snow and ice, january 2010

we got some snow and ice, not as much as i would have liked.. but it was still pretty.

you really can not look at the snow , and not be reminded of this verse.

'' Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow;''

ISAIAH 1 :18

your mission

''She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.'' Proverbs 31:12

i have been real busy these past few days, and i have not had a lot of time to study this like i would have liked, but i have spent a little time in it today. i am studying the mission of the proverbs 31 woman today.she is all about GOOD.

SHE HAS A HEART OF GOODNESS

she is GOD'S true picture of beauty.you can recognize it when you see it.she is so clean, and pure, and lovely.she has a heart of goodness.in these days, most woman are all about self- centeredness, self confidence, self image, esteem,.. it is all about them...right now, i can think of one particular lady that is just this.. it is all about HER. oh, i just wish she would wake up!!!! i really do pray for her and that GOD will change her heart because HE is the only one that can do this.. anyway, just had to share that burden with ya!!!

SHE HAS THE PRESENCE OF GOD

this lady has every intention of doing her husband good.she lives to love him, and to please him. an also, most importantly, when she does this is , she is pleasing GOD. this is a calling from GOD. and she fears the LORD. some examples would be, fixing his favorite meal, baking him that favorite cake, breakfast, or just anything you know he loves. let me say, i love doing this. i love to see that smile on my hubby's face, when i do this. he always loves and is very appreciative of evrything. this is one of the reasons i love him so much. he returns the favor to, by the way..lol..

''Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.'' Proverbs 31:30

we can stand strong against evil temptations. we are tempted everyday, with just walking around the mall, the computer, or just a walk down the aisle at the grocery store.. it is very easy to be tempted by the tv.

sometimes, our husbands do not seem ''dear'' to us. we let certain things come between us or situations appear. we are to always be good to him. he is a part of HIS plan to grow us into becoming MORE BEAUTIFUL. we need to depend on HIS grace to help us with that, and we have to depend on the strength of the LORD, and the mind of the LORD , to help us. he is always so faithful.

chris' birthday

chris' birthday cake. it was homemade carrot cake. my mother made it for him. it is one of his favorites she makes for him!!! it was sooo good!!
me and my birthday boy

angie and danny

yummo sirloin and hand cut fries, and mac and cheese

ribs, roasted corn, and fresh cut fries

drake and ben

scott and lorieann

mama and daddy

we had a great time celebrating chris' birthday with the family. it was his 38th birthday. he chose a nearby place, known for their bbq and ribs. we had a great time eating the yummy food and being with the family. corrie and ethan could not come. we hated that, but that happens. we enjoyed ourselves and the food was good!!

are you loyal?

today, my study was on loyalty and our contribution as beautiful women. how does your husband trust you?? is he always wondering where you are, or does he worry about your friends? does he ask you questions and you stretch the truth?? we should be a rock for our husbands. we ought to be honest about whereabouts, who we hang with, and talk to. we should live our lives, so that our husband never has to worry about trusting us.our strength is brought by GOD. LOYALTY is so beautiful in GOD'S eyes.


** STEPS ON LOYALTY**
*TAKE TRUST SERIOUSLY.---- this is not a joke to your husband or to GOD. he knows always.this is a cornerstone we can lay. ask GOD to transform your character and pray daily for this.
* KEEP YOUR WORD----- be a woman of your word.. don't say one thing and do something else. keep your appointments.
* FOLLOW THROUGH ON INSTRUCTIONS----- this is a measure of our faithfullness and loyalty. we can build trust by doing what we are told.
* WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK IT OUT----- check with your husband first, before you make any hasty decisions..
* BE ACCOUNTABLE---- let your husband know where you willl be and when to expect you. you never know what will happen.

we need to take HIS WORD seriously.we can trust HIM because HE is so faithful to us.
the main thing i learned in this chapter is we need to be arock for our husband, and be a woman of our word. in doing so, GOD can transform me into one of HIS treasured cornerstones.

''That our sons may be as plants grownup in their youth: that our daughters may be as corner stones,polished after the simillitude of a palace.'' PSALM 144:12

IMPROVING CHARACTER AND VALUE

I HAVE HAD A BUSY DAY. CHRIS AND I HAVE BEEN RUNNING ERRANDS, AND PREPARING FOR SOME THINGS TO COME. WE HAD A GREAT DAY. WE ATE BREAKFAST, AND WENT TO SOME FAVORITE SHOPS, NEARBY. WE CAME HOME AND SPENT ALL AFTERNOON WORKING ON A FEW LITTLE PROJECTS WE NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH. I AM THANKFUL HE IS ALWAYS WILLING AND READY TO LEND ME A HAND, WHENEVER I NEED HIM.

I HAVE SOME NOTES FROM MY STUDY I WANT TO SHARE TODAY.

** CHARACTER**

THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER TO BE BEAUTIFUL.THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN IS GOD'S IDEA OF BEING BEAUTIFUL.HE HAS HIS OWN IDEA, AND IT IS A GOOD ONE.
ISAIAH 55:8-9 FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS, NEITHER ARE YOUR WAYS MY WAYS,SAITH THE LORD. FOR AS THE HEAVENS ARE HIGHER THAN THE EARTH, SO ARE MY WAYS HIGHER THAN YOUR WAYS, AND MY THOUGHTS THAN YOUR THOUGHTS.

THIS WOMAN MAY OR MAY NOT BE MARRIED, BUT IF SHE IS, SHE HAS A HUSBAND WHO TRUSTS HER, SHE IS THRIFTY, WORKS HARD,SHE IS KIND, AND SHE IS A SMART WOMAN.SHE LOVES THE LORD AND STRIVES TO BE HOLY.
THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. IT TAKES TIME. WE NEED TO SPEND TIME IN THE WORD, MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE. THIS IS AN AREA, WHERE, I PERSONALLY AM ASHAMED. I DO NOT MEMORIZE VERSES LIKE I SHOULD , AND I WANT TO WORK HARDER AT THAT. WE NEED TO FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN LADIES.SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE: LADIES TRIPS, LADIES VISITATION, WHICH I DO TRY TO ATTEND SOME, AND OUT TO EAT AND / OR SHOPPING. EVERYONE LOVES TO SHOP, RIGHT??..LOL
RIGHT NOW, A GOOD EXAMPLE THAT I CAN THINK OF, IS MRS. RUTH GRAHAM.SHE STOOD BY HER HUSBAND, BILLY, ALL THESE YEARS, AND TOOK CARE OF THEIR FIVE KIDS WHILE HE SERVED IN THE MINISTRY.

DEDICATING OUR TIME, TALENT, TO GOD, IS TWO THINGS THAT CAN IMPROVE OUR CHARACTER, AND HELP US TO BE A BETTER EXAMPLE OF THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN.WE NEED TO DO IT TODAY BECAUSE WE MAY NOT HAVE TOMMORROW.WE NEED TO PRAY FOR HIS STRENGTH EVERYDAY.

** VALUE**
WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN? FOR HER PRICE IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES.
PROVERBS 31:10
RUBIES, CORALS,PEARLS.... EACH ONE IS UNIQUE. GOD COMPARES THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN TO THESE JEWELS. ''RARE AND HARD TO FIND''
WHEN SOMEONE SEES THIS WOMAN, THEY STRIVE TO BE LIKE HER, AND THEY WANT THAT BEAUTY SHE POSESSES. SHE IS THE SPARKLE IN HER HUSBAND'S LIFE. SHE BRINGS LOVE, JOY, AND LIFE AND ENERGY IN THE HOME. THIS IS DEFINATELY A RARE TREASURE WHEN FOUND. WE CAN USE THIS TO GROW IN SKILLS WE USE EVERYDAY. SOME EXAMPLES ARE:
HOMEMAKING- MANAGING THE HOME CAN BE DIFFICULT. IT IS SOMETHING I HAVE A HARD TIME WITH. WHENEVER I AM CLEANING, I THINK ABOUT OTHER THINGS, SHOPPING, WORK, WHAT'S 4 SUPPER..I PUT IT OFF UNTIL I REALLY HAVE TO DO IT, AND I KNOW THAT IS NOT GOOD. I LIKE TO TAKE 1 ROOM AT A TIME, AND I HATE TO CLEAN THE BATHROOM.I AM PRAYING GOD WILL HELP ME WITH THIS ONE.
MONEY- JUST KNOW YOUR LIMITS, AND IF YA HAVE NONE..THAT IS GREAT...JUST KIDDING..NO, REALLY, JUST KNOW HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE YOU HAVE, AND KNOW WHAT BILLS ARE DUE WHEN..ETC..
THINGS TO TRY TO MASTER IS TIME,TEMPER, AND TONGUE..
USE YOUR TIME WISELY, TRY TO PRIORITIZE WHAT'S WHAT.. MASTERING YOUR TEMPER IS A TOUGH ONE. IT IS REAL EASY TO FLY OFF THE HANDLE AT YOUR HUBBY AND KIDS, AND PLACE BLAME WHERE IT DOES NOT BELONG.I NEED TO TRY TO HAVE A MORE PEACEFUL HEART WHEN IT COMES TO THIS. AND ALSO, THE TONGUE.. IT IS WISE TO THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK, AND LET YOUR WORDS BE KIND, WISE,AND PLEASANT.. THESE ARE JUST SOME NOTES THAT I JOTTED DOWN TODAY FROM MY READING, AND I HOPE THEY HAVE BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU..
BOY, I AM SO CONVICTED ALREADY.. I AM STEPPING ON MY OWN TOES...LOL... BUT I AM ENJOYING THIS SO FAR, AND TODAY, MY PRAYER IS THAT I ADD SPARKLE TO OTHER'S LIVES AND TO SHINE FOR JESUS....

BEING BEAUTIFUL

i know that this title got your attention. every lady wants to be beautiful.she wants to feel beautiful, act beautiful, and look beautiful...and be told she is beautiful...

i have been doing a Bible study on just that...being beautiful.. for a lot of people, they would mostly be thinking i am talking about outward beauty.. although, i wished i were more pretty, and wished i could change some things about myself, i really am talking about more of inward beauty. my desire is to be more beautiful in GOD'S eyes.i want to be noticed as a Proverbs 31 woman. ''Who can find a virtuous woman?'' this woman is pure,honest,busy,has a strong character,kind to others,Holy, and wise. i want to display all of the things.

i will be sharing some of my thoughts of this study during the next few days/weeks.. i am praying God will show me some things through His mirror and magnify them to me, so, that i can be more beautiful for HIM..

''The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy. O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8

foot frenzy

we had a ladie's meeting on monday night. it was called ,''FOOT FRENZY''..needless to say, there were a lot of feet everywhere.. i thought i had took a few more pics, but i guess i was having too much fun and did not..so, anyway, at least, i got these two...we had FOOTLONG subs for supper, with an assortment of drinks and desserts. mrs.ava did a great job with it.. we played a foot identification game. i was in that one.. i had to stick my foot out, and people had to try to guess which one was mine..

my friend and buddy, kristi and another friend, missy, did a hillarious skit...on reading your soles....soles of your foot....i laughed real hard....and then mrs. ava did a Bible study, on ''LOOK FOR ME AT JESUS' FEET''...it was real good.. Click Here

here are the notes from the Bible study...

THINGS WE CAN DO AT HIS FEET

LEARN AT HIS FEET...LUKE 10:39.

WEEP AT HIS FEET....JOHN 11:32-35.

SERVE AT HIS FEET...JOHN 12:3.

i want to do all of these..jesus knows my every need, and i want to learn from HIM.. i am glad HE is always there for me to go to, to fall at HIS feet, and to know HE is always there when i have no one or no where else to turn.. and i want to serve HIM.. i want to always have a servant's heart, and to always have a desire to be used for HIS glory.. amen..

we each got a new pair of socks to wear , and door prizes were given.. i got a tube of foot cream..we ended the meeting with a song,''LOOK FOR ME AT JESUS' FEET.''...our group, missy, kristi, and myself, sang.. it was a fun night..

BEN IS A TEENAGER/ PART ONE

WOW..IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE 13 YEARS AGO, I WAS HOLDING THIS LITTLE SOMEONE, SOMEONE WHO ARRIVED SO PREMATURE...SOMEONE WHO HAD A ROUGH START.. THIS SOMEONE IS OUR NEPHEW, BENJAMIN LEE.... ME HOLDING BEN FOR THE FIRST TIME



HE WAS SO SMALL




HE WAS ALWAYS SMILING ,WELL..MOST OF THE TIME..LOL



THIS IS HIS FIRST EASTER, BUT HE WAS NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT..



SOUND ASLEEP



THIS WAS HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY, AND LOOK, PAWPAW HOOT GIVING HIM HIS FIRST JUG!!!! HE LOVED IT!! ...

THIS WAS WHEN HE WAS 7.. HE WAS POSING WITH HIS UNCLE CHRIS..

9 YEARS OLD HERE..


AND NOW, HERE HE IS AT 13 YEARS OLD...MY, WHERE HAS THE TIME WENT???

BEN IS A TEENAGER/PART 2

LAST NIGHT, WE HAD BEN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE NEARBY YMCA. IT WAS A COOL, RAINY, NIGHT..BUT HE HAD ABOUT 18 FRIENDS SHOW UP TO THE PARTY. WE HAD PIZZA,CHIPS, CANDY, CAKE AND ICE CREAM, AND AN ASSORTMENT OF DRINKS.. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A LOT OF FUN..YOU NEVER HAVE TO HIRE ANYBODY FOR ENTERTAINMENT FOR ANY OF OUR PARTIES..AS LONG AS YOU GOT PAWPAW..HE REALLY IS THE LIFE OF THE PARTY..

HERE HE IS WITH BEN AND HIS FRIENDS, PLAYING THE DOLLAR ''TRICK''!! THEY COULD NOT STOP LAUGHING AT HIM..I THOUGHT IT WAS SWEET, HE WAS PLAYING WITH THEM..

AND THE DRAKESTER, PLAYING WITH THE YOGA BALLS..

ALL KINDS OF CHIPS..

THIS WAS SOME GOOD PIZZA..

THEY WERE TRYING TO HURRY AND EAT, SO THEY COULD GO PLAY BASKETBALL AGAIN.

BEN

GRAN POURING THE DRINKS

OPENING CARDS AND PRESENTS, AND LOOK.. THERE'S CLAY..

THESE 2 KIDS SHOWED UP FOR THE PARTY TOO.

AWESOME CAKE//LOOKS AND THE TASTE

WE HAD A GOOD TIME, AND IT WAS FUN...NOW, THE NEXT BIRTHDAY IN OUR FAMILY, IS CHRIS'..LOL

resolutions??

every new year comes with new resolutions that one makes. whether it is too lose weight, exercise more, not spend as much money, or any other thing that comes to mind...one thing is for sure... most of the time , they are not carried out...

i usually do not make many of these, and if i do.. they are usually personal. one, i have made this year, is to try to spend more time with my family. we do spend a good bit together.. but we all have our own lives, and yet, stay extremely busy...i would like to get to spend more time with my sisters, and my mother, and have more ''girl time''..

last week, chris and i went to the mountains to ring in the new year. my niece, corrie, and her boyfriend, jamie..joined us.. we had such a great time..and enjoyed that one on one time with them, and i think they enjoyed the time with us also.. they both needed to get away from their work and school enviroments, and just hang out.. we went shopping, ate at some great places, and took in all the sights and sounds.

one of the reasons i made this resolution was, a lady in my church, was recently killed in a car accident the week before Christmas..she was the mother of four children, and the wife of a good GODLY man.i am sure last Christmas, she or her four kids or husband, never thought this would happen..they just went on just like everybody else did.. but now, this Christmas their mother was not there..they had her funeral just days before.. so, it kind of hit me hard, to never take for granted those wonderful times together...and when you have those wonderful times of fellowship, take in each other, the smiles, laughter, facial expressions....stories....it is times like these that matters the most... because you never know when you or your family member will go, you just need to be ready.

i, too, have made another resolution, and that is to try to read more. i want to read my KJ Bible, more and more, and i want to learn more from the Word of God.. like i said, alot of people make several resolutions and some are kept, and some or not, but with the LORD'S help, i hope to keep mine.. happy new year..and may GOD richly bless ya this year in a very special way..