Beautiful days and Old friends

Well, apparently I was in a nostalgic mood tonight without even realizing it. I was sitting in the living room listening to my two youngest play as loud as they could on two Kindermusik harmonicas and I started to hum a tune and then sing. "It's a beautiful day, a beautiful day. Sunshines come into my heart to stay. It really doesn't matter what the weather men say. It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day."

That song took me back many years to when I first heard one of my best friends sing the song she wrote for a school contest. So I began to try to remember all the words and didn't take me long to remember this:

"Somewhere it may be raining; somewhere the cold winds blow;

somewhere it may be snowing, but this one thing I know:

It's a beautiful day, a beautiful day. Sunshines come into my heart to stay.

It really doesn't matter what the weather men say. It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day.

Somewhere over the rainbow, I've been told,

there lies a place called heaven. Streets are purest gold.

Some day I'm going to go there but till then,

I'm going to walk in God's sunlight . . . and live every day for him.

It's a beautiful day, a beautiful day. Sunshines come into my heart to stay.

It really doesn't matter what the weather men say. It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day."

I love that song. It may have been written by a child, but the words are oh, so true. What a beautiful day every day is when we are serving God. Growing up, our church motto or theme was "Serving God is Beautiful." Of course there is wonderful song that goes with that theme,

"Serving God is beautiful. Serving the King of kings.

I serve Him because I love Him you see.

Serving God is beautiful to me."

(written, I believe, by Sis. Ronda Hurst, my pastor's wife at that time in my life.)

Life will present us with challenges and problems, trials, etc, etc. But you know what, it's still a beautiful day, a beautiful life, because the King of kings is in control and He is making me into what I need to become to fullfill His purpose. My life is about more than the day to day obligations or even the plans I make for the future. It is about the eternal purpose of God. That is important to remember when trials want to drag me down or I want to worry about problems. I just need to cast my cares upon Him. After all He cares for me and loves more than I could ever fathom. He has a plan for me and a future, plans to prosper me and keep me, and not to harm me. So it is a beautiful day, no matter what the weather man or any other man or devil, might say, because I am walking in God's sunshine and living every day for Him!!

Okay so after I spent some time singing the kid's song, I started trying to remember another song my friend wrote as a young teen.

"I wish you well. I wish you well.

You're my very special friend, and I wish you well.

Wherever you may go, I want you to know,

We'll be friends forever and I wish you well.

If I could paint a picture, here is what I'd do,

I would paint a rainbow and a bright sun, too.

And when the paintings over, a story it will tell

Of happy ever after and I wish you well.

I wish you well. I wish you well.
You're my very special friend, and I wish you well.
Wherever you may go, I want you to know,
We'll be friends forever and I wish you well."

I may not have remembered every word correctly, but I wanted to say a special message to my "very special friend." If you are reading this, I want you to know that I haven't forgotten. No matter where we are in life right now, the water that has passed under the bridge, I still remember and I still count you as a special friend. I don't think you came to mind so strongly tonight for no reason. I believe God laid you on my heart in a special way tonight. Maybe one day we will have the chance to get together, to catch up, to watch our children play together, but if not, you are still in my heart and prayers. Love you, girl!

World Class Families

Awesome, awesome, awesome! That is the only way to describe todays World Class Families seminar for the ladies. So many timely things were said that I can't even begin to type them all here. To sum it up, I guess I would say we as mothers and wives need to spend time with our children, pray without ceasing, and devour the Word of God like never before. The ladies that serve as our examples at the Rock Church are World Class to be sure, and their leadership is unparalleled. Thank you Sis. Wilson and Sis. Young for your burden for our families and your committment to seeing the women of TRC become the BEST moms and wives in the World!

After a wonderful Holy Ghost filled first session with a question and answer panel and of course the great and inspired teaching of Sis Wilson, we had lunch out in front of the church by the fountain. The sunshine and fellowship were a great way to spend some time with fellow mommies sans kids. Then we reconvened to hear awesome teaching by Sis Young and breakout Q and A groups geared towards grandparenting, parenting boys, parenting girls, single moms, and homeschool moms. We could leave and join the groups throughout the time in order to hear advice and get answers on any of the subjects we needed. I started with the girl group lead by Sis Patty Felt. I heard some great ideas on spending time with daughters, encouraging daddy/daughter time, creating special memories and traditions, how to approach "the birds and the bees", and how to foster a child's independence. I then went to the boy group lead by Sis. Sargent and Sis Jill Lewis. There were many great ideas about how to encourage your boy to be independent, how to plan time for Dad and his son, and how to face those hard dating years.

All in all it was definitely World Class. We are taking a break for the summer, but I know I speak for many, many other ladies when I say I can't wait for the next one and I will spend my summer making those connections with my kids like Sis. Young suggested. Our kids and families are worth ever bit of hard work and sacrifice that we give and the love and devotion and satisfaction that we receive back are immeasurable.

Family "Church"

Every Monday night we have family time of prayer and Bible reading with a lesson. About a month ago Kevin and I decided to start making this time even more "kid friendly" by having some type of object lesson or experiment or activity to reinforce the Bible truth for the night, kind of like a mini kids church. We thought it would give us a great opportunity to try out ideas we have read or seen on our kids so when the door opens for the childrens' evangilism we have praying about, we will have had all kinds of hands on experience. So far we have found out that balloons with water won't pop when over a flame (like being filled with the Holy Ghost helps us endure the fire of temptation), that even a small force will make a big difference on a pendelum, no matter how heavy the weight (like our prayers can move mountains), and that a small strand can bind us up if we get wrapped up in it enough times (like bad habits or sins) and that small strands can also be used to make strong ropes that help us (like good habits and prayer). Soon we are going to add some puppets to our family church night. But anyways, the kids LOVE it so far!! They talk about it all week and remind us all day on Monday that "Tonights our family church!" Tonight we played a hide and seek game with the kids and taught about the lost coin, lamb, and the prodigal son. Then we spent time in prayer. We have been following the Lord's prayer since our time of focus on that as a church in January. It has really helped the girls in learning how to pray. Well, tonight God just reached down and touched us as a family and we had an awesome prayer meeting with the kids! We even had some Holy Rolling going on. Oh wait that was Dallas rolling around on the floor. Well, we can always hope lol! Dallas did really get into his praying before his holy rolling started. He was sitting on our fireplace hearth rocking back and forth and hitting the ground with his fist. I wish I would have got a video clip of it, but I was praying with Darilyn at the time. We ended with Dallas in Kevin's lap and my arms around the Delaney and Darilyn praying for family unity, etc. Denae was there too, and soon she pushed between the girls to bury her head against me, and the girls put there arms around her. It was so sweet and precious. What a great way to end a prayer meeting.

Uncommon Favor

Oh, my! God is soo awesome! These last few months one of our church prayers has been for uncommon favor, and since 2008 has begun God has been blessing my family in awesome way. Financially, we have had the opportunity to make more "extra" money, above and beyond the normal income, than ever before. Kevin had been blessed with many extra jobs, as well as bonus commissions at work. I have been praying about taking on at least one other child in a childcare capcity (I already have one), all the while knowing that even though the $$ would be a blessing, the vehicle situation would be a trial. We have a truck that I use that seats 6, and with me, my four, and my "other" child, that maxes out the seating. Not a big deal, except when it is time to pick Delaney up from school or errands later in the day. I really can't fit another child in the truck. However, God answered my prayer and worked it out on my behalf in an unbelievable way! The mom whose child I already watch has a friend that she works with. Their hours are changing and the friend needed to find a new childcare provider. The awesome thing is, that will mean the hours I keep the girls, both 2 or close to it, will be the same. I will have plenty of time to get my girls to school in morning and get some stuff done before they get to my house. Then, another friend that has children that attend school with my girls will pick Delaney up and bring her home for the rest of January. My girls are then off track (out of school) for 5, that's right FIVE, weeks in Feb. and the first of March. That gives us almost 2 mos to get the vehicle situation taken care of. I am praying for either a mini-van or something that seats 8, in a pretty, medium blue. I know God answers prayer, so I decided to get specific.:) Also, another friend of mine needs someone on a more sporadic basis to watch her son on the weekends, so that would be an added bonus. He hasn't just blessed us financially, but that is what I am tesitfying about right now. We just have such a peace and trust regarding our financial situation now. Where before we had worry and fret about bills, etc and the future, we now are looking back, seeing that even though we don't know how, God has made a way, and now He is blessing us with this uncommon favor that is literally blowing our minds. I wish I could explain it all in this post, but I don't think there is room on my page! We are still busy and even busier, but it is with the knowledge He is working for us and through us to achieve His will and purpose. We know that God will continue to bless us as we bless His kingdom. I know that somehow, someway, God is going to allow us to become an even bigger blessing in His kingdom than ever before. I know God is doing awesome things for others, so feel free to comment and share your blessing with me. I would love to hear about all the other awesome things my God is doing!!!

Random Pictures from December

Ready for Church on Sunday Night

Notes from church

During church Tuesday night, I had to leave due to a sick baby. Delaney arrived home after church with a paper. She handed it to me and said, "Mommy I took notes for you since you couldn't be there." I found her notes to be both precious because she had thought about doing this for me and hilarious because, well, just read them for yourself!

A good friend of ours passesd away today. James Ruiz was an integeral part of the church we attended for almost 3 years in Oakland. He and his family ministered to us in so many ways, one of which was "adopting" our kids, as well as me and Kevin, into their family. Please be in prayer for his wife and two kids, a daughter (19) and son (15) as well as the church. He fought cancer along with some other issues for several months before being called on to his reward. We will greatly miss him, but know he fought the good fight and finished his course.

Every breath I take I take in you

I am in the office on my computer and my kids are straightening up their playroom. I can hear most of what they are saying and then they start singing the song, "Every Breath I Take I Take in You." At least I think that is the title. Anyway, the girls know most of the words but not all, and Dallas knows the tune and makes up the words. But they are all singing at the top of their lungs. It is both hilarious and touching at the same time. To hear my kids singing praise and worship songs from church as they play just touches my heart, but the words and phrases that don't come out quiet right are down right funny. Makes me wish the video on my digital camera worked so I could share it with you all!

Littlest Angel

Denae is my little angel, but lately she's become "the diva." She has learned that as the youngest of four, in order to be heard (and preferrably obeyed), you must scream. At the top of your lungs. It works, let me tell you. We are currently in the process of breaking her of this habit. Fun times, let me tell you. But, she is a doll and pretty funny for a one year old. She loves to play and act like her big brothers and sisters, so today she was "reading" a book to herself. Everytime she turned the page she said, "OOHHH!" Like it was a surprise ending or something. She has also begun calling me My-My and her daddy is Dy-Dy. And she loves Sunday School. In the picture above one of her little friends is sharing his cheerios with her. She is glad to accept. For such a little person, she is a BIG eater! Speaking of the precious little Diva, it is time for her to go to bed, so I must go for now.

Cowboy

Here is a picture of Dallas, my little cowboy. He loves to wear his hat and boots. He asks every time we are getting ready for church if he can wear his boots and "cowboy pants." If the answer is no, then the next best thing is his suit and tie. Quite the little pentecostal isn't he?

Delaney Gets Baptized!

As I was looking for the picture to put into my last post, I came across these pictures of Delaney getting baptized on August 26, 2007. She got the Holy Ghost several months ago, when she was 5, but we waited a little while for her to get baptized so that we knew she understood what it was all about. She is 6 1/2 and very bright, so we needn't have worried! She was so excited when she was getting ready. She said she had been waiting for this day forever! As a mom, I think that this has to be one of the most memorable events, seeing my little girl baptized and watching her praise the Lord and speak in tongues as she came up out of the water. Thank you, Jesus, for saving my daughter at such an early age. Now, 3 more to go!