Stuff in the way

So, I guess I don't have a clue how to design or setup a website. So excuse me while I try and figure out how to get things all set up properly.

Thanks

A post, what the heck is a post.? It's been so long. But I know that it's something I need to do and I plan on doing it. So here goes..

I've been a part of the Facebook thing for the last year and WOW, how it has taken off. Friends from 15yrs ago are popping out of the woodwork, or computer as it is. It is so much fun! We have been reminising about the good ol' days of college through pictures and conversation. I can't believe and almost want to refuse to admit the clothes we wore in the 90's. Pink and Black Flower stretch pants! Yikees. Pumps, and Nick wearing turtle necks with cardigan sweaters. Anyway, bad memories and yet those were the good old days. Before real obligations, work, children, bills!
I am such a dreamer that it's been fun but............ I have found myself spending way to much time living in the past and needing to come back to the present. Does that make sense? God wants me in the present to starting building my future. I have a bright future and I need to stay here studying and seeking God's plan for my life.. I am excited for what the future holds and so through this blog I hope to post about the experiences God is going to bring me too and through! I know this walk is not always a cake walk, but with Christ by my side it will always be rewarding. So stay tuned........

sillydaze

TEST

TEST, TEST, TEST
Isn't that what you do to see if it's all working? I am feeling like I need to start again and give it a TEST Run!
See ya soon.

It's been awhile.....

Oh yes, it has been quite awhile! But who can contend with life and all it's happenings. I won't back track but just start to pick up with today, tomorrow, and the future.

We are very immersed in snow this year. Much more than we've had in quite a few years. It is actually very beautiful and I am enjoying all of God's creation in it. I enjoy it most from the living room. It would be picturesque if I had the fireplace and hot cocoa with a big snuggly blankie covering me while it snowed. So, that is on my hubby's to do list for next year. (The fireplace) Oh how I would love one that crackled and popped by the warm and glow of wood. But DH has informed me that a gas one would be better. Insurance stays where it is and we don't have to collect wood. So for now, this season in our life, I will settle for a gas fireplace.

We are going away for the weekend to Family Winter Retreat. The kids are so excited that they are dressed, coats, hats, boots, and we are not nearly ready to leave. J's big deal is the bunkbeds at camp. He loves sleeping in one. That is also on the DH to do list for spring. This years theme is Hawaiian. I am anxious to see how that plays out in ZERO degree weather. BRRRRRRR.
I'll fill you in when we get home. I'm sure that lots of memorable things will take place with a soon to be 3 and 6 year old.
We have birthday's come in the next two months for both kids. B's in February and J's in March. I am looking forward to planning and preparing for them. I always make their cakes. This year B wants a Dora cake so I have to start planning now for that one.

God is good and we rejoice in his many blessings in our life. 2008 is going to be GREAT!!!

Well the first day of school is down and we are on to day two. I think all went better than we all expected. J said that the day was long but went fast?! That's good, I think. It's hard to believe he's only 5, and he got on the school bus like a trouper, like old hat, and marched right into a full day of school with no reservations! They grow up so fast. I love every growing, changing moment and yet I don't want them to grow up! You know?

B and I found plenty to fill our day, including playgroup and a visit to J's new classroom. He was very excited to see us! I just love his teacher. All smiles and bubbly and a christian! Yahh!! When he got home he was a bit tired but shortly after supper he informed me that he got his energy back and was off to ride his bike all around. He even started shoveling sand into the trailer for the sand box. Some how I got snaggled into helping and finishing that load. Only about 10 more loads to go:-( Boy do I ache today from all that physical labor:-)

Sorry this is so scattered of a post. I am really trying to decide what to talk about because there is just oh so many things I could tell you, like how my body aches and the weather is crummy, school is here, how I will spend my day, church, etc, etc, but I won't bore you with the outline I will just try to come up with something a bit interesting and informative.

Oh, the youth in us, (Nick and I) are heading to Six Flags Great America this weekend, in Ill.
I'm not sure what I was thinking. The last time we did that I couldn't handle the dizziness my head was sending out and my stomach became a bit weak, if you know what I mean. Yet for the sake of my husband, motherinlaw and aunt, I will go. You read that right my MIL.! She buys a season pass along with her sister every year! They love the rides. So for that sake of not being a party pooper, I will put on my reading glasses (cause that might help) take some dramamine, and push for a hotel with a pool the night before:-)) I will endure this burden. (plus a day without kids) What girl wouldn't trade a little motion sickness for such luxuries.

UHGG!

So yesterday I found out that I need to find a new OB/GYN cause my current changed/dropped my provider. UGHHHG! I loved my doctor. I think we were on a new path of figuring me out and now I have to find someone new. So pray for me that I find the right doctor who can fix all my chemical imbalance issues and maybe even eliminate the monthly headache:-) That would be nice.

Thought Provoking

The seasons are turning over again. School is starting, the leaves are turning colors and I am left to ponder how awesome God is. Today I seen a stream of lights coming through a dark cloud. I thanked the Lord for revealing His Glory to me in that instant. How awesome and powerful He is. And the world around is so dark and unknown to His light.

I had a precious few moments alone today in the car and I just sang a new love song to Him. I so want to be restored. Renewed and Refreshed. I am looking forward to the change in Season and the change He wants to do in me.

God is Good and He loves me!!

Amen!

Sad days to come (for me)

As you can see J is very proud of his new spidyman lunch box that comes with it's own sandwich container!! He talks about going back to school for 5K with excitement to the point of actually agreeing to go to bed at "school" bedtime. (starting at 8pm with a book and prayers).

Here's a conversation between Nick and J.

Nick: "Are you excited about school starting, bud?"

J: "yah, but momma's not."

Nick: "Why?"

J; "cause she's gonna miss me."

That's right folks, half days were just fine but this whole day business and they need a nap mat, what's with that? Then it's just too long a day for them. Besides B is going to miss him terribly too. They have played together so well this summer it's actually amazing. No, I don't want him gone for 8.5 hrs. out of the day. He gets home and has 4hrs and 20min. with me before bed.

It will be a terrible adjustment for me. But on the flip side, it's great for him. And really it will be good for B and I. To have that quality time together as mother and daughter. All that shopping time we will have and manicures, and cleaning house. Cause she loves all those things. I'm afraid I might create a little mama's girl to the extreme! But it will be fun.

But I will miss my guy!!

Hard Times/God's Blessings

When your going through those hard times, it's hard to come up with something cheerful to post. Or even worth reading. I am finding it hard to see all the good when 2007 is turning into one of the worst years since 1997. What is with that? When we speak we seem to only speak about all the negative incidents and never remember what is good. So today I am going to list all of God's blessings upon us and know that He has not forsaken us.

1. An awesome wonderful loving Husband
2. Two beautiful kids who make me smile daily.
3. A beautiful home in the country
4. An awesome God who does love me and will provide
5. Church people who love us no matter what our faults
6. The words "I Love you!" from a two year old (and 5yrs old)
7. Hugs
8. My mom and dad
9. We own our truck
10. Internet and blogs!
11. Comfortable new sofa and king size Bed! Yah!!!
12. Mary Kay Makeup!!
13. A garden getting ready to booom! with tomatoes!!
14. Summer squash and cucumbers.
15. Just Enough for today! That's what God promises.

I am so thankful Heavenly Father for your blessings in my life. You know me and keep me safe. Thankyou for providing exactly what me and my family needs. Each day is your manna poured out. Help to keep the faith and trust you! You are my God! I love You! Amen

Amazing Grace

Well, let's see, last time I posted we were headed home. We finally made it on Saturday night 12:30am. Oh yes we did! A final tally left us 11 (eleven) incidents in 3 long days. We were so thrilled to be home and my hubby is feeling like a ton of weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

We had an awesome church service on Sunday morning then Satan attacked at lunch. To the point of break down for Nick. I have never seen him like that before and it really scared me.

It has been a week full of mixed emotions. (literally) Ups and downs, inside out and right side up. Yet, in the midst of it I am at peace and trusting God to be faithful. He knows we still exsist and is watching out for us. I don't know what God's plans are next for us, but I know that I am completely content and also love my life as it is. That is to say, that is usually when God uproots us and sends us into new territory, at least that is how the past has played out. I hope not. I hope it's a new direction that keeps us here. In this place. Yet, I know that I will only be complete when I am in His will for my life. So, we wait and see.

I am loving summer and we have a spanish student from Girona, Spain staying with us for 6 weeks. He is 15 and so much fun. His english is very good and he has loved going trucking with Nick two different times. (once to missouri, and another to Ohio) I enjoy having a teenager around but boy can he eat. I'm not used to that! I'm trying to keep us with the stock of food, I don't want to send him back all skin and bones now. He already has said it will be hard to leave. But I definetely can see us taking a trip to visit him someday, I hope.

Busy, Busy, that is what we are but I love it.

HOT, HOT, HOT! Did you hear me, HOT! It was blazing HOT in Port Sulpher, Louisiana. We worked on packing up all the equipment but had to take a break every hour. A gatorade and air condition break. It had to be 100 degrees and all that humid. YUCK! We got out of there by 11:00pm. It was a slow going day.

We brought a pastor friend of ours along to drive a truck. I think it was more than he bargained for. But we have truly enjoyed the fellowship and sharpening on one another. I pray blessings upon him and his family for sacraficing this week to come with us.

See, once all this is brought home, Hubby can focus on the next phase of what God has for us. This will no longer hang over his head. A big Praise the Lord. I have been all smiles cause I know how much a burden this has been on all of us and even though it has been a trip back from "the hot firey place!" We are in good spirits actually. What a testimony of God's peace.

It is Friday and we have been working our way back to wisconsin since Wed. Night. Just a recap of what has transpired the last three days (If I can remember due to the lack of sleep) We were 20 miles from the equipment when a major belt went out on the pick-up truck, 1 am, wednesday. A friendly "not sure if I can do it" police man eventually got us a ride to the lot where we had another truck. We slept for about 6 hours and where up in the HEAT all day packing up and running for parts. Good ol'e Napa. We left Wed. night and drove out of louisiana. 2am we pulled over, our little caravan of two dump trucks and two pick-ups one with a camper. Hubby and I slept in truck to wake up Thur. morning to the screaching sound of another broken belt and no air conditioning. Another 4 hr. delay. We go about 2 hours and get pulled over by DOT inspector. Not to bad of a fine. Well I won't bore you with any more details just that it's friday and we are now in Missouri sitting at another scale and being inspected and jerked around. But we love the Lord and are only a little anxious about making it back for church on Sunday. WE will right? Ya got to roll with the punches.

A seems to be a typical day in the life for us! Pray for us to have favor and make it home soon!

STILL GOING!!
or not. We are currently sitting in Memphis, TN. After much searching we found a hotel with wireless. 3 of the 4 of us are all sitting in the truck with laptops on our laps. How did we ever survive before modern technology. Oh, and the 4th person, watching dvd. Unless the infamous cell phone rings. Then we all stop to answer. What a day we live in!

Oh, Oh, Oh, then we went to Lampert's. Talk about exciting. We had 2 newbee's to the "home of the thrown rolls". The excitement was hard to contain. When that guy comes out of the kitchen and shouts "hot rolls" all hands raise to heaven n a praise the Lord, and a hot fresh roll comes flying thru the air to your hands!. Hey maybe that's what we need on a sunday morning!! Well if you've never experience Lamperts, I believe there are only 3 in the U.S. 2 in Missouri and 1 in Arkansas. (I think) Anyways, we make it there about once a year. Yummo!!

Now with belly's a bursting and sleep a lacking we might make it to New Orleans by midnight. Such a fun time.

Louisiana, here we come!!

Did Imention we are no longer young and crazy? Yet we act as such. I often times tell my husband that there is NO ONE out there as crazy or has as crazy a lifestyle as we do.

So tonight 10:15pm now, we are loading the truck and mind you hubby is checking the brakes to make sure they are in working order (good thing, don't ya think?) to head to louisiana. Straight thru. about a 24 hour drive. Did I mention how young we are? (not)

But I don't have the kids and that is such an exciting thing. I will do just about anything for a break. Like the fact that while I was waiting for the finally touches of truck repair to take place, I hopped on the riding lawn mower, flipped on the lights, and mowed the front yard!! With a great big smile and a thought, "I don't have any kids!"

So soon we should be pulling out and picking up 2 other guys to hike down there with us.

We will be bringing back 2 dump trucks, a truck and camper, and a truck and trailer. We have wrapped up this part of life as we have known it in Louisiana and I am very happy and relieved.
2 years of trying to rebuild (after Katrina) the financial end of it has not payed off and we are just as good as at home. So home they come to work locally.

If you've ever been married to a workaholic/dreamer. You will understand my excitement for an end to come. (I sometimes feel there is never and ending point with the constant tugboat steamer that my hubby is!) But I love him for working so hard and I know that God will reward him for being steady and faithful.

Well, off we go. I'll update through out the week of our progress.
We hope to be in Louisiana tomorrow night.

Who can believe it is already July 9th? Where has the time gone?

It has only been in the last week that I can see the fog clearing and my spirits rising from the depths that they were in. Praise the Lord!! I am so excited to begin sharing. What? Well, whatever seems to come my way. The new camera is on it's way and pictures and posts will be happening a little more regularly.



This life of a pastor's wife/pastor/mother and any other hat I seem to like, will begin to take shape on this blog. For the purpose of enjoyment and maintaining friendships both old and new. This journey has just begun! Can't wait to take the adventure with you!

Spring Blooms!

Spring is here.....I think. It was 80 degrees on Thursday and then the last two days we barely hit 65. A little burrrrr. But things are turning a nice green! We live in the woods and once fall comes and the leaves all fall to the blessed ground where we get the pleasure of racking up mounds of leaves, including blisters and all, the neighborhood is revealed and we can see all the wonderful neighbors we have.

Yesterday I looked out the patio doors and said, "ooh, the neighbors are gone!" The trees have filled out and brought privacy to the north woods again:-)

I love the newness of the season. When the grass turns a rich green and the trees begin to fill in. It brings with it new life and a new sense of urgency for me too. Urgent for what... I'm not really sure. But God knows and I love anticipation. It means that nothing is stagnant but always changing, growing, becoming better. And that's what I want for me too. Thank you Lord

I am blessed. I am loved. I am desired. I am who God wants me to be. And nothing or no one can take that from me. Brenda found me and blessed me with her words of comfort. I think too, that this was no accident for her to find me and I know that God allows things to happen to grow us and protect us. I am looking forward to what He has in store for my future. Like the blooming buds of spring, so new, fragile, beautiful and weather many storms, I feel a little like them.

For I know the Plans...

I have for you declare the Lord,...

Wow, I can't believe how a few situations can change a person's whole perspective in life. I have really been struggling lately with wanting to stay in ministry. It is so hard. People are so hard to deal with. For a moment I would love to be able to show up for church, put my kids in the nursery and find a chair and just worship and listen to the message.

But for 6 years I have plan/lead worship, did nursery/children's church, ladies bible study, plan events, teach the jr. highers, secretary stuff, cleaning the church. And just being available to people like your someone "special". I am normal as they are and have needs too.

But this higher calling to be a minister doesn't allow me to have those needs with those people. I need a close "like minded" friend to share my woe be gones too. They are far and few between.

God has been teaching me that He is and should be my ultimate source for secure friendship. He will never leave me, treat me poorly, walk all over me and have other agenda's. He want to just be with ME! To lean on Him. To seek Him for wisdom and encouragement. (But sometimes it's just nice to have Jesus with flesh on around me.)

To think that Jesus walked a very lonely journey. He knows what I am going through. I have never felt more like a stanger in a stranger world, than of late. And that seems to be ok. It has surely plunged me back into His arms of love and safety. And I love Him dearly.

For now it is me and Him. The future......only he knows and I am trusting Him with that.

Glory Revealed!!

I love, I mean LOVE, this new CD, Glory Revealed as recommended by BooMama. I just got it in the mail Friday because of the backorder issue that I am sure is because she told us all to go over and buy it since it was at such a good price and all. Kuddo's to her for advertising so successfully!

Back to the CD. It is awesome. I feel like I could just step back out of the stressfull environment that I seem to be spending so much time in lately and just sink into the depth of worship that is being sung through scripture.

Worship is like food for my soul. I need it more than anything else. Except the Word of God. But it has that special place for me that no one else can really touch. It brings me to that intimate place with the Lord. Thank you Jesus.

Thank you Boomama for suggesting it. http://www.familychristian.com/shop/product.asp?prodID=18330

A Good Thing!

What a great thing that is going on over at everyday mommy! Click on over and see how you can enter too!

As you can see I very well do need a new "look" for my site. It might inspire me to write more often knowing it is layed out in a user friendly manner. I think the lack of know how is what keeps me from blogging more regularly.

http://www.everydaymommy.net/everyday-mommy/2007/05/06/blog-design-giveaway/

So with the bare essentials of what I know about blogging and linking, although I am getting good at lurking:-) Click the link above to go on over and enter the give away!!