Smell anything? And a long distance birthday greeting.

Last night was a bad ending to what had been a great birthday weekend for me. On my way home from church, I was coming down with a splitting headache and an upset stomach. The kids were tired and cranky. Justin cried almost all the way home. As I walked into the house, Austin immediately sat down to take off his shoes. I realized the alarm wasn't set and then it happened......I smelled something. A not-good something. A strong something. You guessed it, natural gas. I called Matt first, and his first response was, "Check the stove." It's electric! His next suggestion was to check and see if we had hot water. I obliged while "lovingly" letting him know that altho it appeared we did have hot water, that wouldn't have any bearing on whether or not we had a gas leak. My marine husband likes to say he saved the day. I'm just glad he didn't suggest I light a match. Anyway, I called the gas company, left the house, and parked on a side street across from the house. I sat there an hour. Matt came home and we were there another half hour. I was getting sicker by the minute and the kids and Matt were getting sleepier and crankier by the second. Matt called to find out what was going on and was told that they had released extra "odor" into the gas lines and consequently had received 500 calls from area residents with odor issues. There were only 40 techs on the job. Apparently you can have small leaks and never know it, but due to the increased odor, now you know it! By this time it was almost 11pm. We decided to leave the house and garage unlocked and unarmed and go to a hotel. We gave them our cell numbers, and we were off to the Hampton Inn. We were in our room by 11:30pm-ish. Austin with no shoes and only 1 clean diaper! I went to the bathroom for awhile trying to quit being sick. Matt bought me Tylenol from the vending machine. In to bed we went. The gas company called back around midnight to tell us someone would have to be at the house in order for them to enter at night. Matt wasn't thrilled. Especially since he had to get up for work at 5pm. They called at 12:30pm to say they were minutes away. Matt left, and was back by 2pm with the confirmation we dreaded...we have leaks inside AND outside the house. Gas was shut off. They said they would be back Wednesday to fix the outside leaks and reposition the riser from inside the garage to a prominent position outside the front of the house for all to see! Yeah!! When we got home this morning around 7:30am, Matt called work to let them know he would be a little late. They called him back and told him not to come in because there were 2 guys at the top of a large crane protesting fathers rights to raise their kids. Great! Now this father loses a day of wages due to their "rights" being violated. Gotta love the country we live in! Anywho, we pay for extra protection on our gas bill for inside repairs, so it looks like that won't cost us anything. And the gas company pays for everything outside, so that won't cost us. Thank God it isn't cold out. Thank God we are all ok. Thank God our house is still in 1 piece and our neighbors aren't at risk due to our home.

And, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister in Virginia who is a whopping 37 today!!!! I love you!

See what happens when you quit blogging and doing bible study for over a week! :)

Justin, again, Austin...and even more praises (I think)

Well, Justin is still rolling from belly to back 1x each day and he has cut 2 more teeth (top left next to traditional 1st top tooth and bottom right next to traditional 1st bottom tooth). That makes 7! Austin discovered summersaults yesterday morning. I am waiting for him to strain his neck as many as he is doing!
Praises (I think): the Steven's got power back sometime last night (6pm-ish). I was going to post this blog last night, but forgot. Then I read Karen's blog tonight and decided maybe her getting power back wasn't such a great thing after all :( We love you and were here for you!

Justin did it again! And more praises...

He rolled from belly to back again this evening, this time on the floor in the l.r. Why a big deal? Because in his 1st nine months of life, he rolled from back to belly 2x. Now, in a couple of days, he has rolled from belly to back 2x. He might actually be catching up to his close friends Ryan and Timothy.
Praises: my mom's power came back on at 5am this morning, and my brothers came back on sometime today. So, mom came back and got her food, and my brother will be getting his back tomorrow. Karen heard that she may not get power back until Sunday, SO, puts a crimp in saturday nights progressive dinner. But we will wait a day or so before making new accommodations for that scenario. If I could remember Scarlet Ohara's exact words I would quote them now...something like "I'll think about that tomorrow," as I raise the back of my right hand to my brow and gently toss my ahead aside (gently because I tend to pull something in my neck and end up w/ a kink for a day or two).

Proverbs 2:22--study among sisters in Christ

9/15/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2


Proverbs 2:22
But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.


This commentary tends to be a little harsh/black & white sometimes. I agree that you can't be to harsh when discussing/teaching the truths of the bible. But sometimes I think this commentaries view could be seen as promising to much. "If you just do A then B will happen and C will not." And then they tend to give examples of people or situations that they believe fit into these guidelines. I think we have to be careful when we are judging others because we tend to base it on their outward appearance. I think overall this chapter reinforces chapter 1 by reiterating the need to seek the knowledge God has promised you, apply it to your life daily, and you will be rewarded.

Lord my God, help me keep my focus on Your perfection and NOT on the imperfections of others. Who am I to judge? As my sisters and I close out this 2nd chapter in Proverbs, please convict all of us to continue to seek You and Your perfect wisdom & perfect knowledge and perfect love. Amen

hurricane-force winds brings many things

Yesterday we, the Columbus OH area, had 74 mph winds from hurricane Ike. Thankfully, altho our electricity blinked on and off many times, it was only enough to shut down the computer once and never caused any of the clocks to blink. However, many people were, and are, without power. They include my mom and her husband, my dad and his wife (theirs was restored late today), my grandma and her husband (theirs was restored several hours after losing it last night), my brother, Matt's sister and her family, and some friends of ours, the Steven's Clan (to name a few). Karen S. called us last night to see if we had power and if she could bring over fridge and freezer stuff. She came at 10:30pm-ish. Then she and the Clan (minus daddy) came over for several hours today. She will probably be back tomorrow if power isn't back on. This morning I talked to my mom who asked if she could bring food over. She came over around 3 with fridge and freezer stuff (and she has a large deep freezer full that she might bring over tomorrow!). She stayed for a few hours and made dinner for everyone (including her hubby). We all had a nice meal and chat before they rushed home to shower while there was still daylight to see by. AND, my brother called and asked if I could come pick up his freezer food, which I did. So, my fridge and freezers are packed! As far as wind damage, we just have a lot of sticks and a couple of large limbs down. I did have to chase down the kiddie pool, yesterday during the high winds, and secure some of our patio equipment and some yard items for and an elderly neighbor. So, the winds brought much food and many visitors!
And, it brought Justin's 3rd time ever rolling over, which was the first time he has ever done it from belly to back. Matt & I were both sitting there when he did it and he did it as if he always does it, very effortlessly. So, I tried to recreate the situation for g-ma today, but in a different location....no dice. Same as all the other past responses to being on his belly, whining and fussing until he was picked up.
Praise the Lord that our house, which is HIGHLY prone to losing power at the slightest breeze/drizzle/hint of thunder/beautiful sunny day, not only didn't lose power but was able to help out a few who did. God is good!

Proverbs 2;21--study among sisters in Christ

9/13/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2

Proverbs 2:21
For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

A happy life with good days is obtained by obeying the Lord, especially by ruling your speech and treating others kindly (Ps 34:12-16; I Pet 3:10-12). Righteousness brings blessings (Is 3:10)! But the greatest reward is future - dwelling forever in the land of heaven (Heb 11:8-16)!

"...and treating others kindly." The King's royal golden rule. "If you can do this, you are doing well." Little snipet from our current lesson in James. Sounds simple enough. (My dad says that's the one (the commandment) he tries to live by. I am quite sure the people he lives with and interacts with on the roadways would feel better about their dealings with him if they new this was his "motto"!) It sounds SO simple that we/me just ignore it. In fact, we are so prejudice to our own ideas about, well, everything, that not only are we not treating others kindly, but we are going out of our way to make sure they know they don't belong. Some how we have forgotten that we don't sit on That Throne, only He does. The Golden Rule, The Royal Rule, The Kings Rule. Thank God for grace and mercy! I dwell here, but I will not remain here.

Lord, help me to seek You out through others that I would normally be inclined to avoid or inclined to judge. Break my heart into pieces that only You can restore so that I have a heart only for You. I want to know You. I want to love You. I want to understand You and what Your will is for me. Guide me, mold me, love me, shape me, break me,, and lift me up! "....especially by ruing your speech..." PLEASE help me in this area above all others right now. Please continue to bless my sisters w/Your love and grace & mercy. Amen

Proverbs 2:20--study among sisters in Christ

9/11/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2


Proverbs 2:20
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

This chapter has two purposes - to teach you how to get wisdom and understanding (2:1-9) and the great reward of getting them (2:10-22). When a man obtains wisdom, knowledge, discretion, and understanding (2:10-11), he will be saved from dangerous men and women, who walk in the ways and paths of wickedness (2:12-19). It is from this evil lifestyle of worldly men and women that Solomon sought to save his son. Wisdom is the key opening the door to the way of good men and the path of righteous men. It is offered freely in the Scriptures, and especially this book of Proverbs. If it enters your heart and is pleasant to your soul, you will be able to see and follow the lives of the great men and women before us, the Lord Jesus Christ being the greatest example of all.



If I could only say that I strive daily to be like Christ! If I could only begin to see His awesomeness and holiness and glory for what it is. If I could only be as tormented as Sister Theresa and Paul and Martin Luther. Three people who felt that the closer they got to understanding and knowing and loving Him, the further away they got from deserving what He had to offer. If only.....

Lord, please help me to "if only." If only I could learn about You more. If only I could understand You more. If only I could respect Your authority over my life more. If only I could love You so much that it overflowed from me and washed over my husband. Please help me to "if only." Please meet the needs of my sisters another day, Lord. Amen

Proverbs 2:19--study among sisters in Christ

9/9/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2

Proverbs 2:19
None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.one that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

God chose David in Jesus Christ by sovereign election before the world began (Eph 1:3-12). Jesus died for each of David's sins, including his adultery and murder (Is 53:4-12; II Cor 5:21; I Pet 2:24; Rev 1:5). David took enormous confidence in this great salvation by God's free grace in Jesus Christ (II Sam 23:1-5; Ps 32:1-2). Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect, including David? It is God that justifieth (Rom 8:33)!

But God's practical mercy for adultery requires full confession and repentance, which David gave freely and fully (II Sam 12:13; Ps 51:1-19). God is faithful to forgive confessed sins, and Elihu described confession well, "He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light" (Job 33:27-28).

Boy, that first paragraph, above, really screams reformation! Not to hard to tell where they are coming from.

Now, again with the whorish woman. I have to believe there is something else I need to be 'seeing" here. Altho I don't believe I literally fit the description, or ever have, I feel like I am missing something. I suppose if I pray about it might be revealed to me....maybe in the form of a dream! :)

Dear Lord, please speak to my heart about the importance of these past few verses that I have been studying. Please impress upon my heart Your knowledge and my ability to understand. Please continue to work in the lives of my sisters. Amen

Proverbs 2:17--study among sisters in Christ

9/7/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2

Proverbs 2:17
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
The fascinating addiction to sexual sin will pull you down. The blessed God, Whom you rejected for a devilish woman, will only help after repentance, which will be hard to find.

I definitely agree w/the seriousness of these last few verses, and with the straight-forwardness of the commentaries. However, I don't agree w/the last statement above, "...God...will only help after repentance, which will be hard to find." God will only help after repentance, but He is not hard to find. He is everywhere: the bible, the hearts & lives of believers, the beauty of nature, the air we breathe, and many other places to numerous to name. You might not recognize your own lack of sincerity when repenting, but if you are desperate for forgiveness, and call out His name, He will be there. Thank God, You are here, and there, and everywhere!

Dear heavenly Father, I have some repenting to do. Forgive my sinful ways and change my heart. Change my heart, O Lord. Change my life, as only You can. Please work in miraculous ways in my sisters lives. In Your Son's precious and Holy name, Amen

Where do I begin?

I have a bone, or two, to pick w/a few children's books. Why? Because I have trouble letting go, that's why! Yes, I know, I need to pray about it. Later! On with the picking....

Book #1) Known to be a "reformed friendly" children's bible story book. We are on our way through it for the 3rd time. I have decided that it bothers me that it doesn't mention Cain killing Abel, or that it only mentions Isaac and not Ishmael. I know that as a children's bible story book, some things have to go. But, in my humble opinion, those are 2 important things.

Book #2) A Golden Book for children about different things God is responsible for. There is a page that talks about the stars and how their light has been shining for many years, "...way before you were even born..." and, "..think of the snow-capped mountains that have been here long before God made the world..." Really? Guess what happened to that paragraph? It became ink art-work (I scratched it out.).

Book #3) A recent purchase by grandma, who is VERY picky about the books she buys for anyone, has several issues that I have found just in the first 24 hours we have had it and have read from it. It has stories and songs and games, and much more. The stories are in the order that they appear in the bible. Issue #1) The first story, "God made the world," has a song to sing that starts out telling the kids that God made the world in 7 days. It goes on to say that He made the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th. Minor issue? Maybe, if there weren't any other issues. Issue #2) Still same story. In the prayer section it says, "Dear God, we know You made the earth, and all the stars above, You made the world then added us, so You'd have someone to love! Amen" Don't think so. It paints a picture of a soft, vulnerable God who was sitting up there all lonely and decided to make himself some playmates. Issue #3) (I skipped ahead just for fun.) Story "Follow Me Fisherman." The story explains that Jesus "invited" the 2 brothers, Peter & Andrew to follow Him. Pretty sure the bible says He "told" them to leave everything and "follow Him."

My point, yes there is one and no, it isn't just to find something to complain about, is this: if I am responsible for teaching my child about God and the bible, I don't want to have to keep clarifying/re-teaching/disagreeing with everything he reads. I know that I can't avoid this entirely, but I think I have a responsibility to try as hard as I can to making the best choices for him. It's like washing your hands, you can't avoid all germs entirely, but as a steward of the body God has given you, you have a responsibility to do the best that you can to prevent yourself from getting germs, and spreading germs to anyone else. (I have to give credit for the idea of the analogy to a very close friend of mine. Recently she said some of these very words to me.) Hopefully this venting will help me sleep better. I really don't need any help, I usually sleep just fine when I actually go to bed!

Tooth #5, birthday #9 months, and traveling mercies...oh my!

Justin's tooth #5 is here. But it didn't come today. Must have been some time early last week because it is in pretty good. Top right next to traditional 1st front tooth. I have been watching the bottom row for #5 & #6 because they have been showing signs of making their entrance, however, #5 snuck in on top. Happy early birthday to my little Justin who will be 9 months old tomorrow. Happy belated birthday to little Timothy Steven's who turned 9 months old yesterday. We will be praying for safe traveling mercies for you and your family as you go to SC to visit Mamaw & Papaw. Thanks for leaving us with the trash! :)

proverbs 31:16--off the track of my normal study

Proverbs 31:16
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Christianity does not teach women to be ignorant homebodies. The virtuous woman worked outside the home. She first provided for her husband and children (31:10-12,27-28). She knew "keepers at home" (Tit 2:5) condemned any idleness and sinful habits of foolish women; it did not mean staying home all day (I Tim 5:13-14). She put the LORD first, her husband second, family third, and businesses fourth. Her husband and children will praise her, not for being home all day, but for helping build the family estate.

Just when I begin to think evereything is black & white, here comes the grey! Black & white: if you are a mother, then you should stay home w/your children if at all possible. Grey: Proverbs 31:16. God is not the author of confusion, so I must be letting the author of confusion enter my thoughts periodically. Cure? Read the bible MORE! Pray MORE! Study MORE! Judge LESS! Assume NOTHING! Presume NOTHING! Got to sleep earlier! :)

Proverbs 2:17-study among sisters in Christ

9/5/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2

Proverbs 2:17
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

Again, as in my last post regarding this subject, I would have to say I am pretty confident this is not an area I have trouble with, or that my husband needs to worry about. That said, I do have a couple of funny stories that might make me rethink how "virtuous" I think I really am.

Story #1
I live 1 minute from where I spent most of my school days. My high school boyfriend, Troy, lives on the street I grew up on, maybe 2 minutes away. We probably shop at the same grocery stores and eat at the same places. That is what I dread! I haven't seen him since 2001....maybe. A couple of weeks ago I went to the store at dark, as gross as one could be. And I prayed I wouldn't run into anyone I knew. Well, I am 99% sure that as I was pulling into the parking lot that I took his parking place. Yes, my ex's. Of course I didn't say anything or make a scene. I might have if I was 50 pounds lighter or he looked fat and bald...but since that wasn't the case, I stayed quiet. I went in, did my brief shopping, left the store, and drove by his house a couple of times to see if it was his car that I had seen at the store. Border-line stalker, right? I just HAD to know if that was him. I did not get a confirmation, the car I was trying to see was parked in the alley and their were 2 people unloading what looked like groceries. Hmmmmm By the way, Matt knows all of this.

Story #2
I don't have very many dreams that I know of or remember. However, the other night I had what seemed like a LONG dream about being at work (a chef in a kitchen somewhere). My ex-fiance, Charles, was working there also, and wanted to get back together with me. Through most of the dream's events, I just kept thinking, who do I want to be with more, Charles or Troy? At what seemed to be the end of the dream I finally had a revelation....Heeelllooooo, I'm married!

There was no choosing between those 2 because I already have the one who was chosen for me. A man that I rarely think of or regard as a gift. And yet, that is what he is. He goes to work every day to provide for his family, works physically very hard (he thinks he broke his big toe today), and supports my staying at home with our kids. He is a believer, lover, and follower of God.

Dear heavenly Father, please help me to remember the gift you gave me in Matt nearly 10 years ago. Soften my heart towards him. Help me be his help-mate and not his nagging deterrent. Help me to only have & remember dreams about him and no other man. Help me to not be curious about any other man's situation regardless of how silly I think it is. Help me to only care what I look like for my husbands eyes. Please continue to guide my sisters through this study with me. Amen

Proverbs 2:16--study among sisters in Christ

9/3/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2

Proverbs 2:16
To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

The daughters of God must learn to modestly cover their beauty, limit their eye contact, and limit friendly speech with other men. If you do not, you are kindling a fire that will destroy your own soul and home and those of others as well. Dear reader, may God give you grace and strength to be faithful to Him and your spouse this day; for remember that Jesus Christ used the example of a strange woman with harlot daughters as the picture of the apostate Roman church, who left Him for pagan ritualism.

Altho I don't believe I am like the woman described in this verse (and subsequent verses), it still gives me pause to examine my life and my actions. I do not believe my husband has anything to worry about as far as me being the temptress. I just pray that there aren't any other women out there ready to take my husband on as a challenge. I probably couldn't compete in most aspects of a "challenge." And yet the very thing that should be my best virtue, my faith in God that translates into a relationship that glorifies God, isn't. Hmmm, sounds like a good time to pray.....

Dear heavenly Father, not only do I not deserve a faithful, loving, husband (due to my own short-comings and the simple fact that I only DESERVE hell,) I do not deserve You. Because of Your faithfulness, grace, and mercy, I ask that You help me be his only challenge, and worth the challenge. Soften and open my heart, tie my tongue and close my lips, and open my ears and my arms. Please strengthen the marriage relationships in my sisters lives as well. Amen

Proverbs 2:15--study among sisters in Christ

9/1/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2

Proverbs 2:15
Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

Reader, are you as different from the world as you should be? There should not even be a resemblance! How do we do this? By wisdom, knowledge, discretion, and understanding (2:10-11)! Where do we find such precious things? In the Word of God, of course! We esteem God's precepts right on all subjects, and we hate every false way (Ps 119:128). There is no shortcut; and there is no cheating. The only wisdom on earth is in the Bible (Is 8:20)!

The only wisdom on earth is in the Bible! All those wasted years in public school, being made to read lots of books on many subjects to make me wiser! And I only needed 1 book! :) All joking aside, my first statement makes me elated and burdened with sadness. Elated because I know all the Truth I will ever need to know and live by is in 1 Book. And burdened with sadness because I know all the Truth I will ever need to know and live by is in 1 Book. THE Book. His book. His Truth. His Words. Just 1 Book! And yet sometimes I can hardly make time to get through reading 1 chapter and studying 1 verse every other day. Who am I kidding? What am I waiting for? Brokenness? Tragedy? A special engraved invitation? Who am I to presume another day?

Dear Lord God Almighty, who am I? A scared, fearful, sad excuse of a servant? I do not want to be a disappointment. I want to serve, and yet am fearful of what I am saying. Help me not to be fearful of what I can do to glorify You. Help my sisters to look to You for all things. Amen

Proverbs 2:14--study among sisters in Christ

8/31/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=2

Proverbs 2:14
Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

Our generation flatters wicked men. Sin is no longer a horrible thing with consequences. It is good material for comedies and jokes. But only fools mock at sin (10:23; 14:9). They love sin! And they love watching others sin, even heinously! Think Hollywood!

We sort of just touched on this idea in Sunday school, that the word "sin" has lost its punch. We have used it and abused it and ignored it for so long, that we no longer fear the consequences. Oh what a wicked way we walk! We had a homework question that had us look up several passages in the bible and write down the words used to describe sin. Then we were to use those words in place of the word sin in a sentence regarding how we pray for forgiveness. For me, it revealed the extent unto which I sin and the how much I need grace and mercy. I am embarrassed that my head knows to choose God but the black desires of my heart all to often make the final decisions. I do not rejoice to do evil, it makes me sick and sad. I do not rejoice in the sin of others, it makes my heart break. And yet, every day I choose to not only act unlovingly towards my husband, but to make sure he acts the same way to me. That doesn't sound like someone who doesn't rejoice in evil or doesn't delight in the evil-doings of others. Hmmmmmm Time to pray?

Dear heavenly Father, please give me a hearts desire for You. So that You can be glorifid in all that I do. So that I can have the biblical relationship with my husband that You desire. I ask You to not only strengthen my marriage, but increase the love in the marriages of my sisters in Christ. Amen

The Day Before Labor Day

We went out to Dresden to visit a long-time friend of Matt's. Here, Matt is trying to play football while Austin is carrying around 1 of the 4 outside house cats, Chubacca (yes, as in Star Wars).





Austin is such a big boy! He loves that thing. He had ridden it one other time when Matt had gone out for a visit a month ago.





Isn't this the cutest pic ever! I turned my back on him for 1 minute, and when I looked back, this kitten, Chubacca, had jumped into his lap. It was sooo cute and funny to watch him. That same kitten had jumped into our van when we first arrived, and later jumped back into Justin's lap as he slept.


Austin w/Chubacca.

Labor Day Fun in the Sun

The Steven's & May's were over for an impromptu cookout (Someone needs to speak to the resident chef about burning the grilled food! can someone buy her a cooking lesson or two?). As you can see, only the kids played in the water, but did they ever have a blast!


We do have indoor plumbing, but we like to provide something outdoors for wet and I-need-to-go-potty youngsters. Won't he be thrilled to see this pic as a teenager! Does he look under 2.5 years old to you?




Poor kid thought he was safe, keeping his head down, minding his own business, pulling out the grass,....and then....







....in he went!