I woke up this morning with a little more zip in my step. Now, that doesn’t mean I woke up all chipper and happy (let’s be real here)… I’m simply feeling excited about how close we are to Christmas break. It’s actually in view, as in…it’s just around the corner.
Next week, around the corner!
That’s school days–not total days. We have this week and half of next week! Finals begin this Friday! Can you believe how fast this first semester flew by?
Me either!
Here’s to a great week, friends!
My hubby is a humble guy. He was raised by good people who worked hard for everything they bought. He does just the same. I’m thankful that he’s not flashy or fancypants! I like a down-to-earth man who works hard to provide for his family.
I know I can count on him….even in this crazy economy!
But we have struggled. I’ve shared many times about how tough it was trying to bounce back after being unemployed so many months. It was tough! We learned some valuable lessons from that time. One of the greatest? How important our family was to us. We never felt so grateful to have one another more than we did then.
God cared for us in a way that can only be described as miraculous.
It’s been a hectic year in our family. Many changes have pounced on top of us, some planned and other’s not–graduation, college changes, car accidents (3 of them), 18th birthday, long-distance moves (parents, not us), long trip to Florida and your typical life stresses. Stuff, ok? Lots of stuff.
We really had to make a car decision. Two kids driving to college and jobs at different times sharing our cars just wasn’t working out. Matter of fact, it was downright crazy annoying. While hubby was on the trip out west, we talked about him upgrading to another vehicle and just passing his on to our college girl.
It made us both nervous. We haven’t had car payments in a looooong time. Hate them. They’re evil. 🙁 So we dragged our feet.
Until…we found a deal that just couldn’t be real.
Now before you jump to conclusions, don’t..please. This is an unbelievable car. It’s luxurious and fancy! We are not either of those things. Seriously. We’re just normal working folks trying to raise some kids and have our own place someday! Ya know?
After much pondering, praying and deliberating….we decided we needed something newer, comfy-er (we’re crotchety about comfort), reliable and preferrably BMW. Hubby loved his other one enough to kick it up a notch. I’m so glad he did.
It’s really, WOW!
For the first week or so after we bought it…we kept it parked in the garage. We felt weird, embarrassed. WE ARE NOT RICH OR FLASHY! This car makes you feel FANCY! We’re not fancy either. So, we sat around wondering what to do with it. Should we give it back? Naaah, we liked it!
Have I mentioned that my husband WORKS from his car pretty much all of the time? He did it without air-conditioning and a jacked-up transmission in his Hyundai (Thank you God for safely totalled cars). He’s paid his dues. Plus, he was able to purchase his new car for LESS THAN HE PAID FOR THE HYUNDAI! Way less.
So, in my opinion……He deserves it.
God,
You know our hearts. We’re not bigshots and we don’t act like we are. We know exactly why we have anything…..YOU! Thank you for the way you bless our family. I knew being patient and waiting on You would be way better than making decisions on our own. You never give halfway.
Amen
Oh and remember how I struggled with Ally getting a decent and reliable car? God had the best plan. She’s loving her “new to her” car!
I know I’ve posted this song before….but it’s so good, it’s worth the sharing again. The Canadian band DOWNHERE and their beautiful melodious voices suck you right in and squeeze your heart. The words to this song ring true (in my life). My own selfishness runs pretty deep and I can’t think of too much that would be “easy” to sacrifice. Stuff is one thing, but family quite another.
How many Kings do you know that would give up everything for you?
With all of the Christmas present shopping and parties to attend….this is a good reminder of what this season is really about.
God
Thank you for sending a King for me.
Amen
My son was searching our home PC looking for the pictures from our trip to Hawaii several years back. I haven’t used that computer in years…..for anything other than watching tv. He gave up after a few minutes so I hopped on to look around. I found them tucked in securely somewhere that I could probably never find again. Yea, I’m that savvy on the computer. Don’t hate!
While I was pouring over the sweet photo’s of my little babies, I came across one of some old-time favorite friends from seminary days. We were in Louisville Kentucky at a friends apartment for a little party. The apartment was teensy and the owners had a dog that was as tall as the table (which was holding all the FOOD) and he could walk right up to it and steal whatever he wanted.
It was a real adventure.
We spent most of the night outside. There were so many kids between us…it was the smart thing to do really. I think we ended up playing some fun games with the kids. It’s the last time we were all together. Our kids are all grown up. Matter of fact, the sweet smiling gal sitting on my lap sent me a message today that she was heading to Murray State to move her son home from college. He graduates in the next week or so. Babies, they were all just babies!
I have laughed everytime I’ve looked at this picture. It was a cramped little space but that didn’t stop us from having fun. I know a thing or two about hospitality. Something I’ve learned in my 45 years is that people really don’t care what kind of house you live in or if you have the fanciest decorations. But they will always remember how you made them feel while they were in your home.
Were you warm and inviting? Did you make them feel like they belonged there? Was the atmosphere fun? The food yummy and plenty to drink? Or was it stuffy and cold? It’s so easy to skip out on having people over. All of us do it. It feels like too much work (and it can be) to entertain. I promise, if you open your house to friends and family…..and prepare something easy & hearty–you will bless not only your guests but yourself as well.
I miss our annual Open House. Every year that my husband pastored a church, we decorated our house and invited in our entire congregation. It took a bit of preparation. We tried to keep it simple by cooking one pot of chili and one pot of soup (both southern dishes) along with some jalepeno cornbread. Never, not one time did I hear anything less than praise for our willingness to share our home. It was a special way for us to connect with our church family outside of church. They loved it and so did we.
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it”. Heb. 13:2
Recipe for the most amazing party soup ever. I know it’s going to sound icky…but trust me here! People will rave.
TURNIP GREEN SOUP
2-3 Cups cooked & chopped chicken breast
2 C. chopped ham (not lunchmeat, real ham)
1 pint chicken broth
2 cans Navy Beans
2 cans Great Northern Beans
2 cans sliced potatoes
2 cans Turnip Greens (Drained)
That’s it, unless you need more chicken broth. Add everything together and let simmer on low. Serve with spicy jalepeno cornbread and literally BE AMAZED!
Enjoy!
Here I am again….up too late for my own good. It’s one of my biggest weaknesses right alongside a little thing I call chocolate. Pathetic, I know. But a girl could have so many other bad habits, right?
I’m blaming it on Pinterest. If I’m at liberty to say…I’m betting there are a ton of other’s out there all wacked out on the Pinter too! It’s like a drug and it keeps drawing me in. I’m full blown addicted!
It’s obvious I need to go to bed– because, just take a look at the things I’ve been pinning tonight.
First, have you seen this? Good grief! I’m thinking of naming it the PMS bed.
They call it The Moody Chair. For real! I can see why, can’t you? hehe
Ok, now who can relate here?
And this for the sheer beauty of it. Can you imagine sleeping there? Wow, luxury!
Purple pow!
Since I’m pretty much smearing the sleep theme in your face, what kind of sleeper are you? Do you like to hit the hay early and rise and shine after a good 8-10 hours? Or are you like me, a night owl up way too late hooting & howling as if you have no responsibilities in the world?
Whichever you are….I still think you’re pretty awesome! Make this day a hump day to remember. Tell someone you love them and smile every chance you get. No one will ever know if you’re sleep deprived or not! Teehee! 😉
Did you know that the name “Jabez” means (he causes pain)? From the little bit we know in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers”. But according to the label his mother gave him…her labor, his birth was so painful she chose to name him with a constant reminder.
That must have been a rough delivery. Wouldn’t you agree?
Jabez is only mentioned 3 times in the Bible…but it’s important to note that he clearly played a big role in the geneology of our Lord. Jabez wanted God’s blessing to be fulfilled. When I think of what Jabez was trying to do when he spoke that great prayer….I see a great encourager! He was convinced that his words had power and praying them to the GOD ON HIGH only confirmed he believed what he was praying.
Do you claim your needs & blessings to God?
I could tell you sad stories all day long about how young people are choosing to waste their lives. Whether it be with drugs & alcohol, pre-marital sex or just outright defiance. But that’s not the message I want to share. What I really want to do is encourage YOU to PRAY BIG. Pray for your family, your neighbor….the person who is messed up and hurting himself and everyone around him. Claim in the name of Jesus Christ the blessings that God WILL GIVE.
Just like Jabez….believe big (ENLARGE MY TERRITORY) and trust Him that he will protect you and those you love. It’s no accident, friend–that Jabez is mentioned in the Bible. God wants to encourage you and me.
Lord,
Make me an encourager. Show me the needs around me and allow my heart to be touched. I believe I can trust you for the blessings you have for me and those I petition for.
Amen
The Prayer of Jabez
1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
QueeniesLittleKingdom.com