I am overwhelmed!!!

We had a financial emergency this afternoon. A large check that was supposed to be here didn't come and they said that it would be next week before it was processed. This threw us into an unimaginable tail spin. I put out an email requesting prayer. Within in one hour our short term needs were met. The God we serve is AWESOME. Don't get me wrong. Even if He hadn't provided for my short term needs, He is still AWESOME!! I can't imagine life without the Lover of my Soul.

Show and Tell

"Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!" Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there's a story behind your special something, that's even better!

If you wanna join the fun go over to http://www.kellishouse.blogspot.com/.

I'm not very original today, but here goes. . . . I'm getting ready to paint my kitchen, cabinets and all so here is . . .

My show and tell today . . . this book. I was doing another Beth Moore study and this one caught my eye. I have always been drawn to the book of Daniel, as a matter of fact I even named my daughter Danielle. It is a very good study and I am really learning a bunch. I am also on the look out for a really good study of Isaiah. I just love digging into the word.

With this study you can download the video and audio sessions from www.lifeway/women

or you can download the audio sessions on your iPod from the iTunes store for $3.99 a session, that's what I did and it works out quite well. Wow I sound like an infomercial. Gotta go clean and paint. Have a great day.

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for the lean times, so we can enjoy the times of plenty.
2. I'm thankful for the sad times, so we can enjoy the times of joy.
3. I'm thankful for the night, so we can enjoy the morning.
4. I'm thakful for rain, so we can enjoy the sun.
5. I'm thankful for hectic times, so we can enjoy the rest.
6. I'm thankful for the cold, so we can enjoy the warmth.
7. I'm thankful for the weeping, so we can enjoy the laughter.
8. I'm thankful for the mess, so we can enjoy the tidy.
9. I'm thankful for the lonely times, so we can enjoy the friendship.
10. I'm thankful for a Father in Heaven who knows how to give us balance so we can enjoy all of His good gifts.

The Lord's Prayer

I received this in an email and I thought it was very good.

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

But -- you called ME!

Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying.

Our Father who art in Heaven.

There -- you did it again!

Did what?

Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven" Well, here I am.What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer.

It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.

Well, all right. Go on.

Okay, Hallowed be thy name .

Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?

By what? By "Hallowed be thy name"?

It means, it means . . good grief, I don't know what it means.

How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer.

By the way, what does it mean?

It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before. Thanks.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,on earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you doing about it?

Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control - of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.

Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me!

I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!

Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for MY will to be done.

If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it.

Like you -- for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.

Now that you mention it,

I could probably name some others.

So could I. I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things.

I would like to, you know, be really free.

Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME.

I'm proud of You.

Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here.

This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for.

Remember, you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now.

Keep praying. ( . . pause . . )

Well, go on.

I'm scared to.

Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.

Try me!

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

What about Amy?

See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up!

Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.

She never paid back the money she owes me.

I've sworn to get even with her!

But -- your prayer --What about your prayer?

I didn't -- mean it.

Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness

and resentment isn't it?

Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.

Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.

No, you won't feel any better.You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet.

You know how unhappy you are -- right?

Well, I can change that.

You can? How?

Forgive Amy.

Then, I'll forgive you;

And the hate and the sin will be Amy's problem -- not yours.

You will have settled the problem

as far as you are concerned.

Oh, you know, you're right. You always are.

And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You . . (sigh).

All right . all right . . I forgive her.

There now! Wonderful!

How do you feel?

Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all!

In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed quite as uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.

Yeah, I know.

But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on.

Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Good! Good! I'll do that.

Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

You know what I mean.

Yeah. I know.

Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For Thine is the kingdom,and the power,and the glory forever.

Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory --What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know.

I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be.

So, tell me .. . . How do I make you happy?

YOU just did!

What is a Covenant?

Covenant - n - 1 : a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact 2 a : a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action b : the common-law action to recover damages for breach of such a contract.

Binding agreement. Binding. Bound.

I would rather be bound to God than any other.

ABF Picnic

Today was the ABF Picnic.


When we got there it was cold, overcast and there was a mist on the lake.

Greg got the little john boat ready.

Mike cooking the burgers, boy were they yummy. Keith wouldn't let me take a picture of him. Larry is patiently waiting for his burger and keeping the cook company.

I don't think this is Alex's best side.

I don't know what they were all looking at but it wasn't me.

Tommy and Austin watching a snake eat one of their fish.

Danielle a.k.a. Pochahantas and her new obsession, kayaking thanks to Mildred.

Alex and Josh in a pond prowler.

Greg praying for bigger fish.

Some cows came to get revenge for us eating thier cousins.

Gabrielle grubbin' on watermelon.

Noah grubbin' on watermelon.

Ashley, Austin, Tommy, Pam and Jodi getting a drink during the little summer shower.

Waiting for the rain to stop.

R.I.P. Ugly Rooster

It is with a heavy heart that I report Ugly Rooster is no more. It seems there was an accident in the kitchen, no one will own up to who exactly was the perpetrator in which Ugly Rooster met his doom. Farewell Ugly Rooster. LOL.

Show and Tell

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!" Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there's a story behind your special something, that's even better!

Join the fun!! Go to http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/

This is my wedding ring.

It is not my original wedding/engagement set. About 4 years ago, when I was working I had a cleaning team come into my home, a few days later when I went to look for my wedding/engagement set it was gone. Though we could never prove it, it was funny how the ring was there until they came and gone later. This is the replacement and although it is larger, it isn't my original. The Cablemann had had the original designed specifically for me and it was very pretty. I am not ungrateful for this ring especially when the Cablemann put it on my finger and told me "I love you and you will always be my wife and I will always love you." However, telling the story makes me a little melancholy.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

• Being able to put both feet on the floor.
• Being able to kiss my husband before he goes to work.
• Being able to hug my children and tickle them, and they still enjoy it.
• My iPod, you can download sermon podcasts for free and listen to them while you work, makes the work go by faster.

Christian Service Ideas

Say Thank You to Someone who has ministered to you. Pray. Listen. Visit a sick friend. Visit someone in the hospital who has no family. Pray. Clean a neighbor's walk. Mow a single Mom's lawn. Open a door. Send an anonymous gift. Give a gift certificate from a grocery store. Pray. Tip generously. Help someone learn a new skill. Babysit someone's children for free. Share a smile. Pray. Show up on sick friend's doorstep and clean their bathroom. Read to a child. Help carry a load. Share a smile. Buy yarn for a single person who knits or crochets. Invite someone to Sunday School. Pray. Get a group together and do a mini makeover of someone's yard. Take a boy hunting. Visit a nursing home. Financial Counseling. Tell the truth in Love. Pray. Buy a cashier a soft drink. Write a letter to someone overseas in prision for their Christianity. Sponsor a child. Host a yard sale and donate the profits. Take tapes of worship services to the elderly or shut-ins who can't attend worship. PRAY!!! Adopt a missionary. Come along side a busy mother. PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Love. . .

My Bible Study has been doing the Beth Moore study, Loving Well. It has got me thinking about what love really is.

Webster's Dictionary defines the kind of love I am talking about as - an unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others b : a person's adoration of God.

Is Love really an emotion? If it is an emotion is it somehow different from all other emotions?

I cannot sustain many emotions long term. I can be angry, but only for while, then the anger dissipates. I can be sad, but only for a season then the saddness mellows.

If Love is an emotion how can we be commanded to Love? Love must be something more than a chemical reaction, more than just a gut feeling. Love must be a choice. A choice we must make with the help of God.

The Cableman's Father's 76th Birthday

We celebrated the Cableman's Father's Birthday this evening. It was a fun evening. Here is a picture of the Cableman, his Father and his 2 sisters, another brother was unable to attend and was missed.

This is a picture of my new wicker furniture purchased for the party. I bought it at the Goodwill for $60, after some paint and new pillows I think it looks pretty.

Here is another picture of the Cableman's sisters and Father and some random nephews in the background.

And for all of you who are wondering what So Loved - Kim looks like here is a self portrait.

Show and Tell

Wanna share in the fun? Visit http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/ and post your show and tell.

My Papaw was a professional photographer. He took pictures of weddings, proms and did family portraits in his basement. As a child I was fascinated by all of his equipment, but the thing that intrigued me the most was this light meter. Camera's have automatic light meters in them now, but I remember him putting this up to a person's face to get the settings just right.

Papaw passed away in 1981, the summer before my 13th birthday. I was the oldest grandchild and had spent the most time with him. When I was 2 they say I used to call him Bumpy. He was a tough old bird with a heart of gold. He loved my Nana with a passion. This Father's Day I will miss him and wonder what he would have thought of his granddaughter.

Thankful Thursday

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

Today I am thankful for my Adult Bible Fellowship class. I have always longed for strong Christian relationships, and I have found them among the ladies in my ABF. They strengthen me, hold me up, love on me and exhaust me all at the same time. I love you ladies more than words can say.

Count it ALL Joy.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

James 1:2-7 NIV

Last night at Bible Study so many of my friends had so many burdens. My heart was very heavy for them. I spent a fitful night of concern for them. Perhaps it is because I have been there, in great pain and need. I know the feeling of struggle. I also know that I would not trade my struggles for all the money in the world. They have made me who I am, what I am. The season of pain and heartache may seem long, but oh, it is so beautiful on the other side. To have a heart that has been refined by the fire, to NEVER be the same again. No, I would not trade that for anything.

Don't misunderstand me. I am sinful and my heart is not pure or perfect, but it is softer than when my journey began. My faith is stronger than it used to be.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Hebrews 12:1-12 NIV

No, trials are not easy. They are not meant to be. My giants haven't always been laundry and dishes. There used to be a saying in strength training, "No pain, no gain." Well without pain our souls cannot gain either. It is not for "no reason" Jesus is called the perfecter of our faith.

I have learned this though, the sooner you recognize the trial and the sooner you put yourself on your face before God, the sooner He comes along side of you and helps you in the trial. Notice I did not say the sooner He removes the trial, which sometimes He does, I said the sooner He helps you in the trial.

Who would you rather have helping you? God? Or yourself?

I do NOT have all the answers, but I serve a God who does.

Hebrews 12:11 says, No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

It produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. This is so true.

Gabrielle the Beauty Queen

The New Pool

How to have a Yard Sale. . .

I was going to post my tips on having a successful yard sale, when I realized that I got my information from the web. That being said, here are some sites to help you host a successful yard, tag or garage sale.

http://www.yardsalequeen.com/yardsale.htm
http://www.ifg-inc.com/Consumer_Reports/GarageSale.shtml
http://www.thelaboroflove.com/forum/dollar/33.html

Junk Extravaganza

Ok, so I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I agreed to do a yard sale this weekend, yesterday as a matter of fact. Now yard sales are fun to go to, I love a good yard sale. However, hosting one is a whole different story. It is exhausting even under the best of circumstances, but I didn't stop to think (well I did think and it seemed like a good idea at the time) that this weekend was junk pickup in my neighborhood. I thought it would be easy, have the yard sale and put whatever we didn't sell out for junk day. Wellll. . . . . if that was all I had done things probably would have gone fine, but. . . (there's always a but isn't there?) I decided to clean out the basement too, so my once clean house is now a shambles. I never know when to stop. I was talking about giants the other day. Did you ever make your own giants? I have this weekend. Oh well, at least I'll sleep well, after all this hard work.

The Cableman's Boat.

I got several questions yesterday about my Show and Tell picture, so here are the answers.

The boat slip is at Nolin River Lake in Leitchfield, KY.

No, we do not live on the lake we live in the suburbs of Louisville. I would love to live close to Nolin, but I don't really have to live on the lake.

I dream of having a "mini" farm. One where we can grow our own food, etc. However, the Cableman has been in his job for 18 years, and it would be difficult for us to find a job with the kind of benefits he currently has.

We have a pontoon on Nolin, with a canvas "tent" cover. We camp on the boat. We call it our "redneck" house boat. We can't afford a houseboat right now and we are trying to remain as debt free as possible and cannot justify the payments a houseboat would require. We have a little porta-potty on the boat for emergencies and no real shower. Sometimes we rent a campsite close to the marina so we can have a hot shower.

It's a lot of work taking 4 kids and a husband to the lake, but they love it so I do it. I enjoy fishing and riding in the boat, but am exhausted when I get home after a lake weekend.

The "Million Dollar" view is one of the perks of the lake.

Show and Tell Friday

Kelli hosts Show and Tell every Friday, to get in on the fun go to http://kellishouse.blogspot.com

Today I wanted to show what I call our Million Dollar view. It is the view from our boat slip first thing in the morning. Isn't it lovely?

• Update - The only reason we ever leave the lake is because Mom (that's me) gets kinda tired of roughing it. That and we can get kinda smelly after a while. LOL!!
  

Thankful Thursday

I am Thankful for. . . .

The fact that once God starts chasing you there is no getting away from Him.

http://www2.bc.edu/~anderso/sr/ft.html. The poem "The Hound of Heaven".

Loving Well

We started our Women's Bible Study tonight. I have never done a Beth Moore study. I'm must say that I wasn't sure what to expect. Now after having gone I'm very excited. Then when I got home my sister-in-law was on the phone and I asked her if she would like to go and she said yes. I've never really invited anybody to a Bible Study before, I'm very excited.

Kim and the Giants.

Well the Lord and I knocked down a couple of those little giants today. I wouldn't have been able to do it except for Him. So many times I wanted to sit down and "rest". But I remembered something I read here. http://www.cmomb.com/the-sin-of-sloth/.

James 4:17 - Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

I know the good I ought to do. And if I don't do it simply out of laziness or being overwhelmed then I am sinning.

I was also inspired by Claudia O. at http://teenytinycabin.blogspot.com/who commented on my blog entry. Thank you so much for your encouragement.

So with the Lord's help I knocked out all the laundry, and cleaned my own bedroom (I am forever griping at the kids to keep theirs clean, time to practice what I preach.) and I cleaned the bathroom. And He motivated me to fix dinner for tonight, since I'm going to fellowship night with some ladies from ABF class.

Maybe just maybe I can get the Living Room done before I leave.

Blessing to all of you from the One who gives us strength.

Off to slay more little giants.

There are Giants in the land.

Today in ABF we studied about the children of Israel coming at last to the promised land. God was reminding them of why they had to wander for 40 years. Partially because they kept looking back to Egypt, partially because they were unfaithful to Him and partially because they were afraid, and didn't trust Him.

What giants do I face that keep me from entering my promised land? Mountains of laundry, more clutter than should be allowed by law, whining children, overweight exhaustion. My giants seem insurmountable to me, as I write this my 6 year old daughter is whining in my ear. I'm tired.

Isn't it funny that no matter how many time we trust Him in the big things, it's sometimes the little things that pile up to make our giants.

Show and Tell Friday

Ok, today's Show and Tell will be my mantel.

We have a "faux" fireplace and the mantel catches everything as soon as people walk in the door. So I decided to clear it off and start over . . .


Here is the before, the picture above the mantel was my Nana's (my grandmother). She was a great woman of faith and I am proud to have been her granddaughter. She passed away in 1994 before we had kids, but I know she would love mine. Ooops, sorry this is supposed to be about the mantel. Ok here it is blank.

Here it is with Stuff. . . please ignore the vaccum cleaner beside the mantel one of the kiddos had finished cleaning their rooms. I think the picture is too high. . . but maybe not.

If you would like to see more show and tell then head on over to http://kellishouse.blogspot.com.