What is hope?

Yesterday was a tough day for me, on the verge of tears at a moment’s notice, and who really knows why? I have a great job, a great family, great friends, great adventures…etc. I am in want of nothing. So, why do I have days like yesterday? When all I really wanted was to crawl up into my Father’s arms and cry?

Sometimes, the blessings in my life become idols that I am afraid of losing. Not material things as much as people. My grandparents, my husband, my parents, siblings, etc…Even now, just thinking about these people brings tears to my eyes. The Lord says “if anyone loves his father or mother more than Me, he is not worthy of me”. Maybe the sadness I am feeling is the realization that my priorities are misplaced. Maybe I am realizing where my heart truly lies. I know I am not worthy of His grace. I am feeling really pitiful at this moment; feeling the desperate need for my Savior. I know that I am helpless without Christ’s rescuing arm pulling me out of the pit.

The vision of Christ pulling me out of the pit of despair reminds me of the moment when Christ rescued me at salvation. But I don’t feel like it encompasses it fully enough. Because when my imagination sees a pit, I see a hole in the ground. Naturally, when I picture myself in that hole, I am looking up, longing for a rescuer. But, the natural state of man is not to be looking up at all. We are actually covered in that mud and mire, bogged down at the bottom of the pit, and never knowing that we have a rescuer. Until He comes in with both of His strong arms and lifts us out, washes us completely and clothes us in the most beautiful robe of righteousness.

There we are, standing in the Son, beautiful, spotless before our Father…shining. So, why then, when we have this glorious salvation, are we still drawn back to that pit? In my own life, for some reason, I can’t believe that I am really clean. I feel more comfortable in the cool mud, surrounded by my best friends (selfishness, fear, regret and pride). Even though I stand before God as righteous, I think I have to make it out of the pit in my own strength. Robbing Christ of His glory and putting the focus directly on myself. Thankfully, our minds and hearts are still being sanctified. Oh, thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit! Slowly but surely, Your sanctifying work is making the pit less and less comfortable, and Your presence more and more existent.

Lord, HASTE the day, when you will return and reign forever!

California, here we come!

Todd and I leave tomorrow for our trip to San Francisco.



San Fran·cis·co (săn frən-sĭsˈkō)

A city of western California on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, an inlet of the Pacific. A Spanish presidio and mission were founded here in 1776. The first settlement was known as Yerba Buena, and the name was changed to San Francisco after control of the town passed to the United States in 1846. Discovery of gold nearby in 1848 changed the city from a small community into a thriving boom town known for its lawlessness and bawdy amusements. The city was all but destroyed by a devastating earthquake and fire on April 18, 1906. Population: 744,000.

I am so looking forward to this trip. Please pray for traveling mercies for us and that this would be a time of refreshment and growth together as a couple, in the Lord.

The Virtues of Women and the Morality of a Nation

“From all that I had read of history and government of human life and manners, I had drawn this conclusion, that the manners of women were the most infallible barometer to ascertain the degree of morality and virtue of a nation. The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Swiss, and Dutch, all lost their public spirit and their republican forms of government when they lost the modesty and domestic virtues of their women.”
-President John Adams

I came across this quote and it stopped me in my tracks. I wondered what John Adams would say if he could see through time and view America today. From his conclusions above, I know that he would probably not be surprised at the state of our nation after he saw the way that the women of today behave and dress. I am saddened to say that he would probably not be surprised even if he were to look at my own life.

Thus, I was inspired to write this note to my friends and acquaintances. To those of you are daughters of the King of Kings, who profess Christ as your Savior, and thus are part of the family of God, to my sisters.

Why do we act the way that we do? Why we do let this world dictate how we dress and act?

Ladies, this world tempts us to be immodest and to discount domestic virtues, but what John Adams said really stood out to me, and it also reminded me about what the Bible teaches about modesty. I hate that I am easily tempted by this world...and often succumb to temptation...but, I am thankful that we have Christ, who has set us free from bondage to sin, and who reminds us by His word what is true. Honoring Christ is what really matters. Not what this world thinks of you, your clothes, your hair, or anything else. I wish I could remind myself of this all of the time, so I thought I would write this little note to encourage myself, and maybe encourage you as well. Let's help each other out! =)

(Especially during summer and the temptation to be like the world in our dress is even greater.)

To hear some excellent sermons by my pastor on Worldliness, visit: www.Owassobible.org and listen to sermon archives from last August. You’ll see them.

Elated...

I left the house for work yesterday and never thought that when I came home I would have a vacation booked! Yes, my wonderful husband surprised me with a week in Northern California!
We are staying in San Francisco,



but, we have a rental car so we can go visit....

Napa Valley,



The Red Wood Forrest,



and maybe a drive to Lake Tahoe!!




This is a dream vacation to me, and I am so thankful and thrilled! Todd said that the reason he decided to book a trip that I would love was because of the sacrifices I have made as his wife. Going through the health struggles he has had, traveling to support him in the Soldier of the Year competition, and dealing with some of the mental and physical side effects from his two deployments in the OIF/OEF wars. But, the truth is, that is what I promised to do a year and half ago. It has been an honor to be married to someone who has served our country. Through our trials, we have grown closer and our love has grown. Any so-called "sacrifices" I have made have been minimal. We might go through tough times, I might need an attitude adjustment every now and then (we both might need that), but it truly is a joy to be married to Todd.

But, all of that said...I am not gonna turn down a trip like this!!

Excel Help!

Can anyone tell me if these formulas are accurate??

Total time In/Out: =IF(C4< B4, C4+1, C4)-B4

Total time @ end of pay period: =SUM(D4:D18)*24


Here is a sample of my spreadsheet to calculate employee hours: