Prayer Request

A special childhood friend of mine is being deployed again. Louisiana National Guard, Alpha Co., 256th BSTB is headed out and will be there for the next year. Please pray for the safe return of everyone in this group. Pray also for the wisdom of my friend Company Commander Marshall Wilson as he leads his men.

If you're on Facebook and you'd like to keep up with the goings of the Alpha Co. or just send them a message of support, you can become a fan HERE.

Thank you to our armed forces for their enduring protection of the freedoms we enjoy!

Prayer Request for my Sister

I'm a little hesitant to post this because it's pretty personal and if my sister knew that I'm discussing her situation here she'd be livid....I think. So, to make a very long story short, she's going through some difficult times right now and is in tears nearly everytime I speak to her. Her marriage is falling apart, as well as other appliances and things around her house. When it rains it pours, right?

I try to talk to her and lift her up. I try to be encouraging without badmouthing my brother in law. I try to let her know that she's a strong woman etc. She's not a very strong Christian but seems to be turning to the church for comfort.

At any rate, pray for her please! Pray for her eyes and heart to be open to whatever the Lord has in store for her. Pray for strength to endure. Pray for peace in her heart and with herself. Pray for clarity. And just, please pray for whatever else you can think of that might apply to her situation.

I have talked to her until I'm blue in the face and sounding like a broken record. I don't know what else to say to her. Pray that the Lord gives me the right words and right time to say them to her.

Thanks for reading and "listening".

Mommy, I don't want you to die!

I went to pick up my 6 y.o. Little Bird from school on Monday. During the ride home, she was singing and talking in the backseat when she suddently said to me, "Mommy, I don't want you to die." I thought to myself, "What's THAT about!?"

So, I did what I thought was right and what my dad did when I asked such questions; I embarked on this little lecture about how everything has a season, and we all live and die, we're all appointed a time to die, yada yada yada.

She didn't respond and we rode in silence for a few minutes before I got curious and glanced back to see what she was doing. Thinking she was only looking out the window watching the scenery go by, I was astounded to see my angel quietly crying, the bottom lip stuck out, tears welling up in her eyes and spilling over.

I pulled the truck over to give her more of my attention. Taking her hand, I asked, "Baby, what's wrong!?" to which she really turned the waterworks on and declared, "But, Mommy, I don't want you to DIE!!!"

I then decided that maybe a Facts of Life talk wasn't appropriate at this time, so I attempted to reassure her that although my time would come some day, I didn't think it was going to happen before we got home and enjoyed some dinner. She seemed to calm down a little at that and we then proceeded to our destination. Since this incident on Monday, she seems to be much better now and has asked no more questions.

It just broke my heart! I have no idea what brought this on. I'm afraid to push her to find out for fear of traumatizing her.

As an afterthought, I'm hoping that this situation and my response to it won't hurt my chances of living a healthy, long life. LOL

Seeing God's Hand

While participating in choir practice a while back, our music minister asked us a question. I can't remember his words exactly but it was something about how we approach God when there's a problem that needs solving. How many times do we approach or call out to Him when there AREN'T any issues? How often is it that God calls us to serve or do something for Him and our response is usually something like, "I'll do it Lord, when I can squeeze it into my schedule." or "I'll gladly serve you Lord, as long as I can do it between this activity or that activity."? Well, I pondered that question for a while and realized that I would serve the Lord, gladly, with all my heart and soul....as long as there is no pain involved. I'm all about PAINLESS servanthood!!!

Anyway, all that being said, let me tell you about the tiny, trivial challenge I was faced with today. I had a doctor's appointment that could not be changed. Well, it could but it would be rescheduled for 3 months down the road. I couldn't wait that long so I kept this appointment. My Little Bird has been participating in a music camp at a friend's church this week. It just so happens that the time to pick her up from music camp clashed with my doctor's appointment time. So, something had to give.

Fortunately, I have a 21 y.o. daughter who could drive to pick up Little Bird from music camp and pick up the Teen from driver's ed on the way. My concern was about the vehicle she would be driving. It hasn't passed inspection since we've had it back on the road. My other concern was the Teen and his ability to be very distracting. Despite these concerns, I had made arrangements last night with DQ to pick up both kids and bring them home since I was unable to do so.

After this discussion with DQ, I went to bed and read my little devotional book, "Jesus Calling". I read ahead to tomorrow's devotion. All devotions in this book are written in first person, as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to the reader.

"Welcome the Challenging Times as opportunities to trust Me. You have me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle. When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges. That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety. Without Me, you wouldn't make it past the first hurdle!

The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me. Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness. Regardless of the day's problems, I can keep you in perfect peace as you stay close to Me."

After I read that, I thought, "Hmm." and then I went to sleep. I got up this morning and headed out, taking Kangaroo with me and dropping Little Bird at Music Camp. Then I made my way over into town for my doctor's appointment. At this point, I'm still concerned about the pick up arrangements but feel confident that all will work out. DQ is a good driver and I knew everything would be okay. After all, God is in control!!

I made it to my appointment, made the hike from the parking lot to the doctor's office, and signed my name on the little list at the counter. Normally, I would have a seat and wait, wait, and wait some more until they called my name to go to another waiting area. However, today, that wasn't the case. I signed my name and was immediately directed to the 2nd waiting area. Upon arriving there, I briefly sat (by briefly I mean, my butt JUST touched the seat!) when the nurse called my name! I commented, "Wow, THAT was quick!". Then she took my vitals as she needed for the records and told me that room was available already and I could go on in and wait for the doctor. I was pleasantly Surprised! So, me and Kangaroo went in and the doctor arrived about 5 minutes later!

Doc's visit over, I head back out to my vehicle. On the way I realized that the ENTIRE ordeal from parking my truck-signing in-seeing the doctor-getting back to my truck took all of 30 minutes!!!! I had PLENTY of time to pick up Little Bird and the Teen myself and not have to depend on DQ to do it in that other vehicle!

Calling DQ and cancelling her services, I went on and retrieved the other kiddos. I got to the music Camp only 1 minute after they finished! PERFECT timing!

On the drive home from the music camp, I reflected on the devotional I had read. OF COURSE, it was PERFECT timing! Because EVERYTHING he does is PERFECT!

Oh, ME of little faith! What else will it take for me to see His handiwork in ALL things?

BTW, if you've read this entire thing...thanks for reading.

2nd thoughts on homeschooling

I've been struggling with this homeschooling idea. In the beginning, I had no doubts whatsoever that the Lord had told me what to do. I still believe that He told me homeschool my girls. However, I have not been as diligent as I first thought I would be. I feel like I've failed my Lord and my girls by not "teaching" daily. Little Bird is now practically begging me to teach her how to read. I sit with her on my lap, read to her, help her sound out little words, help her write these little words, etc. However, Kangaroo can be a distraction yada yada. I'm not trying to make excuses.

For the very first time, my girls participated in separate activities today. My Little Bird excelled where she was as did Kangaroo. They seemed to enjoy and thrive in their times apart.

For a while now, I have been struggling with the ideas of registering Little Bird for Kindergarten, even though she'll turn 6 years old shortly after school starts. However, her late birthday may be a benefit to starting Kindergarten a little late.

I have prayed for another "sign" or "Handwriting on the Wall" so to speak, but am not getting this sort of communication from Him at this time. However, there is a hint of peace about signing her up for Kindergarten.

I guess my REAL struggle is with the idea of "letting go". On the other hand, I still have my Kangaroo at home for a couple more years.

I request prayers from my praying friends. Thanks for listening.