kinds: moms who care for us, close friends who cheer us up and give us good advice (not just the stuff we want to hear), brothers and sisters for their unending support, the cashier at the grocery store, the new guy at church, the faithful neighbor who just mowed your lawn for the third time because he noticed you were having a rough week.

This past week I have met so many new faces and have enjoyed getting to know all different kinds of people. Every human is certainly unique. God did not use a cookie cutter when he created us! Yet we all share one thing in common: We all were created to give God the glory.

Praise God for his faithfulness and for calling us to be the salt of the world. May every encounter you share this week be a testimony of your faith. May we be lights in a darkened world!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Parable of the mule

2008-03-13T06:30:00.002-07:00

Once there was a farmer who owned an old mule. One day the mule fell into the farmer's well and the farmer heard the mule 'praying' or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back HE COULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!

This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!", He repeated this to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity ...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE VERY REAL POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT US!

"Remember that amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic." Remember that FORGIVENESS -- FAITH -- PRAYER -- PRAISE and HOPE...all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves! Also, remember, more importantly, that when God is for us, who can be against us!

Prayer works! He's real.

2008-03-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

Amazing story. A lady I just met has a difficult life. Her husband was deployed to Iraq last Fall and she has been caring for her daughter, Sydney, who struggles with major health issues (since she was 20 weeks in the womb). I share with you this story through a letter from the husband (to remain anonymous):

Earlier I went on an old friends Myspace page and could easily see he found God. He had a country song by George Straight playing. It was talking about how he "Saw God today!". Later as I went to my office in Iraq, I sort of noticed the sun was shinning, sky was clear, no BOOMS! Just a few Apaches over head. I wasn't really looking forward to what ever today was going to bring my way, but it would be another day down soon enough. I got to my desk to see if I had any bad guys to look into. Nope! Fumbled around with some college, and checked all my emails. Then the phone rings. It's my wife. Like normal everything stops. Then, well, I saw God today.

My little Peanut, Sydney, as you know was born with some kidney issues. One has been dead for some time, and she needs surgery to remove it, take out other things, and then repair her bladder. This was to take about three surgeries each about a month apart. I said I saw God today. I also said, "WAS to take three surgeries!".

My wife took Sydney in for some test and ultrasounds a few days ago. The doctor called her today to fill her in on what he found. He saw God too. Sydneys "Dead" kidney is working at 90%, producing urine, and his words, "cant explain it, she couldn't look better". She'll still have to have her bladder repaired, but that can wait, and is no where as serious as the kidney issue.

I know alot of people have been praying for her. Most I don't even know. I wish I did though. I prayed each night that God would take care of my peanut. That he would see that she would be fine. I knew all along she would be OK, that she would have to have the procedures, and then off to her normal life. But, for her to have to go through it? It hurt. I trusted in him, and again he has not let me down. My wife has been at home with her. Since I deployed she has had to stay in the hospital a number of times. My wife is the strongest individual I have ever known!

So, after I hung up I made my way to the chapel. I walked in the same sun, under the same clear sky, and still saw the same Apaches over head. Thing were obviously a bit different this time. My sunglasses were on, but my cheeks weren't dry, and I didn't care! I had to be alone for a moment. Had to do things my way. I had to get it out. Now, I had to get it out to you! Prayer works! He's real.

Rollar Coaster Ride

2008-03-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

I'm so tired of my emotions fluctuating so much. One minute I'm fine and trusting in the Lord and the next minute I'm crying missing my beloved. Life is hard, but God is good!

Yet, I wouldn't trade these last two months for anything. My Jesus has been my all in all. His name is so SWEET and my relationship to Him has become so intimate.

Missing you all, Joey:)

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

Despised and rejected.

2008-02-26T09:41:00.000-08:00

My world has been turned upside down. I have been chewed up and spit out. Taken advantage of. But somehow I am able to understand that our Lord was aquainted with our sorrows and greif. He knows my pain. There is healing is his blood.

How will I move on? I know not...but He does.

Wait, I say, on the Lord.

2008-02-23T08:47:00.000-08:00

Okay. So I guess you could say I'm walking through a valley right now...but I'm not walking alone. I have the Lord, and I have all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ. A lady recently left me with some food for thought after a long conversation. She said, "You know, Joey, the Lord gives us three answers to our prayers: YES, NO and NOT NOW!" Well, I guess I'm in the "not now" phase. I don't know where my life is going, but I'm daily walking in faith and in the hope I have in Christ alone.

Christ certainly is our foothold. All other foundations crumble, fall and fail us, BUT He will never leave us nor forsake us. I wasn't aware of my personal shortcomings and idols until the Lord caused my favorite thing to fall. At first I latched on and tried to solve problems on my own, constantly throwing ropes into the ravine to where I was losing everything. Then, the Lord revealed to me that He is in control; I have no need to worry, but only TRUST. I'm not losing everything, in fact, I have everything I need.

At first Satan allowed me to believe a lie, but the truth has set me free. He still attacks me and I daily fight. "A great warrior, doesn't become a great warrior without a good fight." I will not fear, what can man do unto me? Simply seek truth and do the right thing.

"Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

My dear friend Nan recently got me some lilies. She said, they remind us of the resurrection!

Women of Faith.

2008-02-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

I have never fully understood the role of the wife. I do now. Pray for your husband. Pray for strength. Pray for peace. Let your requests me made known to God.

Nerds

2008-02-11T17:38:00.000-08:00

So you all know that I love to play card games...right? Well tonight I supposedly learned a new game called Nerds. But it's just like Dutch Splits or a version of Speed. So my thought is perhaps there are only a few card games but hundreds of names associated with each. Why is that? Is it region of country (and since I've lived all over that would explain my diversity if you will?). Or is it generational? Any thoughts...

Like a cloud.

2008-02-11T05:36:00.000-08:00

Last nights devotion from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening:

Our sins are like a cloud. Clouds are of many shapes and colors, so are our sins. As clouds obscure the light of the sun, and darken the landscape beneath, so do our sins hide the light of Jehovah's face from us and cause us to sit in the shadow of death. They are earth-born things, and rise from the miry places of our nature; and when collected so that their measure is full, they threaten us with storm and tempest. Alas! that, unlike clouds, our sins yield us no genial showers, but rather threaten to deluge us with a fiery flood of destruction. O black clouds of sin, how can there be fair weather in our souls while you remain?

Let our joyful eye dwell upon THE NOTABLE ACT of divine mercy -- "swept away." God Himself appears upon the scene, and in divine benignity, instead of manifesting His anger, reveals His grace: He at once and forever effectually removes the mischief, not by blowing away the cloud, but by erasing it from existence once for all.

Putting this into practice, let's obey THE GRACIOUS COMMAND, "return to Me." O Lord, restore us!

We live in such a wicked world where we must daily guard our hearts and run to the foot of the cross. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Together let's engage in living out our faith through love, prayer, hospitality and exercising our spiritual gifts.

"An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

Missing you all, Joey:)

Pictures of our home

2008-01-27T20:40:00.000-08:00

I don't have much to say tonight, because it's late and I'm tired...but, many of you have been inquiring what our new home looks like so here are some shots! In order: Entryway. Kitchen, during unpacking. Dining Room/Living Room. Music spot! Office, unfinished. Upstairs hallway. Bedroom (2 views). One (of three!) bathrooms.

Also view this link to see our appartments through the website: http://www.gables.com/gablesliving/community.aspx?Region=19&CommunityId=47.

Missing all, Joey:)

Go to the ant, thou sluggard.

2008-01-25T20:59:00.000-08:00

So... I haven't been the greatest at blogging, hugh. The truth is that the room where my computer is located, our office, is the only room that is unfinished. Being in it makes me uncomfortable. In addition, these past couple weeks have been really difficult. Moving can be compared to an ant farm. The ants are so dedicated to build a home, long hours, night and day. Then some intruder comes by and shakes up all of their hard work. Disrtraught, empty, lonely.

The Lord is at work. I am so thankful to have my husband here with me.

Organizing

2008-01-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

The unpacking is pretty much done, now it's just organizing! We have piles/categories of stuff lying around, just waiting for a home! Yesterday, I purchased a great many stackable storage containers. Today I wonder if it'll be enough. I guess it's time to get rid of some stuff. I'm retiring from the business of trying to find a good home for "my old dinnerware set for four" or "a bag that once was put to good use," now it's just time for goodwill.

Unpacking

2008-01-03T19:43:00.000-08:00

This week we have been unpacking and getting settled into our new home. I have also been spending a lot of my free time with my new friend Heather, who has two boys, Toby, 2 1/2, and Matty, who will be one this Saturday. Heather is the wife of Rick's GM, Andy Slatkin. I have been so excited that I already have a friend down here, yet I just found out yesterday that they are being transferred to Atlanta. I know God will provide friends and ministry opportunities, yet I can't believe my new friend is already moving!

Anyway, back to unpacking...things are going great. We knocked out the kitchen Tues. and Wed. and I put a huge dent into the Master Bedroom and Office today. After some good solid work tomorrow, we should be all set to move ourselves in tomorrow night. In addition, we'll have to pack up and move Rick's stuff from the corporate apartment, including the cats (here we go again...this will be Traminette's fourth move and Houston's second!). Well, I'm yawning and Rick just recently got home, so I'll say good night! Call anytime. I've got plenty of time to talk!

Goal oriented indeed!

2007-12-30T17:23:00.000-08:00

So...I'm done with college now and a world of possibilities lie ahead of me. Choices have to be made, but I'm ready to dive into whatever God would have for me. The truth is that I'm not concerned about what I will end up doing here in Boca Raton, because I know whatever I do I'll love it and put all my heart and soul into it. What I'm concerned about is beginning good habits in our new life here.

So...I've got a list going of things to do (if I don't do this, I'll be aimless. Don't laugh): 1. Make a comfortable home for Rick where he can relax and do his thing. Check. A daily joy. 2. Keep a calendar of events including regular doctor/dentist visits, as needed, regular car maintanence and a house cleaning schedule. In progress. Open to ideas. 3. Join a soccer league. Check. Games begin February 25th. 4. Read more books. Check. I need a goal...let's say a book a month. That sounds reasonable for me. 5. Keep up with my blog, which means a new post every three days. You may laugh, but if I don't do this, I know I won't keep up with it! 6. Take photography classes. A present from Rick for Christmas, camara included. I can't wait! 7. And most important! Be a woman of prayer, daily, hourly. Nothing could be more important than starting off the day in submission to the Lord. Great leaders all agree:

“Prayer is where the action is." John Wesley

"Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." Corrie ten Boom

"Seven days without prayer makes one weak." Allen E. Vartlett

"Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees." William Cowper

and one that sticks out to me: "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer." Martin Luther (makes me look at his hymns in a different way)

Personality Test

2007-12-28T08:30:00.001-08:00

The results from a personality test I just took:

For fun, and to compare, take a look at Rick's results at http://rickprovencal.blogspot.com/ and at my sister-in-law's, Melissa's, results at http://www.kranzodesign.com/melissa/.

Music Teacher

2007-11-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

This is me with Jesse and Ming, my two classroom friends (the K-2 students will listen to WHATEVER Jesse and Ming have to say!)

So, as you may know, this term I have been student teaching at not one but THREE localities, two that I was originally aware of and one that has been an unexpected pleasure and opportunity for me. I currently hold the position of the K-2 (with one 5th grade class) general music teacher at Nevitt Elementary in Phoenix, a school feeding the most economically depraved children in the greater Phoenix area. I hold this position with reservation so a substitute abides in the room with me until I am officially certified.

Throughout this term, I have worked with K-8 students and have learned a lot about myself as a teacher and my students, with their various ages and developmental levels. Currently, I am three school days away from receiving my early release from the college of education at ASU, which means...Mom, I did it...I'm gonna graduate! After Thanksgiving, I will get my substitute teaching certificate and shortly after, on Dec. 3rd, when my AEPA (AZ cert.) scores come back, I will be qualified to receive professional teacher salary! Then, Dec. 21st when I conclude my short-term teaching position at Nevitt Elementary, I will go to live with my husband...a much grander prize than money, with lots of good stuff to show on my resume!

I LOVE teaching, it doesn't matter what grade, the grade I teach is my favorite! Natalie, a first grader, comes up to me every day at lunch to share her latest news. Today she came running towards me, and hugging my leg she exclaimed, "Mrs. Provencal, your the best music teacher ever!" So sweet. A little kindy-gartner, Jose, ran up to me before school today, just to give me a bump (with our fists); I was stunned that he would leave his older friends to say "hello" to a teacher!

Here of some photos of special places in the music classroom (photos of students to come):

Our word wall, to promote literacy, a schoolwide endeavor.

Our scarf station, a tool to encourage movement with music amongst the little ones.

If Joey wont i will.

2007-11-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

So, here is the thing. Joey has been very busy the last few months with me out of town... Not sure what she has been up to, as she no longer has to clean up my messes and make sure that i am ok, but non the less, every time that i suggest that she write somthing here she always comes up with some excuse as to what she is doing that may, or may not be more important than writing on her blog.

Ok, to be very honest, and not that i would ever be anything other that that... Joey has been extreemly busy with the buricratic prosses of getting her student teaching out of the way. Long story short- She was student teaching when asked if she would be willing to take over an actual classroom. There is a clause that allows for a student to shorten their student teaching program if there is a need in the school district. So, there was a need and joey was a good fit. She spent the next month doing a lot of emailing, filling out applications, making phone calls and taking tests. Now she is teaching in a classroom all her own. That is the VERY short of the story as this played out over literaly the last month. You will have to call and talk to her to find out the rest of the story.

We are in Boca together now. WHICH IS AMAZING. I have had the last two days off and we have just been "haning out" as a married couple. Don't read into that too much. :0 But our time is getting short and her flight leaves early tomorrow morning. We had a great time.

So now we only have about 6 weeks left of our time apart and we are feeling that it should be easy from here on out. God has been good, he always is.

until Joey posts.

-rick-

Boca Raton

2007-09-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

All is well here in still very hot Phoenix. So much has been happening, but the most exciting news is that Rick will be moving to Boca Raton, Fl. on September 15th! He will be in Michigan the 10th through the 15th as a mini-vaca. I will join him in Florida mid December.

We have had a wonderful time in Phoenix and seen all the major sites...Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff, Tonto Natural Bridge in Payson and the Phoenix Zoo (okay so we never got to the botanical gardens). Hiked all the major peaks...Mt. Lemmon in Tucson, Lookout Mt., Squaw Peak, and Camelback's Summit of Phoenix and "A" Mt. (a personal fav.) and South Mt. Nat. Park of Tempe. And we have experienced all the beautiful drives between! The Lord has been good and it is time for us to go (not before I get that muchly anticipated Music Education degree first;).

Please join us in prayer as we venture into a yet unvisited terrain for the both of us...living solo...for a short three months. Pray especially for Rick as he moves alone, finds a church and home for us and starts a very impt., new job working for the second busiest store in the company! "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." -Proverbs 18:10. Missing you, Joey:)

Here are some pictures from Rick's surprise birthday party/going away party:

The Salt Cellar

2007-08-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

For our anniversary Rick took me to a one-of-a-kind sea food restaurant in Phoenix called the Salt Cellar. When we arrived, I really didn't know what to expect because the place was itty-bitty and not very well kept; it seemed the sign was the biggest and nicest aspect of the diner. Thank goodness, my initial assumptions were very wrong. The place was, in fact, small above ground, but quite roomy in their unique basement dining! (I don't know who thought to build a basement diner in Phoenix, but their vision and continued good service have certainly earned this restaurant its name and reputation amongst local residents.)

I'll let the pictures tell you the rest of the story, but as you can see, we enjoyed unique delicacies as soft-shell crab (yes, you eat the whole crab) and lobster, oh, and need I mention our flourless chocolate cake to finish the meal! Missing you all!

P.S. Thank you to all of you for the muchly appreciated anniversary wishes; it meant a lot to us. We spent a good hour together reading letters, e-mails and text messages from family and friends!

The joys of Student Teaching

2007-08-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

One week with the kids, two weeks with my teacher, and so far I am enjoying the experience student teaching brings. More to come, but for now here are some pictures for you to look at.

This picture is three-fold; it shows the bulletin board that I created for our room, along with my teacher, Ms. Ochsner (pronounced "Ox-ner" for those of you who aren't familiar with German) standing next to it and finally my desk in the foreground. "The Singing Tree" produces apples that have song titles on them. This helps the children keep track of all the songs they learn in music class. For each of our five grades (first through fifth) each class identifies with a different colored apple so that the classes don't get confused. A final aspect of this bulletin board is that it categorizes the songs for the students, an idea which teaches them about genres of music! (By the way, thanks to Heidi Decker for the idea of making the bulletin board interactive! The students love it!)

This shot is of our teaching space. The colorful rug is where the children sit. Classes usual hold around twenty students. We have five hundred students total (you do the math:).

This shot is taken of Mrs. Ochsner and I right before we performed a duet, "Sing" from Sesame Street, for recruiting students to take choir. What fun! The kids loved it!

4 Year Anniversary

2007-08-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

photo taken Summer 2003
August 9, 2007
Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

"Once"

2007-07-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

John Carney's musical "Once" is one of those gems that so rarely graces the big screen these days: a truly good movie (Common Sense Media).

It is what "Rent" should have been; "Once" is: a Bohemian rhapsody (New York Post).

In this Irish musical/film, the characters develop a wonderful, delicate, and respectful romance; from the onset, they treat each other like equals (a rare thing onscreen). Lots of emphasis is placed on pursuing your dreams, and the couple is very supportive of each other's wants and needs, which are met through their mutual love for music. Also, the two main characters care for both their elders and their children with grace.

Rick and I just watched this last week in a small Scottsdale Theatre; it was recommended by Roger Maxwell, a friend and fellow musician from church. My favorite scene was when these two, poor musicians break it down in a music store, singing the song (all the way through!) that will become the film's theme. They eventually work together to produce a music demo. Rick and I both agreed that we would listen to this cd if we owned it. I believe a soundtrack is actually available. Anyway, great film. If it is playing near you, go see it!

Some History on Social Security

2007-07-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

This isn't a common "Joey post," but I thought these facts interesting.

Franklin Roosevelt, Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1) That participation in the program would be completely voluntary,
2) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program
3) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year
4) That the money the participants put into the independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the general operating fund, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program
5) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically controlled House and Senate.
Q: Which Political party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US.
Finally, Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?
A: Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!

What are your thoughts?

I love to LAUGH! Long and Loud and Clear!

2007-07-26T00:13:00.001-07:00

Why did the skeleton go to the movies alone? Because he didn't have no body to go with.

What is a vampires favorite kind of food? Nec-tarine.

What do you call a dyslexic, insomniac, agnostic? Someone who lies awake at night, wondering if there is a Dog!

What did one penny say to the other? Let's get together and make some sense!

A skeleton walks into a bar and asks for a pitcher of beer and a mop... hehehe

So tonight I had a table that told me that the more jokes I told them, the greater my tip would increase. What an incentive, hugh? I told nine jokes, which was the most they said a server had conquered to tell while serving them. Well, needless to say it sure made for a fun evening, and when all was said and done, I'd had so much fun that I didn't care what the three gentlemen left me for tip. They also recognized that I was the most ambitious, type A server individual they had met and thanked me for my excellent service.

I like the idea of "Wowing" people; of going above and beyond our duties to help others out. I also love to laugh; it truly is like a medicine! Why not tell a joke today and give another the welcome to a good hearty laugh!

I Love Lucy!

2007-07-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't resist! Meet Lucy Miner-former resident of Phoenix, AZ and Calvin OPC, daughter of Matt and Charity Miner and big sister to baby Josh. Lucy is a very sweet little girl and we will miss her greatly as her daddy is going to DUKE now. Congratulations, Daddy Matt!

Draw Swords, Charge!

2007-07-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

Many of you have already heard all about our 2007 Bible Club and its success, but I thought I'd publish a little more of my thoughts. First of all, the weeks theme was an immediate hit, Draw Swords, Charge!, as was evident in the large attendance and participation. Twice as many children came and participated than were expected, causing Mr. & Mrs. Pribble and myself to be overjoyed and yet overwhelmed with the amount of work that needed to be done, including the number of swords that needed to be manufactured (these swords served as the huge end of the week prize for the children). Our week never ceased to be filled with excitement as a result, this included unexpected visits from the children who undoubtedly couldn't wait to see us until the next morning! The club ran every day from 10:30 until noon, with an extension on Friday for "race day," yet the children arrived shortly after 10 a.m. often interrupting our hurried breakfast and prayer time before the festivities began.

Our day began with singing and announcements followed by the Bible story, which was taught by Mrs. Pribble and always presented the gospel to the children. After this we engaged in the activity of Draw Swords Charge which essentially teaches the children how to use their Bibles. This is a good time to note that by the end of the week, we made sure that all children without a Bible, possessed one (a few donations were made by a gracious mother, thank you!). Then, the children were taught the missionary story. This year we studied Hudson Taylor, missionary to China and founder of the China Inland mission. After ending with song time, the children gathered their prizes for the day and put them in their bag to be saved for the last day (hey now, we'll do all we can to keep them coming all five days!).

You know how we all have passions and gifts? Well, doing Bible Clubs for children is certainly one of my passions. My Grandmother Pribble was and is my role model and through her I have learned the importance of sharing the gospel with children and how I can become a part of Child Evangelism Fellowship to reach children for Christ. May Jesus Christ be Praised!

Cleaning day

2007-07-16T23:28:00.000-07:00

Vacations are real nice, but returning can be a real drag. On top of your piles of "not-so-organized" luggage, you have to face the mess you left at home. Dust collects so fast in Arizona, I can't believe how dirty everything gets! Well, today was spent cleaning an organizing, which ending up being very enjoyable (especially with a pool/reading break). As always, I didn't finish everything I wanted to, but I feel great about what did get done!

Thinking about moving in five months, sometimes makes decisions hard. Like deciding whether or not a deep clean is really necessary, as we (or should I say "I":( ) will be doing it again in no time at all.

Speaking of cleaning...have you'll discovered the cleaning solution CLR yet? It instantly removes calcium, lime and rust, leaving things cleaner and more efficient in their use. It works on tea pots, coffee makers, shower heads, gunk around the kitchen faucet, etc... I have yet to try it on water spots on our car window?

Well, I hope all is well with you (and clean...hehe...I hear dog slobber works great)!

Lil is soooo cute!

2007-07-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

Spending time with Lily and Nicole has been very nice! I just love enjoying Lily's many new talents and seeing Nicole in her much loved "mommy mode."

I love sticking around for Lily's bath time, especially when it's time to towel off!

A favorite quote

2007-06-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

I saw where I wanted to be,

and now that I am there...

I see how far I have to go.

This reminds me of the goal of the cross being in a Christian's forsight.

Praise God for Sunday's

2007-06-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

I sure do love Sundays...a day of rest, a day to forget your worries, a day to fellowship with other believers and most importantly a day to grow in your knowledge of the Bible and continue in your personal walk with Christ!

Yesterday was truly a relaxing day for me. Rick and I awoke earlier than usual because he opened at work. Not only did we awake refreshed from a good night's sleep but we also were anticipating our blueberry muffins that I had made the night before...oh, so good. I used a Martha Stewart recipe that I had found online. The recipe enticed me not only because of the scrumdidilyumptous picture but also because of the precise ingredients and detailed procedure (similar to a cake procedure). The muffins were best when cooled completely, which was also a turn on to me since I knew I wouldn't feel like making them Sunday morning. Up until this point I have disliked blueberry muffins because they taste funny (almost acidic), are too dry or are way too sweet. These muffins put most blueberry muffins to shame in their perfection of blended flavors and blissful accompaniment to a cup of coffee, and further, were determined by Rick and I to be bakery quality!

Okay so I really wrote this post to tell you about blueberry muffins...but they were a perfect start to a wonderful Lord's day in which I was challenged in Hosea 7:10-14, Philemon and Ruth 2. Praise God for every good and perfect gift!

class proves to be exciting

2007-06-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

So this class that I am taking is actually not so bad. In fact, it has been thoroughly fascinating and I am enjoying the time invested into it. Monday, my teacher gave us a taste of what ELL (English Language Learners) students experience when they first enter an English classroom. She is Russian and gave us a thirty minute class in all Russian, teaching us greeting phrases, numbers and school room nouns like "book;" we even learned to write! I enjoyed every minute...I wonder if I will ever learn a second language. How would I go about it? I might desire to be totally immersed.

Further, the book I am reading for a lit. discussion next week, A Step From Heaven, is actually a fast read which I am also enjoying. It is a biography of a Korean girl who moved to the States when she was very young; she writes in such poetic, vivid and age-appropriate language. Here is an exerpt from her chapter entitled "My Future," "I do not like the word school. Uhmma and Apa [Mom and Dad] say school is my future. I do not like the word future. Everything is in the future. A house we do not have to share with Gomo and Sahmchun [relatives in Korea]. A car without big cuts in the seat that show the crumbly insides that Uhmma says I should not pull out, but I do anyway because it feels like sand when you mush it between your fingers."

One very important lesson I have learned in this class is the detriment of overcorrecting. As teachers, we know more, have more insight and have a lot to give. But the sign of a good teacher is one who is patient, willing to listen to the student's needs and discoveries and is active in creating activities where the students learn to fill in the gaps of their learning on their own. To overcorrect and knitpick on such minute details as consistent improper conjugation of an adverb only causes the student to pull away and bottle up his/her opinions. As teachers, we want the students to feel success in their own learning!

Well, I guess the only other new news outside of updates from this class is that I broke down and joined facebook. My brother was saying maybe someday all of these online communication programs will integrate. W0uldn't we all love that! Hoping all is well. We miss you.

Summer School is not my Friend

2007-06-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

So I don't mean to be a grouch, but I really don't want to be taking this summer class. It meets for four hours three afternoons out of the week (M,W,F). This pretty much means that I have to think about it all the time in order to keep up (especially since I have increased my hours at work and thus don't have lots of free time to play). I know that it is only a four week course, but right now that seems like an eternity!

Okay, enough venting. My Father told me a story about my Grandfather. In college, he had to take a class called Differential Calculus, which at the time he found to be a waste. Turns out that in his career working at Detroit Edison, he used the fundamentals from this course more than any of his other courses. Moral of the story...Don't try and tell God what you do and don't need!

The class I am taking is called "Teaching English Language Learners." I am learning about the struggles of immigrants to learn English in the United States, the pros and cons of both bilingual education and total immersion and the most effective methods and techniques to be used by teachers. It is interesting I suppose. I receive a new book today (A Step From Heaven) which I must have read in less than two weeks. In addition to my other reading, this seems like a lot. I am hoping that I find the book interesting so that I enjoy the process rather than dread its every step. I am also hoping that I am able to use the new techniques that I have learned to read more quickly and efficiently and not fall into the drudge of the word by word hull (which happens when I get sleepy).

Well, I sympathize with those of you who have summer classes, call if you need a kick in the pants;). Just remember, "This one thing I do." Hope your day is smooth sailing!

Getting into the Swing of Things

2007-05-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

(see how much Rick here likes it;).

So I finally feel like summer has begun. Rick and I have been able to just chill together and talk...a lot. I have been able to spend time with friends, work, workout, blog, play on the computer, talk on the phone, things one normally does, but now it is without the weight of school over my head. I have even been able to do extra things that I enjoy like play the piano, reading or, when Rick is available, go for walks or do something active together like playing basketball. The past couple of nights, I have been playing the piano before I go to bed and I sleep so much better as a result. I have even been dreaming wonderful dreams (I sure do miss these when they don't occur). The doctor told me that since I have a tendency to be high strung and worry, doing something that relaxes me before I go to bed is good for this issue of acid reflux that I experienced around the time of my recital. It is under control now, but playing music certainly assists in the healing process. In addition, I have been able to get several of those little things done around the house, such as take down our final Christmas decoration and make an appointment with Joe, to get our carpets cleaned! It's amazing what a little extra time around the house will do for a woman like me! Does that sound cheesy? I sure hope not!

Memorial day was fun. I spent the day at the Waggoner's pool (a family at church) with a few church families and couples. I love being in the pool with children of all ages; it brings back lots of fun memories. In the evening, I went over to Bethany and Asher's house. We got Qdoba and watched Sleepless in Seattle. (I had still never seen that darn movie!) Well, that's all for now. I think that I will go and read before my shift tonight. Hope all is well with you'll!

D-backs game!

2007-05-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, My GM (Peter, the one in the baseball cap) took thirteen of us to the Dimondbacks game. It was a prize for winning a competition at work; our team sold the most Yunann dishes (a new region we are featuring at P.F. Changs) amongst the other four teams! It was a blast to hang out with work friends. Vanessa and I did feel a little outnumbered as we were the only girls, but that meant that we also got taken extra speacial care of!

(my friends Michael, who shares my love for outdoor hobbies, and Curtis, who shares my love for food)

The stadium is ridiculous. There is enough concrete in there to pave a 6x2 foot walkway to San Diego (or something like that:); further, the amount of air conditioning pumped into the stadium could cool half of Phoenix homes! Crazy! While we were there we had front row seats at the TGIFridays, so we ate and drank very well! We also had the chance to slip down to the arcade, in the stadium, to throw baseballs. I never knew I could throw a 47! Not too shabby for a girl! It was a blast, although I sure wish Rick could have come! (P.S. the guy with the fro is not aloud to work like that;).

Vacation at Last

2007-05-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Last week, we got together with a bunch of friends for the wedding of Sara and Drew Walker in Sedona, AZ. Afterward, the gang- Justin & Marguerite, Adam & Heidi, Dave & Amanda and Rick & me- began our vacation venture in the Southwest. We started by visiting the Grand Canyon and hiking one of its trails in the South Rim. Then, we headed out to Oceanside, CA (40 miles north of Sedona) to stay at our rental sight which was 800 yards from the ocean! 65 degrees and cloudy was not our desired weather, but we never let this determine our level of fun.

Being together as a group was perfect, active and reviving! Monday was spent traveling, settling in and mapping out a plan for the next five days. Then, after a good night's sleep we began our adventures. Tuesday, Dave & Amanda, Rick & I traveled to Anaheim, CA. Dave and Amanda went to DisneyLand and Rick and I went to a new shopping center in Irvine to relax and catch our breath. In the evening we hooked up to go to the Detroit/Anaheim game to witness the Red Wings 5-0 victory over the "mighty" Ducks! Justin & Marguerite, Adam & Heidi spent the day traveling the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and visiting La Jolla. Wednesday, we all spent chilling at our rental; we played B-ball, walked the pier, played beach games and the boys and Marguerite swam in the Ocean, only deciding to get out when they spotted a shark amidst a group of playing dolphins. We also visited a winery Escondido called Orfila Vineyards; the San Pasqual Valley is GORGIOUS and our time there was very memorable (the boys had a "standing on your hands" contest:). That evening, the boys cooked the girls dinner while we played pool (in our third floor pool room); a wonderful combination! Thursday, we packed up the van and headed for San Diego. After spending the morning at the zoo, the boys went to see the Midway (a battle ship) while the girls went to the beach (where we napped and scrounged for warmth along the breezy ocean shores). After meeting up we went to Old Town San Diego to dine at the Old Town Mexican Cafe; it was amazing. At the cafe they have Mexican ladies making corn and flour tortillas in the bay window at the front of the cafe-cool! Friday, we all slept in while Dave and Amanda made a biscuits and gravy breakfast. Afterwards we went down to the beach to play beach volleyball-a blast. After working up a sweat we all jumped in the ocean, fighting back the cold in only a matter of time. That evening we went to dinner at Vigilucci's, a fancy Italian restaurant, for a goodbye dinner.

I learned many things on this trip, but one sticks out amongst the rest- Savor times with good friends, because these times remind us of who we are and where we'd like to be. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and HE delighteth in his way!