Fun, Food, and A Prayer Request!!

After a week of rain and storms, I decided since we couldn’t be outside swimming or riding our bikes or anything else, we would bring an outside activity in!!  So Friday evening I broke out my kitchen torch, marshmallows, graham crackers, and hershey bars, and we all gathered around the kitchen island and had Smores Night!!  Oh what fun and how YUMMY!!

Saturday we met our friends, Loren and Brian, for dinner/date night with our hubbies!!  We met at a wonderful little cafe in one of my favorite parts of town.  As usual when Loren and I are together, there was lots of laughter.  We all ordered our dinners and were completely surprised when Loren and I got our meals, they were HUGE.  We had both ordered a strip steak served over twice baked home fries, now these people mean business, we so should have SHARED!!  Dan and Brian, on the other hand, had normal sized meals, then helped us with ours, and we still both took some home!!

Loren and I being our goofy/cheesy selves with our MAN-sized meals!!!

Here we all are posing outside the restaurant!!!

After a great weekend of family and fun, we had to head to the airport Sunday for Dan to go to China, AGAIN!!  The kids came over in the morning for a while and brought our granddaughter to see him off.  Please keep him in your prayers today, he left Chicago about 10:30 this morning and his flight is about 15 hours long, so he will be in the air until sometime around 1:00 AM CST.  

"May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.” Matthew 31:49

Believing you all had a great weekend!!

Counting it all Joy!!

Gifts!!

Across my back porch, I have three hanging pots with flowers planted in them.  I love to look out my living room or breakfast room windows to see them blowing in the breeze.  I’m always so excited every year to plant new flowers for us to enjoy the whole season!!  This year we picked Begonias for the back porch and they have been really pretty.  

Recently, sitting at the table for lunch every day, I started noticing a bird pulling at the dry grass that makes up the planter.  I knew it was probably making a nest somewhere, but I wasn’t so thrilled that it was tearing up my planter to do it.  I started shooing the bird away every time I saw it, hoping we would be able to salvage the planter for the remainder of the flower season.  Then, I guess, I could leave it out there for the birds to enjoy!!

See what they are doing to it!!

A week or so ago, my sweet hubby was out there watering for me and when he took the one down that the bird had been picking at, he told me to come see what he had found.  

A perfectly shaped birds nest right in the middle of my Begonia plant and it had 5 eggs in it.  I was so excited and so were the kids!!  I mean, I couldn’t really believe that all the time I was shooing that bird away, it was building a nest and laying eggs right in the middle of my flowers.  I felt kind of bad for shooing it, but was glad I had shooed it enough that the bottom hadn’t fallen out and dumped the nest!!

We have been checking on it several times a day and finally over the weekend we had one baby bird and four eggs.  Unfortunately, the next day we had one, new tiny baby, and one older dead baby.  I was so sad!!  The momma came and carried the dead one away and by now the other eggs have hatched.

This is what we have now!!  The fourth one is under these, but it is there!!

When we go out to check on them, the mom will sit on the house behind us and watch us.  We have taught the kids to make sure they don’t touch them or disturb the nest so the momma won’t feel threatened or abandon the babies.  

Another reminder of how amazing God truly is.  How He created that bird to pull at my planter and make a perfect nest for her babies.  How He gave her the mommy’s love to make sure they are safe and to take such good care of them. 

The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.  Song of Solomon 2:12

What a JOYful gift He has given us!!

What Joyful gift has He given you lately??

Counting it all Joy!!

The Man

Yesterday while out running errands with the kids, we passed a man on a street corner holding a sign that said, “I would rather beg than steal”.  

My first thought was about all the panhandlers who stand in that exact spot, holding signs that say all sorts of things, begging for money.  I have even seen two people fighting over the spot before, which seemed strange to me considering there are lots of busy street corners around town.  Unfortunately, this form of collecting cash has become so common and abused in our city, that they tend to get ignored or overlooked.  There have been newspaper articles about it and about how many of these people are just scamming you, there was even a reporter who went undercover and lived among them for several months to investigate.  His findings were that some were really homeless, destitute, and at the end of their rope, while others had decent lives but didn’t like to work and could make more money standing on a street corner looking sad a couple hours a day then they could working full time.  I remember when this seemed to be such a big topic, everyone was talking about it.  I hurt for the ones who were forced, for whatever reason, to live like this and I was angered by the ones who were scamming and taking from those who actually needed it.  The end result for so many though was to ignore them all because you couldn’t tell the legitimate ones from the scammers.  

As we passed this man yesterday and one of the twins asked if I had seen what his sign said, I have to admit, my thoughts weren’t the greatest.  He was a younger guy, didn’t appear to have anything wrong with him, and didn’t look all that homeless.  I made the comment that he could probably get a job somewhere, even if it was at McDonalds or some other fast food place and that would keep him from having to beg or steal.

I know I have to teach my boys to work hard to provide for themselves and their future families and I don’t ever want them to think standing on a street corner begging for money is the way to do that, but first and foremost I have to teach them to have the heart of Jesus.  Wow, with the attitude I had about that man, I failed miserably!!

My boys are used to seeing these guys, but this one seemed to stick with them, maybe it was because of what his sign said.  Later in the day they told their dad about him and the whole conversation we had and I thought, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!!!  Who’s heart am I accountable for anyway - mine and my boys or his!!!  

When we got home and got the mail, I had received a new book to review all about simple ways to practice justice and compassion.  Oh Jesus your timing is amazing!!!  This morning I got up for my quiet time and eventually was led to Matthew 25 - 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”   

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” 34-40

You know, we never know who is for real and who isn’t, but that isn’t the important part.  Jesus expects us to have the right heart regardless of what others are doing.  I know I would give money or anything else I have to hundreds of people regardless of their heart, if I knew Jesus was going to be one of them.  HELLO - Jesus is all of them - He said “whatever you did for the least of these, you did for ME”.  You never know how the kindness of Christ through you will affect another person, you just have to be willing to do what He wants you to do and let Him do His part.

I know this, nothing new, just a slap from the Lord to get out of MY world and back to HIS!!

Thank you Jesus for reminding me to love all and to have compassion for all your people.  I know You gave me a heart for people and usually I am in tune with what You want, but I also know I fail sometimes.  Thank you for showing me my flaws and for helping me to work on them.

Counting it all Joy!!

Why I “Count it all Joy” Wednesday

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!!

To join in on all the JOY, grab my button for your post, make your own JOY list, 

and link up below this post so others will be able to find your blog!  

Don’t forget to post a link on your blog back to me!

I am filled with JOY because this week I decided to put a new spin on my JOY list.  After months of my family reading my Wednesday “JOY” posts, I decided to get them involved.  I asked my sweet hubby and my three youngest boys to give me two reasons they are filled with JOY this week.  They all not only jumped right on it, but did it with JOY!!

I am filled with JOY because I have such a hilarious and loving family.- Isaac

I am filled with JOY because there are people willing to risk their lives to spread the gospel. - Isaac

I am filled with JOY because God is so good. - Adam

I am filled with JOY because my parents have dedicated their lives to giving kids (us and every kid they have ministered to doing Children’s Ministry) a firm foundation in Christ. - Adam

I am filled with JOY because I have parents who have taught me to LOVE JESUS. - Drew

I am filled with JOY because I have a super close family that is not afraid to laugh. - Drew 

I am filled with JOY because I have a family that endures my being a pack rat and laughs with (at) me about it. - Dan

I am filled with JOY because I have the ability to laugh, even when not everyone around me is laughing or when it might not seem like there is something to laugh about. - Dan

I am filled with JOY because the Lord has blessed me with the JOY I get from being Dan’s wife, Lindsey, Shane, Drew, Adam, and Isaac’s mom, Andy’s mother-in-law, Ella’s Nanny, and friends with all of you!!

JOY is contagious!!  My family caught on, spread the JOY to your family and they will catch on too!!  I can already feel Joy changing our world one family at a time!!

SO LOVE YOU ALL!!

Counting it all Joy!!

Testing 1 2 3

We had a fabulous weekend full of church, family, food, and lots of fun.  I had every intention of getting up this morning, having my quiet time, and giving you a picture tour of the highlights, but during my quiet time, while reading in one of my devotional books, my eyes landed on - Deuteronomy 8:2  “Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.”

You know, the part where God was leading the Israelites in the wilderness for forty years to humble them, prove them, and to see if they would keep His commandments.  My devotional said - Tests come in hard times, not good times, because not everything God asks us to do is going to be easy.  That is why He tests us to see if we are ready and able before He promotes us to a higher level of responsibility.

I sat here thinking about our responses or reactions to the little things in life, you know, like how we act at a restaurant if the wait is WAY longer then they said it would be, or how we respond to our kids when we feel we have told them the same thing over and over, or what about that customer service person we speak to after being overcharged on our cell phone bill and it seems no matter what we say we can’t get through to them, or what about our spouses, do we snap at them sometimes in frustration? 

So many times we get so caught up in how we behave in the big things that we forget how important the little things are, we respond so positively to our boss who is asking for (in our opinion) the impossible, but we get frustrated at our kids or spouse for something not nearly so impossible.  James 1:2-4 - you know my COUNTING IT JOY verse talks about the testing of our faith developing perseverance, and it says perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  

You know, it’s in these times of trouble or testing that we get the best picture of who we really are.  Oh my, that’s not always so wonderful for me to think about!!  I know, I try to react in a good, or positive way, but I also know sometimes I fail miserably.

My devotional said - God is not impressed with what we say we will do, He is impressed with what we prove we will do under pressure!!   

There it was again, a true picture of who we are should be taken while we are under pressure!!  James 1:12 says, “ God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

Thank you Jesus for always reminding me of the little (and sometimes big) things in my life that need attention.  I know there will always be tests and trials but I also know if you could stand the cross, I can surely stand the trials of my life.  Thank you for your promise of the crown of life because I do love you so!!

Don’t forget, tomorrow is Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!!  Grab my button, make your JOY list, and come back tomorrow and link up.  JOY is contagious, spread some around, and see how it changes your world!!

Counting it all Joy!!

Oh What A Night!!

We had a great time celebrating Drew's 19th Birthday!!

Drew picked Osaka Japanese Steakhouse for dinner!!

Drew, Adam, Isaac, and I tried Sushi for the first time!!!  The first roll gagged us, but we all liked the second kind we tried!  We did let dad finish it off though since he loves it!!

This is our Hibachi Chef!!  

By this point, we had eaten a salad, mushroom soup, the sushi, and we were watching him make our entrees, YUM!!!

Most of us are so good with our forks, that we use them, my sweet hubby, however, spends WAY too much time in China and has gotten as good with chopsticks as he is with a fork!!

The whole FAM!!!  

I might get out of fixing dinner occasionally, but since I was once branded The Sweet Lady, I always get the JOY of making a favorite dessert.  He ordered a take-off of a cupcake I used to make when I was still in business.  Layered banana cake with caramel and banana filling, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings!!

The big birthday song followed by the blowing of candles!!

She wasn’t excited for the cake or anything!!

We can’t end a Muly birthday without some silliness, actually they usually start and end with silliness!!  WHAT JOY!!

Psalm 127:3-5 

  Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
       children a reward from him.

  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
       are sons born in one's youth.

  Blessed is the man
       whose quiver is full of them.
       They will not be put to shame
       when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Praying and believing that you will all have a safe and JOY filled 4th of July weekend!!  Tell a soldier how much you appreciate them if you get a chance!!  I’m sure thankful mine will be home this year!!

Counting it all Joy!!

My Drewbie!!!

After months and months of excitement and waiting and planning the day was finally here.  The day I would go to the hospital, and after lots of pain and torture, they would lay that beautiful bundle of JOY in my arms and I would meet him for the first time.  I wouldn’t know, at that time, how he would change my world.  This tiny (well at 9 1/2 pounds he wasn’t so tiny) little guy looking up at me in such wonder.  His daddy leaning over us with tears running down his face.  Everyone gathered round to get a glimpse of him.  His big sister and big brother were so excited.  Lindsey felt she had a new baby doll, only he was real, and she couldn’t wait to get her hands on him.  The 6 year old momma in her kicked in!!  Shane, on the other hand, looked as if he had played a huge part in getting him here.  He was filled with such pride and admiration, it just beamed on his face.  He was 4 and with his puffed up chest, he made it clear that no one would mess with HIS baby brother.  Bonds were made that day, lifelong bonds.  God had given us just what we needed. 

I could go on and on and tell you his whole life story, all 19 years, but I won’t.  I will just say the Lord gave us a special gift that day.  Drew has always had such a sweet spirit, but he was always so shy and quiet, I was afraid he would be overlooked because he did nothing to draw attention to himself.  As he was growing up though we had strangers walk up to us and tell us “Your son really has a sweet spirit, the Lord has a special plan for his life.”  He was so little still, that seemed so strange to us, not that we didn’t agree, it just seemed odd coming from strangers who were barely around him.  Then I realized I had been thinking of the world not noticing him when all along he had been noticed, in a big way, by the ONE that really mattered!!

As the years have flown by, we have watched him become the man God intended him to be.  He has such a heart for God and for people.  I can’t wait to see what the Lord continues to do through him. 

Right now he attends Oral Roberts University, then he will go on to Culinary School after which he wants to minister to kids and families through food (more on that some other time).  The Lord is laying great things on his heart and I am so excited to get to be a part of it all!!

Proverbs 23:24-26 paraphrased for your life:

You are a righteous man and your dad has great JOY, you are wise and HE delights in you.  We are both so glad to have you, and I rejoice because of you!!  You have given your heart to the Lord and you ALWAYS strive to keep HIS ways.”

Happy 19th Birthday to my sweet son!!  You fill my life with JOY!!  I am so blessed that God chose ME out of every other woman in the world to be your MOM!!

Especially Counting it all Joy today!!