Wednesday, April 28, 2010

How ya living? Fear or Faith?

I was reading my KCM devotional this morning and two key points stuck out.  I probably have blogged about them in a similar way, but thought I would share them with you this morning.

In the world's way of thinking, money has no value unless fear is applied to it. Think about this:
Fear says, "I've worked hard for this. I may not have another opportunity to have this much again, so I'd better hold on to it as long as I can...'cause you never know.'"

Faith, on the otherhand, says, "I received all these riches by believing God, and as long as God is around, there is always more where this came from." 

And isn't that so true?  both statements?  I've been on both sides-the side of allowing fear to make me think this is all I have, and the side of faith, knowing GOD will continue to provide.  Guess which side is easy and light?  :D 
Matthew  11:30-"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"

But isn't that true with all the principles of life?  If we trust GOD for our finances, our health, restoration in relationships, etc, isn't it that we are living opposite of fear and living a full and an abundant life?  and isn't that what we are called to do? 

Blessings until next time!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Lots of right and wrongs...

Apparently, there are right and wrong ways to do all kinds of stuff.  Today, I found out there is a right and many wrong ways to make cinnamon toast!  who da think it?  LOL
I knew there was a right and wrong way to make grilled cheese, my friend Marian's way-the wrong way and my way-the right way...lol, but cinnamon toast? 
Go to the Pioneer Woman's blog and find out for yourself!

BTW I was out of town this weekend...we went to Fargo one last time to gather the rest of our stuff.  I didn't feel the need to cry tears of saddness as I left-lol-only tears of joy!  LOL 

We left Thursday night around 8 pm, drove to Iowa City, and stopped for the night.  We ended up dwaldling the rest of the drive and got up to Fargo around 6:30. Worked until about 10:30...the rest of the weekend is a blur...we got up Saturday morning at 6:30 and worked and worked and worked until around 1:30 am when we finally left.  Then we drove and stopped and drove and stopped a few times until I was rested enough to drive most of Sunday. We got in around 7 pm, showered and plopped ourselves in bed!

Now we just have to go down to Arkansas and gather the stuff from there and put it all together in one storage unit...work, work, work!  I told DH, if we don't have a house in a year, we are getting rid of it all, and living in the RV from here on out.  It's too much work and money to gather up stuff and move it from storage to storage!

Blessings until next time!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Today's weight loss tip:

This is from a friend of mine.  I haven't tried it yet, but if anyone does, let me know how it works for you.  :D
Today's weight loss tip: Use superglue as lip gloss! lol

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

A LOT of HOT air!!!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Paddling brought back

Paddling has been brought back to Temple, TX school district. 
Paddling article


When I was in jr high and high school, paddling was still in effect.  When my oldest went to private school, paddling was in effect there too.  As a parent, I had to sign a waiver that basically said that in order for my daughter to go to school there, paddling was used and if she received enough demerits, paddling would take place.  Obviously, I didn't have a problem with that.  :D 

I believe GOD made the bottom for spanking.  Spanking, NOT beating!!!  I believe the verse "spare the rod, spoil the child" is true, despite what anti-spankers believe.   

Proverbs 13:24 (King James Version)

24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 23:13-14 (King James Version)

13Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

I'm not saying a spanking is always the answer to discipline.  I have one child that a word was usually enough to get her attention, another child that taking away priviledges got his, and one child that a spanking did wonders.  It all depends on the child and the disobedience they commited.  Now that my children are older, I don't spank anymore.

When my children were little, and they disobeyed, I asked them what they did.  They would tell me.  Then I would ask them what the Word of GOD says.  They would quote, Ephesians 6:1-3 to me.

Ephesians 6:1-3 (King James Version)

Ephesians 6
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

I would them spank my child, usually with a wooden spoon, enough to make it hurt, but not severely.  After the crying was over, I reminded my children I loved them and I wanted them to grow up in the nuture and admonition of the LORD  (Ephesians 6:4), remind them that they need to obey according to the WORD, that I loved them always, and give them a hug and a kiss. 

I never wanted to spank my children without them understanding why they were getting a spanking, or without them knowing that I loved them afterwards.  I know some people don't agree with spankings, but they can be very effective if done properly. 

Blessings until next time.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Awesome article on St. Patrick

I know St. Patrick's Day has past, but Pastor Kevin Sanford, posted this on his fb page.  It's excellent.
St. Patrick article

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sunday Sing-Along

I love PC&D.  They are one of my favorite groups and this is one of my favorite songs of theirs.  It also is one of my pastor's favorite songs, so whenever they would visit, they would sing this for him.  :D  PC&D are also great to listen to when you just need a boost or a reminder that GOD is still there, HE hasn't left you or forsaken you.  Praise GOD for HIS mercy and grace.  Thank YOU JESUS!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Oh the drama!

After yesterday, I wonder, am I the only one that has drama in my life?  It just seems like I have more dramatic things happen than most people?  Is it me?  or is it the enemy trying to come against me? 

Tuesday, dh got an advance on pay.  The vp (dh's boss) understood that we were going through some financial situations and advanced dh pay.  I used the instant deposit online for our credit union.  Now mind you, we haven't had a lot of money, so some things have had to wait to be paid.  One of them was one of our vehicles.  We have a loan with this particular vehicle at the credit union.  Apparently, they are at liberty to take the money out of our account, without our knowledge, to pay their loan.  Unfortunately, that was going to go to our house payment.  That's okay...dh got paid on Wednesday a full pay check.  The VP said he would have payroll deduct the advance over the following two pay checks. 

Because I already made a deposit online, I couldn't deposit the other check online.  You're only allowed to deposit a certain amount of money per number of services you use with the credit union. 

So yesterday, because I couldn't deposit the money online, and we needed to get our house payment made, we first tried to open an account at a local credit union.  That didn't work...didn't understand the whole situation, but nevertheless, it didn't.

We go to where the paycheck is drawn from.  We were going to open an account.  That didn't work...we don't have a local address, other than a mail box (even though it's a street address, because remember I got an $80 mail box through UPS? LOL)

So we go back to the credit union, because on their site it said they have shared branching.  Shared branching is so you can use their services as if they were your credit union.  Well guess what?  It's only for their members.(don't ask...it didn't make sense to me either!)

The saga continues...
We go back to the bank that the check was drawn on, and decide to get it cashed.  The girl that told us we couldn't open an account because of the address situation, was hesitant to cash the check.  I could see dh's face beginning to boil...he was going to explode if she hadn't cashed that check. Fortunately, she cashed it.

I finally was able to get a cashier's check and mail the house payment.  Praise GOD! 

So seriously, am I the only one with this much daily drama?  Please tell me no.

Blessings for your weekend!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Miscellaneous...

I thought I'd give an update...

  • Insurance-got an extention (well I had already shared that)
  • DISH network-turns out dh and I did remember we leased the first receiver, so we apologized for the confusion and will be sending it to them.
  • UPS store-went for a refund, they won't grant one, contacted my bank since I used Visa debit, (my dh said I should) they can't refund, but suggested I contact UPS headquarters (which I planned on doing before contacting the bank), so I'm in the process of doing that.
I really am enjoying being here in KS.  It really is lovely.  Not what I would picture KS to be like.  Hilly, green...I've always expected it to be flat and lots of wheat fields.  I guess, from what I've been told, the west side of the state is like that, but the east side by MO is what we are seeing.  The temps have been lovely too...mid 70's!  So nice, after our negative temps this past winter in ND.  :D

The past couple of days I've had some very thought provoking devotions...maybe spirit provoking would be a better word?  Anyhow, yesterday's was on pleading the blood.  There was a discussion about this about a year ago on a homeschool site I visit. I searched to find the discussion and thought about bringing it back up, but then I sometimes think, Why bother?  Most people don't have spiritual ears of understanding anyhow.

Oh, back to the devotion...Kenneth Copeland  was saying when he first became a christian he didn't understand what pleading the blood was about, but when he finally realized....(this is where the woe, watch out part comes in-lol)

"The devil has to respect the blood. When you say, 'I plead the blood of Jesus in this situation,' that's the blood by which the covenant was ratified, and the devil can't touch it. There's protection in the blood. There's deliverance in the blood.

When you plead the blood, you have laid down your case and put your entire confidence on and oath that is coventant-sworn by Amighty God. 

When Jesus took the Communion cup in the upper room, He said, 'Take this and drink it. This is the New Covenant in My blood, ratified for you.'

That blood guarantees certain things.  It guarantees that every word in the written Word of God is a blood-sworn oath.  That blood-sworn oath is an anchor to your soul. It become an inner strength on the inside of you.  God is your Father and Jesus is your blood brother. Everything that's His is yours and everything that's yours is His.

To be afraid to act or speak before you can see or feel something is to doubt God's sworn oath, the name of Jesus, and the blood of the Lamb.

Jesus' blood shed for you obliterate your sin on the cross.  When you received Jesus as your Lord, you took your place in your part of the New Covenant and you activated your freedom.  And every time you repent of sin, it is destroyed forever and you are cleansed of its effect. That's why you can walk free of condemnation. 

If the devil acuses you, don't walk in guilt. Guilt isn't yours. You've been given freedom.  When you feel like you're in front of a judge and he asks, 'How do you plead?' say, ' I plead the bood!  I'm innocent of that.'

'Case dismissed--lack of evidence!'" ~Kenneth Copeland, Pursuit of His Presence

I thought, you know, I'm not sure I knew why we pleaded the blood, I knew it was power, but I think reading this answers many questions that I had and now I know how to answer those when people ask.  (Also, for further reading to understand more, Hebrews 9:11- 10:23 was recommended.  I recommend it too. It helps to explain and gives more understanding.)

Today's devotion is Live a Holy Life.  I really needed to hear this one today.  I've been struggling lately with remembering my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit!  I'll try to share this one tomorrow, since this post is getting too long!

Blessings until next time!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sunday Sing-Along

I think this is the perfect song for this week...especially if you read my blog this week.  :D



Hope you all have a great day!
Blessings until next time!

Friday, April 9, 2010

finally, some good news to report...

After a not so good Wednesday, yesterday was much better! 
We headed to the one laundromat I found that was semi decent (I hate laundromats)  and while I was there, got a call from my insurance agent. 

I explained the situation and asked for an extention.  He said he'd call me back.  A few minutes later, I got a call, and he said, No, that whomever (not sure if it's regional, or headquarters, but whomever it was....)  wouldn't grant me an extention.  I said, "That really upsets me, considering I've been a customer for over 25 years, and now I'm going through a hard time, and you all are going to drop me...blah blah blah.

He gave me the "I'm so sorry, but it's out of my hands, blah blah blah" speech.

I called dh, and kinda barked at him, telling him what was going on, because I was upset.  He's what do you want me to do about it? etc...

I get off the phone with dh and decide to call the 800 number...you know the HELP number.

I go through the automated stuff and finally get a REAL person, explain my situation...um, not without tears, especially when I said, I've been a customer for 25 years and you all will drop me if I don't pay today, because I going through a hard time.  The gal said, "Wait who told you that?"  and I explained.  She said, "Let me look at your account, and review it. I'll see what I can do."

After a few minutes of being on hold, she got back on the line to let me know she was trying to get me an extention and had to get a supervisor's approval. 

When she got back a second time, I got my 30 day extention, and she was so kind.  I almost started crying again, because I was so thankful!

Today, my dh called and said that the new company he's working at, has scrap metal that they are going to give him to build a BBQ pit!  AND one of the guys in charge of that area is going to help him build it! 

Yes, finally some good news!  Praise the LORD!  and YES, I know, and haven't forgot, that everyday is a good day with good news when we are one of GOD's children, and I am thankful for GOD's favor!  But somedays the devil tries to ruin a good day.  Thank you all for your prayers.  They are much appreciated.

Blessings!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Yesterday's Tomorrow is Today...

"Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it."~Anne Shirley

Here's to hoping yesterday's tomorrow, which is today, is fresh with no mistakes in it.  MY yesterday was NOT a good day!  I ended up breaking down and crying several times because of it.  sigh...

Yesterday started with the bank calling about the RV payment.  I had already contacted them early to let them know it would be late.  (1st time ever) Can't do anything about it until dh gets paid or GOD performs a financial miracle.  So that started the water works.

I needed to call the insurance company and ask for an extention on paying my policy.  My agent wasn't in for the day.  I called the headquarters-they can't help me, they give me the regional guy...guess what?  He's not in either apparently.  I left a msg.  No reply. 

I needed to discontinue our Dish Network. I call, they tell me I can't discontinue the service because my name isn't the primary on the acct or something like that. Dh calls...tries to disconnect, they are trying to charge us for a receiver that they claim I leased which I bought!

I went to the post office yesterday.  The post office is downtown.  Downtown is cute and quaint...but we are in a college town, and it was confusing and hard to get to the post office and rather far away, so I get this great idea (um NOT) to go get a mail box at the UPS store.  I ask how much, I thought they said $20 for 3 months...okay a little expensive, but I'll do it.  Fill out the paperwork...(obviously miss the important stuff that I skimmed through)  and turns out it's $20 a month.  I had to come up with the total.  I was too embarassed to say no, I can't really afford that....sigh!  So I just ate the costs, and then went out to the vehicle and called dh crying up a storm.

Went to find a laundromat...apparently there aren't many decent ones here in the area.  So I ended up not washing clothes yesterday.

This is what happens when I choose not to complain??? 

Hopefully today will be much better.  Prayers would be appreciated.  :D

Blessings until next time.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

this and that

Wow, no comments on yesterday's post.  That was a bit surprising.  Maybe I was too real for people. LOL..

Today, I have a list of things to do...like:

  • call the insurance company
  • call dish network
  • go to the laundromat
  • find a post office and get a p o box
  • organize the rv
  • get started on school work again
  • etc, etc...
  • wish I could take a nap....lol
I'd really appreciate some prayers.  Satan has been trying to make me worry and waking me up at night with it.  :(  I rebuke it, but then I'm awake, so I pray. 

Blessings!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Complaining-not okay

I'm afraid that through my posts on Facebook and here on my blog, I've mislead people into thinking I don't complain or gripe about moving.  That's not true.  I gripe and I complain, sometimes often, especially if it's a place I don't like, or don't connect to.  Sometimes it's because it's new, and I'm (we're) having a hard time adjusting.  I'm human, I make mistakes, I complain.  Please don't think that I always handle moving with grace.  It's not easy living on the road.  I try to make the most of it.  You know when life gives you lemons, make lemonade...instead of throwing them at the neighbor.  LOL  ;)  But there are times I want to throw the lemons. 

But I try to keep things all in persceptive too, this is only a temporary situation.  This is only a temporary home.  My home is heaven.  Change is good, we need to learn to embrace change and be flexible to what GOD wants from us.  It's all learning to die to self.  NO, it's not always easy, AND believe me, it's not always fun!   It's a process, like anything else, in coming up higher, for the kingdom.  I don't want to be going around the mountain 40 years either because I grumbled and complained the whole time. 

GOD hates when we complain and grumble.  The other day, Thursday, the night before Good Friday, I started to complain, and then I realized what day it was. JESUS went to the cross for me, beaten and battered, to the point HIS body was mangled and HE didn't look human anymore.  HE was hung on a cross afterwards with long, sharp thrones pierced in HIS skull...I could go on, but at that moment, I realized I had no business complaining.  I started crying.  I repented and asked the LORD to give me strength and remind me not to complain.  I thanked HIM for HIS sacrifice and HIS love and commitment to me, that HE never leaves me or forsakes me.  I've commited myself to focus on HIS death and resurrection and what HE did on the cross as a reminder to not complain.  My goal is to continue to do that each time I think about complaining, because it could always be worse.

Blessings until next time!

Monday, April 5, 2010

There's no place like home...

Remember in the "Wizard of Oz" where Dorothy said that?  Well, now we can say that too, and be talking about Kansas...well at least temporarily.  Dh got a temp to possible perm job here in Kansas. 

Dh interviewed for the company back in January.  The company has been waiting to hire him direct until they have long term projects.  Currently, there is a contract project for dh to do.  We don't know how long it will last, but at least it's something for now to pay the bills until other things get started-Dh wants to build a BBQ pit and sell sandwiches, along with other treats,  as a vendor to fairs, festivals, etc. 


A few weeks ago, we moved about 1/3 of our stuff and the RV down to AR (all before we found out that we were going to KS).  That meant last week when we got back to ND we needed to finish up packing and loading our stuff, dh needs to sheetrock the ceiling in the kitchen and bathroom of the yucky farm house...guess what?  We didn't get it all done...so now we have 1/3 of our stuff in AR, 1/3 of our stuff in ND, and 1/3 of our stuff here in KS, because this weekend we pulled the lowboy down here to KS, then went down to AR and got the RV...but we still have to go down and get our stuff out of storage in AR and go back to ND and get our stuff and finish sheetrocking...

So much to do, so little time to enjoy traveling...sigh...not even sure if this post is making any sense...lack of sleep because of all the traveling...

Blessings until next time. (oh and prayers appreciated)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Resurrection Sunday!