Walk the Walk

I'm not really sure how much of this is going to make sense. But it's as if I don't get it off my chest, I'm going to burst. I can't say the who or what because too many people that reads my blog knows this person. How is it that some people just aren't who they portray to be? No matter how much your around that person, or think you know them. Something happens that just completely knocks the breath out of you. I've suspected a couple of things for a while now, but when approached about it they would always deny it. Or would make some kind of an excuse. It would be one thing if I had known this all along, but finding out after I thought I knew them is another. Is it something that bad? To me it is. To me if you have to lie about something you do, then deep down you know it's wrong or you wouldn't try to hide it. To God it is. Or He wouldn't have put it in His word.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. I Peter 4-1:3


I know this is a strong word but it's what came to my mind so I looked it up.

Hypocrisy is the act of pretending that one has beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities or standards that they do not actually have; this is usually done in order to mask their actual motives or feelings; falseness.
Now what does the Bible say about hypocrisy.
In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23:28

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. I Peter 2:1

Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. Mark 7:6-8

So in other words if your going to talk the talk you need to walk the walk. Some would say I'm over reacting. I don't believe I am. This person professes one thing, but lives another. And I'm just baffled and confused. But I will continue praying for this person, because I believe somewhere deep in their heart they know what is right. And they want to do that, but life's pressures get them down and they give in to the devil's temptation. I'm not trying to be judgemental, please don't think that. But I love this person enough to want better for them. For them to be able to once again know the Joy of the Lord, that comes from living in forgiveness.

Why?

Why do bad things happen to good people? I wish I could explain that. Just like I wish I knew how to tell my nine year old daughter why her school teacher that was expecting twin boys lost one of them a couple of weeks ago. I wish I knew why women that doesn't deserve children have them and those wanting them so badly doesn't. Maybe I just have a big heart or a soft spot for children. I came from a family of six children. I remember when I first married, an Aunt asked me how many children I wanted. I definitely wanted more than I had. But God had other plans. I had three of my own with my first husband. Then theirs two other children. They are my husband's two youngest children. I love them as if they were my own. We have them for a month this summer and I know it's going to rip my heart out when they leave.
Then this morning I find out about yet another woman having a miscarriage. I don't know which is worse to be pregnant and lose the baby, or to never know the experience of even having a baby.
Another soft spot in my heart because of my niece and sister-in-law wanting a baby so badly, but haven't been able to get pregnant. My sister-in-law has went through tremendous procedures, time , and money, but yet it still hasn't happened.
I know we're not suppose to ask why? But I do. It's hard for me to understand, much less explain.

Lizards

We spent the day at Leapin Lizards. For those that aren't familiar with what that is. It's a roomful of huge inflatables. As ya'll can see the slide was the favorite for everyone.

Well other than Emily she was content to just lay there and play with her paci. She's getting so big and so amazing everyday. She's already rolling over from stomach to back, and back to stomach.

Free Paint

I found out about this on Thrifty Decor's Blog.
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/06/free-paint.html

You can really get a free quart of paint from Glidden while supplies last. I'm getting lilac bouquet to paint one wall in Makayla's bedroom, or if I don't think it will be enough maybe just the trim. Just something to brighten up her room.

New Blog Im following

I found another wonderful blog a week or so ago. http://www.forevernevernalways1.blogspot.com/

So go check her out she's a wonderful writer. Not to mention her one year blogging anniversary she had some great giveaways and I won one of them.

GIVEAWAYS

I'm not sure how I came about following Spearmint Baby's blog but I did. She has some great give-aways so go check her out. http://www.spearmintbaby.com/

Down Memory Lane

http://www.billsretroworld.com/RETROLIFE.HTM



Most of these are even before I was born. But the few I do remember brings back happy memories.

Changes are on the horizon

I feel changes beginning to happen in our lives. I can't go into detail about all of it right now. But I see more and more of the puzzle pieces being put together. And I truly believe one day I will be able to share everything.
But it has alot to do with stepping out in faith. Lack of faith is the reason why many churches and Christians live defeated and broken lives. If you are a Christian whose focus is always on the natural, you will have difficulty believing, accepting, and experience something that is beyond the natural. If you are to experience the supernatural dimension, then you must believe in the possibility of supernatural living. Believing in the possibility is not enough. If you want to experience the supernatural dimension, you must place yourself in the flow of what God is doing.
There is the idea that when we become, Christians, God joins himself to our life, and we can exercise His power as we see fit. We seem to think God wants to join in our plan. God doesn't join us. God allows us to join Him. We don't do our thing in His power. That is backward. God is not on your side. He is not on any body's side. God is the side! How does this work?

1. Pay attention to what God is doing in your community. If you see God doing something, drop everything and get in on it. When God is doing something in your community, don't let your loyalty to a dead church keep you from a living work of God.


2. Pay attention to what God is doing in your church. What is God anointing and blessing? What kind of worship does God seem to be blessing? Move in that direction.


3. Pay attention to what God may be doing in your home. Do you want a touch of the supernatural in your marriage? Pay attention to what God is doing in your spouse's life, and go in that direction. God is doing a work in the husband or the wife, and the other is not paying attention. What is God doing in your mate? Don't fight it. Join in, and see what God will do in your home.


4. Pay attention to what God is doing to use you as an influence.What is God doing in your office or workplace? Do you want to be an effective witness? Pay attention to what God is doing, and get in on it. Go in that direction. God is always doing something. There is never a time when He is not. Pay attention, and put yourself in the flow of what God's doing.


5. Pay attention to what God is doing in your life. What things are changing around you and in you? People are aware that things are constantly changing in them and around them, but they never seem to pick up on the idea that God is doing a work in their own life. Go with the flow of God, not against it, if you want to see the supernatural dimension of the promised land.

How could I possibly forget about this?

I almost had forgotten about what I found lying around this week. When I walked outside on Wednesday I noticed a lot of flies.
But I never dreamed they would lead me to this.
This was lying by our front porch. I am so grateful he was dead.





Gave me the creeps to see Michael picking it up.

Last Week of School

Makayla at her award ceremony on the last day of school.


Some of Makayla's classmates.

Makayla with her wonderful 3rd grade teacher giving her a gift for helping her to learn so much this year.

Michael's graduation from high school.

Can you see the excitement of being finished with high school?

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something is happening tomorrow that I have been waiting on for almost eight years. The dad of my kids and I divorced in July 2001. He filed for divorce only 10 days after our youngest daughter Makayla turned a year old. After the divorce his Mom passed away that October. That was the last time I saw his brother, sister, and their families, and the last time my kids saw their Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Other than once or twice our two older kids saw them because of a death in their family. Other than that their Dad hasn't bothered to take them to see his family, and I wasn't welcome to take them.
Well my exes brother's father-in-law passed away in June 2006 and I sent them a sympathy card. Then in December 2007 when my youngest brother passed away they sent me a sympathy card. I cried and cried because I felt as all was well again. The kids didn't ask for the divorce.
As far as his sister, I have found her on myspace and emailed her and told her whatever I had done that I was sorry. But I have never heard back from her. But my conscience is clear.
I have three sister-in-laws on my side of the family that has divorced three of my brothers but their still my sister-in-laws and are still referred to by my kids as Aunt.
Anyways I've said all that to say this. A couple of weeks ago I received an invitation in the mail from my ex-husbands nephews wife for his niece's baby shower.
I am so excited. Megan my oldest daughter also received an invitation, so both my girls are going. This will be the first time Makayla had seen any of them since she was a year old so to her it's like meeting strangers. She's going to finally be able to meet her Aunt and cousins.
It's been eight years so I just pray I'm not so nervous. I probably won't be able to sleep tonight because I have been praying for so long for a way for my kids to see family that they have.

20 Of My Favorite Things

I got this idea from:


http://mom2howells.blogspot.com/2009/06/20-of-my-favorite-things.html



1.Color: blue


2.Dessert: Anything chocolate


3.Smell: Candle smell: vanilla, cucumber melon, lime coconut, fresh cut grass, rainstorm


4.Flower: This is hard because I love all flowers. Must be roses because I'm always wanting more of them in the yard.


5.Animal: none really, but if we had the adequate yard it would be a yellow lab, or a golden retriever.


6.Month: June


7.Beverage: Finally cut back on diet coke, so it would have to be water.


8.Shoes: I'd rather go bare foot but flip flops are my first choice


9.Snack: ice cream, or popcorn with m&m's in it


10.Song: . Some of my favorites are playing on my blog. lol Now that I took the time to figure out how to put them on here. But most any contemporary christian.


11.Book: Not so much favorite books, but favorite writers: Nicholas Sparks, Debbie Macomber, Stormie Omartian, Elizabeth George, Anne Graham Lotz, etc.


12.Fruit: watermelon


13.Hair style: shoulder length or longer, but I'm tired of it. Not sure what will be next.


14.Clothing: Anything comfortable, usually Capri's and a t-shirt


15.Store: Cato's for clothes.


16.Hobby: Reading, gardening, blogging, genealogy, crocheting, and doing fun stuff with the kids.


17.Season: Spring


18.Thing to collect: I use to collect angels, but haven't gotten a new one in a while. I'm getting interested in cake decorating, if you consider that a collection. Building my supplies. Thanks to my mother-in-law, she gave me all of hers.


19.Movies: All that was made based on books by Nicholas Sparks, American President, any with Julia Roberts in them, Sweet Home Alabama, Failure To Launch, basically chick flicks.


20.Restaurants: Mostly fast food places: Chick-fil-a, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC.

45 Lessons Life Taught

I recieved this in an e-mail, and thought it was worth passing on.


Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.
" My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:


1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years,will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."