Snow and Ice

Yesterday I went to a Crop. A Crop is a bunch of ladies getting together to organize their pictures of family, friends and events into scrapbooks. It is a 'telling' of ones experiences in pictures and words. Most of us journal about the pictures, but not always. It is creative, it is fun and much fellowship takes place as we work. I think of it as the modern day 'quilting BEE'. It is something I enjoy and do. It's one of those things that is 'me'. I go when I can, not as often as I would like!

The weatherman was calling for a flurry with no accumulation of any amount. I am from California, so I never learned to drive in the snow. I do not drive in snow. I ride in snow all the time, during winter...my hubby loves to drive in the snow. My boys all love to drive in the snow. One of them even took me out and did 'donuts' ...around and around we went in a parking lot to my chagrin! Don't worry sons, I will not tell which one...hahaha I have NO experience driving in snow!

Dave and I talked about it. "I won't go honey, it's going to snow", I said. "Go" he encouraged me. " It is going to be a flurry, you will be fine!" I'll go....I'll stay....I'll go....I'll stay! I thank the LORD for a patient husband. He knows me so well. I went.

I arrived at the Crop on black pavement....no snow. The snow was to come around 3pm. The CROP was from 9 to 5pm. If it began to snow, I would just leave a little early! I was so looking forward to going and 'doing my thing'. Cropping is relaxing to me. I get something for my effort. It is fun! I sat across from my sister in love...Patti. So I took my 'stuff' out and went to work on my album.

My niece came over (she's the one in charge) and said my hubby wanted me to call him. I have a cell phone, but I never hear it (that is another story for another day), so I called him. "It is snowing really hard here at home Sherry." He knows me so well. "Okay darlin', I will pack up and head out."

The roads were snowy and icy. I was scared. I prayed. I trusted the LORD to help me. I did slide some, but the LORD held me on the road. I prayed all the way home. My heart was beating wildly. I kept praying...slow my heart LORD! He did. I took deep breaths. I went slow but not too slow. I made it up Lake Vista fish-tailing all the way...but I made it by God's grace. I was so happy to pull in. I almost cried with relief.

It was the LORD, not me and I know it! I can now say I have experience driving in snow! Yet I could of never done it without the LORD all the way!!!!

And yes...I did keep 'cropping' at home. I did 14 pages. Creative pages, I think. Maybe I will have a page in there about the 'day' my LORD gave me some snow driving experience!
GOD is soooo GOOD!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

~Reading again~

I just finished reading the book "Tortured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand. He is the founder of The Voice of the Martyrs.

This book was compelling to me. I dreamed about it. I talked about it for two weeks to anyone who would listen. I cried reading it. I prayed reading it. I am different for having read it. It showed me things I never knew. It had things in it that hurt me to read. It had 'bad' parts in it, terrible things cruel people do to those who are persecuted for Christ. People today still die for the cause of Christ! They give their lives for the ONE who gave them LIFE! Real LIFE! This book is still used today as a 'guide book' for those in the underground Church. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ!!! Paul tells us to NOT forget them in prison. This book is not going onto my bookshelf but will sit out to remind me to pray and support VOM!

To learn more or to receive maps of peoples to pray over, go online at:

http://www.persecution.com

I have already begun reading my next book. It is one recently written by John Piper. "A Sweet & Bitter Providence" is the title. It is the Book of Ruth. Here is the first paragraph of the Introduction. ~

"RUTH IS A VERY OLD BOOK. The events took place over three thousand years ago. Could it be relevant and helpful for your life? I think so. The sovereignty of God, the sexual nature of man, and the gospel never change. And Since God is still sovereign, and you are male or female, and Christ is alive and powerful, the book has a message for you."

Money spent on good books is money well spent! Much better spent than on Starbucks (although I like Starbucks just like you do), movies or at the dollar store--smile!

So 'happy reading' to all my friends! (BTW--is you read just 20 minutes a night before you go to sleep that is almost 2 and a half hours of reading a week, almost 10 reading hours a month!! That is some serious reading time !!!) Let me know what good books you are reading this winter ~ I like good recommendations too!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

~Random Thought Friday~

Today is Friday! My girls and I usually CLEAN on Fridays. So I am making Friday short and quick on my BLOG!

Imitation is the highest form of a compliment, so I will end with a "funny", having adopted the idea from one of my very favorite BLOGS -- "Girl Talk" by the Mahaney ladies (Cynthia's 3 girls are all married so their names have changed) , a Mom and 3 daughters. Thanks GirlTalk!!!

Check out Girl Talk---
http://www.girltalkhome.com

Elizabeth Elliot is a favorite author of mine. I started reading her books way back when! Dave and I even had the privilege to go hear her speak at a conference one time. She has so many 'quotes' I enjoy. "Do the next thing" is one that has helped me countless times. As a busy homemaker, having so much to accomplish, places to go and people to see, lessons to teach, life can at times seem overwhelming. We get 'stuck'-- what to do, what to do? "Do the next thing"...don't think about all you have to do, just do the next thing, and the next thing after that. I have been 'unstuck' many times by those very wise words from a godly woman of faith! I hope the next time you are in that place you will remember Elizabeth's words too--- 'Do the next thing' .

Friday Funny~
When our son, Matthew Scott was four years old, we sat at the dining room table eating dinner. "Eat your broccoli, buddy." his Daddy said. Time went by and the broccoli danced around his big plate. "It tastes better when it is warm", he was told. Around the plate his broccoli danced. It got cold, and danced some more! With his big brown puppy dog eyes he looked at me and said "Mommy, my stomach has a really really bad headache !" We still laugh about that one! Out of the mouths of babes!

Signing off for now, hugs, Sherry

New Mercies EVERYDAY!

God is so good! His mercies are new everyday!

I have a confession to make. Maybe you struggle with this too? I am often challenged to read other things before I read my Bible. My habit is to READ my Bible first. I like that, I LOVE that. Yet, as I am honest, I admit when I'm into a really really good book, having read into the 'wee' hours of the early morning ~ I am tempted to pick up where I left off as I awake. My book is right there where it fell as I dosed off. I don't even have to get out of the warm bed, just pick it up. Besides, I can read my Bible later when I have more time!

Unfortunately, some mornings I have not chosen the 'better part'. I am worse for the choosing of it indeed. Gladly, I admit those type morning have become less and less occurring in my life. Why? God's GRACE! By HIS enabling power, my 'hearing' has been sharpened. I "hear" Him calling me over to my desk which sits across the room from my warm bed. "Sherry--I'm waiting for you", I hear. I smile. I recognize that voice. The moment has come...get up or ignore the voice? I am growing! I am gaining! HIS mercies are evident in me.

"Here I am LORD!", my heart whispers. "To BE with YOU and hear from YOU. To drink SWEET HONEY from THE ROCK!"

I am glad. I am blessed. I am loved by HIM! You see, HE WANTS to MEET with me--HE wants to talk to me. HE WANTS me to worship HIM! The book I thought was sooo good can wait! HIS MERCIES are mine today!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Humble Christians------

So about my journal.....here is my first day entry in my "Pink Book" that I will shortly be finishing. Started-
July 26, 2009

--Humble Christians--
1. Love & Respect their Elders 1Peter5:5
--do I ? Do they know I love and pray for THEM?

2. 8 questions to ask myself:
a. am I teachable?
b. how do I respond to correction? defend or humble myself?
c. do I repent quickly/thoroughly?
d. am I considerate of others?
e. do I serve & receive service well?
f. do I consider GRACE of GOD in my life?
g. Do I disagree agreeably? Am I winsome?
h. how much attention do I require when serving?
Upset when not noticed?

3. Make good leaders 1 Peter 5:6
a. I must follow well 'first' to lead.
b. humility or humiliation?

4. Humble Christians understand their life.
1 Peter 5:7

5. Humble Christians BLESS their Church.
1 Peter 5:12-14

Lord, hear my prayer and teach me your ways. Forgive my pride, lead me, my perfect and loving Jesus Christ!!! I love you.

BTW--This was an unusual day for me as I mostly write out my verse for the day and then my prayers and application of God's WORD to my heart.

So, I ask you. Do you journal? Do you have a 'gratefulness book'? Do you write down "I spies"? Begin today. Start small. It becomes 'your' book of rememberance ~ God's faithfulness, God's goodness, Jesus' dealings with your heart.

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Page ONE in my 'Blue Book' ~

Here are the first 2 pages in my book Peggy gave me! (If confused, look at yesterday's BLOG)
Page 1
Things I am grateful for:
--Sunshine
--Jesus, my salvation
--Dave, he loves me
--My kids (list & qualities)
--Dave was patient at WalMart
& helped me find book for recipe
cards.

Page 2
Things I am grateful for:
--The Lord's sweet salvation
--All my sins are forgiven
--I am the KINGS daughter
--He enabled me to scrub the tile
in two bathrooms.
--Peggy gave us a huge bag of squash,
cucumbers, and zucchini.

I smile at the simple beginnings! As I grew in my journaling, things changed. I do 'journal' different these days.

I still write things I am grateful for(Choosing Gratitude), although it has its own section. I now write my verse for the day and the application to my heart, day by day. Yet I have seen the wisdom of breaking my spiral notebook into sections for efficiency and time saving help. Now I have lists of prayer requests. I write verses that speak to me, or I want to further study (study section) I write my struggles, my goals, my dreams, my thoughts. I also have a section of 'quotes' I enjoy. One tab is lists of books I have read over the year. Just this year I started keeping all my SERMON notes I take on Sundays, and glue them into my journal.

I cannot tell you how many times I have gone back and read how the LORD worked, how HE answered prayer, how HE helped me see that struggle was really silly! I have grown! I have benefited from Peggy giving me that blue book and starting me on the wise path of 'counting my blessings' all those years ago. I miss her. In fact, I have 3 months of no entry in (my next book 3 times down the line) my book because she was in heaven and I was not!

If you can read and write...please take 5 minutes today and write what YOU are thankful for! 10 years from now it just might encourage you! Do it once a day, do it once a week...just do it! I did and I am the one GLAD!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

~~My Pink Book~~

I write in “my pink book” everyday, well just about everyday. I am on the ending pages of this small spiral book shortly. I already have my new one. It isn’t pink this time, it is coral and black. I am excited to begin writing in it soon. This has not always been the case.

My close friend Peggy met me at the door of Pathfinders one Tuesday night and said, “ Sherry, I have something for you!” It was a ‘blue book’! Let’s each start a ‘GRATEFULNESS JOURNAL’ she said excitedly. “What?”, I sighed. She said “Remember we were talking about writing a journal ? We both admitted we do it for about a week and then we give up. Well, I think we should do a 'gratefulness journal', she beamed. All we need do is at the end of the day we write 5 things we are grateful for on one page. The next day we do it again on the next page. I bought a book for me and I bought a book for you. On Sundays we will ask each other, ‘did you write in your book this week?’ ” So we did! Yes, we did ask each other--not every week but almost! I smile to myself when I remember!

I since have many ‘pink books’ although they aren’t all pink. One is blue, one is tan, one is yellow. I have come a long way. I just recently came across my first book Peggy gave me. What a wonderful loving gift she gave me, much more than just my first book. She gave me something of true value. Peggy and I learned to ‘count’ our blessings. To write them down. To TELL of His mercies. To remember how God works. To SEE HIM!

Tomorrow I will tell what my first page looked like all those years ago!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette