Book Meme

I have been tagged for this book meme by Leah @ The Point. So here goes...

01. One book that changed your life – I have to say only the BIBLE. But the first Christian book I read that pointed me to the Bible and initiated the change in my life was a book by Derek Prince and I don’t remember the title. I loaned out that book and never got it back. Also, Stormie Omartian’s “The Power of a Praying Wife.”

02. One book that you have read more than once – “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. The Lord spoke to me so much about the power of unconditional love through this book.

03. One book you would want on a deserted Island – Okay, Tam I read what you put and I really like the idea so I’ll copy you…”How to Survive on a Deserted Island.”

04. One book that made you laugh – Well, I’ve pondered on this one for a while. Before I rededicated my life to the Lord, I read Erma Bombeck “A Marriage Made in Heaven…” and I remember laughing at her writing style. But just a few years ago I thought I’d get motivated to crochet and bought a book titled “Teach Yourself Visually to Crochet.” It had simple projects I thought I could handle as I used to crochet as a child with my aunt. That project is still unfinished as I have trouble counting. (I guess I better pray that I get rescued quickly on that deserted island as I cant follow self-help books very well without personal guidance.)

05. One book that made you cry – “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom. I just fell in love her Corrie and her sister and their bravery in those unimaginable circumstances.

06. One book that you wish had been written – My family’s history. I don’t know much about my dad or my mother’s side of the family and I wish I knew more about them.

07. One book that you wish had never been written – Having children that I screen what goes into their minds I wish certain children’s books had not been written, such as “The Golden Compass.”

08. One book you are currently reading – Okay, I cant read one book at a time, so currently I’m reading “Get Out of That Pit” by Beth Moore, “Twelve Extraordinary Women” by John MacArthur, and “Sugar Shock” by Connie Bennett and Stephen T. Sinatra.

09. One book you have been meaning to read – I plan to read aloud “The Cat of Bubastes” by G.A. Henty to Chase in January.

10. Now I am suppose to tag 5 people. I am tagging Marina, Annie, Angie, Karen H., Fran and anyone else who wants to participate.

Can you believe this????

I took this picture with my cell phone of what I saw today...



I went to Wal-Mart for a few things. I expected a lot of people and I expected long lines. But I did not expect to see Valentine Candy taking up three fourths of the candy aisle the day after Christmas!

Have you seen anything unexpected or interesting this season?

Blessings in Christ--

Christmas Blessings

One of the things I like most about holidays is spending time with family.





From my family to yours, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Blessings in Christ--

The Ski Trip

First of all, I want to thank all of you who prayed for our safety! God answered those prayers and kept us all safe. This was the first time our boys Stephen and Chase have skied or snowboarded. Actually the first time they've played out in the snow as we dont have that opportunity living in the south.

On the way...
As soon as we left home and got a few miles down the highway, we noticed that the speed odometer quit working on us. We had no way to determine how fast we were going. My sweet husband drove the whole time so that if anyone got a ticket it would be him. (Nice for Stephen and I as we didnt have to take our turn to drive due to technical difficulty.) Then we tried to determine how fast we're going by clocking how long it took to go a mile. None of us could figure out the math. If you know how to calculate, please let me know...it took us 52 seconds to go a mile. How fast were we going? That felt like a good speed.

Then I noticed how much the roadside scenery has changed from the traditional farm house with windmills and water tanks for livestock to large (really large) windmill farms. I've included the photos in the slide show above (which I tried to make larger, but couldnt figure out how).

Skiing Day One...
We check Chase and Quince (both 10 years old) into ski school. We get fitted in our boots and skis at the rental shop. Point Stephen to where he needs to go for snowboard class. My friend, Melissa and her daughter take a class also. I refused as I have skied before (once in each decade). I figured I'd just go up the short lift and warm up. This day was the pre-season opening and only one lift was open, so David (Eldon's friend), Eldon and I get on this quad lift. It keeps going and going. I quickly learn that on the first time up, I'm at the top of the mountain which is 10,677 feet according to all the signs. There's only one way down--ski! So off I start--very slowly. Slow is the pace I kept all throughout this adventure. And by the way, this day the wind is blowing and the snow is falling. Yeah! more snow!!

After lunch, Stephen is done with his snowboard class. He decided to go up with us. When we reached the top of the mountain, we decided to go down the backside of the mountain. When one decides to go down the back side of the mountain, there is only one way back to the front side--take the lift back to the top and ski down the front. It's at least a two for one trip on the the back side. Well Stephen just learning was still having difficulty on this day and I skied faster than him even as slow as I was. It was time for the boys to be done with ski school so we leave Stephen with some friends he made in snowboard school and pick up the pace to get to the boys. Slowing down my pace, Eldon decides to leave me alone and goes for the boys. He picks up the boys and they swish several times down the mountain before the lifts close.

Skiing Day Two...
We wake up and check the internet (when it worked) for the temperature...19 degrees below zero!!! We dressed warm in plenty of layers. We all head out for a fun day of skiing. We go to the top and down the easiest trail. The boys are getting bored so Eldon breaks off with them on some intermediate trails. Stephen has mastered the snowboard and can also zip around with the others. After lunch some of us decided we'd try to hone some skiing skills on the bunny trail. This chair lift is a two man lift. Eldon tells Chase (our 10 year old) to ride up with me. Chase has done this plenty of times so I didnt think I had to help him on the lift. Little did I know that someone usually stood behind him and picked him up and sat him in the chair as the chair was too high for him. I'm concentrating on getting myself on the chair. When I turn to my right, I see Chase dangling from the chair as it is taking off from the platform. The only lift attendant is there trying to raise him up, but the chair is raising up too high. I'm pulling him, but nothing is happening. Then I lose it--I start screaming for someone to stop the lift as it is going higher and higer in the air. I'm screaming so loud, I'm surprised it didnt start an avalanche. Chase is holding onto the chair with his hand on the back rail with his legs hanging over the front of the chair. I look ahead and wonder what will happen next as the "Cliffhanger" scene flashes through my mind. Then -- finally the lift stops. The attendant comes over and grabs Chase's legs (now I realize we're only about 4 or 5 feet off the ground at this point) and takes Chase down to his Dad who was to be next on the lift. After disembarking off this lift (which I did not get back on ever again!) I learned, my husband, Eldon is the hero who pressed the big red stop button on the lift!!! Thanks dear! Thank You Lord!! As a mom, I was a bit emotional for a little while. In the meantime, Chase shook it right off and was back up the mountain speeding down as quickly as possible. All ended well!! Needless to say after that incident, chair lift attendants ensured that Chase was in the chair before it left the platform the rest of the time we were there.

Skiing Day Three...
After the excitement the day before, I decided to take the morning off on this day. The temperature that morning was only 16 below zero. A bit warmer. But it was interesting for this southern girl who doesnt play in the snow but once a decade, once dressed in layers and outside moving around, the cold was not very noticeable. Until the hands and feet got cold. Or in the evenings when I could feel my wind chapped chin. The guys came in for lunch at 11:38 MST. I was informed that they got on the lift at 11 am, went to the top, went down some trails on the back side of the mountain, took the lift back to the top, and down the front side of the mountain and walked to the hotel room (in the ski boots which is very hard to do) all in 38 minutes!! They were definitely exceeding the speed limits!!!

That afternoon I went out to go down the easy trail. I had only intended to go down once and be done with the skiing experience. I just could not get past the fear of going too fast. Chase told me that I had nothing to be afraid of that it didnt hurt to fall. I know it didnt hurt to fall as I had already fallen several times. What is hard is getting up again. Well Elise, my friend's daughter talked me into going with her on the back side of the mountain. Actually the trails were much nicer on that side; there were more easy (green) trails on that side. Also there was a good 4 to 6 inches of powder on that side also. So I go up and we stay on the back side for several trips down until the lift closed on that side. On the front side, Eldon decides to take the boys down some intermediate (blue) trails while Elise and I go down the easiest. Elise went faster than I did. Well I fell and I couldnt get up. Finally I get up, but messed up the binding and couldnt get my boot back in. I stop for a while to wait for help. I send Elise on to the bottom. Then an injured young man from Houston waits next to me for help to arrive. It was his first time to snowboard. Finally help arrived for this young man and I learn my problem was just operator ignorance. Embarrassed I was, but decided it was meant for me to encourage the injured young man until help arrived. I think I was the last one off the mountain that day as the snowmobiles were going up to clear the mountain and the sun set. It was a beautiful sun set.

Eldon received a beautiful gift from the Lord on his last trip up the lift with the boys. Being the outdoors, wildlife, hunting type; he had a desire to see some wildlife. He even commented out loud to the boys that it would be a perfect day if he got to see some wild animals. The Lord blessed him with letting him see a 5X5 mule deer and a fox eating a rabbit from the chair lift.

After...
As I thought about those days on the mountain, I had to confess God's word frequently. Fear tried to grip me and it had a good hold on me. I tried to rationalize that perhaps I'm not the outdoor adventurous type I'd like to be. But then when Elise encouraged me to continue on, I did and I overcame some of those apprehensions, but not completely. I wanted so much to be bold and brave, but yet I was so timid. I fought gravity a lot, but gravity is much stronger. Honestly, I haven't learned how to work with it on the slopes. Yet, I learned that I have more boldness and strength in me than I thought. I wanted to give up and quit several times, but it just wasnt an option. The Lord is my strength! He encouraged me through others and pushed me farther than I wanted to go.

This trip was a wonderful Christmas present from my Lord! I had such a blessed time with my family and friends! I learned more about them and myself.

BTW--the speed odometer problem is covered under a factory recall...blessings from our Lord!!

Blessings in Christ--

Goin' to the Mountains

What does this song have to do with this post? Nothing really, I just really enjoy this song. I hope you do too!

My family and I are going north to the mountains to go skiing. We'll be driving for one day, meeting up with friends and traveling the rest of the way the next day. For those of you who don't live in Texas, from where we live it usually takes one day to just get out of Texas and then another day to get to where we're going.

We are so excited to see the snow cams on the website: Angel Fire, New Mexico.

Last Tuesday when we looked at it, there was no snow. We were starting to get concerned. But the Lord has brought in the snow!!! We are excited. This will be the boys first time on a mountain in the snow. Having lived in South Texas all their lives, they don't get to see snow much.

Also, we're taking a computer but I don't know how much access I'll have to the internet. If I'm not visiting your blog or responding to email, please understand I'm out of town. I do enjoy "visiting" with all of you and I do feel like we're family.

I do want to ask for your prayers for travel mercies and a safe and fun time. Thanks!

Blessings in Christ--

Make Over

When we moved into our home almost 10 years ago, it definitely was a “fixer upper.” Built in 1972, it still had all the original 1972 paint, carpet, and light fixtures. One of my of my goals in owning my own home (well okay, the mortgage company owns it, we just pay them and get to live in it) was to paint the walls any color other than white or creamy white. I wanted to add color to our lives since the mortgage company allows us handle all the maintenance and upkeep.

Being new and inexperienced, I started painting. I first painted my baby’s room. He was only one year old at the time. I did a Noah’s Ark theme. (I redid that room last year.) But the second project was the boys bathroom a.k.a. the guest bathroom. I found (what I thought then) was a great looking shower curtain with water and fish on it appropriate and enticing for the boys. Well I went to work on the paint. I wanted to paint a river on the bottom portion of the bathroom wall with sunshine on the top portion. I got the river to look alright (so I thought 9 years ago), but the sunshine part didn’t look so great. I went several times to the paint store and had them remix the yellow. I’d paint it again and I still didn’t like the yellow. They told me at the paint store if they had to add any more color to the yellow they were going to start charging me as they wouldn’t even know what to call that color anymore—it lost its name. So I had some creamy white paint left over from another paint project and decided to dab white on the wall to tone down the yellow. I still wasn’t happy with it. But decided that’s what it was going to be. Here’s what it looked like:

Yeah, I know—bad. But we got used to it and just didn’t even notice it anymore. After my baby turned 10 years old this year, I went in there but this time I noticed how bad it REALLY looked. I decided it was time for a bathroom make over!

I made all the plans and went to work scraping the walls from the ceiling to the floor. Sanded (thank God for power tools) the ceiling and walls. Decided to have more space by pulling out the counter and paint the cabinet white. After a week of work and unexpected work (it’s amazing what you find behind the walls that get wet—mold). Now all the mold is gone. We used concrete boards for the lower walls and mold resistant paint as a defense against future attempts of mold manifestation.

Finally after removing all the yucky stuff we found inside and made the repairs, I got to paint! I enjoyed the painting part, but hated the waiting for the primer to dry. Then waiting for the coats of paint to dry. Then we got to put in all the nice things I wanted in the bathroom. This is the final result

I like the make over bathroom much better! And I know it is clean from the inside of the walls and out!

As I worked on this bathroom project, I thought and pondered with the Lord about what is hidden inside of me. Seeking those things that need to be cleaned out.

Psalm 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

The Lord through His Son, Jesus, works in us to make us over. It hurts some times with all the scraping, cutting and sanding. He works on us, area by area, to make us a new creation.

2 Corinthians 2:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Let’s let the Lord work on our beauty from the inside out.

1 Peter 3:4

Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Blessings in Christ--

The Feast of Dedication

John 10:22-23 NIV

22Then came the Feast of Dedication^[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.

[a. John 10:22 That is, Hanukkah]

I love to study the Word of God and I love HIStory! Tonight is the first night of the eight day Feast of Dedication or the Feast of Hanukkah. This festival begins each year on the 25^th day of Kislev, which is a lunar month on the Hebrew calendar. It usually falls in November or December on the Gregorian calendar.

This festival commemorates the victory the Hebrews had over Antiochus a.k.a. “The Madman.” He was the bad of the bad. He took power over the Seleucid throne in 175 BCE. It was prophesied in Daniel about this “Madman.” After being defeated by the Romans in Egypt, he turned north and took the land of Israel. He sacked the city, and slaughtered thousands of citizens publicly and disgracefully. He stole gold and silver from the Holy Temple and desecrated the Temple with pagan idols.

However, there was a band of Freedom Fighters lead by Judah Maccabee who rose up and overthrew this “Madman.” This complete story is told in the apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees. The Maccabees recaptured Jerusalem and purified and rededicated the Holy Temple. After this, they established a memorial to remember this anniversary and to celebrate the restoration.

Legend has it that during the restoration phase of the Temple that they only found enough oil to light the menorah for only one day. It would take eight days before more oil could be obtained. They lit the menorah and miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. Therefore, some say that this is the reason Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days. Each night of the celebration another light is light. Let’s remember that Jesus is the Light of the World. (John 9:5).

Well the history records the Maccabees victory over the “Madman” in the apocrypha. Jesus observed the Feast of Dedication. There is so much more to this part of HIStory.

I just want to wish all my Jewish friends and Messianic believers out there –

Happy Hanukkah!

Genesis 12:2-3

2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

Source: Light in the Darkness; Hanukkah and the Disciples of Yeshua, A First Fruits of Zion Anthology

Happy Birthday Stephen!

Stephen today is your birthday. It seems time has passed by so quickly. It seemed as though you were only a baby, then a child, but today you are a man--legally! God has blessed me with these wonderful 18 years with you and I pray that He will bless me with many, many more! You are so special!

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10

You are chosen by God! His mercy is on your life and you have His favor--Always live your life for His glory!

Blessings in Christ--

Anyway

This song really encourages me to continue to do things "Anyway." Sometimes I wonder why I should pray, love, dream, believe or sing. It seems as though "What's the use?" Will I get hurt again? I should do it "Anyway!" The Lord tells us to pray and seek Him through HIS Son, Jesus. We can believe in HIM and He gives us the desires of our heart. So I pray my desires are HIS desires. I can love others because He loves me. I hope this song encourages you as much as it does me.
Blessings in Christ--





Anyway Lyrics

Thanksgiving Day

Remember to give thanks to the LORD! We certainly have much to be thankful for today.

Good, healthy families

Plenty of provision—shelter, food, and clothing

Good Jobs

Vehicles

Pets

Friends

The Word of God that has the power to change our lives!

Jesus—our salvation

I’ve read on several blogs of family traditions. Traditions of turkey, pumpkin pie, football, movies, watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on TV and so many other things. Our family is unique in that from year to year we do something different. This year we’re gathering with friends for the afternoon. My brother and his family are at the Dallas Cowboys game in Dallas. My Mom and step Dad at their home.

Let’s remember those who can’t gather with their families today—those who are serving in the military, law enforcement (federal, state, and local entities), doctors and nurses tending to medical needs of the infirmed and others that must work today to support the family. My husband and I have worked before on many holidays. Let them know that you’re thankful for their service. They’ll appreciate it.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”- Colossians 3:15

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Normal Now!

It’s normal now to see people talking as they stare at boxes on the shelves, look at clothes on the rack, walking down aisles and alone in the vehicles driving down the road. They appear to be talking to themselves, but upon closer inspection you see a “bug” attached to their ear. Oh the “Bluetooth” technology.

I remember as child I asked my mother, “Is it normal to talk to yourself?”

I remember her saying, “As long as you don’t answer yourself. They’ll think you’re crazy.”

All these years, I’ve concealed the fact that I talk to and answer myself. Why not? David encouraged himself in the Lord. (1 Sam 30:6) Maybe he talked to himself too. Perhaps that is what it takes me to get encouraged in the Lord.

I now have a solution to so I don’t look crazy. I attach a “bug” to my ear. I can now talk to myself (and answer myself if I reach a solution) wherever I go and no one suspects a thing! I appear normal! Or peculiar?

1 Peter 2:9 KJV

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Blessings in Christ--

What was I thinkin'?

Stinkin’ thinkin’ will cause problems if not controlled!

What such timing God has! We’ve heard it said, “God is never early, never late; but right on time!”

No matter what Bible study I’m participating in, God seems to reach me where I’m at and teach me what I need to learn. In Beth Moore’s A Heart Like His, she taught about sin in our lives and how it can affect us. Well I got a test this past week.

We can sin in our thoughts. That really hit me as I had dismissed wrongful thoughts as not being sin as long as I didn’t say or do anything wrong. I wrestled with this revelation. I asked the Lord, “Can I sin in my thought life?” I felt like I got a response of “Let Me show you.”

After studying that segment in the Bible Study (those of you familiar with Beth Moore’s study knows there is much more covered in the material, but this part worked me over), I was tested.

I tried to reach a friend I wanted to talk to on the phone. She didn’t answer. I would run into someone and heard she went to one place or another with someone else. My thoughts started to become frustrated. I tried to call again. No answer. I started rationalizing that she was screening my calls and not answering upon seeing the caller ID. My frustration started to turn to anger. Another two days later, I tried again. Still no answer. Anger started to give way to what I wanted to say when I did reach her. She didn’t even return my calls.

I started praying for the Lord to bless her and to guide her and to guide me. I kept telling myself and the Lord that I wanted to give this situation to Him. I talked to the Lord but I felt like I wasn’t getting any response.

Finally I decided I’d try again after a week. She answered this time. She started explaining the things that were going on in her life before I had the opportunity to share any of my stinkin’ thoughts about the situation. I’m so glad the Lord moved her to speak first. If I had spoken, I would have hurt our relationship. Not only that, as she explained the situation she was dealing with, I realized she was the one who was sent in response to prayers I prayed that I felt the Lord lead me to pray. When I told her I’d been praying about that, her response was, “I knew the Lord put us together.” Whoa! I felt this was deep.

If I were allowed to speak my thoughts, I would have not only messed up a relationship, but the work the Lord is doing through her. I thank the Lord He didn’t let me speak. I repented for my wrongful thoughts. I realize now that a lot of situations I deal with are fabricated in my mind and never truly exist.

The things we do and say start with our thoughts. If our thoughts don’t line up with the Word of God, then we’re to take them captive and make them obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

I learned this last week to confess and repent of my sins in the thought stage. Jesus knows our thoughts anyway.

Matthew 9:4 NIV

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

Sins confessed in the thought stage will prevent the sin from progressing in the word and deed stages. I am learning and experienced a good lesson.

Lord, I ask for forgiveness of wrongful thoughts. Lord, I pray to take captive these evil thoughts and make them obedient to Christ. Lord, I ask You to lead me in my thoughts. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Victory

Yes—today I feel like I have a victory.

I have tried to control my environment so that I wont stumble into an eating self-indulgence binge again. I see, however, it is not possible to control my environment and this morning in my quiet, devotion time the Lord showed me that I can and must exercise self-control.

Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age

My son’s soccer team was knocked out of the play-offs today and the team wanted to meet a popular buffet pizza place to have pizza and let the kids play. Of course, you pay as you go in and everyone has to pay. I used to say something like this to myself, “I’m paying for this food, I better eat all I can.” But today, by the grace of God, I said, “I’m paying, but that doesn’t mean I’m eating everything.” I stuck to the salad bar and did not eat any pizza. I drank tea instead of soda. Thank you Lord!

My nature during this time wants to hibernate. But I cant hide myself away. I have two Bible studies this week, a baby shower and company coming to stay next weekend. Food is involved in all events. I am not allowed to hibernate and separate myself from people. So I must exercise part of the fruit of the Spirit—self-control.

Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Day by day I pray for victory by the grace that God brings. I pray to live a self-controlled life each day.

Thank you for your prayers…

Blessings in Christ--

One Day at a Time

Matthew 6:11
Give us today our daily bread.

The words of this song say it for me.

"One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all that I'm asking from You.
Lord give me the strength to do every day what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today show me the way one day at a time. "

I trust He will give me what I need for each day. His grace is sufficient. How do I know? Because He said so. It's in His word. Thank You Lord for Your Word!

It seems that so much of our social lives have food involved. Does anyone have suggestions on things to do with husband, children (10 years & 17 years) and friends (not all active & I don't crochet, knit, can food, etc.) that does not involve food?

Blessings in Christ--

Praise & Prayer

I praise the Lord for he alone is worthy to be praised!

Psalm 145:3 (NIV)

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

I praise the Lord for he alone is God and in Him I find hope!

Psalm 62:5

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

I have a choice to praise Him and I will tell my inner most parts to praise HIM!

Psalm 103:1-5

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

I shall choose to praise HIM even when I don’t feel like it.

I have so much to be thankful for as some blogs host Thankful Thursday, I’m reminded to give thanks for so much. I have good health. My family has good health. God has blessed us to be able to live on one income and I can stay home with the boys. We have a nice home and good vehicles. We have plenty of food to eat. We are truly blessed & I am thankful.

I do have petitions and battles, though nothing catastrophic, nevertheless battles. I occasionally battle migraine headaches and I’m having one today. These set me back two days at a time when they occur. Please lift me up in prayer about the headaches.

Romans 7:18-25

18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The Lord has shown me what I ought to do, and I want to do good. But something is waging war with my mind and the law of sin is at work within me. Please pray that by the grace of God and our Savior Jesus Christ—this sin in me be conquered that battles against me!

I battle with food addiction. This is affecting more than just me. Please pray I be set free once and for all! I'm too tired to go at it alone anymore and I am requesting your support in prayer.

Thank You & Blessings in Christ--

MiRL

I started blogging in June this year and I have met lots of wonderful people through the blogs, email, and a few with phone conversations. Last Friday, I had an opportunity to meet with Marina of Daughter of the King in real life! Marina is the winner of The Preacher's Wife History Channel Giveaway!

Marina and I met in San Antonio where I picked up my mother from a business conference and we had lunch at Demo's Greek Restaurant. My mother called a friend of hers and all four of us just had a hoot of a time! I'm only sad because we just had an hour and a half together. It flew by too fast.

Here's a picture of Marina and I after a lunch full of food and lots of laughter!


We are looking forward to many more meetings. We are looking at plans for the Women of Faith in February and of course Beth Moore in August. Please let me know if you plan to attend either of these conferences, I'd love to meet you!

Work in Progress

Psalm 8:3-4
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

Yes, the Lord has placed the sun, moon, stars and seas in their place. Yet I am a work in progress. Time + Conflict = Change (From Beth Moore's video & study, A Heart Like His)

I am only one person out of many, yet He is mindful of me and calls me friend. Oh how He loves each one of us as if each of us are the only one He has to love. His love is amazing!

I pray each of us receive a touch of encouragement from Him and to persevere to "Always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1)


Blessings in Christ--

Friend of God

Struggle

The following excerpt is a familiar story that I have seen passed around via the email and internet. I want to share it with you.

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared and he sat and watched the butterfly as it struggled for several hours to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared it had gotten as far as it could. The man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily, but it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would expand and be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! in fact, the butterfly spent its whole life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly. What the man, in kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved freedom.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through life without obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been.

And... we would never fly.

So we struggle in our lives. But we were created by God to struggle so we can become stronger. Our struggles vary from situation to situation. We can have struggles with our spouse, our children, our parents, our siblings. We may face trials of illnesses and even of death. Struggles that are not even our own doings, but a result of what someone else did. Struggles are inevitable.

God in His mercy and grace told us in His word that we would be tested and tried.

Proverbs 17:3 NIV

3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the LORD tests the heart.

1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

James 1:2-4

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to be joyful when I am faced with a struggle or trial of any kind.

But the Lord has equipped us with His Word and He is faithful to fulfill what He promised in His Word. His Word shows us how to overcome. His Word tells what to do when we become too tired to care or carry on:

Isaiah 40:27-31 NIV

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

When we complain and fuss as we tire, we can give it to the Lord who never becomes weary. He will give us hope and renew our strength in HIM.

As believers—as sisters in Christ—let us pray for one another through our struggles and trials. When appropriate give an encouraging word, but please, please—don’t bring the scissors!

Speak the Word

I admit recently I became complacent in spiritual warfare. I’ve gone from looking for the enemy in every circumstance to just chalking it all up to living in a sinful world. We have an enemy and he is real. Like a predator he will take his pounce on the prey when most vulnerable.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

As believers we are to stay on guard and alert to the schemes of the evil one. He will take advantage of us when we are weak and weary.

One area that I am working on is self-condemnation. I can be my own enemy sometimes, but my real enemy knows how to take advantage of it.

The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?

(Jeremiah 17:9, NIV)

My heart has deceived me many times. Thoughts come in and torture me. Why am I a wife? Why did God let me be a mother? Perhaps I’m ruining these children. Why would God want me to do anything for Him? I’m no good. I can’t seem to do anything right. I’ve tried and tried and I fail again and again. All outright lies!!

The enemy has taken these thoughts that I have spoken and used them against me. I’ve even allowed him to plant more negative thoughts in my mind. BUT God is more powerful than my emotions!

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20 (NIV)

God knows everything. He knows how I feel and I can confide my emotions to Him. I can release all my feelings to Him. Then God can change my feelings.

What did Jesus do when He was tempted by the evil one? In Matthew 4, Jesus who was the Word in the flesh spoke the Word of God to Satan. Jesus is our example on how to live. He did not say, “I’ll think about that one. Let me call the prayer chain.” Or “Let me call my pastor (friend, mom, husband, etc) and get some council on this.” He immediately spoke the Word of God. He had the Word hidden in his heart.

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

We too must hide the Word of God in our hearts. We must know the Word so when thoughts, trials, and tribulations come against us we can speak the Word of God. God promises that His word will accomplish what He sent it to accomplish and it will not return void. (Isaiah 55:11) The devil lies to us. We have a choice to believe those lies or believe the Word of God. God cannot lie!

The Word of God says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11 NIV) God has a plan for our life.

The Word says, “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.” (Ps 127:3 NIV) The Lord rewards us with children. He blessed me to be a mother.

About my failures, the Word says, “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.” (Prov. 24:16 NIV) And again and again I will rise.

I find my strength in Him. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13 NIV)

Let’s say what God’s Word says, believe it, and hide it in our hearts. It is more powerful than our words.

Please take a moment to listen to the song below by Mercy Me. I think it sums it all up.

Blessings in Christ--

Word of God Speak

I've Been Tagged!

Okay, This looks like fun. Thanks Darla for thinking of me. Be sure to visit Darla, Princess. Since I dont understand all the terms, will someone please explain what Meme is? Well here goes:

It is all about your hubby/man! (HUBS)
1. Who is your man? Eldon

2. How long and you been together? 19 years, 4 months

3. How long did you date? 30 days, then I left for boot camp (USAF) for 3 months; 4 months after meeting we're married.

4. How old is your man? 42

5. Who eats more? me

6. Who said I love you first? He did.

7. Who is taller? Eldon

8. Who sings better? Neither of us sing. I couldn't carry a tune if you put it in my purse.

9. Who is smarter? Well--that depends on the subject. He has his areas and I have mine. We complete each other. :)

10. Whose temper is worse? He's more passive, so I guess that will be me.

11. Who does the laundry? I do.

12. Who takes out the trash? Our boys are old enough to do that now.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do

14. Who pays the bills? That will be me.

15. Who is better with the computer? Again, he has strengths in some areas I dont.

16. Who mows the lawn? Our teen boy. (I think this is where children become a blessing. LOL)

17. Who cooks dinner? We take turns and often spend this time together. I often plan grilled foods so he does the grill foods, and I prepare the inside foods.

18. Who drives when you are together? He does.

19. Who is the most stubborn? Me

20. Whose parents do you like the most? That's a weird question.

21. Who kissed who first? It's been so long; but I think we both kissed each other.

22. Who asked out who? Eldon asked me.

23. Who proposed? Eldon.

24. Who has more friends? We both have a good circle of close friends and acquaintances.

25. Who has more siblings? The same. Eldon has one sister; I have one brother.

I tag Karen, Emily and Annie!

I Survived!!

I survived the camping and 4-wheelin' trip!!

Yes--that is me driving. I decided to drive for a little bit. I didn't drive for very long so I'm not considered an experience rock crawler or anything. I felt so out of my element that I didn't drive for very long. Besides, there were so many people there and the place was crawling with 4X4 vehicles it was stop and go traffic in the country! Go figure!


Oh--the guys had a a great time on this thrill seeker adventure. I had my adventure driving to the camp. I drove our Yukon and pulled Stephen's Suzuki on a dolly. At one point through steep and curvy terrain, Chase looked in the review mirror and the strap over the right tire came off. I'm glad he saw it. I stopped as far to the side of the highway as I could and my husband driving his jeep behind me gets out and puts the strap back on! Thank God He protected us! I'd much rather get my thrills by rolling a bunko & winning a prize. This feels a bit life threatening to me. (That is my opinion and not the general opinion of others in my family.)

Stephen had his maiden voyage over all these granite rocks. He enjoyed himself throughly. Here he is giving you folks a wheel wave!


Here's Stephen at the "WaterFall" which is about a four foot drop. Because of his bumper, the spotters decided it would be best if Stephen went down it sideways. He did! I took this picture just before he slid sideways down the slope there. I screamed! Forgot to snap pictures. Then I ran out of memory stick. I still had the other side, but my fingers wouldn't work to flip the button. I wonder why?


My dear husband, Eldon loves these adventures. He likes to drive over creeks on the walls if his wheel span allows him. Here is a picture of Eldon maneuvering over a creek.


Just before Eldon did this maneuver, up stream a bit I was in the passenger seat. We drove through the creek with the two wheels on the passenger side in the water and the two wheels on the driver side up on the rock wall. We're sideways. I was quoting what Eldon told Stephen several times--"Sideways is not good!!" Remember I was in the passenger seat. I noticed that the water was just a few feet below me, not deep but definitely contaminated with vehicle chemicals. If we were to slip I'd be in the water. My face was a foot from the rock wall. I was much closer to the granite than I wanted to be moving along at five mph. I had wished I were wearing the five point harness instead of the shoulder strap seat belt. Gravity was pulling my body out of the vehicle and I was clawing to grab hold of whatever wasn't moving. After that thrill ride, I decided to get out of the vehicle at "thrill" points. Here's Eldon successfully going down the "Waterfall."


Eldon tried to get Stephen to maneuver over a crack. Stephen's vehicle is basically stock and hasn't been modified enough for these types of rock climbing. Here's a picture of Stephen giving it a go with Chase leaning on the vehicle.

Stephen backed off this rock safely without an incident. Chase did some rock crawling of his own kind. At all the "thrill" stops, Chase would go climb the rocks. Here's a picture of him and his cousin Jonathon on top of these large rocks. No one knows for sure how they got up there or how they got down. I stayed at camp on this excursion.


This camping trip experience was like nothing I've ever experienced before. I've done the "roughin' it" camping trips without running water and electricity before. What made this different is the environment. The place is called Katemcy Rocks. Katemcy Rocks is to four wheeling what Sturgis is to motorcycles. Rumor was out this was the last open weekend before hunting season opens. There were 204 4X4 vehicles registered. That does not include all the trucks and trailers used to haul in all the 4X4 vehicles. Nor does it include the RV's and tents.

Camping sites were not assigned. It was first come, first serve. We got there early Friday afternoon and had plenty of room. People came in all Friday evening and Friday night and the wee early hours of Saturday morning. When I came out of the tent Saturday morning, there were tents put up just inches from tents. Eldon told me we'll get to meet a lot of people there. Well--duh--when camping that close to one another you can't help but meet other people.

I had the opportunity to visit some with my brother, who is an avid four-wheeler, and visit with other nice ladies. I learned form other women that our husband's consider this an outing fit for the wife and counts as a weekend get-a-way. We all decided it didn't. A women's conference is definitely needed! This was an experience. And I survived!!

While there, Eldon busted the leaf springs on the jeep which now have to be replaced. A new club member busted the hood latches and competition lights. On the highway home (we were driving behind him) his hood flew open. Bent the hood back and busted the windshield. Another club member got lots of scrapes and bumps on his vehicle and the battery/alternator died. Another busted an axle. On the way home, my brother jeep in flat tow dropped the drive shaft and damaged the transfer case. Stephen got bumps and scraps, excuse me, "brag marks" on his vehicle. What is that cliche? The difference between men and boys are the price of their toys!!

If you're interested in looking at all the pictures posted, you can visit Eldon's club website at SouthTexas4X4.com. Pictures of tip over are on there. I noticed other club members are posting their pictures as well.

Ya'll have a blessed day!

Goin' Rock Crawlin'

Well folks, the weekend is here that my husband, Eldon has been looking forward to for months. We're goin' four wheelin'. (Can you hear my Texas draw?)



We have two 4X4 vehicles we'll be taking to the rocks. Our teenage son will have his maiden voyage on the rocks with his newly acquired Suzuki. My husband insists that I drive on the rocks this weekend. I insist on taking all the videos and photos. (Who will win this insist game?) I like his jeep. But I really like it better when he drives it. I drove it the last night to pick up my son and my pony tail blew in my face and I couldn't see. You know it is still warm in Texas and of course the doors and top are off. I tend to be more like a cat, not a dog. I don't like the wind in my face. Not to mention that it takes a lot of work to drive a stick shift.

Here's the kicker. I just learned a few days ago that we'll really be camping. Now Eldon told me we were going camping, but I thought camping with bathrooms off down the road with showers. You know the kind made out of cinder blocks with the spiders in all the corners, but you're glad they're there anyway (the toilets, not the spiders). No! Only port-a-potties! No electricity and no running water! Did I say I'm thankful it is only for the weekend!

Eldon informed me at dinner tonight that I need to be ready by noon on Friday. We are leaving promptly at noon. He even told me to think I need to be ready by 11am. No reason for him to repeat it to me three times. Do you really think I would give him any reason to believe I wouldn't be ready on time? After all, on this trip I dont need any make-up or even a curling iron or hair chemicals. Probably a pony-tail holder and a ball cap will do.

I think I'm ready---I've already packed the wet wipes and toilet paper and food and drinks. He has the tent and sleeping bags. Should I take my toothbrush or should he kiss me with stuck in food and bad breathe?

Well I hope to post some pictures and a good story or two when I return. Ya'll have a good weekend now ya hear.

(P.S. --I just decided to take my toothbrush & toothpaste. I wont be able to stand it.)

Partial Obedience--Not Obedience

Is it just my imagination or has the size of things changed? I’m talking about clothes and shoes.

I went shopping last week and tried on the size I thought I wore and lo and behold they were snug and I refuse to buy a larger size! But last night I needed to buy new running shoes. I started jogging again and my back has been hurting. When I looked at my shoes, the soles were flat. No wonder I could feel the pavement under my feet! When I went to the store to try on shoes, I pulled my size off the shelf. My toes touched the ends. I pulled another brand the same size thinking it was the brand. But no my toes touched the end in the other brand. I pulled the next half size. Same thing. Finally I pulled a full size larger than what I bought last year and it fit. I thought this is the last straw! My feet cant be growing! I’m too old for that!

Well I went into my prayer closet when I put the shoes away. I sought the Lord about my size and weight. I have been with a well known weight loss membership program since January 2006 that emphasizes lifestyle changes. I have lost a significant amount of weight—28 pounds. But I have 15 pounds to go and I haven’t lost any weight this year. I thought I have been doing all the right things—eating healthy and exercising.

I recently read 1 Samuel 15. This passage of scripture tells about King Saul’s disobedience to the Lord for refusing to wipe out the Amalekites. He kept their king and best sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord. Then Samuel tells Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NIV):

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has rejected you as king."

Upon recalling this scripture, I felt the Lord drop into my heart that “Partial obedience is not obedience.” OUCH! I fell on my face and sought forgiveness from Him. I know what He’s telling me.

The Lord showed me in January 2006 how He wants me to eat. I believe the Lord knows each one of us so well that He knows what the best diet is for each of us. He showed me when I studied about when the Israelites left Egypt and they were in the desert. They craved and longed for the foods that they ate in Egypt—fish, leeks, onions, garlic, cucumbers, and melons (Numbers 11:1-20). They especially missed the quail in Egypt. God gave them manna from heaven; the food of angels (Psalm 78:23-25). In Exodus 16:11-12 (NIV) reads,

11 The LORD said to Moses, 12 "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.' "

God allowed them to eat the quail at night and gave them the manna in the mornings. I looked up some of the Hebrew lexicons.

Eat – Hebrew transliterated word - akal – means:
to eat, devour, burn up, feed

Filled – Hebrew transliterated word – saba – means:
to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited

The manna the Lord provided to the Israelites was perfectly satisfying for them. I felt the Lord nudge me to inform me that lean meats, steamed or fresh vegetables and fresh fruit was His manna for my life. If I choose to eat that I will be satisfied. And that the candies, cakes, chips, breads, etc. are foods of “Egypt” or “the quail”. And the more I choose to eat from the old way of life (the way of Egypt), the more I’d crave & devour them, but never feel satisfied. Also, I feel it is important to note here that I usually feel these cravings in the evenings. And that is when the Israelites craved the quail.

Last year, I did let go of my “Egypt” lifestyle for a while and ate the healthy foods. That’s how I lost that 28 pounds and felt like I had lots of energy. But the ways of the world (aka Egypt) crept back into my life and I didn’t notice. I thought I was doing the right things; but I’m not getting the results that I wanted. I allowed food to become an idol in my life. I used it to comfort me when I felt stress. I used it to celebrate when I felt happy. I used food for social occasions. (Please note: I don’t think it is wrong to gather and fellowship over food. I think it is wrong when that is all I thought about and it occupied more of mind than the things of the Lord.)

The Lord wants to be my comfort. The Lord wants to be my source of joy. I must not allow food to dictate the way I think or feel. I have determined and resolved in my heart to break this bondage in my mind and in my flesh about food. I determine and resolve as Daniel did not to give into and eat the king’s delicacies.

As a woman I have struggled with eating all my life. I am determined to submit it under the Lord’s authority now. I read about and correspond with other women who struggle with this also (though I know some who don’t). In Genesis 3, the fall of man was because the enemy tempted Eve with food—the forbidden fruit. So it has been from the early days of mankind that the enemy has used the same tactic against women. Let’s not fall for it again and again! Let’s rise up in the power of Christ and His blood that was shed for us.

We have self-control and we have crucified the sinful nature (flesh):

Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

I want to thank all of you who are praying for me and encouraging me!

Blessings in Christ--

New Again

My mother sent this video to me this morning by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans. It moved me so much, I wanted to share it with you. Thanks Mom! May you be blessed!

A Heart Like His by Beth Moore

I am so excited that I am part of a Ladies Bible study that started yesterday. We're studying Beth Moore's "A Heart Like His." Yesterday we had our fellowship brunch and watched the introductory video. We all had a hoot laughing at the differences in how Beth's hair do and clothes looked 10 years ago and recalled how we looked back then too. We love you Beth! Oh my--but the words Beth spoke on the video were still fresh and relevant today. I am looking forward to digging into God's word through this study. Beth did warn on the video that there are lots of confrontational scriptures & comforting ones as well. She asked everyone to stick with it. I love the Lord as He allowed me to facilitate a group--I just have to laugh for if I make a commitment as a group facilitator, I'll stick with it and complete all the assignments! If you have participated in this study before, please let me know how it ministered to you.

Blessings in Christ my dear sisters--

Bats & Spiders - Oh My!

Oh how the Lord uses my children to grow me and change me! When I was blessed with my children I did not realize how much it would change me. Emily discussed some of this on her blog and I’m going to build on it and elaborate on it from my point of view. I call this God’s Character Building 101. I suppose 201 will come with grandchildren someday.

We still have Charlotte (see this post). She has laid a huge egg sack. I have not been able to find out how long they eggs will stay there. But I have read that when the little spider lings come out that they will build the parachute type web, climb up on something high (like a fence post) and fly away on the wind. Just like on Charlotte’s Web. I hope I get to see it. But the sad news is that Charlotte will probably die after this event takes place. And today as I walked by the shrubs in my front yard, I noticed at least a dozen spider webs with spiders in them. I guess the word got out in spider land that we allow spiders to live here and they’ve moved in. I’m okay with it as long as they stay outside.

Last week our local home school group announced a scheduled field trip to the Devil’s Sinkhole in Rocksprings, Texas, to see the bats emerge at sunset. This trip is a one hour drive each way. In our new science book there is a chapter on bats. We skipped right over and started studying bats and I signed up to take this field trip with the group. I learned that bats are not dangerous and don’t actually attack people. These little creatures eat tons of insects every night. Chase said, “If we didn’t have bats, it would be an all out war between people and insects.”

Chase waiting for the bats

The bats that we went to see are called Mexican Free-tailed bats or Brazilian Free-tail bats. The tour guide said that the name Mexican Free-tailed bat is commonly used here because they cross the Mexican border to get here. This particular species of bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) lives in colonies. They like the caves. Bats are mammals, give live birth and nurse their young. These bats migrate north in the spring after mating, then return south for winter (about October). The mothers have their pups (the term for baby bats) in the caves. These pups stay in the nursery for six weeks. Amazingly, the mothers know their own pup out of the millions of pups when they return to nurse. Then after six weeks, the pups learn to fly. Bats don’t have much lift on their wings so they have to drop or hop and start flapping. And they continue flapping their wings during flight.

The sinkhole we visited is 350 feet deep. The bats start stirring before sunset. I call it stirring because before they start flying out of the sinkhole, they fly in a counter clockwise circle out of the hole. When they come out, it looks a like a tornado and then they fly off in swarms toward the south. They feed on tons of moths every night.

I just stood in awe of God’s creation as I stood there and watched this. I stood there and allowed the bats to fly around me. Yet I did not squeal like the little girls in front of me. I saw some land on the deck in front of me and watch it hop and hop to try and get some lift to flap its little wings. They are as small as one of my hands. Some are a little bigger. I think the tour guide said there are estimated 4 billion, but maybe he said 4 million. This includes the mothers and pups. There are some males, but from what I understand they mostly stay south. I don’t know exactly how many there were, but lots of bats came out of that cave. I asked the tour guide when they stop and he said he has only been out as late as 11 pm and they were still coming out.

My husband is just in awe at how much I have changed lately. Before, I would have never allowed spiders to hang around or stand and watch bats fly all around me. God has used my children and His call on my life to home school them to change the way I see His creation. If I weren’t teaching my children at home, I would NEVER do the things I’ve been doing—like entertaining spiders and standing around the bats. I am certainly overcoming fear.

Having my children has certainly blessed me and they continue to bless me.

Psalm 127:3

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.