Praise God for Chris Schrag!

So on Monday I fell out of a chair.... hit my head/hip ... an ER Visit later was told has a mild concussion. Just what every mother of four needs right?

To make matters worse, my mom was sick so my only help in times like these was sick and unable to help. So yesterday... while suffering from the most severe headache of my life, I cooked/cleaned up/ fed/ etc etc etc four children. IT SUCKED!

Today I woke up feeling better... but at 3:30 or so, the headache came back full on. I called the doctor and they said this could happen for the next week or so until my brain heals completely from the trauma. How fun is this I ask you?

Well, Wendy my friend for LIFE offered to take the kiddos to church for me... and I was almost about to take her up on that, but first I called Chris. And Chris told me she would take them for me. She is a blessing in a half! I pray that everyone who reads this knows her or gets too! She's AMAZING... and I love her more than words can say.

This got me to thinking... as on Sunday I had read the story of the Rich Young Ruler (as told through christiansunite.com) for the kids. Here's how the Bible puts it... (bare with me, I'm still pretty much in pain!)

Luke 18:18-23 (New King James Version)
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”[a]21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

So here is a man who has kept all the commandments and made good of himself. However, his peace has come through physical things and he has learned to love his possessions more than the one providing those blessings.

What I keep thinking about is this: What if this man would have done what Christ had said to him to do? What if this man had sold everything and followed Christ? Who did we miss learning from, since this man chose to disobey the will of God in His life. He could have been a warrior like Paul, a healer like Luke. He could have written the gospel according too... but this man instead missed out on the richest blessing... he missed out on the blessing of being in the Will of God.

I wonder if he ever learned what God was trying to show him... And in return I wonder how many opportunities I have passed up, by leading the life I have. I pray God will still use me, and show me His will for my life!

In my mind....

Recently, we had an un-expected bill come up, and I had to spend my grocery money on the unexpected bill.

The next day, praise God I was able to get my WIC stuff.... but I'm not sure if I've ever felt so upset/lonely/frustrated/annoyed/and down right angry as I walked through the aisles of Walmart. You see...

Our pantry was literally empty. We had no food that I could even throw together to make into a semi-nutritious meal for the kids. I was so frustrated at myself, at the choices I had made, even at Walmart for having so much food... etc.

Thankfully I have family who was willing to help me out until I was able to pay them back.

It was humbling as I reflected on those feelings. I had went out to my car and cried my eyes out after walking through those aisles. I felt as if my world was crashing in on me. I can't imagine feeling that everyday, or every week.

We as a country have amazing programs that help people, and I'm thankful for that. But I still can't imagine the scars left on a mother's heart and I can't imagine feeling that alone. I was thankful that as I cried I had my Jesus to listen and care about me. I was thankful that as I pondered what I could sell or trade etc to get grocery's that my Jesus was listening to me in my irrational state.

See Jesus knows Richard and I spent money where we shouldn't. Jesus knows that we have made stupid mistakes. But in my hour of need, Jesus didn't condemn, like this world so often does, He instead comforted.... and provided a way out of the crazy situation.

But honestly His comfort was what I needed, more than anything I needed to hear that His love was still there, that His comfort was going to carry me through. That He was leading me, and that He would carry me though .... trying to understand how I would make it through the week on milk and eggs was beyond my understanding. (I know I'm spoiled!) Jesus provided by allowing us to get the WIC in the first place.

I'm not saying that Jesus fixes all of our mistakes, but Jesus did provide... this time He provided through my sister, but Jesus can provide through many venues. Like I said, I was thankful for getting my WIC, and knew if anything the kids would have milk and eggs. The Lord had provided a good friend to help me see that I wasn't alone and milk and eggs are as good as any other thing to a five, three, and two year old.

Now as I look through the aisles of Walmart, I am truly humbled by the money I have to shop and buy food.

My Baby is starting school

Tomorrow Lori Ann starts Kindergarten.

I don't know why I'm so upset about this.... but I think it's because last year it was okay to take her out of school to go on vacation or keep her home just to hug on her or love on her.. it was only 3 hours she was missing....

but now it's mandated. She needs to be in school, ready and able to learn.... she needs to be there everyday she can to ensure she has the greatest chance of learning all she can so she can be as prepared for this world as possible.... well at least educationally.....

it has just gone by quickly! I will miss my princess talks with her while the others took their naps. My baby is growing up... I know she will be prepared.. I just hope everyone else is prepared for her. Watch out world.. Lori Ann is a coming :)

Yep.. One of those days

Anyone remember that song by Brandi?? or someone right after Brandi who sounded just like Brandi ... it went like "Just one of them days.. that a girl goes through.. " etc etc.

I had one of those days yesterday. I woke up thinking it was going to be a great day. I had slept a whole 10 hours, I felt refreshed, awake, energized... and than I got into the grind of the work day and wanted to give up! Calling people and telling them that the owe that large insurance bill isn't always the best .... and yesterday was just one of those days that I couldn't please anyone.. not my company.. not my customers... not my family .. not my children.. NO ONE.

As I started to look over who I was worrying about pleasing.. I saw that God wasn't in there at all. The most important question I wasn't asking was .. "Did my day please God?" ... I think given the above information the answer would most likely be no... but why?

I think mostly b/c of my attitude. I didn't have a positive attitude at all. Instead of just drumming through life like I have been, I need to be looking.. seeking.. learning about my God, my family, my children, my fellow lovers of Christ.. I really need to stop being so lazy and thinking about all the things I don't like about my life and focus more on the things I love about my life.

I love my husband. YES he drives me insane. And I mean INSANE! But he accepts me no matter WHAT I DO.. he shows me Christ by loving me .. something that I've often struggled to accept... but still something I strive for more than breathe itself.

I love my children. Again.. they drive me UP A WALL. Clayton screams... Lori Ann argues... Meghan stomps her feet.. and Katie Lynn.. well Katie Lynn is adorable.. but mix them together and you have a huge mess... but that is my mess. Those are the creations that Richard and I are a part of. NO ONE or anything can take that away from me.. I will always cherish the memories of Clay and Lori Ann trying to dance with each other like the Dancing w/ the Stars performers.. or Meghan getting mad b/c Lori Ann was singing God's army too loud that she couldn't hear herself sing. I cherish the smile Katie Lynn gives me when I want to throw up my hands and run screaming for the hills.

I love my church! Sure I feel like I am SO under understood... but people there don't judge. They love. I got an email from my deaconess today and she reminded me.. "You are loved!" What a blessing to hear that from someone who doesn't have to love you at all. I could just be another face for her.. but nope.. she has chosen to love me. That's so cool.. and if you read this blog .. you see how I feel about the Bumpers... and if I haven't said it yet.. the Mathes ... he's someone one day I'd love to imitate... he is patient and kind.. sincere.. just an amazing man!

Sure I'm not ecstatic about my job.. but I do have one. That can't be said by everyone. So praise God I can support my family. Praise God Richard isn't the only one trying to provide for our family. What a stress that must be for some... and I would never want Richard to feel as if he was in that by himself. God has me where I need to be... and has me focused on where I need to be in the future.. He is helping me get there.. and that's a blessing too!

So here's the biggest blessing in my life thus far. God is defeating the power of worrying in my life.

I worry about EVERYTHING! And I mean EVERYTHING. But these last two weeks I've been placing that worry on the strong shoulders of God. And God has delivered. Why I doubted I do not know! Placing your faith in Him is an amazing feat ... but so worth it (at least it was an amazing feat for me..)

So here's the ending for tonight.. I'm thankful for my life. Sure it's not exactly where I thought it would be.. but what ever is?

Here .. enjoy some good ole' Caedmon's... all the cool people are :)

This is the valley that I'm walking through
And if fells like forever since
I've been close to you
My friends up above me don't
understand why i struggle like i do
My shadow's my only,only companion
and at night he leaves too
Down in the valley, dying of thirst
Down in the valley, it seems that I'm at my worst
My consolation is that you baptize this earth
When I'm down in the valley, valleys fill first
Down in this wasteland I miss the
mountaintop view
But it's here in this valley that
I'm surrounded by you
Though I'm not here by my will
it's where your view is the most clear
So I'll stay in this valley it takes 40 years
And it's like that long Saturday
your death and the rising day
When no one wrote a word,wondered is this the end
But you were down there in thew ell, saving those that fell
Bringing them to the mountain again

Devotionals -- WHAT?

I don't know about most of you, but when I was a teen in youth group, my youth Pastor along with our teen leaders etc, would ALWAYS be pushing how much we needed to read out Bible. Even as an adult, I hear Rev. Bumpers (THE BUMPERS) shout from the front of the church about the vitality of reading God's word. Sounds like a good idea right? Sounds like a DUH issue... but how often do we actually sit down to do it? How often is that the thing that gets pressed aside? How often do we excuse ourselves away from it?

I one time had a lady tell me "God understands that I have kids and a husband, He understands my busyness." For a while that worked for me. I kept telling myself that God understood .... sure I had time for Grey's and I had time for homework and I had time for my husband and I to sit around and gossip about celebrities .... but God would understand.

Here's the thing. The above statement shows you my true priorities. So if God was my #1 priority, than HE would come before Grey's.. HE would come before homework... HE would come before gossiping ... He would come before ME.

The word of God is our FRONT line defense and our FRONT line offense to understanding and living out the will of God for our lives. I think we too often negate this as something we know we should do, like we know we should bless our food, we know we should go to church, we know we should talk to our neighbor about Christ... we say we KNOW these things... but often we excuse it away..... and that's where reading in God's word becomes so applicable.

If we are reading about the sacrifices of the saints (Moses, Noah, Jonah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul) we are able to becoming bolder in our faith and saying a prayer in a crowded lunch room doesn't seem as bold as standing before Pharaoh and telling him to let the Jews go... or saying YES when asked if we are Christians doesn't seem as scary when we read how Noah was practically called insane and ostracized for following God's will. When we see how Paul rejoiced in a jail cell, through his persecution, it is easier to see that our trials and tribulations are part of living in this world... Old and New Testament alike, the Bible shows us our God, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit -- three in one.

When we are reading how God loved the people of Nineveh, as the repented, we learn more about God's love. When we are reading about the sacrifices made before Christ, we learn why Christ had to come. When we see how UN-perfect we are compared to the many laws written in Judges, we see that the law was written to show us that w/out a sacrifice, our relationship with God is not attainable. When we see how sinful we really are compared to those laws, we see how much we are in need of a Savior.

When we see the mercy of Christ as He speaks to Mary and Martha, we see how who our Savior is. When we see the love extended to Peter after the denial, we see how our Savior loves. When we read about the coming trials and tribulations, we can skip to the very end of Revelations and rejoice that we win!

This is what the Bible is meant to do. It's meant to show us who our God is. It's meant to show us WHY we need a Savior. It's meant to show us that man is God's creation whom He loves and is willing to do ANYTHING for. Without reading this, daily... without meditating on it... without processing His words, we miss out on understanding Who HE is.

What an amazing God we have that He sends us His words written out for all to see and hear. What a blessing it is to be able to chew on the words of such a HOLY God.

Rev. Bumpers (aka THE BUMPERS.. I've decided I can call him that on here b/c I know he'll never read it ha ha) dad, Rev. Bumpers SENIOR once told me when I was so lost and ready to give up... Read 1 John ... than read 2 John ... than read 3 John... compare who you are to how John tells us a Christian is to be. Than read them all again.

This will answer if you are truly saved... this will answer where you are w/ God... and where you are with your relationship with the only way to our PERFECT and HOLY God... His Son.. Jesus Christ.

I hope I've encouraged you to pick up your Bible today and chew on some wisdom from the only One who is really truly able to give it out... our God.

It's a great spiritual check up to think where we place our time with God.

If you find yourself stuck on a passage, I hope and pray you seek Godly wisdom... that you pray about it, and ask God to reveal it's meaning to you. That you seek out Godly counsel on anything you might not understand. It has been my experience God shows me what I need to hear... and seeking counsel through prayer and other Godly women and men of God... nails it down and impresses the concept on my heart.

God Bless! Happy Saturday!

Midnight it is!

So it's 12:45 am and I'm getting ready to head to bed.

Worked till 8 :( - Mom was here watching the kiddos.... a dresser fell on Clay and Lori Ann, Meghan and Katie Lynn both had their medicine and it's time for bed.

Big weekend... going to a 'shopping' party for a friend of mine who's starting to sell Southern Living at home and than going to just hang out with her.

Saturday I have to work.. FUN STUFF and than fair time for all... I loathe LOATHE LOATHE the Ozark Empire Fair lol... but the kids should enjoy it.

Church on Sunday w/ the Bumpers (only here on this site can I really say that.)

I am not sure why. The man is an institution. I understand he is a Reverend however to me he's more!

Growing up with a father who worked construction, the song Daddy's Hands always was special to me. "Daddy's hands weren't always gentle, but I've learned to understand... there is always love in daddy's hands."

Whenever my dad would upset me, or whenever I'd watch him do something that I knew in my heart was wrong... I'd sing that song to myself to help me try and understand that my dad really did love me, maybe in the only way he knew how, but he loved me.

I didn't learn that truly until I had my first child... I could never ever do anything to stop loving them. They are my creation.. And when I got saved... I learned that we as humans are unable to love like Christ...but it's only through our deepening relationship with Christ that we are able to learn to love as He loves. Either way....that's where Eddie Bumpers comes in.

I LOVE that my husband hears a man of God that truly seeks the heart of God. I love that I can listen and hear and see the Lord through Him.... I think Pastor/Brother/Reverend... not so meaningful as the THE Bumpers. But hey... that's me... and if he doesn't want that... Brother/Rev./Pastor it is.

Any who, I made a super easy dinner a couple of nights ago that I found on Minute Rice.com ... it was pretty good.

1 can of peas
1 10 oz can of Cream of Chicken soup
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups rice
1/4 cup Parm. Cheese
1/4 cup bacon bits (though I used the real bacon pieces by KRAFT)
1.5 lbs of chicken
1 tsb oil

put the oil in a skillet and when heated, place chicken in and cook thoroughly.
Add peas, cream of chicken soup, and water. Bring to boil.
Once boiling add rice and let simmer 5 mins.
take off heat, add Parm cheese and bacon bits.

ENJOY!

So yummy! Either way, now that it's 1:06 am and I have to work at 6 am... bed it is. Have a good night.