FAFSA

How many of you have heard of this? Yes, it's that time of year again when the government tells us how much we can contribute to our daughters education. You have to have a sense of humor when getting the results. If not you will become very depressed. I often wonder who came up with this system. They don't care what you owe or about the others left in your household. I am so grateful for the scholarship money our daughter does receive and that she contributes toward her education. We feel it's important for kids to make a financial contribution towards their education. I know it's hard for Emm because she attends a college that a lot of wealthy kids attend and they pay for nothing. Not one book, not a pizza, nothing. As adults we know that life does not work that way. I have always told my children education is a gift you give yourself and that God honors hard work. I believe that more than ever.

So even though their calculations are not my calculations, I will call on my theme song once again and I will not be moved!!

Life is hard but God is good!!

Coming Home

The best part about winter is that apparently when you're in college at Hanover you get a winter break. That means I am going to pick up our girl and she will be home for a week. I hope she is able to catch up on some rest and get healthy. She has cooties too.
Her sweet boyfriend is coming for the weekend and I pray it doesn't snow so they can go out and have some fun.
Life does go on here and it's going to be pretty busy. Levi has his first swimming meet next week and he is ready . He loves swimming. It's his winter sport. Garrett will start his tennis clinic at Earlham College and that runs for 6 weeks on Sunday afternoons. This was Garretts first year for tennis and he just loved it. His coach wanted him to play through the winter and so we press on.
My cooties are better but I'm still not 100%. Hope your week has been fantastic and I hope to share some fun stuff soon.

Cooties

I still have cooties and they are really bringing me down. I am not good at finding that day of rest. You know the one that the 4th commandment talks about. That's how important it is. So now I'm down and have to rest. Why is this such a hard one for me? Do you struggle with this? I have a hard time just sitting and watching a movie. I mean I like to have a project going while I'm watching the movie. So if you have any tips, scriptures or just plain words of wisdom I am all ears!!
Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Teenagers, Museums and More

Well , went on the 7th grade field trip and what was I thinking volunteering to chaperon teenagers in at the Art museum? Some of these kids have never been to a museum and don't know the meaning of don't touch. I was pleasantly surprised that we made it through the museum without any mishaps. The kids had been studying Japanese culture and it was cool that our museum has a whole exhibit. They got to see pieces that were dated 4500BC. I was amazed by this. It made me think about what are we doing that can stand the test of time? What treasures will be found to represent my generation?

My favorite part of the trip was having middle school boys singing Taylor Swifts Romeo & Juliet song. It makes me feel good when kids can just be kids.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

I came away with some of their cooties and I have the runny nose and yuck again!! Don't you love when they share?

Have a wonderful week!

Happy Love Day!!

Hope you all have a great Love day. It's a day to love those around you and maybe surprise someone with a little kindness.

I had a girlfriend brunch yesterday and after a very hard working week it was just what I needed. We had a yummy menu and just a few decorative touches. I made "conversation hearts" and wrote questions on them that we all took turns answering. Examples: What is the most romantic thing that 's ever been done for you? What do you do to show your family you love them? It was fun to hear the romantic stories and to hear how their are benefits to having no electricity. We talked and caught up with each other about life and how quickly our kids have grown. Next came craft time. We made cards and I had them decorate candy bars and candy boxes for their loved ones. Everyone went home with a goody bag and I even got some sweet treats. Check out the awesome bag my sweet friend Julie made for me. She is way talented.

I have been working a lot and miss seeing my friends. We are all such a different group but we truly know God brought us all together. I can remember the first time I met my German Baptist friends and what drew me to them was their great smiles and they are so hard working.

What I really want people to get is that don't be afraid of different. Whether it be a bonnet on someones head, the color of their skin or maybe even their size, don't not put yourself out there and miss an opportunity to know amazing people.

I always say I am so blessed to have such a fabulous group of females in my life. Thank you Lord for bringing them into my life!!

God's Plans

Do you ever wonder what God's plan for you is? I remember preparing to speak at a mother/daughter banquet this past May and I was so caught up in my daughter graduating and all the plans God had for her that I really started to question who I was going to be now .

I started to hear what the world says I am and let me tell you there is no fun in that. If I believed half of what magazines and media say about middle age overweight women I would still be in the bed with the covers over my head. Was I putting my energy on trying everything I could to stop the aging process? Did I feel good about who I was? A middle aged overweight woman? 2 Corinthians tells us we are wasting a way. So ladies the outside is a losing battle but the inside? Now that's a place I can work on.

So, I started concentrating on who God says I am. You know a daughter of a king, a devine design, the apple of his eye. Wow, that sure changes a girls perspective. So as I prepared my message it was as if God was sitting right next to me and said " I have plans for you too" !! Here I was talking about all the glorious plans he had for our Emme and he reminded me he wasn't finished with me.

When I went to share my message with this wonderful group of ladies I was amazed how the Holy Spirit filled that sanctuary and tears were streaming down their faces. He knew so many women felt as I did and he wanted them to know he believes in us and has plans for us. It was so powerful.

I left them with the task of creating a label. A God label if you will. One we could wear to remind ourselves of who God says we are. I have included a picture and I do hope if you have a girl nite coming up or a women's retreat that you will have the ladies make one and wear it. It changes every thing when we start believing what our Father says we are.

The Stamps family

If you have been praying for Harper thanks so much. Here is the sweet family going home. Look what God can do. This precious baby wasn't going to make it through the night but after 20 days and many prayers they are home. Praise God !

I can relate to her story so much. Years of infertility and I get pregnant with our precious boys on our last try. It's funny thinking back and remember that I had to be obedient. I had to give up a job I loved but in return the very next month I was pregnant. The boys gave me all kinds of trouble and I was in and out of the hospital 15-20 times. Poor Emm would wake up with me being gone and Grandma would be there to take her to school. She was in kindergarten. A very special time for her. I can remember driving her to school and pulling over to vomit. Bless her little heart. The boys came early and had to be transported to another hospital and put in the NICU. I had a C-section and couldn't go see them until I was released. Leaving the hospital without your babies is one of the hardest things I have ever done. But God is so good. I had been praying the Lord would protect them and send them an angel to care for them. When we arrived at the hospital I noticed a nurse caring for them and I couldn't believe it, it was one of my dear friends from high school. I started sobbing right there. He had sent me a familiar angel.

God reminded me that he was there monitor and not to worry when they came home. God has always provided and met all my needs and I just want you to know he can do it for you too.

No matter your situation , he can carry you through. There are miracles all around us.

If you need prayer or encouragement please feel free to email me.

I know I rambled a bit but I just wanted to let you know that God works in every one's life if we let him.

Time for a Song

Praise

I just wanted to give a quick update on the renter situation. It was awesome how on a cold snowy day God brought so many people to the other house to look at it. One man came with his wife and he meant business. We had so many people interested that we had to tell them sorry .
Isn't that amazing? It gets better the man whipped out the money, finished up the drywall, painted and asked if he could pay one month ahead. Can I get an AMEN !!

Please refer to : Ephesians 3:20 God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.


This is so true and thank you all so much for your prayers. We are very hopeful that God has brought us the perfect renter!!

Alive and Almost Well

Well, the tummy bug came to visit our house and Levi and I where the lucky winners. I'm hoping this will help with my weight loss goals. I had big plans this week to start sharing some of the stuff from the retreats I've done . I was already to encourage and motivate. So there will be a short delay in my sharing.
One thing being sick does is it makes me stop and be still. I am so not good at that. I don't like being sick, at all. Not that anyone does but it really made me think about my friend Michal and the chemo battle she is about to face. How do people do it? I mean really. Taking care of the kids and keeping the house up while vomiting? Feeling so bad that you want to just stay in bed with the covers over your head. How do you get to be the mommy and wife you want to be? I mean when I feel bad I am not Miss Congeniality. So many people battle cancer and the treatments are brutal. I pray that Michal's treatment will be bearable but effective. I pray her children can still see her beautiful smile and the love she has for them. May her husband only love her more.
So I thank God today that I am alive and well and I pray for all those that are battling disease and my hope is that they find strength in our Lord.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength