When the school nurse calls...

No matter where you are or what you are doing, when you receive a call from the school nurse, she has the supernatural power to make time stand still.

"Hello, is this Samuel's mother?" the voice in the phone asks me. "Yes, it is." I say hesitantly. "Hi, this is Dori the school nurse from the grammar school..."

Time for me has now offically stopped.

You would think that after four children and quite a few of these phone calls in my lifetime I would be a pro at this. You would think that being a 911 emergency dispatcher, that I would be well trained to handle emergencies in my own life. You would think that I could think much more clearly than the average person, since emergencies are what I handle on a weekly basis.

You would think...

"Samuel had a little accident." The time-stopping nurse continues.

My mind is already running way ahead of her...little accident? Did he fall? Is he unconscious? Does he need stitches?

This is where my prior emergency experiences can make things even worse. The unimaginable is exactly what I am imagining.

"It seems that Samuel and his friend Nicky bumped heads and then Samuel bumped his head into a tree." She tells me. "I thought he may need stitches but it looks like the cut under his eye wasn't as deep a cut as I originally thought."

"Thank you Lord!" I silently pray.

Big sigh of relief on my end and time begins to move again...until the next time.

Chocolate Volunteers Needed!

A friend recently sent me this news article about a new study being done on Type 2 Diabetes patients. My father has Type 2 Diabetes and I would never wish it on anyone.


Though I must admit, for a very brief moment....


I was almost hoping I could be their lab rat.

Conversation with my man...

Me: Hey Paul, guess what I found? (head down, looking into my Better Homes & Garden magazine)

Paul: What?

Me: There is a contest in here for a full kitchen remodel.

Paul: Really...?

Me: ...and the winner gets $25,000.00.

Paul: You don't say...

Me: I think I am going to enter.

Paul: Great, then we won't have to tap into our Publishers Clearing House money.




Me: ....very funny....

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

My teenage daughter introduced me to the Britt Nicole song, "I want to set the world on fire" a couple of months ago. When I first heard it, the bubble gum pop sound turned me off just a little.

But after listening to it a couple of times, I realized that the words of this song were truly the words of my heart.

Friday Favorites

I would love to share with you a few blogs that touched my heart this week.

The first is a wonderful post on remembering romance in your marriage by Jonatha at Homeward Hearts. She did a great job at reminding me to keep the romance alive and not to sit around waiting for my husband to do all the work.

Beth at A Mom's Life spoke life right to this mom heart of mine when she posted, "Play More, Dust Less." Thankfully I read this after a pizza date and air hockey tournament with my four children. By the way, I lost to my sixteen and thirteen year olds and tied my nine year old. Pathetic, I know.

Chelle at The World of Chelle put on the most precious pictures of her daughter Kylee, wearing her wedding gown. Just precious. Why didn't I think of doing that when my girls were younger?!?

And if you are anything like me and LOVE a beautiful makeover story. Head on over to Kim at Season's Of My Heart and check out her gorgeous new haircut! She has inspired me to gain some courage to do the very same thing myself!

Happy Friday!

Evidence: to prove, to make clear. To show in such a manner that the mind can apprehend the truth.

This morning my husband took me along while he met with a dying woman. He was called in to quickly put together this woman's Last Will and Testament. At eighty-five years old, she was breathing her last. Her daughter-in-law was the only one by her side and was busy trying to coordinate a meeting between this dying woman and her youngest son. My heart was so heavy, being a witness to this all. There was the evidence of traditional religion all around, but not the evidence of a life of faith. The verse that came to my mind this morning while there was, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Later today when I had my time in the Word, this very same verse was what the Lord used to speak to me once again. No matter if I am living or dying, faith should be evident. I pray that it will not take a CSI team to search for this spiritual evidence of faith in my life.

In my devotion time today this exerpt from "Streams in the Desert" spoke to my heart. Paraphrased here, I just had to share...


Faith...is the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

True faith drops its letter in the post office box, and lets it go. Distrust holds on to a corner of it, and wonders why the answer never comes. This is the way with true faith. It hands the case over to God , and then He works. The Thirty-Seventh Psalm says "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

But He doesn't work until we commit.

A Dr. Payson once said, "I have made this one test of my prayers: if after committing anything to God, I can like Hannah, come away and have my mind no longer sad, my heart no longer pained or anxious, I look upon it as proof that I have prayed in faith. But, if after praying I am still heavy with my burden, I conclude that faith was not in exercise."

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Paradise Bakery

The Paradise Bakery sign at the mall made my heart sink. "Didn't all of these bakeries close down?" I thought to myself. Like a magnet, this corner food spot with the fresh baked goods draws me near. As my feet lead me to the bakery, my mind transports me back to my past, twenty-five years, fifteen years, even ten years ago and I'm walking up to a Paradise Bakery with my mom.

My mom didn't enjoy shopping, least of all mall shopping. She was one of those people who knew exactly what what they are looking for and were in and out in a flash. She always shopped with a purpose.

The Paradise Bakery was one of the few detours she'd allow herself to take. It was their sugar cookies that seemed to call her name every time. Happy the child who was shopping with her that day. They always benefited from her one mall addiction.

The Paradise Bakery was appropriately named because one bite of these sugar cookies and you were transported into cookie paradise. Bigger than the palm of your hand with a soft almost doughy texture, the scent of vanilla and the gentle dusting of fine sugar became our one mall indulgence.

Brought back to reality, the clerk, inquires what I would like. I overindulge and ask for six sugar cookies. "I can't wait to let my children try one and surprise my sister Jennifer with a couple." I think to myself.

My mom has been gone almost eight years now. I do the math as I walk away, quickly digging in the bag for my special treasure. I feel a lump form in my throat. I begin to chew, my eyes open wide...the taste is not the same. Where is the delicious flavor? It smells the same, it looks the same...

But it's not the same.

My mom is no longer here to share one with me.

I remind myself that God's word says that in Heaven we will one day eat together at His banquet table. For the moment hope holds back my tears, as I wonder what my mom is doing right now.

I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, mom is enjoying a sugar cookie at the ultimate "Paradise Bakery". Possibly waiting until that day when she can share one again with me.

God of this City

I just have to share one of my favorite worship songs with you. No matter where I am, this song can bring me to my feet in praise to God!





Enjoy your weekend!

Warning:Irritated mom. Read at your own risk.

Today I am struggling with children.

The only thing that is giving me peace is knowing that some day both my husband and I will be guests in their home. We have created this fantasy evening that we speak of more and more. The anticipated joy of this time with our adult children is building. Would you like to know what we are looking so forward to?

My husband and I have decided that when our children grow up we are going to have one glorious visit to their homes for dinner. On our special visit we are going to have our list in hand. What list, you ask? The list of things that have so highly annoyed us through the years.

When we arrive at their home we will do the following:

* When we walk in their front door we will throw our coats, purses or jackets on the floor.

* Preferrably in an area where everyone can trip over them.

* We will continue to walk over these items throughout our visit, pretending like we don't see them.

* Whichever room in their house that we walk out of, we will make sure to leave all lights on, no matter what time of day.

* We will slam all doors or cabinets when closing.

* I will take sick pleasure in leaving only one square of toilet paper on their roll.

* We will leave their front door or sliding glass door open. This includes all screens...No matter what the weather is like outside.

* When we sit on their furniture we will flop back onto their couches like we are doing a back flip.

* Wherever we go in their house we will run.

* After dinner we will make sure to just stand up and walk away from our dishes.

* If we clean the kitchen after dinner we will make sure to throw all glassware and dishes into the cupboard like we are pitching for a major league baseball team.

* If we break something we will always answer with, "I don't know." "Not me." or "That wasn't my fault."

* Just for fun we will take all towels in their bathroom and wad them into wet balls on the floor.

* If we help with anything, we will leave out whatever we have used on the kitchen counter.

* If we happen to take a drive with our adult children, we will make sure to stuff french fries in between all of the seats and throw crumbled wrappers on their car floor.

* When we get out of their car and garbage falls outside we will never throw the garbage away. We will only pick up what has fallen out of the car and throw it back inside, closing the vehicle door really fast.

* No matter what the topic of conversation we will always ask them, "Why?"

* No matter how much fun we have with them during our visit, we will ask immediately what other fun things they have planned for us.



Oh the joys of one day being able to visit their homes!

Update on Eric...

To all of you gals who prayed for Eric out there, God Bless You! Your comments were so encouraging. I made sure to share with my sister that her husband was being prayed for by friends all around the country. Eric often teases me when I tell him about my bloggy-friends in Pennsylvania or Michigan or Tennesee and Georgia. He just looks down at me, slowly shakes his head and smiles to himself. He thinks I am off my rocker.

Eric is still in the hospital. His white blood count is very high. Apparently his white blood count should be between 5 and 10 and his is at 133. They are doing another spinal tap today and his doctor is doing more tests. His mother Geneva is here now keeping my sister Jennifer company in his hospital room.


So you know who you are praying for, in the picture above, Eric is the bald headed redneck looking guy on the left side.

Thank you so so so much for your continued prayers.

Prayer Request

My brother in law Eric has Valley Fever. It is a disease that is caused by breathing in a spore that is in the dry areas of select parts of the country. He is now at the hospital having a cat scan and a spinal tap to let the doctors see if he once again, has menengitis or not. You see, this disease rears its ugy head in the form of non-contagious spinal menengitis. He has been sick since Sunday and was very ill last night.

Please pray for a healing, pray for peace for both Eric and my sister Jennifer. She is so heartbroken about being once again back at the hospital. He is self employed and without sick leave or a company to fall back on, the financial stresses take a toll as well.

Please keep them all in your prayers,

You never know where your kite might take you.

Do you remember the children's cartoon "Little Bear"? My two older kids loved that TV show. One of the things that this little bear would often say to his friends duck and owl was, "You never know where your kite might take you."

My husband and I picked up on those words and now say them to our own children and even to each other from time to time. The longer I am a Christian, the more I am beginning to believe that there may have actually been a bit of wisdom gleened from the hours and hours that "Little Bear" played upon my television screen. Now don't laugh, if God can speak through donkeys, He can surely speak through an animated brown bear!

Last year I ended up taking a sabbatical from pretty much everything I had been involved in. From outside activities to ministry, God gave me a break. Little did I know that when He made me lie to lie down in these green pastures, the Lord was forcing me to sit still. I was no longer running around like a circus clown with her bum on fire. What I saw as a spiritual time-out from God, was instead a place of rest, a year long day-spa of quiet, so that I could clearly hear His still small voice.

And hear His voice I did.

Psalm 45:1 "My heart overflows with a good theme. I recite my composition concerning the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." was the verse that has been coming up over and over again since last Spring. My desire to write and speak for Him has been a desire I have had for a long time. Whether it takes one, five, twenty or even forty years to come to fruition, I am going to put my God given desires and gifts in His hands. I will keep stepping out as opportunities arise, but the rest is up to Him.

Add to that the miracle of winning the "Laced With Grace" blog contest. I am receiving a $250 scholarship to the sold out "She Speaks" the Proverbs 31 Ministries Writing/Speaking conference and this girl is beginning to feel confirmation that I am meant to step out and take a cross country flight in June.

When I taught the teenage girls at church this last Sunday I asked them to think of the talent, special gifting or heartfelt desire each one of them had. One young woman said she loved to sing, another said that she loved spending time with children, another said that she loved horses. I reminded them that once they put aside what 'they' wanted to do with those things, and like the words to that Christian song, once they "opened the eyes of their heart" to what God would have them do with those special desires, they could never begin to imagine what God had for their lives.

So, what gifts or desires have you buried deep inside your heart? Have your God-given gifts been smothered by the busyness of life? Start praying about them today.

Friends, you can't dream dreams big enough for what God has for your lives. Put all of your tomorrows in His hands and see that all things are possible for those of us who believe.

With God, you never know where your kite might take you.

No Such Thing...

I don't believe in coincidence and I believe luck is only for those people who don't want to give God the credit. I do believe that every so called accident is an opportunity in disguise. I experienced one today.

While driving my carload of children home from school, I happened to see one of the young girls from our church walking with an older gentleman on the street. This young girl is a freshman in high school and the oldest of four children. Sadly, all are being raised by their father because their mother has not been in the picture for quite a few years. Whenever I see her at church I give her a hug and remind her of how smart and how beautiful she is and encourage her to stay away from the boys. When I teach the junior high and high school girls I remind her that God loves her and that He has an incredible plan for her life. On Sundays she says everything I want to hear until we speak again the following Sunday at church.

I drove past her today and saw that she had her arms around a young man and were quite a ways from the high school. I knew the direction they were headed, towards the convenience store even further down the road. When I passed her, my son and some of the other children said, "Hey isn't that Emily?" I said, "Yep it sure is." They asked me if I was going to go back to where she was walking. I hesitated for a moment and then said out loud to both my children and my friends kids in the car, "There is no such thing as coincidence is there kids? God gives us only opportunities." as my Suburban turned around and headed back.

When I got up to the couple, arm in arm, my tires crunched over the dirt and gravel, announcing my arrival. Emily saw me and seemed a bit shocked. She knew that I hadn't seen her faux-hawk hairdo before. Her arms quickly dropped from this young man's waist. I rolled down the window and yelled out, "Hi Emily! Where are you headed?" She said nervously, "To the store." I replied, "Does your dad know that you are going to the store?" She still had a deer in the headlights look when she called back accross the busy street, "No, he thinks I'm at school." "Well then, jump in the car and I will give you a ride back to school. I am sure that this nice young man doesn't want you to lie to your Dad" I told her. You could tell she had a moment of hesitation but she did what I asked and headed accross the street and into my car. This boy, a Senior in High School, in his too tight Mick Jagger jeans and even tighter concert t-shirt, rolled his eyes and mumbled something to himself under his breath. As she got into the car I told her to ask her friend if he wanted a ride back to school too. She ran out and told him that I would drive him back too, so he quickly climbed into my full car.

I gently smiled over my shoulder towards this young man and said, "So, what's your name?" He quietly said through clenched teeth, "Luke." I smiled, "Nice to meet you Luke." I went on speaking each word slowly and concisely through my smile, "Luke, you need to know something. Emily is precious to me. I am kind of like an aunt to her. If you lay a finger on her, touch her in any way or hurt her at all...(still smiling) I will hunt you down and kill you." You could have heard a pin drop. "Oh, and my husband is an attorney and former cop, he can show me how to hide your body."

I peeked in my rear view mirror only once to see Emily sitting oddly erect in her seat, eyes wider than I have ever seen them, but with a small grin on her face.

Just then we arrived at the school. I once again smiled sweetly, leaned over and waved, yelling out to Emily and her friend who were quickly exiting my car, "Nice to meet you Luke!"

I will be having a nice little chat with Emily on Sunday.





**names changed for sake of anonymity**

Wordless Wednesday

Spring Cleaning - Yard Style

We spent all day Saturday working in the yard. The kids pitched in and got a good workout too.

My girls are the ones who do all the necessary weeding in our yards. By some cruel twist of fate, all of the men in our family have allergies. Here are the girls in our front yard. Meg had her music on, so the girls were singing. (I weed-wacked and pushed our lawnmower around.)


The men were on the side yard. They were making me pretty happy over there putting in railroad tie steps. We have lived in our home for over seven years now, in that time I have wanted some steps down the slope that goes by my raised garden beds to our backyard. When company comes over in the summer and joins us in our backyard, this is how they usually come down. Watching people surf the dirt hill, slipping and sliding along the way, is not fun to watch. Paul as you can see is pointing. He makes a great dictator, uh, I mean supervisor. David worked so hard for his mom, bless his heart.


An afternoon of working very hard made the kids hot, tired and sweaty. They thought a dip in the icy cold pool was a great idea. They asked if they could jump in fully clothed in their dirty duds. We said, "Sure, why not? Go for it!" Their dad and I counted "One, Two, THREE!" about six times before they all jumped in together. I wish you could have heard them yelping from the cold when they came up for air. We just cracked up.



Ok, just one more picture for mom guys, then you can get your towels!

All things have become new.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor.5:17

Celia and I met in 1994. I remember the day she walked into dispatch and started work with me. I was working the police channel and was very, very pregnant with my son David. She walked in wearing a long skirt and peasant blouse. I thought she was so pretty. The gals in our radio room weren't very nice to her. Actually, they weren't very nice to anybody. I befriended Celia and we became close friends, best friends.

To set up the story accurately, in 1994 Celia was not walking wholly with the Lord back then, and neither was I. I found Celia's obnoxiously bossy ways, loud mouth and even bigger heart a joy to be around. During many heartaches in my life, she was the one that drug me to church, she was the one that gave me a Bible that I actually read, she was the one who was slowly being made into the godly woman that I so often seek counsel from.

If you had told me fourteen years ago that she would be speaking at a Christian women's conference at Mt. Hermon, before 350 women. I would have laughed.

But friends, this is the God we serve.

It reminds me of the saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him the plans you have for your life." When you surrender your life to Him, you can't dream dreams big enough for what he has planned for you.

God takes our old lives, our mistakes and misteps and makes them ALL new again. Her life is a walking testimony of how the Lord loves to pick up His children, dust them off, and send them upon the straight path towards the blessings He has stored up for each one of us.

Please pray for my dear friend Celia, she is speaking this evening. I know the women are going to be blessed by her message to them. Celia is transparent, so very funny and the type of Christian woman that you desire to hangout with, all the time! I know these women will just love her like I do.

And for any of you out there who may read this post. Those of you who may feel like you are a walking failure, or a hyprocrite or just too old to change or too dirty to be made clean, God wants to dust you off too. He is waiting for the chance to make your life whole again. He has so much in store for you.

God took the bossyness of my friend and turned that trait into leadership. He took her loud mouth and turned that into a gift of speaking. He took her even bigger heart and turned it towards hurting women.

Rest in the words above, in Christ, He makes all things new.

This means you too.

Happy Birthday Samuel

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails may make up the average little boy. But our Samuel is far from average. Video games, baseball and light saber swords make up my precious seven year old, my youngest son.

Birthday traditions in our home are held in great esteem. Each of our children are greeted with hugs and kisses and many early morning phone calls from family, wishing to give birthday love to the special person of the day. Their favorite dinner is made for them and served on the infamous red plate which reads "You are special today!" Samuel has requested fettucine alfredo and corn dogs as his dinner of choice. Thankfully, when I went to the store they were out of corn dogs.

After dessert they get to open gifts. Today he is getting a tiny little skateboard (his request), and a basketball from his dad and I. Gracie his nine year old sister is giving him a light saber that changes color. His older brother and sister are going to surprise him later this evening. We will stop off at the video game store on the way to church, where they will give him a $20 shopping spree. It may not buy him a brand new game, but it will be more than enough to get a used one.

Happy Birthday sweet boy. Like I always tell you, "Stop Growing!" I wish you could stay little and toothless for a long long time.

You are just precious to me.

I love you,

Mom

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Blog Design Contest!

Would a an extreme blog makeover put a new spring in your step?

"Blessed..." is having its first ever blog contest during the month of April.

The lucky winner will receive a custom blog design by my favorite blog designer, Elisa at Designs by Elisa. I can't say enough about Elisa. I had my own blog makeover by Elisa. She was such a love to work with, so very kind and helpful. I have a love of flowers so she made sure to add a Gerber daisy to my design. And a little bird told me that she recently took some beautiful pictures of tulips...wouldn't that make a gorgeous blog design?!?

To enter to win, copy the "Blessed..." button html below and place it on the sidebar of your blog. Don't forget to also comment on this post "Enter Me" so I know to drop your name in the hat. You only need to comment once. I will be making the rounds this month to check for the "Blessed..." button on your site for contest eligibility. That's all there is to it!

Copy this code for
the graphic and link...

<center><a href="http://onesoblessed.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh102/extragrace/blessed_button.jpg" /></a><br/></center><br/>

The winner will be picked by random drawing and announced on May 1st.


Good Luck, and may the "Blessed..." gal win!