Facing adversity? Well...me too...this is from a friend

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:

1. God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30

2. God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags...if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." James 1:2-3

3. God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something...health, money, a relationship... by losing it. "It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws." Psalm 119:71-72

4. God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good... Genesis 50:20

5. God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." Romans 5:3-4

Here's the point: God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him.

Sportin' the VBS crafts

The boys are wearing crafts made at VBS tonight. The blue tie dye is Luke, the red/yellow is Drew, the purple is Evan. They haven't taken them off...they even are trying to go to sleep with them on right now...it's not working. I'll have to go make them take it off. Imagine how popular that will be.

How sad my Creator must be...

This is not for the faint at heart. I caution you.

My stomach turned a few times upon seeing these images. I have seen some before, but these...these were somehow more disturbing to me than the others ever had been.

I don't understand it. I just can't understand it.

That's why I will always vote for the man or woman who opposes this. No matter what else. If we don't value life itself, what else is there?


































This is a view inside the placenta.

How many people would adopt these beautiful babies if they were only given the chance? It makes me ill to think about it. I encourage you to follow the story that Peter Heck has been airing as it unfolds regarding Planned Parenthood. The numbers are astounding. www.peterheck.com

Add a trophy to the piano

Luke got his second trophy in two days. Tonight's was from t-ball...too cute! I'll get some pictures up here...
First picture is of Drew and my Grandparents...I love these people! I hate when they leave for Florida! :)













This is Luke's tball team tonight. Luke is the last one on the right standing up. Chad is right behind him. My niece, Sammy, is the second one from the left on the first row. The next picture is Chad (coach), Luke, and Sammy.

















This one is of Luke and some kids from church, including my nephew, singing on Mother's Day. I was so proud. I don't think I put this on here before, so I thought I would add it. Luke is in the peach and Colton, my nephew, is in pink. They sang "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord." I think Tree63 sings it. It was really sweet....










Sorry I don't have one on here of Evan or Gabriel...It seems like I always post pictures of Gabe...and Evan just goes through phases where the he doesn't take many pictures for whatever reason, so it always seems like I have fewer of him. I'll try to make sure to even it all out soon! Well, that's it for now. Have a great day!

Surviving the Storm...in more ways than one.

The Kids Camp that I do every year is now over for the summer! Hallelujah! That crazy time is over and life will calm down - if only briefly.

Luke was voted as the most improved boy by the high school "staff" and it was great! He got what he called "his first real trophy." Chad was gone and not able to attend, and he kept calling and calling his dad. He now has Chad's cell phone number memorized. Luke said, "He's gonna be happier than he has ever been!" He is so proud. So the piano has a new ornament on top! Luke moved stuff over and gave the trophy a new home. He ran up on stage to accept his award, and he was sooooo happy!

It made my day! Not only because he takes an interest in something so special to me (music and performing)...but because he did so well this week that the kids recognized him. (He was up against 6 other nominated kids...)

Even if he wouldn't have gotten an award, I would have been proud of him, but this was a great end to the week of camp! It's always a HUGE amount of work, but at the end, I always look back with fondness...

On an other note, the REAL excitement of the day was the HUGE storm that happened as many of the kids working my camp were waiting for their parents to pick them up. It had 80 mph winds. NASTY! It tore the roof off and blew out the sides of the bus barn right outside the performing arts center at our school, so of course, we all watched that happened. That was crazy. Since Luke was with me, it made him pretty anxious.

The next thing I knew, the assistant principal was on the p.a. saying to seek shelter if there was anyone in the building (by this time it SHOULD have been just employees because summer school hours were over and my kids, like I said, were waiting on rides). So since they didn't realize we were still in the building, I told them we would head to the front so that if something major did happen, they would know where we were....so we started the 8 mile trek (well, it's long - but not that long) to the front office. We were met by a few custodial people and the assistant principal who was screaming at us to take cover....get in that restroom. Sit near the wall! Cover your heads! Of course, that sent Luke in to hysterics. One person with me was a parent who literally almost could not walk in to the building. When he had gotten there for his two kids, he decided to take cover inside the building. This was the same time the barn was being damaged. When he opened the door (which was near impossible), it felt like a sand storm. Instantly all of us standing there couldn't see because of the debris and dust in our eyes. It was rather exciting. Surprisingly, I stayed REALLY calm. Almost eerily calm. I think it was because I was "in charge" of those kids and my son was so upset. When we got in the restroom, I sat him on my lap on the floor and held him. While we waited, I let him play Garfield bowling on my cell phone (which was a great $3.99 investment), and that helped him. It occupied him while he had to sit so still and wait, and he didn't mind me holding him tightly and covering his head with myself and arms. All in all, the assistant principal was probably a little over -reactive, but who is to say that I wouldn't have been if Luke wouldn't have been there and I was in charge and I didn't know who all was in the building....It made for good stories and memories, though. Huddled in one women's restroom. At least it's over.

Now Friday? RELAXATION (I hope) before VBS next week. Then it's off to Maryland! YAY!

AWESOME parenting advice...from me. And I repeat, AWESOME!

Seriously, when you are too exhausted to find out why someone has poked the other one, why the older one is screaming like a banshee (did I spell that right?), why the baby is laughing but the other three are fighting, why three boys just ran from one end of the house silently and sat without so much as a peep and when you look at them they are smiling at you on the couch suspiciously,....I find it best to just say, "Kick him back...." and then I usually follow it while that one is running away with a "Get ready, [insert name here], here it comes!"

Also, Gabriel and I went in for hair cuts last Friday. Here are the results. I love the fact that it took 5 minutes to completely dry and style. I had 8 imches cut off....there was a time when I wouldn't have even considered it...Now, I realize it looked much better this morning after I had done it, but a day at school, wrestling with 4 boys, and some hot weather later, this is the result....




I ALSO realize, Dan, that based on previous conversations in Baldwin, you DO NOT like it. :)