Queenies Little Kingdom

I don’t know if you read Angie Smith’s blog, Bring The Rain….but her hubby, Todd Smith of the Christian group Selah is at the debate tonight.  Too cool!  I have noticed him several times, he’s on the front row and wearing a green shirt.  How awesome!

I hope you are watching and listening to these men.  It is so important that we as Americans know the truth behind each of them (if that’s even possible).  We have to be informed and willing to step out on what we know is right!  Our election is of utmost importance.  I pray that God will put the man that belongs in that position…..in that position.

I’m almost sick of hearing any news…..whether it be the election or the bail out problems.  I can’t believe where my country is sitting economically.  I do not blame President Bush for any of it.  He’s not the sole provider of our country’s problems.  Washington has a lot more helpers than just the President when it comes to our current situation.  We must pray for these people…..and ask God to bless them and our country.

Alright before you panic…..I’m not giving out any shots or even doing brain transplants (although it could be helpful if I were). It’s all part of my J O B ! The In-House sub life is one of major glamour and prestige, people! Why on any given day I could be doing a power point in an AP U.S. History class or down at the nurse’s office handing out Adderall! Yes, it’s all that and a pack of crackers too.  I know you’re jealous!

Our school nurse is out for the whole week. She is helping take care of her ill father. So who else can they send in to that hot-spot but me? I’ll tell ya, it’s times like these that I wish I wasn’t a “know-it-all”. That’s what I was told yesterday by one of my girls……a not so nice friend called me a “know-it-all”! Hrmmph! WHATEVER! I am pretty smart! I mean, come on….would they send just any moron to be the school nurse? Duh, NO! They save that for the “suckers”! JK, ya’ll. I’m happy to do it! Well, not happy but obedient. That whole slaves obey your masters scripture……I’m living it!

It’s not so horrible being the nurse…it’s just that I hate tragedy type stuff. First thing off this morning, a FIGHT (boys…not as bad as girls…but come on) and this kid was bleeding all over the place. I’m not so good with bloody people. I’ve never even had a spark of interest in nursing…..I’m a teacher!!!

Then the day just snowballed into a constant flow of patients. They came in for headaches, stomach aches, personal items, just to lay down (long weekend, too tired), head checks, blood sugar checks and the list goes on. One girl even came in for me to check her smoker patch! Did you hear me????? A smoker patch! I almost fell out laughing! For realz!  Then come to find out, it was her grandmother’s prescription…NOT HERS!

I’d like to encourage you today. Whatever you are doing, do it with all your heart. Let God shine through you and blow people away with your zest for whatever it is. You never know the life you are touching. I read something yesterday about a guy who planned to end his life by jumping off of a bridge. He told himself, if nobody talks to me or tries to stop me…..I’m going to jump! Guess what? No one did and he jumped! He is one of only a few to have ever survived this jump. He has a new grasp on life today…but he says….do your part to make someone feel great. Smile and speak kind words. You may never know who’s heading to jump!

Did I tell you……I won something? Oh yes I did! Over at Home Sanctuary (THE fabulous Rachel Anne’s blog) I entered her contest last week and shazam! I won a book, ya’ll. I love books, just come by and….you’ll see that I’m quite the nerd. I have books everywhere! So, woohoo to me! And, thanks to Rachel.

I know God loves to work in strange ways in my life (not surprising…I’m just weird). So this book, Leap of Faith by Ellie Lofaro, has to be just what God wants for me right now. I am more than convinced that within its pages is a message sent just for ME! Whatta you think? I’m ready God, bring it on! My life has been one giant leap of faith….so what’s another reminder?

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

Today’s message was on forgiveness.  As we entered the sanctuary the usher’s handed out rocks. During the sermon the pastor carried around a large rock and he spoke of how we gladly carry around such heavy junk daily. Boy, he’s got my number. I’m a junk dragger, for sure! At the end, he invited us to forgive and to place our rocks on the altar. Not everyone went forward and he reminded them to hang on to their rocks.

What are you carrying around? For Pastor Bob, he had a 45 year old grudge.  But not anymore! God truly has the power to help us forgive and heal.  Why is it so hard?  Horrible things happen in life…..hanging on to them only poisons us more.  It’s all a deadly trap!  My prayer for you this week is that you would let go of whatever the enemy has strapped to you.  Refuse to go one more day bound to a rock of unforgiveness.  Trust Him with it and live free.  Now that’s winning!

Luke 18:7  “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?”

If you’ve read the story of how the Israelites smoked the Philistines in 1 Samuel 7, then you are familiar with the Ebenezer stone. Just the story I needed to hear tonight. For I am someone in need of deliverance. My heart is filthy and is overflowing into my head which is spilling out onto those around me. I need to rid me of what doesn’t belong….sin, idols, distractions.

So many times God has rushed in for me and and did His thing–giving me victory over something that was consuming me. I recognize that He is always looking out for me, but it can be so hard to see when I’m wallowing in the pit. My deep and trusty pit. The pit I don’t belong in….but I jump in gladly. What is it about those pits? Why is it so easy to fall in? Satan is so crafty, he works diligently to keep you and me there. Be aware, friend!

I know stress has been a much blogged about topic lately. I’ve shared about hubby and his wild hives all over. Life is just crazy and the results aren’t so pretty. But, we can’t give up! That’s why I’m thinking about the Ebenezer stone……Samuel told the Israelites that they needed to clean it up! (their….sins…hard hearts…..idol worship….) They needed redemption. So they repented and fasted, crying out to the Lord. God heard them and He intervened. He does the same for you and me.

How has God intervened for me in my past? Oh boy, in SO many ways! It only feels appropriate for me to share some of them. What about you? Has He rescued you in a circumstance that just didn’t seem possible to get out of? Make your own list….then see how your thankfulness grows. I want to think on these things tonight and not my problems. I hope you can do the same.

My Ebenezer Stones (Thus far…the Lord has helped me)

No insurance when I was pregnant with Gavin——I sold hand-made bunnies & paid for insurance each month. In the delivery room, the Dr. noticed a problem and that Gavin would be in NICU for an unknown time. $17,000 later…..we had the insurance coverage that helped pay that bill.
Thank you God for intervening!

Hubby was on patrol as a police officer on a midnight shift. A teenage boy started shooting randomly at he and his partner—–the partner was shot in the back of the head, the bullet grazed him causing permanent head injury but not death. Had he moved from his position….the bullet would have hit my hubby in the face, most likely fatally. The partner, became a stay-at-home dad to his three kids.
Thank you God for intervening!

While in seminary, we were PO! It was tough! But somehow we were the wealthy of our friends and God used us many times to feed other ministry families and friends. It was the best time of our lives.
Thank you God for intervening!

After church one Sunday, we went to lunch with an elderly couple that we loved dearly. We stopped at their house on our way home. Hubby decided to take the kids for a ride on the four-wheeler. As he was putting it away our middle child Ally hopped on to ride with him to the barn. When he cranked it up the ATV stood up on it’s back wheels and took off… hitting a house and flipping over on them. She took the force of the crash in the face, ripping open her forehead. He took the full weight of the machine on his body badly hurting his hand. We rushed her to the hospital an HOUR away….a plastic surgeon was there within the hour. Her face is still beautiful!
Thank you God for intervening!

and more….

Moved to a new place…..made new friends!
Lost a job……got a better one!
Been hurt by someone I love……been affirmed by someone unsuspected!
Felt alone and excluded………been reminded HE’S ALWAYS WITH ME!
Experienced fake and shallow friendships…….known deep committed lifetime FOREVER friends too!
Had misery in my marriage……given a new view of how to love, forgive and accept!

Thank you God for intervening! I feel more than blessed to share that you are always victorious in my life! Help me live that way. Mighty provider, God!

Am I the only mama out there waiting her turn on the dang computer? My angels…..I say that with all the love in my heart. WANT THE COMPUTER!!!
That whole Facebook world is the devil, ya’ll! It’s got kids all over this ever-lovin country addicted. My very wonderful and precious teenagers HAVE to get on there to check and see if someone has left them a comment!

I just don’t get it! Can’t they see? I am busy with my BLOGGING????
Geez!

I must say that my house has more than one computer. My husband has a couple to himself. He’s on one playing his little addiction out right now. Day of Defeat, Source! Sicko! I don’t know how to help him. He’s hooked! It’s like heroine! Pathetic!

The girls have the other laptop in the bedroom right now. Yes, you guessed it. On facebook! The devil! They can’t wait for me to get off. They must peruse each friends homepage until they have seen them all at least twice. I’m telling ya, it’s a habit I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. They are out of control! Pray for them, people!

Sweetboy has just come in and is nearly shaken to the core that all the computer’s are tied up. I tell him I’m almost finished…and he runs from room to room giving little shout-out hints that he’s not been on the computer ALL DAY! If ANYONE is bored with theirs……please let him know. He’ll gladly take it off their hands. See? See what I’m talking about? These people need rehab!

I’ve got to go. I just wanted to say how much I love it when it’s my turn. I could easily sit here myself for hours and read all your blogs. Funny ones, serious ones, sad ones…..all of them. Each one has something for me, something that touches me or moves me to be better. Thank you bloggy friends. You all inspire me! Oh…I guess…….I’m just a bloggy junky!
Who else tells their kids……”Move, it’s MY turn!”?

Me, gettin my blog on!

Our sweetboy has an amazing opportunity!  The High School Jazz Band is going to New York City this year.  The trip will be in March during our spring break from school.  They will be performing in the atrium of the IBM Building on the second day of the trip.  It is going to be so exciting!  We are so happy for him and for the honor of being chosen to go.

He now has the task of raising the funds for the trip.  The total cost is $850.  All monies must be turned in by January 17, 2009.  This is where you come in.  The program allows for friends and family to log in and make donations to each student.  With each donation, this puts him one step closer to his goal of seeing the big city of New York.  If you or someone you know would like to rock a teenager’s world….then go here and make magic happen.  Thank you for even considering it.  We know the blessing of giving and of receiving! It’s amazing!

www.music-travel.com

Select the MTC online logo at bottom (click individual)

log in email— gavin@glory2him.com  (password–dwgagml7)

Select Make payment—enter amount and follow directions to finish.  It only takes minutes to do.

Again, thank you for any donation that you feel led to give.  There is no set amount, you may give even $5.  I really like this system and pray that you will too.  God is so good!  We trust Him with this exciting adventure and know that He will make it happen.  Bless you for being a part!

Here’s the itenerary of the trip: (Did I mention….they are traveling there by chartered bus?)

Sunday

Breakfast at the Lighthouse Restaurant.  Overlooking the beautiful skyline of New York City.  A NY Waterways Harbor Cruise.  They travel from Midtown to the Upper West Side, Harlem, Central Park, Upper East Side, Lincoln Center, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue and of course all the colorful ethnic neighborhoods.  WoW!  South Street Seaport.  They will visit Ground Zero before checking in to their hotel.

Monday

UN Building Tour.  They perform at IBM Building for the crowds there.  Next on to Times Square for shopping and sightseeing.  At dinner they will be actually meeting stars from the Broadway Show that they will be attending that night.  End the evening with the Broadway Show (I WANNA GO!!!!).

Tuesday

Radio City Hall.  Afternoon free.  Spend time in Chinatown for shopping and touring.  End with dinner at SPQR (a local authentic italian restaurant)….this ain’t no Olive Garden, ya’ll.

Wednesday

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour.  Visit the Empire State Building.  Then head to Broadway and 34th Street to the world’s largest department store, Macy’s.  End the night with dinner at Hard Rock Cafe.  Then they hop back on the bus to travel back to Indiana!  Whew!  A whirlwind of activities.  I wish I could go!