Weekly Bible Reading Update

I am caught up!! That is amazing because last week was VBS and I always had stuff to do. I got caught up in the Old Testament reading. The stories of Elisha and all the kings. Some of them were intriguing. Today, as I read the last 2 days in order to be caught up, I realized that I am sick of the Israelites and all of their bad choices. I wanted to reach in there and shake them. I asked God why they continue and continue to worship other gods and sacrifice their sons and daughters. This is not the first time I have felt this way, but I still don't get that. I will probably feel the same way the next time I read it. The only thought that came to me, whether it is from God or not, is when I looked at my t.v. We as Americans, don't necessarily worship idols, but we are always trying to get the latest toy in technology. We are trying to be like our surroundings. Maybe that is how it was with the Israelites - they couldn't be content. They wanted to be like everyone else. In those days, religions were like our technology. They depended so much on the elements for crops and living. Since they had little control over nature, worshipping something that did was important. I haven't researched this idea, I have just been thinking about it.

I would like to end with a scripture, the June 29th reading, Psalm 147:10,11. He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord's delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love.

My hope is that you fear the Lord and hope in His unfailing love. Have a blessed week. My entire family is coming for the week! That is a tremendous blessing! It has been a year since I have seen my brothers and Christmas since I have seen my parents. Please pray for safe travels for them and a happy week staying in our 3 bedroom/ 2 bathroom house.

Word Watch and VBS News

I have decided to post a Word Watch on my blog that will contain all the new words that my youngest son, who is 28 months old, is saying. I will probably put it in its own box in the sidebar of my blog. Keep watch for that. His new word is pop (also known as soda, or soda pop).

I am so glad that VBS is over. We had more kids than expected, so that is a plus. I loved the songs that we sang too. Kirk was funny, he dressed up as Professor Wigglesworth. I will post pictures soon. I taught the lesson. I have taught so many lessons that I just take for granted the material. I don't know if I did justice to the lessons this year. I definitely know that God had to help me through my mistakes and it always worked out. I hope that the kids got the Bible Points. I found myself getting goose bumps when I was trying to teach the Bible Truths - it was a weird feeling. I just wanted the kids to understand so badly. The last night, one of the questions was why do we need to tell others about God. One of the groups wasn't saying what I wanted them to say - "Because we want them to live forever in Heaven with Jesus." I wouldn't let them leave until they told me that. The last night's lesson was the best one for me by far, the kids definitely were astonished. It was about Pentecost. I had a man come in that spoke English and Spanish. He pretended to speak just Spanish. I explained to the kids that I had this man come in to speak to us today but I couldn't understand a word that he said. We tried different ways to communicate with him, even trying to speak jibberish. I had the kids sit down and all of a sudden he started speaking English. All of the kids were astonished, that was great! Then we went into the story of Pentecost in the book of Acts. The kids' favorite lesson was probably the story of Peter walking on the water. They got to walk on water too by walking on a solution of cornstarch and water. That solution was my biggest headache. Thankfully, God was right there with me, because I was praying to Him, and it worked! Thank you for everyone praying for me.
As I said before, I will be posting pictures!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

I am posting a day early again because tomorrow is going to be very busy preparing for the first evening of Vacation Bible School. We are doing the Power Lab VBS from Group. I am teaching the lesson and I am in charge of the registration and handing out t-shirts.

I am still behind in my reading. I just finished June 17th. The I Kings 18:1-46 portion of reading contains one of my favorite stories from the Bible. The contest on Mount Carmel. I don't know why it is a favorite, it just is. I love the fact that Elijah's faith was so huge that God shot fire from the sky to burn up the altar to show that HE is the one and only God. The part of the story that makes me laugh is at the end - verses 44-46: "Then Elijah shouted, 'Hurry to Ahab and tell him,"Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don't hurry, the rain will stop you!" And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought up a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel." I wonder what that looked like - Elijah burning rubber, running faster than a chariot. Kind of like the Super Man shows when he is moving so fast that he is just a blur. I wonder if God has video tapes of history so that I can watch them when I get to heaven, because I would watch that scene. He probably doesn't because it is most likely better if most things are left to the imagination.

Have a great week.

Birthday Party

Two of my kids had birthdays this past week. We always have done a double party for them. We did another swimming party this year- it turned out to be a pretty big party. My son really wanted a Snow Plow Thomas cake. My daughter picked out a Sleeping Beauty doll and I made it into a doll cake. It took me 6 hours to decorate both cakes. I decided to decorate the cakes after the kids went to bed. I didn't make it to bed until 3:30 a.m. I had some trouble with the frosting and I didn't have all the right tips. The next morning, my son was so excited about the cake that it was worth all the trouble from the night before.

Catching Up

I have other things that I should be doing, but I wanted to take a break. I thought that I would play catch up and post some pictures of the things that we have been doing. First off, is that my daughter got her ears pierced - at a car show, no less! She has been sucking her thumb since she was 4 months old. Awhile ago I made a deal with her that she could get her ears pierced if she quit. She has stopped sucking her thumb since February. We were walking around a car show and they had a booth that advertised free ear piercing. She was very brave and very excited! Last Thursday night she graduated from Kindergarten. Every child got an award. She got, "The Most Compassionate" Award. I had to laugh at the awards. I am sure the teachers were stretching to make every student's award unique. For instance, "The Most Curious" Award really meant, "The Nosiest" Award.

My Middle Child turned 4 on Monday. My Oldest turns 6 on Thursday. For their present, we took them to Toys R Us and they got to pick out a bike and a helmet. My 4 year old loves Thomas the Train. Of course he had to get the Thomas Bike and helmet.
My daughter's bike even has a mini bike attached to the handle bars for her Barbie to ride along.

Last, but not least, I wanted to post a video of my youngest swimming. Up until now he has had little to do with the pool. I had to buy a new floaty swimming suit for my 4 year old, so I picked up one for my 2 year old too. He loves it! He is doing so well swimming in the pool.

Weekly Bible Reading

I am posting a day early and I am several days behind in my reading. I got very sick this past week. The moments I did feel well, were used up doing motherly duties. There were many moments I felt ill and I didn't want to do anything. My daughter also got sick on Friday. I thought I would post today because it is the calm before the storm. This week we are getting ready for VBS and a birthday party on Friday. VBS is next week and then right after that my entire family is coming for a visit. I have so much to do. I might get even further behind in my reading.

I just read the scripture reading for June 12th. The selected passage that I noted this week is in Proverbs on day 10. Gray hair is a crown of glory, it is gained by living a godly life. Better be patient than powerful; better to have self control than conquer a city. We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall. Proverbs 16:31-33

Do you really believe that passage? Some people, Christians included, have a hard time believing that the Lord determines how dice fall. Even wicked old people get gray hair. Is it really better to be patient and have self control than to be powerful and conquer a city. How can that be? I will be pondering these questions and reading the commentary in my Study Bible in the next few days.

I have to go but I would love to hear some of your thoughts. BTW - My husband preached a great sermon today out of Ecclesiates 7:8-10.

The end of the matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Mocha Layer Cake

1 c. butter, softened
3 c. packed brown sugar
4 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla extract
3 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. baking cocoa
3 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. brewed coffee, cooled
1 1/3 c. sour cream

Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl; add to creamed mixture alternating with coffee and sour cream. Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes before removing from the pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Frosting:
2 pkgs (8 0z each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
8 squares (1 ounce each)unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/2 c. brewed coffee, cooled
3 tsp. vanilla extract
6 c. powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in chocolate, coffee and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Frost cake and refrigerate until serving.

This recipe is the cake that I was talking about a few weeks ago. Now I see why this cake was so good. So who's birthday is coming up so that I can make this cake for them? Oh - maybe Kim's? Although she would probably want a Cold Stone Ice Cream Cake. I do need a reason to make this cake, because otherwise I will eat it all and that would be no good.

Weekly Scripture Reading Update

I just finished reading June 8th, so I am a day behind. The verse that struck me this week was in the reading for June 7th, Proverbs 16:25, "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." The New Testament reading for that same day was Acts 5, the story of Ananias and Sapphira. This is a couple who chose a path that led to death. This couple sold some property and brought the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount of the property which was sold. It wasn't, in fact, they kept a part for themselves. Because of their deceit, they fell to the floor and died. This story always strikes me to the heart. I don't know these people or their hearts. I don't know what kind of excuses they were making to themselves to cover their guilty conscience. The Lord did. I know because I am human, I make excuses for my choices. When I read this story of Ananias and Sapphira, I always am convicted to look at my life and the choices that I have made. Am I lying to myself? Have I convinced myself that I am right about something that is wrong? My hope for you this week is that you have not chosen a path that ends in death. My comfort is this, the only right path is the path to Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He alone can save us from the path that seems right, but is so wrong.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

God Bless You this week.

Kim's Baby Shower

Kim Marshall is one of my dearest friends. We met at college. God knew that I needed her, maybe she needed me too, you will have to ask her. She flew from Oregon for my wedding and after having my first child, she flew from California to see us. While Kirk and I were living in Iowa, Kim and I were joking about us moving to California so that we could be together. In my head I told myself that was never going to happen. WELL, as you know, Kirk and I did move to California. For most of our time here, Kim and Lance lived about 90 minutes away. We didn't see each other as much as we wanted. Recently they have moved and now they live about 30 minutes away. Nice, huh? I love seeing how God works like that. We didn't plan it, it just happened.

Ever since I had my first baby, I have been hoping that Kim and Lance would have one too. Now my prayers have been answered and Kim is expecting in July! I am super excited to meet this little Marshall. On Sunday, Kim had a baby shower and I was able to go. I wanted to share some photos from the shower.

The Baby's first Husker outfit! I meant to get the first Nebraska outfit for them, but Ruth Jones from Wymore, NE (a Marshall relative) beat me to it. Ruth goes to my In-law's church. Small world, huh?

This is the present that I got for her. Isn't Kim so cute?

I chose this picture instead of the longer picture because than every one would see that my tummy is almost as big as Kim's and I am NOT pregnant! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy Kim-o! Love you!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

I have posted a lot this week. I try to post my Bible Reading every Monday to keep myself accountable. So here I am posting again. I am caught up, however, I am taking my noted scripture passage from June 1st. John 20:24-29 NLT says,

24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),^[a] was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Did you get that? Jesus says, "Blessed are those who believe without seeing me." Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He rose again? If you do, than you are blessed. I will take all the blessings I can get! Have a blessed day!

What's the Name of That Song? (Vintage Sesame Street)

My last post got me to thinking about this song. Isn't it a great song? Do you remember it from your childhood? Have you figured out the name of that song? That is the eternal question.