Heroes Today~

This is a true story and it made me cry. I thought it was worth passing on to you.

SEMPER FI ("always faithful", motto of USMC)

A chaplain, who happened to be assigned to the Pentagon, told of an
incident that happened right after Flight 77 hit the Pentagon on 9/11.

A daycare facility inside the Pentagon had many children, including
infants who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the
children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do.
There were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants that
would need to be taken out with the cribs.

There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers. Just
then a young Marine came running into the center and asked what they
needed. After hearing what the center director was trying to do, he ran
back out into the hallway and disappeared. The director thought, "Well,
here we are, on our own."

About 2 minutes later, that Marine returned with 40 other Marines in tow.
Each of them grabbed a crib with a child, and the rest started gathering
up toddlers. The director and her staff then helped them take all the
children out of the center and down toward the park near the Potomac and the
Pentagon. Once they got about 3/4 of a mile outside the building, the
Marines stopped in the park, and then did a fabulous thing- they formed a
circle with the cribs, which were quite sturdy and heavy, like the covered
wagons in the Old West. Inside this circle of cribs, they put the toddlers,
to keep them from wandering off.

Outside this circle were the 40 Marines, forming a perimeter around the
children and waiting for instructions. There they remained until the
parents could be notified and come get their children.

The chaplain then said, "I don't think any of us saw nor heard of this on any of the news stories of the day. It was an incredible story of our men on that day.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room. The thought of those Marines and what they
did and how fast they reacted; could we expect any less from them? It was
one of the most touching stories from the Pentagon.

Remember Ronald Reagan's great compliment: "Most of us wonder if our lives
made any difference. Marines don't have that problem." God Bless the USA ,
our troops, and you.

It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and
whose coffin is draped by the flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for
the military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women, who have
served and are currently serving our country, and pray for those who have
given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

With a grateful heart for the men and women who serve AMERICA ~ the land of the Free!

Freedom is not free ~ Lynette

Food for Thought:

I am reading a really good book now.

a SHELTER in the time OF STORM by Paul David Tripp

~meditations on God and trouble~

I am not in the midst of a storm right now. Yet I know that storms hit all of us. Storms are part of living here on earth in a fallen world. If you are like me, you like peace. I know I love sunsets, clear skies and sunshine. God gives those to us all the time. Yet because we need water, we have storms. God knows what is good for us, we do not.

I have grown so much due to storms. I am grateful God ordained storms for me, as I have seen HIS love manifested in the midst of such storms. His presence, his love, his nearness has been so vivid and real in the middle of such storms. His forgiveness in my 'kicking against' the storms. I have learned much about my GOD in the midst of storms, much more than in the sunshine and blue skies kind of weather.

This book is a drink of fresh water to a thirsty soul. This well written book is about Psalm 27 and insights about not only the storms in your life, but where to find shelter and treasuring the true treasure.

Can one Psalm really change your life? It can if you dig deeply enough! 52 meditations (some are poems he wrote) on Psalm 27 ~ Good reading for Sunday devotions or in the evenings anytime.

When troubles come knocking (and they will) , do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not be sorry ~ I promise! This book will help you find your refuge in time of need!

Daughter of the King, Lynette

Love is......

The world tell us February is "LOVE" month. Yet, in God's economy everyday is "LOVE" day. He tells us the world will know we are Christians by the the love we have one for another.

What demonstration of love do you give those around you? More specifically how do you demonstrate love to your husband? Love is in the details. I have so many examples ~ times I have failed, times God's grace has enabled me to give.

Do I insist on my own way? THE restaurant I want to go to? THE movie I want to see? THE temperature in the house I want?

Do I keep quiet and listen rather than 'butt in' and start yapping? Do I pray asking God if I should speak or be quiet?

Am I willing to go the extra mile? Do the extra thing? Stay up an hour later to help out? Skip my nap so someone else can have one? Let the plans we had planned go, so someone else benefits. Little details that speak love.

Love is a strong witness to the world. Not the "mampy pamby" kind of love but true love. Love that gives and expects not in return. Love that sacrifices ones own desires. Love that reaches out to the unlovely. Love that forgives. Love that desires for another that which one wants for herself. Love that speaks the truth.

You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Free from you. Free from others. Free to love others you may not otherwise have an affinity for.

As I posted in earlier posts, we are studying Song of Songs in our Sunday School class on Sundays. It is an adult class of married couples. This week we were looking at Song of Solomon 8:1-7. In verses 6-7, we are introduced to seven different aspects of love. How many do you see in these verses? What are they?

*Personal ~ 'set me' as a seal upon your heart.

*Protected ~ his care for her and her care for him.

*Powerful ~ Love is strong as death.

*Possessive ~ Godly jealousy of intimacy. For one.

*Passionate ~ Love is full of fire.

*Perseveres ~ Love is going to endure.

*Priceless ~ cannot be purchased.

This week as I have continued to 'meditate' on these truths, I have asked myself many questions. Do I love like this? Am I the 'lover' God desires me to be to my honey. Is my love for Dave as strong as death? Do I persevere in love? Every day God has given me something to think about in light of these Scriptures. And to ask forgiveness for.

Food for thought.

Good for me. What about you? Do you love like God wants you to?

I may be married 40 years, yet I still have lots to learn and apply!

God's Grace is so evident to me today ~ how I thank HIM he doesn't give up on me~

Grateful Girl here, Lynette

DayBook~

On this very snowy day ~ This is what I am dreaming of!

Outside my window~ Bright white snow! Sunshine and shadows!

I am thinking ~How much God loves me. Not because I'm perfect, but because I'm his daughter, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! My heart is full of praise and thanksgiving to the King of Kings. Every hair on my head is counted and the tally changes every day, sometimes by the hour. He cares for me. 1Peter 5:7

I am wearing~ Red plaid flannel cozy pants, long sleeve soft white cotton shirt. Black cotton socks and black slippers my girls gave me a year and half ago. A grin on my face as I squint at the bright snow. Messy hair today~ it's okay~ I am at peace with it and everyone says it looks fine....ha ha

I am thankful for~ a warm bed at night. Our faithful furnace which keeps our house cozy during these winter days. The man of my dreams who shares these with me. Kids who love Jesus Christ. My 8 munchkins of love. God's presence with me always. Friends to love and who love me.

From the learning rooms ~ snow, snow forts, snow ball fun, snow shovels in full gear.

From the kitchen ~ Panera Bread blessings here. I ate my warmed 'bear claw' with my coffee this morning. Am now sipping my 3rd mug of delicious, fragrant coffee made by my man. He was up at 5:30am to take Rebekah to work at Chik fil-A today. Snow or not, Chik fil-A is serving chicken!

I am creating ~ room in our school room today. This room is the 'bain' of my life. It always looks messy. Always has piles. Always is in a state of flux. Always bothers me. It is the catch ALL of every piece of mail, papers, things to leave, things to deliver, things no one knows what to do with. It is the last room we leave when going out and the first room we enter when arriving. So it catches everything from purses, book bags, papers, mail, keys, junk and recycle stuff that needs to be put in the recyle bins. Ugh. Not like. Today I tackle it.

I am going ~ to stay home all day. No work. No school. No meetings. No shopping. No going out. Period. Maybe a walk through the snow would be nice though!

I am reading ~ 1.The Knowledge of the Holy(re-reading) ~A.W. Tozer 2.Laura Bush, Spoken from the Heart ~ Laura Bush 3. The Judas Strain ~ James Rollins 4. Sewing for Dummies ~ hey, always learning new stuff! Stayed up til 1am, reading #3, almost done. Good ending! (All this goes without saying I read my Bible everyday ~ most days~ best BOOK of ALL) I have been slack in writing in my journal for a week or so. Need to write in it more than 2 or 3 days.......a week.

I am hoping ~ spring comes soon....love spring. Winter, not so much.

I am hearing ~ the furnace fan running, Dave is working downstairs, after he diligently shoveled the 'whole' drive and walks (not a quick job). Hannah is in her room reading. Taffy and Emma are napping beside me as I type. Caleb and Rebekah working.

Around our home ~ Since yesterday was off, all the laundry is done and put away. The house was straightened up before we all went to bed last night. Kitchen is clean and dishwasher emptied. (I don't love that job) We are in good shape around here. Need to get the crock pot going for dinner.

One of my favorite things ~ a day off to read and putter around. Give hugs. Hand out kisses. Make fresh brewed iced tea. Healthy food. I love love love pears. Do you love pears? I could eat a pear everyday. Only the good ripe ones though. Not the ones that taste like nothing. The bag of pears from Aldi's last week went in the trash. I have 3 from Giant, waiting for me in the bin right now. Maybe I will eat all 3 today. No, I will save one for lunch tomorrow. Self control is good.

• A few plans for the rest of the week~
• Play offs in Basketball. Tomorrow games. Bible Study at 7:15pm
• If we win those, then we have one more on Thursday too.
• Week end plans shaping up too. Breakfast Sat. with a friend.
• March Madness is right around the corner and we enjoy that!

Off to tackle our 'school room' messes. Can I get it done in one day? Yes-I can. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can (wooden wall plaque in the room...smile)

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." A.W. Tozer

Thinking clearly ~

Lynette

Marriage Monday

Yesterday, our Sunday School teacher *my hubby* asked us what our first date together was. Everyone in our class is married as we are studying Song of Songs. Good memories.

I love weddings. I love marriage. A friend and I were talking about weddings and marriage and all things love recently. I made the comment, 'a wedding a marriage does not make'. Don't get me wrong. I love weddings. They are the vehicle used to make vows, holy before the Lord.

Today young ladies spend huge amounts of money on wedding dresses ($6,000 ~ really?), flowers, receptions and shoes. We girls spend hours and hours shopping, planning and making decisions. For one day. ONE DAY.

When young couples call to ask my hubby to marry them he kindly tells them his fee. His fee is not in dollars but in time. 10 weeks of pre-marital

counseling. Between 90 minutes and 2 hours a week for 10 weeks. Good stuff! Believe it or not some say "Oh, we don't have the time". What? Tons of time to plan the wedding yet not so much time to plan a life together. So many people today think if they plan the perfect wedding, the perfect ceremony, the perfect reception, they will have a perfect marriage. Not so.

As most of you know, marriage is so much more than the perfect wedding. Most of us don't remember much of it. I remember very little. Or we have a tale or two to tell of things gone wrong. My little brother (ring-bearer) played with the turn style on the recorder my Pastor was taping our wedding for us as a gift. On the tape you can hear Pastor DeVries say "No Kurt ~ leave it alone". (Kurt was 5) At my sisters wedding the brother of the groom fainted dead away during the vows. (He was hot) .

All this to say. Wise is the young lady that plans, yes, for THE DAY, though not just for the ONE DAY. Plan for a godly marriage. Plan for being a faithful wife. Plan by learning to cook. Plan by knowing how to make and maintain a budget. Plan by learning how to do laundry. Learn how to clean. Learn how to grocery shop wisely. Plan by learning what your man likes. Plan by spending time with the lover of your soul, who ultimately will make your marriage GREAT! You see, marriages made in heaven look to heaven for the wisdom of a GREAT marriage.

I still like Sunday School ~

I love being married too~

Yet, Love HE who is faithful, lover of my soul, most of all,

Lynette

DayBook~

One of my sweet Valentine blessings from the Love of my life!

He had 60 of them all over our home!! No wonder I adore him so much!

Outside my window~ Blue skies, no wind, brown grass, trees look dead but are not, little bit of snow left in shade on deck. The smell of spring is in the air here.

I am thinking ~ about the arrival of spring ~ my favorite time of the year. Things are NOT as they appear. Trees look dead, but are alive. My daffodils are up 4 inches, close to the brick of our house (we face south). I love this! I remember 'things are not as they appear' in life too. God is at work, even when things 'appear' dead! HOPE!

I am wearing~ Black knit pants, black socks, red long sleeve flowered shirt, black soft, cardigan sweater and a smile.

I am thankful for~ Valentine blessings and all the love it brings out that is always there, just quiet.

From the learning rooms ~ Hannah is having Math at school with Mrs. Barrett who happens to be the best Math Teacher alive on earth!

From the kitchen ~ Dinners in the crock pot as our afternoon is tied up.

I am creating ~ happy thoughts of those I love and cherish.

I am going ~ to try to get outside and walk today, early, mid-day or tonight, I don't care when, I just want to walk....a long walk.

I am reading ~ 3 books currently. My usual practice actually. Only after my precious 'devo' time alone with the LORD!

I am hoping ~ snow is gone for 2011 ~ yet my hubby told me yesterday of a saying that says "two snows on a robin's back". We saw 4 robins on Saturday. He said we have 2 snows left ~ maybe they will be small snows.

I am hearing ~ birds chirping in my back yard! Proof of springs arrival. Taffy and Emma went to "Pawsitively Perfect" early this morning to get bathed and clipped and beautified--nice! I am home alone, which is a rare delight! I can therefore 'hum' as loud as I want.....

Around our home ~ continuing "my de-clutter" project. Out this afternoon with errands and a special appointment too.

One of my favorite things ~ observing the arrival of spring. Monday I was able to sit outside and eat my lunch in the sunshine and read for 30 minutes. As the days warm, I will do that more and more...get out in the sunshine. I will also limit my reading to 30 minutes at a time during spring so I have more time outside in the gardens.

A few plans for the rest of the week~ letters to write. I am behind on my letter writing and notes to send. This is the end of the Basketball Season too. Play offs begin next week. All three of our teams won yesterday...GO TEAM!

Sunshine girl here, Lynette

Busy Tuesday~

What a busy day!

It all began with making the bed.

Then my devo time---too short!

Off to the the bathroom to wash, do hair and put lipstick on ~ smile!

Dress and add shoes.

Put Bible and journal in red book bag.

Go downstairs to pack up my 'stuff' which is a lunch tote, book bag, purse and coffee mug.

Grab a banana and a quick cooked egg. Bring with.

Grab a coat, my stuff and get in the car for the 10 minute ride to Open Bible. Eat banana and egg as hubby drives.

Get settled at work. Grab fresh mug of coffee.

Hand out two band-aids.

Smile, greet, answer phones.

Deliver a message to a teacher.

One more band-aid for a boo-boo.

Refill my coffee mug.

Smile, greet, answer phones and take messages.

Computer work.

Smile, greet, answer phones, take messages and make appointments on computer.

One more coffee refill.

Late slips written.

Notes sent and delivered.

On and on it goes....delighting in being a blessing along the way.....

School is out.

Basketball Games to cheer and clap!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Cooked dinner.

Ate dinner with all the family~

Now to head for the PJs and a good book!

Good night!

What a day, HE was with me in it all, every minute of every hour~

Praise the LORD, for HE is so GOOD ~ Lynette

Marriage Monday

My creative Hubby surprised me on Valentines Day! This surprise was on our bathroom mirror and the first thing I saw on Valentines Day morning!

So special to me!

These sweet 'blessings' all over the house!

On the downstairs mirrors too.

So thoughtful, so creative, so loving to me ....

Even in the family room upstairs!

Valentines love from my hubby to me ~ Dave is the most loving there is!

Who said "love" get old? Nope! Not around here! It only gets better and better!

We love because HE, Jesus, first loved us.

I am so grateful and full, Lynette

Marriage Monday

Today is Marriage Monday!

Our Sunday School class always has homework. I like this kind of homework....smile! I like it because you don't have to do it alone. We get to do our homework together! Bonus!

As we studied Song of Songs yesterday in Sunday School we were looking at Chapter 6:11 through 7:10.

These are the most amorous verses in the Bible relating to intimacy in marriage.

Our Sunday School teacher began with some observations about men.

~ men are visual. They notice a pretty woman but this doesn't mean he prefers her over his wife.

~ men's minds file snap shots. God has wired them this way.

~ temptations and sin are different. He notices but lingering is sin.

~ wives are not to 'judge' their husband for noticing. She can help him avoid some images.

We discussed so many aspects of these verses. I will just note two.

!. Men are visual ~ wives are to be "visually generous" to their husbands. They are to fill up his mind of 'Rolodex' with images of his own wife. This is loving her husband.

2. Wives like words ~ husbands are to be "verbally generous" to their wives. She wants to hear his thoughts and words of love from his heart to her.

Also notice that these verses are descriptive, not prescriptive. This is a goal not a rule. We are not to 'demand' but to seek to minister to one another unselfishly in intimacy

Homework~

Husband to wife: How can I be more verbally generous to you? Do I speak enough during our times of intimacy?

Wife to husband: What are your favorite snapshots of me? Which ones do you recall most fondly? What can I do to be more visually generous with you?

Homework is good because it helps us to apply that which we are trying to learn and apply.

I love being married to Dave and I love "homework" too!

"I am my beloved's and he is mine", Lynette

Men......

I love this picture! There are 2 thousand words in this picture!

This is Caleb talking to his nephew Joschua, who is two. Caleb loves little people. He loves babies, he loves toddlers. He loves kids. You can see it in his face. Can't you just see how Joschua responds to his Uncle?

HE knows Caleb loves him.

He loves Caleb too.

They love each other.

I love it!

This one gets framed soon!

Loving my men, Lynette

Fruit

In my Bible reading this morning, I came upon a very familiar passage.

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and it fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure bing forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:33-37

Jesus is talking to Pharisees, for he knew their thoughts (vs.25). Yet, as a Christian, there is wisdom for me in all of this also.

We know that out of the abundance of our hearts comes what is IN our hearts. Jesus reminds us here that the words we speak demonstrate what is in our hearts for all to see. God knows and sees already. When we open our mouths it is then apparent for all to see, (as well as ourselves--for we do deceive ourselves at times) what is in our hearts. God's kindness to us.

This is a battle I fight daily. God is constantly bringing me back to this point. I find myself running to the cross often due to my mouth. Yet, not really my mouth, but my heart. My mouth demonstrates what is in my heart. Over and over again.

I want to bless. Yet, I don't. I want to encourage. Yet, I don't. I want to build up with words. Yet, in a weak moment, I go negative. I want to help. Yet, I fail to give truth. It is a battle. How blessed I am to have a 'tender God' who knows and is FOR me, in this battle. He sent HIS SON for me, because HE loves me.

The battle is won by the stripes of Jesus. The battle is HIS. I rest in knowing I am HIS and he loves me, forgive me for past, present and future sins. This is truth. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

I am free.

To bless, to help, to encourage, to build up ~ but then it isn't really me, it is HIM!

Thinking about fruit, Lynette

Ordinary?

Today is Friday. End of the week. Beginning of the week-end. Another Friday.

We don't have big plans this week end. I know the Super Bowl is Sunday. Our team didn't make it. We don't care who wins.

As I was reading my Bible this morning, I was struck with how 'ordinary' so many of my days seem to be, lately. Ordinary? Ordinary?

Each and everyday is a gift from the Lord, I remembered. Today is new. Today is potential for praising HIM, loving HIM, learning MORE of HIM. So much of it is what I think about. Where is my heart and where is my mind?

Not ordinary. Fresh. New. A GIFT ~ to be used for HIM. How easily I fall into wrong thinking. No, today is NOT ordinary. I will not take today for granted. I will commit it to HIM; He who is faithful. He who is worthy of today!

I will hum praises to my God. I will kiss my hubby. I will smile at my kids. I will make dinner. I will pet the dogs. I will be a blessing to those around me. Because today is NOT ordinary. It is a day unto HIM who loves and cares for me.

I know whom I have believed! Faithful is HE!

No ordinary day here, Lynette

Lorelei ~ January FUN!

Joschua is 'proud big brother' ~ so cute!

I love this picture of her, so sweet!

Lorelei was here for Hannah's 17th Birthday. Here Nadya is holding her, sitting next to our Birthday girl!

Just finished her bath, 1st one Grandma gave her! Baby delicious smells!

Grandma and Lorelei~

Grandma's having fun, Natascha in rear gathering up Lorelei's laundry!

Sooooo cute bum!

Playing with Mommy~

Mommy and daughter ~ both, sweet as can be!