I love “alone” time with my husband…

I absolutely love our alone time.  That is when we have good conversation and we get into the word together and pray.  Last night again we got in the word and journaled.  It was something that made me look into my self and I’m still having to look into my self to see what it is that drives me crazy about one of the guys at work.  I’m sure it is a few things.  For instance, he comes rummaging through my desk looking for the keys to the petty cash box, since that is where we keep the company car keys.  I’ve told him several times, he is not allowed to get into that box.  Then he signs the car out for when ever he wants to for short trips.  Nobody is allowed to do that.  The company car is only to be used for long distance driving. Or he acts like he runs the place, and that alone gets in my crawl.  Then again, it could be the Eddie Haskell attitude.  “You look lovely today Mrs. Cleaver.”  BLEEEEK!!!  Do you see how something like that can get under my skin.  I just keep a smile on my face and politely tell him either no or laugh at his ridiculous jokes.  So I guess you could see why I need to work on “loving” people more.

I hope everyone is having a good day.  Mine has been ok.  Ready to go home though.  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

O LORD, do good to those who are good,     whose hearts are in tune with you. Psalm 125:4

Encouragement for Today

The psalmist prays for God to do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with God (the only way to be good). What a wonderful expression: a “heart in tune with God.” How can you sing God’s song today so that you’re in tune with what he’s singing and what he’s doing? This is the way good comes into being for you and for others.

Last night…

Brian and I spent some really good time getting into the word and journaling.  We read the daily plan on Proverbs 4-6 and Romans 8.  Well Romans kicked Brian’s butt with some stuff that he has been reading, and proverbs was really making me think of the situation that I have been going through.  It was talking about the pitfalls of immorality.  Talking that the husband rejoice in his wife and not embrace the adulteress.  All it made me think of is if there is something wrong with me, how can I let my husband stay with me to take care of me.  I was saying that I feel it is unfair to him to have to take care of me.  He let me know that he wasn’t going anywhere.  He loves me in sickness and in health, till death us do part!!!  I feel the same way for him.  How selfish is it of me to think that way?  I was told that I am being selfish.  Well enough with the self pity.  I don’t even know what is wrong, there may be nothing.  I’ll just keep my faith and leave it in God’s reliable hands.  So, I’m done on my rant and won’t talk or think that way again.

Anyway, Lil’ Brian got home last night from work around 11:00 pm.  He said he was going to get up early to go fishin’ at Smithville.  Believe it or not, he was gone when I got up this morning and I got up at 5:30 am.  He is nuts.  But he said he had a good time.  They, (Brian, Justin, & Phillip) didn’t catch anything, and they want to go back on Friday morning again since they are all off work.  I told him to have fun.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;     they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,     so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever. Psalm 125:1–2

Encouragement for Today

How secure do you really feel? You’re only as secure as your trust in God. The next time you feel insecure or unsure of God, picture him as he is depicted here—a mountain range encircling you all the way around, unassailable by any force. Rest in this circle of powerful protection; your trust is your security.

Hope everyone has a blessed day and keep pressing into Jesus!!!  XOXOXO

Today’s tests…

Well, this morning I had to report to NKC hospital at 7:45 am.  The first test they did was the VER (visual evoked response) test.  It was kind of trippy.  They sit you down in front of a computer screen.  On the screen, it looks like a checker board with a red flashing dot in the middle.  You have to stare at this dot and while you are staring at it, the checker board moves.  It was making my eyes water, but then again, it could have been from the air blowing in the room.  The second test was the Cerebral MRI.  It’s always fun laying in a machine that you can’t move in.  LOL, my hands fell asleep and I think I did too for a few minutes.  Brian was teasing me about the mark across my forehead.  He was calling it my circumcision scar!!!  LOL  I just smacked him and laughed.

I won’t actually get the results back until my next appointment with the neurologist.  That will be June 6th and that is the day I will be having an EMG (electromyogram) done.  That is the test that will be uncomfortable and hurt.  I have been told and read that it will feel like I have ran a marathon, or better yet, worked out for several hours.  My muscles will be sore and I will be tired from it.  They will be putting some kind of needle or needles in my legs and arms to test the nerves in my body.  Honestly, that is the one that I am most nervous about.

I had a breakdown on Saturday night.  Brian said that he wanted me to talk about DYN (Discover Your Niche) to the new people in the group so they could become involved with serving at the church.  While I was talking, all of a sudden I drew a complete blank.  When we were almost home I told him that I was upset cause I think I am losing my mind.  For some reason, I can’t say what I am thinking.  So needless to say, I had a pity party.  But I think it also concerned Brian that I was crying.  I haven’t broke down in quite a while and he said, “you have been so strong this whole time, and you haven’t shown any worry about any of this at all, so what is going on?”  I said, I’m still not worried about any of it, but I just hate that my mind isn’t as clear as it used to be, and that I can’t say what I am thinking.  Am I nuts?

So that was the only bad or better yet, upsetting thing that happened to me this past weekend.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

During the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety. And from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, each family had its own home and garden. … The district governors faithfully provided food for King Solomon and his court; each made sure nothing was lacking during the month assigned to him. … [Solomon] composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.  1 Kings 4:25, 27, 32–34

Encouragement for Today

Solomon had asked God for wisdom, and God gave it to him. This is what a wise and righteous leader effects: peace, safety, and prosperity. It’s a picture of government working properly. People had their jobs and roles; all was clear. Solomon delegated the running of the kingdom and concentrated on sharing his wisdom. This is a good model for a business and a vision of what we want our elected officials to create. May God provide us with wise, godly leaders!

Have a great day and keep pressing into JESUS!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

What a crazy week it has been…

Well, this past week and into the weekend, has just been crazy.  It has been good, but very busy.  Let’s see, I took off work on Thursday and Friday to visit with my mom and to get things prepared for Lil’ Brian’s graduation and his party.  Both day’s were awesome.  Lil’ Brian graduated on Thursday evening.  During graduation, he got up with the orchestra and played with them one last time.  It brought a tear to my eye.  I am so proud of him.  Then on Friday we had his graduation party.  It was a mad house.  LOL  It was good though.  He had several of his friends there and they are all a hoot.  Amanda wasn’t able to make it to his party though, she had to work till 11 pm, but she did stop by to say hello to him on her break.  I thought that was very nice of her.

Speaking of my daughter, she has this guy named Chris that she has been seeing.  Chris is constantly with her.  I can’t have a conversation with my daughter anymore because Chris is always there.  Then while we are talking, he is trying to talk to her, or has her tell me things that I could really care less about.  I don’t like to sound mean, but I am so tired of it.  Yesterday we stopped by her apartment to give her a paper on some bar stools that I found for her.  Of course who was there and had to come to the door?  Yep, you guessed it, Chris.  He has said a few things to my mother in law about Amanda that are extremely disrespectful.  I can’t even look at him now because of what he said.  It was horrible.  She called me as soon as we left the apartment to see if I was mad at her.  I told her no, I wasn’t mad at her, I just get tired of Chris always being there.  Well, I guess he heard me say that and I really didn’t care.  I think it is something that he needs to hear.  He also needs to hear about how disrespectful he is to her.  She says that they play fight a lot, well, he has left bruises all over her and her dad said, “if he leaves any other marks on you ever again, I will be confronting him.  I won’t say anything to you, I will go straight to him.”  I think that scared her.  She knows that her dad is serious.  He will confront Chris about it.  Anyway, sorry about my vent here, I just had to say what was bothering me.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day Weekend!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!” 1 Kings 3:10–13

Encouragement for Today

In a dream, God invited Solomon to ask for anything he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom to carry out the huge task God had given him, a task that felt overwhelming. God was so pleased with his answer that he promised to make Solomon not only wise, but also the wisest man who ever lived! Besides that, God promised him what he did not ask for—riches, fame, and a long life. Do you ask for the things God wants to give, such as wisdom, love, and strength to carry out his will? See what happens when you do.

Very cool morning…

First of all I got up at 4:00 am for my leadership group.  Before group I stopped at HyVee to pick up lunch for Brian and myself.  While I was there I was talking to one of the employees and we had a cool conversation about God and glorifying Him.  Then I went to group and we were talking about “glorifying God.”  So what does that tell me today?  Maybe to look deeper into myself, and make sure that everything I do will glorify Him.  What do you do to glorify God in your everyday life?

So last night, Brian and I were sitting in the front room watching TV as we ate dinner.  I get a call from my daughter, Amanda, letting me know that she would be over at the house by 7:00 pm.  I told her no problem, I would see her soon.  Before she got there, I started reading in my book for this mornings group.  Finally, when she arrived, we had a conversation with her about where she would like to be in the next 5 years.  Any time we have a conversation with her, she gets all twisted up inside and cries.  She just can’t handle someone telling her the truth about her life.  We see her as being out of control.  She is letting a guy run her life.  He is having her get things to fill up what I believe are his needs, not hers, and she doesn’t want to hear that she can be on her own and doesn’t need a guy every time she breaks up with someone.  She finally admitted last night that she is terrified to be by herself.  One day, God willing, I would love to just have a day with me and her to discuss her future and what it might look like.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.     The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 27:12

Encouragement for Today

A clear-headed person looks ahead to discern possible pitfalls and dangers in order to take precautions. Isn’t this what our legal system is largely based upon? Business agreements, wills, and other legal documents attempt to foresee potential problems and make clear what should happen in different potential scenarios. The simpleton goes ahead, perhaps in “blind faith,” and suffers the consequences for naiveté. Are there any situations in your life for which you need to take precautions? Clear-minded faith is one thing; vacant hope that things will turn out well, despite obvious dangers, is quite another.

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

Fantastic Weekend…

What a great weekend we had.  First off, on Friday, I rented 2 movies for us to watch.  We rented Walk Hard, the Dewey Cox story, and The Mist.  Dewey Cox was kind of dumb, but the Mist was good.  Creepy, but good. 

Saturday, we both went to our groups in the morning.  Brian had band practice from 8:30 till 12:00.  Boy was I hungry when he got home.  Since we both started our diets, I told him that I would wait for him to get home and that way we would have lunch together.  I made Turkey burritos.  They were good.  By 2 I went to a bridal shower for one of the gals at church.  It was really nice.  Afterwards, I went home and Brian and I spent quality time together talking and just cuddling on the couch.

Sunday, Brian had to play both services, but in between both services, we did Group Link.  So we got to meet people that really want to get involved in a small group.  On the way home, we stopped by Subway and got turkey sandwiches.  Man was that good.  Then while we were sitting there, Brian took a little nap and I played pop-pit on the computer.  Last night we both read the reading plan together and journaled about our reading.  When Lil’ Brian got home, he came downstairs with us and we had a good conversation, and we all prayed together.  It was great.

Hope everyone else had a great weekend.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

“The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” Acts 5:4

Encouragement for Today

Ananias and Sapphira didn’t have to sell their property. They wanted to look good to others by seeming so generous. Their deception and greed were their undoing. Peter’s words here remind us that all we do is for God’s glory. If we can’t do something generous out of our own free will, we probably shouldn’t do it at all.

Have a lovely day.  As far as I can tell, it is gorgeous outside.  Love, love!!!!  XOXOXO

Heard from the Dr.

Well last night when I got home from work, I had a message from the Neurologists office.  They let me know that I have an appointment at 7:45 am on May 27th for 2 of my tests at one of the hospitals.  Then on June 6th at 9:45 am I have one more test and my follow up visit both at the Drs. office.  The tests for the 27th is an MRI (cerebral), and a VER(?) I think that is what they said.  Then they said on the 6th I would be having an EMG and my follow up appointment.  So that is what’s going on and I’ll let you know of the results.

Since all this has been going on, Brian and I have been seriously talking about what we are going to do if I really do have MS.  We have really been enjoying all of our time with each other.  I love spending time with him.  It makes me happy.  He is such a great husband, I really couldn’t imagine my life without him.  I know one day we will be without each other, but until that time, I want to spend every waking moment with him.  When we are together, we watch some TV, read the bible, pray together, etc.  It is very precious time that we have with each other.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.1 Kings 1:5–6

Encouragement for Today

Many Scriptures contain examples of what not to do. This is one of them. Here we see the fruit of David’s neglect and lack of parental discipline: Adonijah’s rebellion. David may have been a good king, but he wasn’t a good father. He never even asked Adonijah what he was doing (and the verse indicates this was a pattern). This kind of egregious parental neglect leads only to trouble and heartbreak. The antidote, implied by what David didn’t do, is simple attention, interest, and discipline when the parent perceives the child is going astray.

Have a great night and I hope all is well!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

A lot going on…

There has been a lot going on.  I can’t remember if I mentioned any of this or not about the numbness in my left leg, and my right hand & arm, but I had an MRI done 2 weeks ago because they wanted to rule out any brain tumors.  Friday I went to the Neurologist, who by the way is extremely personable, and got the results of the MRI.  They did find 4 spots on my brain that they called “scars.”  They aren’t anything to worry about.  Basically they are just surface marks.  If they were in a blood vessel or anything vital, then there would be a problem.  But we are going to be doing more tests to find out what is causing me to have the numbness and weakness in the opposite limbs.  They are going to do a cerebral MRI, blood tests (I did the blood tests on Saturday), some kind of tissue test, and another test I can’t remember what it is called.  The Dr. is suspecting MS.  I, on the other hand, am not letting anything bother me.  I need to leave it in God’s hands.  He is my comfort. 

So anyway, thats whats been going on in Stephi’s world the last few weeks.

I hope all the mom’s out there enjoyed their day yesterday.  Mine was great.  My husband & daughter cooked out on the grill, my father in law just walked around his yard, my mother law and I just sat in the house and did nothing.  We were told that if we do anything, we would get in trouble.  So it was a good day.  Although, the only bad part was that my son couldn’t be there with us.  He just started a new job and had orientation that day, but we spent the evening together.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

[Peter and John replied,] “We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”Acts 4:20

Encouragement for Today

Peter and John said they couldn’t stop telling about the wonderful things they had seen and heard. This is natural witnessing: simply to accept the wonderful things God does in your life and then share them with others. If you have nothing to tell, start looking for God’s good hand in your life. The telling should flow naturally from that.

Have a beautiful and fantastic day.  I will talk to everyone later!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO

Yesterday was awesome…

Well first off, we had our company picnic and it was very Yummy!!!  Everything turned out so well.  I was truly impressed with everything.  I got rave reviews on the Pico De Gallo that I made.

So last night we were at church at “SCU” (Shoal Creek University) and we were in our marriage class, we had to answer some questions about what we can do for each other.  It was hysterical.  Brian and I had pretty much the same answers for how we can be flexible for each other.  We have learned so much about each other with the DISC profile and how all the personalities are. 

One thing that they were saying last night is to make sure that we always have a date night.  Even if it is twice a month, we need to spend quality face to face time with each other.  I totally agree with that and we do make time to go on a date with each other.  As a matter of fact, last Saturday, we went out on a date and we talked and had a great time being with each other.  I do cherish the time that we get to spend with each other.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Encouragement for Today

This verse flies in the face of our current culture, with its repugnance toward exclusivity of any kind. Nevertheless, it’s the truth and the heart of the Gospel. There’s salvation in no one else and in nothing else. This is an offense to some, but as Christians, we must make sure we don’t compromise this truth—because it’s the Gospel.

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

One of those days…

Well, today has just been one of those days.  I can’t seem to get ahead for anything.  Although, I did get out for a few minutes and I went to Sam’s Club to get the hamburger’s, hot dogs, potato salad, and condiments for our picnic here at work tomorrow. 

Anyway, this morning in leadership group, we read the daily plan and journaled.  I was reading in 2 Samuel 11-12 and one of the words that jumped out at me and slapped me up side the head was compassion.  I also feel that emotion goes along with compassion.  I was telling a friend of mine that I do feel the compassion for people when they are telling a story, but I may not show emotion at all.  So I was asking, does that make me a cold person?  Am I a safe place for others?  I just don’t know.  I was told before that when I tell my life story, I didn’t show any emotion.  I don’t know where that comes from.  I’m sure there is a lesson in there somewhere.

I’m gonna get out of here, I have less then an hour here at work.  YIPEE!!!

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.”Acts 3:19–20

Encouragement for Today

Here’s the essence of the gospel in a sentence: Turn from your sins; turn toward God. Then you’ll be cleansed of sin, and God will bring refreshment from his very presence. This “turning” doesn’t happen just once, but daily. Daily we find ourselves not facing God, but facing temptation, or our own selfishness, or even our own pain inflicted by others. As soon as we become aware of this, we can turn back to God. Whenever you don’t sense God’s presence, ask yourself: In what direction am I facing? Do I need to turn around?

 Have a great rest of the day!!!  Love, love!!!  XOXOXO