Queenies Little Kingdom

For the upcoming new year (2009) my family took part in a “dad-made” survey. Each of us had 27 questions to answer that revolved around our faith and the goals we would like to reach personally and as a member of our family. Some of the questions were pretty intense and convicting. I had to dig deep and make some serious decisions regarding my faith and how I’m planning on living it out this year.

Doing this is so important. It really helped us get on the same page. Oftentimes, we lead stressful and miserable lives….all because we are all on different journeys. This helped us set some common goals and openly discuss weaknesses. Families are dwindling fast in our society. Young adults are walking away from the faith that they’ve grown up with every day. One of the most important things we as parents ever do is to give our kids the foundation (a solid one) with Christ. We can’t choose Christ for them….but we surely must lead them to Him. I am so very thankful that my kids choose Christ. They desire Him for themselves. They realize the relationship they have with God belongs to them. He is their Savior!

Sample questions:
1) What is one thing I could do this year to increase my enjoyment of God?
2) What is the single most time waster in my life? What will I do about it?
3) What single thing that I plan to do this year….will matter most in 10 years?
4) What habit would I most like to establish?
5) Whose salvation will I pray most fervently for this year?
6) Top 3 spiritual changes we need to make as a family?
7) What is the most humanly impossible thing I will ask God to do this year?
8) If someone were to give me a piece of advice….what would they say? Would they be right?
9) What is the most important way I will, by God’s grace try to make this year different than last?

Just sharing a few. We had to not only think of what matters to each of us individually but regarding each other as well. It’s not easy facing some of your failures head on. I couldn’t help but get emotional when answering some of the questions. I didn’t mention some of the very personal ones. It hurt to answer them. But I did. Each of us did. It was actually empowering. It helped each of us close the door to a very rough 2008 and to excitedly open a new door to 2009. We are pumped about what God is going to do in us and through us this year. We have always had this goal…..we want to know Him better this year than we did last year. As Christians…..we should be stronger and deeper in our faith than we were the previous year. God has instructed us to study His word and to spend time alone with Him. Are you doing that? If not, get a gameplan! Maybe write out some questions for your family to ponder. Make this the year to grow. The investment is forever……just you wait and see.

Oh…shout out! Thanks hubby for the challenge! We appreciate your leadership. We love you very much! 🙂

I don’t want to do it, but I HAVE to. Tomorrow is our first day back to school after a glorious Christmas break. We love sleeping in and lounging in our pj’s all day. It’s just how we roll! We’re all about the R & R in life. We cherish downtime! Jesus has it right…..we need to take time to rest. It really is a healthier way to go. I just want to keep resting. I’m not ready to get up early. I like my morning sleep time. Besides….who likes all that hustle and bustle and rushing around in the wee morning hours when it’s so cold outside? I’ll tell ya, NOBODY!

My kids are all winding down and falling into bed now. We’re all trying to psyche ourselves out….surely we’ll fall fast asleep once in bed. I’m afraid of tossing and turning. Isn’t that how it goes when you KNOW YOU HAVE TO GET UP EARLY? Oh the anxiety of it all! I am pretty tired, so maybe it will all go as planned.

I took the girls to the mall today, they had money that needed to be blown. I didn’t want to go. I am trying to be as frugal as possible these days. I want to have money! Not blow it! While there, we found some really good deals (of course). Sweetboy really has no groovy duds. He pretty much wears the same few things over and over (and never complains). He only does that if we are out of Ramen noodles or ketchup! 🙂 So guess who lucked up and got a few goodies? Yep, sweetboy! He liked everything I bought him. Only one thing is too small (we are calling it “the puffy vest”)…..I will exchange that sucker. Cause he looked flippin sweet in it. I even scored a new pair of dresspants for the dude. He is going to look super cool! Allison will love him (more than usual). Speaking of Allison…..yesterday was their “3monthaversary”! They went out on a real date to celebrate the occasion. They are the sweetest, ya’ll!

I’d like to leave you with a thought. Matthew 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men”. Think about it….are you being a positive influence as a Christian in our world? The verses that follow talk about being light. Our lives should shine so bright that they influence our world in a good way and God would get the glory. I want to do that. Don’t you? I am what He wants to use…..so are you! Let’s get shining!

I know everyone has officially moved on since midnight 01/01/09! We have too. But since we’ve returned home from our little jaunt to Florida for Christmas…..we’ve run into a few snafu’s around our house. What I’m gently trying to say?? Stuff is breaking left and right, folks! IT IS NOT GOOD! Important stuff, ya’ll. Not things that don’t matter.

My first little encounter with a problem was with my dear friend the sink disposal. Yea, that little gem is handy (WHEN IT WORKS!!!)! After rinsing some disgusting something or another off the dishes…I reach over for the switch….only to hear……nothin! Well….something…..a little hmmmmmm noise! Not the regular GRRRRHHERRRRRRTTTTHRGGGG noise (music to my ears, ya’ll). I just never knew till now! Oh….Mother-in-law, this is some sort of bad karma maybe. Your sons were teasing you about having one of these while we were with you in Florida last week. I, your ever faithful and loving daughter-in-law….DID NOT! I believe all women should have these little machines. They are very helpful in a busy and often cooked in household. So, I am suffering!

I thought, this we can handle! After all, I haven’t always had one…so I’ll just make do. Sweetboy got online to do a little pricing, seems we could replace for it in the $100 range. Not so bad! I dream of having one put in as my guys talk back and forth the horsepower and ratings. Oh, patience….I say to me!

Next run in with trouble. Hubby asks if the ice maker has been turned off? I say, “What?”. Why would I turn that off? I heart ice, especially the kind that comes from MY AWESOME REFRIDGERATOR! I love my appliances! They are like precious cargo to me. I sometimes even blow them kisses (that’s how much I love them). They are very special. I picked them out and they are like my own little babies. It’s a mom thing! He goes over and pulls out the ice making system……Yep, something is really wrong! Nothing the untrained eye can decipher (what I’m saying is…..my hubby is not a repairman OF ANY KIND!). He looks, cause that he is good at. He’s a looker! He puts it all back together, asking…do you know if we are still under warranty? I do know this answer……NO! It just ran out this year.

What’s a kitchen appliance lover like me supposed to do? I feel a little emotional. I need these things. Why? Why must they croak now? Oh bother (in the world of Pooh)! Well, last night as I was sitting in the kitchen (blog hopping) I hear a lovely sound….ice dumping in my freezer! Woohoo! I yell….”Honey, it’s dumping ice!”. We say to each other….let’s not get too excited it could be a jinx. So far the thing is still working. Hallelluia! Thank you Jesus!

But look! This is the latest stage of disposal heck! Did you know the installation on these dudes is like 26 steps? Geez! Talk about complicated! I sure hope hubby isn’t in a hurry!

What else, you say? My darn car! I heard Sweetboy trying to crank it yesterday after he moved it out of the garage to wash the dog. It was making a funny noise and not starting up. I threw up a little prayer and said, “Lord, it’s in your hands!”. Then, this morning as I was rushing out to church (after all the other car driving members had left) and it wouldn’t start for me. Oh the stress! I beg it to start…..finally it does! I don’t know what is wrong with it…but I haven’t had such a good week with stuff! It looks like we’re in need of some maintenance! Poppy, where are you when I need you? You can fix anything!

I love finding new friends. While out and about this morning, I’ve found some sweet bloggy gal’s and they are having awesome giveways! Go see em, ya’ll! Leave them some lovin too! I feel so inspired to be more intentional with my joy!

John Deere Mom   (this mama has a whole bag of goodies)

Just Because Designs (she has 2 giveaways going on)

Jeannies Happy World  (oh the jewel bling!)

Eat Your Veggies   (those  mysterious Pop’rs)

The Russo Corner (beauty stuff, ya’ll)

Joy To The Blog (think pink…goodies)

Texas Word Tangle (a wok and some good books)

My Blessed Life (cookbook, stationary & vintage cloths)

The Preacher’s Wife (this is THE motherload of prizes……for some lucky minister!!!)

Don’t forget to read up while you’re visiting. These are some fantastic ladies. Grab a button, leave a comment and just be blessed!

I’m not talking about getting rich! I’m thinking a little deeper than that. Remember in the book of Daniel (Ch. 4) where King Nebuchadnezzar has the dream about the tree? That great big beautiful tree, the one the top touched the sky and the leaves and fruit were beautiful….yea that one! The King wanted so badly for someone to interpret that dream. I think he, like many of us had an arrogant feeling about the dream (surely it meant something wonderful for him….after all, he is deserving, right?). Plus, we already know this King had issues with thinking very highly of himself. He didn’t need God!

I love how Daniel breaks the news to him. He’s a little perplexed (maybe he was thinking…this guy is never gonna get it!) and the King says, “Ahh, come on Belteshazzar! Do not be afraid to tell me!”. Daniel then tells him, “King….it’s definitely not about your enemies! That tree? It’s you! You have seen a messenger from God and you must be warned……you are going to be cut down (just like a tree)! God has issues with you and He means business. You will be driven away from everyone, you will live in the wild with animals..eating like them and sleeping out in the dew (remember….this King lived very well and he loved himself very much). King, you will pretty much lose your mind! You will only be prosperous again when you renounce your sins by doing what is right and be kind to the oppressed.” Now, I don’t know about you…..but I would be taking this warning….pretty seriously!

We see in about 12 months…..King Nebuchadnezzar is up on the roof of his palace bragging about his great Babylon (that he’s built himself) all in his own power and glory. He is one arrogant dude! But, still as he is boasting…..a voice from heaven comes raining down on him. Repeating all that Daniel had previously warned him about. Then, you guessed it! The King is driven out, living in the wild, losing his mind, status and dignity. He eats like an animal, with the animals and looks like an animal. He was totally humiliated! He deserved it too. This all took place just as Daniel had warned. Finally, Nebuchadnezzar regains his sanity. He had felt the discipline of God and claimed praises to the Most High. He exalts and glorifies the King of heaven. Then he is restored back to full King status. Whew, what a story, huh?

I can’t help but connect with this story. Not that I’m a snobby King or a high falluting big shot. But that I need to be reminded to do the right things. Here’s a few things I get from Daniel 4.

1) Remember, I am always subject to God! No matter how powerful I may ever become here on earth. I still answer to Him.
2) Treat other’s with kindness and respect. Judging people can be an art form sometimes. I know cause I’ve done it! Even the lowliest deserves my love and care (especially the lowliest!).
3) Repent of my sins! And do it often! Don’t let sin layer on before I do something about it. Clean it up!
4) Don’t think so highly of myself. Keep a healthy perspective on who I am and to whom I belong to. Duh!
5) Obey God when He instructs me, immediately! Nuff said, huh?

Lord, thank you for your unending patience with me. I am completely aware that your grace surrounds me constantly. I praise you Father for loving me and for forgiveness you extend to me every single day. I am your child, flawed and sinful and you still love me. I love you and I commit to honor You and your sacrifice of your son Jesus with my life. Use me, mold me and make me more like You….even if it hurts. I trust You!
In Jesus name. Amen!

Please note! I do not have the capability to hate you in any way if you skip over that last post (yes, that huge-gantic one under this one!) It is crazy to the shizzle long and filled with sad, sappy junk that happened to me and my family. I spent my entire New Year’s Eve writing it (for me more than anybody else). So, I just want to free you. You don’t have to sit through all the blah blah blah. You are pardoned!

Enjoy today. Eat black-eyed peas (for prosperity) and lounge with family. Snuggle them close and make a game plan to be a better you this year. That’s what my family will be doing. I can’t wait to share what we come up with. Oh, and I promise….NO. MORE. LONG. POSTS!

Oh and if you want to win something fun….go here! I know about this little gadget, IT ROCKS!!