Good Morning to my favorite people in the world. It's another Tuesday and I'm here, with bells on, writing this to you. The day hasn't started out, too bad!! The sun is shining, the wind has calmed and I have some things to do today, that will keep me pretty much outta trouble. But knowing me, trouble will find me and I'll end up in some sorta mischief...What can I say? After all, this is me, we're talking about and where there is me, there is mischief, waiting in the wings. Oh don't be such a dullard, embrace your inner imp!! Trust me, it hardly hurts at all!! That said, let's move on to bigger and better ideas!!
I decided to bump up my workout, this week!! I have a little over a month til Rosemary's wedding and I want to fit into that dress, without having to have it altered and without having to use a shoe horn (or even worse, a girdle) ((I can just see it....Fresno, late May, late afternoon and me in elastic underwear....can we say chaffing??)) So now, instead of pedaling 15 miles in the morning and 15 in the evening, I pedal 20 miles in the morning and then again in the evening. 40 miles a day!! I don't think I'll be able to get much more than that in, in a day....I can though, increase the resistance on the bike and intensify the workout, though. Right now, I pedal with no resistance at 21 to 23 miles per hour. I am also trying to be super duper strict with my eating and I'm being diligent with drinking all of my water, everyday!! Without enough water, your body cannot transport fat out of the cells to be used as energy....I drink roughly 90 to 128 ounces of water a day. I need to prove to myself, that I can do this....I need to prove to my family, that I can do this....I need to prove to my daughter, that I can do this. The only one who really doesn't need proof is God. Phil 4: 13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. And......James 1: 2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. I am learning to take everything day by day!! Day by day, and with each passing moment,Strength I find, to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best—Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest. Every day, the Lord Himself is near me With a special mercy for each hour;All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me, He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure Is a charge that on Himself He laid;“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”This the pledge to me He made.Help me then in every tribulation So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation Offered me within Thy holy Word.Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,Till I reach the promised land. Those beautiful words from such a beautiful hymn and a very important truth for me, especially now, when I tend to let the days all gang up and take me down. I'm praying for the patience and grace to be able to take this journey Day by Day.
Today, I have to workout!! (Yay!!) and then I have counseling with Pastor Dave....then I get to workout again (Yay!!) and then I need to come home, work on housework and fix a nice dinner for Mark and I. I've been feeling left out of his life, as of late and we really need to be reconnecting each day, by taking our evening meal together. Anyhoo, that's about it for today..kinda boring, I know, but what can I say? I have a fabulously simple life. Love each other as He loves.
In Him
Lisa
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Happy Saturday.....
Good Morning everybody!! Sleep well?? I slept like a veritable rock! I woke up at ten of five, this morning and decided that it was too early to get up and being that I have tinnitus, silence is almost painfully loud for me, so I put on a movie and went back to sleep. Peanut started squeaking around six, so Mark got up and took him out, I rolled over and went back to sleep. Mark came back to bed and that's where he is now....He'll sleep til I force him get up! I woke up about an hour later, around seven and turned on the Food Network. They have some great shows on, on Saturday Morning. One of my absolute favorite chefs is Chef Anne Burrell...Her show is Secrets of a Restaurant Chef....Well today, she was making Coq Au Vin.....and dang, it looked so good, I could almost smell it. I haven't had Coq Au Vin in a long time....I don't necessarily care for French food, they use waaaaay too much offal and I'd rather chew razor blades than eat offal. Coq Au Vin, though is a very simple, elegant meal, that is comforting and delicious. I think I'll make some for Sunday supper. Now, I just have to find a place that sells capons. Somebody? Anybody? Bueller? I'll need to go to the grocery for some cremini mushrooms, so I'll ask my favorite butcher, Denise, where she would recommend looking for a capon. I might have to drive all the way to Jackson and try the butcher shop, there....or I might just have to settle for a really large chicken.
I'm feeling good today!! Well so far, that is....The day is only just started!! I'm going to make some french toast and sausage for breakfast. I'll use regular bread for Mark and for myself, I'll make a couple of one minute muffins and then use that, for my bread. I can eat sausage. Our favorite links come from Food 4 Less and are made by the New York Sausage Co. They are the best non gourmet sausage on the market. My favorite gourmet sausage is an apple wood smoked chicken sausage that they serve at the Disneyland Hotel. I think it's made by Saag, but don't quote me on that. I really need to buy the meat grinder for my Kitchen Aide, so that I can make my own sausage. Oh and it might help if I purchase the part for my pasta machine, that broke last year, so I can use my sausage horns. I like to experiment with different things....I wouldn't necessarily call it Haute Cuisine, just experimentation.....I would love to make Cecci....a smaller more dense salami type sausage.....and of course kielbasa. Then we'll need to buy a smoker, too....Darn the bad luck!! I've always wanted a smoker. Then, when my impolite neighbors pollute my house with the smell of their cigarette smoke, I can go out on the patio and light up the smoker and combat the smell with hickory or apple wood smoke.
Today is going to be a "just hang around the house and get things done" day...Mark has several Honey Dos to get done (if he ever gets out of bed) and I always have housework to do. I'm going to allow myself an hour and a half to read and then I'll get busy on my busy!! I am feeling the softness of being held in the hand of God, today.....I feel safe and enclosed. Maybe it's the weather or maybe I'm actually just allowing myself, finally to rest in His hands. It's not often that I get to feel this wonderful feeling of spiritual rest, so today, I'm going to cherish it, languish in it, steep in it.....Tomorrow will take care of itself....Have a wonderful Saturday, my friends....Love each other as He loves and take care of each other...
In Him
Lisa
I'm feeling good today!! Well so far, that is....The day is only just started!! I'm going to make some french toast and sausage for breakfast. I'll use regular bread for Mark and for myself, I'll make a couple of one minute muffins and then use that, for my bread. I can eat sausage. Our favorite links come from Food 4 Less and are made by the New York Sausage Co. They are the best non gourmet sausage on the market. My favorite gourmet sausage is an apple wood smoked chicken sausage that they serve at the Disneyland Hotel. I think it's made by Saag, but don't quote me on that. I really need to buy the meat grinder for my Kitchen Aide, so that I can make my own sausage. Oh and it might help if I purchase the part for my pasta machine, that broke last year, so I can use my sausage horns. I like to experiment with different things....I wouldn't necessarily call it Haute Cuisine, just experimentation.....I would love to make Cecci....a smaller more dense salami type sausage.....and of course kielbasa. Then we'll need to buy a smoker, too....Darn the bad luck!! I've always wanted a smoker. Then, when my impolite neighbors pollute my house with the smell of their cigarette smoke, I can go out on the patio and light up the smoker and combat the smell with hickory or apple wood smoke.
Today is going to be a "just hang around the house and get things done" day...Mark has several Honey Dos to get done (if he ever gets out of bed) and I always have housework to do. I'm going to allow myself an hour and a half to read and then I'll get busy on my busy!! I am feeling the softness of being held in the hand of God, today.....I feel safe and enclosed. Maybe it's the weather or maybe I'm actually just allowing myself, finally to rest in His hands. It's not often that I get to feel this wonderful feeling of spiritual rest, so today, I'm going to cherish it, languish in it, steep in it.....Tomorrow will take care of itself....Have a wonderful Saturday, my friends....Love each other as He loves and take care of each other...
In Him
Lisa
Friday, April 9, 2010
Fridays, Butterflies, Endless Housework and Angels Unaware!!
Good Morning, my web bound friends....I am in awe today!! Yesterday was not such a great day and as I rose, this morning, I can honestly admit, that I believed today would follow in the same sort of vein!! Not so, I open my email to find many messages, from the ones who love and support me, my angels, my sisters, my friends......I read a quote once that said "friends hold us up when we don't have the strength to stand" and this morning, I am a firm believer in that!! Thanks to all of you, who became my strength to stand!! Admittedly, I tend to be more pessimistic than not. I'm working on it, but let's face it, Rome was not built in a day. I was sure today was going to be as crappy as yesterday was!! Then the Voice of my Savior permeated the room and I heard Him say "Lisa, let it rise". I have learned, in my past travels and travails, that when God takes the time to audibly speak to me, then for Heaven's sake and my own, I'd best listen!! So I sat back down on my bed and closed my eyes. I envisioned all of my negative thoughts and feelings as little black balloons, all tied together, with strings and as I let them all go, they rose into the sky. God reached down and with His finger, he popped each balloon and it became a beautiful butterfly.....and suddenly, I was surrounded by a sky full of butterflies. The only thing I could do, in that moment was to sit there and start singing "Something beautiful, something good. All my confusion, He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful of my life." and then I heard Him say "This is for My Glory"......I may not see the bigger picture now, but am faithful that there will come a day when I will have His eyes and see as He sees.....Right now, I am surrounded with giants of fear and failure. They taunt me, they laugh at me...they keep me chained to the person I was, before I was redeemed. King David was faced with a giant once, when he was just a boy! Goliath marched forward with his sword and shield, shouting "Where is your God now," and David stood his ground. His shield was his faith in God. His sword was a simple stone that when used for His glory, knocked that giant down, killing him. With one mighty flick, from the wrist of a young boy who believed, had faith and the common sense to listen to the voice of his Heavenly Father, that giant fell. God is greater than giants, no matter how big they are or what they represent and God is greater than my past, He's greater than my fear.....So, today, when the devil comes at me, with his sword and shield, I'll look at him, throw three fingers in his face and yell "Whatever" knowing that I fight, not for the glory or benefit of myself, but for the glory and the benefit of His Kingdom and going back to Romans Chapter 8 (probably my most favorite entire chapter in the Bible) verses 28-39
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us and nothing (not Twinkies or Double Cheeseburgers or Banana Splits) in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus!! Today, those giants are going to fall....they aren't going to keep me from eating right, from going to the gym or from cleaning my house. So be forewarned giants!! You're day of demise has come!! No longer will you torment me with your lies....Get thee behind me!! I'm claiming it for the Glory of God, for He is Mighty to Save!!
Enjoy your weekend, my friends and if I don't see you this weekend, I'll see you again on Monday.....Remember to love as He loves and take care of each other.
In Him
Lisa
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us and nothing (not Twinkies or Double Cheeseburgers or Banana Splits) in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus!! Today, those giants are going to fall....they aren't going to keep me from eating right, from going to the gym or from cleaning my house. So be forewarned giants!! You're day of demise has come!! No longer will you torment me with your lies....Get thee behind me!! I'm claiming it for the Glory of God, for He is Mighty to Save!!
Enjoy your weekend, my friends and if I don't see you this weekend, I'll see you again on Monday.....Remember to love as He loves and take care of each other.
In Him
Lisa
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Late is Better than Never,,,,,
Good Evening, Friends....
I am late in posting this, today!! I haven't felt very well, today and I've been resting. As I have gotten older, there is a specific time of the month that has gotten less easy for me to cope with, than when I was younger. Funny, I thought as a woman grows older, her biological operations become easier to handle.....so, what the heck's up with this? I expect to be feeling better tomorrow....I have company coming on Sunday and I need to clean my messy house....I'm just so worn out!! I am glad my friends are realists and they realize that Martha Stewart doesn't live here. Still I don't want my house to look like Pigpen lives here, either.
I'm struggling again, with my weight, my diet and my exercise regime. I can go along great, for a while and then I give up and struggle and then the whole kit and kaboodle goes into this spiraling yo-yo effect of lose, gain, lose, gain.....struggle, struggle, struggle....victory....struggle, this leads to condemnation and ultimately ends up in self loathing.....I try to lose weight for Mark, but he doesn't encourage me....I mean it starts out real well and then he forgets.....I try to lose weight for Mariah, so that she'll be proud to call me Mom and not be ashamed to be seen with me, out in public.....then I realize that she's a teenager and eventually, she's going to hate me, no matter what I look like....I try to lose weight to please my Heavenly Father....this is the hardest for me...See, my perception of "Father" has been damaged, by my life experience. I was never, nor am I now, anywhere near good enough for my earthly father, what makes me think that I could ever be good enough for my Heavenly Father?? So why even try? Right? WRONG!! Romans 8:37 says 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. and 2 Chronicles 7:14 says If My people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and shall forgive their sin and heal their land. It seems like everyday, I start out determined and strong and by the end of the day, I'm indulging my flesh with donuts, double cheeseburgers and mashed potatoes. I'm getting very discouraged!! I feel so alone and so sad, sometimes. I'd love to have an accountability partner, someone who is also in the same boat as I...Someone I can call for prayer and encouragement and give prayer and encouragement, as well. But, people are busy and everyone has their own problems to deal with. Please friends, pray for me.....I have medical conditions that will be significantly better, if I can lose this weight. I just need a little strength and I need a lot of faith to get through this....Like Amy Grant says "It takes a little time sometimes, to get your feet back on the ground....Give it time"
Well, the week is nearly over and I am happy that we are another week closer to Mariah coming out for her summer visit. We have much planned for her, while she's here. I still have much to do to get ready for her, but I'm getting it done, a little at a time. Mark and I are very excited to be able to watch Mariah grow into a young woman. She's smart and she's beautiful and she's the apple of Daddy's eye!!
Rosemary and Joe are coming up on Sunday, to meet with Pastor, regarding their wedding. I will be happy to see them. Rosemary and I have been best friends since 8th grade. They'll come up for church and then meet with Pastor and then come back to our house for lunch!! Anyhoo, I had better git!! I need to start dinner....Pork Steak.....yum!! Anyhow, y'all have a great evening and love as He loves!!
In Him,
Lisa
I am late in posting this, today!! I haven't felt very well, today and I've been resting. As I have gotten older, there is a specific time of the month that has gotten less easy for me to cope with, than when I was younger. Funny, I thought as a woman grows older, her biological operations become easier to handle.....so, what the heck's up with this? I expect to be feeling better tomorrow....I have company coming on Sunday and I need to clean my messy house....I'm just so worn out!! I am glad my friends are realists and they realize that Martha Stewart doesn't live here. Still I don't want my house to look like Pigpen lives here, either.
I'm struggling again, with my weight, my diet and my exercise regime. I can go along great, for a while and then I give up and struggle and then the whole kit and kaboodle goes into this spiraling yo-yo effect of lose, gain, lose, gain.....struggle, struggle, struggle....victory....struggle, this leads to condemnation and ultimately ends up in self loathing.....I try to lose weight for Mark, but he doesn't encourage me....I mean it starts out real well and then he forgets.....I try to lose weight for Mariah, so that she'll be proud to call me Mom and not be ashamed to be seen with me, out in public.....then I realize that she's a teenager and eventually, she's going to hate me, no matter what I look like....I try to lose weight to please my Heavenly Father....this is the hardest for me...See, my perception of "Father" has been damaged, by my life experience. I was never, nor am I now, anywhere near good enough for my earthly father, what makes me think that I could ever be good enough for my Heavenly Father?? So why even try? Right? WRONG!! Romans 8:37 says 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. and 2 Chronicles 7:14 says If My people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and shall forgive their sin and heal their land. It seems like everyday, I start out determined and strong and by the end of the day, I'm indulging my flesh with donuts, double cheeseburgers and mashed potatoes. I'm getting very discouraged!! I feel so alone and so sad, sometimes. I'd love to have an accountability partner, someone who is also in the same boat as I...Someone I can call for prayer and encouragement and give prayer and encouragement, as well. But, people are busy and everyone has their own problems to deal with. Please friends, pray for me.....I have medical conditions that will be significantly better, if I can lose this weight. I just need a little strength and I need a lot of faith to get through this....Like Amy Grant says "It takes a little time sometimes, to get your feet back on the ground....Give it time"
Well, the week is nearly over and I am happy that we are another week closer to Mariah coming out for her summer visit. We have much planned for her, while she's here. I still have much to do to get ready for her, but I'm getting it done, a little at a time. Mark and I are very excited to be able to watch Mariah grow into a young woman. She's smart and she's beautiful and she's the apple of Daddy's eye!!
Rosemary and Joe are coming up on Sunday, to meet with Pastor, regarding their wedding. I will be happy to see them. Rosemary and I have been best friends since 8th grade. They'll come up for church and then meet with Pastor and then come back to our house for lunch!! Anyhoo, I had better git!! I need to start dinner....Pork Steak.....yum!! Anyhow, y'all have a great evening and love as He loves!!
In Him,
Lisa
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Lifestyles of the Blessed and Annointed!!
Good Morning, my webbie friends!! Happy Wednesday! I was going to title this post "Lifestyles of the Dull and Boring".....but then, I thought for a moment!! Hmmmm.....Would God want me, as His child, to see my life and my lifestyle as Dull and Boring?? I don't think He would. In fact, the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version) 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I have a hard time, sometimes, rejoicing when I feel like my life is "Dull and Boring" and I believe that that is Satan, trying to convince me that I am of no use to the Kingdom of God. Useless......Worthless.....Undeserving......Truth is, without the saving grace of God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, we are useless, worthless and undeserving......I am so glad I was saved by love!! That the miracle of Jesus...His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection saved a lowly sinner, such as myself!! I was lost!! Living a life of sin and shame....involved in pagan worship. I was calling upon what I thought were benevolent spirits, to do my bidding and help me in my "magick".......I almost lost my home, my husband and my soul to this lie that Satan tells to so many!! That paganism (Wicca, Gaia, Druidism) is a completely safe, nature based belief system. All are welcome!! There are almost no rules or guidelines....there is no Bible....they have no retribution.....It is all lies!! Every bit of it!! Let me tell you something God revealed to me, about pagan worship.....Yes, you can do your rituals and get what you ultimately want from these "benevolent spirits"(by the way, these are not benevolent spirits, but the servants of the strongman...the dark one, Satan) but they will want to be paid back, rewarded for their service, eventually. What can you give them?? What will they take for their help?? They will take your soul!! They only want your soul!! When I was at the end of my rope, God gave me a vision of what was to come for me, as a Wiccan!! I was lying alone, on a bed in the darkness. I was wheezing, not able to breathe. I knew I was dying and as I drew my last breath, the floor below me opened up and the scariest, most vile beasts came up from that hole and dragged my soul off to Hell. There was nothing I could do.....there was nothing I could say.....These demons wanted their due, for aiding me, in my magick. I remember that night, very well. It was January 27th, 2007.....I was staying with my parents for the weekend...I was mourning the fact that my marriage was basically over and that Mark was replacing me with a woman he met on the internet. In that moment, my stone heart became as flesh and I opened it, to Jesus. I prayed the sinners prayer and repented of all of my sins. Nicole C. Mullen sings a song called "When I Call on Jesus" and part of the chorus says "He'll move Heaven and Earth to come rescue me, when I call" and He did. He rescued me!! Things did not immediately get better for me, in fact, they got significantly worse. Satan works overtime, when a soul is just about to experience a break-through or when he knows that that soul is going to become important in the Kingdom. I had nasty little demons, coming out of the woodwork....bringing me horribly graphic nightmares, whispering their lies in my ears.....Mark's girlfriend began to torture me, with email messages and she began calling the house, to talk to Mark, when she knew I'd be home. Mark was insistent that she was what he wanted and God was there, in the midst of all of my pain and suffering, showing me how to do battle!! I, as a joint heir, with Jesus, fought hard....battled and won!! Not ever with my own strength, but with the strength of my Redeemer: My Abba Daddy!! He was, is and ever will be Mighty to Save!! Now, you can say that you don't need Jesus....That the rules, the laws and the commandments of the Bible are too stringent for you. That all Christians are false and hypocritical.....and I'll tell you about me. I thought all of those things....I fought God, tooth and nail, before I repented!! But right now, today....I feel Him, holding my hand when I worry!! I see Him with His hands on my shoulders when I need counsel or feel as if I cannot take another step in the right direction. I hear Him in the voice of my Pastor and my brothers and sisters in Christ, when I ask them for help or prayer. Let's face it.....To live like there is no God, makes you a fool!! To believe that you have the power to change someone's life, with magick makes you, not only a fool, but a condemned fool!! Now, when I see myself on that bed, in the darkness...breathing my last breath and those demons come for me.....I scream at them "I was bought by the Blood of Jesus, LET ME GO" and then, I am in the presence of the Almighty and He looks at me and says "Well done, My good and faithful servant.....Welcome Home" I am thankful for that vision, on that night, three years ago. God showed me the way through the little narrow gate that is salvation and now, I walk close to Him. He loves me so very much and so much more abundantly than I ever thought possible. I have freedom now. I am part of something that will never leave me, never forsake me and never let me down. I cannot tell you what to chose!! I cannot make you believe....but know that I pray for you, daily.....and I love you, more than you'll ever know.
Well, today looks as though it's going to be another one of those busy days, for me. I have to go to the gym and work out. Haven't been since last Thursday!! Then I get to pay my phone bill. I have to go to Target and Food 4 Less, to finish the grocery shopping and then I have to go back to the gym for round 2. I am happy though and I feel good!! Well, you all have a good day and love as He loves!!
In Him,
Lisa
Well, today looks as though it's going to be another one of those busy days, for me. I have to go to the gym and work out. Haven't been since last Thursday!! Then I get to pay my phone bill. I have to go to Target and Food 4 Less, to finish the grocery shopping and then I have to go back to the gym for round 2. I am happy though and I feel good!! Well, you all have a good day and love as He loves!!
In Him,
Lisa
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Life on Saturday!!
Good Morning, my faithful friends....
I got up early today! I know, it's Saturday, but I just couldn't sleep and instead of bothering Mark with all of my tossing and turning, I decided to get up and finish a story I started reading, the day before yesterday. Now, I have to start thinking of all of my busy work for the rest of the day. It's the first Saturday of the month, which means Mark and I are off to go visit our good friends Geri and Denise, at the Women's Shelter Thrift Store, in San Andreas. It's sale day!! 50% off of everything. Then we have to go do the laundry (YAY!! NOT!)!! After that, I need to go up to church and practice my duet with Pastor Dave and then Gloria and I need to take some time and get some things done, before tomorrow's potluck! Then we need to go to Sonora and pick up Mark's medication, get Mark's hair cut (Yes, he still has enough hair to cut, thank-you very much!!) and I need to pick up some things at Wal-Mart and Sally's and I want to look for a new pair of sneakers at Payless Shoe Source. And after all of that, I get to come home and cook!! I'm making Blue Bayou Scalloped Potatoes (the exact recipe they use for the potatoes served at the Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland) 24 lbs of Fried Chicken and a vat of Cole Slaw!! I'm tired, just looking at all of this stuff to do!! On days like these, I have to claim Phil 4:13....I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me. Today, I am going to need this verse.
God has been very good to Mark and I, these past few months. Yes, we still have issues with money, but God's given us the will to be satisfied with less and the peace to truly enjoy each other and the things He's already given us. I never knew I could be happier with less, but I am. I have salvation.....the greatest gift, I could ever ask for....I have the love of God and my husband to save me, complete me and make me happy!! I have the warmth of a few quality friendships and the embrace of a wonderful church family to fall into. I have a (somewhat) warm bed to sleep in, at night and a well stocked pantry to cook from. My car runs....It's not the best car in the world, but it runs and it keeps me safe and get's me from point A to point B with only occasional troubles.....What more could I want? Honestly, what more would I even ask for? Mark will sometimes "dream out loud" of all of the things he'd like to do/have, if he should ever win the lotto.....and though it's fun to dream, if we never won a red dime, I could live like this, forever. I know that God is watching and that He will always take care of my needs and give me the desire of my heart. I do have one missing piece in my life and that is the emptiness of being loved by a child....I always wanted to be a mommy, but for me, it's just not what God had planned. I ache sometimes from not being needed that way, but God has given me other ways to mother and when that ache becomes unbearable, I have to look to Him to strengthen me. So friends, when you are at the end of your rope, with your kids.....remember, here sits I, alone and without, dying for the joy that you have in your children!! I would have made a good mommy!!
On my window sill, in my kitchen, the herb seeds that I planted in empty little applesauce cups, are growing!! In a couple of weeks, they'll be big enough to transplant. I am excited for that. I am happy for the rain that we had, yesterday!! It means that we can delay fire season, even if it's only an extra couple of days and it means more forage for the livestock, later in the summer, when things can get kinda lean.
Well, friends, it's been fun, sharing some time and some thoughts with you....I need to get going, though. Mark's alarm has been going off for nearly an hour. I want to leave for San Andreas in a little while, so I'd better go and drag my love outta bed!! Take care my friends and I'll talk to you soon! Love as He loves.
In Him,
Lisa
I got up early today! I know, it's Saturday, but I just couldn't sleep and instead of bothering Mark with all of my tossing and turning, I decided to get up and finish a story I started reading, the day before yesterday. Now, I have to start thinking of all of my busy work for the rest of the day. It's the first Saturday of the month, which means Mark and I are off to go visit our good friends Geri and Denise, at the Women's Shelter Thrift Store, in San Andreas. It's sale day!! 50% off of everything. Then we have to go do the laundry (YAY!! NOT!)!! After that, I need to go up to church and practice my duet with Pastor Dave and then Gloria and I need to take some time and get some things done, before tomorrow's potluck! Then we need to go to Sonora and pick up Mark's medication, get Mark's hair cut (Yes, he still has enough hair to cut, thank-you very much!!) and I need to pick up some things at Wal-Mart and Sally's and I want to look for a new pair of sneakers at Payless Shoe Source. And after all of that, I get to come home and cook!! I'm making Blue Bayou Scalloped Potatoes (the exact recipe they use for the potatoes served at the Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland) 24 lbs of Fried Chicken and a vat of Cole Slaw!! I'm tired, just looking at all of this stuff to do!! On days like these, I have to claim Phil 4:13....I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me. Today, I am going to need this verse.
God has been very good to Mark and I, these past few months. Yes, we still have issues with money, but God's given us the will to be satisfied with less and the peace to truly enjoy each other and the things He's already given us. I never knew I could be happier with less, but I am. I have salvation.....the greatest gift, I could ever ask for....I have the love of God and my husband to save me, complete me and make me happy!! I have the warmth of a few quality friendships and the embrace of a wonderful church family to fall into. I have a (somewhat) warm bed to sleep in, at night and a well stocked pantry to cook from. My car runs....It's not the best car in the world, but it runs and it keeps me safe and get's me from point A to point B with only occasional troubles.....What more could I want? Honestly, what more would I even ask for? Mark will sometimes "dream out loud" of all of the things he'd like to do/have, if he should ever win the lotto.....and though it's fun to dream, if we never won a red dime, I could live like this, forever. I know that God is watching and that He will always take care of my needs and give me the desire of my heart. I do have one missing piece in my life and that is the emptiness of being loved by a child....I always wanted to be a mommy, but for me, it's just not what God had planned. I ache sometimes from not being needed that way, but God has given me other ways to mother and when that ache becomes unbearable, I have to look to Him to strengthen me. So friends, when you are at the end of your rope, with your kids.....remember, here sits I, alone and without, dying for the joy that you have in your children!! I would have made a good mommy!!
On my window sill, in my kitchen, the herb seeds that I planted in empty little applesauce cups, are growing!! In a couple of weeks, they'll be big enough to transplant. I am excited for that. I am happy for the rain that we had, yesterday!! It means that we can delay fire season, even if it's only an extra couple of days and it means more forage for the livestock, later in the summer, when things can get kinda lean.
Well, friends, it's been fun, sharing some time and some thoughts with you....I need to get going, though. Mark's alarm has been going off for nearly an hour. I want to leave for San Andreas in a little while, so I'd better go and drag my love outta bed!! Take care my friends and I'll talk to you soon! Love as He loves.
In Him,
Lisa
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