Five on Friday

By the Numbers:

5 - number of loads of laundry I did in the last 2 days

4 - bottles of Gatorade we went through in last 2 weeks

3 - number of days I did not leave my house

2 - trips to the hospital this week

1 - quilt that needs to be dry cleaned

Thank you all for your prayers. My family is finally healthy again. It's been a rough 2 weeks, but God is faithful and maybe this was his way of slowing us down from the hectic pace that is our lives.

Have a blessed weekend

If Not For Your Grace

Enjoy this video of Israel Houghton's "If Not For Your Grace" which is one of my favorite worship songs.



Where would I be
If not for your grace
Carrying me
In every season
Where would I be
If not for Your grace
You came to my rescue
And I want to thank You
For Your grace
Grace like a river

Grace that restores
Grace that redeems
Grace that releases
Me to worship
Grace that repairs
Visions and dreams
Grace that releases
Miracles
Your grace

America's Funniest Videos - Friend or Foe

A couple of weeks ago, the TV was on and AFV (America's Funniest Videos) came on. A "wholesome" family show or so I thought. I don't watch this particular show very often, but it does make me laugh... usually at someone else's expense.

Well, Chris was sitting there watching with us and he was horrified or maybe he was captivated by the ridiculous things people were doing...and getting laughed at for it. The more I watched the show, I kept saying to myself...oh my goodness.. just watch Chris start trying some of these stunts. I found myself adding a disclaimer to each and every clip such as "Now honey, we don't spit food into other people's soup bowls" and "we never jump that high on a trampoline" along with several "never, ever attempt to do that". The scary thing is that he likes to play back this show on our TiVo now so he can give you the play by play. I'm just waiting people....

I'll Believe It When I See It... or Will I?

We live in a society where the phrase, "I'll believe it when I see it!" is often used. We need visual proof sometimes in order to believe and trust in things that are being told to us. I know I've used this phrase many times in my life. But, as a Christian, can we use this phrase when dealing with our needs? I don't think so. To truly follow Christ we need to believe it sometimes before we see it. That's faith. Knowing he is more than able to do whatever it is that you are asking for. Believing that even though you don't feel anything happening, or see anything in the natural happening, that he has heard you and, in His time, your need will be met. He never sleeps or slumbers. Now, He may not give you the answer you were expecting, but he answers every prayer... Yes, No, Wait.

God's just been putting this on my heart. Live each day believing before I see it and giving Him glory all along the way.

Mark 11:23 - "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him."

E/R

We've had quite the weekend ! Yesterday we wound up in the E/R with our 5 year old son. We discovered that he was dehydrated (he had the stomach virus for 4 days) and decided to take him to the hospital. Although we've been to the E/R for various things in the past, it was never for our son. So, yesterday, he put on his brave face and was such an awesome patient. He didn't even scream when they put the I/V in him. Poor thing was so weak and, as a parent, there's just nothing worse then seeing your child suffer.

He's doing better now although we have to monitor him closely for the next day or so. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and love. Especially to my brother and his family who got my emotional call first thing yesterday morning and calmed me down with prayer.

I have so much to post about and I'm hoping things will calm down soon so I can share all the wonderful things God is doing here.

Healing Rain

My little guy is still sick with the stomach virus (which I had earlier in the week). Please keep him in prayer.

Thought I'd post Michael W. Smith's Healing Rain video for you enjoy. Have a blessed weekend.

What Do You Have?

I came across this great poem by Max Lucado in one of my devotionals:

You have a ticket to heaven no thief can take,
An eternal home no divorce can break.

Every sin of your life has been cast to the sea,
Every mistake you've made is nailed to the tree.

You're blood-bought and heaven-made.
A child of God-forever saved.

So be grateful, joyful - for isn't it true?
What you don't have is much less than what you do.

Kid Funny

While getting ready this morning, Chris comes into the bathroom and had this exchange with me:

"Mommy, you are handsome"

"Handsome? Women are pretty and beautiful. Don't you mean I'm beautiful?"

"No, you're handsome."

"Why is Mommy handsome and not beautiful? Is it because of what I'm wearing? (sweatpants and sweatshirt, glasses instead of contact lenses and my hair and makeup not done).

"Yes, mommy. You're handsome today. Maybe later you'll be beautiful."

Nice......

Whisper

You ever have one of those days when the Lord wakes you up early and you feel the need to pray? That happened to me today at 5:00. Prayed for a while and went back to sleep. When I woke up at 7:00 am I went about my morning activities, but I felt the Lord whispering to me to stop what I was doing and get down on my knees. So, not sure why I was praying or who I was praying for, but I got down and prayed yet again. I covered a lot of friends and family in those early morning prayers. I may never know the reason for today's prayers. I'm not writing this to brag about how I obey God's voice, because the truth is I'm sure I've missed it more than once. I just hope this encourages you to listen to the gentle voice of the Lord prompting you throughout your day -- whether it's to pray for someone or maybe call someone.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Under the weather...

I have the stomach virus that's been going around. Luckily, it's just me and not my hubby and son. Please keep me in prayer that I will be back on my feet soon!! You know that it's hard for mommies to be out of commission.

A HUGE thank you to my father-in-law who lovingly stayed here with me and Chris today and tended to Christopher all day so I could rest. I couldn't have married into a better family!! XOXO

Happy Valentine's Day

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken... Isaiah 54:10

Hope everyone has a wonderful, loved-filled Valentine's day with your family and friends. My husband is working today but is taking me out for dinner tonight. I am blessed to be able to spend today with Steve's Dad and Sister and of course my wonderful little guy. Be sure to tell those important people in your life that you love them and maybe reach out to a friend or two who may have lost a loved one this year to let them know that they are loved today.

The beauty of the following song is that it not just applies to earthly love, but to our Saviour who gave his life for us. This song is dedicated to my wonderful and loving husband who, although has been working extremely long hours this week, has taken the time to lovingly attend to my wounds each day. Not every man would help you clean and apply medicine and band-aids to 30 wounds. I love you Steve!!

Security

This morning while putting away some sheets in Chris' room, he stumbled upon his beloved "lovies". They are just his cotton receiving blankets from when he was a baby which became his security blankets. He loved those little cotton blankets and helped him through every cry and "growing pain" he encountered as a little one. He had stopped "needing" them long ago but oh the joy on his face when he came across them again. He was hugging them, sniffing them and just so excited to see these familiar friends.

It made me stop to think about security blankets. What or who do we run to and cling to in the hard times? When we are struggling and need some comfort do we run to the Lord or do we cling to something here on earth or to someone else? Just food for thought.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

One for the books

I had to stock up on band-aids after yesterday's episode. In fact, I used every band-aid we had and "borrowed" some of Chris' Curious George ones as well (he doesn't know about that yet). Anyway, while I was putting away my supplies in our upstairs bathroom, I hear little guy calling for me to come downstairs. So, I replied back down to him that I was just finishing up putting away some supplies and I would be right down.

Next thing I know, he appears in the bathroom with hands on his hips exclaiming to me "Mom, you need to come the first time I call you." That is a line I use on him all the time. I usually have to call him several times (depending on the activity that he is dreading) before he makes his appearance. So, I guess it's fair game in his eyes... if I have to come the first time Mommy calls me then she should have to come the first time I call her too. I gently explained that Mommy had a valid reason why she had to finish her task and that Mommy always responds to his requests in a timely manner.

Ah the joys of parenting.

The Butcher of Chester

Because I have such fair skin, I go to the dermatologist at least once a year to have my skin examined and any atypical moles removed. Years of burning in the sun in hopes of a tan has left me with more than one scar from moles that have been removed over the years.

So, now that I'm in NJ, I sought out a new dermatologist and went in for a routine exam. I figured he would just look at my skin, ask about my history and maybe remove one or two questionable moles for a biopsy. Boy was I wrong. The guy examined me alright and proceeded to remove about 25 moles for biopsy. I knew I was in trouble when he ran out of the Alphabet. He was reading out measurements and locations to his assistant so she could document it. He literally made it all the way from A to Z and wasn't even done. To make it worse, the novacane he gave me before he took off the moles burned me like crazy. I was crying because of the pain. He tried to lighten the mood and asked me what was worse.. giving birth or this. I told him in no uncertain terms that this was worse... I had a c-section and that was nothing compared to the pain I felt. I am now covered from head to toe with bandaids that need to be dressed and changed every day for the next two weeks... most of them in hard to reach places. Not to mention having a 5 year old bounce on you all day.

When I went to Nursery School to pick up Chris, I must have been a real sight because some of the mom's were asking if I was okay. Grant it I had no make up on (you can't wear make up when going to a dermatologist who needs to see all your blemishes) and secondly, he removed a cyst from the corner of my eye so I have a very unsightly bruise there. One of the mom's asked me which doctor I went to and when I told her his name she exclaimed, "Oh.. the Butcher of Chester (the town of Chester)." She goes to him too and loves him. He's very proactive in removing moles she told me. No kidding... and the best part is ... I get to go back in two weeks for some more fun and games. Maybe next time he will only have to use half the alphabet.

Better safe then sorry!!

I Needed This Today

I'm posting a video today ... It's called Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns. It's been on my heart today. Sometimes it's hard to praise God through the storms of life (I found that true especially after my Mom died. I couldn't worship in church for a while). But, I'm determined to lift my hands and praise him for who he is, no matter what my situation. Hope this song will speak to you too.

Oh Boy...

I guess what has transpired over the last few days was only to be expected since we've been to two funerals since the beginning of the year. We've talked a lot about death, heaven and how to properly behave at a funeral. I'm not sure all of our talks are quite sinking into our 5 year old. When he learned we were going to attend another funeral, his first response was "Yeah... a funeral" in his cutest, most high pitch voice. Not exactly the reaction I was expecting. In his short experience, he has learned that mommy packs his "Cars" back-pack with all kinds of snacks and entertainment material ranging from coloring books, playing cards and anything else that will keep him quiet enough to sit through a funeral service. So, for him, it sounds like fun I guess. Most funeral homes have a large room and sometimes an overflow area which is where Chris likes to hang out. He feels that's the "kids room".

Well today I was putting away laundry upstairs in our bedrooms and heard him talking to his stuffed animals as follows:

"Hi animals. Welcome to Christopher's funeral room (his bedroom). You three animals go on the blue pillow which is heaven. The rest of you sit on the white pillow and then we will sing some songs. There is no loud talking allowed and no running around."

It's so amazing what kids take away from their experiences....

Family Tree

There seems to be confusion with some of my family members when it comes to identifying who they are in the family tree. This was first realized many years ago when visiting my Opa and Oma Nettie's church in Whiting, NJ one Sunday morning. At the end of the service, my Opa was introducing us (my Dad and Mom, my brother, my sister and myself) to a group of friends. He introduced all of us by name and my Dad extended his hand to the gentleman and said, "Hi, I'm Joe... I'm the grandson." We were like WHAT?!?!? You're not the grandson, you're the son-in-law. My brother Stephen is the grandson. Needless to say we all had a hearty laugh over that one. To this day we'll tease my Dad at random with "I'm the Grandson!" and always get a laugh.

Well, apparently this trait has spread to future generations. Yesterday, while at the Post Office, my son introduced himself to the postal worker as follows: "Hi, I'm Christopher and this is my wife, Beth". I about fell over. I exclaimed, "Chris, I'm your Mommy, not your Wife." He heard Steve introduce me as his wife to one of his co-workers earlier in the day, so Chris figured that was the way to go. It was very cute. Don't worry - we've gotten it straightened out now.

Reflection

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11

I love this verse. I memorized it while on a mission trip to Canada, back when I was a youth leader at Bethlehem Church. It was a life changing mission trip. I took a week's vacation to spend it with the teenagers from our church and one in Canada. We worked in soup kitchen, did evangelism in the parks and held special rallies and services. It was quite out of my comfort zone, and quite rewarding. Some people thought I was crazy to spend my precious vacation time on something that was not at all relaxing and with teenagers. (I was about 23 or 24 at the time) It was exhausting for sure, but it was time with God, time for him to work in my life and prepare me for the challenges that were ahead of me.

This verse has been with me ever since and is something I strive for daily. It's easy for people to have zeal or passion for things of this earth (sports, the quest for money, etc.) or for a person...but what about a zeal for the Lord and for serving Him?

Words To Live By

This poem was found in Oma Nettie's dresser...

Lord, let me take time to see the flowers that grow by the side of the road,
Let me take time to lend a hand that will lighten another's load.

Let me take time to hear the sounds of happy children at play,
Let me take time to visit a friend who might be lonely today.

Let me take time to share my thoughts with those who are dear to me,
And let me take time for a quiet hour to spend, Lord, alone with Thee.

We're Back

Sorry I've been out of touch for several days. A good friend of my husband's side of the family passed away and we've been in Brooklyn the last several days attending the funeral. Thankfully, she was a born again Christian and we rest assure knowing that she is now with the Lord.

So, I hope to be back to posting tomorrow. Hope you missed me :o)