My ABC's

I saw this somewhere, and it looked like fun!

A, AGE, 28

B, Bed Size, Queen

C,Chore you hate, dishes and taking out the trash

D, Dog, not yet, but 2 turtles

E, Essential start to your day, being woken up by a 3 year old saying"Mommy will you go potty with me?"

F, favorite color, Greenish Blue

G, Gold or Silver, Silver

H, Height, 5' 3

I, Instrument you play , none currently but I used to play trumpet in the school band

J, Job Title, Wife and Mommy

K, Kids, Ethan. Charlotte, Caden, and Zoey

L. Live, In Missouri

M, Mothers name, Pam

N, Nicknames, Jessie, Juice,Babe, Mama, Mommy, Hey Mom

O, Overnight Hospital Stays. 3 kids, multiple stays for Pneumonia and Bronchitis as a kid

P, Pet peeve , Lying

Q, Quote from a movie ""Count on it, Pee-drinking Crap face!" from the Sandlot. I know it's totally gross, but I crack up everytime that part comes on.

R, Right or left handed, Right

S, Siblings, Becky , Bro in law Dave, and Danny. Jennifer and Sarah, Bros in law Tony and Tim. Josiah, Sis in law Sarah Jill, Ben, Sis in Law Alyssa, Caleb, Matthew, Very Soon to Be Sis in Law Joanna, Simeon, Rebekah, and Abigail.

T, Time you wake up, 8-8:30ish

U, Umbrella?? No, too much else to carry

V, Vegetables you dislike, Green Beans

W, What makes you run late?

X, X- rays you've had. Besides Ultrasounds, I dont think any

Y, Yummy foods you make, Yes, Virginia, there is a great Meatloaf, Sugar cookies

Z, Zoo, favorite animal, The Seals

I Heart FlashMobs

I do.

I think they're wonderful.

In honor of all my new friends, here is a short list of other things I like:

flannel sheets.

those tiny white pumpkins.

Herbal Essences Rose Hips Shampoo. I don't think they make it anymore though, :(

sprinkles.

The Franz Family.

fried rice.

Violins. I wish I could play them.

Home decorating magazines (its all just wishful thinking-My house looks only slightly better than when I moved in 6 years ago)

season-appropriate candles.

hockey. Ice or roller.

Christmas trees.

shredded cheese.

word games and spelling.

grocery shopping.

Pride and Prejudice.who doesn't?

break dancing.unfortunately I have the rhythm of a paper sack.

tootsie rolls. but for some reason, they always remind me of halloween, which I dont like.

the state fair because its fun and it smells like cows.

that irridescent kind of glass-whats that called?

bonfires

giraffes

and

these pictures:

Memorial Box Monday- The Gas Station

So this is a story from a long time ago, like still in college-old. Like oh my goodness- 8 years! haha where does the time go?

It is a story that I haven't told many people, because it is pretty personal to me, but there is no time like the present, right? So here it goes...

This was at the time I was still going to school down in the Ozarks. At that time, Jeremiah and I were dating and I wasn't yet a Christian, which is a pretty important part of the story.

Since I lived about 4 hours away at the time, I would drive home most weekends to see my family, but mostly to see Jeremiah. Yes, I knew I loved him and we had only been dating for about 3-4 months, so I really really missed him.

One Friday in September, I was driving along my usual route, and I was at a stretch of road that was really in the middle of nowhere, as I remember it. It was mostly a farming community, but there was a little tiny gas station that I would pass with these huge carved statues of animals- bears and something else, I can't remember.

So this day, I was driving and listening to the radio and all of a sudden I felt the Lord say

"Pull in here."

I believe that God still speaks to us. Maybe not audibly, but I have felt Him speak to my heart so powerfully that I cannot ignore it.

But back then, I didn't quite know what it was. So I kept driving.

When I was just about to reach the entrance to that little gas station, and I was thinking about how funny those animal statues were, I felt it again. And I tell you what, it rocked my insides.

"Pull in here now!"

And I couldn't ignore it. I felt like I had absolutely no choice but to pull into the gas station. It felt like I just could not possibly keep going straight. I had to turn in. So I did.

I went in and I felt really silly because I had no idea what I was doing there. I walked around, hoping that the girl behind the counter didn't think I was casing the place. Finally I bought a drink and a candy bar or something.
The girl at the counter was beautiful. I remember that even now. She had really dark, long hair.
As I was walking back through the door, she said,

"Be careful out there."

Who says that at a gas station?

So I just got back in the car and pulled out of the parking lot, still kind of weirding out over the whole thing. And then I drove out on to the road and immediately after you get on the road at that spot there is a little hill that dips down into a sort of valley I guess you could call it, and then the road goes up again.

And it was as I came over that little hill that I realized what had just happened to me. If I had kept on going, I would have been hit by a truck that had come across both lanes and plowed into a fence on the shoulder of my lane. It was a very serious wreck for the truck. The police weren't there yet, but someone had stopped and was calling 911.

I knew at that second that if I had not pulled over I probably would have been killed. I started to just shake and I couldn't even help it.

For a long time before that happened, I had been testing the waters of Jesus, really just trying to figure out what He was all about, what the Bible said and meant, and I know my friends at school had been praying for my salvation. But after that event, I really understood that if I had died then, I would have been helpless to enter into Heaven. And it all came together that I needed Jesus more than anything in the whole world, because I was a sinner. Everything I did was not enough to make me a Good Person. Every "good" thing I did didn't count in the end, unless I allowed Jesus to transform me into a living sacrifice for Him, and cover me with His righteousness, which was His blood which He gave up in my place, for my sins.

I think that is why God spoke to me that day so powerfully that I can still hear His voice today, shouting to me, saving me from that wreck, and working in a mighty way to save me from an eternity apart from Him.

So, I still don't have a memorial box yet, but when I get one, I will put in a piece of a toy fence to remind me of God's timing and to listen when He speaks.

Stuff That Makes Me Mad

I've been going through the house the last couple of days, trying to see what I can find to put in our second yard sale. With all the donations, it has the potential to be bigger than the first, and I really want to, you know, make it all that it can be.

But I'm afraid I'm being taught a lesson in this.

And I really don't like that. It goes against my very nature as a human being.

I don't know about you but I really

really

like my stuff.

My books

My clothes

My DVDs

My trinkets

My cooking things ( and really, who am I kidding?)

My sewing stuff

My decorations

Thats the good and the bad of being an American I suppose.

So.Much.Stuff.

Just last week I was walking through the house and it felt like I could hardly breathe for all the clutter, but when I was ready to find things to get rid of, there wasn't a single thing that came to mind. I wanted it all.

Isn't that sad?

I've been praying about that. You know, trying to work through my attachment issues...and of course, God showed up.

I read this post tonight.

Maybe you don't like links. You won't like this one either. I hated it, because it made me feel like a whiny, petty, spoiled American brat.

Read it.

I dare you.

And then tell me if I'm wrong for thinking that Americans are the most selfish people on the planet.

Because I don't think I am wrong. I am exhibit A on that one.

I get cranky when the air conditioning isn't as cool as I think it should be.

I get a little annoyed when they get my order wrong at the drive-thru.

I don't like generic chocolate.

I mean, really.

I feel sick just writing that little paragraph up there.

And there is no one to blame but myself. I can choose to be different. You can choose to be different. We are a nation blessed by God and yet we pervert those blessings to serve ourselves instead of others. When Jesus said "Love your neighbor as yourself," I doubt he was talking about just the person next door.

And I'm sorry if this is bumming you out. It's a real downer for me too. But someone needs to be talking about it, so why not?

Plus I'm a little mad about it all so I need to vent somehow.

That is one of the great evidences of grace- to allow us to see our hearts for what they really are in comparison to the purity of Christ, to be able to hate the sin that hides in us, and want to be circumcised to the will of God.

If it weren't for grace, we wouldn't know what sin was.

If it weren't for suffering, we wouldn't know how great the Savior is to save from it.

Jesus talked to someone about this once, who (besides being male) was pretty much just like me.

"..What do I still lack?"

Jesus answered,"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.Then come, follow me. "

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth."

Matthew 19:20-22

Why was he sad?
Because he liked his stuff.

And by the way, did you know that Americans in whole are wealthier than 75% of the worlds population?

So I think we can all relate.

The Bible makes it clear that as Christians, it is our job to help the poor, the orphan, the widow, the children,the sick, the least of these.

But we turn it into-

"The Bible makes it clear that as Christians, it is our job to help the poor, the orphan, the widow, the children, the sick, the least of these?"

We spend more time complaining about our lack of comfort than looking at actual need right in front of our eyes.

And if you aren't a Christian, well then, I don't know. I guess you don't really have an excuse either. Sorry.

And for the record, if you didn't follow the link up there, these people aren't just here to find things to sell. They do that. But they are here because

They

Live

Here.

They live at the dump. In the dump. It's where the outcasts in Ethiopia live.

The poor, the orphans, the widows, the children, the sick, the least of these.

And if you are wondering what is the point of this post? Am I trying to guilt you into supporting our adoption?

Absolutely not, and I sure hope it doesn't come off like that.

I don't know what the point is really, I just know that I'm tired of pretending this stuff doesn't exist. I'm tired of living the American Dream for the glory of Myself. And if I'm going down, if I'm going to die to the American dream, then for goodness sake I'm going to try to bring someone else down with me.

And I don't even know a good ending for this post...

*Just coming back to add that I just read that 130,000 people live in Korah, which is the name of the dump, which is an actual district in Ethiopia.
Amazing...

I hesitate to even hit "Publish Post"...

How Great Is Our God!

Sing With Me- How Great Is Our God!

And All Will See How Great, How Great Is Our God!

Man, I just love that song.

* * *

This is going to sound crazy...

You know that expression, taking a bull by the horns? Well this last week, God took me by the heart, which I suppose could be kind of the same thing. I've never been very near a bull, but I have seen them and they are some pretty fierce and will-full creatures when they want to be.

And so can I.

This week God has spoken to my heart like He never has since the day I was saved. Actually, it is more than that- He has wrenched my heart and brought me to my knees (literally) and thrown scripture at me -with love :) that I had never heard before.

This week he has shown me a wonderful and awesome plan for my little family that He will do. It is mysterious and I cannot figure out how it will come about, but I assure you it will.
And I can't tell you what it is.

I wish I could, oh how I wish I could! and I will tell you- but not yet. The Lord has given me this burden right now for a very good reason- to humble me and to cause me to rely totally on His will, to learn to trust solely in Him, to teach me to pray unselfishly and for His timing and will to be done, not mine.

There are hearts that need to be softened to This Thing and only God can do that. God has shown me that This Thing will happen, though right now, to me, it seems impossible, and the way it will come about will bring such Glory to Him that we will not be able to deny that it was His plan for us.

O Lord, you are my God, I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

Isaiah 25:1

I know this is weird, but don't worry- it's nothing dangerous or bad. We aren't moving or joining a cult, and we aren't becoming missionaries in Africa. We have prayed that God would take control of our family and would lead us by His will, that we would be servants to Him, and He is faithful and is answering our prayer, and in the meantime is teaching us to wait upon Him. Pray for us to be patient!

Not all posts will be as deep as the last couple have been. Tomorrow I will post a new Conversation with Ethan!

P.S Whoever is here from Moscow-Hello! I'm glad you have stopped by!

P.S.S. Thank you Aunt Verle and Granny and Gramps for all the craft stuff! The kids were really excited and looked through everything. We will certainly be able to use it!

I'm so glad I put up the visitor map- I had no idea there were so many people all over the world coming by! I'm glad you are all here, and even if you are from right here in our neck of the woods- we are glad you are here too! Please leave me a comment and tell me where you are from and how you found us- I would love to hear what you think of our little blog.

So by way of introduction, or entertainment, depending on who your are, here 50 things you may not know about me:

1.I am short.

2.When salespeople call the house and I answer, they usually ask if my mom is home.

3.I like to draw and paint, but I don't like to paint over what I have drawn.

4. I like rap music. I feel cool when I listen to it.

5. Sometimes I turn up the bass in the car when I hear it.

6. I just got my ears pierced on Valentine's Day, because my husband wanted me to.

7. I wish I had really tried harder when I was taking piano lessons.

8. When I was growing up I wanted to be an artist, write kid's books, and work for Life Magazine.

9. I have a biblical worldview. Some might say I am old-fashioned.

10. When I was in 7th grade I was so self conscious about my arms that I wore long sleeve shirts the entire year.For some reason I thought they looked like boy arms. Our room had no windows and it was very hot.

11.I love looking under rocks for bugs as much as my four year old.

12. In our kitchen we have kept worms, slugs, and baby centipedes.

13. I have read Pride and Prejudice 5 times. It's my favorite book.

14. My 2nd favorite is Shepherd of the Hills and I've read it 3 times.

15. I love thunderstorms and I love the excitement of severe weather.

16. My favorite ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip. It's Ethan's favorite too.

17. I used to have braces, and glasses, and a sideways ponytail.

18. I can pick up dead amphibians in the yard, have a baby, and clean up vomit without flinching, but if I cut my finger on a tin can lid, I get light-headed and can't see straight.

19.I think about God all the time.

20.I was baptized on November 14, 2004 but I don't remember what day I was saved.

21.I do remember I was saved in my car, on the way home from college.

22.I took my Conceal and Carry Certification class when I was 8 months pregnant.

23. My favorite actor is Clive Owen, solely because of his accent.

24. I am afraid of heights, the dark, and I am claustrophobic.

25. I have never smoked.

26. I don't drink. I tried it a couple times in high school to look cool for someone, but I hated it. Now that I'm old enough to, I just don't have the desire. Plus, for me personally, I feel like it would have the potential to discredit my witness.

27. I have 2 major scars, and I've never had a broken bone.

28. I love to sew, but I hate using a pattern. I'd rather mess it up and learn to do it my own way then take the time to do it right the first time.

29. Obviously I am not very patient.

30. I am also a procrastinator.

31. I have never been able to do a cartwheel.

32. I can't do a somersault either. I'm afraid I will break my neck. Its the same fear that keeps my from going to the chiropractor.

33. I have never been on a roller coaster. (See #24.)

34. I love the way cows smell. It reminds me of when I was a kid.( because we raised them.)

35. I think football is incredibly boring, probably only because I don't understand it.

36. I think it would be cool to be like the girl in King Arthur-what's her name? Shooting a bow and living in the woods.

37.My favorite teacher I ever had was Mrs. Hailey in first grade. She looked like a real life Barbie doll.

38.The only music I ever listen to anymore is Christian- mostly rock or alternative stuff. Occasionally rap.(see #4)

39. Fried rice is my favorite food.

40. I love my husband.

41. I hate writing thank- you cars. I'm always sincerely thankful, but it feels like it comes off as fake. Don't know why.

42. I never had a grandpa until I got married.

43. I love history- photos, old books, historical sites, etc.

44. I hate math.

45. I don't know how to drive a stick shift. I tried to learn once on a date, but I killed the car several times, and it wasn't even my date's. He never called me back.

46. Rahab is my favorite woman in the Bible.

47. My favorite verse is John 16:33- "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world."

48. I have four pairs of shoes- flip flops, dress shoes, tennis shoes, and snow boots.

49.Turtles are my favorite animals.

50. My favorite physical part of me is my nose. I like how it feels.

So there you have it. What would you like me to know about you?

Today's Post has Nothing to Do With My Kids...

But if you want to see some embarrassing photos of me as a kid, please- read on.

So this weekend finally, after years of inner struggling and gnashing my teeth and hemming and hawing, I went and got my eyes checked.

I know that most people who read this blog have never seen me in glasses. But, from Kindergarten until about 5th grade, I wore them every day. That was fun.

And no, I don't wear contacts. I just decided one day that I didn't need them anymore, which may have been correct, but mostly I think it had to do with the fact I was late for school and couldn't find them. And thus, the butterfly emerged from her cocoon.

And now, nearly 16 (wow) years later, that butterfly will soon be able to see where she is flying-uh, driving.

So here are a few little morsels from my childhood with glasses.

Please, have mercy on me.

This is one of my favorite pictures of me. In this case, the glasses actually enhance the cuteness. My mom made the dress. I think the was in kindergarten. I loved that metal purse/lunchbox thing and carried it everywhere.

I think I was a little too old to be visiting Santa here. By the looks of it, I was probably 8-9 in this one.
It's hard to tell , but those are pastel teddy bears dancing in the clouds all over my sweatshirt. A sweatshirt with a collar. And baggy stonewashed jeans.

Here's another Christmas one. This one's not as much about my glasses, as about that 2 sizes too big neon chalk printed outfit (check out the pants) monstrosity my sister was wearing. Hi Becky!

One year I was a clown for Halloween.

But this one... oh this one takes the cake. I wish you could see it in person to get the whole effect.

Before you see it though, I'd like to present a list of excuses for why this "look" isn't my fault.

1. It was around 1992, so technically, I guess it could be worse.

2. My mom made the outfit.

3. It was the first day of school, so I wanted to make an impression.

4.There was something horribly wrong with the camera so as to make my ponytail (in a matching scrunchie) appear to be off-center of my head.

5.Um, hmmm. My mom made the outfit.

Prepare yourselves...

There was an unusually and inappropriately large amount of elastic used to construct this stunning piece.

And lace.

Also buttons.

Those are eyelet slip-ons, in case you can't see the detail. And this is ALL ONE PIECE. Meaning I had to put my feet in and pull it up, much like a baby jumper.

I think Greenpeace would object to the amount of cotton harvested to make this outfit.