I love my Grandma!

God blessed me with the best grandma.

Today we are taking a drive down to see her. Paul has court in the Bay Area so we are all tagging along to hang out with Grandma Cuckoo, as we lovingly call her.

She will be eighty-nine in March and is already bragging about her big 90th birthday bash.


How about you? Anyone out there blessed with a Grandma like mine?

Dang it!

“So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness...”
Exodus 15:22nkjv

When our oldest daughter was young, many of my friends complained about how their kids held them hostage by an annoying purple dinosaur on TV. While in our home, we were trying very hard not to dislike a deformed Frenchman. The Disney movie, The Hunchback of Notre Dam was Meghan's absolute favorite. No matter how many times I sat and watched it with her, how many times I wanted to scream from the sheer exhaustive repetition, there was always one scene that would make me laugh out loud.

After the beautiful Esmerelda leads the guards on a wild goose chase, at one point she knocks over a large cage containing an old prisoner. It rolls a bit, then comes to a stop. Breaking open the rusted iron lock, an old prisoner steps out. “I'm free! I'm free!” He joyously exclaims. Then immediately trips and falls into the stockade, which closes and locks. “Dang it.”

I don't care how many times I watch that scene, I always laugh. What a perfect example of how our lives seem to go at times. The mountaintop experience is exhilarating but it often seems the moment we step our foot upon it we have toppled down into the valley below.

The Israelites experienced the very same thing. No sooner had they stepped onto the other side of the parted Red Sea, still in song to the God that had performed the greatest miracle they had ever witnessed, their very next step would be smack dab into the wilderness. From mountaintop to valley, they had to be wondering what had just happened?

Are you in the valley today? Is your spiritual walk parched and dry from a drought of desert dwelling? Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you every step of this journey. Sweet sisters, do not despair and do not be discouraged. The Promised Land is always on the other side of a wilderness experience.

Friends, the mountaintops are beautiful places of untold miracles and answered prayers. Great joy and intimate fellowship with God await us there. But it is not where we were meant to stay. The blessing of the heights is what the Lord gives to fuel us for the wilderness and the droughts that will soon come. The mountaintop experience might take us higher, but the valley experience is what will take us deeper.

Blogs that Bless

Meet the Author

Welcome to Blessed...

I'm so happy you stopped by. There's so much I'd love to share with you. (Much more than my husband would appreciate.) I chose the name of my blog Blessed... because it's how I view my life: as one so blessed. The word blessed means divine favor and that's exactly what I receive from the Lord every single day.

I began writing as soon as I was old enough to hold a pencil. My mother discovered LOTS about me through the written word of my Trapper-Keeper. Needless to say, I never learned to tuck away my journals in a special place.

For the past three years, I've taken writing more seriously. I am an online contributor for the women's devotion site Laced with Grace, Exemplify magazine and Internet Cafe Devotions. My articles have been published in:

In Touch

Today's Christian Woman

P31 Woman

ParentLife

Light of the Word

Vista

As much as I love to write, my family is my treasured calling. I'm married to one of my greatest blessings and my biggest fan. I'd tell you more about him, but he's not too keen about blogs or sharing personal tidbits over the Internet. Thankfully, he has given me first rights to the story of our life. To be written by me of course. His one request? After his death.

We have four beautiful children. It's a tie score in our home: two girls and two boys. There are ten years in between our oldest and youngest. Which means throughout our parenting years we always have at least one little one in our home who believes we still hang the moon.

For those of you stopping by who are writers yourselves, I've a small bit of wisdom to impart: live your lives and the writing will come. As much as you feel called to write, don't overlook your greatest calling as a spouse and parent. Don't get caught up in being published or recognized by others to legitimize your work. Surrender your gift of writing into His hands.


Then watch and see what He does with it.

When I first met Joanne Kraft, I was instantly drawn to her. She has an amazing way of sharing straight from the heart even in casual conversation. Her message comes through loud and clear, in laughter and yes, sometimes in tears. Her wit and wisdom makes a point that is usually just the ticket to bring our weary hearts up a few notches in search of what she has. Her secret? It's Him. Her heavenly Father. She will tell you all about His ways and what YOU can expect if you choose His path! I wholeheartedly recommend Joanne Kraft to you for your next event!

Angie Knight,
Devotional Writer & Retreat Organizer, Florida


Joanne's quick wit and her passion for Jesus are the perfect combination to keep an audience hanging on every word she speaks. The Lord has given her an incredible gift in communication and He is using it for His glory. Joanne is real, relevant, and the model of a true servant!

Barbara Keene
Christian Speaker and Ministry Leader, Arizona



Nothing brings me greater joy than encouraging women. I bring a wealth of experience of personal failures and mountaintop victories of a life lived in Christ. I pray for the opportunity to share them with you.

If you are looking for a speaker for your next women's event, you can reach Joanne Kraft at Joanne-Kraft@comcast.net






Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! Luke 1:45

Happy Birthday Grace!

Ten years ago today your daddy gently placed nine pounds of swaddled love in my arms. You took my breath away. As you have grown, there have been so many more breathless moments. We stand in awe of the young lady you are becoming.

Your name Grace Anne means grace full of grace, or unmerited favor full of unmerited favor. That is what you are to your daddy and I - a gift from God that neither of us deserved. A double portion of His abundant grace and favor in our lives.

There aren't words beautiful enough in our English language to express our love for you Grace Anne.

So, since your mother's words fall short, I thought I would make a list of a few of the reasons why we believe God has given us the very best ten year old daughter in the whole wide world.


1. Your love being around your family.

2. You have a laugh that is contagious.

3. Everywhere we go, you make a new friend.

4. You hate to see someone sad or hurt.

5. You are my biggest helper when I decorate our house for Fall and at Christmas.

6. No one plays Hot Cross Buns on a saxophone like you can!

7. You are the only child we have that makes us check out the nursery at church to see all the pretty babies.

8. You watch over your little brother like a mama hen.

9. You sing Amazing Grace like a living angel.

10. Did I already mention that you are the cutest thing ever?


On this very special day, we want you to know how much we love you. We thank God so often for placing you in our lives.


We can't wait for you to see your birthday gift from all of us...and yes, you do have to wait until after school!


Hurry home.


Love, Mommy

De-Lurking Week!

Did you know this is de-lurking week? I found out when I was visiting Mari, so I'm passing it on. All you have to do is go to my comments and let me know you've been here. A simple hi will do!

Speaker

When I first met Joanne Kraft, I was instantly drawn to her. She has an amazing way of sharing straight from the heart even in casual conversation. Her message comes through loud and clear, in laughter and yes, sometimes in tears. Her wit and wisdom makes a point that is usually just the ticket to bring our weary hearts up a few notches in search of what she has. Her secret? It's Him. Her heavenly Father. She will tell you all about His ways and what YOU can expect if you choose His path! I wholeheartedly recommend Joanne Kraft to you for your next event!
Angie Knight,
Devotional Writer & Retreat Organizer, Florida


Joanne's quick wit and her passion for Jesus are the perfect combination to keep an audience hanging on every word she speaks. The Lord has given her an incredible gift in communication and He is using it for His glory. Joanne is real, relevant, and the model of a true servant!

Barbara Keene
Christian Speaker and Ministry Leader, Arizona

Nothing brings me greater joy than encouraging women. I bring a wealth of experience of personal failures and mountaintop victories of a life lived in Christ. I pray for the opportunity to share them with you.

If you are looking for a speaker for your next women's event, you can reach Joanne Kraft at Joanne-Kraft@comcast.net.

Are you getting sick?

Cold and flu season is just getting started and already I feel a sinus infection coming on. Once I feel the symptoms of an achy head, burning throat, or stuffed sinuses, I get my armor on, ready for battle. With a few years under my belt, thankfully, I have gained a little bit of wisdom. I work quickly to try and stop any ailment in its tracks. Taking vitamin C, Airborne, and Zicam, I arm myself to beat it down before it starts. I know just how miserable it is to be sick and I will do everything in my power to not let my enemy advance.

Head on over to Laced with Grace to read more. You will find out how I keep myself healthy, from the inside out!

Really? I can't do it all?

Have I already mentioned that I can't walk and chew gum at the same time? If you know me personally, this is old news. So, if you have wondered at all where I've been these past couple of days, it's because I can't seem to blog and live my life at the same time either.

I went to post the other day and asked my daughter what I should write about. "Awww, cmon' mom. If you have to force yourself to write something, then don't write anything at all."

So, I didn't.

Instead, I thought I'd list of a few reasons why my daily blogging is going to become a weekly experience.

1. I suffer mucho if I can't visit everyone daily. I just LOVE to visit all of you and feel awful if I don't make the rounds to visit every blog and reply to every comment. I know, I have a problem.

Do they sell a patch for this addiction?

2. I am working on my book again. After writing my book proposal in September, I took the next three months off. The Lord is nudging me to get this project done.

3. I am working on a See Jane Run website. I made the mistake of using another site and not my personal blog in my article that is coming out next month. Now I have to make that happen so I don't look like a frosted flake.

4. I am remodeling our home office into my daughter's room. Gracie turns ten years old next week and we are surprising her by putting her in her own room. She has shared a room with her sister for as long as she can remember. Next Friday when she gets home from school we are having the big reveal!

She isn't expecting it to be done until Valentine's Day. Mwaaahaaahaa!

5. The Believing God Bible Study is ALOT of work. What a blessing last Monday night was. There were NINE of us here. God always does exceedingly more than we can ask or think, doesn't He? Not one of them had done a Beth Moore study before. Is that cool or what?

6. Oh ya, did I mention that I'm raising four children? Kids have a way of making it very very difficult to hang out on the computer. But if it weren't for them, who would I write about?!?


Friends, I need your help. You may not see me every day, but I promise...I will be around. Like a chain smoker, I'm not sure if I can go more than seventy-two hours without my fix. I will have to wean myself slowly.

So, if you see me posting everyday, I need you to hold me accountable. Please ask me things like, Is your book done? Have you finished Grace's room? Did you feed your children today? Have you brushed your teeth? Does your husband have clean underwear?


To become my blog sponsor, please sign on the dotted line below.


------------------------------------------

How cool are you?

Our son Samuel is seven years old.

He's in the second grade.


I found this in his backpack...

...quite the over-achiever, don't ya think?

Contact Me

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Your Name
Your Email Address
Subject
Message

Not-Believing God

Last week I shared with you that I was still unsure about which Bible study I would be doing. I think I also shared with you that we are in the middle of finding a new church home.

Not a fun experience.

...at all.

As my adorably sweet hubby was just about to fall asleep, I decided to have a deep conversation with him.

What? Isn't that when all you girls attempt deep conversations with your husbands?


Me: "Paul..."

Him: groggily, "hmmm?"

Me: "You awake?"

Him: "No."

Me: "Are you asleep?"

Him: "Yes."

Me: "Just falling asleep? Or totally, completely asleep?"

Him: Silence.

Me: "I've decided what I'm going to do about a Bible study."

Him: "...and?"

Me: "I'm going to do a study by myself, here at home. I still have the DVD's Celia gave me and the workbook for the Beth Moore - Believing God study. I have tried to do this study three times, I just need to complete this one Paul...from beginning to end."

Him: Now wide awake.."You can't do a study by yourself Joanne."

Me: "Why not?"

Him: "Because you're too relational. Why don't you see if a few of your friends want to do the study with you?"

God knows my heart. He has placed in my spiritual DNA, the desire to love on the women and learn about His word together. Why wasn't I believing God now?

So, the very next day, not-believing-God, I invited a few close friends. Friends that I knew weren't doing a study right now. And to be completely honest, I figured no one would want to do this study with me. (Don't ya just love my strong, unwavering faith?) First I felt sick to my stomach even asking, then I felt guilty inviting people -figuring they were too busy, didn't have time for the daily homework, needed to be home with their family...you know the routine.

But, I still I hoped they would come.

...then I prayed they would come.

Guess what?

On Monday evening, there will be seven of us doing the Believing God study, here in my home.

I can't even tell you the joy I have getting to do this study with some of the sweetest, most precious women ever.


And you know what?

I'M - BELIEVING - GOD!

Blog Design Giveaway! (sticky-post)

Does your blog need a little pick-me-up? Are you needing a change? Is it time for a little bloggy-bling to make it shine?

How does a free Custom Header, Custom Signature, and free Installation from Trista at Pumpkin Patch Creations sound?

Well then, I do believe it's time for me to share some bloggy-love.

I admit it, I'm not the best when it comes to giveaways, but I've overcome this weakness for the sake of you precious gals out there in my blog-world who have touched my heart this past year.

You have encouraged me with your stories, made me weep with your prayers and struggles and hearts for Jesus...and let us not forget that you've also made me snort with laughter!

Yes, I have been known to snort from time to time. I am a delicate flower like that.

So, here's how it works:

Post a comment below to throw your hat in the ring. Then take my Blessed... button below and post it to your sidebar.

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/>

That's all there is to it.

I will be picking a winner on Saturday, February 14th, yep, you guessed it, Valentines Day.

What better day to share the love of my heart with you?

Extreme Bloggy Makeover 09'

No wait! You didn't make a mistake....this is Blessed...

Truly, it is.

Welcome sweet friends, to my new remodel.

In the magical land of bloggydom we can transform our bloggy-homes in less than thirty-six hours, isn't that miraculous? Can I hear a big Amen, from anyone going through a remodel right now?!?

Those of you who know me, know that my heart yearns to live in the South. God placed this wanna-be country girl in California. I still believe I was switched at birth. Born and bred a full-blooded yankee, I try not to dwell on that too much.

Sooooo, since I will be looking at this blog more than anyone, I just had to get me some country love in my blog design.

Simple, a bit shabby-chic cottage, but still girly.

Make sure you head on over to Trista at Pumpkin Patch Creations and check out her beautiful designs. She was my Dr. 90210, and I am so grateful. I will be talking about Trista tomorrow, so make sure you don't miss out.

She gave me some bloggy love and I am going to return the same to you all tomorrow.

So make sure to head on over tomorrow, I can't wait for you to see!

Ya'll come back now, ya hear!

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

It's my sister Jennifer's 38th birthday today and this is the most recent picture we have together. As you can tell, we just hate to laugh and have fun.

If you'd like to read a bit more about her, click here.

She's a pretty neat gal.


Happy Birthday Jennifer.


I love you,

Watcha Doin'?

It's a new day, a brand new year, beginnings abound! So, I'm curious... alright, maybe I'm just plain nosy. But heck, you gals have made me this way. If you didn't have such interesting lives and amazingly witty answers I wouldn't give a hoot.

So...what is it you're doing for your Bible study in 2009? How about your daily reading? Are you doing anything different for your daily devotion time?

I am still undeclared as to which Bible study I will participate in this year. I LOVE women's Bible studies and being a natural born zealot, I would attend three a day if I could!

For now, my daily time in the Word will include, a chapter from the Old and New Testament and a Psalm. I also read the devotion of the day from my Streams in the Desert book and I've included a devotion from a book my dad and step mom gave me called Precious Gems, that includes the study of a Greek word each day. I have begun a new prayer journal to jot down my hearts requests. This is only my second year that I have kept a prayer journal, and I highly recommend it!

Friends, if you have never read through your Bible, I encourage you to make 2009 the year you succeed. If reading it from cover to cover seems a bit overwhelming, go out and get yourself a Chronological Bible. My husband and I read through the Bible that way a few years ago. What a blessing that was.

So, is this the year the year you are committing to read through your Bible again, or for the first time?

What is your time in the Word routine?

What Bible study are you doing this year?

Cmon', throw us a bone and fill us all in!

Winner-Winner-Chicken-Dinner!

Guess who won the giveaway over at Mocha with Linda?

Yup, that would be moi.

This self-proclaimed bookaholic will soon have in her hot little hands, Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight: Fifty-Two Amazing Ways to Master the Art of Personal Change, by author Karen Scalf Linamen.

So, don't be surprised if you see some amazing changes in me. My husband is looking forward to dogearing the time management chapter. I think he is hoping I will find time to clean our bedroom.

Come to think of it, he has made a few comments about having to use bat sonar, to make it to the bathroom at night.

Hmmmm, I wonder what he meant by that?

I will keep you posted...

Thanks again Linda!

Who's Counting?

Only two days, sixteen hours, twenty four minutes and forty-eight seconds until the kids go back to school.

But who's counting?