When the kids go somewhere overnight, they are looking forward to fun and excitement. When I go somewhere overnight, I'm looking forward to lots of silence and going to the bathroom without a little one coming in to make sure I don't disappear. This was it! The week I got to stay overnight in Atlanta after an all day meeting. I stayed at the Hotel Indigo, an older hotel in Midtown. My room was lovely, overlooking the Fox Theatre. I began to settle in around 8:30 p.m. I had the iPad all to myself. I could read, I could surf the Internet, I could relax. Aaaahhhh!
Then it happened. The noise was incredible! My door was directly across from the ice machine - literally 3 feet away. It was facing my door. I'm sure you're thinking that it couldn't be that bad, right? Well, the ice buckets were galvanized pails! Every 15 to 20 minutes someone just had to get ice during the next 4 hours. I'm not sure when I went to sleep, but I was certainly wishing I were at home in my own bed.
The next night as I was saying prayers with the little one, I truly thanked God for bringing me safely home and for the privilege of sleeping peacefully in my own bed.
Isaiah 32:18. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
VBS
My 7 year old went to Vacation Bible School last week. She had a wonderful time, made a new friend and learned more about Jesus and the Bible. She loved the songs, so I bought the CD they had for the kids to sing along. We've are playing it each day and she is teaching the songs to me. It is so nice to see her excited about VBS!
Do you remember going to Vacation Bible School when you were a kid? During summer vacation, kids with working parents were typically left with a relative. My sister and I stayed with my grandparents. There were TV reruns on the old Channel 17 (WTBS), trips to the library for books and playing outside. No video games, no Disney Channel, no summer camps. But, there was VBS!
One week each summer, the church bus picked us up for morning VBS. There are two things that really stand out when I think of VBS. I confessed Jesus as my Savior and I memorized Psalm 100. I have taken both with me through many years. A few years ago I was helping AWANA kids learn Bible verses. One was working on Psalm 100. She was having a little trouble and I mentioned that I had learned it as a kid also. "Do it," she said. To both our amazement, I recited it. After more than 30 years, I could still say it.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Thank you to all of the VBS volunteers who dedicate their time to helping kids learn about Jesus. It really makes a long-lasting and eternal difference.
Do you remember going to Vacation Bible School when you were a kid? During summer vacation, kids with working parents were typically left with a relative. My sister and I stayed with my grandparents. There were TV reruns on the old Channel 17 (WTBS), trips to the library for books and playing outside. No video games, no Disney Channel, no summer camps. But, there was VBS!
One week each summer, the church bus picked us up for morning VBS. There are two things that really stand out when I think of VBS. I confessed Jesus as my Savior and I memorized Psalm 100. I have taken both with me through many years. A few years ago I was helping AWANA kids learn Bible verses. One was working on Psalm 100. She was having a little trouble and I mentioned that I had learned it as a kid also. "Do it," she said. To both our amazement, I recited it. After more than 30 years, I could still say it.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Thank you to all of the VBS volunteers who dedicate their time to helping kids learn about Jesus. It really makes a long-lasting and eternal difference.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A Gift for Dad
Just like on Mother's Day, Friday came and I had planned nothing for Dad this weekend. I spent some time Friday night thinking about it. By Saturday Daddy was headed to an estate sale and asked me to go, but I declined since I had come up with an idea for a Father's Day gift.
A few months ago, Dad and Mom were working on finishing some basement rooms. Halfway through the project, Daddy got sick and had to stop working on it. He and Mom had put up sheetrock and he had spackled the walls. Aha! A gift for Dad.
At 9 a.m. on Saturday morning I showed up at my parent's house and told my mom that was going to work in the basement. After she realized I was serious, we selected a room. I gathered up my supplies and began sanding the walls. (My little one was even with me, lending a hand.)
By 9 p.m. I finished painting the room. (Earlier that evening, Dad and I had gone to the store and chosen a color named "relaxing green".) Both my parents seemed thrilled that I had done this for them. And all they had to do was feed me and buy the paint. :o)
In case you are wondering about my ability to complete this project ... my Dad taught me.
Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Happy Father's Day to the best Dad ever!
I love you Daddy!
A few months ago, Dad and Mom were working on finishing some basement rooms. Halfway through the project, Daddy got sick and had to stop working on it. He and Mom had put up sheetrock and he had spackled the walls. Aha! A gift for Dad.
At 9 a.m. on Saturday morning I showed up at my parent's house and told my mom that was going to work in the basement. After she realized I was serious, we selected a room. I gathered up my supplies and began sanding the walls. (My little one was even with me, lending a hand.)
By 9 p.m. I finished painting the room. (Earlier that evening, Dad and I had gone to the store and chosen a color named "relaxing green".) Both my parents seemed thrilled that I had done this for them. And all they had to do was feed me and buy the paint. :o)
In case you are wondering about my ability to complete this project ... my Dad taught me.
Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Happy Father's Day to the best Dad ever!
I love you Daddy!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Graduation
Today we had a surprise party for my nephew. Just a few weeks ago, he graduated from high school. He is already working his summer job and is set to begin college this fall. What happened? Wasn't it just a few years ago when he was born; or when he burped in my face and gave me a whiff of what a full belly of baby formula smelled like? Did he really just walk across the stage and pick up his diploma?
Time flies! He was the first little one in our immediate family - so of course we spoiled him! Regardless, he has found his way: excelling in school, hunting, fishing, playing football, and best of all - following Jesus. :)
So for my nephew and for all the new graduates, I wish you the true happiness that only God can give.
Psalm 144:11-12, 15 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style; ... Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
Time flies! He was the first little one in our immediate family - so of course we spoiled him! Regardless, he has found his way: excelling in school, hunting, fishing, playing football, and best of all - following Jesus. :)
So for my nephew and for all the new graduates, I wish you the true happiness that only God can give.
Psalm 144:11-12, 15 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style; ... Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Projects
About eight years ago I began a cross stitch project that was a bit ambitious. It was a wall hanging of a palm tree. After working on it several months and getting only a few leaves done, I put it away. I had all intentions of picking it up again, but I was busy with a new baby, a five year old, a house to keep, and a full-time job.
Within the last year I pulled it out of the corner and began working on it again. As the features began to take shape, I became more excited and eager to complete the project. I'm happy to say that I put in the final stitch last week!
Just like my craft project, don't you think that when God begins a project (or good work) in you that He is excited from the first moment you acknowledge Him? I believe He has joy watching the projects take shape as we work to do His will.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
How is your project going? If you need to pick your project back up, go for it! If you are unsure of your project, search for it! Whatever God has given you to do, He is with you every step of the way - encouraging you, assisting you, consoling you and covering you with His love.
Within the last year I pulled it out of the corner and began working on it again. As the features began to take shape, I became more excited and eager to complete the project. I'm happy to say that I put in the final stitch last week!
Just like my craft project, don't you think that when God begins a project (or good work) in you that He is excited from the first moment you acknowledge Him? I believe He has joy watching the projects take shape as we work to do His will.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
How is your project going? If you need to pick your project back up, go for it! If you are unsure of your project, search for it! Whatever God has given you to do, He is with you every step of the way - encouraging you, assisting you, consoling you and covering you with His love.
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