Esther Study

I decided to carve out Wednesday Nights when I don't have a jewelry show to do a ladies Bible Study at church. And I love it so much that I have blocked out Wednesday Nights on my work calendar so I can make it every week going forward. We are doing the Beth Moore Study on Esther. Now, I've taken courses on this book before.....but all taught by men. Not to knock the males BUT, I have already gotten so much out of it this time around with it being taught from a woman's perspective!!!!
So this was week 2 in the study.....here are some AWESOME thoughts that JUMPED out at me.... God knows you're a girl! Yea! He made me this way ON PURPOSE!!! He wants to use me AS a woman in the unique way He has planned for me!
You can't amputate your history from your destiny.......and Lord knows there are things I would love to cut out of my life's story. BUT He doesn't want that. My history is what makes me, me and it ALL plays a part in my destiny!
So, am I fulfilling my destiny that He has planned for me? Am I doing all I can to walk the path He has for me? Am I truly willing to be used the way He wants to use me?........like Beth Moore said.....God sees our weaknesses and says, "You know, I can do that - you can't - but I can"!

We Survived!

I "jokingly" put on my facebook to pray for us as we headed out on our longest camping vacation to date - 9 days. But I wasn't really kidding. Camping is hard work for the mamma and isn't much of a vacation. You either learn to love each other a while lot more (living in a 27 foot camper) or you come home divorced and with a few less children! LOL!
We ended up going to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan and we had a great time. The kids were really cooperative and aside from Bill completely burning one meal on the fire - it was an uneventful trip. We took it pretty easy and went to an amusement park one day, did the Dune Rides, and did go-cart racing with the kids. It was a pretty cheap vacation all in all and one we may repeat again. :)

Praying For Jonah

I have been following this blog for over a month and would like to share it with you. Baby Jonah was born with a very rare and serious disorder. I've been praying for this little guy even though I don't know his family personally. Check out his blog and join me in praying for healing for this sweet little man http://patriceandmattwilliams.blogspot.com

Too Hot For Anything. . .

Up until this week the summer here has been very pleasant and then......it turned into an inferno. My air conditioner has been ticking away literally non stop. Last night, it was a low of 68...at night?!?! What in the world.....Today with the humidity it feels like 100 - literally.
We had told the kids that we were not going to put up their big pool this year because last year they only used it a handful of times. We live outside city limits so our water is psycho-expensive...... But up it went 2 days ago and today I got so hot that I got in too! What a sight, I am sure but it's too hot for anything but the pool or staying inside. Some day we do want to put in a in-ground pool with the works........now, just to find the extra money to pay for it..... :)

A Moment Of Insanity???

I really may be insane. Sitting on the plane on the way to Myrtle Beach, 2 year old in my lap, wrestling with the bag under my feet while Ryan was whining that he couldn't find one of his 3 favorite Binkys.....going on vacation with my kids without my hubby.....what was I thinking? My sister and her 3 kids were along for the trip - but with 3 babies under 18 months (yes, twins are in that mix) she wasn't help with my batch. My parents also came along but were the "built-in-nannies" for Cherie's bunch. And rightfully so. It was a bit of an insane decision to venture out without my guy but we did survive. The worst part was trying to get all of our luggage out to the car without loosing a child or ramming an innocent bystander with all our stuff.......next time we are packing lighter!
I rented my first every rental car and returned it without incident! :) My girls ventured into the ocean to jump waves.....also a first - they are more clean and tidy pool kinda girls! And Ryan was adorable at the beach. He LOVED it! Aside from my mom falling into the baby pool and almost drowning herself and one of the twins, it was a pretty smooth trip. (Yes, true story!)
Can't wait til next year! LOL!

Summer!....finally!

Summer is finally here! The girls were SOOOO ready for it this year - they have been counting down daily. But when the last day of school finally arrived, Kissa came home literally crying....sobbing. She said she loves her teacher and she is going to miss her too much. It was so sweet and I teared up too. She did have an EXCELLENT teacher this year and she will be missed greatly! This summer I am going to attempt a "summer school" of sorts with the girls. I've come up with my lesson plans and a schedule so we'll see how it goes! They seem pretty excited. The biggest challenge will be actually following through and carving out the time. I'm supposed to start another Masters Class in July......I'm dragging my feet.......but I may put it off until Fall. With summer trips, working my 2nd job, and the girls home......it might just be too much. At least that sounds like a valid excuse, right?

Hopeful . . .

A few weeks ago, our pastor mentioned a missions trip to Haiti that our church will be sponsoring next year at some point. I didn't think much about it at the time but then saw a special on TV about the current food crisis there. Now it keeps poping into my mind every time I look at the fridge and see a photo of Steven (a little boy we sponsor through World Vision). I have always remembered my missions trips with Word of Life and Cedarville and they were both life-changing experiences. I am open to the idea although it petrifies me to be away from my kids for that long that far away. If God provides a way, I am willing. Pray with me that He will show me what He wants from me and will clearly provide financially and for the kids to allow me to go if He wants...... we'll see what He has in store!