October is here!

October has arrived! When I think of October my sister comes to mind. My sister, Robyn, is three years younger than me. She lives in California and always will. The reason I think of Robyn when October rolls around is her BIRTHDAY is October 31st. She took many many jokes about being born on that day growing up. Not by me, but usually by boys.

We are very different. She is a blue eyed blond. I am a brunette with brown eyes. She is skinny, I am pleasantly round. She is almost a loner. I am a people person. She is smart. I am a dreamer. She is a career woman. I am a domestic engineer. I bake and cook and sew. That's a 'no go' for Robyn. She is like my Mom. I am like my Dad. She has a fast hot convertible. I drive a mini van. She has one son and two step sons. I have six kids. She likes pink. I like red. She exercises everyday at the gym. I go for a walk once in awhile. She has lots of people under her with her job, she's the boss. I am married to the boss.

We are different. Yet, I love her. She knew me as a kid. She came to see me when I lived in Germany. She is my sister. We are linked...even if at times we wonder. So as I set my pumpkin out by my front door during October, I smile. I dream a little and I smile. Different is good!

Fall is here...

We all have seasons in life. Yes, spring, summer, fall and winter. If you are like me, maybe you have certain seasons you like better than others. I prefer spring and summer having grown up in the southwest, we didn't have snowy winters. We didn't have the gorgeous changes of fall either. We had green and brown, that was it. I have come to love fall and all the 'changes' and yes, I am finding things about winter that I enjoy too.

Yet, there are other kinds of 'seasons' also. I am talking about seasons of life. Life is a process. We go through many changes and seasons. How easily we enjoyed 'childhood'. I loved my dolls. I loved my friends. I loved to play 'house' with anyone who would play...even my brother. Hours spent playing house and having tea parties and making mud pies and of 'pretending'.

Then came adolescence. Something inside 'woke up' and the reality that I was no longer a child. Life was no longer about dressing my babies and finding someone to play with. Junior high was not my best school years. I did not fit in. I had to wear corrective shoes when all the other girls wore flats. In fact I remember very little of those years except for a few 'bad' memories. One very bright memory though, probably the 'BRIGHTEST' of my life, was becoming a child of God. Oh how happy I am that God saw fit to shed HIS love abroad in my heart as a 12 year old.

Seasons......of growing in the Lord too. We never stand still in our relationship with our God. We are either growing.....or wilting.

I love to garden. I see so many analogies in the world of gardening. I have two pots on my walkway by the front door. They are pretty, I think so anyway. They have to be watered 'everyday' in the summer. Everyday!!! Our house faces south and the sun beats on them. If I skip a day or forget to give them water, they wilt. They revive and are pretty once again when I pour water on them. No, they do not die, even if I miss two days. But they sure wilt .......waiting for me to give them water.

Over the summer God revealed to me that I am just like those plants. If I spend time with Jesus everyday, reading His word, praying and talking with him, I am not wilted. But when I neglect or forget to spend that time, I wilt. I do not die, but I wilt. The more days I forget to 'water' my inner life, I wilt more and more. As God pours on His life giving words to me, I revive.

I woke so many days in the summer with the first thought, I am thirsty for you God. His mercies to me. I spend much time reading and rejoicing in who he is.....I loved it, cherished those moments.

Do you ever feel 'thirsty' for hearing God's words to you?? Start with five minutes and read one Proverb for the day. Today is Sept. 26th. So read Provberbs 26. Or read Psalms 26 and add 30 to that number all the way through Psalms. (26, 56, 86 etc.) I have a Bible Reading Plan I follow for the year and I love it. I have tried many different ones through the years and right now I am using The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. If you want a copy, leave a message and I will mail you one. (more about this later)

For the summer I did not blog. It was a season of rest from writing! I love to write and write often in my journal. (How fun starting a new one too) I felt the Lord asking me to 'let it go' for a bit. What a great summer HE gave me. So much fullness of HIS love in my heart.

So here I am towards the end of September and I begin blogging again. I am excited to see all God will do in me this fall ~ for HE is faithful! 2Thessalonians 3:3

Happy Birthday Robert Davis!

Today is my oldest son's Birthday! 39 years ago today (just 13 minutes ago) I gave birth to a little bouncing baby boy in Augsburg, Germany!

How thrilled his Dad and I were to be through with labor and see his sweet face. My hubby was in the Army Security Agency with the Army and had taken two weeks leave to be there for the delivery. The day leave was over, I went into labor. Dave reported back and said "I have to leave as Sherry is in labor!!"

It was worth all the pain to receive the blessing of our new baby boy. Robert Davis McCurley. My father's first name, Dave's and his Dad's middle and last name. He was named after his daddy, and both Grandfathers. Back then one did not go home right away. He was delivered in a Field Hospital with no luxuries. I was in a ward with 11 other new Moms who thought nursing was not the way to go. I alone chose to nurse my new baby!

I was to go to a 'meal room' and get my own food, take the baby back and forth to the nursery and care for my own needs. As I look back I am so reminded of God's presence and grace to this very naive new Mommy. I thank God for the very large nurse who took pity on me and helped me sooo very much. She came to my bed, whipped the curtain closed (trying to figure it out with 11 non nursing women giving me the evil eye was intimidating) undid my gown and showed me the art of nursing a new baby in 5 minutes. He caught on and the rest is history.

Our new baby had jaundice and was to stay in the hospital with me being sent home after 3 days. I began to cry......really cry. My Doctor came to discharge me as I continued to cry. "What is wrong??" I don't want to leave my new son!!!!! They won't let me nurse him! (Back then, they gave water to jaundice babies and formula. No nursing.) He quickly said, "You do NOT have to go home, I say you can stay until the baby is ready--and that is that." Wow, was I thrilled! So Rob and I stayed a full week in the Field Hospital and went home together!

How marvelous are God's ways. Higher, much higher than our ways. I thank HIM so much for being with me those many years ago. He provided just what I needed, what my new baby needed and more blessings than we could of ever imagined! As I think back, I see the hand of God moving through the years and always, always giving grace to this very undeserving Mother.

Thank you Lord for Robert Davis and all the tremendous ways you have worked. I am one very blessed Mom and I know it......so grateful you bestow such love and grace on this undeserved girl!

Delighting in Jesus today, Sherry Lynette

Silence

I have been silent on this blog for awhile. Good for the soul.

We are going through the book of Job on Sunday mornings at our Church. Rather, our Pastor is preaching through Job. What an amazing man Job was and we can learn soooo much through his life and relationship with God.

Silence! Job was silent for 7 days along with his friends. I don't know about you but I have a hard time being silent. I am learning lots about myself in this new adventure in learning to be silent. We were given the assignment last week to read Zephaniah 3:17 and then sit and listen for 30 minutes. No problem.....I thought!

Saturday was my day, no rush and time to do this assignment. I was very surprised to find out it was hard work for me. I at first tried to sit quietly. Thoughts came rushing in, all over the map. So I tried reading my Bible and doing my devos. Having spent the time praying and doing devotions, I tried again. Now my thoughts were racing....like on a bike race. I went inside (I was on the cool deck in our back yard) and mentioned to Dave that my mind was a whirlwind and I could not stop it. He suggested I get up and walk around the gardens and just pray and talk with the Lord about it. So I did.....for 30 minutes.

Then I came back and sat on the deck and thanked HIM for being with me, loving me, helping me, caring for me. And I sat in silence. What did I hear? I made a long list of what I heard. At first birds chirping, wind in the trees, chipmunk stirring around, squirrel in the tree. Then near the end, I heard the Lord speak. He tells me in the Bible, "My sheep know my voice." What did I hear? I heard him say " you know and see how I have made all the birds, all the flowers, all the butterflies and how I care for them. Sherry, you constantly thank me for my faithfulness and goodness as you work in your gardens. I want you to know I care and love you so much. You are my daughter and I love you." Precious and real!

I am so grateful I went through the 'hard work' of fighting to be silent!!!! What about you? Do you find it easy to sit in quietness and silence? I am definitely on to something special!

Song for a Rainy Day~

Our family was discussing 'songs' last week as we sat around. I love children's songs and have so many rattling around in my head. I started singing this one.....Dave was the only one who remembered it. I couldn't believe it! I sang this song with everyone of my kids! Go figure!

~Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam~

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

I will ask Jesus to help me,
To keep my heart from sin;
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

I'll be a sunbeam for Jesus;
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live with Him on high.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

A very nice song for a rainy day, don't you agree?

So my kids think I'm nuts, I don't care....

Singing here ~

Lynette

DayBook~

Outside my window~ rain, rain, rain. Very green grass, wet deck and deck chairs and 2 tables that very much need washing down. That is one job I hate.

I am thinking ~ today I am off and so wanted to get outside and weed and trim my flower beds. I go around the beds with a shovel type tool that is straight and cut in every spring to keep the bed lines sharp and grass free. Not today. Flex. I have 2 closets left in my de-clutter goal. After today I will have one left, Lord willing.

I am wearing~ jean capris, I am barefoot. Wearing my green "Cape May Lima Bean" shirt my hubby bought me from the Lima Bean Festival last year during our Cape May Adventure with Chip and Kim and Doug! I think it's cute!

I am thankful for~ rain God sends because it means May flowers.

From the learning rooms ~ Books, books and more books!

From the kitchen ~ Coffee made by my honey. He does make the best coffee ~ even better than Starbucks. That is a fact.

I am creating ~ margin in my house. De-clutter continues. I want to be able to open a closet and find room. So far the closets I've done are efficient and have room! I have decided I only keep what I really like. I'm not a knick knack type girl. But I do like dishes....ha.

I am going ~ nowhere in the van today. Bible Study tonight! I like Bible Study!

I am reading ~ a new book. I did something unusual for me this week. I picked up a book, read 2 chapters which were not very good. I actually closed the book and returned it to the Library. I have always finished books I start. Not anymore. There are way too many good books to waste time on the not so good ones!

I am hoping ~ the Lord uses me today for his glory!

I am hearing ~ the pitter patter of rain against the wood deck just outside the sliding door. There are 3 birds chirping also...so wonderful to hear.

Around our home ~ we are all moving slow. Me included. I should not have stayed up into the wee hours reading last night. Not good.

A few of my favorite things ~

• Spring
• Root Beer Floats
• Flowers....all kinds
• Digging in the dirt.
• Holding babies
• Grass between my toes.

Thanking God for this time of year,

Lynette

Marriage Monday

Today is Marriage Monday ~

How often do you really really 'look' at your husband? Not the causal glance but really look at him, deeply into his eyes?

I had a friend in Kingston who was very frustrated. She was a little older than me but married for just a few years. She said he hubby never looked at her. He did talk to her but never looked at her. She was pretty, stylish and slim. I talked with her about men, marriage and relationships. I asked her if she 'smiled' at him? Did she speak softly, drawing him in? We spoke at length about what femininity is. One day she called me up and asked me out to lunch, (a major planning for a Mom with 5 kids at home, homeschooling) which I accepted.

She told me a story. She had spoken to her hubby of her frustration. He didn't agree. He thought he looked at her all the time. She wanted eye contact. She wanted smiles AT her. So she got up one morning, washed her face and drew a big black 'dot' on the end of her nose. She used an eyebrow pencil to do it. She also put on some make-up, did her hair and dressed as usual.

She made his breakfast and sat down to eat with him, the newspaper spread out before him as he ate. No reaction. They had a wood working design studio and he went to work on that in the garage. Still no reaction. She made him lunch. She worked around the house, running into him many times during the day. Dinner over she settled in for the evening with her hubby. At bedtime she took the bull by the horns.

She took him by the face and looked straight into his eyes. He said "you have dirt on your face"! She said " all day I have had this dot on the end of my nose and you never noticed!" He didn't notice and he knew it.

I remember this story often. We look, but we don't see. At our kids, at our friends, and yes, even at our spouses. Take time today to really see ~ with the eyes of love!

Lord, teach me to SEE! Lynette

PS. Yes, they are still married. He's learned to 'see' better and she learned to give her expectations to the LORD ~ HE always 'sees'!

Energy from God~

Are you ever super super tired? Do you run out of gas some days? Do you struggle with your long 'to do' list?

I know I have at times. I have a little picture frame by my front door on the wall that states-- "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 It is the JOY of the LORD that gives us strength.

God gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. —Isaiah 40:29

The dictionary defines energy as the vigorous exertion of power. It has to do with effort, strength, potency, and might. Who has all these attributes? The Lord!

Scripture tells us that God not only has his own power and strength, but he’s given that same power to us. He enables us to have energy when we tap into HIS.

David says to God in Psalm 31:4, “You are my strength.” And again in Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” What great verses! What comforting verses! God gives us all the energy we need.

When I’m exhausted and fall into bed at night, I often think I’ll never get up the next morning because I’m so tired. Or when I have no more strength to take care of a need or do the things that have been assigned to me, I have to force myself to remember my strength comes from God, not from inside me. There’s a vast difference.

So, remember—strength doesn’t come from exercise; strength comes from waiting on God. Tomorrow is another day, and God energizes us for it . . . no matter our age. Every day that I get older, his strength brings more comfort to my own life.

I have all the energy I need, Lynette

Friday Funnies This is a very funny story from my favorite blog...Girltalk! Enjoy! A Homeless Man's Funeral As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man. And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full. As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years." Apparently I'm still lost.... it's a man thing. Laughing here, Lynette

Random Thought Friday

Spring Flowers are Blooming!

~ Do you 'dream' at night? I do, and some of mine have been not so nice lately. It was upsetting to me, I wake asking "what does this mean"? Are you trying to tell me something Lord? Etc, etc, etc. I did realize though that dreams are not reality. If fact, when I woke up this morning after a not so nice dream, I prayed. I gave it to the LORD and proclaimed the 'truth' to my own heart. GOD knows. HE cares. HE is for me. The Bible tells me so! Don't let a bad dream ruin your thoughts or torment you!

~ I am a journalizer. I love to journal. I not only journal, I like writing down lists. I have lists of lists. Pretty funny. I have prayer lists, books read lists (wish I had started this one a great deal earlier!), quotes I like, letters sent to people or desire to send to people, Bible verses I am memorizing, answers to prayer, character list (ones I am praying for myself), places to visit (near and far), friends to encourage, Sabbath list, word studies and the list goes on.Keeping a little book in your purse helps remember quotes etc. Do you journal? Tell me about it!

~ Did you know you can go into the Library and talk to one of your librarians about books? (some are more 'willing' to chat than others) Now that is a novel idea! Really, we are in our library so often that I have come to know 2 very well. If you like a certain author (say Francine Rivers--my favorite!) she can print out a list of authors of the same genre for you to try. It really works. I have found many many authors I didn't know about by this method. Try it out with your children. You will be amazed!

~ Our whole family opts out of TV for books. Not that we don't watch TV (ESPN---what can I say?) just that books take you places!!! I grew up in a family that didn't read much. Boy, what I missed out on!!! I have my awesome husband to thank for turning me into a 'book woman'! He bought me my first real 'book' back in 1971. We lived in Bad Aibling, Germany with no TV, no friends yet, and he worked 12 hours a day, six days a week. The name of the paper back book? It was "EXODUS" by Leon Uris. I loved that book. I may go back and read it again this summer just to see. We were overseas with no library, so it was a challenge. He was up to it though. He joined me in a Mystery Book Club in the USA and they sent me 4 books a month for a very cheap price (cheap paper too). The bug bit and I have been reading ever since!!! How grateful I am for a really great Library-- FREE! FREE! What books do you like to read? The options are endless!

~ Speaking of books ~ THE BEST BOOK ever is the Bible! I read through the whole Bible every year now. I used to use 'McCheyne's' but now I use 'Discipleship's program' (they have 3 different ones). When my children were little, I read my Bible but not systematically. I usually read one Proverb a day and then just hit or miss as I was led. Now, I see the wisdom of having a 'system'..... reading it is the important thing. God loves us. He wants to reveal himself to us. He does that through reading the Bible and praying. I have the habit of not reading anything else until I have met with HIM! I am glad! I have had my struggles in this as I think every believer has at one time or another. Pursue it....it is so worth it!

~ Rainy here yet the grass is looking sooo green and spring really has arrived. Our lovlies are popping up all over the yards here in Maryland! Thank YOU Lord for flowers and bushes! YOU are good and give us good things!

~ I am so happy to have my hubby and son back form Mexico. It was wonderful in Mexico and they have shared so many wonderful stories and pictures of our dear ones in Mexico. What a privilege to be apart of all God is doing in Chihuahua.

~ My closets are looking good. I am very proud of our 'coat closet' ~ the only closet on the main floor. It has margin now. It is organized and looks very nice! I de-cluttered it and got rid of stuff~ taking things to 'Tabitha's House', our local thrift store that ministers to abused women. Nice! Makes me smile! It is funny how getting rid of stuff makes one feel 'lighter'---true for you too? My mission continues.......

Ending with a question. What song do you sing, hum or rattle around in your head as you work?

I love to sing although not very well. I am a very good 'hummer' though. I hum all the time!

Five of my (work) favorites are :

"Love Lifted Me"

"You are my Sunshine" (I learned this one from Dave many moons ago)

"Count your Blessings"

"At the Cross" (I don't sing it slow....I speed it up--that is okay you know)

"If You're Happy and You know it" (Kids song)

Humming right now, Lynette

Marriage Monday

Went to the Airport on Saturday and picked up my wonderful, awesome hubby and our son Caleb after a week in Chihuahua, Mexico on a missions trip with 14 guys. God is amazing. God is at work in the hearts of men, women and children there.

Yesterday was a really really huge blessing to our Church family. Each of the twelve men (two were not there, Juan and Rich) shared a 'snapshot' of what God did in their life during the week. It was amazing.....I cried through it all out of happiness! The Spirit was really present. It is hard to put into words of the blessing of it all.

My heart is full. I am so thankful. I am overflowing with gratefulness and happiness to be envied. Because God is good, so good. He has a plan and it is for our good and for HIS glory!

Since today is Marriage Monday I am sharing a link. It is about intimacy in your marriage. Taking the initiative in your physical union. Sheila says it well and I agree 100% with this one blog.

I don't usually read many blogs other than Pioneer Woman (recipes--yummy) http://thepioneerwoman.com/ and Girltalk http://www.girltalkhome.com/.

Yet, I think this is one very good post from Sheila. She says it well. If this is a struggle for you (tired, worn out etc.), I would say, pray and ask the LORD to give you a willing heart. He will! I know, because HE has done it for me!

http://internetcafedevotions.com/2011/01/a-new-years-resolution-lets-initiate/

Bless your hubby soon by taking the initiative! If you love him you will care about this too!

My cup runneth over, Lynette

Random Thought Friday

~ Everyone is sayin' it snowed. NOT on our street! The Lord heard my prayers because I prayed for no snow ~ he loves me whether it snowed or not ~ smile!

~Spent time daydreaming this week.

~ONE more day and my hubby and Caleb return with the other 12 men from Mexico and ministering to the Indians there and the Church in Chihuahua. They ARE hard workers! My heart has been in Mexico all week!

~Hannah has made coffee for me everyday this week (early) without me ever asking her too. AND done lots of other things I won't tell about except we haven't starved! Hannah is our resident 'suzy homemaker' ~ Kudos to Hannah!

~Cleaning out two closets today ~ drizzly and damp day! Must put on some loud upbeat music to get me started and motivated.

~This was a cold rainy week ~ yet SPRING is coming I know! Our yard needs lots of TLC, raking, raking and cleaning up. Glad I still like to rake!

~We have only run the dishwasher once all week. We usually run it once a day. What does this mean? Either Dave and Caleb use a lot of mugs and glasses or Mom hasn't been cooking---which do you think is true?

~Only three loads of laundry all week for us girls. We now know where all the laundry comes from--tee hee!

~I have not heard once this week "do we have to watch ESPN again?".

~Never realized before that my honey or Caleb always always do the "all doors locked" routine late at night. AND turning down the heat to 56 degrees at bedtime. Bekah took over these jobs this week. She forgot the heat last night.

~ I forgot to go to Giant by Thursday and get chicken breasts on sale for $1.99 pound. I usually buy 10 pounds to last til it goes on again! Oh my! Hope it goes on sale somewhere soon around here. Bekah is not the only one who forgets!

~You are thinking "so what did you do all week Sherry?" Well, I logged in miles of walking around our house looking at things here in the house and thinking 'how many more days?' Oh, and I attacked all the dust bunnies in the corners and high on the walls. You see them when you walk around and 'daydream'.

~Not much book reading going on by me this week---unusual but then I have gotten a great deal of 'daydreaming' done. What does this say about me?

Signing off to attack the closets so I can tell my hubby I had a productive week!

God is good ~ hope daydreaming is okay with him, Sherry

DayBook~

Outside my window~ dreary and chilly.

I am thinking ~ I am a blessed woman to be married to a guy who has a heart for MISSIONS, it began back when we were in the Christian Missionary Alliance ~ loved having Missionaries stay with us twice a year! Sending those to share the Gospel is such a tremendous blessing! I can't GO yet I can SEND! AND support!

I am wearing~ black cotton socks, black cozy pants, red long sleeve flowered shirt, red zippered cotton jacket and a smile.

I am thankful for~ a mobile phone I can use to text my honey in Mexico and get updates of all going on in Chihuahua. The privilege to pray for them all!

From the learning rooms ~ Math with Mrs. Barrett, the ultimate Math Professor!

From the kitchen ~ Coffee by Hannah. She takes after her Dad in making coffee.....yum! Since it is just us three girls this week....cooking has been light!

I am creating ~ cards today! Today is a stamping day for me ~ a true delight to make cards for my hubby to use, me to use and to give as gifts!

I am going ~ to clean out two closets this week! The de-clutter continues and we are looking pretty good! I am determined to not have every shelf and closet full~

I am reading ~ Scandalous Freedom by Steve Brown ~ lots of food for thought!

I am hoping ~ my family has a great time in Germany in May. Natascha is taking Joschua and Lorelei to see their German Grandma and Rebekah and Hannah are going along to help and enjoy Germany! I know they will have sooo much fun!

I am hearing ~ a crow 'gawking' out back, sitting on the edge my bird bath. Taffy snoring, sitting on my lap.

Around our home ~ We cleaned yesterday and got most of the winter cob webs swept away. (why do we get so many cob webs at the top of our walls?) I was hoping for a day warm enough to open all the windows! Not!

A few of my favorite things ~

• Coffee and devos
• watching the birds in the morning, especially using our bird baths (we have 3)
• kissing my hubby good bye in the morning and kissing him hello with a big hug when he returns.
• being in the middle of a good book.

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

Missing my man~

Lynette

Marriage Monday

It's the little things in life that make life sweet or bitter.

My hubby is in Mexico ministering to Tamahara Indians with 13 other men from here. How I miss him yet how happy I am that he was able to GO! My heart is in this with him.

He is there, and I am here. I am praying often for him and for all God is doing there in Mexico.

I was hit this morning of all the little things Dave does that I have often taken for granted. And it makes me wonder about myself. I 'thought' I was a pretty 'thankful' wife. Since he has been gone, I now know I am not as much as I should be. (There is hope!)

~waking up to no coffee smells (he is the coffee master here)

~realizing the dogs are sitting in his chair for a lonngggg time waiting for him (he throws the ball in the mornings to them as he reads)

~packing the car myself for Sunday

~warming up the vehicle on a cold morning

~someone to laugh with as we make the bed together in the mornings.....

~Rebekah and I realizing late last night that no one fed Taffy and Emma this morning ~ yikes!

~Someone asking when dinner will be ready......

~The oohs and ahhs over something I threw together and called it dinner

~Mailman here....is two days of mail really still sitting in our mailbox?

~his smile

~his presence

It really is amazing to me how much effort it takes to 'focus' and get things done around here when my honey is not here. I find myself not motivated. I am a lost case. I seem to wander around and look at things....hahaha. Monday is laundry day and I have not done one load. I feel like loose ends here.

Yes, Rebekah fed Taffy and Emma this morning!

I made my own coffee, though doesn't taste the same.

Silence as I made the bed this morning.

Only 5 days to go.......

My life is sweet not bitter,

Grateful in a new way, Lynette

March Madness~

March Madness is a fun time at our house. Lots of good food, lots of iced tea, soda and pop corn.

We are a real 'basketball' family. All my guys played basketball, including my hubby's varsity days at Canoga Park High School, where we both attended. I am sure it all began back in 1962 when Dave played for Poly in Baltimore Maryland. He was 14 years old.

I learned early that I better either learn to love basketball or I would lose out on all the fun, discussion and happy times together. I learned most of the rules, which teams 'we' root for and who the great coaches were.

I loved Rec Basketball games with all our boys. I yelled and clapped and cheered. Bekah played Rec ball too. She learned the rules, having learned how to dribble from her brothers before she was three. "Wow....look at that little girl dribble", people would say. Hannah, my youngest plays varsity girls basketball still. Her sister is COACH and her brother is the Assistant Coach. My hubby is Coach for the guys Varsity team here. Like I said, we are a basketball family.

March Madness is a special time of year for us. We do 'brackets'. We know who is winning. My son Caleb flips on the remote so we can 'watch' more than one game at a time. I do sometimes go downstairs for a bit to prepare snacks during Maryland/Duke games because it gets intense. All in fun. During those games, I laughingly remind them that God is sovereign in 'who wins' tonight too!

Our enjoyment for basketball shows. That is good.

I am glad I have come to enjoy March Madness too.

Cheer-leader here, Lynette

Surprised again......

It has been awhile since I have been on here. I am not one to just blog for the sake of blogging. If I have nothing to say, I think it better to be quiet. Smile!

The Lord did something remarkable for me today. He met me where I was.

I usually sleep like a log. Last night, I woke up three or four times. As is my habit when I awake in the middle of the night, I prayed for those I love and for friends who need prayer. I prayed each time I awoke. In my sleep I think I was praying too....

I awoke and something wasn't right. My heavenly Father felt so far away. I am not one who lives by her feelings. Yet, this was strong. What? I kept praying and asking the LORD what is wrong? This heaviness, a distance in my soul, this bad feeling. Today was a day I work. As I got up and started to prepare for the day, I kept praying. The Lord reminded me of James 4:8 "Draw near to God and HE will draw near to you." Even though I was running late, (sometimes it's worth it to be late) I stopped and grabbed my Bible off my desk in my bedroom.

I noticed I was a couple days behind in my Bible reading plan. I like to keep it in order...ha....so I don't just 'skip' days. I read what I 'would have' read two days before. One of the readings was Psalm 66. WOW.....and WOW. Verse 20 says, "Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer, or removed his steadfast love from me!" ESV

I immediately started to cry. God's words for me for today! How precious. I would have read those verses two days before, but in HIS care for me, they came to me today! Amazing and thrilling how God meets us exactly where we are! My heart is so full and I went off to face the day with joy, gratefulness and a song in my heart. His love to me abounding and full!

Just thought you should know!

Isn't HE wonderful! Lynette

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