The kids in Florida!Caleb

Kimmy

Morgan

Joshy

Nathan

It's Christmas time.  Two weeks of no school work.  I have so many things I want to get done during that time.  Since homeschooling takes up so much of my time and energy I want to accomplish some things.  Some of those things are...
Making a scrapbook for my parents for Christmas.
Catching up on the laundry.
Cleaning this house from top to bottom.
Making Christmas shirts with the kids.
Baking with the kids, and
of course blogging!
I am terrible at blogging.  Mostly because I don't have time, but also because I think who really cares what I have to say.  I've never been good at journaling, but it is fun to read others blogs and they are always so inspirational to me. 
I do want to put up some new pictures of the kids that were taken this past August on a very HOT day! They were taken by my wonderful friend, Sherry of Synergy Photography!

FEAR

A while back while sitting at the hair dresser, and completely out of the blue, I had a seizure, well what the "experts" say was a seizure.  I think it was probably fainting! They never found anything wrong with me! So last Sunday I was standing in the choir and we were singing There is Power in the Blood and all of a sudden I got really dizzy and light headed.  I really thought I was going to pass out.  So quickly I made a choice to leave the choir in the middle of the song.  I would rather be embarrassed by leaving the choir rather than falling out in the choir loft, which I would die if that ever happened!!! So this morning before church I was a little nervous about singing again.  I tried hard not to think about it.  But half way through being up there I started to feel light headed and dizzy again.  My heart started beating a mile a minute, my legs were shaking and I could not make them stop! So I started praying! I did not want to leave two weeks in a row, so I told myself nothing happened last week, it wouldn't happen this week.  We started to sing the choir special and in part of the song it talked about how Jesus takes away our fear.  I knew then that God was going to get me through, but I was still shaking and my heart still felt like it was going to beat out of my chest! I kept looking at Lisa (our choir director) and smiling and trying to focus on the words of the song! I have never felt fear like that! Not fear of being up there but fear that I was going to pass out or have a seizure up there! I have never had a panic attack before but that is what it felt like.  My dad and my sister both have panic attacks.  My dads fear is talking in front of people, my sister's is elevator's.  She cannot ride on one! I always thought they could get passed their fear if they just tried and put their mind to it! But after this morning I believe it is real! I am not one to give into my fear, and I will fight this and not give into it, but for the first time I believe fears can effect you in a very real way! But I do know that "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love sound mind and power..."
I am so thankful for His peace that got me through that whole episode this morning! I so want to worship Him this Ressurection Sunday without any fear! Since being in choir I found such freedom in worship! I love to worship my Savior! He is so worthy!

Spring Fun!

Kimmy and Joshy Kissin!

I am helping to coach Caleb and Morgan's T-ball team.  We are having fun together! They make me so proud!

Why Facebook (and Your Church) Might Be Making You Sad

Why Facebook (and Your Church) Might Be Making You Sad
A great article, take time to read!

Nature hike

Today we went on a nature hike. 

Facebook break

So I have decided to take a facebook break! I have been feeling convicted for a while about the time that I spend on it.  I don't know how long this break will be, I just know that I needed it.  I also took the PS3 away from the kids.  I usually only let them play it about an hour a day.  But since my 3 year asks me about every five minutes if he can play it I know that he was addicted and also like me needed a break.  He is way too young to be playing it at all anyways! So instead during that time we will focus on reading, playing outside together, playing UNO or just being together without any of these other distractions!

I do believe there is a deeper reason for taking this break, I really want to stop hiding behind this computer screen and truly spend time with people face to face.  I am naturally a quieter person than most so it is easier for me to hide behind my quiet nature instead of putting myself out there and be real and open with others, instead of living in fear of rejection! It is also easy to hide behind it when we live the military life, which includes moving every few years and having to start all over with new friends, new church family.  I hate goodbyes and I hate change, so instead of closing myself off to others I want to give my all, serving others, loving others and be an encouragement whenever I can with the time I have left before we have to move again! I'm so thankful for the people the Lord has put into my life, I don't deserve any of them! I desire to be a faithful, encouraging  and loving friend and I desire this with all my heart!

Snow day!

So we got about an inch of snow today.  It started snowing last night while we were at church, and the kids loved running to the van in it.  It was really coming down hard.  This morning I really didn't want to get out in it, but the kids were begging! Joshy and Nathan have had pink eye the past two days, so I didn't know if I should let them out in it.  I gave in and I think they didn't stay out for more than 20 minutes in it.  I captured a few pictures with my broken camera, I sure do miss it! At least it still takes them, with me holding the lens firmily in place!;) We sure are thankful for all of God's blessings, even fun snow days! I sure am looking forward to spring though!;)

"Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people? You will not stay angry with Your people forever,because You delight in showing unfailing love. Once again You will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under Your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!" ~ Micah 7:18-19

I saw this verse on another friends post! I love being reminded of God's grace and mercy, how He throws our sins into the depths of the ocean.  My sin that held Him to the cross, the sins He knew I would commit even before I was born.  He still went to the cross and He still died for me, and He doesn't hold it against me.  Then I think of all the times I have held others sins against them.  Instead of giving them grace and forgiveness like the Lord gave me! Lord, Help me to see other's as YOU see them! To love with your Holy Spirit! Thankyou for your amazing grace!

I'm Amazed!

I’m Amazed!
No one knew how alone I was feeling
And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide
Though I laughed and said my life was fine without You.

I was covering up the secret tears I cried
Then one day someone told me of Your mercy
And the love You showed on a hill called Calvary
There you died and purchased my redemption
When you broke sin’s power and set my spirit free

I’m amazed that You love me
I’m amazed how You care
Through Your precious blood
I’ve found pardon
And my sins are washed,
They’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

It’s true there have been days when I’ve failed You
Lord, You know the many times I’ve gone astray
But I’ve learned that Your love is stronger than my weakness
And you ear is open every time I pray
No one else has ever cared for me like You, Lord
Other friends could never be as close to me
I’m not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow
Knowing You are everything I’ll ever need

I’m amazed that You love me
I’m amazed how You care
Through Your precious blood
I’ve fond pardon
And my sins are washed,
They’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

I love this song and every time I hear it or sing it I can't help but have tears streaming down my face! I am truly amazed that He loves me, that He died for me even when He knew that I would turn away from Him!

About 7 years ago I did turn away from Him for a short time.  My life was all about me and what I wanted.  I excused the sin in my life, and was even mad at the circumstances God brought into my life.  Though I never outwardly blamed Him for my circumstances, my heart became hardened and this caused me to drift away from Him, and cling to other things, and in turn make bad decisions! Though I had left my first love, HE never left me! So that is why I stand Amazed that He still loves me.  That through His precious blood I have found pardon, and all my sins are washed away!!!!

I serve an amazing God and even though I still fail Him each day I know I can come to Him and He will forgive me and still loves me even though He knows all the awful things about me! Can we say that about anyone else in our life??  He is the only One that will never leave us or forsake us!

What about YOU?? What has God brought you through? I would love to hear about it!