Little Boys

Well, since I caught the Pink Princess being a lady, I figured I should give due time to little boys being the man. So here is Little D filling in for his Daddy on the yard work! I think it is so neat that our children want to emulate us. BIG responsibility though! Little eyes always watching. Reminds me of my need to pray for wisdom and grace in this "business" of child raising!

Little Girls

My little girl found my wedding dress and has been having the time of her life dancing around in it! Fa-la-la!! We talked about weddings and she was so excited when I told her that she would get a special dance just her and her Daddy. I am so thankful that she is happy with who God made her to be!!

Whole-Hearted Worship

Well, now that I've finally gotten back into my quiet time and reading my study on Women of the Bible, here's a neat thing I'm seeing this week. The "woman of the week" is Michal, Saul's daughter and David's wife.

1 Samuel 18:20 Now Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased.

1 Samuel 18:27 David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.

Interlude of many years where they are separated, Michal becomes the wife of another man, and then David becomes king and demands her back...

2 Samuel 6:16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.

2 Samuel 6:20-23 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"
21 David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."
23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.


Is this the same woman? What's going on? Wow! Yes, it is the same woman. She loved David when they married, she wanted David, and she saved David's life (from her father, Saul). Then they are separated and all we hear is that Saul gives her to another man. When David finally does come back for her, she is not happy and thankful about it, but appears to have become a bitter woman (and who really knows why, perhaps she was mad that David took so long, or perhaps she loved her new husband, or perhaps she was just tired of being a pawn for all these men, who knows...)

So, David brings the ark of the Lord back.....pretty exciting time for Israel. David knows this is a miracle of God, a blessing to Israel, and he openly worships God with wild abandon.....all else is forgotten as he dances and praises in the presence of his loving Abba

And Michal looks out the window and what does she see....she sees her man making a fool of himself (that's what SHE sees). Why wasn't she down there rejoicing with him, why wasn't she sitting at the window, at least, and praising God in her own way......no, she did none of that. She looked with scorn at her husband. She looked with bitter eyes rather than eyes of love, she judged her husband according to her own bitter heart. And she suffered for it.....no children, no legacy. Ouch!

Who are you? Are you David, worshipping with pure delight and wild abandon before God? Or are you Michal, looking with scorn on those who have a truly intimate relationship with the Father, and pouring out that bitterness on others?

Father God, I pray for a pure heart, eyes that see only You. Abba, You alone are my heart's desire, may my life be an expression of my love for You!

Dry Spell

Well, I've had a dry spell in writing lately. And I do know why...I haven't been spending a lot of time with the Author and Creator of Life! Yup, and just like a flower without water, I begin to wither when I don't have that daily sustenance! Let that be a lesson to me (and you)....I need it!! And I'm not talking about quick "snacking" on the Word, I need to be feasting, maybe I could even say gorging on the Word. I need it, I crave it, and it is one addiction that is VERY good for you....there is never a bad return on THAT investment, guaranteed!!

Back home again

Well, after a week's stay tending to my sister and her family, we made the trek back to our own home. Prayers are still needed for little sis; her arm is out of a cast, but it is still broken (called a "stable break") and stiff and painful. She has several good neighbors up there though, and I think they'll be watching out for her.

As to getting home....wow, it's nice to be back in familiar territory, though I thoroughly enjoyed my time with sis and her family. There's just something about your own space, ya know?

Well, I haven't talked much on the marriage relationship lately, and for good reason...I am stunned! God has begun a HUGE miracle in our marriage. I don't think I could put it into words even if I really wanted to (I'm enjoying savoring it with my sweet hubby!) When I first realized it was happening, I was so scared of the pain and hurt that would be dug up and exposed. However, I also knew that dh was praying for me and this was definitely the direction God has for us right now. So, through tears of release, I jumped into this "thing" (trust me, there is NO word to describe it) and am amazed, in awe, shocked beyond belief. And the best part, I am falling madly and desperately in love with my sweet man...and that is truly a gift from God. And better yet, my man is falling deeply and passionately in love with me...that is the most incredible gift I think I could ever receive and I know that can only be coming from the hand of our very gracious God. To Him alone will be all the glory that this marriage will shine forth.

How's that for tantalizing tidbit....sorry I can't say more, I really just am unable to. When and if God wills it, I will certainly share it with you as an encouragement of God's sovereignity!!!!

I'm away from my desk

Hello! If you are a regular reader here, I am sorry there hasn't been many posts lately. I am currently in Idaho tending my youngest sister and her family as she fell and broke her elbow last Sunday. I'm thankful that I'm able to come and do this for her.

At lunchtime today, Lil' Sis was talking on the phone and mentioned that I was here. She was saying how great it was that I would come and do this, and that she felt kinda bad but was also very thankful...you know, all that nice stuff. My children were sitting at the bar, eating sandwiches and just kind of looking at me to see what I thought. What a great learning moment! I leaned over and reminded them how neat it was to have family to help when we're in a tight spot.

My sister and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but in the grand scheme of things, that doesn't matter. What matters is that God made us family, and we're to care for one another. Yes, this time it is me helping out her, but I'm sure that if need be, I too, will be helped in time of need. Pretty cool! I love having family.....they kinda haveta like ya, you know?

Need to write something......

just not really sure what I can write about.

Life has just been humming along lately. We've been able to talk to DH several times a week, which has been very nice; though I know once he gets to his "forward location" that will change some (he's heading out of the states this weekend, I believe).

The other night a friend and I were discussing Proverbs 31, specifically verses 28-30.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

My friend was saying how wonderful it would be to hear your husband say that about you. Wow! Do I ever agree! What confidence this man must have in his wife's ability to get things done. I so hope that my sweet man is hearing the things I have done, nodding his head and smiling, knowing that I've got the "home front" covered while he's out there fighting for freedom. I have seen women who, sadly, are clueless about tending the home front while their men are away. And I am grieved for the husband....not only is he out there in the world fighting for his friends and family; but he's also got to be concerning himself with the home front because the wife is ill-prepared to tend to it. His mind, then, isn't able to fully concentrate on the task set before him because he also has to be wondering and worrying about what's happening at home.

When I got my license, my Dad made sure I knew how to change a tire, check the oil, and add water to the radiator. I dated a guy who taught me how to change my own oil in my car as well. Now, granted, I LOVE being a woman, I like feminine things; BUT, should the need arise, I am capable. And yes, there are things I have not ever had to deal with before, like our in-ground sprinklers, but before he left, hubby showed me some things to watch for, showed me how to make minor repairs, and you better believe I paid attention. I've actually gotten pretty good at changing out broken heads! :) I know that there are people I can call on and they will help me, and for that I am very thankful, but I also know that I can at least try to get the job done.....my hubby's trusting me to stand strong here so that he can stand strong there.

So see, I did have something to say afterall!! Then again, I'm never really one to be left speechless! Ha!!