Wherefore art thou Community?

where·fore

1. 1.

   for what reason.

1. 2.

   as a result of which.

com·mu·ni·ty

noun

1. 1.

   a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
2. 2.

   a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

Last week I was approached by a woman in Hobby Lobby that made a distinct impression on me. But, before I tell you the conversation we had, let me set the scene: Shopping with Cody and my mom, feeling totally distracted by Shane kicking my ribs (35 weeks then) and thinking of all the things I want to accomplish before this little guy arrives. Cody, was in his usual friendly state and said his very familiar "hiiiii" to most people in the store. When we passed this woman and her little girl who looked to be about 3 or 4, Cody said "hiiiii" to which the mom  sweetly responded and said hi back. She looked different. She had a very big hairdo with a bun, a denim skirt, and no makeup. I think she was probably Pentecostal. Her voice and manner of speaking on her phone as we lingered near each other for a minute  was very sweet, and I thought to myself in that moment, "even though we probably have very different beliefs, I think this woman is my sister". 

And that was that. We continued walking and she continued giving directions on her phone.

About 10 minutes later we were on the other side of the store and she came to find us to ask us about the flowers she had in her hand. She informed us that they were for her son's tombstone because he had recently died. She said it so simply and matter-of-fact, but there was sadness and peace mixed in her voice. She wanted to know if we thought the yellow and orange flowers she picked out would be boyish enough for his headstone. And, I'm assuming she came to find us because we had a little boy with us. 

I assured her that they were boyish enough as I held back tears and asked her how old he was. I guess since she was willing to tell us that her son had died, I assumed that she wouldn't mind being asked questions. He was 12 hours old and she said she was just so grateful to be able to hold him. She knew going into her delivery that his chances of survival were near impossible. She said "the Lord knew what we needed" and my earlier thoughts about this woman being my sister were further confirmed. I held back tears during our short interchange and we parted paths. 

Later that evening I received word from a close friend that a family they were close to had lost their 2 year old son to cancer. His mom posted about him that night and as I read about his personality, which was so much like Cody's, I sat and cried for hours. 

Both of the moms in these stories had such a peace about them. They were most definitely sad and deeply grieved by the loss of time on earth with their sons, but they both knew that their sons were with their Father in heaven.

After hearing of these stories and after all of that emotion, I decided I needed some time to just hang out with Jesus and wanted so badly for him to come talk to me and tell me about his faithfulness and plan in all of this. I am so thankful for the technology that we have today that will read to you when your eyes are too tired to read for yourself, and so I listened to the Gospel of John. 

I felt comforted and was able to rest but the lingering thoughts about these stories were still with me the following day.  The most common thing I think about when things like this happen is "What is the Lord preparing me for?" I know that is wrong and selfish. I should be more concerned about the others who are involved. But, I'm more concerned about myself. So, I wonder, is Shane going to be born with a problem and die or is something going to happen to Cody, or maybe it's just that I need to be prepared for tragedy and something is going to happen to Todd, and so on and so forth...

All of these types of thoughts consume my mind and then He chastises me. He reminds me of His word. OH THANK YOU LORD for Your Word! 

• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

• Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

I could continue to post more and more promises and chastisement from His Word but you get the gist. I was struggling and I needed to be reminded that what I was thinking about was not true and therefore it didn't need to be thought about. Be anxious for nothing!!

If the Lord does decide to bring a trial into my life, I know several things about that. 1) It is intended for my good. 2) It is because He loves me 3) I will be able to endure it in His strength 4) It is for His glory

So now why the title of this post? 

What does any of this have to do with community?

First off, it has to do my church. I could not say more about how thankful I am to have MANY godly women to look to for guidance during trying times. I am SO DEEPLY thankful for the mentoring program we started where I have been able to be mentored personally for over a year and a half by an amazing older woman, and have now had the chance to start mentoring a younger girl myself. What a blessing it has been! 

I honestly think I would have continued in my worried state of anxiety much longer had I not been in the Word and spending time with fellow believers in community together. 

Secondly, the Lord has called us to live in community together, but it seems that many of us are still little islands trying to get by on our own. Even with busy and hurried schedules, it is so important to have fellowship with the body of Christ. Especially on more days than Sunday.  

Lastly, I hope this was an encouragement to you. If your church doesn't have a mentoring program set up, just find an older godly woman and ask...just do it. It will be so worth it!!

Great Article on Informal Mentoring

My Green Wedding Ring - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I always love St. Patrick's Day because I am covered when it comes to wearing green! My wedding ring has two emerald's in it, and it's always fun to think about why my ring has two emeralds. Todd designed every bit of this ring without any of my input and when I first saw it, I have to admit, it was not what I expected! But, after learning about why he chose each part specifically, I loved it! And since then, I have loved it more and more! We shared the ring description with those who were at our wedding, but I thought since it has been 5 years, it might be neat to share again, so here you go!

Gold:   We are gifts to each other, blessings from God, but we are not each other’s final destination. We are not eternally complete by or in our relationship to each other. God holds us accountable to help each other along our present path toward the golden streets.

Diamond:        “Diamonds are forever”? Not quite. They burn in God’s wrath just like anything else. God, however, is forever. Alpha and Omega. Before we physically existed, we existed to him. He had plans for us, and he is finishing his work with us and others, even beyond our earthly lives if he so chooses. He was our Creator in the beginning. He is our counselor and shepherd in this time. He will be our judge and our joy in the future, world without end.

Green (emeralds):        In God, by Jesus Christ, we are no longer walking dead. We have life, walking evergreen, bearing good fruit in season. As individuals, we are alive. As companions, we have a relationship of vibrant, green health. Our roots, our foundations, are solid, the Word of God itself. When (not if) troubles come; when trials, tests, attacks, adversities come, we will not fall, and what’s more, we’ll remain intact, alive, continuing to bear good fruit, because HE will not fail.

Heart Shape:   As a guideline for our family, we govern our lives by this principle:  “better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.” We do not sacrifice our love to God, to each other, or to others for worldly wealth, money, possessions, positions, or experiences.

The Number Three – two emeralds plus one diamond equals three:  Our marriage relationship is not whole if it does not include three:  God, Todd, and Danielle. Likewise, it is not complete if it is not carried out under God, in God’s ways, and if we do not conduct ourselves towards each other and others out of the God-recreated hearts within us. This we know not only from scripture, but also from experience.

Diamond Between Two Smaller Emeralds:  God has not forsaken us to this world. Our Lord came and left and will come back, but he did not leave us alone in this present time. God is with us:  our teacher, counselor, and guide. God is still with us in every breath and every step.

Clear Diamond Versus Occluded Emeralds:   God, represented by the diamond, is perfect; in him there is no imperfection. His holiness is absolute. If one wants to see original beauty and magnificence far surpassing the remnants that remain in this fallen world, they need to look only to God, for he alone is perfect, holy, and beautiful – the source of all that is good. We, represented by the two emeralds, in comparison, are not perfect...yet. As followers of Jesus Christ, children of the one God, perfection is part of our destiny. However, we are not perfect yet, hence the visible imperfections in the emeralds. Our perfection is a process initiated and continued on by God. He will not quit. Our time is coming...

Size of Diamond Versus Size of Emeralds:     If one ever thought they could stand toe-to-toe with God, they would be sorely mistaken. God is terrifyingly awesome, able to end human existence with but a single breath. Sooner or later, every knee will bow to God’s awesomeness, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is King. Some submit now, some do not. Eventually, all will. God is greater than us. There is no escaping him or his truth. We encourage all to submit to God now. As for our family, we indeed submit.

Emeralds Have Three Sides:   We are multi-facetted beings – not just body, not just mind, not just spirit. We are all three, combined into one whole. We were created in God’s image, three-in-one. Thus, in our interactions, we remember this and do not neglect each other’s full being. To fully care for each other, we care for each other’s body, mind, and spirit in Christ.

Emerald Triangles Point Toward Heart Diamond First, Then To Each Other:  God comes first. God is our first love, not each other. God loved us before anyone or anything else. We do love each other, but in the context that God first loved us, and that God has commanded us to first love him, then each other, in that order. We foresee problems arising in our relationship if we put each other, or anyone or anything else, before God. Similarly, we foresee blessings flowing in and through of our lives as we love God first, then each other and others.

One of those...nights.

We've learned through trial and error that nighttime is not a good time to begin any discussion of controversy. Yet, time after time, something comes along that gets brought to light in the evening hours and inevitably, whole hearted regret soon follows. Tonight was no different.

We had a beautiful day with my grandparents and enjoyed a drive across eastern Oklahoma and on through the hills of Arkansas. We witnessed the birthplace of my grandfather and the homestead of my great grandmother; we enjoyed good conversation and had an all around wonderful time. Upon returning home after our journey, we were definitely fatigued. Being 9 months pregnant didn’t offer any additional help to the situation.

We started a conversation in the car on the way home from my grandparent’s house that didn’t go very well. I was defensive. Neither of us was in the best mental capacity to be having this discussion; which continued for much longer than needed. It finally ended after I made a remark that I wanted pull back into my mouth as soon as I said it. I actually felt like I saw the words flying out as they passed my lips. (Interesting side note: this morning I read a quote warning us about how comments can only be forgiven, not forgotten.) Unfortunately, my diatribe is what ended our conversation. Thankfully, God softened our hearts and we forgave each other, but it doesn’t take away the guilt I feel.

All of this background is to tell you where I am at the moment and how I got here.

I feel down, very down. I feel like I see my sin so clearly. All of my sin. Not just the words I spoke out of anger, but my fleshly heart that loves to lie, hide from confrontation, blame-shift, and remain embittered. I see even more. And in times like these, I not only see today. I look back and see the past sins I have committed that I don’t let go of, at least the really wretched ones. In my head, I know that if the God of the universe has forgiven me, then it is supremely prideful to not forgive myself, but I still struggle. Thankfully, this isn’t the end of my thought, or my night.

All of this time through my struggle, I am looking at myself and my weakness; seeing a need for a Savior that is so clear that it makes my hands shake and my heart pound nearly out of my chest. I am weak, but He is strong. Humbled, broken to the dust, because of His great love, I am forgiven. I don’t have to hang on to past sins. I am wrong to do so. I don’t have to allow evil thoughts and desires to win. I have a Savior, who has pulled my heart from the mire and made it clean. I trample on Him with my sinful actions, yet He loves me still. I hate my sin. I hate the wickedness that lies within my heart. But I am free to live for Christ. My heart has been redeemed!

I am deeply grateful for the Apostle Paul who encourages me through times like these. The passages below wrestle through some of these thoughts. There is much more encouragement on this topic in scripture, but these passages stand out to me. Make sure you read to the end of Romans 8.

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6 ESV)

“Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” (Romans 7 ESV)

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8 ESV)

So now, at the end of my night. I can rest. Rest in the strength of the One who has forgiven me. The strength of the promise that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord.

First Experiences at ONEOK Field...Go DRILLERS!

My Giving Grandma & Papa

A good day with a dramatic ending...

Today was beautiful. The weather was fantastic. I spent some time taking pictures of the goats and miniature mule next door at the request of my father.



I cleaned a very messy house...



...and had a great time at the Devitt's Home Group with close friends and family, and saw a little husband and wife duck family outside their window.




All was going peachy until Todd and I decided to go for a late night run up to WalMart. We put the dogs in their crate, like we do everyday, turned off the lights and suddenly there was a knock down drag out fight in their crate! We actually thought that there might have been another animal in there, that's how crazy it was.

These dogs never fight like that with each other, so it was really weird. We quickly ran back in there to break it up and determined that Garrett was the agitated one.




So, Todd disciplined both dogs and we let them cool off outside.

After some chill time, we let them back in and went to WalMart. Thankfully, when we returned, there were no signs of fighting and the dogs seemed humbled. (we took away their bedding and toys)

Of course, immediately Garrett starting searching the house for his "Baby". He has had this toy for over two years and takes it to bed every night.



So, I walked him over to the bench where we store their toys, showed him the location, and shut the lid.






It's weird that two dogs could have so much personality. It makes me feel a little pensive for the day when we have children and start dealing with similar issues.

Right now, all is calm. They are both laying under my feet and seem to have reconciled their differences...what differences can dogs have anyway?

Day Two of New Camera: Learning Sport Mode

This is the Story of Petey, Garrett & the Goats

Petey and Garrett are our two puppy dogs.

This is Garrett:


And this is Petey:


Since we moved into our new home one thing they have really enjoyed doing is playing in the large backyard and protecting our turf from the neighboring goats.



They enjoy sitting with me on the back step waiting for the key moment...





When the moment comes, I say "Okay, go get the goats!" and off they go...





Of course, those goats are pesky little fellas, so they have to each go "get the goats" multiple times...





And after successfully telling those goats what's what, they always turn around and run back to me with a look that says: "See, aren't you proud! I got the goats!!"






And that is the story of Petey, Garrett & the Goats.

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:

Wedding Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Built Upon the Rock

Recently our pastor preached a sermon on a parable that Jesus taught about the wise man who built his house upon the rock, and the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. I am sure you all know the story…The wise man built his house upon the rock, and when the rains came down, his house was firmly established. The opposite was true for the foolish man whose house was built upon the sand. His house was obliterated when the storms came.

A few nights ago I wasn’t able to sleep and while I was lying there, I started to think about the relationships in my life. I have had friendships of all kinds…new and old, short and long, deep and shallow. And of course, there are a lot of factors that go into building a friendship…personalities, chemistry, likes/dislikes, timing, need…etc. After all those things have been sifted through and friendships have been formed, I’ve come to realize one thing: the friendships that are based on trust and reliance upon our Savior seem to be the ones that weather the storms of life well. Like the wise man in the Lord’s parable, they are friendships that are built upon the rock.

It is a fact that the house built on the sand could use many of the same materials as the house built on the rock. The floor plan, decorations and even the exterior could be identical, but eventually, the structure built upon the sand will be revealed. And, as the rains come down, the unsure foundation will wash away and the struggling house will be weakened, until finally, it is either destroyed or rescued. It can be rescued if a better builder chooses to come in, restore the house and put in a new, secure foundation, but only then. How exciting to know that the love of Christ can and does restore the most dilapidated of structures!

An interesting side note: When things start to come unraveled, I tend to look at my friend and suggest that it is their fault that the foundation is not sure. Many times, in the storms of life, I forget that my foundation is securely built upon Christ and I look more at the billowing clouds and do my best to hide from the ensuing tragedy. My own forgetfulness has caused many stormy seasons in life. Misplaced trust in my own abilities and my own reasoning has resulted in loss and disaster.

It is raining outside my window and I am reminded of the promises of new life and restoration. I am looking forward to the rainbow after the rain. More than that, I am looking forward to the day when all relationships will be without blemish. The day when we will love perfectly and selflessly! I anxiously await the return of our King and His Kingdom!