Encouraging Word

TODAY'S ENCOURAGING WORD - 1/30/2010
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
--Psalm 40:1, NLT

Prayer Please

Here I was complaining and I needed to be reminded of what's really important. My friend Cindy's 18 yr old son Corey was killed in a car accident last night. He was on his way to a youth group event. I find comfort knowing that . He would have graduated this May. Please pray for Cindy and her family. Corey was a big brother, a friend, a son and so so young. She is grief stricken and her walk with the Lord has been growing. Let's pray she calls upon him even more.

Thank you all so much!!

Pulse on America

I wanted to check the pulse of America's education system. How are your schools doing with this recession? I am 46 years old and have never seen anything like it. I knew things were bad but never thought education would take a hit. Why? Because we have the lottery and casino's like you wouldn't believe. I can remember the sales pitch when gaming was first introduced...it's going to do great things for our schools. Our education will be some of the best. This is so not true! Our school recently had to lay off 14 staff members . The school board met with the community last night to share there is more to come unless we allow them to do a tax referendum. It was packed out last night. Standing room only and the diversity was amazing. People in this community truly care about these kids. Young, old, unemployed, teachers, parents and grandparents.
I sub a lot and have the opportunity to see a little bit more than the average parent. Recently the temperature in the school came way down, I mean it's cold in there. The teachers warned me to bring a jacket . No complaining just bring a jacket. Lights must go out if I'm not in the room , watch paper use and one day the sixth grade hall was being swept by the teachers. They are willing to do whatever it takes to save another friends job. This amazes me especially after learning that their pay is ranked 294 out of 296 in the state but test scores and overall school rating is 13th. One teacher told me she just wanted the kids to see them being good stewards of what he has given us. I love that we moved here 3 years ago !!
My brothers children will have to pay $375 to ride the bus next year and pay to play sports. Another surrounding community is closing 5 schools and consolidating to one high school.
What's your community up too?
So tonight when our President speaks I'm hoping he is going to address the education crisis in this country. Don't think it will happen because I truly believe he doesn't have a pulse on America!!!

Cuteness

This is the yummy cake she made

How awesome is this wig?

CUTENESS

The Hat

Wanted to share some cuteness. Sweet Ashley has started her chemo and please continue to pray for her. It's a long process every other week she sits for 4 hours to receive it and she's surrounded with older folks. She is the youngest one there. She said the hardest part is watching the bags of meds drip so slowly into her. They are telling her that her hair will probably go this week. Pray that that people around her will see her true beauty. You'd be amazed what people say. Pray for her family and that a their financial burden can be lifted a bit. She looks so good and her sweet spirit is a pleasure to be around.

We went for a visit and she made me the most amazing cake. How sweet is that? I'm going to share a few pictures of this amazing young woman to place her in your hearts.

Emm and I wanted to make her a hat and while Emm had crocheted one for her she was not pleased with the results. So, I had purchased a sweater to try and make a hat . I did it and it is so cute and soft. Ashley loved it and looks so adorable in it.

In the spirit of fun her friends found her a precious wig. She has been fitted for a wig but as you can see the one her friends gave her screams FUN!!

Thank you all for praying for this sweet girl and please continue to find a place for her in your prayers.

Have a wonderful week!

Music Monday

Remembering Haiti and what God says about tragedy like this.

Embracing the Snow

Well, we decided to be a little bit more positive about the snow. If we're going to live with it, we're going to play in it. So our weekend started with hubby taking the boys ice fishing. I thought this would be a short trip but 5 hrs later they were home with many a fish tale. Today it was some good old fashioned sledding. We went to a park a town over and the hill was packed. The sun was bright and the snow was packed firm. The boys had a blast and hubby and I just laughed and remembered how we use to be able to stay out in that kind of weather for hours. Not so much anymore. But it was nice because the park had big bonfires going so you could warm up and I took a carafe of hot cocoa. This was a fun day.

It got me thinking how a new perspective on things can change everything.

Blessing

Colossians 1:9-14 (New International Version)

⁹For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. ¹⁰And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you^a]">[a] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption,^b]">[b] the forgiveness of sins.

The Song

Here is my song...What Faith Can Do by Kutless. I just love it!! I hope you enjoy it and find it encouraging. Did you find a song? I'd love to hear it.
My word this year is POSSIBLE.
It's possible to lose weight.
It's possible to raise great kids.
It's possible to have a good marriage.
It's possible to get out of debt.
You see all things are possible...


Philippians 4:13 (New International Version)
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

New Year

Happy New Year !! It's hubby's birthday today and he wanted ice cream cake!! Did I mention it's freezing here? But ice cream cake it was.
We are going to make some family goals and some personal goals. We also like to reflect on things we tried the previous year, something we did for the very first time. It makes us be open to new things.
I think I found my song and I will be revealing it later along with some personal goals.
Hope you're having a great day!!