Luke 3:11 - Part 1

Starting in 1997 and continuing until a few years ago (when we moved), every Christmas my husband Greg would get together with a group of men in Greenville and participate in what they called the Christmas Blessing. These men would come together and donate money to be given to people they felt God was leading them to. Some years they collected a pretty substantial amount of money. They always prayed over how much each of them were to personally donate, and then they prayed about where to go to disperse the money.

Greg always came home with the most amazing stories of what God had done on their trips. They always seemed to be led in the just the right direction - to just the right person. They often ended up in a Waffle House restaurant where they would heavily tip a single mom waitress trying to raise several children by herself; and then secretly watch through the window as she found the money. They watched many happy dances through the Waffle House window.

They also often visited the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville and there was never a shortage of needy families there. They always prayed with the person and shared Christ with them too. They were planting seeds of hope.

One year, one of the men had been called to jury duty. In a conversation with the bailiff, he explained what the Christmas Blessing was, and asked did he know of anyone they could bless. The man excitedly answered yes and provided the name and address of a woman who was disabled and whose husband had just recently lost his job. They had no income whatsoever.

As Greg and the guys finally found this lady's house, they found her on the porch with the lights on almost as if she were waiting on them. When they came up and introduced themselved, she quickly invited them into her home. This seemed rather strange to them as most people would not invite a group of men who were total strangers into their home. (Did I mention this was around 11pm at night)

As they began to talk, they asked why she was on the porch. "I was waiting on you" she replied. "I had been praying to God to send some help and I know he always sends his angels to help me. You men are my angels." They had a great talk with the lady, prayed with her and gave her some money too.

Greg always said he was the one who really received the blessing on these trips and in turn our whole family received a blessing, because it was always the topic of conversation at the Christmas dinner table. We couldn't wait to hear what God had done.

To Be Continued...

I'm Back...At least for this post

So I know it has been forever since I posted. I told you guys back in September though that the first of October would start a downhill ball rolling so fast that I wouldn't be able to keep up... and it did. November came and went so fast and here it is almost half way way through December already. Where did the time go?

In November, both kids were sick and Thanksgiving traveling happened. Then, poof the month was gone. We did get an entire week off school for Thanksgiving which was glorious... but we traveled the whole time. I am just now catching up with the laundry.

I kept reading all these posts about all the things that everyone was thankful for and I really had lots of thoughts about all of the many things that I am thankful for too, but I never got them put down on paper or on the computer screen. Maybe next year.

December has also been very busy. We finally got the Christmas trees up this past weekend, a job that I have been trying to complete since the day after Thanksgiving. We have already had tons of birthday parties, Christmas parties, special church programs and musicals to attend this month - about 12 I think and since it is just the 10th, that tells you how busy we have been.

In the midst of all of the running around though, I have really tried to stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas and to emphasize it to my children too. I don't want the month of December to feel so hurried and rushed that I miss it. I already feel like I sort of missed Thanksgiving. I want to savor the sweetness of the holidays and the wonders of His love and linger in this special time of year.

So, I am hoping the next two weeks will slow down and we will just enjoy sitting around the living room with the lights down and the Christmas tree lights twinkling, baking cookies and filling the house with their sweet aroma and wrapping gifts to put under the tree. Maybe even doing some shopping, but not with a list. Just shopping to enjoy the decorations and the people watching and the Christmas music playing in the background.
And, watching Christmas movies - It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite. And of course, we have to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolf, Frosty and The Grinch and throw in a little The Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3 and Home Alone. I could probably watch movies from now until Christmas.

Also, I want to spend some more time just talking about the true Christmas story with my Children. We are reading several story book versions and starting Adornaments on the 12th.
Our pastor has been talking about Christmas traditions during church, and one of ours is to record one of the grandparents reading the Christmas story from the Bible and The Night Before Christmas each year with our kids. It is neat to go back and look at those videos and see how much they have grown. Watching those videos really makes you feel like time flies.

And, it is flying right now. I've got to get ready for tomorrow. I hope to stay a little more current with posts for the rest of the month... but I'm not promising anything.

Sweet Blessings,
Amy

Trying to catch up

I know I said in my last post that I would tag someone soon, but everyone I know that blogs has already been tagged, so maybe as my blog world expands, I will tag someone else.

It's been awhile since I posted, but things are still as busy as ever. I took a quick unexpected trip to Los Angeles this past weekend to speak at an Epilepsy Advocate event. They called on Monday of last week to see if I was available. Even though I had originally planned to be home and catch up on laundry, cleaning and writing, I agreed to go. I flew out on Friday and back on Sunday. The turnout for the program was great. I got to spend some time just relaxing and catching up on Bible Study without interruption in the hotel on Saturday after I spoke. There is nothing like a good bubble bath and nap with no interruptions to rest the body and the soul. Hopefully this week I can catch up on all of that other stuff - including blogging.

Halloween was fun for our family. Greg's parents came to visit and went to Mary Lyndsey and Spencer's schools to tell stories. The kids loved it. The kids also dressed up for favorite book character day at school on Wednesday and then we all dressed up a familly on Wednesday night to go to the church carnival and trick-or-treating. Pictures are below. The kids were adorable I thought, even if I do say so myself. Our family also won the costume contest in our neighborhood. I still can't believe I conned Greg into dressing up. Miracles never cease.

Mary Lyndsey and Spencer as Gigi - God's Little Princess and Will - God's Mighty Warrior

Our family as the Wizard of Oz. Mary Lyndsey loved her red ruby slippers.

More to come later once I have caught up on some things.

I've been tagged

I know I haven't posted in forever but in my defense I have either had company or been out of town since Oct. 11. I have lots to tell about my trips from the Rockies to the Smokies and everything in between. God is so good and so many good things have happened to me in the last two weeks I can't wait to tell about them and hopefully post some pics, but for tonight, I am going to just post the answers to being tagged by Amanda. I hope to post about my trip and some pictures after Halloween.

Here goes:
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Waitress at various restaurants (Pizza Hut, Voyager's View, Ryans, Capri's etc.)
2. Craft demonstrator at a scrapbook/stamp store.
3. Preschool and College Teacher
4. Orientation and Leadership Director

Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. Facing the Giants
3. Defending Your Life
4. Sleepless in Seattle

Four TV shows I like to watch:
1. Heroes
2. Jericho (it it will ever start back)
3. Lost
4. American Idol

Four places I have vacationed:
1. Hawaii
2. Cancun
3. Greece
4. Disney World

Four favorite dishes:
1. Pizza
2. My mom's fried chicken with potato salad
3. My grandmothers turkey and dressing
4. My father in law's chili with cornbread on a cold day

Four websites I visit frequently but not daily:
1. My blog
2. My friend's blogs
3. Bible Gateway
4. Faith Lifts

Four places I would rather be:
1. On a beach
2. In a mountain cabin
3. On a cruise
4. Scrapbooking with friends (also in conjuction with any of the above.)

Four bloggers I am tagging:
I have to think about this one. Will post who is tagged soon.

Sweet Blessings,
Amy

Not Enough Time

Ok, so the clock is ticking away. Carol and I leave for the Glorieta Writer's Conference in New Mexico on Tuesday of next week, and there are a thousand things that need to be done before departing. I haven't quite finished the manuscript for my children's book I will be pitching, nor do I have my book proposal finished or about 10 other things that need to be done specifically for the conference. Not to mention all of the "normal" duties that I have to get done - you know the house will not clean itself, as much as I wish for one of those Smart Houses like on the DCOM (For those of you without children this is a Disney Channel Original Movie) and the laundry will not wash itself either. Although I am thankful that with my fairly new washer, I no longer have to listen to see when the rinse water comes in and it is time to put in softner, I can put everything in when I start it and forget about it until I hear the beep.

So enough rambling. I really know in my head that I just need to give control of everything that needs to get done to God and what happens will be the right thing, but that is easier said than done. This whole concept of not enough time to do everything has really been in my head the last few days. I kept saying over and over, "Lord, there just isn't enough time." Then, a few days ago, just as I was complaining to God about this, a Chris Tomlin song came on the radio that said "Time is in His hands."

Well of course I thought. Time is in His hands. He created it. He makes things happen at just the right time. And, He has control over it just as He does everything else. There is even a specific example in the Bible in Joshua 10 where God makes the sun stand still so that Joshua and his men could complete the battle they were fighting. The past few days I have wished He would make the sun stand still and give me more hours in the day to complete everything I have to get done. It is a battle in a sense. I am trying to do everything "as unto the Lord" and the enemy is doing everything he can to stop me.

My problem is/was that I am just not using my time in the way He intended completely. My Bible study homework this week used the verse from Malachi 3:10 to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. That doesn't just mean money... it means time too. He wants us to give the first, most important part of our day to Him and then He will pour out His blessings upon us. I questioned if I am giving enough time to Him. Are there things that are taking up my time that I could cut out. (TV for example... even Heroes). If I am puttinng those things before Him, then no wonder I don't have enough time.

When I put Him first, He pours out blessings on me - even the blessing of more time. Things don't seem to take as long to complete and run more smoothly. I might catch every green light on the way to school instead of every red one. He just has a way of giving back to you what you give to Him - including time. And, He not only will give it back, it will be overflowing.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Malachi 3:10 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Lord, help me to remember that time is in your hands and to put you first in everything.

Sweet Blessings,
Amy

The Writing on The Wall

As I walked into the guest room of my Mother-in-love's house, I saw it. There on the wall was not just a small mark that might possibly stand a chance to be erased with Mr. Clean's magic eraser, but a huge, multicolored swirl of art that only a 3 year old that had gotten too quiet and not been checked on could create. My heart ached as it skipped a beat. I called to my daughter in the other room. "Mary Lyndsey, could you come here please?" I heard little footsteps running down the hall towards me. "Yes mommy," she said in the sweetest voice imaginable as she came in to the room. "Did you do this?" I asked. I knew full well she had, but I wanted to see if she would make a bad situation worse by lying about it. She dropped her head. "Yes mommy," she said, "but I didn't mean to. I was playing and I wanted to draw but I couldn't find any paper."

It was at this moment that my Mother-in-love entered the room. "Don't fuss at her," she said. "We've already dealt with it, besides it will come off." "It will not come off," I retorted. "It's permanent marker!" "Then we will cover it with paint" she said.

"When did this happen anyway?" I asked. "Oh a few days ago," she replied. "We weren't going to tell you about it because she had already asked me for forgiveness so we weren't going to bring it back up again." I wasn't quite sure how to respond to her. "Did you punish her?" I asked. I wanted to be sure she had learned a lesson.

My daughter had gotten carried away in her playing and because she didn't want to stop what she was doing to look for paper, she had ended up doing something wrong. As I considered this, I wondered how many times I had gotten carried away in what I was doing and didn't stop so I ended up doing something wrong too?

Sometimes we feel like our sin is in permanent marker - it won't come off. But Jesus says that He washes us white as snow and covers our sin with His blood kind of like the paint could cover the wall. We would never know that the permanent marker had been there once it's covered with paint. And Jesus doesn't remember our sin - it's like it was never there once it's covered with His blood.

Do we sometimes try to bring our past mistakes back up over and over again? God says that if you have asked for forgivness, that it's been dealt with and there is no need to bring it up again.

The good thing about this situation was that when confronted with her sin, my daughter told the truth. She admitted she had done wrong and had already asked her GrandJudy for forgiveness. Do we face the truth and admit our wrong, or make matters worse by trying to cover our sin up? It doesn't work when we try to cover it ourselves - only the blood of Christ can cover it.

Things to Do, Places to Go, People to See

Ok, I know I haven't posted in like 10 days, but I warned you. October is like starting at the top of the mountain and rolling down picking up speed until the end of the year. We have been extremely busy. Both of my advocate events went well. I spoke to a training class at UCB Headquarters on Monday and got to share Spencer's story. People always ask how we made it through that situation. I love it when they do because I get to tell them about my faith.

On Wednesday, I was at a studio filming a webisode that will be on the Epilepsy Advocate website in November. I will post when it airs so everyone can check it out. After going through wardrobe, hair and make-up and sitting in front of cameras for 6 or 7 hours, trying to answer questions for an interview that will last 1 hour and hearing "Cut - She has a fly away hair or her makeup is shiny", I've determined that all teenage girls should be forced to attend a photo or video shoot to see that people don't really look like they do in pictures or on TV. It is all an illusion. Except for the 10 pounds heavier I looked on camera. That part was unfortunately real.

Last Thursday we had Mary Lyndsey's birthday party at Build a Bear. She had a great time and when we got home it looked like Christmas in our living room with all of the toys. (I told you Christmas was popping up everywhere). We also celebrated her birthday on Saturday in Greenville with my family and Greg's family. Greg's family has the tradition of the birthday person picking the restaurant we go to to celebrate. Mary Lyndsey picked Olive Garden. No arguments from me. She is a girl after my own heart. My parents and grandmother met us too. My mom made Mary Lyndsey a Barbie Doll Birthday Cake. She loved it. Picture is above but I couldn't figure out how to flip it. Just turn your head sideways LOL.

On Friday afternoon, I went Apple Picking at Niven's Apple Farm in Greenville with my good friend Alicia. I should say we went to the Apple Farm to take pictures. There were no apples to be picked. The drought and weather has gotten to all of them. But, we got some really cute pictures. (Also above, because I couldn't figure out how to move them and I got frustrated.)

Spencer did not win his election on Friday but seemed to be okay with it. We had many discussions prior to the election that if he didn't win it just meant that God had something better planned for him. If I could always remember this lesson when I don't get what I want it would be great. Many of the things I am trying to teach my children, I am still trying to learn myself.

I am working on my children's book to take to the Glorietta Christian Writer's Conference Oct 16-21. That is the other reason I haven't posted. I've been trying to write as much as possible. Wish my luck and pray for me that I can learn the lesson mentioned above if nothing comes of this little adventure.

I have lots more to say, but will save it for a future post. It's late and I need to get to bed so I can get up early and not be late for church in the morning (That was for you Amanda).

Sweet Blessings,

Amy