Prayer...

I am praying
for those in the
Southeast
& thankful
that our families
are accounted for
& fine.

This Christmas....

Today I am an emotional wreck. There are many loved ones who are suffering this Christmas season. I am so sad that so many people are hurting today and during the season of Christ & the beginning of His sacrificial life. We've (my family & I) had such a rough year & I've actually been "in the spirit." After the year we've had, this is the first time this year I've REALLY had something to look forward to. Something big- family, food, giving. The only thing missing are those we've lost, and those we're not near right now.

Then today comes & I keep welling up in tears. It dawned on me a few minutes ago why. I'm excited about Christmas this year, but at the same rate, I feel bad because I know my parents are having a hard time, and at the same time, I'm homesick today. I miss our families.

This year, we've tried to do for others. We've plucked paper angels off the trees at the stores in hopes that a child with little or nothing would smile on Christmas morning. We took food on Thanksgiving to an exchange student (that is now here on a work visa) from Brazil. He hasn't been home, nor has he seen his family in almost 2 years. We're planning on taking him breakfast on Christmas morning as well.

I wish everyone could feel the Joy I have had in my heart, yet I wish the roller coaster I'm on would come to a stop, so that *I* can be Joyful again. I'm praying for those that are hurting.

I pray that all of you that read this, for all those that we love- you have a very blessed Christmas. Know that I am praying for you.

Praise God! It's Sunday!

A huge thanks & some disappointments!

The past few weeks have been an extremely trying time for my family & me. SO many people have come through for me in a way I never thought possible. People I've never met, nor have I talked to on the phone, are still sending their well wishes. Close friends & family still call occasionally to check on me & to ask how my parents are doing. I am so appreciative for those kind hearts.

At the same rate, I've found who my true friends are. I've heard "I want" phrases. From people I know in real life.

Etc, etc.....

I'm saddened to say some of those phrases were not meant.

I'm saddened to have lost some that I thought truly cared.

And then there were those that we parted ways with in the past. Some of them stepped up with offers of prayers, money and other things we needed. And all we'd asked for is prayer.

It is with a heavy AND a joyful heart that I thank those, that in a time of need, came through for not only myself, but my family. Those that sent emails, texts, messages, cards & picked up the phone call & those that prayed. Most have been very patient with me as I adjust to a new chapter in my life, and I appreciate that.

Thank you to those that have been faithful to me, that haven't expected anything out of me, and especially to those that been patient with me.

And to my Hubba, thank you the most! Your love, patience & drive to do what was needed to get me home to the rest of my family. You're still being patient with me, and I need that so! I love you the mostest on Earth forever & always!

Bless you all- those that were there for us AND not.

I needed this today.....

I hope it blesses you as well.

John 14 (King James Version)

¹Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

²In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

⁴And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

⁵Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

⁶Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

⁷If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

⁸Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

⁹Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

¹⁰Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

¹¹Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

¹²Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

¹³And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

¹⁴If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

¹⁵If ye love me, keep my commandments.

¹⁶And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

¹⁷Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

¹⁸I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

¹⁹Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

²⁰At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

²¹He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

²²Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

²³Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

²⁴He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

²⁵These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

²⁶But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

²⁸Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

²⁹And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

³⁰Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

³¹But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

My son, the evangelist....

So we have this friend. She doesn't share the same beliefs we do. She respects ours, even does prayers before meals with us, etc. We're appreciative of that. However, 5 year olds don't understand..... Here's how it went down:


Keenan: Miss Mo? Are you a Christian?


Mo: No, honey, I'm Pagan


Keenan: Oh. Do you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins?


And without taking a breath or letting anyone interrupt......


Because if you believe that God loves you & that Jesus Christ died for your sins, you'll go to Heaven.


The Faith of a mustard seed- PRICELESS!!!

Finding Easter at Walmart

I found this at Homeschool Freebie

Time to regroup.....

Things have really been out of whack for a few months now. I made a decision yesterday that I would be taking a break from internet forums for awhile. The children are sorely lacking a schedule, and quite frankly, so am I. You can still find me on Facebook, here, & I'll be checking my email everyday.
Today I am tackling Mount Washmore, we did our schooling, and I am making a price book. Tomorrow is payday, so I'll be doing some grocery shopping. Since I'm in a new area of the country, I've decided a price book will be a good tool to learn the sales, cycles & prices here. We don't get many coupons in the papers locally, which if you know me- is a BUMMER! I'll be checking out the Denver, Cheyenne, Casper & Laramie papers to find out about their coupons & subscriptions.

I sat on our front porch today, my back to the sun & drank in it's warmth. I'm still amazed every day at the beautiful view God has graced us with....

John 3:20-21 (King James Version)

20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Loving the Lord all.year.round.....

So since yesterday, my Yahoo IM message has read "I'm listening to CHRISTmas music." Today I received a message that really just put a damper on my day. Luckily, after some thought, quick prayer & a talk with one of my best friends, I was able to think more clearly about the situation. The following are the message snippets, as well as my thoughts on loving my Lord, my Jesus, MY SAVIOUR.....

Oh, Kayla, it's much to early to listen to Christmas music. Why just this past Monday was the 1st day of fall. I work part-time at the *store name removed for privacy* and I put out Christmas stuff 2 weeks ago. Pretty soon, there will be no division on seasons or holidays. Everything will just all run together all year, nothing special, nothing really to look forward to cause it, ( the different holidays and seasons) will all be out there for sale, to watch as a DVD, or to listen to. Christmas music is some of the prettiest music I know of and I love it, but in it's place and not so early. I like the anticipation of the different holidays and seasons. I don't want to nor my family to loose the "magic" of celebrating the different holidays, especially Christmas. But hey, that's me and my opionion.

I responded with a short & simple:

It only loses meaning if you let it ;)

Then:

Sorry, I ran out of space. Have fun listening to all the Christmas music you want to. As for me, we are still busy in the garden harvesting okra, tomatoes, bell peppers, etc. So, we don't want to much of a good thing by listening to Christmas music before the real celebration gets here. By then, we'll be tired of it. It won't mean the same. And no, your'e wrong when you say "only if you let it", the meaning is still the same, yes, but the message gets to same ol same ol. And a person gets dulled by it. It creeps in slowly.

I responded with the following, hoping she'd get the message that I didn't really want to talk about my music choices, nor that I cared for the first words she'd spoken to me in months, that they were criticising, upsetting:

We're doing fine, thnx for asking

Her response:

I'm glad y'all are doing fine. I really didn't think you weren't. Now it makes me wonder.... Anyway, I've got to go and do laundry. Too bad that doesn't have a "season" that has an ending. lol talk to you later... Have a Great day.

And mine:

It has been so long since we have spoken and the first words that you offer me are a criticism. Christmas music uplifts my soul. I am not asking you to listen to it, but I enjoy it. I am not offended that you do not like the timing music I choose, but it does hurt that we have not talked for so long, and our first talk is a lecture. Christmas music to me is the same as listening to the gospel, screaming my love for the Lord as loud as I can...... All.year.round. I hope you enjoy your harvest. With our move, we were unable to bring in the full glory of one this year. Good luck geting your chores accomplished today. God bless

I LOVE listening to Christmas music like I do Chris Tomlin, or Casting Crowns. I don't just celebrate His birth ONE .DAY.A.YEAR... I celebrate it every.single.day.of.the.year. I LOVE My Jesus. LOVE Him. He is the reason I am here. He is the reason I have a wonderful Hubba, 3 BEAUTIFUL boys, and He is the reason I have been blessed with SO much!!!

Re-JOY-ce in His birth, His death & the gifts He gave you, every.single.day.of.the.year. Isn't He worth that?

As I was writing this, I am so pleased that my friend came back & asked forgiveness for criticising a fellow sister. I think (hope) we now have an understanding of where the other is coming from. I'll admit, I was stunningly hurt by the words I read. But HE always has other plans. This is one of those things where I get a chance to minister. To come here & tell YOU how I feel, and hopefully in turn, learn..... teach....