My little angels.

Happy New Years

I am looking forward to a new year, last year this time it was just another year to get through, because you see I was doing it without God. I have learned this year that with God all things are possible. He is with me each and every day. He is even present in all my tomorrows, and because of that I am confident he will be with me in whatever situation I am in, and will be there before it ever happens to help me from beginning to end. I am not making any frivolous new year resolutions because I know that they will not be kept, the only goal I have is to draw closer to the Lord, day by day I will lay my worries, cares, and sorrows on Him. He is abundently able to do that which is above what I can think or comprehend. I trust that you will start this year with the goal in mind to draw as close to the Lord as you possibly can, go out of your comfort zone and the joy He gives will be amazing. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing, and remember to always do the will of God.

We have a Heavenly Father above . . .

God put a song in my heart when I needed it most. I have been feeling down, the devil is trying to fight me constantly. Some days the raysof light seem few and far between because of the constant stuggle. I depend on God to get me through these days and he is but today it was like he came to me so strongly, I started singing,"We have a Heavenly Father above with eyes full of mercy and a heart full of love. He really cares when our head is bowed low, consider the lillies and then you will know." I then started to sing the verse,"May I introduce you to this friend of mine, who hangs out stars tells the sun when to shine, he kisses the flower each morning with dew but he's not to busy to care about you." I felt so surrounded with the Lord's presence and started praising God for his help and the help he is going to give me. I know he cares about me, he also cares about you. I don't know everyone who may read this but I do know some and everyones situation is different and we all have different problems in our life but God can take care of each one and give us the grace to go through these difficult times. Praise the Lord for his goodness.

"Give her some air, I think she's coming around." Gasp, "where am I, am I still alive?" I saw such pretty colors flying around heard children laughing, and saying this is what I always wanted and then everything seemed to fade away. They say its December 27th, how did I miss Christmas?

Ok, I know enough, I did survive Christmas, I felt very sleep deprived the whole day because of having worked the day before and was up late finishing up the wrapping that lasted only about 15 minutes the next morning. I guess that was the bright colors flying around. I do remember having the kids sit down and we read the Christmas Story and then I told them what God's gifts to us were. I also remember once when Alex said, " this is what I always wanted". The girls thanked me many times for their Christmas presents and told me it was best Christmas ever. That's what they say every year. It was a nice day and actually got warm about 50 degrees. Emily recieved a "brown" baby doll that is what she told me she wanted. Well she kind've looked at me funny and said why did you get me a brown baby doll, and I said, that's what you said you wanted. You know what that child told me, I was joking. Well she loves that babydoll anyway and takes it everywhere. She did other things too. Megan's favorite is her husky webkinz, and animal set she got. Alex has so many favorites but I think the tool bench was a big hit. Daddy got a new wallet, a belt and fleece lounge pants. My gifts were recieved early and they were a nice warm sweater and some slipper socks. My honey knows I like to stay warm.
All in all it was a nice day and we did play a game at the end. Mexican Train, a favorite we all have learned to love through my dad who would get us to play when we would visit. We also played Charades. These were family Christmas presents that I knew the kids would enjoy.

Remeber to keep Christ first all year long not just at Christmas.

Ok, now maybe I am slightly confused but children aren't really supposed to play in front of the church while there mother is singing, or are they. Well if you must know, this evening we had an all singing service and well I had to sing and Alex had to go up with me because he was just feeling that way it would have been alright if he had just stood by like it started. Anyway's he decided to put on some antics of his own, lying in front of the pulpit climbing on the altar and that else I don't know I just wanted to make it through the song before he climbed the walls the started hanging the light fixtures. Bless Sherilynn she managed to grab him and get him to sit with her. That wasn't the end after my song the kids cames up and sang away in the manger all was going well until Alex decide to start hitting his mic on his mouth. I was wondering where the thumping sound was coming from and then I notice to me dismay. When I tried to redirect him he growled into the mic. He did finally settle down just sing and everyone enjoyed their singing. The service was enjoyable and there was other wonderful music. If I was able to do streaming video or new how to do it I would put on my blog for you to enjoy. Well anyways. This may be my last blog unless I survive Christmas then you will hear from me again.

Oh, by the way when you pray add a friend of mine in and just pray that the devil will be defeated, for he is fighting ever so hard. Thanks and goodnight.

I have a burden on my heart for those who are being led astray by false doctrines. I heard a minister in his message say that the Holy Spirit will not lead you differently than what the Bible tells us but yet so many are professing to know Christ but do not believe the whole Bible. Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. We are suppose to love God with our whole hearts not hold back so we still retain the "right" to live our lives the way we want to. We already are given a free will God cannot force us to believe what we don't want to believe but at the same time if we do not follow the entire Bible and truly listen to God's voice how are we living a victorious life. God led me from a church that did not teach a total surrender to him what it did preach was be involved, join the worship team, help out in the nursery, do all these good works but at the same there was no teaching on being completely surrendered to Christ. You know what happened to me when I surrendered to him he led me to a church that upholds the values that God gave and believes that a true revival starts when we die out to ourselves. Get rid of the carnal nature, if you are willing God will do that for you. I am living proof of this happening, when I look at my day and see how God brought me through it I am amazed. God will be faithful to carry us we just have to let him. My heart is overflowing with joy at how God has worked in my life. He has changed me inside and out. I hope you will give God your all. I pray that the eyes of the world will be opened to these very popular and false teachings.

II Timothy 4:2-3 Preach the word be instant in season, out of season reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.

A couple nights ago we took the kids to Festival of Lights at the zoo. We had a lot of fun looking at the lights, riding the train and checking out the animals. The real highlight of the night was in the reptile house and the zoo keepers trying to take of their animals had been so nice to give the Burmese Python several rats to eat. Well it must have squeezed the life out of them because they weren't looking so lively. Actually it wasn't so great to see but it was a good "science" lessen for the kids. Ok, back to the real reason for this post. The zoo was really beautiful all lit up, Randy treated us to some starbucks hot chocolate and I about went "nuts" smelling the cinnamon pecans. I will just have to make my own it is a bit cheaper that way. The weather was actually not so cold, as long as you dressed warm and kept moving.

Randy and I went christmas shopping and found some really good deals. We have been trying to get Alex a tool bench for the past year but they are so expensive, well we found one at sears 50% off, what find. Alex will be so excited. He loves to be a "workin man" like daddy. I have also been looking for a scanner, copier and printer all in one and well with one of the kids gifts we got one for $19.99. I can also stick my memory card from my camera right into. Well enough telling you all my Christmas secrets. How many days till Christmas? I have lost track I guess I am just enjoying it to much to worry. I am sure I will know when Christmas gets hear, or at least the kids will tell. Ha, Ha. Remember to have a Christ centered Christmas for he is the reason for the season.

Today is another date in time when I think of my dad. It is his birthday. I wish I could call him up to sing him happy birthday. I still miss him very much. Happy Birthday Day Dad.

8 days till Christmas

Only 8 more days, I can hardly believe it. Time is flying by so fast and still am not ready. Today at church the kids had their Christmas program. It was so cute and special because it was the first church program they were in. I did shed a few tears with joy at seeing them participating and singing along with the others. Alex was a little shepherd he was so cute. I did not get pictures because my camera has been missing, and I finally got the girls to locate it for me so I won't miss anymore kodak moments, it was hanging on the tree, wouldn't you know. Here I have looked in their room, underbeds, in drawers and everywhere else over the house.

Emily was updating her Christmas to me and told me, I want a babysister in pink clothes for Christmas. I really don't think that is going to happen right now. She kept telling me I can change its diapers. I do think babies are nice but she might have to wait for her own little girl in pink.

Well I am going to sign off for now I will keep you updated on our Christmas progress.

Is it winter yet?

This the question my kids ask when they out the window and see large snowflakes falling. No its not winter yet but it sure feels like. Actually it makes it feel a little more Christmas with the snow. It is canceling some of our activites but probably not all. The kids didn't get to have their junior church Christmas party today. But I made pancakes and sausage for breakfast and real treat in our house, a favorite all the way around. The pictures you see of the snow are about 2 hours into it and it keeps coming down. It may warm up and turn into rain, hopefully not freezing rain. I don't thing our trees can take another year with freezing rain. I hope you are enjoying your weather wherever you are. And we will try to enjoy our( I know the kids will)

We have had a big day today, Lorinda Frankenberry came over with her girls and we baked cookies all afternoon. The kids ate about half of them, or so it seemed. We did make quite a few and I continued after they left. I was able to make three kinds today, sugar cookies, russian teacakes(my favorite) and gingerbread men. I might make more tomorrow if I have any energy left. I am pretty exhausted, my night wasn't great to begin with. Emily diecided to have a fitful night not condusive to sleeping. Another exciting thing we went to go do today was to see Cincinnati Zoo's festival of lights. Well that didn't happen they just so happened to be closed this evening. They were nice enough to have a young man outside tell everyone who came by. The really sad part is we had really warm weather today, about 60 degrees. The next chance we get to go it will probably be freezing. Oh, well. We still had a fun day. When I get pictures I will share them with you of our fun day. So long.

Thanking God for his protection.

God provided his protection and the strength to stand against a potentially dangerous situation I was in today. I was staying with one of our hospice patients who has had abusive behavior towards our staff and others recently and after spending almost two days with her I felt it had all gone really well. She had been calm and pleasant until about 5:30 today when she decided to take a walk in the nursing facility she is in. I happily held her hand to help her and we took a walk, well little did I know she was on a mission she was trying to find a way down stairs. When she did discover where the door was to the stairway she tried to open and I tried to stop her and then she tried the key pad beside the door and when that didn't work she went for the fire alarm. All the while I am trying to talk her into going back to her room and get ahold of her hands so she can't set the alarm off. Against my best efforts she pulled the alarm and the loud siren only made matters worse she went crazy. Leaning all the way back on me and when the other staff and I got her to her room they left me there with her to get her some medicine to help calm her down it took all the coordination and strength I could muster to keep her from grabbing whatever she could get her hands to hit me with it. I knew my well being was dependent on keeping her hands in mine all the while yelling for help but no one could hear me because the siren was going off. I remember praying when I could remember to and even tried to encourage my patient to pray. After a few minutes, but seemed like hours, someone came in and helped get ahold of her and got her into bed and then gave her a shot of medicine. I was no hero in this, in fact I was shaking like a leaf and thought I was going to have a panic attack but God held me up and I do praise him for his protection. This patient told the facility staff if I could get ahold of her I'd kill her. They, and I truly believe she would too, or anyone who tried to stop her be it staff or another patient. I know that God was watching over me today.

I was working today and the sis-in-law of my pt. was talking about how she had lost her mother 3 months ago yesterday and then it hit me that it was 2 months today that my dad passed away. Sometimes if feels like a life time since I watched him cross over to the other side. The family I was with expressed joy over knowing your loved one is at peace with God and it is wonderful when you know they have made it to heaven. I know how it felt to when dad died and how wonderful it was when God made his presence known to me with assurance that he had made it to the glory land. I will forever remember that. I think at this time that is what stands out to me the most. I feel such a longing to call and share with him the joys of my life and I do get sad thinking about him and how much I miss him. I will cherish the memories and think of them often and, and tell my children how my father led a life of godliness before me and the legacy he has left us.

Well, we managed to get our tree up. It is bright and colofully lit and decorated with a lot of homemade decorations. I love it. The kids did most of the decorating and as you can see Alex discovered how to reach the top, so thankfully the tree was decorated from top to bottom and not just the bottom half. Christmas is so special to me this year because I can provide the kids 'with the true story, from my heart, of Christmas and Jesus' birth. I am hoping that somehow I can show Randy how important Jesus is to us and why he is more improtant than anything in the world. No sporting event can rival him. I am so glad I have given him my heart and surrendered my will to his.

Does your heart just sing when you know God is at work. I have had so many revelations this week as how God works in our lives. One of which come from reading the deviontionals from "My Utmost For His Highest", and what I realized is we are able be the most for God, we just have to be willing to let God do the work. Megan is so open to learning what God wants from us and I have been having many battles with her will lately and last night I was reading a children's version of this devotional book and I tried to explain to her that God was able to help us do anything even overcome our anger and frustrations and be able to handle things calmly. I think I was able to plant this seed in her mind and heart. Another thing I have learned is to completely lean on the Lord for an upcoming situation. The song on my heart is "Faith Is The Victory", and I truly believe that. I know that God is able, all things work out for good, and his grace is sufficient. I love the Lord with my whole heart, he is leading me down a wonderful path of holiness.