My newest project. Making a blanket for me and the dogs. If all goes well, might make one for the Ladies Conference at church. We usually have a nice grand door prize. I'm going to be down after surgery later this month. Perfect time to work on this. Pray for me if you would. Perhaps I will be able to post more then too. We shall see. Blessings and enjoy your Lord's Day tomorrow.

Keep Your Fork

Received this in an email and it was too good not to share:

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly..

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

'That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ...the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Our New Little Guy

We were so broken about losing our old girl a month ago.  God provides though.  Just a few days after Angel passed, my hubby found an ad on Craigslist for a sweet little guy that had to find a home.  His name is Scrappy.  He's such a cute little bugger.  He has such a HUGE personality. When you look at the photo, you will fall in love.  We did.  :)

We know for sure that God put us together and I'm not really sure who rescued who.  We were so sad and lost and he desperately needed a home.  God is so good and He works such wonderful miracles.

Our sweet Angel

Had to put down our old dog yesterday.  My heart is really heavy.  It is really weird not having her here.  She was 16 and such a wonderful dog.  We will love her forever and will never forget her.

So sad....

Yesterday, Kevin and I had to make a very hard decision.  I made an appointment with the vet to put our old dog down.  She's 16 and really going downhill.  She's just a mess and is suffering with arthritis, dementia, blindness, deafness and just general not feeling well.  My daughter found out this evening that we are going to do it (hubby was a little less than quiet when talking about it with his sister and I hadn't told her yet, yikes).  She is really upset.  We have had the dog longer than my daughter has been alive.  She told me this evening that the dogs are her sisters and it just broke my heart.  Please pray for her and for Kevin and I for that matter because this is really hard on us to have to do this.  Neither of us has done it before and it's just terrible.  Tuesday, Valentine's Day is when we are doing it.  What a day to do it huh?  It's the ultimate act of love though, to help her not to suffer any longer.  I know she will be better off, but it doesn't help the pain of it.

This is Angel when she was much younger and we had another dog than our little one that we have now.  (that's the leg you see behind her, the other dog)  She has always been such a good dog and so sweet.  I am just devastated.  :(

Trusting in the Lord

I received this from a co-worker and had been looking for a subject to do my devotional for our Ladies Meeting later this month. God made sure that she sent this to me just when I needed it. This is what my co-worker sent me later after I told her that I knew that He had her send that just for me.

It must have been meant for you. I received that email from my sister-in-law about the middle of last week and I was too busy to read it. I skimmed my email again first thing this morning and I still said, I’ll read it later. Well, around lunch time I got a pop up message from Kohl’s which led me to go into my email and I decided I would read that email now, and it was awesome I had to send it on.

TRUST GOD'S PLAN FOR YOUR DAY:

Me: (in a tizzy): God, can I ask you something?
GOD: Sure.
Me: Promise you won't get mad?
GOD: I promise.
Me (frustrated): Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
GOD: What do you mean?
Me: Well I woke up late,
GOD: Yes
Me: My car took forever to start,
GOD: Okay....
Me (growling): At lunch, they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait
GOD: Hmmmm..
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call
GOD: All right
Me (loudly): And to top it all off, when I got home, I just wanted to soak my feet in my foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work.  Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?
GOD: Well let me see..... The death angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life.  I let you sleep through that.
Me (humbled): Oh...
GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that might have hit you if you were on the road
Me (ashamed): ............
GOD: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work
Me (embarrassed): Oh.....
GOD: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give a false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered
Me (softly): I see God
GOD: Oh and that foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I'm sorry God.
GOD: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.........in all things, the good and the bad
Me: I WILL trust you God
GOD: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan
Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.
GOD: You're welcome child. It was just another day keeping my promises; I just love looking after my children.

Scriptural References: II Samuel 22:31, Proverbs 3:5, Hebrews 2:13

II Samuel 22:31

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Hebrews 2:13

And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

As you can see from the dialogue, it is really hard for us to trust Him. We get so caught up in our selfishness and day to day routines that we don’t stop to think that there might just be a reason that our pattern/routine was interrupted for that day. I am a HUGE grumbler when things do not go as I want them to. Notice I said, AS I WANT THEM TO. I am getting better at trusting that He is all knowing, all seeing and already there to make sure that I am safe and well taken care of. Let’s think about that for a minute. I’m imagining a large hand ever ready to shoot out and deflect all of the bad stuff of the world. Kind of like when our kid’s were little and us mothers were right there trying to shield them from all of that terrible stuff in the world. My Father is right there for me every second of every day.

I say to my husband all the time, we must not have been meant to do that and it has caught on with him too because he says it as well. It is hard to put that much trust in something and someone. You know though, when you accept Jesus, that’s what happens. It all gets taken care of. We may not think so at the time, but He is always in control and He always has a handle on everything in our lives. As I am writing this, I am thinking, how awesome it is that I have such a wonderful and loving Savior to be there for me every second of every day and how warm and cozy it feels in his loving arms.

This personal relationship with Jesus is what was behind this email being shared with the right person and then provided to me at just the right time. He is always on time, always.

What a day!

We took off work today and tomorrow for Kevin's birthday.  He is turning the big 40.  We are having some quality time together to celebrate. 

Today we moved around furniture and cleaned up this mess if a place.  Burned a bunch of calories doing so too! 

I am right on track to lose my goal of 40 lbs by Relay.  Check out my healthy snack after our "workout". 

I am so flag I made the decision to get healthy.  I know that is how the Lord wants me to be.

Slim Down for Cancer

Hello Friends!  As you can see on the right side of my blog that I am active with the Relay for Life.  I'm extremely passionate about it.  This year I am doing a special fundraiser.  I am doing a Slim Down for Cancer.  I am asking for pledges of 50 cents per pound I lose.  The more I lose the more money I make!  My goal is to lose 40 pounds by May 30. I would love it if you could support me by making a pledge.  Send me a message at kevslilbabe@gmail.com if you would like to pledge.  Check out my ticker below to see my progress!

Science experiment

We spent some quality family time doing a science experiment for our daughter's science fair project.  The experiment is how many lemons you need to light an LED flashlight.  We discovered that 3 will light the bulb, but 4 lit it brighter.  We also tried 5 but it wasn't any different than 4.  This was a neat experiment and allowed us to do an activity together.  I love science and I thoroughly enjoyed spending the time with my family.

I hope she gets a good score.  We won't know until March.  We are in the preliminary stages of experiment and research.

Merry Christmas

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11.

What a joyous day!!!  My savior, your savior, the savior of the whole world came down to earth to claim our sins and free us from eternal death.  Wowzers!!  Think of how much He lives us to do that for us.  I am awestruck by it. 

May you and yours have a wonderful holiday together.  I am very much looking forward to spending time with my close and extended family and friends. 

The Little Drummer Boy

I loved this photo.  I thought it was just adorable.

On the way to work this morning, I heard the new version of The Little Drummer Boy.  This has always been my favorite song.  I ALWAYS cry when I hear this song.  It chokes me up to think about being able to be there to honor our King with something as simple as a drum.  It would have been awesome to have been one of the privileged ones to be there and bring him a gift.  I totally relate to the line, "I am a poor boy too, I have not gift to bring, to lay before the king.  Shall I play for you, on my drum".  Jesus loves the small gifts much better than any gold, frankincense or myrrh.  He wants us to gift Him with our obedience, our praise and glorifying Him in everything we do.  Each one of the songs that I hear this morning after The Little Drummer Boy told me exactly that.  It was amazing how it all played together for me.  I know that I am not the only one that message was for, but I sure got it!  Yep I did!

I've been struggling a little with our church situation, not as much with my faith per se, but I have felt quite disjointed lately because we are a bit in limbo about going to church.  It seemed like this message was meant for me to tell me that I just need to keep my eyes on the "prize" and focus more on my Lord and Savior and less on where I am going to go to church.  We need to go yes, but I truly believe He is telling me to sit back and wait.  Focus on Him for now and just wait.  Wow, that will be so hard!! 

My family and I wish you the Merriest of Christmases and hope that you get to spend quality time with your family. Cherish them.  You never know when they won't be there for you to love and hug.  Blessings!!

Christmas decorations

We put up some decorations today.  I have a little more to do.  I love this time of year!  I have taught my kids it isn't about the presents.  We are celebrating the birth of our saviour. 

This is my favorite holiday.

December

It is hard to believe that the year is almost over.  This is my favorite time of the year.  We celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Saviour.  There is no better time! 

I was talking with my 12 year old daughter last night about the meaning of Christmas and how commercial everything has gotten.  People seem to have this inane drive to out do each other when they are gifting and it is mind boggling.  I LOVE small, homemade gifts.  They mean so much more to me than a sweater or a scarf. 

I haven't decided what I am doing for my extended family yet.  Hubby and I have differing opinions on this.  There are some underlying issues there though that cause the differing opinions, it's somewhat complicated.  I'll share that one of these days.

Right now, I am just trying to stay in His will for my life and to do all I can do to glorify Him with my every day life.  It amazes me how hard that is though.  There are soooo many worldly influences that it is so tempting to drop back into my old ways and thinking.  I find myself there all too often.  I try not to beat myself up about it though, because God is right there with me when I "snap out of it" and get back on the right track. 

I appreciate prayers as we are in between churches again.  I'm not sure what is going on, but I am waiting for direction.  I feel like I am being pulled back to my old church and I am having a hard time with obeying.  To be honest, it has been so nice to be home on a Sunday morning, but yet, I feel this nagging pull that I should be out and at church.  Prayer is needed in this situation and I pray that you will ask that the Lord makes things clear for me and for my family.

I have to share a miracle with you.  My boss came into my office a couple of weeks ago and told me this story.

He has a friend whose sister lost her 4 year old to cancer not too long ago.  The sister is railing at God as to why her baby had to go and has really lost all faith in God.  Not a good situation!  The family is devout Catholic, so this is really tragic for them.  Well, just recently, they found out their 13 year old son has a rare form of cancer.  They figured it out when he was injured playing sports and just wouldn't get better.  They saw the best doctor in Indiana for the cancer and were given a few options.  Well, with the family being as religious as they are, they brought in a trained healer.  The lady trained with Irish Nuns for several years in the art of healing.  She laid hands on him and prayed over him in the spots that he had tumors.  He went back to the doctor a week or so later and two of the 3 tumors were gone.  GONE!  How amazing is that!!  What a miracle!!  When they told the healer that two of the 3 were gone, she said of course they are, the other one will be gone in a couple of days too.  WOW!

So, I said to my boss, you know what.  Do you know why that all happened?  It was to restore mom's faith.  I sincerely believe God used that situation to work in mom's heart!  I also believe that the absolute and unwavering faith of the healer has touched so many.  Just look at this:  my boss shared it with me, I shared it with my husband and also posted the story on Facebook (I have 100 or so friends).  Now I am posting it here and perhaps you will share the story.  That's how He works!  What a story to use for witness!  Yowza! 

It truly touched me.  Obviously, because I am here sharing it with you, but just think about what it would be like to have the absolute, undoubting, unwavering faith of that healer!  I have it sometimes in some situations, but there are more times that my doubting Thomas side shows. 

Lord, I pray that you will help me and all who are reading this to have that unfailing, unwavering and absolute faith the healer has.  I pray Lord that everything we do will be done to your glory and that you will be praised in all that we do and say.  Lord, I thank you for the blessings that you have given me and these dear readers.  It is in your will and grace that I pray. Amen.

If you have a similar story or something you wish to share, please feel free to do so in my comments.  I would love to read your stories!

Hello friends!

We've been sooooooooooo busy!  No time for blogging for sure.  I have some time today because my baby girl is home sick with tonsilitis, a sinus infection and ear infection.  YIKES!  Twelve year olds can be really whiny when they don't feel well.  :-D  Please pray that the antibiotics work and she doesn't have to have her tonsils removed.  Eeps!

We've had some challenges with her and going to school.  I am hoping that this doesn't set her back.  Prayer for her schooling would be great as well.

I'll tell you one of my go to verses during these trials recently has been Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."  I am really leaning on Him heavily right now.  The school problems have caused financial problems and it just snowballs from there.  I have handed it all over to Him to get us through this valley...it really seems like a deep and wide one.  I hope there is an up side soon!

Thank you in advance for your prayers!!

In His Love,
Valerie

Long Time

It's been a long time since I have made an entry and I apologize for that.  Life has been super busy lately with Soccer, Girl Scouts, work and a brand new church.

Our new church is awesome!  Our daughter is in love with the children's program and we've been volunteering some in the children's ministry.  Visit www.harmonyofavon.com to find out more about our new church.

It's late and I don't have much to write, I hope to be back with a devotion soon.  Stay tuned!

Testing mobile blogging

Birthday Party 1_0003.wmv

This is a film that my 11 year old created. They have been talking about and watching stop motion videos in class. She got a digital camera and some Squinkies for Christmas, so she decided to film a birthday party. Enjoy! There are more to come I am sure!

Making a change

I have mixed feelings today.  We visited a new church today.  We love our old church and all of the people there, but we were feeling stagnant and our daughter was not getting what she needed from her Sunday School class.  She came out of her Sunday school class very excited and on fire.  What a blessing!  She didn't complain at all.  My husband actually got up before I did and went to church with us!  He hasn't been going lately and this was a HUGE blessing today!

We feel that we are following God's direction to move on to somewhere that we can grow and draw closer to Him.  I'm sad and very excited at the same time.  Have you ever had to make this type of decision in your Christian life?  Please share your comments.

Serving God's People

On Sunday, my daughter and I went with our Girl Scout troop to work in a local church Soup Kitchen in our inner city.  My co-leader and I decided that the girls needed to learn to serve others and what a wonderful way to do it!  The experience was truly a blessing for us.  We served 297 people a hot lunch complete with bread, dessert and some pantry items to take with them.  It was a great learning experience for all of us and we will definitely be doing it again!  I've had a burden to do that for quite awhile and never "had the time" as none of us do.  So we just buckled down and went for it.  What a JOY!  Many of the folks were homeless and many thanked us for being there.  That's not why we were there, but it was nice that we were able to provide a smile and a little comfort for them.  God is so good and it is awesome when you let yourself be used by Him.  I am so proud of the girls, especially mine.  She has such a servant's heart that she just jumped right in there and helped where help was needed.  From carrying trays, to getting drinks, to wrapping silverware, to drying dishes to folding up chairs, she was there ready and willing to work.  What a blessing she is to me!

If you can, please find a local soup kitchen or food pantry that you can volunteer in.  It is a truly enriching experience and your presence will bless a lot of people!

He is using me...

You know, sometimes we pray, God please use me to do your will. I know I pray that a lot and then I am surprised when He does. It's just amazing to me that He would use l'il ole me to do His great work. It's just mind boggling.

This morning, a family lost their home to a fire (http://www.indystar.com/article/20100330/NEWS02/3300373/3-children-critically-hurt-in-house-blaze).  They are the neighbors of a co-worker.  She said it was very disconcerting to wake up to a bunch of emergency equipment in the street in front of her home (the neighbors live across the street).

I was being nosey and listening to a conversation between her and my boss, whose office is right across the hall from me.  She was asking him about submitting a request to our company's charity that provides relief for natural and man-made disasters.  I popped my head out and asked her to come talk to me about it.  I am the chairperson for our local committee for the charity, so I told her that if she could get me something that talks about the fire, we could turn in a relief request today.  Well, our local paper had ran a story on it this morning (see above) so wham-o, I had my documentation.  I filled out the form, printed out the form and the story, scanned them and emailed them to the national committee for consideration.  I asked them to expedite the request since they are displaced and 2 of the 3 children are in the hospital in critical condition.  I just got an email a little while ago that it was already being put before the board and that I would have an answer no later than tomorrow.  GOD IS GOOD!  I am so excited and honnored to be His "tool" to help this family so much.  I'm not sure how much they will give them, but I know that it will bless them immensely since they have lost everything.

My co-worker keeps telling me how wonderful I am, but you know, it's not me.  It's God.  It has His name written all over it.  I guess the reason I am posting all this is the importance of making yourself available to Him.  You will be blessed.  Maybe not in money, fame or anything like that, but you will feel great that you helped someone who was in such need.  What an awesome feeling that is.  I am on cloud 9 right now.  I can't wait to see what else He will have me do.