Category Archives: life

Internet Growth

I was reading something interesting the other day about computers and the internet.  Did you know that….

  • More than one Billion people worldwide use the internet from their homes, offices and schools. 
  • You can search in more than 200 Million sites, and 235,000 are being added every month.
  • The reach of the internet as a source of information in the U. S. has increased from 60 to 70% of total households.
  • There are about 200 Million e-mail boxes in the U.S. and only 109 Million of those are for business users.
  • In the year 2000, more than 7 Trillion e-mails were sent.
  • Nearly 50% of the U.S. population communicates by e-mail.
  • Two out of every three Americans spend time online daily
  • The average e-mail user receives 31 e-mails per day.

So, how do you rank?  How often do you log on?  Where do you log on?  Are you quickly on and off, or do you like to browse and window shop?  How do you use the WWW.?

Sick…

Saturday began with Brooke complaining of a headache and sore throat.  I thought it was her sinuses, and gave her some allergy meds.  I then took her to rehearsal, where she danced for around 5 hours.  The show was GREAT, and I am always amazed at the ability of these young kids to get onstage and dance for Jesus the way they do.  I don’t know where she gets it…because she’s absolutely beautiful!  I’m so proud of her!  Afterward, we went out to eat at our favorite little Mexican place, where Brooke didn’t feel like eating.  (so not like her!)  Then she came home and slept, a lot.  Went to church yesterday morning, and she came home and slept.  As of bedtime last night, I was pretty certain she would be staying home from school.  I awoke at 5:30 this morning with Zach standing above me, telling me he couldn’t breathe.  We went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, and let the steam go to work.  After about 25 minutes he felt better, and he went back to bed with the humidifier running.  At this point I’m not feeling too well myself, so I go back to bed too.  Then Brian starts in with a sore throat and swollen glands as well.  Matthew is running around with abundant energy.  I took B and Z to the doctor, and they both have strep throat.  So I say Great!!  How do I keep them away from M?  Why does that lump in my throat suddenly feel larger and more painful?  I need to lay down…  So that is my weekend and day in a nutshell.  I began this post because I’ve slept so much that I thought I wasn’t tired any more, but suddenly I am.  Any wellness prayers would be appreciated. 

A tearful goodbye/celebration

I don’t know what else to call it, besides the best funeral I’ve ever been to.  It sounds crazy to say that, but that’s how I feel.  I was dreading this funeral so badly, but was blessed by attending it in so many ways.  My dad’s cousin Jimmy died on Saturday.  He was only 52 and it was totally unexpected.  Married with three beautiful boys, the oldest is a teen.  It’s so hard to think about sometimes, but I urge you to take the time to talk with someone about what you would like to happen when you’re gone.  Jimmy and his wife did that, and I want to do it too.  There were 3 songs sung by two women, and then we sang two hymns.  These were songs that he had wanted.  The pastor opened up the floor for people to talk, and I was amazed by the outpouring of love to the family.  Everyone spoke of how much he loved his family, and how much he loved the Lord.  He touched so many lives, and didn’t even realize it I’m sure.  That’s just the kind of person he was.  He cared.  People from his church, and people from his workplace all loved him, and were blessed by the Holy Spirit within him.  One woman was talking about how he always lifted them up if they were struggling at work, and then she broke out singing Wind beneath My Wings!  It was beautiful!  Another person spoke highly of Jim, and didn’t know his wife, but said he knew her potato salad, and to fed ex it to them every now and then if she had to.  That made her laugh!  There were tears and there was laughter, and I guess the difference that I felt in this funeral was this.  We were a room filled with more believers in Jesus Christ than not.  We know that his earthly presence will be missed, but that he is truly home with God right now.  We may not understand it, but God has a plan for Jim, and it includes him at His side.  The pastor then preached, because he said that’s what Jim wanted him to do.  He preached about salvation, and that doesn’t mean just doing good things.  We have to confess, repent, and ask for fogiveness of our sins, and He will forgive.  We need to ask Jesus into our hearts and lives, and commit to follow Him.  And it’s too late when we’re in the coffin.  I had some family members sitting right there with me that needed to hear that, but I’m not sure they did.  I don’t understand it, but I don’t need to.  I just need to continue to pray for them.  (Off on a tangent again!)  Anyway, even in his death, Jim was witnessing to others.  He  planned that all out, and he knew who needed to hear it!  One person that stood up said we might ask why?  We should turn that around and we get YHW.  That stands for Your Holy Will!  Isn’t that great?  WHY= Your Holy Will 

I could go on and on, that’s how amazing it was!  I’ll stop, but I ask for prayers for his family.  I know they have a great church family that will lift them up, but you can never have too many prayers! 

I have one more funeral to attend this week.  A friend who passed away on Sunday, unexpectedly at the age of 36.  He too has a wife and 2 kids, the oldest is 12.  I just ask that these families be lifted in prayer, and that God would wrap His loving arms around them and provide comfort to them, that only He knows how. 

90 Day Bible Reading-Day 16 – 18

We have finished Joshua, Judges and Ruth, and will start with 1 Samuel tomorrow.  The weekend began with my birthday on Friday, and boy did I feel older!  It was so bitterly cold here that I just wanted to pull the blanket over my head and hibernate!  We had a chocolate cake with the whipped icing that I love, and it had chocolate bars on top.  Too bad it’s all gone, or I’d have a piece right now.  Saturday my mom and dad came up and we all had lunch.  It was really good, and I really didn’t do much else after that.  My dad called after they got home, and he had received word that his cousin had died suddenly that morning.  He was in his early 50’s, married with three kids.  It was a big shock, and I ask for prayers for his family to feel the healing love of Christ throughout the next few months. 

This week is going to be busy finishing costumes and getting ready for the first dance performance of the year.  I am not a sewing mom, so these costumes are kicking me!  Luckily I only have one major one to finish, everything else fit really well this time.  Also on the list for the week, clip coupons, work on the budget, shampoo the carpets, catch up on laundry, organize the towel closet, and a few other things that I can’t think of right now. 

Sunday Scripture 9

sunday-scripture31.jpgNumbers 14:8-9  If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.  9 Only do not rebel against the Lord.  And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.  Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.  Do not be afraid of them. 

Joshua and Caleb spoke these words to the Israelites who had gone and explored Canaan and came back saying there was a vast amount of people living there who would overtake them.  What separated Joshua and Caleb from the rest of the group of explorers?  Faith.  The others had lost sight of all God had done for them, and didn’t trust that God would continue to take care of them.  Joshua and Caleb stood up to them in faith, or full confidence as my notes say, that God would protect them. 

He promises us a new earth.  Do you trust Him enough to stand up for Him, or will you forsake Him.  I pray that He is pleased with us, and He brings us into Heaven and the new earth, to live eternally in His presence. 

Stop over at Amy’s to read more Sunday Scripture.

God Has a Plan

When you’re cast about by the storms of life,

when your days are filled with doubt and strife,

when nothing makes sense, when it’s hard to stand,

Remember this-God has a plan.

God has a plan, keep clinging to this,

forget your agenda and look to His. 

He’s kept every promise he ever made.

He’s always on time, never early or late. 

Time ticks by on a clock wound by Him,

and only He knows when time will end.

As you walk by faith, cling to His hand,

and remember this, God has a plan.

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

DE-LURK

delurkerday_400px.jpgSarah and Amy both tell me it’s national DELURKER DAY.  That means if you come just to read, you have to leave a comment.  Even if you just say Hi!  We’ll see if you’re brave enough! 

Sunday Scripture 8

sunday-scripture3.jpg 

 Genesis 45:7  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  

This comes from my daily reading, and it’s Joseph talking to his brothers after they’ve been reunited.  (They tried to kill him, then sold him to slavery because they were jealous of their fathers affections for him.)  Now Joseph had every right to be upset with his brothers, and want to seek revenge against them.  But he doesn’t.  Instead, he sees that God used the wickedness of his brothers, and he carried out a plan to make Joseph great.  Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, and told him of the 7 years of abundance, followed by a 7 year famine.  God made Joseph ruler of all Egypt, so that he could save the very lives that tried to kill him.  That’s the kind of forgiveness that I’m working on this year!!!

90 Day Bible Reading-Day 3

GENESIS 27-39

Today’s reading depicts alot of deceit, jealousy and bitterness.  We start off reading about Esau and Isaac.  Isaac told Esau to go out and hunt for game, then prepare his favorite meal for him, so that he could give him his blessing.  Rebekah overheard, and told Jacob how to deceive his father.  Isaac mistakenly gave Jacob the blessing.  Esau was very angered and vowed to take Jacob’s life, so Rebekah and Isaac sent Jacob away.  Now if you remember, God had already told Isaac that the older child Esau would serve the younger, Jacob.  So Isaac was taking action to bless Esau, and going against God.  Also, Jacob deceived his family twice to get what he wanted, and what he was going to rightfully get in good time.  In the end, he had to leave his home, and he would never see his mother again.  He would also never obtain spiritual success.  It makes me really want to be patient, and wait for God’s timing.  Jacob got what he wanted, but it turned out to be more of a curse than a blessing without God on his side. 

When Jacob left Beersheba to travel to Haran, he stopped to rest at night.  The angels of God came to him in a dream, and after them came the Lord.  God promised to be with him as his guide and to protect him always.  Jacob found his uncle Laban, and eventually married his 2 daughters.  Between his wives and their maidservants, Jacob had 12 sons, whose descendants would later become the 12 tribes of Israel.  Jacob and his family fled from Laban, and he traveled home to meet Esau.  Esau greeted him with a hug and tears, so after many years of separation, God’s grace brought them back together.  Jacob again lies to his brother about where he is going, and travels to Shechem.  God had told Jacob to go to the home of his father Isaac, but he didn’t listen.  Now I struggle with God sometimes, with things like forgiveness and anger, and try to take things into my own hands, but I don’t think if God came to me as a manifestation that I could do that.  I guess that he’s always with me though, and sees how ugly I can be with built up unforgiveness, and that should be my motivation.  But I think about what it will be like in Heaven, to be able to have a face to face conversation with God!  How Awesome that will be!! 

As I now type, it is a new day…stay with me.

Jacob failed to listen to God and live where He told him to, and instead chose to live by a pagan city.  His daughter Dinah was violated from Shechem.  This immorality reminds me of Lot and his daughters.  Makes me want to move somewhere very very rural with my kids and shelter them.  I pray that they get what they need from me, and not wander away from God seeking something else. 

Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, killed the men of the city.  Jacob’s sons did not bring him glory from their actions.  God told Jacob to go build an altar at Bethel, and this time he listened.  He found a renewed faith in God, and instructed his family to giet rid of the foreign gods they had and to purify themselves.  Because of this, God again gave him protection, blessing, and the land gave to Abraham and Isaac, and changed his name from Jacob to Israel.  Jacob singles out Joseph by giving him an ornate robe, thus causing great jealousy to the other brothers.  They sold him as a slave, and told Jacob that animals must have attacked him.  God used this to work out his plan for Joseph’s life.  Joseph was faithful to God, even in trials, and God remained with him, showing him such love and mercy.  Joseph was different from his brothers, and I think that’s why God chose him to protect. 

Judah, Jacob’s 4th son from Leah, also possessed loose morals.  He slept with his daughter in law, thinking she was a prostitute, and she bore twins, Perez and Zerah. 

Joseph’s master saw that he was blessed to have him as a servant, and trusted him with everything he owned.  His masters wife tried to seduce Joseph on occasions, but he refused her.  One day she kept his cloak and claimed that he had tried to seduce her, so Joseph was thrown into prison.  Even then, God was with him.  Does it strike you in any way, how completely faithful Joseph was?  He struggled and had a difficult life, but did not quit believing that God would bring him through.  Joseph faced 3 tests for God while in Egypt.  He faced the test of sexual sin, or purity, and he did not fail.  He faced an opportunity for revenge, and he did not fail.  Lastly, he faced death.  Why did Joseph overcome?  Because he had a deep trust in God, and he ran from sin.  He claimed victory over sin, and was obedient to God, therefore he was blessed abundantly.  I want to profess that kind of FAITH!!!  Thank You God, for giving me many second chances, and allowing me to confess and repent of my sins to You, to ask You for forgiveness, and know that you will grant it.  Bless me with wisdom and discernment, just like Joseph had, so that I may be victorious in this battle too.  Thank You for Your infinite love, and the gift of Jesus. 

The Reading for Sunday is Genesis 40 – Exodus 2

Happy New Year

Well Christmas is over, and Santa did come.  I  found an ornament with Santa in the manger talking to baby Jesus, and I want to tell you what it says, but I’d have to go downstairs and I’m too lazy right now.  Maybe later.  I have enjoyed the kids being home, and not running to and fro with them.  We’ve obliterated bedtimes and slept in, had days spent in our PJ’s, and thoroughly had fun.  This time next week it’s over.  I just want to dig my feet in and cry.  Life is just too busy!!  Brooke and I were up until 5 am playing games online together and laughing.  (She’s still asleep BTW!)  I told them we were going to have to get back on schedule so they’d be well rested and easy to wake up next week.  That is after our Harry Potter movie marathon, of course! 

We’d planned on having some friends over to ring in the New Year, but it didn’t happen.  I think everyone just wanted to stay at home and hang out, which was perfectly fine with me.  We had new furniture delivered, and I’d pulled an all nighter painting the living room,  so it looked great.  The rest of the house was fairly clean… so we just ate and watched a movie, played a game and then went to bed around 1:00 am.  I sat around yesterday and watched it snow until it was time to take Zach’s friend home, then came home and fixed the usual New Year’s Day dinner of smoked sausage and cabbage with fried potatoes.  After that, I set Matthew up with his PSP to watch Open Season while the rest of us watched a Steven King movie.  Uneventful and boring, but great in my book!  Hope yours was just as fun!