And some of actual People...

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Memorial Day...

I promised some pictures of yesterdays party...and here they are...Oh, and just in case you are wondering...With the help of my best friends (aka coupons!) The party only cost me $1.81 out of pocket!!! Isnt that awesome???

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Day 12

STILL CLEAN!!!!!!!!

Can you believe it??? We actually had a huge party, and lots of company over the weekend, and it is still clean. There were a few days that it got a little messy, but overall...it has stayed clean for 12 days. Only 9 more to go before it becomes a habit!!! It takes 21 times of doing something for it to become habit.

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Sweet Fresh Rain

The wonder of rain...sweet smelling, fresh, soft, hard, beautifully created, wet, purifying, cleansing rain.

I woke up this morning to a glorious sound. Rain...Nice steady rain against my window. Rain is so precious. It gives life. It cleans. It reminds us that it takes days like this to make us appreciate sun. When God flooded the earth, He used water to rid the earth of its sin. To purge it.

Job 37:5, 11-13
"God thundereth marvellously with His voice; greath things doeth He, which we can not comprehend...Alsoo by watering He wearieth the thick cloud; He scattereth His bright cloud. And it is turned round about by His counsels: that they may do whatever He commandeth upon the face of the world in the earth...He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for His land, or for mercy."

Isn't rain an awesome thing???

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Favorite Picts...

Ok, so they are not new pictures, but I found these today and they made me smile...
This picture is of Brian, Abbie, and Isaac while Bri was recouping last fall. The kids were so worried about him. One day, I came in and they were all sitting there like this watching He-Man on the tv in our room...
This is of Abbie and Isaac at our Halloween trick or treat night. We passed our tracts that night. I love seeing my kids looking like they like each other lol!!!


This was of me and Isaac at the Children's Museum...He is such a HOOT!

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You never know...

...how you might be used! On our first date, Brian failed to leave the tip for our waitress. He was so excited about the date, that he forgot (he actually did this several times when we were dating! lol) Anyhow, the poor girl was really going through a rough time. It was Christmas time, and I felt terrible. The manager of that restaraunt banked at the branch I worked at. The next day, I put $10.00 inside a Christmas Card and told this girl the story of how it was our first date and we were so sorry. Also, told her that I prayed God would bless her that day. (It was a cheap meal, so a $10.00 tip was like 60%! lol) The manager told me the next day that this girl actually was considering suicide and when she received our card she started crying. Our card told the story of salvation on it. I dont know that she got saved that night, but I do know that it stopped her from ending her precious God give life.

Fast forward to today. I have been having a miserable time of it lately. God has been blessing in HUGE ways, but I have been struggling with some depression. Silly I know...Embaressing I KNOW! lol...Today, I received an email from somebody who doesnt know me at all. She just knew that I was struggling...and listened to God's prompting. She gave me the verse Jer. 29:11. It really hit me. Yes, I knew this verse by heart since I was 8...Yes, I claim to believe every word of it. Yet, why do my actions not show the fruit of this belief??? Thank you dear sister in Christ for the fresh reminder and for an encouraging word. It was exactly what I needed...and you probably didnt know God was going to use you in such a big way today huh???

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Day 5

Still clean...we had one contractor come look at the house yesterday. And got the scope of work that they will be completing. Wowsers. Kinda sad that the family room and dining room floor will not be done, but one can still hope huh? By the way...it is a beautiful day here today. Can only imagine how grander it will be in heaven...

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Day 1

Just to mark my battle to overcome the messy house disease...This is DAY 1 of my victory...

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Our House...is a very very very fine house...

Ok, so maybe I can find a song for every situtation in my life, but isnt that a good quality??? :)

Renovation is about to finally begin!!!!! We sign the final paperwork next week and meet with the contractors on Monday (like in 3 days!!!) So, I figured it was time to start on some before pictures!

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Silly Miracle...

Ok, I have been secretly praying for gas for our grill...and for weed-be-gone. Yesterday, I realized that with coupons, I am going to earn almost $40.00 at Meijer this week...should cover the propane!

And Brian received a $20.00 gift card to Walmart from his work! Providing the weed stuff! YIPPPEEE for a God that cares about us eating and desires for our yard to MAGNIFY Him... instead of weeds. (which He also made, but I dont think it is very glorifying to Him in our driveway! :))

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To Magnify...

mag·ni·fy : 1 a : EXTOL, LAUD b : to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect 2 to increase in significance :

I am to be a magnifier of God. In Job 36:24 it says: Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

What a cool job huh? We are designed to point the finger at a HUGE God. We are to lead others to have a higher veiw of their Creator. All of His works are to magnify Him. And we are His greatest work. We are to be the looking glass that shows God in a bigger fashion to the world. I am failing. I must be a more diligant looking glass. My glass is probably so dirty and covered in spots that others can not see Him. How are you doing? Praying...

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Juicy Fruit...

Am I bearing big juicy fruit? I have not figured out a way that I could present exactly what I am thinking, without offending some that might read this, so I am going to leave my post with this...My search for who I am. Who God has designed me to be. These are the basics. These are biblical principles for who He wants me to be, so that I might bear Him fruit...

1. I am a lover of God. I am His servant. I am His follower. I am His to be glorified through. I am His learner.

2. I am a lover of Brian. I am his servant. I am his follower. I am his partner. I am his helper.

3. I am a mother of Abbie and Isaac. I am their servant. I am their leader. I am their teacher. I am their example of Christ. This must come after God and Brian. I cant allow myself to put them first.

4. I am a member of The Church. I am it's servant. I am it's helper. I am a teacher to some, and example for others, and learner above all else. Because this is an act of servanthood, and it is my venue of worship...it is hard to seperate it from #1. The fellowship of the church must come after my husband and children, but the service to my savior must come before. My God would not ask me to do anything that will harm my children, so I must trust Him that fully obeying His commands, will only bless them.

I am praying that God will show me where I am failing so that I might start producing the fruits that are glorifing to Him alone. Join me???

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Missing Brian...

Why would I miss a man who can pull on every string in my heart and twist them into one big knot, I dont know. But, I do. I haven't gotten to spend very much time with him lately. He has been working a job outside of the church, and the church is needing strange hours out of him also. Lots of phone calls and such. His sleep schedule is messed up...and so is mine. Thus, me typing away at 12:37 pm~ We were apart this past weekend, and are looking at the possiblity of being apart this coming week also. I should be rejoicing over a break from this man who is so stressed. Instead, I find myself worried that he will not be ok without me. And vice versa. I love the connection that God has given us this past year. There have been so many terrible things happen, yet God has used those things for His glory in more ways than one. One of the best ways though is my new love for my husband. Yes, he is a booger...but he is my booger.!!!!!! :) And I would pick him once more if I had to pick again! Love you baby...and missing you tonight.

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Blessed Beyond Belief

Wow...What a great weekend. I am not going to write all the details, but it was wonderful. It never ceases to amaze me how God can bring women from all over the world together. How you can walk into a room and feel like you have known these girls forever. How you can feel so blessed and cherished by a lady that you might not have even recognized on the street! What a might God I serve. He knew what I needed and gave it to me precisly at the right time...and I am thankful!

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