tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22199249405148975202024-03-14T01:28:20.853-05:00What a journey God gives meRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-83510039902030267472009-05-30T23:52:00.003-05:002009-05-30T23:56:40.076-05:00Worship today...worship Him foreverMy heart is with Jesus, He is my Savior, my Healer, my Counselor, my friend, my husband....my forever love<br /><br />Copy and paste this link to experience worship with our Great and Mighty King!<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSjNod4LXFERachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-87101352258647869802009-05-01T12:54:00.001-05:002009-05-01T12:56:31.687-05:00clipI found a guy that wrote a book about how to speak with people regarding abortion. Here's one of his clips.<br /><br />http://vimeo.com/3161215Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-56349398136010221482009-03-29T13:55:00.004-05:002009-03-29T14:00:40.772-05:00God's Grace and His gift I was blessed withI sent this e-mail to my sweet sister in Christ Becca after she forwarded me a story on abortion and I wanted to share. (The link to the news story is at the bottom of the page.)<br /><br />Becca,<br /> <br />This past week God has done a major work in my heart regarding abortion. For years I was angry and hateful in my heart towards women that have had an abortion. I even said to a very close friend of mine last year (knowing she had had 2 abortions) that, "I would kill myself if I had an abortion." I had no compassion for them, yet I see women all of the time in our ministry that have had an abortion. Just two months ago at our leadership meeting I asked what to say to women like that because I said, "I've never had an abortion." My heart was hardened and this past week God did some pruning! I confessed in my heart of the anger and bitterness, I learned more about abortion and learned that abortion is not only a great act of violence on the unborn but ALSO on the woman herself. A lot of times they LIE to them and tell them it won't hurt, that the fetus is a "blob" and they will walk away with no ill effects...all lies! So I've done a complete 180 in regards to this, on Saturday at my women's group I opened up about my week and I completely broke down in tears because my friend (that I had said those insensitive words to) was there! I was planning on apologizing to her this next week but God arranged it to where I could say I was sorry to her on Saturday instead (in front of all of my friends). It was incredibly healing (and even more humbling)! Another thing is there was an abortion retreat this weekend for our church, for women to get healing on abortion (I did not know that until Saturday)! I'm not sure if I've shared this with you but I have the gift of intercessory prayer, often I will wake up in the middle of the night and pray for someone that God has brought to my attention, I pray in the car, I pray in the shower, often when I'm alone I'm praying for others that God burdens me to pray for. Anyway so, long story long, when you sent me this link I almost fell over! I've been praying for this abortion issue all week and all weekend long. Not really knowing how to pray; how do I pray for the 4,000+ women that will have an abortion every day, how do I pray for our politicians and president to see the absolute heinousness (and ridiculousness) of this, so I prayed in tongues even when God prompted me cause my heart is willing but my spirit and my mind don't know how! It's been a very heavy week to say the least. So upon getting this email it's just confirmation to me that I'm being obedient to God's call, and just more information on how to pray, who to pray for (I can pray for this man, Irving "Bud" Feldcamp). <br /> <br />Thanks friend! God is sooooo good!<br /> <br />Love ya!<br /> <br />Rachel<br /> <br />PS When I came to your house on your b-day it was another reminder of the abortion issue, upon seeing your children and what a blessing they are and how the world makes children seem like a burden and how they take better care of dogs and cats with unborn than they do women!!! It makes NO sense to me. :-( <br /><br /><br />----- Original Message ----- <br /><br /><br />ABORTION MILL OWNER'S FAMILY TRAGEDY - The tragic plane crash into a Montana grave yard that killed three entire families this past week, has received widespread attention and sympathy. What is not mentioned is that the plane was leased by one of California's largest operators of abortion clinics. The owner of the abortion company often let his family use the plane for pleasure trips, and when it crashed last week he lost two daughters and five grandchildren. The plane crashed into a Catholic cemetery, very near a monument to the victims of abortion.<br /><br />http://www.lifenews.com/state3989.htmlRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-3350919196255911672009-03-02T20:37:00.006-06:002009-03-02T20:47:50.605-06:005 things1. I have a tummy ache just now, these pantothenic acid (dissolve fast) vitamins do that to me about once a week, thanks tummy...trying to be healthy here!<br /><br />2. It's been a rough day, very stressful and I need way more of Him and way less of me.<br /><br />3. I am closer to picking out curtains for my living room, did you know interior decorators charge the same amount for curtains as it does to pay a down payment on your first house (about $5,000)? No thanks.<br /><br />4. I got to spend my anniversary with my hubby, we went to CPK (no not KFC that's CPK) and watched half of "Confessions of a Shopaholic". I will explain some day...<br /><br />5. Every where I go in this house...there are my cats; they really do love me and who says cats don't love unconditionally like dogs do? Mine sure do.<br /><br />6. Wait I have one more thing: I found out today that I get to have a mammogram now, oh joy.<br /><br />Here's a photo cause I know peeps like photos and I'm gonna try and be better at this. It was a painting I did one day, I was just messing around. I like the tree how it's needing the light from the sun. I know it's a different painting but...what are your thoughts?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SayZKtsut7I/AAAAAAAAAEg/YFf_q57vxyY/s1600-h/sun+tree.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SayZKtsut7I/AAAAAAAAAEg/YFf_q57vxyY/s200/sun+tree.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308786470107920306" /></a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-56237973283086994342009-02-10T18:18:00.008-06:002009-02-10T18:26:16.085-06:00Sometimes they fall downI just changed my font cause I was growing weary of the spots and dots or whatever you call them, hee hee! I needed a change and I thought my one reader (yes I said reader, as in <strong>one</strong>, ha!) would like a change too. ;-) That's not the only changes I've made lately...<br /><br />A couple of weeks ago at Recovery at the Village when it was my turn to talk I blurted out, "I think I have a problem, I'm addicted to the computer." God has a funny way of getting things out of us, or having us confess. I didn't even intend to say that when I went that night. I lead one of the small groups so at the time (of my denial) I felt I had to be "on top of things" in my life. So when it came out of my mouth I knew I could not turn back then, I had to face my issue head on and deal with it. You see I've not only been addicted to the computer but mainly I've been addicted to Facebook. You may snicker because you yourself get on and play around and chat, etc but I really felt convicted when it was on my mind 24/7. What do they call that? Oh yeah...an <strong>idol</strong>. Because God was not filling my thoughts 24/7 I was filling my head with facebook, facebook, facebook. Now I love to keep up with new friends, old friends, family and the like but I <em>was </em>out of control! It literally felt like an addiction to a drug, very weird cause I didn't feel good until I got on and then once I got on it wasn't satisfying me. I'm not sure where the turning point was for me but whatever the case it happened and I was in deep denial. So I took an entire day last week to fast from the computer, no e-mail, no facebook, no nothing. After that first day I felt like God was calling me to fast from facebook for <em>the entire week</em>. I wasn't happy about that (oh no!) but I knew that I had to run directly <em>away </em>from it and run to <strong>Christ</strong>. He is my only hope, my only source of strength, the peace I so badly need and the joy in my life. <br /><br />Day 2 was not easy cause I felt like a 2 year old screaming for her missing blanky! I was grumpy, whiny and complaining (sound familiar?) God brought me to Obadiah and have you ever actually read Obadiah? It's very short, only one chapter but in there God speaks of punishing, commands that were broken, and nations to be judged. I only read it once, yeah when you're feeling separated from God it will only take one reading! But after day 2 and 3 I started to see the light, I also started to see myself doing things that normal housewives should be doing like cleaning house, cooking, etc. I was deeply ashamed! And to top all of this off my "fasting" from facebook for the week landed at the very same time my son got the flu so I was stuck at home, couldn't go anywhere with a sick child to tend to and who slept often so I had <em>lots of free time</em>. It was torture I tell you, <em>torture</em>! Sorry I got off on a bunny trail...anyway so after day 3 or 4 and I started to feel freedom God brought me to Matthew 11:28, "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." That was like a major breath of fresh air, hope and rest. So since then I've been resting in Him, taking all of my burdens to him, checking my idolatry at his feet and not looking back. He is so good to forgive, His mercy is never ending and for this hard headed woman I need it! Thanks for listening...Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-46645184225880582432009-01-24T08:21:00.003-06:002009-01-24T08:34:34.497-06:00A New Year, A New President - what will God do nextSince the inauguration I have been numb to politics. It is an amazing thing that we now have a black president (can I say that?). I am in awe over that whole issue and how far this country has come. But I am very opposed to what he stands for and already he has made changes that have caused me to cry: <br /><br />http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/23/obama-lift-ban-overseas-abortion-funding/ <br /><br />I am avoiding the news because I feared exactly what he has already done and will continue to do. I am simply praying for mercy for him and our country, for our children and generations to come. It all just breaks my heart and yet I see on facebook and other blogs how so many people are "thankful" and "happy" about our new president. I wanted to share an article by John Piper regarding this same issue. What he wrote is exactly my sentiments. Here you go, it's not a long read and if the link does not work the article is at www.desiringgod.org entitled, "The President, the Passengers and the Patience of God": <br /><br />http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2009/3520_The_President_the_Passengers_and_the_Patience_of_God/<br /><br />(you will need to copy and paste the links)Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-69141305987909659032009-01-08T08:44:00.004-06:002009-01-08T09:16:41.583-06:00<strong>Once again a no brainer...sort of:</strong><br /><br /><strong>FOR TODAY January 8, 2009...</strong><br /><br /><strong>Outside my window...</strong>The racket of the roofers next door is echoing through the neighborhood. Although our insurance and roofer guy said we don't need a roof, hmmmmmmm....<br /><br /><strong>I am thinking...</strong>yoga might be the reason why my back wakes up sore every single day despite the brand new mattress in our bed. I hate to give it up because it feels so good to stretch and bend but my journey with yoga may soon come to an end. More on this later...<br /><br /><strong>I am thankful for...</strong>my daughter, she woke up looking much better than when she went to bed last night.<br /><br /><strong>From the kitchen...</strong>is a sparkling clean sink yet no thoughts on what is for dinner, I have thoughts but I can't seem to find the thing I'm looking for at any of the stores nearby. Now I don't know what I will do because I used to count on those organic (healthy) boxed meals to get me through the week.<br /><br /><strong>I am wearing...</strong>a robe and pj's.<br /><br /><strong>I am creating...</strong>a painting, still working on the same one I started last summer...some day soon though!<br /><br /><strong>I am going...</strong>to try a step class today, hopefully I won't get killed falling off of the step because I haven't been in so long. On second thought, maybe I'll just hit the treadmill or go for a walk on this beautiful sunny day.<br /><br /><strong>I am reading...</strong>I'm in the middle of books, actually a confession...I'm reading "The Confessions of a Shopaholic". That's funny, a confession about a confession! I like those kinds of novels because it's the heavy ones that I need a break from every now and then. I'm also still reading the book on fear, almost done and I do feel like God has grown me in that area, rather He has given me freedom from it. (He is so good!)<br /><br /><strong>I am hoping...</strong>that going to my high school reunion next year won't be a big waste of time.<br /><br /><strong>I am hearing...</strong>the clock tick, a dog bark and hammers on tiles nearby.<br /><br /><strong>Around the house...</strong>my Christmas decorations are still looking back at me and I really need to finish up putting them up.<br /><br /><strong>One of my favorite things...</strong>a quiet house on mornings like this, no immediate agenda's, no last minute errands, just me, God and this big and quiet house...aaaaahh.<br /><br /><strong>A few plans for the rest of the week:</strong> To find a hormonal specialist and make an appointment, to take Colin to his ortho appt., to continue to help Brian with his last run in with poison ivy and I've got to call my sister, I am so bad about that now and for no good reason. To go to a very good friend of mines birthday party on Saturday, Happy Birthday Jennifer!!!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-38797035467244442912008-11-25T09:15:00.005-06:002008-11-25T09:19:46.527-06:00Simply Today<br /><br />I love these kinds of blogs so I'm participating today because I love prompts: <br /><br /><strong>Outside my window...</strong>birds are chirping (at least 3 different kinds). <br /><br /><strong>I am thinking...</strong>I need to get off of the internet. <br /><br /><strong>I am thankful for...</strong>my friends and silk long underwear that keeps me warm in the winter.<br /> <br /><strong>I am wearing...</strong>my pjs and a jacket. <br /><br /><strong>I am creating...</strong>a couple of paintings, I need help with a color for one that is almost finished. I think the color is peach (from the original) but my art teacher insists it's tan. <br /><br /><strong>I am going...</strong>to take Colin to CC's Pizza today, he gets out of school early. <br /><br /><strong>I am reading...</strong>Running Scared by Edward T. Welch. <br /><br /><strong>I am hoping...</strong>for my hubby to make a decision about gifts for the Adair family soon. <br /><br /><strong>I am hearing...</strong>silence (the birds have already quieted down). <br /><br /><strong>Around the house...</strong>dust bunnies are gathering. <br /><br /><strong>One of my favorite things...</strong>an unexpected hug from my 11 year old and humility from my 16 year old and all of the laughs provided by my husband. <br /><br /><strong>A few plans for the rest of the week</strong>: Yoga, helping to feed the homeless on Thursday, hang out with my kids cause they're out of school and mailing another package. <br /><br /><strong>Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Leave me a note and tell me about one thing you are thankful for or one of your favorite things. </strong>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-52486657541241666642008-11-20T22:38:00.004-06:002008-11-20T22:41:43.283-06:00Gmail confusionOK, got a new e-mail account and for some reason I can't register the new e-mail with this blog account. It's from the same source, <em>google</em>. What's up google? Does anyone know why or have answers to this puzzling question? I don't want to get a separate e-mail account simply for this blog but then again I don't want to lose this blog. I know there are far more difficult things in life but this one is bothering me at the moment. :-/Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-41840798026111458682008-11-11T17:41:00.007-06:002008-11-11T18:08:26.013-06:00Fear...lessI have finally opened my eyes to what has been keeping me paralyzed for the past three weeks, FEAR. I am a big chicken, nothing more, nothing less. Well actually yes there is more, I am not trusting in my <em>great God and King</em> with my fears. I am reading a book right now called "Running Scared" by Edward T. Welch. In the second chapter he asks you what your fears are and I started thinking about them (yes there are many) and I was able to see that I have been denying this emotion (or whatever you call it) all along. So I have many fears; mainly fear of the economy, fear of the new president elect and what he will do, fear of confronting other people, etc. Then just a little bit ago I was intercepting a billion calls from insurance agents...so my fear kicked in again. I started to crave sweets because I was denying my fear, so I asked God to help me with these thoughts barraging me. I knew sweets wasn't the answer. <br /><br />A week ago before realizing I was dealing with fear I got a letter in the mail from John Piper, not a personal letter but the kind of letter where they talk about a certain topic, then they ask for a donation (or not) to be able to receive that CD in the mail. Well the topic was fear, so I went straight ahead to www.desiringgod.com and listened to John's teaching on fear. I wrote down some of the main points and for the past few days I've been trying to memorize Isaiah 41:10 which says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I like the part where John says, <em>I am your God - over you. I am with you - by your side. I will strengthen you - from inside you. I will help you - all around you from wherever the enemy comes. I will uphold you - from underneath you.</em><br /><br />I am so thankful for friends, a good friend of mine has been praying for me for the past three weeks. She knows my patterns and she felt God prompting her to pray for me. We talked about this today. I can't do this walk alone, no one can. I'm still learning, still growing, still learning to trust in God in all things.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-8962534267587161542008-10-19T10:26:00.004-05:002008-10-21T22:28:19.812-05:00Pain and SufferingI went to John Piper's conference this weekend and the topic was "Job" (of the Bible). Boy does that man ever know how to dissect Scripture! And surprising to me was that he is very animated and funny! He delights in the things God made and it's fun to hear him talk about those things. <br /><br />The main point that John made for this teaching was why does God allow suffering when he is a good and loving God? I think what I took away from this seminar was that above all things <em>God is Sovereign</em>. And it is wrong to question God, but we do it anyway! Job was a <em>righteous </em>man, meaning he loved the Lord with all his heart and sought after Him in all things. But God allowed Satan to kill his livestock, his family, to afflict Job with horrible sores for days. (God didn't but <em>allowed </em>Satan to.) Job wasn't perfect and he did question God. Another thing I got out of it is that God will use suffering to bring people together. When you are suffering you call your friends and family more, you reach out and connect more because you feel vulnerable and needy. And mainly when you are suffering you reach out to God more, it draws you closer to Him, you are tested (like Job was) at times to see if you truly mean what you say about your love for Jesus. This is a tip of the iceberg so I encourage you to go to the Desiring God website to listen to Piper's message on Job. www.desiringgod.orgRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-88889675121371185522008-10-10T11:55:00.005-05:002008-10-10T12:06:45.051-05:00so much to do, so little timeSorry blog world, I am absolutely overwhelmed with things to do recently. There's 2 parties to attend this weekend and I went to one last weekend, preparations for my testimony on Thursday and a football game this Saturday. Oh and this is the month of October, the BIRTHDAY month. There are 7 birthdays in my family this month, not including my own. That's typically 7 cards, a few gifts and usually about one or two parties. Oh and did you all know that Christmas is coming? So there is that on my mind. Plus we're going to New York for Christmas so then there's the planning I've got to do. When I have a lot of things to do I tend to do very little. I will wait till the very last minute and run around like crazy and get everything done in like 2 hours. It's the "to do" that I don't like, so I procrastinate, I put it off, I wait until I can wait no more. Is there something wrong with that? I guess if I end up forgetting something then that can be a problem, plus I can get stressed trying to get it all done. And we all know stress is no good. I guess in the race of things I end up being the rabbit and I really should be the turtle. But in all honesty, I don't want to do all of these things. I want to be selfish with my time and do nothing else. But that benefits no one except for me so then I feel guilty. So fess up, how are you with deadlines and to do's? Any words of wisdom?Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-42537232437706499992008-10-02T21:37:00.005-05:002008-10-02T21:47:44.704-05:00YikesI am giving my testimony at Recovery at the Village exactly two weeks from tonight, <em>less </em>than two weeks, one week, six days and 22 hours (I think). I have had in the past MAJOR <strong>MAJOR </strong>stage fright. I'm talking about heart pounding, eyes dilated, can't breath, kind of stage fright and when I talk I sound like a squeaky mouse because my throat is closed off. I am asking for all of your prayers; prayers for God to completely envelope me and to take away the fear, prayers that my testimony is glory given to God and the truth is told in love, prayers against Satan's attacks through sickness, accidents and fear most of all. I am really looking forward to sharing my story in hopes that others can see how amazing God is and how great is His love for us! <br /><br />I will be sharing my testimony on October 16th at 7:30PM, thanks again.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-73059487234669361792008-09-29T11:10:00.003-05:002008-09-29T11:32:18.275-05:00Migraines & the thorn in my fleshI have suffered through another migraine this month. It's no fun. No fun at all I tell you. I've cut out caffeine this past month to see if that was the culprit. Well I can say that my migraine was different this time around, it wasn't a heavy, boulder on my head, pressure on all sides, I wanna kill myself migraine. This time it was what they call a cluster migraine. It's only on one side and it feels like it's the size of a golf ball and it is shooting, piercing pain. Often times it takes a couple doses of meds to get rid of it. And believe you me I don't like taking meds so I tried everything to get rid of it. I tried a couple of weird yoga poses, upside down, standing on my head poses...didn't work but it did get my husbands attention! Ha! I tried lying in bed, with silence and no lights on and that did not work. I tried sleeping, that didn't work. I tried taking a cold shower, I was freezing and yet that did not work. So after I was freezing I turned the water to warm and realized that that helped a little so I stood under the very hot water for a while. After that I used a heating pad to try to get the same effect, it helped some but it did not take away the pain. So I finally caved and took some meds, still the next day (today) I have a migraine and that meant med #2. Well it's finally gone, yay! No more pain! But I tell you I have to wonder if this migraine is a thorn in my flesh to keep me from being proud. Like Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. All the while having the pain I pray to God, I spend more time with Him then if I am well. I look forward to Heaven, I do, no more suffering and no more pain. But if getting a migraine keeps me closer to the Lord then I will take the suffering. And I believe this computer is causing me more pain so I better get off now. Sorry to end it so awkwardly. Thanks for prayers my way.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-30727525028228492472008-09-21T22:54:00.003-05:002008-09-21T23:01:26.317-05:00FunnyI just had a funny thought. Well let me back up a little bit more. I was bored and reading through random blogs, no one I knew just looking at blog after blog. One thing I noticed is that there are a lot of blogs out there with moms taking pictures of their babies, toddlers and preschoolers. I think I looked at around 25 blogs and that's what the majority of them were, some newlyweds but mostly blogs about children. I thought it kind of funny how you rarely see a blog about teenagers. Actually I did not see one blog where they had pictures of their teens. I suppose that's natural cause they're not around much when they are teens, but why do you suppose the moms aren't following around the teens with a camera like they are their babies? LOL I know...I need to go to bed and be off the Internet for the day. But just a funny thought to ponder.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-58851561553396708012008-09-19T10:14:00.002-05:002008-09-19T10:41:17.483-05:00Confession TimeHi to my two readers, lol! I have a confession and I am shameful and embarrassed about it. The thing about confessions is that it helps to make you accountable as well as to receive prayers from those that care about you. Whenever I hear something that is about to occur I always assume the worst about people. If we meet our family for dinner and they've picked the place (which is 99.9% of the time) I automatically assume I am not loved enough to be able to pick. Or if there is a need in my ministry and my name is not mentioned I assume it's because they don't like me or I am not good enough. Or if my hubby mentions something about our kids or our home I automatically assume it's because he's got a problem with it and he's the bad guy. It's like I think everyone is always out to get me, to hurt me, to spite me, to use me. I hate to think that I'm one of those people that always sees things half empty rather than half full but I do believe that is true. I think this has a lot to do with pride. It should always be about me right?! Wrong! It's never about me, it's about Christ. But I'm not really writing here to be preachy I just need prayers and accountability in this area. Thanks so much from your sister in Christ.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-47076770046369590272008-09-14T17:11:00.003-05:002008-09-14T17:19:45.812-05:00Happy Birthday Ralph!!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SM2NxQSrpvI/AAAAAAAAADw/_sF247rcprg/s1600-h/summer+08+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SM2NxQSrpvI/AAAAAAAAADw/_sF247rcprg/s200/summer+08+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246005018282927858" /></a><br /><br />To my big brother Ralph, that has been through thick and thin with me, that is always there if I need him, that has the biggest heart in the world! Happy 40th, I love you!!!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-77055465074970910212008-09-04T13:01:00.002-05:002008-09-04T13:19:02.415-05:00Peanut ButterI just found a new way to eat peanut butter! I grew up on peanut butter (my siblings can testify to this!). We ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day practically. And when we were broke I would eat peanut butter in more ways than you can imagine! I would put it on a sandwich with pickles or with powdered sugar, often I ate it on apples (granny smith are the best), I would eat it with crackers and the peanut butter would seep through the holes if you didn't eat it fast enough. Oh and of course peanut butter on bananas but when I realized that eating peanut butter with ice cream will cause you to gain weight it made me sad because I really liked that combo. But whenever I can't find something to eat in the kitchen I always go back to the peanut butter, just like today; nothing to eat and I don't even have bread but I realized I could put peanut butter on a granola bar. And it was really very yummy, and satisfying. But most of all eating peanut butter reminds me of my humble beginnings and it always reminds me of all the Lord has done for me since then. Is there something in your life that tends to remind you of Jesus every time you are around it (or a person)? I think that's why I always tend to have peanut butter around. It's always good to be reminded of where you come from so you don't get too cocky about where you are.<br /><br />Peanut butter...who knew???<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SMAmaE9diZI/AAAAAAAAADo/Iwr2QlKy-_g/s1600-h/Key+West+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SMAmaE9diZI/AAAAAAAAADo/Iwr2QlKy-_g/s200/Key+West+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242232195709241746" /></a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-135883819409585532008-09-01T08:05:00.004-05:002008-09-01T08:32:20.350-05:00TodayToday I woke up feeling blue, depressed, down and for no apparent reason! So I thought that I'd post my thanks for everything I can think of. To praise Him and thank Him always changes your heart. Psalm 9:1 "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." Here's all that I'm thankful for:<br /><br />My Lord and Savior<br />My home<br />My hubby<br />...family, church family, Recovery at the Village, chai tea lattes, my cats Arty and Leo, my soft/firm bed, A/C, the birds that I hear every morning and the squirrels running around all day, the turtle that makes it across the road without being run over, freedom to worship and read the Bible, that Jesus made Himself known to me at the tender age of 7, backyard bbq's, Texas heat, blueberries, the wii, soups, sunsets, the beautiful view of the trees outside most every window in my house, the Bible, the gym, leisure time, good health, fire and police departments, a flushing toilet, Mr. Dash (my car!), knockout roses that don't require a bit of maintenance, make up, grocery stores, the internet...... <br /><br />Well I could go on but please don't take my list as a form of boasting, I really am thankful for these these and the point was to change my heart. Well and honestly searching the Scriptures online for a verse to post in here changed my heart and adding the things I'm thankful probably helped too. God is so good! Please share with me the things you're thankful for. I don't mind comments, as a matter of fact I love comments and I wish some of you weren't so shy because I know you're out there reading this blog! And maybe, just probably God will change your heart too by sharing with me and whoever else reads what it is you're thankful for.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-5737689257617161562008-08-26T12:47:00.004-05:002008-08-26T17:11:08.604-05:00It's been a whileI don't know what's happened around here and why I haven't posted in a week, no wait I do...FOOTBALL! Colin is now playing football for a local league and oh boy is it a time intensive sport! Practice is 3 days a week plus a game on Saturday. So his time has to be very well managed. You know I have always dreaded him playing football because being the accident prone child that he is I figured it wouldn't be long before he'd get hurt again. Well obviously he could get hurt falling up or down the stairs right here in our home so that getting hurt business is really out of my control (he is always in God's hands, not mine!). But I can't tell you how fun it is to watch him practice out there. Yesterday for the first time they actually got to tackle each other and throw the ball and get in each others face! They're so cute, little mini men. So despite the tight new schedule I'm actually enjoying this, probably as much as Colin is! I will try and get a good picture to post here.<br /><br />In the mean time, pray for safety, pray for my sanity and pray for fun!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-83311585884492513992008-08-18T22:07:00.004-05:002008-08-18T22:22:01.424-05:00Art & the MasterI've learned a new form of art. Actually I've never really done much of any art before so it's very new to me. I'm starting to learn how to paint, impressionism for now. I started with that because it seems very easy on the eyes, a soft look I guess. Plus it seemed to me to be an easy form of art to learn. Ha! Not exactly! Well to start you still have to put down the back ground which includes drawing on a blank canvas or what artists call "blocking in". So I did that then I started with the background (using real paints), adding in all of the light values,etc. The thing I've been working on lately is the mailboxes, you see, my painting has about 10 mailboxes in it. They are all very colorful and bright and just interesting to look at. I thought it would be cool to paint but it has also been very detailed. I get frustrated at times but after a little bit of adjusting the color, adding and taking away I end up with something that actually looks like a mailbox! I just wanted to write about this in my blog because painting reminds me so much of spending time with God. I sit down to paint and next thing I know it's time to go home and I feel good, like I learned something new, it added to my life and I am at peace. Same as with God, I sit down next to the Master, read His Word and next thing I know it's time to do life. It's very peaceful, soothing and I forget about all of the stresses of the world. Some people get a massage to forget about their worries, some people get a manicure or pedicure to forget about their worries and some people even hit the gym to forget about their worries but me, well I've found that sitting with Jesus is the best thing I could ever do to forget about my worries and what comes in close to second place? Painting. Every time I mix a color I think about God and how He must have enjoyed coming up with colors for the trees and the flowers and even mankind. Life is good. Try painting some day, you never know you just might like it!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-57734360827155613002008-08-13T16:46:00.005-05:002008-08-13T17:07:13.222-05:00Nasty PigNo I'm not blasting a person here. I'm talking about pork, what they call the <em>other </em>white meat. Yeah right, fat chance (no pun intended...seriously). My lovely other half and I went to Dickies the other day to enjoy some Sunday afternoon BBQ. Something most all people do in the south. Well I made a mistake, a REALLY BIG mistake. I ordered pork, pulled pork is what they call it. It looked more like grissely, fatty, chopped up blob of yuck is what it looked like. Why I chose to actually EAT it I'll never know. There's a verse in the Bible that says something like if you want to indulge in sin God won't stop you, he'll just say go right on ahead because we do have a free will. Sorry I don't know the exact reference but hopefully some of you know what I'm referring to, and if you do know the verse please share. Anyway so I went ahead and ate the junk, not sure why...oh wait I alrady said that. No I know why, it's because I'm selfish, and foolish and I ignored every warning God was giving me at the moment to not eat that. The dialog in my head went something like this, "but it tastes so good because it's pork afterall" and the voice said, "well but you will get sick" and I said, "no I won't because it will be fine" and the voice said, "but it clearly says in the Bible to stay away from unclean foods and pork is considered an unclean food" and I said, "well we're really not under the law anymore now are we?" And I chose the pork, and that is about how it went. I'll fast forward to the bottom line, if in doubt DON'T EAT IT; if it's pork, seriously don't eat it, and number one; if the Holy Spirit is trying to warn you of something, please listen, He does have your best interest in mind for you. Jumping back to what really happened afterwards? I was sick, very sick for about 12 hours and I knew it was the pork. I had a headache that is pretty close to the migraines I get once a month, no fun. And there is plenty of evidence to find on the internet about the correlation of eating pork and really bad headaches. So there, that's my lovely entry for the week. If you like pork and can eat it with no problems then my hat is off to you. But seriously, I'm gonna try and stick to that still small voice in my head and what the Bible says about what to stay away from. I've finally learned my lesson...and the hard way at that.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-41306795424448064132008-08-09T17:01:00.004-05:002008-08-09T17:17:12.235-05:00Key West LaughterWell, God must have a sense of humor because there was an evening that Kayla and I were laughing so hard we cried! Thanks everyone for your prayers because it really was a good time, except for a small moment of panic for me it all went very well. But Kayla and I had time to just hang out and be girls. It all started with trying to get a picture of us together and she said something that got me to thinking. I've always been very self conscious of pictures of myself so I squint. Because one time a few years ago there was a picture of me and my eyes seemed to have been popping out of my head. So since then I've made an effort to squint so that never happens again. (lol!) But it has always bothered Brian and then Kayla mentioned it that night. So we started to take pictures and try as I might I could not NOT squint! At one time I thought she was simply taking my picture and come to realize she had video taped me for a good 3 to five minutes trying not to squint. So of course while we laughed and laughed watching that and cried even more. It really was a good time had by us both. And where were the boys? Well they had gone down to Duval street so we could have some good ol' bonding time. So my thoughts are now that God really has a very good sense of humor and He knows that laughter is the best medicine! Here's some pictures for your enjoyment too...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4W-NcZVVI/AAAAAAAAADA/oZ7vZnNr1Hg/s1600-h/Key+West+030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4W-NcZVVI/AAAAAAAAADA/oZ7vZnNr1Hg/s200/Key+West+030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232645075067557202" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4W_J_snOI/AAAAAAAAADI/tL721gcPOBw/s1600-h/Key+West+031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4W_J_snOI/AAAAAAAAADI/tL721gcPOBw/s200/Key+West+031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232645091321748706" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4W_-1VA2I/AAAAAAAAADQ/5aOia3uxNlY/s1600-h/Key+West+032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4W_-1VA2I/AAAAAAAAADQ/5aOia3uxNlY/s200/Key+West+032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232645105505338210" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4XAATnkKI/AAAAAAAAADY/1noxNjRj-sw/s1600-h/Key+West+039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4XAATnkKI/AAAAAAAAADY/1noxNjRj-sw/s200/Key+West+039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232645105900818594" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4XA4v7ayI/AAAAAAAAADg/3rPgnatQySA/s1600-h/Key+West+044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E46oTKAdDZ0/SJ4XA4v7ayI/AAAAAAAAADg/3rPgnatQySA/s200/Key+West+044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232645121051945762" /></a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-67541869014482954962008-07-30T07:47:00.003-05:002008-07-30T08:15:40.167-05:00Key WestMy cousin twisted my arm, gave me an Indian burn (sorry is that wrong to say in this day and age?!) and he's making me write about my vacation! Cousins are oftentimes like brothers, you wanna beat them with your bare hands and yet you can't because you have to be civil! :-P (I think I am having issues with anger this morning, passive aggressive it looks like.)<br /><br />Anyway, on to my vacation story. Yes we're going to Key West next week. All four of us. All two adults, one child and the alien. Wait did I say "alien"? Well yes and I mean that in total love and compassion. My oldest is a teenager and you know it's really hard to understand her sometimes, well no I mean <em>often </em>times. I love her dearly, please don't get me wrong but I'm thinking that someone bribed us to take her along with us. Or they hypnotized us, or held another loved one for ransom to make us take her along. I know I'm sounding very unloving at this moment but it is a free country and I do have a right to free speech? The last vacation we had with dear daughter was last Thanksgiving and she spent 99.9% of the time in the hotel room, watching TV and talking on the phone to boyfriend number 1. So what fun can that be? But I'm learning about this thing called unconditional love. That means to love someone no matter their faults or the fact that they do nothing for you, nor do they love you back. Well from one of the more well known verses of the Bible, 1 Cor. 13:4-7 it is reminding me of true love. Love is patient, kind, not rude or jealous, love never gives up (my wording). Oh there it is, <em>love never gives up</em>. I think that's where I am asking God to keep me at. My heart, it's crushed and I'm often saddened by her but I will not give up because I am her mother and that's what mothers do right? Anyway, that is probably why I didn't write much about my vacation because I'm having some anxieties about it. So if you have a minute (or two) will you please pray for our trip, that it is full of love, joy, long suffering, health & understanding of each others short comings and loving anyway. Pray for me to be creative in getting her out of the hotel room, pray for her heart to change and her to desire to be with her family (we're aliens to her too). Pray for my heart to change and to live like Christ, to surrender my will and to walk into his footsteps.<br /><br />When I return I will post pictures and a report of how God worked! It should be fun though because we're going kayaking (hopefully not with alligators), parasailing, snorkeling, fishing, visiting pirate ships, going on glass bottom cruises and of course swimming in the ocean. Who knows, it may thunder and storm and we may all be stuck in the hotel room...Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219924940514897520.post-82519122843326852582008-07-29T09:38:00.004-05:002008-07-29T09:46:47.626-05:00Vacations and SchoolI'm not really posting much today. I'm just here to say that we're gearing up for our trip to Key West, FL for next week. I've got to be completely ready for Colin's school because the week after we return he is starting school! So that means all of that running around, buying school supplies, uniforms, haircuts, etc. And I must do it before the mad rush gets out there. You know how it is, you're standing in a Walmart school supply isle, seeing that what you need is only 10 feet away but there are somehow 3 baskets between you and 10 people (short AND tall) and the ever coveted trapper keepers that you must have for school! You make your way to the trapper keepers when someone (who you didn't see before you launched) stands up and you have to vear to the left to only be greeted by little people running around yet another cart in the way! Oh so fun. So, join me to Walmart now when there is plenty of elbow and cart space or take a venture out in a couple of weeks when it is an absolute madhouse. Your choice. Love and logic, do you love me now?!<br /><br />Bon Voyage!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09827860942338259202noreply@blogger.com2