Working my way back....

That old Spinners song from the 70's keeps running around in my head as I attempt to get back to my blog....Working my way back to you, babe...with a burnin' love inside...boy did I just date myself! So much has happned over the last 10 months that I feel like I need I to share everything, but I probably won't...so emotionally draining. Suffice it to say the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 has been my reality the last several months:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

God has been so faithful...He IS so faithful and Jesus is Life! But not everything has been difficult. God has blessed us with showers of blessings amidst our storms and I'll be sharing a couple of them in the next few days. Here's a little preview...
Meet my first grandbaby....Andy!



Oh, I got lots to say about this little guy...until later....

I'm on my way....

Preparing for a comeback...soon I hope!

Happy Mother's Day!

5 reasons I love Mother's Day!

From left to right: Daughter # 3, Joy Beth, #2, Jessica, son-in-love, Brandon married to #1, Jennifer, #4, Jordan.

God just flat outdid Himself when He gifted me with these 5! Aren't they beautiful? God IS better than He has to be!

Thankful Thursday

I haven't participated in Thankful Thursdays in a while. Now is a good time to get back in the game. I have so much to be thankful for today....

1. The faithfulness of our God and the truth of His Word...need I say more?

2. Our oldest daughter Jennifer was able to spend the week with us. Coming home from school

and seeing her on the couch....just like old times....how sweet!

3. Only 30 school days left til summer break!

4. The encouragement and blessing I get from the "blog world". You bloggity friends are

awesome! I love to read what God is doing in your lives...I learn so much.

5. I won the give-away this month at Praise and Coffee! A Mercy Me CD and Starbucks coffee...

does it get any better? Thank you Sue!

6. They sang Shout to the Lord on Idol Gives Back last night!!! Wasn't too happy about them taking out Jesus' name, but what do you expect from the lost? They just don't get it...can't hold them accountable. He was praised nevertheless...how cool was that?!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits.

Who pardons all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion,

Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Psalm 103: 1-5

Big News!

I have been meaning to make this announcement for a while now. I have known of this since Christmas and couldn't wait to tell my bloggity friends, but as you can see from my sparse posting, I haven't had much time at the computer and what little I have posted hasn't always been that upbeat. So it's time for some really great news, and I want you all to know.........I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMOTHER!!!!!!!! How cool is that?! And.....we just found out the baby is a BOY! As you can see from my profile, I am the mother of 4 girls...my girl world has just been rocked! Along with my oldest daughter, Jennifer and her husband Brandon, we will welcome little "Andy" to our family in August! I'm teary-eyed just thinking about it! Jen emailed the baby's ultra-sound pictures the other day and I fell head-over-heels in love with the little guy. I can't imagine what he'll do to my heart once he gets here. I think I'm done for! What a wonder it is to get to peer into the "secret place" where he is being "skillfully wrought". Wonderful are your works, O Lord! (Psalm 139:13-16) I know absolutely nothing about little boys, but I intend on having a wonderful time learning!

God is so good!

WHY?

Why do we ask WHY? Trials, heartaches, pain, etc.,... are they not just par for the course in this

world? Did Jesus not tell us..."in this world you WILL have trouble?" If our heavenly Father

gave us an answer, would it make the pain any more bearable? Would our finite minds even be

capable of understanding infinite wisdom? After Jesus told of us that trouble was a sure thing,

He then added...."but take courage, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) He knows we are

scared senseless by the troubles of this world. The courage we need to overcome is not found in

answered questions, but in the person of Christ. I have asked the WHY questions myself which

have driven me to God's Word. His Word did not reveal the answer to "why", but it did reveal

the all knowing WHO!

God Stop Friday!

My mouth shall tell of your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long, for I do not know the sum of them. I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone. Psalm 71:15

My twin sis Patty is hosting God Stop Fridays over at Girlfriends in God...gotta get in on this one. We are going to be intentional in Savoring The Observable Presence of God! What a great way to live out Psalm 71:15....so lets make mention of His righteousness!

My God Stop......

I am a public school music teacher and I am teaching the Historical Periods of music in my General Music classes...4 periods a day. This week we have been covering the Baroque period of music and composers from that period. Thursday we got to George Frideric Handel and his great choral work "Messiah" written in 1741. We discussed the fact that the "Hallelujah Chorus" is the most popular choral work ever written and is still sung hundreds, if not thousands, of times each year. As part of a little "pop quiz," my students were to listen to the "Hallelujah Chorus" and identify the musical texture of each section of the chorus (homophonic or polyphonic for any music students who might be out there). Each class had to listen to it at least 2 times (they're still trying to get the hang of this perceptive listening thing...). All of that to say....I spent my day listening to the "Hallelujah Chorus"! The reality and truth of the simple phrases of that chorus bombarded my aching heart and weary spirit......

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, the kingdoms of this world and of His Christ!

And He shall reign forever and ever!

King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Tears stung my eyes and I fought back tears in each class as I realized once again who my God is and what He was speaking to me. He reigns! He is in complete control. Only He knows what it takes to conform me into the image of His Son. He is at work in me and in the lives of my family and He loves us infinitely.....and I love Him...so much!