Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The rest of the story

Have you ever come into a TV show in the middle and been totally lost? Or maybe picked up a magazine at the dentists office and found that there was a page missing from the article you were reading. Well today I had one of those experiences in real life!

I was driving my husband back to his truck at the truck stop (he's a semi driver) and we pulled into the gas station so I could fill up before leaving (and make hubby stand out in the cold to pump the gas *grin*. ) I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a pick-up truck driving in dragging one side and the side dragging was sparking something fierce! It drove down the 100 yards or so of the stations drive and came to a stop a few feet from us.

Hubby asked why I wasn't moving, I told me "because there is a truck coming at us at about 50 MPH and it's shooting sparks, looks like it's wheel is down to the rim" After the car stopped, I then turned around to leave and saw the truck front wasn't down to the rim it was down to the axil (or a-rod? as hubby called it? ) Wondering what happened to the tire, and the rim we drove away. As we got to the turning point of the drive we saw the tire and about 2 feet of rod sticking out the middle of the rim.

Anyway I dropped my hubby off and as I was driving back, I saw that the tire/axil a thing was found. I was going to snap a quick pix to document my story, but changed my mind, to my surprise it wasn't a guy that was picking it up but a very distraught looking lady. (You'd think decked out pick-up would naturally be a guy thing, I guess I was mistaken!)

Now I saw the end of the story. I'm not sure HOW that could have happened in the driveway of the truck stop, (you would have had to hit the curb might hard to do something like that) so I think something must have happened out on the road and the pick-up was driven to the truck stop in the hopes nothing would get worse before stopping. Since I saw the END of the story from the middle, I want to know HOW and WHERE and WHEN even WHY it happened. I guess I'll just have to guess and wonder!

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Secret Place

This past weekend we were on a church retreat. Twice a year our church rents out this little retreat center that sits on about 5 acres. Most of them are wooded and there is a trail that runs through the property. As the children’s pastor one of my absolutely favorite parts of the weekend is our bi-annual “Miss Betsy takes them on an adventure” off trail hike. The kids know that they must stay on the trail at all other times during the retreat, but on Sunday morning we will climb down ravine off the beaten path and explore. We have a wonderful time tracking through the mostly dried creek bed; looking under rocks, climbing over tree limbs, and just generally having an awesome time enjoying all that God created.

Our lesson varies each time we go depending on what the Lord puts on our hearts. Sometimes we just read psalms praising the awesome works of His hands. Sometimes we will find ants and consider their ways and learn to diligently work like they do storing up food for the winter. This time what really excited us were the tree roots.

As you are walking through the creek, there are places you can tell the water used to be 6 feet deep or more. It’s in these places you can see the root systems of these HUGE trees. You can see the tiny hair like feeder roots, their fibrous tendrils looking for water. You can see the enormous anchor roots; the thick, woody, branch like structures that hold the tree in place and keep it secure in the ground during a storm.

The kids were fascinated by the roots this year; we kept looking out for them as we walked along the creek bed. As we talked about what the roots did, I was reminded of something I heard once “the root system of a tree is as large underground, as the tree is above ground.” What we normally SEE of the tree; the branches, the leaves, the huge trunks, and what we could get from the tree; wood or fruit, or shade, is only possible because of what happens underground in secret.

We are like trees; in fact the Lord calls his people “Oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of God’s splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3) As we look at ourselves and other Christians, and see the ministry, the testimony before others, the way they (or us) treat people, without realizing what is seen “above ground” is only possible because of what happens in secret; prayer time, bible study, their time spent in worship. Our ability to bear fruit for the Lord is only possible because of us feeding on his word. Our ability to help shelter others from the storms of life is only possible because we are anchored deep in our relationship with God. Our ability to do almost anything for God is because we have learned to stretch out our hearts and lives towards that source of living water.

Matthew 6:5-6. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

What about you? Is your prayer life only at church or do you find that secret place you can go into and pour out your heart to God? Are you spending time in secret feeding on God’s word and seeking out a source of living water? Are you anchored deep so the winds of life won’t blow you down? For it’s in this secret place, those quiet times with God that He does His best growing in you. It’s in the secret place God’s people will grow into “oaks of righteousness for the displaying of God’s splendor” being able to spread their branches to reach out to a lost and dying world.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Till the cows come home


One of the joys of small town country living is you never know WHAT exactly you will find in your yard or on your street. The kids were outside airing out their tents for the retreat this weekend when my youngest came in and told me "Mom there's a cow in the field!" Sure enough, by the time I went to look the cow was walking through our yard onto the road. The cow looked like she knew exactly where she was going. Considering we have a locker plant in town I'm hoping she wasn't making a break for freedom!

I went to grab the camera to snap a pix and the cow was now joined by an ATV, shortly thereafter I was bombarded with 3 or 4 cars/trucks in hot pursuit all asking "which way did she go!" I'm hoping "Ole Bossy" did finally reach her destination!

Updated to say.....Well the cow shook the trucks and decided to come and hide out near our tree fort... but seeing that I was trying to help "the people" took off running again.

Updated again....I just talked to the owner of the locker plant...she was an escape' so RUN BOSSY RUN...

Monday, October 13, 2008

a cat, a dog, and a freshly painted wall

So we got a dog (totally different story but for those wondering she is staying...) and we have two cats. One of the cats likes the new dog one does not again totally different story but very important to the rest of this tale....So as many of you know my house is in total upheaval and it was a BIG surprise because it was just decided on Wednesday to do all of this. So we have been trying to get walls painted. But considering part of the area in the now living room is also my scrapping area. I had to take down and MOVE my ENTIRE area. PLUS the other typical living room stuff. My house isn't that big so we basically have a 2 foot path through out the house to walk. Well we have had dog (Her name is Sarah BTW) for about 1 1/2 weeks now. My cat Cali and the Dog have come to the agreement that whereas Cali really doesn't like dog baths, the big woof won't hurt her so she's "ok"



Well we have blocked off the room being painted with the dogs cage so she still has her "house" and can SEE us but can't get into where we are painting. One of the kids moved the cage to the side to get into to me and didn't move the cage back. The next thing I know is that the dog is wandering around the freshly painted wall. Well the cat wanting to see what the big woof is doing decided to follow the dog into the room.

Now do you think these animals would steer clear of the stinky smells like paint wet walls???? NO of course not. So first the dog leans against the wall not one, not two, not three, but FOUR times. As I am chasing the dog the cat not to be outdone decided to check out and see what all the rukus is. So now the cat is jumping up on the built in seat (also freshly painted) leaving lovely little paw prints on it. The dog now walks THROUGH the paint tray to go visit the cat. The cat runs over to my mom to get away from the dog. Mom who is sitting on my couch tries to grab the cat. The cat doesn't want to be grabbed so the cat jumps up on the couch with burgundy colored paws.

We capture the dog, go wash off her face, and her leg and her rump and her paw...Then grab the cat and start to wash her off. You would have thought we were skinning the cat alive for all the noise she was making. We scruffed her and then got one paw, and then the loud yelling and the purring (she purs when she is upset) and the wild ohhh I am really MAD at you look goes into her eyes and she came out fighting. Not to be outdone by a cat we go wrap her in a towel (to protect DD and myself) from the claws...and get the cat cleaned up.


We put the dog in her cage and give the cat some treats and go inspect the damage. How come when you want the paint come off easily its on there for good, but when the dog leans up against it you end up with what looks like a bad paint brush job? The paw prints on the other hand looked kinda cute on the seat granted, the last couple where the cat and the dog met up are rather interesting....

Now the ones on the couch not so much thankfully mom was able to get them off...we only have 2 1/2 walls left, thank the Lord.

but I still have 2 1/2 walls left..... sigh

Sunday, October 12, 2008

So it continues both day and night...

So during lunch yesterday my mom and dad were talking. Dad commented about the drywall and I told him the story about the YWAM team that came over and did it for a missions fundraiser. Then we started talking about the trim. Dad said "oh that's easy I can have that done 20 minutes a window. Mom said "if you are going to be doing trim it's easier to paint before...."

So now not only did the rooms get swapped, not only are we getting the roof replaced, not only are they starting to build the deck, but I am getting trim around the windows (it's been 8 years) in the now living room and it's getting painted. It's amazing this is something I have been praying for forever and it seems like it's now all getting done at once!

I have one wall done (it's burgundy wine) the trim will be a creamy color. The beams are a dark natural color and furniture and curtains are camel colored. I can't wait to see it all put together!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Those crazy ideas...

So you ever get those ideas???? and then go what was I thinking once you are in the middle of it!!!!????

we live in a small 3bedroom house. we have a basement that is a single room for storage. Other than that there is a kitchen, dining room and living room Initially the kitchen was eat in then hubby built on a dining room. Our living room is 10x20 our dining room 17 x 17

Due to the fact there are now 6 of us human in the house (plus 2 cats and now a DOG...another story) the house was feeling very cramped. Plus it's always so crowded when we have people over as well and we can't have anyone overnight because there isn't room for them, we have a sofa bed but it couldn't get used because it was crammed in there...

We had a piano (antique upright) that was given to me I used to play and none of the kids were interested so I offered it on freecycle. It became a blessing to another family....

It left yesterday, so I had all this room in my living room. Then had this "idea" ya know the living room is better suited to a long dining room table, the dining room is better suited to a square shaped living room arrangement. So I pitched the idea to hubby...he said "that would be different....ok

Sounds easy??? Well I homeschool so I have 2 huge cabinets of books (that had to be emptied first before moved) they are going in the new dining room, where I homeschool, and then the tv and dvd player etc. have to get moved into the living room, then the computers into were we homeschool......Plus the scrap area....


AHHHHH what was I thinking???? there are books everywhere, there is stuff everywhere. I have a church retreat I am in charge of next week....and my house is turned upside down.

I know when it's done it will be good (hubby didn't even bat an eyelash about helping to move things (casue all his cords and stuff will be able to be accessed from behind so he can wire and rewire to his hearts content) but what have I done.....

I need motivation to get moving... I'm just a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I've been at the book moving since yesterday, and decided to stop in and say howdy then go back to my evening's goal of getting the dining room done....then hopefully do the living room tomorrow.

Then we just found the the roofer is going to start MONDAY and my dad just called a few minutes ago to say "I'll be over tomorrow to measure for your deck"....

AHHHHHHHHH

The upside will be when we are done I get new curtains and an area rug...(plus I think things will run smoother as things FIT) but in the mean time...)

If you don't hear from me....it's cause I got lost in the shuffle....

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Fireproof

Most of us remember Kirk Cameron from his days on Growing Pains as Mike Seaver not to mention being a teen heart throb! (I know I had at least one Kirk Cameron poster in my room...LOL) Well these days you can find him on the big screen in a movie called Fireproof. Cameron plays firefighter Captain Caleb Holt a young married man facing a divorce. Caleb feels he is a hero to everyone but his wife. After pouring his heart out to his father who then asks him "Is there anything inside of you that wants to save your marriage?", Caleb finds himself facing a 40 day "Love Dare." What he learns about his wife, his marriage, God, and most of all himself changes not only his marriage but his life as well. Hubby and I LOVED this movie! Strong message of faith and fidelity is very refreshing in today's society.

You can find more information at Fireproof









Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Puppy Love



So it's not the best shot but you can at least see the new addition to the family! This is Sarah. She is a Lab/hound/retriever mix. She's a year and a half old. Her former owner had to move and couldn't take her with. So we are now her happy owners. I'm not sure the cats totally approve. Socks is glad she has a cage and is cautiously watching her in the cage (after hissing) Cali saw her hissed, ran back inside, waited till things were clear then went out. The next few days should be interesting.

The kids are naturally happy. Can't wait for school to be out so they can take her for a walk. The will be able to go down the path during school hours but want to show her off in the neighborhood! I'm already thinking of how I can scrap our newest family member, can't wait to have puppy pages (I only have kitty supplies....hey any excuse to shop! )