Pray with me

Dear Friends,
It is with a concerned heart that I am asking you to pray for our Nation, our leaders and our economy. I admit that the President's address upset me and that I am scared about the future of our Nation. Our economy is in scary times and with the election around the corner...bottom line all we can do is PRAY...so I am asking you to pray. Although, I found myself fearful, I believe and trust in the promises of God. I found these specific verses to help guide my prayers. Jer 3:15 I will give you leaders after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding. Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Proverbs 14:34 Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any of it's people. Please join me in prayer until Nov. 5 (the day after the election) for our nation and economy. I look forward to our hearts being joined in prayer.

What GOD says...

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

S and I spent the day at the Aquarium and Botonical Gardens

Each moment I spend alone with this little girl, I fall in love with her even more. I love learning something new about her. She is precious and amazing. We had a wonderful day, holding hands, talking and walking in the sunshine. I couldn't help but think this is how Jesus feels about our relationship with Him and how we should feel about Him. Walking with Him, holding His hand, talking to Him, listening to Him, learning something new... feeling full of life and loved. A song kept coming to mind this morning...I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known. There is more but I will stop singing :)

More from Dr. Gary Chapman

Last week I put a devotional on marriage on my blog. Well, I have to add this one from today, too. It is so incredible to be reminded of what really matters. I look forward to implementing this better in my life, with my family and in my marriage. Were you taught how to love unconditionally? My mom was extraordinary at doing this. She served my father beyond her maximum capacity. I was lucky to have such a great a example. I hope you enjoy...
(Oh by the way you can sign-up for these devotionals from Dr. Gary Chapman at http://www.garychapman.org/.)

Today's Focus: Unconditional Love in Marriage
Unconditional love means that we love, and thus seek the best for the other person, regardless of their response to us. This is God's love, and this is God's challenge to us in marriage. Modern thinking is much more conditional. I will love you, if you will love me. We tend to be egocentric even in marriage. The focus of our effort is to get our own needs met. In fact, much of modern psychology has suggested that this is normal behavior. Some have gone so far as to say that all of our behavior is motivated by the desire to get our own needs met.
Unconditional love, on the other hand, focuses on meeting the needs of the other person. In marriage, it is the husband looking out for the wife's best interests, and she for his. It is not "I will wash the dishes if you will give me...." It is "I will wash the dishes because I know you are tired."
Unconditional love is the greatest gift you can give your spouse. It is not based on their behavior, but on your desire to love them as Christ loved you.

Her first joke!

S the youngest child was really sick last year, chronic ear infections so we got the tubes, then ear infections turned into sinus infections so we got the adenoids out, but that didn't clear up the illnesses. Really I had just had enough; I was so sad for her. It is awful as a mother to have a sick child who you can never help get well. So I took away the cow's milk and wouldn't ya know...no more colds!!!! OK, my point...she has been a little behind on her speech and hearing from all the ear infections; however, she is catching up super fast. It is so great! I'm impressed with how much she has exploded the last six months but especially this last week. She finally caught up to where E was at this age. She is a talking machine, I mean nonstop. I have no idea where she gets it!!! The cutest thing happened tonight...she told her first joke...well at least one the made since. She made herself laugh, she was so funny. She has the best laugh, too. Oh my, how precious my children are! God gave us the most unbelievable gifts when he gave us these two girls. Thank you, Lord!

Mom, I need to look pretty!

So our dear friends had been out of town for a week. We we're fixing to go over and give them welcome home hugs. I told E we are going to Caden's house...she looked up with pure joy on her face and made a bee line for the counter. She picked up her plastic bead bracelet put it on and fixed her hair with her hand. I grinned at her and said, "Are you ready?" She replied, "Mom, I have to look pretty." Oh my goodness! This was the first time she has done anything like that. Too cute..but I'm watching her!

Second Saturday

On the second Saturday of each month our church does a service project for the city. It is incredible: the project, the impact and the number of people (about 200) who are serving! We went to Galloping Grace Ranch to do MAJOR landscaping. L dug 30" deep and 40" wide holes for trees and I spread mulch for 2 and 1/2 hours. It was so much fun. Most of all it was so incredible to see E out there helping spread mulch, too. S just loved getting dirty and playing with the big kids. She also loved looking at the horses. We signed up to volunteer; we'll come back to groom, feed and walk the horses. We're looking forward to the next Second Saturday!

Family Date Night

For our family date night we ate at our favorite restaurant Rudy's BBQ! All 4 of us love it! We only eat out once or twice a month so this was a real treat! After dinner we headed to the mall and the girls rode the carousel and then we went to Build-A-Bear! Thank you Uncle Buzz and Aunt Bethie for the birthday gift card! Of course E chose the PINK bear with white hearts! S chose a Koala Bear. We had a wonderful night spending time together and playing!

The Purpose of Marriage

Everyday I receive a devotional from Dr. Gary Chapman. I thought this was excellent. I hope it encourages your marriage!

Today's Focus: The Purpose of Marriage
What is the purpose of marriage? Sex? Companionship? Love? To provide a home for children? Social acceptance? Economic advantage? Security?
What does the Bible say? Let's go back to the beginning. God looked at Adam and said: "It is not good for man to be alone." The word means "cut off, isolated." God's answer? "I will make him a helper suitable for him." God created Eve and said, "The two shall become one flesh." It is interesting that the Hebrew word for "one" is the same word that is used of God; "Hear O Israel: the Lord our God is one..." It means - composite unity.
Father, Son, and Spirit - God is one. Each carrying out a different role, but one. So in marriage, the two are one. Intimacy, unity, oneness is at the heart of God's purpose for marriage.
Today's A Growing Marriage Daily content has been written by Dr. Gary Chapman and is based on the book Dr. Gary Chapman On the Marriage You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman. Published by Moody Publishers, copyright 2005. Used by permission.

Looking in the mirror...

On the outside looking at E she looks like her DAD with a Cook nose (my mom's side)! There is no mistaking those two are father daughter. However, from the stories I have heard about what I was "like" as a child...I'm pretty sure I am staring at myself in the mirror when I watch her behavior and her actions. She is quite the little mother and helper. She often tells her little sister the consequences before I can even get them out of my mouth. She told her this morning "I am here to solve your problems!" Her world falls apart when things don't match or go just as she thinks they should in her head. I wish my mom was here to see this behavior and confirm my suspicions.

Mommy Dates with S

One of the reasons I wanted E to go to preschool was because S needed some mom time. On our first Mommy Date we went shopping! That was fun. Today we went to the zoo and had a picnic lunch! We had such a wonderful time looking at the animals and talking. We saw the seals and sea lions get feed, a Koala Bear sleeping in a tree and we watched the zebras eat. I asked her, "Can you count the zebras, S?" She began counting "uno, dos, tres, quarto, cinco." I looked at her almost amazed, "Yes, there are 5 zebras." Thank you Diego and Dora for teaching her Spanish!!! To top it off she would yell out to me in Spanish while at the zoo. Her favorite words help and wait or stop. VERY FUNNY!

E's FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL

E had her official first day of preschool. She was precious, but most of all READY! She walked right in and never looked back. The teachers gave the parents a little gift. Consider yourself hugged and kissed said the note. They gave us two Hersey kisses and a tissue. Very cute. It was a wonderful moment to see how excited she was; however, I did need the tissue. I actually was more teary-eyed today when I dropped her off for the second time. This morning I said, "girls lets get in the car" and when I turned around, there was E at the door with her backpack on and lunchbox in hand ready to go.

Ballet Class

E is taking ballet and jazz for the next 14 weeks! We gave her a choice between soccer and ballet and she chose to be a PINK CUTIE! She loved her first class and has been practicing pointing her toes and her positions. It was so fun to watch her listen and learn the moves. S did a great a job watching her sister; afterwards she said, "LOOK AT ME!" Both of them are too cute for words.

More on moving on faith...

We believe God has a plan for us (JER 29:11) We believe God called us to this city and we believe that He has great work for us to do here. We become amazed each time God reveals his a piece of his plan. However, the devil loves to mess with us and try to interfere with our faith. Sometimes things don't go the way you think they will. But the devil won't win!!!! Jesus lives here!

Pinetop, AZ Family Getaway

We traveled to Pinetop, AZ for Labor Day weekend to enjoy our special family. We had such a wonderful time eating BBQ, swimming in the rain, riding horses, playing games, watching movies and siteseeing an Ancient Indian Pueblo. Making memories is what life is all about!