Where Did It Go????

My mom had a saying when I was growing up that I never understood ~~ but lately I think I know exactly what she meant. She used to say:

MY "GET UP AND GO" HAS GOT UP AND WENT!!!!!!

That is exactly how it has been for me for the last month. I just don't have to desire, drive, oomph, want to, (whatever word you'd like to use) to get myself motivated to do what I need to do.

Now, mind you, I'm getting it all done and I don't have a bad attitude about any of it - but I just feel like I have 50 pound weights on my feet and I'm dragging to do things. Today I was doing some paper work and all I could think about was laying my head down and taking a catnap (very appropriate since I did have a cat on my lap at the time) ~ so I did!!! 15 minutes later Brett came in and saw me, thought it was funny, and went and got his sister so they could both laugh at me!!

I do admit that I felt much better after that little nap. Who would have thought that my doctor would be right when she told me that rest was the only way I was going to get better?!?!?!?

A Great Reminder For Everyone...

Hi All ~~ I know, I know...my posting have been few and far between. I apologize. Besides still battling this pneumonia, I was blessed to get to spend the last 5 days with a very special couple - The Wilson's. They are missionaries to New Zealand. I have known Kim for a while now, but we had never met face-to-face, so this was a very special time for all of us. Now I'm trying to get my routine back on track AND get the rest I need to get over being sick. So, today I got a great thing in my email about GIVING THANKS and decided this is what I would use to get my blogging moving forward again. I have so much to give thanks for ~~ and so do you!!!

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In this beautiful passage, we see several important things that are worthy of consideration. First, it is God's will that we give thanks, "in everything" whether good or bad. We need to be a thankful people. If you are searching out the will of God in the Bible, you might wish to begin here, and begin to give thanks for everything you can think of, but let us look closely at the five questions that are answered here:

In what? In everything;
Do what? Give thanks;
Why? It is the will of God;
In Whom? In Christ Jesus;
Concerning who? Concerning you.

Furthermore, the "This" that we are to give thanks for, whether a good thing or event, or a bad one, may be the will of God for us! If "this" refers to that which we are to thank Him for, then the verse says that it is the will of God that this thing should happen. If "this" means the giving of thanks, then we see that that too is God's will, that we be thankful. Either way, God is glorified.

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:5-7

Here lies the key to our being able to be able to "in everything give thanks." The key is to do so "in the Lord alway:" God doesn't ask us to rejoice in or give thanks for a tragic, complicated or grief-stricken circumstance. Rather, God says we are to give thanks for how He is going to work in that circumstance and rejoice "in the Lord" as we walk through it.

Some folks may say, "This is NOT possible in MY circumstance!" And I say to those folks, "Yes it is." Let us remember that all things are possible with God and He gives us His strength--through Christ--which strengthens me. It is when we try to endure in our own strength that we fail to have the ability to thank God and rejoice in the Lord in the valleys of our life. God has ordered some really deep valleys in my life and I assure you this is true.

Musing Over a Couple of Verses.....

Deuteronomy 32:46-47 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. (47) For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

Last week during our family devotions we read through Deuteronomy 32. Since that time the verses above have been on my heart and on my mind, especially the beginning of verse 47…”For it is not a vain thing for you; BECAUSE IT IS YOUR LIFE….”

Oh, how I wish EVERYONE could see that!!! Salvation, serving, your testimony, and everything else you do is not a vain thing, it is your life!! My prayer for each of you today is that you will take time out of your day today and think about the life God has given you. Are you doing all you can for Him, or are there areas you need to improve in? I know there is for me!

Ladies, we only have one life on this earth, let’s not make it something lived in vain, but instead, make it a life lived in such a way as to bring honor and Glory to the Lord who saved us!!

How Is Your Joy Level??

I woke up this morning with a song already going through my mind ~ it’s considered a children’s song, but I LOVE it…..”I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart….” I’m sure many of you know the rest of it!! Then, while going through my emails I got the following (and it goes right along with what I’ve been singing all morning, so I thought I would share it with everyone else!)

Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest Them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

The joy of God wells up from within and overflows into my life.

In quiet moments of reflection, I feel a stirring of God's joy deep in my heart. This is a joy that is waiting to be given full expression in my life.

I appreciate the happiness I feel in even the simplest of times: when the fun-loving antics of a child cause me to laugh or the sun shines warmly on my face.

In quiet times and in times full with activity, the joy of God wells up from deep within me and overflows out to those around me. And like a ripple in a pond, joy spreads out touching person after person.

Joy also returns to me. I see it in the faces of others and hear it in their laughter. I welcome the joy of God and its power to transform my life. Joy brings out divine qualities in me as I give it full expression in my life.

Have a wonderful day everyone and don’t forget to take time to MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD!!!!!

Finally......

I know this week's menu is nothing special - but at least it's a step in getting my routine back into my home! It just feels good to have this posted on my refrigerator, my shelves stocked again, the house clean, and still feeling good!! God is good all the time, isn't Him?!?!?

OUR WEEKLY MENU

SATURDAY ~~~ We are eating out with my sister

SUNDAY ~~~~~ Deli Sandwiches & chili (crock pot)

MONDAY ~~~~ Tater Tot Casserole and fruit salad

TUESDAY ~~~~ Pork chops, corn, and stuffing

WEDNESDAY ~ Spaghetti & French Bread (crock pot)

THURSDAY ~~ Chicken, mashed potatoes, & gravy

FRIDAY ~~~~~ Calazone and salad

Fall is in the air......

Only in North Dakota ~~ yesterday our temperature was 90 degrees and Saturday and Sunday they are saying we will have rain (with a mixture of SNOW) and highs only in the 40's!!!!!

This evening we are going to enjoy a high school football game while it is still nice enough to enjoy sitting outside!! My dear, sweet hubby enjoys football in any weather, but I am definitely a fair weather fan.

Tomorrow my sister and her husband are coming to town for the day. We are going to go to the street fair and enjoy the sights and then go to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner ~~ The Texas Roadhouse!

I am really looking forward to a nice, slow-paced, (still taking it very easy as I get over this yuck I have had for the last few weeks) weekend. I have a ton of school work to do, but I can do that on the couch with my laptop.....I just LOVE technology.

Have a great evening and weekend ladies!!!!!

Thank You ~~ Thank You!!!!!!!

(Sorry I have been missing in action lately - the main reason has been I have been battling pneumonia since the end of August. Because of that I haven't had a whole lot of energy.)

NOW ~~ THE REAL REASON FOR THIS POST......

I have been wanting to give my blog a new look for quite some time know, but I am just not very knowledgeable when it comes to things like that (not good for someone getting their Master's degree in Information Systems and Technology, I know!!)

While reading one of my favorite blogs I read about Janet and her website design business ~ Pine Blooms Website Designs. (I'd add her link, but I don't know how....HAHAHAHA) So, I decided to email her and see what she could do for me.

Isn't my blog absolutely beautiful?!?!?!?! She did all that for me!!!!! I gave her some information about me and what I like and TADA!!!! I have a beautiful new look.

My sister took one look at it and said, "Yep, that is you 100%!!!!"

So, Janet, I just want you to know you do absolutely wonderful work and if anyone is ever looking for someone to give them a face lift I will point them in your direction!!!!!

Happy Labor Day!!!

Elisabeth asked me what we are celebrating on Labor Day. My answer....."I'm not really sure."

Growing up in CA Labor Day was the last holiday before school started again. (In ND it's the first day off for the public schools, since they start in August.) As I grew up Labor Day was a day off from work and a time that signified the end of summer. So, when Elisabeth asked that question I decided we would find our answer together ~~ Internet here we come!!!!

We had a great time searching sites to find our answer. Here is some of what we found out:

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday of September.

The origins of the American Labor Day can be traced back to the Knights of Labor in the United States and a parade organized by them on September 5, 1882 in New York City.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The September date has remained unchanged, even though the government was encouraged to adopt May 1 as Labor Day, the date celebrated by the majority of the world.

Labor Day is generally regarded simply as a day of rest.

Forms of celebration include picnics, BBQs, fireworks displays, water activities, and public art events.

Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer.

One of the largest modern traditions of Labor Day in the United States is the annual telethon of the MDA, hosted by Jerry Lewis to fund research and patient support programs for the various diseases grouped as muscular dystrophy.