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.

My Cherry Pie!

We have a couple in our church that has as a cherry tree. This is the second year that they have invited us over to pick cherries. Last year I went, not knowing what I would do with the cherries because I didn't really like them. I convinced myself to make a pie and I am so glad that I did. It was the best pie ever! Well, I did it again this year. It was the best pie ever and I ate half of it. Kirk ate the other half. If I could have invited my dad over for a piece, I would have shared with him. Sorry, but no one else is invited to my pie party. That reminds me of an old Sesame Street song. "You can't have any of mine, oh you can't have any of mine." How does that song go? What is the name of that song? Maybe my family members can help me out.

More Blessings

Two years ago, after having my youngest child, I got really sick. I was laid up for about 4 months. My husband, in a burst of sweetness and help from his mother, planted beautiful flowers all around the pool. I could just lay on the couch and look at the flowers. I enjoyed that very much. Well, one of the pots didn't get planted - a lily. By the time I got around to it, the lily had died. I was in the process of taking the dead plant to the garbage when I remembered the lilies that I had in Iowa. They are bulbs, even when their blooms are gone the bulbs stay in the ground and reproduce. Each year I always had more lilies. I decided to plant this dead looking flower anyway. I am so glad that I did, 2 years later look at the beauty that I get to enjoy when I look out my back window.

Every time I see those flowers, I think of 2 things. One, how close I came to throwing them away. I am so glad that our Heavenly Father doesn't do that with us. No matter how messed up we look on the outside, He knows our heart and He won't throw us away, as long as we live. Now when when we die and meet Him face to face and if we don't have Jesus as our Savior because we didn't believe in Him, than we are in trouble. Two, Matthew 6:28-34 says, 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Some other blessings that I have to mention are that it has been rainy and cool here. We needed the rain. AND our friends, Kim and Lance Marshall came up and visited for Memorial Day. It is nice to have special friends to spend holidays with. I hope that you have a great week and are enjoying your blessings too.

Weekly Bible Reading Update

I am still behind on the days in my One Year Bible . Today I read the May 25th Bible reading. My prayer is this, "Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money. Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me a life through your word." Psalm 119:36, 37 I am becoming a lover of the Psalms.

We Have Been Busy

May has been a busy month. I know it isn't over yet, but I wanted to share what has been going on with us. First of all, my daughter was student of the week at school the week of the 5th. Monday she took baby pictures of herself and her favorite snack to share - ice cream. Tuesday she took her favorite toy, a baby doll, and she had to use 5 adjectives to describe it. (The baby doll was her favorite toy that week, it isn't her favorite anymore.) Wednesday was free dress so she didn't have to wear her uniform. Thursday she took her favorite book for the teacher to read - a butterfly alphabet book. Friday, she got to take a family member to introduce to the class. She chose to take her brothers and dad. Of course I went along to take pictures. It didn't go too well because the brothers started showing off and the class started giggling, along with my daughter. I don't know if much was accomplished.
That same Friday that my daughter introduced her brothers and daddy, it was also Mommy and Muffins Day. I went back to her class later that day and they had a Mother's Day party for us. They sang a song and served us muffins. She made a book describing me, my favorite color, my birthday, etc. She didn't get much of that right. They also took us out for recess.
The next day, I took her to a Mother's Day Tea. It was fun, but it did get a bit long. We focused on 14 Women of the Bible. I had to stand up and talk about Rebekah. Don't you like my hat? It is the hat that I wore for my high school graduation party. I don't know where the dress is, but I still have my hat.

The pool is open and ready for guests! We went swimming on Mother's Day - it was very hot! My youngest son is not too sure of the water, but he loves to put his feet in and splash. Kirk made Mother's Day Supper. Some things didn't turn out as well - but the salmon that he put on the grill was very good.

We adopted! I want to introduce you to our new family member - Biscuit. The day after Mother's Day, Kirk brought home this 3 month old puppy from the pound. She is a Lab/Mix. The first week we couldn't agree on a name. My husband wanted to call her Snickers. My daughter wanted to call her Diamond, and my 3 year old son wanted to call her Thomas (for the train). Daddy thought of Biscuit with the help of some friends and I think we all are NOW settled with the name. She was sick when we got her, I was afraid that it was PARVO - a sickness that kills puppies. It isn't, but we have to give her medicine 2 times a day. So far she is a real good dog and the kids love her.Saturday was a jog-a-thon at my daughter's school. She went a round a few times and was done. I didn't care because it was such a hot day and Kirk wasn't with me to help with the boys. I'll have to work with her for next year.

Last, but not least, my daughter's class went on a field trip yesterday to the San Francisco Zoo. Her class has been doing a unit on farm animals, so the objective was to go to their petting zoo. We had a good time, even though we were a bit rushed. I got to chaperon and was in charge of my daughter and 2 of her friends. She spent most of the time taking pictures of all of the animals.

Thorn In My Heart

My Sister-in-Law, Suzi, sent me some books to read. Three of them are a series by Liz Curtis Higgs. Thorn In My Heart, Fair is the Rose, and Whence Came a Prince is a story from 1789 Scotland. It is a story that parallels the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel from the Old Testament. I have to tell you the truth, I didn't know if I was going to like this story, because I don't like the Biblical story. I have put myself in Rachel and Leah's shoes and it makes me heart-sick. It took me awhile to get started with this story, but I have to tell you, that it is an amazingly written story. It is a story about weakness, sin, humility, and love. Of course it doesn't mirror the Biblical story, it is cleverly written to tie the two stories together. It gives you a new perspective in reading the Biblical account. I do recommend reading this series. Thank you Suzi!

One funny thing that I found while reading these books was that I started talking like they did - dearie, bairn, lad, lassie, etc. I think that it is because I have roots that are Scottish. I hope that you are as blessed as I was after reading these books!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

I am behind a few days this week. I have been reading a series of book that my sister-in-law sent me. I lose track of the time and forget that I haven't read my scripture reading. Today I read May 16th.

John 8:34-36 says, Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free."

Proverbs 15:12-14 says, Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise. A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

I hope that you aren't a "slave to sin." I hope that you aren't "staying away from the wise." I hope that you have a "happy face". Finally, I hope that you aren't "feeding on trash." God bless you this week.

A Child's Need For Love

My husband took us out for ice cream at Dairy Queen. On the trip there, my middle child, started making a noise - "Ahh." My oldest child said, "Stop it." So it started back and forth: "ahh," "stop it," "ahh," "stop it," "ahh," "stop it" until my oldest hurls her baby doll across the van toward her brother to show him that she meant business. Needless to say that her father was so angry at her that he told her that she was in so much trouble and she probably wouldn't be getting any ice cream. Of course that led to many tears and sobs. After we were parked in the Dairy Queen parking lot, Daddy talked to her about what happened and why it was wrong. He told her that she could have ice cream, but she would have to apologize to her brother for hurling her baby doll at him. Her brother's response? - "Don't worry I still love you." That got me, I can still hear him saying that, I wish I could hold on to that forever. BUT that is not what my story is about. What I can't get over is how my daughter clung to her daddy after being reprimanded. She insisted that he sit next to her at the table while we ate our ice cream. She had a need to be reassured that she was loved and back in her daddy's good graces.

I should be going to bed, but I wonder if that is how I am with my Heavenly Father. Doing wrong, having to bear the consequence, and then running to my Heavenly Father for his grace. I think I understand love and grace more because I have an earthly father to show me and I am so grateful that my children also have a model in their father of love and grace.

Weekly Bible Reading Update

May 12th:The One Year Bible NLT, Proverbs selection/ Proverbs 15:4
"Gentle words are a tree of life, a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Be gentle today, that is the goal for myself.

I also wanted to share that I read the story of Ruth the other day. I have never really cared too much about the story myself - always liking the story of Queen Esther so much better, but I have changed my mind. The story of Ruth is very romantic, don't you think? I also read a story that I don't ever remember reading before, although I have read the Bible through before. It was the story of King Nahash of Ammon gouging out people's right eyes. Interesting. Have a Blessed Week and I hope that you are reading your Bible too!

Communion Devotion for Mother's Day

(I have the Communion Devotion for Sunday and I got it finished ahead of time so I thought I would post it. Hopefully I won't make any changes.)

Recently, I heard a story of a mom who has a red plate that says, “It’s Your Special Day.” On special occasions such as birthdays, promotions, first day of school, etc, this plate is used for this very special person’s meal. After every special occasion, the mom writes on the back of the plate with a permanent marker the occasion and a personal note. There were several years of memories already dedicated on the back of this very special plate. The kids felt so special getting to eat off of it and the mother probably felt so much pride to be reminded of all the memories when using “The Plate.” Pretty Sweet, right? What a great idea. After one of the children’s birthdays, this special plate was sitting dirty in the sink with the other dinner dishes. The husband, being the very thoughtful guy that he is, decided to load the dishwasher with those dirty dishes and wash them. I can just imagine the scene in my head – a husband so proud of himself for helping his wife out, patting himself on the back for all the points that he was scoring for doing such a great act of service for his wife. The next thing that this mom realizes is that this special plate is spotless – of all the food and all of the written memories. I guess permanent marker isn’t always so permanent because the dishwasher washed it all away. Can you guess the shock and horror as the mom stares at her plate. All the work gone, she could never redo the moments in the same way again and the poor husband’s points washed down the drain with all of those memories. If I understand most men, he will probably never wash another dish again. The truth is that this woman really didn’t wash memories down the drain, in fact, she will think of them and her husband every meal that she uses this plate.

There is meal for Christians that is supposed to be filled with memories as well. Jesus asks us to remember him at communion time. In the Bible, this time is also called the Lord’s Supper. When I was a little girl, the men would march down the aisles of church at communion time. They would gather around the table and pray, serve each other communion and then pass the plates to everyone. I remember it being all really solemn and quiet. During this time I would just stare at the communion table and look at the carvings on the table. I longed to run my fingers in those carvings. As I grew older, I realized that those carvings said, “This Do In Remembrance Of Me.” I didn’t get it then and even now the importance of those words can be forgotten in this hectic life.

I Corinthians 11:23-26 says, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you: do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”