13 Years of Marriage...

Yesterday, December 30th, marked our 13th year of marriage.
To be very honest, I forgot! I knew it was coming, but did not give it a second thought about what day it was. To be even more honest; my wonderful, sweet, kind, caring, sacrificial,and most favorite sister-in-law, Amanda, had offered to keep the kids for the day, and overnight, so that I could do some work around the house, which is out of control.
Then I get a phone call. "Happy Anniversary", says Cleyo.
Oh-no, I was so excited about a day of quietness, and NO interruptions, that my Anniversary was not even important to me. So, feeling guilty, I decided to make Cleyo's favorite meal;
Manacoti, salad, garlic toast, apple pie, with some wine.
Then I realize, I do not have any cottage cheese for the Manicotti, so I call my neighbors, nobody has it. And not wanting to make trip into town, I call a friend in Versailles (Kelly V), because maybe she had to go to Greenville today, (I thought I would take a chance), she had no reason to leave the house, but that sweet woman had 2 containers of cottage cheese, and drove all the way to my house to give them to me (THANK YOU KELLY).
I love my God-given purpose in life, being a mom and a wife, but I do need to have days of quietness like these more often. I feel like I am always in total chaos mode, so yesterday was a blessing to be able to not feel pressure, or having this or that, thrown at me. I would like to say that I was able to move quickly and get many things done, but with my knee injury, moving quickly is not even an option. But the quietness and peace in the house, OH MY! That was awesome! I am so thankful for Amanda, she has 5 kids of her own, and was willing to take all 8 of mine, without a hesitation! I do not have family around that I can ask to watch the kids so that I can get a break, and with 8 kids, I do not like to burden others with my responsibilities, so THANK YOU AMANDA FOR THIS MUCH NEEDED BREAK!
Dinner last night was sweet, we sat in the quiet darkness, eating and talking. The talk was also needed, as Cleyo was able to open up to me about some struggles he has had lately, and why he believes he is struggling. I do not know if I will ever want to leave the house again for a date night, it was awesome to just be at home, in quietness, with my husband. Also, we never have anything to talk about in a restaurant, maybe the home atmosphere, allows us to open up easier with each other, and maybe at a restaurant, we feel like we need to perform.
I praise God for Cleyo. He is a man of integrity, he is honest, he loves me, he loves his children, he works hard to provide for his family, and most importantly, he loves God, and out of his love for God, Cleyo tries to be a man of God. I am sooo thankful, and I praise God that Cleyo is mine!
I pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen and to protect this marriage. I pray that God will guide Cleyo with the struggles he is having. I pray that I will be a respectful wife, and that I can be an encouraging wife. I pray that God will give me wisdom in quietness, as a wife.

Honesty & Children...

I love the honesty that comes from children. I do not believe that they think about what they are going to say before saying it (unless they are wanting something from us), or that they question themselves about what they are about to say is said with love or not. I can not remember a time when I have received a comment from any of my children, that was convicting to me, ever felt like an attack, but instead an honest observation.
Last night, I took Sheldon & Grace, to a store to buy something with some money they have earned, and have been saving. Within the first 10 minutes, a clothing rack that was 75% off, caught my eyes, as I am searching through for a good bargain, Sheldon says to me: "Why are you looking at clothes? Your dressers are full, and you do not need any more, besides, you don't even wear most of them!" OUCH! (Within 30 seconds we were walking away from that rack.)
I then admit to Sheldon that he is correct, that I needed to be more disciplined with what I eat, so that I can wear what I have.
I have been extremely undisciplined in all aspects of health lately, from not getting in my morning exercise (which I love, and keeps me invigorated for the day), not eating healthy (soothing emotions with feel good foods, that soothe emotions, instead of nourishing my body, and giving my daily stresses over to God), to, not even taking my vitamins (which anyone who knows me, knows that I am a vitamin freak!).
I have not been treating my fleshly temple in a way that is honoring to God.
Lord, please help me to live minute by minute, in a way that Glorifies You. Give me strength to overcome.
Whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, help me to do all to the Glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31

Counted Righteous In Christ by Piper

You can read this book online by clicking on the link;

http://www.desiringgod.org/media/pdf/books_bcrc/bcrc_all.pdf

I am a dummy when it comes the internet, so most of you are probably, like, DUH!
But, I thought it was nice that I could read it and not have to buy it!
This is just for anyone who did not know, or if you are interested.

Rain covered ice = pain...

Last night I got to enjoy 4 wonderful hours, at our wonderful hospital, again! At least this time I remembered how old I was! LOL!
For 3 days I am not allowed on my feet or taking care of children, 2-6 weeks of recovery, crutches, and a leg brace. This was not exactly in my plans :}
All because I was carrying 2 puppies outside to go potty. I did see the freezing rain, and as I very slowly put my right foot out to go down the steps, I just completely wiped out, with my left leg bent behind me, continuing to slide, puppies still in hand. As I sat on the sheet of ice, with my knee twisted in the wrong position, in pain and not able to move, I yell for help, but who is going to hear me? Then I see Daniel dancing around in the front living room, I yell but he still can not hear me, so I decide to drag myself up the sheet of ice, back on to the front porch. After I finally get up there, I am able to get Daniel's attention, I tell him go get daddy. He leaves and comes back a couple minutes later, and says daddy won't come. So I tell Daniel, tell daddy, mommy is hurt and I need help. Finally Cleyo comes to help. Cleyo tells me that the first time Daniel came, he told him to go play. This a normal response to Daniel because he is constantly pulling at us to do things for him.
I was able to walk to the back room, but Cleyo being the professional football watcher that he is, tells me that I need to go to the hospital, because the pain can get worse. He was right. It did! And if I would not have heard the doctor warn me about how much worse it can get, I probably would have injured myself further by pushing myself beyond my pain. The hospital was very busy, ambulances were one right after another, lot's of falls, broken bones, and head injuries. I am just thankful that nothing broke, and I am trying my hardest to stay off my feet.

Someday soon.....I hope

Hopefully soon I will be able to upload pictures, and then I can update my family and friends, and journal our Journey. Our wireless company is suppose to be looking into it, and fixing it. We have concluded that it is not our computer, but that it is their network. (? I do not talk/know computer language) All I know, is that it is out of my hands, until they fix it. So please be patient. (Talking to myself here). Someday soon, I hope. :}

6 Aspects of Humility by John Piper

I hope the words of John Piper will be a fresh reminder to those of us who claim to know Christ. Our pride, boasting, and judgements are pushing away people who need Christ as their Savior.
If we are to be like Christ, then where is our love for others?
Ephesians 5:1-2 'Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.'
Recent conversations, have me frustrated right now, with 'Christ Claimers', who put laws and stipulations on people of this world, at the same time forgetting what Christ has done for them. John 3:16

What purpose do rules and regulations serve, while trying to lead an unbeliever to Christ?


John Piper;
If humility is not compliance with relativism and is not sophomoric skepticism, what is it? This is important, since the Bible says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5), and “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). God has told us at least six things about humility.

1. Humility begins with a sense of subordination to God in Christ.
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. (Matthew 10:24)
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. (1 Peter 5:6)

2. Humility does not feel a right to better treatment than Jesus got.
If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! (Matthew 10:25)
Therefore humility does not return evil for evil. It is not life based on its perceived rights.
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps; . . . while suffering, He uttered no threats, but handed [his cause] over to Him who judges righteously. (1 Peter 2:21-23)

3. Humility asserts truth not to bolster ego with control or with triumphs in debate, but as service to Christ and love to the adversary.
Love rejoices in the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:6)
What I [Jesus] tell you in the darkness, speak in the light. . . . Do not fear. (Matthew 10:27-28)
We do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5)

4. Humility knows it is dependent on grace for all knowing and believing.
What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)

5. Humility knows it is fallible, and so considers criticism and learns from it; but also knows that God has made provision for human conviction and that he calls us to persuade others.
We see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
A wise man is he who listens to counsel. (Proverbs 12:15)
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. (2 Corinthians 5:11)

6. Humility is to believe in the heart and confess with the lips that our life is like a vapor, and that God decides when we die, and that God governs all our accomplishments.
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16)