Christmas Makes Me Cry Mandisa and Matthew West

Jennifer Rothschild Don't miss this!

The More the Merrier! From 4 to 6!

Our Butterball Turkey

Mom set the Table

Brady has discovered the art of funny Faces!

Can't believe he stood still to take a real picture

I think that is the stay in your seat and behave look.

What you doin?

Funny face again!

My name is Jack, and I love trains!

In this picture, you would not know it, but Cousin Bill works hard!

We love Mumize's cooking!

Brady is going break hearts some day!  Sorry Photo is turned wrong

Normally there are just 4 of us for Thanksgiving, as all the extended family goes to WV, but this year cousin Bill & his wife Mandy, and their two boys spent Thanksgiving with us!  It was all the richer with them here!  Thanks guys we love you!  Also, see my previous post for 100 reasons I'm thankful!  There are more pics, but I could not post them all!  Happy Thanksgiving Bloggy Friends!  Sorry some how this blog became non-public for 24 hours.  Don't know how that happened!

First 100 Reasons I'm Thankful!

Can you come up with 100 things you are thankful for? This is what I'm going to attempt beginning now.

1. Jesus rescued me from Sin Self, and Hopelessness
2. Answered Prayers
3. My Heavenly Father
4. A new start
5. Forgiveness
6. House
7. The Bible
8. Spiritual Gifts
9. My Mom
10. My Brother
11. Mumzie
12. Jocelyn 
13. Brady 
14. Jack 
15. Margaret 
16. Ron
17. Kim
18. Brad
19. Bill
20. Mandy
21. Dad
22. Macy
23. Food and Clean Water
24. Living in America
25. Bed
26. Sunshine
27. Friends
28. Health
29. Mom's Health
30. Progress
31. Church Family
32. Pastoral Staff
33.    Salvation of most of my family
34. My chair.
35. Health care
36. Freedom to vote
37. Van with Lift
38. Needs are met
39. Use of my hand
40. Speech
41. Hearing
42. Basic Sight
43. Ability to read/learn
44. The Beach
45. The Stars
46. The rain.
47. Kindness
48. Mercy
49.  Government
50. Technology
51. Soldiers
52. Purpose
53. Laughter
54. Leisure
55.  Promise of Heaven
56. Music
57. Clothes
58. Modern Medicine
59.  Babies born
60. Memories
61. Birthdays
62. Christmas
63. Easter
64. Thanksgiving
65. Good Doctors
66. Hope of reconciliation
67. Butterflies
68. Being a girl!
69. Acts of kindness done for me in 2010
70. Caregivers
71. Volunteer Work
72. New Friends
73. Smiles
74. Luxuries
75. Electric Blanket
76. New Shower
77. New Shower Chair
78. The past is Gone!
79. Meaning
80. Hair Dyer
81. Books
82. Photographs
83.   Freedom from Physical pain
84. Freewill
85. Humor
86. Men
87. Chocolate cake
88. Hugs
89. Happy tears
90. excitement 
91. Roses
92. Movies
93. Mentors
94. Michael W. Smith
95. AC AND Heat in house and car
96. Surprises
97. Constant things
98. Elderly Wisdom
99. Another Day
100. Family tradition  

Half Full Friday/11/19/10 and Happy Dance!

Hi Bloggers Friends:

         I am overflowing with thankfulness for my returned good health, and want to say thank you for your prayers.  My surgery was a success the recovery was longer and rougher than predicted, but thrilled to put it behind me.    I have been in awe of the outpouring of love I have received.    After not being out of the house for more than a week, it has been nice to get back in the swing of things.  Half Full Friday now has a new sponsor!  You can find her here! Hope you will check it out and make your own list.I will hopefully be back with a part 2 on Spiritual Boredom Part II.  Hopefully a more positive, but equally transparent post will follow part I.

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• I am joyful to be feeling better than I've felt in literally a month and 1/2.
• I am joyful because of all my get well cards and gifts.
• I am joyful that I got the whole season 10 of BH 90210.
• I am joyful because Thanksgiving is next week! 
• I am joyful for the response to my previous blog post.
• I am joyful that God is present even when I may, not sense his presence.
• I'm joyful to do no longer be in a medicine induced fog.
• I am joyful that I read a new book in three hours even though I'm a slow reader

Spiritual Boredom? Part I

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Can I make a confession?  Of course I can who's going to stop me?  I was not one of those kids that was bored ever.  I always found ways to entertain myself or keep myself busy.  Until recently I never had to talk myself into reading my bible or praying, because as a teenager, I was so lonely that it was my loneliness that drove me to God.  Lately however I find that I'm in a spiritual state of boredom.   The problem of course is me for we know the Christian life is anything but boring, and even more we know we serve an amazing Holy God!  He can never be fully described, and his greatness t be fathomed.    So have you ever faced spiritual boredom?  How did you cure it?  
Restore the joy of Your salvation to me,
    and give me a willing spirit
Ps. 51:12 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."
Rev. 2:4
Part 2 later..

I WILL NEVER & KIDNEY WHAT??

Has it really been over a week since I blogged?  Well here is the deal, next week they will put me to sleep to get rid of a kidney stone that has been causing me problems for awhile.  I had to go to the ER last wed, because of pain.  I'm no stranger to surgery, I have had my share, but I barely know this doctor, and he advised me that even though it is day surgery, it is kinda a "big deal"  So since I'm use to 5 to 7 hours surgeries, an hour and a half seems like a piece of cake.  But I've never had anything done that related to my kidney, before so I'm kind of chicken.  R ember a few weeks ago when I had that stomach bug, yeah I'm kinda thinking this could be related.
   In other news, last Sunday night I was feeling lonely as I often do on Sunday nights.  I could give a list of reasons why, but I won't....  The point is I was feeling forgotten and lonely, and there was this ache longing, I just  could not shake.  I could barely pray, but had such intense feelings I can't seem to put into words. but The Holy Spirit reminded me  that God would NEVER LEAVE ME!  The sweetest peace came over me,  I don't know about you, but I need someone who will follow through on their promise to never leave me.  When God says He will Never Leave He is serious.  I'll be honest, this week I'm deserving of being abandoned...  I have not sought God as I know I'm called to...  But He is still God, and He is still with me!  I'"ll try to post a part 2 with scripture soon, but isn't it cool to know God will not abandon us, even when as the song says we are prone to wander

In Your Eyes

  

“In Your Eyes”

By T.J. Ellis

October 2010 ©

In Your Eyes, I am forgiven.

In Your Eyes, I am complete.

In Your Eyes, I have already won!

In Your Eyes, I am loved.

In Your Eyes I’m accepted.

In Your Eyes the lies are gone.

In Your Eyes I am wearing a robe of white.

In Your Eyes, I am covered by The Blood so pure!

In Your Eyes, there is nothing I cannot endure

In your Eyes, my identity is secure!

In your Eyes I can see!

There is hope!

There is protection from danger.

In your Eyes I’m not a prisoner to anger!

 I am not a failure

How sweet it is for a moment, to see through your Eyes!

A Day of Memories in Downtown Chattanooga!.

Mom and me.  We had a great time.  You would never know in this my stomach had been hurting the whole day.  Sometimes you gotta push through the pain and not let anything stop you from enjoying life.

Later that evening mom and I met some friends on the Southern Belle Dinner Cruise(Chattanooga's Riverboat.More Here This was a place we stopped to site see before we got on the actual Riverboat.  I won the cruise..

I've said before I love Butterflies!

Downtown Chattanooga  It was a beautiful day for an outing since we live within the city limits we hardly ever go downtown.

Inside Willa Collections.  I love their clothes but they aren't meant for non skinny types.  But, if you are ever in the area, it's a nice place!Willa Collection

My mom painted and decorated this chair for the "Chair Affair" to benefit On Point the chair can be viewed @ Willa Collection located in Downtown Chattanooga.More Chair Affair Info
   

                                        

So here are some highlights of the best day of Fall Break...  I may not have gotten a trip to the beach, but this was pretty great too!  So I was too busy yesterday for Half Full Friday this week.  Sometimes writers must remember that we must never become so busy writing about our life that we fail to live it, or we will find we will have nothing to write about.            
God reminded me this morning He desires for me to acknowledge Him, in the every day details, not just in the moments we categorize as spiritual.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 

Let them Be Them and You Be You!

So I learned something today that has brought me strange freedom!  My mom took a spiritual gifts test today, and found that one of the things that comes natural to her is exercising faith.  For years my mom has said things like have faith God will take care of it.  To which I would roll my eyes and huff and puff always at a loss as to how  faith always seems to be her response.  I on the other hand, have a tendency toward mercy.  While she is more a suck it up kinda gal.  Most of the things we fight about come down to the different ways in which God has designed us.  Don't get me wrong as Christians we are all called to walk by faith and not by sight, but for some faith is like breathing, and for those like me, choosing faith is constantly at war with doubt and mistrust.  Instead of embracing the gift God has entrusted her with, I have often mocked it, and been at times envious of it.  Likewise I think my strong tendency toward mercy leaves her wondering, did this child really come out of me? I also become angry with myself for not being more like her. The truth is the church today has much the same issue, we want others to look, act, and behave like us, but the ironic thing is we were never created to be carbon copies of one another.  The truth is I love my mom and she loves me.  She is not me, and I am not her.  We are two different people created by the same Holy God!  So while we are similar, we are not the exact same, nor were we meant to be.    So see how this hits you.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Eph. 4:2-3.Find it Here  That I am learning can only happen when we submit to God, and ask him to do the impossible in and through us.  So I guess the prayer is Lord help me bear with others, and Lord enable others to bear with me.  God knew this would be hard concept for us finite humans, but He addresses it clearly.  I have a feeling this may be a post, that I myself will revisit often.   What do you think?  I mean I guess I knew this in my head, but never really got it, you know?
Reaching for the Higher,

Half Full Friday and More!

It is for half full Friday!created by Eyegirl

• I  am joyful that I've not had any tummy troubles the last 2 days.
• I am joyful that I get a staycation next week, while my mom is on fall break. No volunteering next week.  Don't get me wrong I love volunteering, but I feel I need a break.
• I am joyful for candy bar waiting for me. 
• I am joyful that all my basic needs are met, when there are those wondering where their next meal will come from as they sell candy bars on the street to feed their family, because they lost their house and job, like the man I saw yesterday.
• I am joyful that one of my client's seemed more at ease yesterday.  
• I am joyful for the warmth of Macy's head against my lap.  
• I'm joyful both newsletters have been turned in!  
• I'm joyful for grace from from God and others. 
• I'm joyful, because of God's healing.  

Note to Self: Don't blog when hungry or didn't eat lunch...
Oh let's see I wish I had something profound to put here, but I don't think  I do today..  I'll try tomorrow!

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     Here is a devotional I found that I wanted to share with you all!

I lived! Half Full Friday

So after I wrote that post last Sunday afternoon and hour later I was SICK.  Not just a little either.  I'll spare you the details of yuckiness, but will tell you I was violently sick for a total of 11 hours.  I recovered three days later.  While this dog maybe cute sick, I on the other was not.  

So instead of doing a list for Half Full Friday. Half Full Friday  I will just say that I'm joy-filled to be well, as in no body aches and tummy troubles and able to eat "meals again

Oh and notice my new blog tab, I have also removed the blog music for a season.

Thanks for your feedback on the new layout and recent posts!

to find the image

A Lamb I am!

For more on the pictureGo here

I just feel compelled to blog today...  Isn't this a cute lamb?  Why would I post a picture of a lamb on my blog?  Well to understand why let me encourage you at some point in the near future to find a Bible and read Isaiah Chapter 40 and take a close look at verse 11."He tends the flock like a shepherd:He gathers the lambs in his arms close to his heart.; he gently leads those who have young.." in this analogy God is the Shepherd.  I wish the concept of a shepherd was not so foreign to me or this culture, but it is.  The whole chapter tells us a lot about the nature of God, like that He alone is God, and BTW DON'T OVER LOOK THAT God ALONE IS GOD!  Then wham there it is!  In other places in scripture, and even now we know that Christ who Is God, is our sacrificial HOLY Lamb, and yet here the people of Israel are the lamb, and God is the shepherd, now I'm no history person, and not all that  educated, but if I understand the passage correctly, then this passage speaks of God's love and care for his chosen people.  God is the only one who can be both, a Shepherd, and a Lamb at the exact SAME time.  God the father, and Christ the Lamb!
   Now, to be honest, it was very hard for me to take this promise as my own until I also read, Eph. 3:6 " That the Gentiles(meaning current day believers as well) emphasis mine( should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body,and partakers in his promise in Christ by the gospel:"  What that  means to me is that     God is My Shepherd and He gathers me in His arms!  He carries me close to his heart!  Here we see the Creator of the Universe expressing physical affection toward his own!  I too can have claim to the same promises as Israel!  I don't know about you but I am starving for evidence that God who is the strong and Mighty offers us a picture of physical affection from Himself!   Do you need the Shepherd to hold you close, maybe like me it seems irreverent to you, to think of God as tender, but I am not to argue with the King of Kings about who He is!

Let's Party Friday and More!

My cousin Kim made the beautiful cake it took her 12 hours!

                                                            Mumzie's Nephew Mike

Cousin Emily with Jocelyn & Brady.  Our pastor and music minster are in the background.

  Mumzie was so surpised she had no clue about her party

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Mumzie's Great Grandson Brady and his mom Mandy she works @ HairBenders

I was happy we spent all day planning

                                   

Singing Happy Birthday!

                                             Aunt Margaret(My mom sister and "the cake lady)


Cousins Jocelyn & Jack

 Wow a lot can happen in one week!  I'll begin with pics from last Saturday of Mumzie's 80th birthday and then go from there.  Honestly blogging is the last thing I need to be doing, as I have so many other deadlines, but sometimes a girl's gotta blog!

Now on to both Come Alive & half full Friday!  find out more Go Here

• I am joyful that my mom is feeling better, since she got very sick this week from a kidney infection and had to go to the ER.
• I am joyful that my email isn't spamming folks anymore.
• I am both joyful and thankful Jenn was able to stay with and take me care of while mom was at the hospital.
• I am joyful that both my brother and dad called this week
• I am Joyful that the Good Wife's new season began Tuesday. 
• I am joyful because of the progress I've made through God's grace, and that I'm not who I was. 
• I am joyful that I got the new Wonder album! (see post under Smitty Fan)

Come Alive Friday: Things that made me come alive this week. Sponsored By: 

1. Talking to Amy on the phone. See Favorite things tab.
2. A slow day @ Choices
3. The song Take My Breath Away.
4. Serving others)
5. The sunshine and Chicfila twice this week! 

       I've not shared spiritual reflections in awhile,  I hope to next post.  I enjoy your blogs too!

I Wonder!!

JesusfreakHideout.com Listening Party!


Property OF http://www.michaelwsmith.com/ 

 Michael W Smith Album Wonder comes out Tuesday! You can listen to the whole album @ the link above. If you only listen to 1 or 2 songs, these are my top tracks. 1 Save me from myself Track 3 Run to you, Take me Over,Track 12. Track 2 Take me breath away! Wonder in stores September 28!  To those of you who are not Smitty Fan's just know this will be painful, but you will survive!

Anybody Home?? and Crazy Love By Francis Chan

Hello have I run you off? lol  I'm in a bit of a writer's slump, but I do want continue writing on here, so please stick with me!  I want to also encourage you to visit a great new blog started by my best friend!  She is an amazing woman in so many ways, please stop by and give her some love! Jenn's blog  I am reading a book right called Crazy Love  By Francis Chan.  The funny think is when I heard about it, I had no desire whatever to read it. and wow does it have me thinking even though I've only read the first three chapters so far. You can find out more Here  If you have read it what are your thoughts on the first 3 chapters or the book as a whole?  Has the book challenged you confused you or helped you?  Can I be honest, though I've only read three chapter of this book, I already believe my views about who God is are changing in a positive way.   If anything, it has caused me excitement and wonder, and allowed me to see how small I am, and how big God's love is for me!  Yes I know in my head God loves me, and all of us, but when was the last time you were truly blown away by God's love for YOU?  That's it for now...  I enjoy your comments, and do read your blogs as much as possible.

Some weeks are better than others

Hi Friends:

   I don't like to post when I'm not feeling well or when it has been a tough week, which is why I have not been quick to post.  It has not all been bad, and isn't anything earth shattering bad either, but my body is tired,  I have a chronic problem that has a long namr which I can't spell.  It is a type of baterical acne that is very painful in places I will not mention.  I've had it for years it is hormone related..  I take antibotics about every theree weeks, and have had minor surgery to remove infected tissue. 
On top of that I worked very late @ Choices, one day last week, and one of the other volunteers feelings wer hurt  by something connected to my aid, though I'm still not sure what the source of the hurt was, and while I usually have little trouble valadating someone's feelings, in this case, the fleshly side of me wanted to say life is too short to get your nose out of joint over junk.  I use to be one of the most senstive people alive, so to a degree I understand, but part of me just wanted to say please grow up.  I realized quicky this was prideful of me, and am asking God to help with my unrealistic expectations of other people.Thank God for medicine!  The happy highlights of my week were that I got to speak at Choices Shower last night, and I realize how I love speaking about Sanctity of Human Life.  I also had the most tasty grilled cheese burger  I've had in ages. I also found the coolest verse that I'll write about more later.Jer. 17:5-8Find it here!  I'm enjoying your comments please keep them coming!

invisible Illness Week Don't miss this post please

Hi Blogger:

   You will see a sticky note on the far side of my blog that will let you know that tomorrow begins invisible illness week.  Over the last few years,  God has placed many people/friends i n my life who are dealing with Chronic illnesses or chronic pain.  Let me be clear here, I don't have an invisible illness.  I would even go so far as to say that I don't consider myself as having a visible illness either.  Maybe this is because of the conflicting messages I've gotten from society over the years.  So you may ask, why am I supporting this effort?  The answer is simple her name is Sandra Rose, no she probably does not even know there is such a thing as invisible illness week, I also have other friends like Brittany and Julie who also live daily with Chronic Illness.  These are three of the most Godly women I know.  So what is an invisible illness, Invisible doesn't mean non-existing, in fact, anyone living with pain day and night knows all too well just how real invisible illness is.  My friend Sandra has to use a Tens unit regularly just in attempt to get some relief, and be able to function from constant nerve pain, and yet outwardly some days you likely would not "see" it, but if you listen, you'll hear it.  You'll hear it as she gasps for breath, because the pain is so strong her lips cannot form words.  You will hear at times, in the physical weariness of her voice.  She has tried ever treament under the sun for 9 years.  While you may not see it in the form of crutches, you will see it in the form of a tear now and then, but you know what you will see even more clearly even in her pain, you will see her strength, her faith, and her compassion.  A chronic illness invisible or other wise is any contdition that has impact on your life, and in most cases, will either remain the same or worsen.  Maybe diabetes or cancer, in the case of cancer it often falls under terminal which most chronic It maybe depression, it is any condtion where the signs may not be phyiscally seen illnesses are Chron's Fibromagilya etc.and thounsands of others.  I do have one of the illness I mentioned, now that I think of it, but lets put that aside for now.  Lisa Copen is the founder of http://www.restminstries.com/ and http://www.invisibleillness.com/ It is a christian ministry that supports people worldwide with Chronic condtions and chronic illnesses please go to both sites to find out more or get support for you or a family member or friend.  Now don't hear me saying I'm not involved in this ministry, because I am/  I'm going to fill out the survey, because whether CP is an illness condition, or other and visible or invisible, I have dealt with chronic pain in years past and I can relate in both seen and unseen ways.  What connects people is not what category they fall into, but the fact that others can share in their life journey, and as Christians there is always common ground and unity in Christ!  Because I myself in my case, am uncomfortable with the word illness. I will use condition.
The condition I live with the is  Cerebral Palsy(CP Urinary issues, depression, anxiety/
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: Soon after I was born.  I will only address CP here, not the others/

3. But I had symptoms since: 1983
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: adulthood with CP/
5. Most people assume: I like the attention, but I'd trade it in a minute

6. The hardest part about mornings are: bathing

7. My favorite medical TV show is: None

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my My Bed, lift, Van and Chair

9. The hardest part about nights are: Not being able to work late at night, even those it is my best time for creative writing.

10. Regularly I take 3__ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please):

11. Regarding alternative treatments I am very conflicted about cures.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Physical over emotional but visible and invisible I believe would be just as hard

13. Regarding working and career: Again my situation conflicts me @ times.

14. People would be surprised to know: My emotional struggles far outweigh my physical ones
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: letting go of denial

16. Something I never thought I could do with my condition that I did was: serve pregnant women

17. The commercials about my condition make me uneasy

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: I've always CP, but I miss having my own family

19. It was really hard to have to give up: the idea of what I thought my life would be.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: blogging

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal  I would: walk the beach, and play with the dog
22. My condition  has taught me: God can use anyone, and that everyone wants to be loved

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: that I'm not special I'm just like everyone else.

24. But I love it when people: say “God has a plan for you.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “ God will fulfill his plans for me!

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell their family there is hope in all situations with Christ!

27. Something that has surprised me about living with this is: adulthood is way harder than childhood was

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Listened to me
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I want to open people's eyes, and comfort hurting people.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: proud and hopeful/ Thank you for your support!
    Now

What Are You Thinking?

Hello Readers: 
       I want to pose a two fold question to you, and I would like your feedback...  I'm looking for your personal response, but feel free to use personal events or scripture as well.
1. What do you think is the main source of human suffering in the world?
2. Does God fit into your thoughts on suffering?  If so how and in what way? In other words, Does God have a purpose in such suffering?  I have  expressed a few my thoughts on this subject some already, but I want to have an interactive blog disscussion with you, the readers.  Don't for a moment think that by the end of this discussion we will have the answer to the age old question, of why do people suffer?.  I promise we won't come close to discecting it, in fact we may raise more questions than answers!  However I believe that if we discuss, and ask questions through the Lens of Faith, we are strong enough to stand, even when we don't get all questions answered.  Our minds could not grasp the answers anyway. n So readers the "floor" is yours!  Tell me what you think?  I'll post more of my ideas another time.   Your input will help in my future post about suffering.  No judgement just an opoion poll.  I'm excited to see what You are thinking!