I often get asked 'who' I am writing for.
In other words, who is my audience?
Here is my reply. . .
I write for my Audience of One.
"Lord let me live for you.
Lord as the love song of my life is played.
I have one desire.
To bring Glory to Your name."
Here in Kansas I am surrounded by piles of snow. Have been for weeks now.
There are always such conflicting feelings about the snow.
The first few snows of the year are enjoyable as they tend to remind me of being washed whiter than snow. And then there is the joy it brings the kiddos.
And a snow day-who doesn't love a snow day?
But, after awhile it gets OLD. REALLY OLD. Those of you in warm sunny places may not understand but being surrounded by piles of cold dirty snow can wear a girl down.
And after the 3rd snow day it becomes a little of ENOUGH ALREADY with all the days off we need some routine around here! When the kids are ready to go back to school you know IT IS TIME!
But, beyond the piles of cold snow, I have found myself surrounded by piles of other things as well. Ans I've found it not only cold outside, but inside this fickle heart of mine as well.
And, frankly it's been a struggle this past week.
We have had such "Highs" as we have prayed for our precious little friend, Clement. And seen miracle after miracle.
I think sometimes when we are up on the mountain top, Satan comes up underneath us and starts poking at us.
I've found him hiding under piles of things in my life that I thought were just harmless, but in fact have become sanctuaries from him to hid in.
Resentments, I've let pile up around me. Hurt feelings. Self doubt, that seems to surround me in huge piles and just when I think I've dug out from under, something happens and another pile pops up in it's place.
And just like the piles of snow outside my door, these piles are cold and dreary and can lead to isolation as well.
So, today I am taking out my shovel and getting rid of these piles surrounding me.
And as anyone who has done it knows, shoveling is hard work. But, it's also necessary work.
Because unless I get rid of these piles, I'll be stuck inside my own little world, Isolated and alone.
So, it may still frozen and cold outside and not much better inside, but today I'm shoveling out.
There are always such conflicting feelings about the snow.
The first few snows of the year are enjoyable as they tend to remind me of being washed whiter than snow. And then there is the joy it brings the kiddos.
And a snow day-who doesn't love a snow day?
But, after awhile it gets OLD. REALLY OLD. Those of you in warm sunny places may not understand but being surrounded by piles of cold dirty snow can wear a girl down.
And after the 3rd snow day it becomes a little of ENOUGH ALREADY with all the days off we need some routine around here! When the kids are ready to go back to school you know IT IS TIME!
But, beyond the piles of cold snow, I have found myself surrounded by piles of other things as well. Ans I've found it not only cold outside, but inside this fickle heart of mine as well.
And, frankly it's been a struggle this past week.
We have had such "Highs" as we have prayed for our precious little friend, Clement. And seen miracle after miracle.
I think sometimes when we are up on the mountain top, Satan comes up underneath us and starts poking at us.
I've found him hiding under piles of things in my life that I thought were just harmless, but in fact have become sanctuaries from him to hid in.
Resentments, I've let pile up around me. Hurt feelings. Self doubt, that seems to surround me in huge piles and just when I think I've dug out from under, something happens and another pile pops up in it's place.
And just like the piles of snow outside my door, these piles are cold and dreary and can lead to isolation as well.
So, today I am taking out my shovel and getting rid of these piles surrounding me.
And as anyone who has done it knows, shoveling is hard work. But, it's also necessary work.
Because unless I get rid of these piles, I'll be stuck inside my own little world, Isolated and alone.
So, it may still frozen and cold outside and not much better inside, but today I'm shoveling out.
Let's start by saying TECHNOLOGY is NOT my friend!
So, several hours and many abandoned downloads later, here is the new look.
( It might go faster if I wasn't passing out meds and wiping noses, but such is my life)
What do you think?
Personally, I think it looks a little 'baby shower' ish . . .but it's done so I'm happy. . .for now.
It's kinda like rearranging the furniture in your living room. You could tweak things everyday for a month. Maybe that's just me.
Sometimes I like to just put my crazy right out front for everyone to see.
Look around, let me know what you think. What works, what doesn't. . .
And as always, thanks for reading!
Ang
So, several hours and many abandoned downloads later, here is the new look.
( It might go faster if I wasn't passing out meds and wiping noses, but such is my life)
What do you think?
Personally, I think it looks a little 'baby shower' ish . . .but it's done so I'm happy. . .for now.
It's kinda like rearranging the furniture in your living room. You could tweak things everyday for a month. Maybe that's just me.
Sometimes I like to just put my crazy right out front for everyone to see.
Look around, let me know what you think. What works, what doesn't. . .
And as always, thanks for reading!
Ang
We serve a mighty and faithful God!
Our precious little Clement is doing so good today!
The surgeons were just amazed by how well he did-but we say we serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we serve the God who put a star into the sky and knew who this little boy in a village in Africa is. And not only does he know him, he loves him and holds him in the palm of His hand!
I won't go into all the medical jargon, but just know it was an intense surgery and he came through with flying colors.
His surgical nurse is also a believer, so they got to spend some sweet time in prayer before his surgery. What a blessing to have a believer in the room with him!
And, as much as I am rejoicing in this little boy/miracle, in the past 24 hours I have been told about 2 Mommies with little ones at home, who are facing some very difficult health battles. The kind that in my eyes I don't see any way.
But, thankfully they aren't in my hands-they are in the hands of Jehovah Jirah-the Lord will provide, Jehovah rapha-the Lord our healer and Jehovah shalom-the Lord our Peace.
So, I am lifting up praise hands to Jesus today for seeing precious Clement through the valley, not just yesterday but his entire two years.
But I am also praying that if you or someone you love needs healing that you will turn to the One and Only True God for answers.
To all of those who were and are praying, thank you thank you thank you!
Love, hugs and prayers around the world! XOXO
Our precious little Clement is doing so good today!
The surgeons were just amazed by how well he did-but we say we serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we serve the God who put a star into the sky and knew who this little boy in a village in Africa is. And not only does he know him, he loves him and holds him in the palm of His hand!
I won't go into all the medical jargon, but just know it was an intense surgery and he came through with flying colors.
His surgical nurse is also a believer, so they got to spend some sweet time in prayer before his surgery. What a blessing to have a believer in the room with him!
And, as much as I am rejoicing in this little boy/miracle, in the past 24 hours I have been told about 2 Mommies with little ones at home, who are facing some very difficult health battles. The kind that in my eyes I don't see any way.
But, thankfully they aren't in my hands-they are in the hands of Jehovah Jirah-the Lord will provide, Jehovah rapha-the Lord our healer and Jehovah shalom-the Lord our Peace.
So, I am lifting up praise hands to Jesus today for seeing precious Clement through the valley, not just yesterday but his entire two years.
But I am also praying that if you or someone you love needs healing that you will turn to the One and Only True God for answers.
To all of those who were and are praying, thank you thank you thank you!
Love, hugs and prayers around the world! XOXO
The past three years have brought many changes to my personal life, with my best friend of 20+ years moving with her family to Thailand. It was so heartbreaking!
Then last year my beloved friend, who is really more sister than friend, moved with her family to serve as missionary's in Ghana Africa.
To say that the transition of not having these two beloved girls in my daily has been difficult would be an understatement!
But, with all the technology available now, we have been able to keep a constant email flow between all of us and our 4th friend who is still here in The States like me.
We often sign these emails Love Hugs and Prayers Around the World.
One thing that has also made the transition a bit easier is seeing Wendy's ministry there in Africa through the amazing pictures she takes. And the stories she writes about the beloved people she serves. I feel like I already know many of them.
One of those people is a little 2 year old boy named Clement and his father Baba.
Clement is very sick and needs a life saving surgery on his heart. There is no where in Ghana for this surgery to happen.
Through a series of miracles, Wendy was able to find a doctor in Florida who would donate his time and talents and a hospital to let him perform the surgery. A family they did not know said they could stay with them and God moved MOUNTAINS for Baba and little Clement to obtain their Visa's and Passports. Seriously, if I wrote about that it would take many blog entries. Just know it was MOUNTAINS that were moved!
His surgery was scheduled for the 25th-until yesterday.
Yesterday, he had an assessment by the surgeon that included doing a heart catheter procedure so they could see exactly what they were dealing with in Clement's heart.
It did not go well.
Clement's oxygen level was at 22% and the Doctor said he has not seen a heart this bad in a very long time.
They (dr's and nurses) are all amazed that he made the three day journey just to get here.
But we are not! We serve a Might God!
Because of what they saw and how Clement is doing they put him in ICU last night and have moved his surgery to 11 EST.
So, I am asking you, Dear Reader to please pray for this little boy today.
I know there are many readers who are 'lurkers' here and many of you come from around the world.
Please know that I appreciate each of you and I covet your prayers for this dear boy who has worked his way into our hearts!
Let's pray around the world today!
The surgery will take many hours but, I'll update you as soon as I know anything.
Thank you. Thank You, for taking the time to read this and to PRAY for Clement!
Blessings to you and love, hugs and prayers around the world!
Then last year my beloved friend, who is really more sister than friend, moved with her family to serve as missionary's in Ghana Africa.
To say that the transition of not having these two beloved girls in my daily has been difficult would be an understatement!
But, with all the technology available now, we have been able to keep a constant email flow between all of us and our 4th friend who is still here in The States like me.
We often sign these emails Love Hugs and Prayers Around the World.
One thing that has also made the transition a bit easier is seeing Wendy's ministry there in Africa through the amazing pictures she takes. And the stories she writes about the beloved people she serves. I feel like I already know many of them.
One of those people is a little 2 year old boy named Clement and his father Baba.
Clement is very sick and needs a life saving surgery on his heart. There is no where in Ghana for this surgery to happen.
Through a series of miracles, Wendy was able to find a doctor in Florida who would donate his time and talents and a hospital to let him perform the surgery. A family they did not know said they could stay with them and God moved MOUNTAINS for Baba and little Clement to obtain their Visa's and Passports. Seriously, if I wrote about that it would take many blog entries. Just know it was MOUNTAINS that were moved!
His surgery was scheduled for the 25th-until yesterday.
Yesterday, he had an assessment by the surgeon that included doing a heart catheter procedure so they could see exactly what they were dealing with in Clement's heart.
It did not go well.
Clement's oxygen level was at 22% and the Doctor said he has not seen a heart this bad in a very long time.
They (dr's and nurses) are all amazed that he made the three day journey just to get here.
But we are not! We serve a Might God!
Because of what they saw and how Clement is doing they put him in ICU last night and have moved his surgery to 11 EST.
So, I am asking you, Dear Reader to please pray for this little boy today.
I know there are many readers who are 'lurkers' here and many of you come from around the world.
Please know that I appreciate each of you and I covet your prayers for this dear boy who has worked his way into our hearts!
Let's pray around the world today!
The surgery will take many hours but, I'll update you as soon as I know anything.
Thank you. Thank You, for taking the time to read this and to PRAY for Clement!
Blessings to you and love, hugs and prayers around the world!
The other day the little princess informed me that when she grew up she was going to be an 'Adventure Girl'. Then she added that she was going to be an Adventure Girl who tamed the T Rex!
And, I have no doubt that if there were still T Rex's roaming the Earth, that indeed she would be the one to tame them. Knowing my girl, she'd sing them a song and then they would all be friends.
But, as I look at this precious girl of mine, I do wonder where she got her Adventure Girl spirit (that I pray she never loses!). Frankly, I'd much rather bake cookies and have a tea party.
She's often up for that too, but you'd better bet her 'pet' dino is at the table with us.
Lately, though I've began my own adventure and as much I am (mostly) enjoying the ride, I have often wondered in my prayers 'Are you SURE this is what you want for me?'. In both my ministry life and home life, I have asked that question more than once. I like things to stay the same and in my comfort zone is where I like to stay.
I have also began to work out at our local community center. Let me tell you, THAT is an adventure! I have thought about changing my blog name to A Fat Girl Goes To The Gym.
Let me tell you, when you haven't been inside a gym in 20 years that is an adventure.
I know, for those of you who are fit and workout people you may not get this, BUT just walking into a gym when you are NOT is an adventure and takes some courage.
You feel out place and not sure what to do or where to start.
After my first timid step in, I'll be honest and say I wasn't sure if I would go back, but after praying for courage and determination I did go back and have actually been enjoying my time there.
I have learned a few things though on this adventure though.
1) Never get on the treadmill next to the girl in her very cute matching workout clothes.
You are only going to feel bad about your self.
2) Great work out music is a must! I've been enjoying Switchfoot, TobyMac and Michael W. Smith's Wonder.
3) While walking on the treadmill that is not the time to try and untangle the headphones on your ipod.
4)There are more muscles in your body that can hurt than you EVER THOUGHT possible!
But, here is the rub, that I believe is so hard for us women to get into our heads. Our beauty is not definded by a dress size, a number on a scale or anything else.
Yes, being active and healthy is a good thing- a great thing, but we can't let it become our a security and idenity.
We are beautiful because God made us. You will be worth no more to Him because of what your dress size is or isn't.
I think of all the things we struggle with believing that is one of the top 5.
So, we have a choice to make, do we believe the Divinely inspired words written in Ps. 139 or don't we?
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Verse 17 says His thoughts toward us our precious. I love that!
So, I've become an adventure girl, in my ministry life and in my quest to be more active and healthy.
It's scary and intimidating at times. But, I know He's gone before me and already made the way.
Maybe the princess and I will find a T Rex and tame it!
What adventure are you on?
And, I have no doubt that if there were still T Rex's roaming the Earth, that indeed she would be the one to tame them. Knowing my girl, she'd sing them a song and then they would all be friends.
But, as I look at this precious girl of mine, I do wonder where she got her Adventure Girl spirit (that I pray she never loses!). Frankly, I'd much rather bake cookies and have a tea party.
She's often up for that too, but you'd better bet her 'pet' dino is at the table with us.
Lately, though I've began my own adventure and as much I am (mostly) enjoying the ride, I have often wondered in my prayers 'Are you SURE this is what you want for me?'. In both my ministry life and home life, I have asked that question more than once. I like things to stay the same and in my comfort zone is where I like to stay.
I have also began to work out at our local community center. Let me tell you, THAT is an adventure! I have thought about changing my blog name to A Fat Girl Goes To The Gym.
Let me tell you, when you haven't been inside a gym in 20 years that is an adventure.
I know, for those of you who are fit and workout people you may not get this, BUT just walking into a gym when you are NOT is an adventure and takes some courage.
You feel out place and not sure what to do or where to start.
After my first timid step in, I'll be honest and say I wasn't sure if I would go back, but after praying for courage and determination I did go back and have actually been enjoying my time there.
I have learned a few things though on this adventure though.
1) Never get on the treadmill next to the girl in her very cute matching workout clothes.
You are only going to feel bad about your self.
2) Great work out music is a must! I've been enjoying Switchfoot, TobyMac and Michael W. Smith's Wonder.
3) While walking on the treadmill that is not the time to try and untangle the headphones on your ipod.
4)There are more muscles in your body that can hurt than you EVER THOUGHT possible!
But, here is the rub, that I believe is so hard for us women to get into our heads. Our beauty is not definded by a dress size, a number on a scale or anything else.
Yes, being active and healthy is a good thing- a great thing, but we can't let it become our a security and idenity.
We are beautiful because God made us. You will be worth no more to Him because of what your dress size is or isn't.
I think of all the things we struggle with believing that is one of the top 5.
So, we have a choice to make, do we believe the Divinely inspired words written in Ps. 139 or don't we?
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Verse 17 says His thoughts toward us our precious. I love that!
So, I've become an adventure girl, in my ministry life and in my quest to be more active and healthy.
It's scary and intimidating at times. But, I know He's gone before me and already made the way.
Maybe the princess and I will find a T Rex and tame it!
What adventure are you on?
Malachi 3:6a For I am the LORD, I do not change
That verse is in my kitchen window. It was one of J's memory verses at the beginning of the school year and he made a little project to help him learn his verse.
So, I put it up in the window and often reflect on it while standing at the sink.
There have been many days it has brought me comfort as I stand there and think upon that promise.
It's really been on my mind at the beginning of this new year.
The Lord tells He does not change.
Doesn't change for our will or purposes, not for our enemies will either. Not for the times or for convenience sake.
He does not change.
The world around us may be crumbling, leaving us with a feeling of standing on unsteady ground.
Your man may have walked away, you may have a wayward child, or an empty bank account, or maybe even just worn down by the complexities of life.
But, He is our Rock and He has promised that He will never change.
That means that every other promise He has given us, He will fulfill -because He doesn't change.
We can rest on the promise that same God who has loved us and provided us a way through before, will do it again.
He is the Lord and He does not change.
Thank You Lord!
That verse is in my kitchen window. It was one of J's memory verses at the beginning of the school year and he made a little project to help him learn his verse.
So, I put it up in the window and often reflect on it while standing at the sink.
There have been many days it has brought me comfort as I stand there and think upon that promise.
It's really been on my mind at the beginning of this new year.
The Lord tells He does not change.
Doesn't change for our will or purposes, not for our enemies will either. Not for the times or for convenience sake.
He does not change.
The world around us may be crumbling, leaving us with a feeling of standing on unsteady ground.
Your man may have walked away, you may have a wayward child, or an empty bank account, or maybe even just worn down by the complexities of life.
But, He is our Rock and He has promised that He will never change.
That means that every other promise He has given us, He will fulfill -because He doesn't change.
We can rest on the promise that same God who has loved us and provided us a way through before, will do it again.
He is the Lord and He does not change.
Thank You Lord!
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