This past week…

Has been very busy.  I took 1/2 a day on Wednesday from work and took my placement test at Penn Valley.  I have also set up my classes for the fall semester.  I will be taking Math and English. 

Then on Thursday, I went to the Dr. to find out what he thinks is going on with my left leg and my right hand.  He decided to have me go for an MRI to make sure that there isn’t anything going on in my brain to cause the numbness.  So Friday I had the MRI done.  Talk about a loud machine.  I’m glad they give you ear plugs so dampen the noise.  I won’t get the results back for 2 weeks. 

But anyway, I got a lot done this weekend.  I got the house painted inside.  The reason I took the rest of the week off work was to paint.  Lil’ Brian helped me with a lot of the painting, especially since my husband didn’t want me on a ladder with the numbness going on at any given moment.  But anyway, we got the kitchen, living room, the hallway, and the basement bathroom all painted.  What a good feeling it is to have that done.  So really the only room left to do is Lil’ Brian’s room, but I let him know he could do that anytime he wanted to.

I just got an email from my mom today saying that she is coming for a visit in May.  YEAH!!!  I’m so excited about it.  We don’t get to see each other but maybe once or twice a year.  We just don’t have the funds to travel and mom’s job keeps her extremely busy, and she is lucky to get away.  I know who I get my willingness to work from.  The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you. …” “I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the LORD?” And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town! That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.” “All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.” Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 20: 16, 19–22

Encouragement for Today

A wise woman (who’s never even named) saved a whole town from destruction. How? She had the courage to engage Joab, who was battering down the city wall! She got his attention, ascertained who he was, asked him to listen to her, focused him on his real goal (destroy Sheba, not the city), and then went back to her people with a plan of action (kill Sheba and prove it to Joab). What a wonderful example of a woman not being afraid to speak up and take action! In fact, that’s exactly what made her “wise.”

Hope everyone is having a great and blessed day.  Talk to everyone soon.  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

Just another 1/2 day left…

Well, it is now about 3 in the afternoon and tomorrow I am working only 1/2 a day then I’m off for the rest of the week.  Woo hoo!!!  It’s exciting.  But I’m still nervous about the placement test.  I know I will do fine, it is just the whole not being in school and how dumb am I really?

One thing I have to say is Happy Anniversary Baby!!!

Yep it is mine & Brian’s 19th Anniversary.  19 blissful years.  OK, not all of them have been blissful, but the majority of our years have been wonderful.

Not much else to say today.  Except, Lil’ Brian has his interview at Home Depot this afternoon.  Hopefully he will get it so he can get out of McDonald’s.  He has been with McDonald’s for almost a year and they haven’t given him one raise.  He keeps getting told that the store just doesn’t have the funds to give him a raise.  That is total BS.  It just irritates me.

Hope everyone is having a good day.  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

 

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,     but they’re deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.     Their hearts are full of many evils. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,     their wrongdoing will be exposed in public. Proverbs 26:24–26

Encouragement for Today

We are to be discerning and not naïve about people. Some people are deceptive. This verse also suggests that we need to allow ourselves time to discover another person’s true character. When considering entering into a working relationship with someone—or, in fact, any kind of long-term relationship—you must give it time to discern their true character. Pay attention to what other people say about this person’s character; take the time to check things out. If there’s anything to know, this Scripture passage suggests that it will come to light.

A lot of thinking going on…

I have been looking into colleges for myself to further my education and do what I have always wanted to do.  I’m looking into going back to school for nursing.  Last night Brian asked me if I was serious about going back to school?  I said, yes I am.  You know I have always wanted to be an RN and the need for nurses is huge.  He was saying that he would love for me to do that and once I start working as a nurse and start getting established, he wants to quit his job and go to school to become a Christian Counselor.  I could totally see him doing that.  Couldn’t you?  So anyway, that is what is going on in the world of Stephi!!!  I know, the wheels are always turning.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

Your laws are perfect     and completely trustworthy. … Your promises have been thoroughly tested;     that is why I love them so much. … As pressure and stress bear down on me,     I find joy in your commands. Psalm 119:138, 140, 143

Encouragement for Today

God’s Word is entirely worthy of our trust. It’s been tested and found to be true again and again. There are few things in which we can absolutely trust; this is one of them. The promises and commands allow joy, even during times of pressure and stress, because possessing truth and the promises of God surpasses any negative thing we can experience.

Have a very blessed day and keep on pressing into Jesus!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

All I can say is Wow!!!

With Brian being sick all weekend and now I’m coming down with a cough, I just wish things were normal again.  I know he is sick and tired of being sick and tired.  He seriously sat in the same spot since he got off work on Friday.  Although, on Sunday, he was playing on his laptop so I got to watch all my shows that I haven’t been able to watch.  He just laughed at me because I can watch design shows and makeover shows all day long.

So Saturday night we had small group and needless to say, Brian didn’t go with me so it was Me and Dan.  Lucky Becky got to go to the lake with an old friend.  I think it is great that she got to do that.  By the time I got home, my sinuses felt so packed and I think it was the starting of a migraine.  I felt lucky to make it home in one piece.  While driving the headlights were blinding me and I was starting to feel nauseous.  So that is what made me think it was a migraine coming on.  When I got home, I took 2 of my really strong pain pills and went straight to bed.  The next morning, I felt great again.  I really hate feeling that way.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

Then Absalom and all the men of Israelsaid, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.” For the LORD had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom! 2 Samuel 17:14

Encouragement for Today

Ahithophel had a better plan—it was more in line with reality. David and his men were tired and discouraged. But Hushai was much more persuasive. His words were more powerful; he framed everything much more colorfully, explicitly, and emotionally (vv. 7-12). God used Hushai’s words to answer David’s prayers for protection. God answered David’s prayers by working through the misguided advice of others (Hushai and the other men of Israel) and through Absalom’s susceptibility to persuasion. Can you trust that God can also work through unlikely sources in your own life?

I hope everyone has a blessed day!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

This weather is unbelieveable…

I couldn’t believe that I heard there was a possibility for flurries on Friday.  It is already April, the weather should be getting nicer.  I don’t mind the rain, but snow?  No way!!!  I have never liked the snow.  I guess it is unamerican of me, but I just never have liked it, even as a kid growing up.  Sure I played in it, but only for a short time, then I was ready to go inside and curl up on the couch in my PJ’s.  I know, I’m a woosie.

So poor Julie hasn’t had a voice for 2 days now.  She feels fine, just can’t talk.  Sounds like larengitis.  My husband is going to the Dr. today to see what is going on with him.  It isn’t our regular Dr., but only because he is gone for the next 2 days.  Big bummer since Brian only trusts our Dr.  But what can you do.  Not a whole lot, you gotta do what you gotta do.  I just want him to get better. 

How is everyone’s day going?  Are you praising God for such a day?  Whether it is good or bad?

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. Jesus knew that his mission was now finished. John 19:26–28

Encouragement for Today

Note the tenderness of Jesus: one of his last actions on earth was to provide for his mother. Once he’d done that, he knew everything was finished. For what pain do you need the tender touch of Jesus? Go to him for healing, knowing he’s as eager to meet your deepest need as he was to care for his earthly mother’s needs.

Have a blessed day!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

What a day this has been…

Well, I got up at 4:15 am to be at the church at 5:30 am for my leadership group.  These early days are kicking my butt.  Then with my poor husband being sick makes me feel bad for him.  He has been running a fever and sounds terrible.

I can’t believe how hard and loud the rain was this morning when I woke up.  But I slept like a log last night.  Do you ever wonder why you sleep better when it rains?  I do, and I would like to know the answer on that.

Then at work, I have been swamped.  Not that it is a bad thing, just that right now I am just now getting caught up from Friday.  What a pain that is.  Anyway, I can’t complain, at last I have a job to go to everyday and I do enjoy the people that I work with.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a good day.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

Your eternal word, O LORD,     stands firm in heaven … Your regulations remain true to this day,     for everything serves your plans.Psalm 119:89, 91

Encouragement for Today

God’s Word is eternal; its truth will never change, nor will it pass away. For those who don’t see the Bible as relevant to today, these verses refute that stance. God’s Word, his laws, his truth stands firm forever, and everything that happens still serves his plan. Can you let this truth give you peace today? As you dwell on God’s Word, rest in the fact that everything serves his plans. As you put yourself in the way of God’s good plan by obedience, you can experience amazing peace.

Have a good day and I will talk to everyone later.  Love, love!!!

This weekend so far has been great…

It is early Sunday morning and so far the sun isn’t shining, but I’m anxious to see how the weather will be today.  Yesterday it was gorgeous and around 68 degrees.  I did get out and work in the garage a little.  I didn’t get a whole lot done, but one corner I did get my shelves in and was able to put my small appliances out there so they didn’t take up so much room in my kitchen.

Last night was nice.  We went over to a couples house and had a great conversation with them.  We are hoping to have another couple over next weekend.  Although, I think a couple of the leaders at church are coming over on Friday for dinner.  We have told them several times that we need to have them over and something always comes up on either side.  So I think this Friday will be the day.

I hope everyone is having a blessed weekend.  I also pray that everyone is spending time with God.  That is the most important thing to do.

The late Fred Rogers once said, “Since we were children once, the roots for our empathy are already planted within us. We’ve known what it was like to feel small and powerless, helpless and confused. When we can feel something of what our children might be feeling, it will help us begin to figure out what our children need from us.”

Let’s build on Fred’s thought for a moment. We adults know what it feels like to accomplish something and wonder if anyone noticed or valued the feat. When a parent makes it a point to understand what his or her child likely feels in a situation—rather than simply focusing on the situation itself—then that parent gains an excellent opportunity to speak life-changing words.

1 John 3:16

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.“

Have a great rest of the weekend and I will talk to everyone tomorrow!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

Oh beautiful day…

Yesterday I was griping about how cold the weather was and today the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it’s not to chilly outside.  Right now, I am at home, eating lunch, typing on here on my computer, enjoying the time off, OK, the 1/2 day I have every Friday, and I’m going to start back into reading my book.  I read some of the book by Anne Rice last night.  So far it’s kind of cool to read about Jesus as a 7 year old boy.  I’m going to get back into it.

So anyway, tonight we have our Group Leadership Community at church.  We’re supposed to have pizza, salad, and dessert, but since Brian and I are trying to watch what we eat, I’m going to make us fish and mashed cauliflower.  It will be good though. 

We both really have a lot of weight to get off of us.  I would love to be on The Biggest Loser and have Bob or Jillian kick my butt into shape.  I know it would be very hard to do, but I would be willing to do it.  I’ve done it once, but for some reason, I just don’t have the will power right now.  Then again, it doesn’t help that there is a candy bowl on the front desk of the office and who sits at the front desk?  Me!!!

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful;     to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure,     but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.” 2 Samuel 22:26–27

Encouragement for Today

Our perception of God and what he’s like is colored by our own character. God doesn’t change, but our ability to perceive his character is linked to who we are. Perhaps this is why God wants us to become more and more like him: so we can know him more fully. Jesus said eternal life is to know God truly. How do you experience God? What does that say about you at this moment? What in your own character might you want to work on prayerfully? (For instance, if you struggle with his goodness, how good are you?)

Have a blessed day and keep pressing into Jesus!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!

I would really like to have a couple of really nice days to go out and shoot some pictures.  It is just so rainy and cold that I would rather crawl into bed and not get out until it warms up.  Brrrrrr!!!  Brian has his leadership group tonight, and while he is gone, I’m going to try to get some laundry done and maybe read a little.  I really need to finish my chapter of Desiring God.  I would rather read my new book I got by Anne Rice.  It’s called Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt.  It’s not her newest one, but it is new to me.  It got a lot of great reviews, so I’m just interested in how it really is.

So anyway, last night at New Community, we listened to 5 of the 7 people that went to South Africa speak on their experiences.  What they took away from the trip, both their Joys and Sorrows.  I enjoyed hearing what everyone talked about, except for one story.  That person was just so monotone.  You would think that when you talk about an experience you have had, you would have an excited tone about how you can or have made a difference even in one persons life, and it just didn’t sound like there was any joy in their life about it at all.  I understand everyone having a humbling experience due to the conditions of a place like South Africa’s poor Providences, but come on, you had to be excited about something, or maybe excited isn’t the word I’m looking for.  Just show some kind of emotion instead of looking like stone and sounding like there isn’t any feeling in your body what so ever.  I don’t know but that was my observation.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

I look up to the mountains—     does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD,     who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble;     the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel     never slumbers or sleeps.Psalm 121:1–4

Encouragement for Today

The psalmist looks to the mountains, seemingly so strong and stable. Can his help come from there? No, his help comes from the one who created those mountains and the whole earth and heavens, besides! When tempted to trust only in earthly things, go deeper to the true Source of power and solidity—God. The One who watches over you and over all his people constantly, without even a nanosecond of a pause, is eager to come to your aid.

Well, I hope every has a blessed day.  Hopefully y’all will stay dry.  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO