THANKFUL Thursday

This week, I am so THANKFUL for
all of my family.
the way my family all love each other.

that our church is such a great support to so many people who go out from our church on Mission trips, for all the ministries that our church has, and that a different person from our church is sharing in the Missions rotation of VBS each day, including Jase, who believes we are all on a mission trip every day.

I am thankful to be living in America.

I am thankful that Jase has the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Cardiff, Wales.

I am thankful for any time that my children get to be with their siblings. Jase is spending tonight with Josh, and they will go visit at Falls Creek youth camp tomorrow morning. I hope they will get to say hello to their sister, before she goes to work.

I am thankful for the 2 sweet, little girls who are trying to sleep in this room.

I am thankful for my husband.

What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage" and our host, Greg at Greg's General Store.

Angel's WHY I COUNT IT ALL JOY Wednesday

I am filled with JOY this week, because I am getting to keep my niece, while my brother and sister-in-law are at youth camp. Yesterday morning, before VBS, she found a "permanent" marker.

I was filled with JOY that it wasn't really permanent. It came off, but then today, she wrote all over her hands with a yellow highlighter and all over her legs with an ink pen. I am filled with JOY that she is getting a good nap today, and I am getting to finish this post. I am filled with JOY that my granddaughter Madasyn is coming to spend tonight, so I'll get to take her to VBS tomorrow, and I'll get to have fun with them together!

I am filled with JOY that the VBS workers are taking great care of Gabby, and she is loving it. She says "Bible School, Bible School, Bible School" all the way there!

I am filled with JOY to be a part of VBS, where we share the "ABCs" with children.

Crafts were a little crazy today, but I am enJOYing it very much, and I think that all of the children are, too. This is the great crew that I am working with, getting ready before our Wacky Wednesday! I'm sure tomorrow will be calmer!

Both of these ladies are very special. The one on the left is Lea. Her husband was diagnosed in February with a rare kind of cancer. Her Caringbridge journal entries are an inspiration, every day! She always shares what God is speaking to her during her morning quiet time out on her back porch, with the birds, when she is at home. When she's at the hospital, she's always sharing the amazing things that God is doing for them, and about how they share their faith with the others in the hospital! She only got to come help in VBS today, and maybe she'll get to come back Friday. They will be at the hospital tomorrow. I am filled with JOY to see Lea's smiling, encouraging face.

The lady on the right was my Assistant Principal last year. I still do not have a job for next year. I am filled with JOY, because I know I'm going to be doing something that the Lord has planned for me.

For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

This is Laura, a very special friend to me. We lived in the same town and went to church together, when we were all newlyweds, before any children and during the births of each of our first children, and then we each moved away. And, then the Lord brought us back together in a different town! I am filled with JOY to be with Laura again. I am filled with JOY that we are getting to do Summer Bible Study together!

Angel once said "JOY is contagious!",

so go here to share in the JOY!!!

TAKE IT TO THE LORD, TUESDAY

At the beginning of this year, Brooke @ A Life in Need of Changeinvited us all to join her in praying for our children. She wrote very detailed, scripture based, individualized prayers for each of her children that she posted on their walls, and prays for them daily. I also have individualized, continous prayers for each of my children.

Today, I am going to just list some current praises and prayer requests that I am taking to the Lord.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I praise You for how you are using each of my children in special ways. . .

Today,

please be with Jase as does the Missions rotation at VBS, and shares his heart with the children.

please be with Kalyn as she works in the heat on the rec fields at Falls Creek, and tonight as she counsels people, and every day this summer, please be with her.

please be with Josh, as he does everything he does today.

please be with the many people who are dealing with illness.

Thank you that you answer our prayers!

MONDAY'S MAMA MOMENTS- PRAYING-SCRIPTURE MEMORY MONDAY

If you are part of a grown up family, or if you volunteer or work at your church, school, or any where with children, you have a different sort of "Mama" feeling towards your siblings, your nieces and nephews, and each of the children you work with. This week, I am enjoying the privilege of keeping my 2 year old niece, Gabby all week, and working with all of the 1st-5th graders in Crafts at VBS! Gabby is as fun and sweet as she looks!

This is Jase loving on Gabby. Saturday, Jase leaves for his mission trip to Cardiff, Wales. He is very excited. We are very excited for him, too.

VBS Verse and just a very good scripture for all of us:

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without

finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

My Prayer for Jase (scripture memory, also)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

I'd love to hear about your Mama Moments, your scripture memory and/or prayers!

Hope you're having a fun Monday!

Sandy

loss, love & legacy;FOREVER FAMILY-Part 8-MY MOM-for Spritual Sundays

I have already invited you all to join in for Summer Bible Study, RUTH-loss, love and legacy, by Kelly Minter, and I have already mentioned the unconditional love (hesed) that Mom has always given me. Always, when I think of the words love & legacy. . .I think of Mom. Loss, too. . . she has lost her Mom, Dad and all of her siblings, and she had to move a couple times.

Love & Legacy. . .Mom, my daughter-Kalyn and I all share the same favorite scripture:

Trust in the Lord

with all your heart;

and

lean not on your

own understanding.

In all your ways,

acknowledge Him,

and He will

make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Mom has also always modeled Proverbs 3:3 for me. She has never let Love and Faithfulness leave her. She has told me that it is her belief that parents should always provide a physical and emotional shelter for their children, no matter what the children do. She did always have rules, but she always loves us, no matter what!

Mom has always supported Dad in everything he has done. Now, they are retired and they enjoy spending time together.

Mom is a wonderful Grandma and Great Grandma! She always has something good to eat, and she is always available to help in any way she can.

Mom has always been active in the church, ministering to others, and she has always been a good neighbor.

Mom has always been a "Proverbs 31 Woman". I am so blessed to have my Mom.

It is very difficult to follow in Mom's footsteps, but she is definitely building a wonderful legacy!

I love you, Mom, and I thank God for you.

This is not just a "tribute" to my Mom. It is meant to be an encouragement to all men and women to remember Proverbs 3:3, 5-6, to be faithful to God and to their family, and another invitation for Summer Bible Study.

If you didn't come here from Spiritual Sundays, go here!
You will be so blessed, and you can link up your own post, too.
Thank you so much, Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays
and to all the others who link up such great heartfelt, encouraging posts!
I pray God's blessings on all of you!

Family Fridays--FOREVER FAMILY-Part 7-in pictures

Friday. . .

Josh's day off in the summer,

so I often get to spend some time

with him and Madasyn on Fridays.

Today, we met in the middle,

at my parents' home.

There was a great picture

of my Mom right here, and

it disappeared!!!!

Oh no!

my Mom and Dad

who still love me so much!

a "sweet princess"

to all of us!

Join Amy at Keeping up with the Schultz Family and Lori@Peterson~St. Louis to enjoy more family posts and link up your own!

Hope you are having a

fun-filled, family Friday

and great weekend!

Sandy

Family Fridays--FOREVER FAMILY-Part 6

I began my "Forever Family" series last month, and then found this meme hosted by

Amy at Keeping up with the Schultz Family and Lori@Peterson~St. Louis last night, so I wanted to link up with them.

In my series, I have written a scattered brained Introduction, then about

Our Grandmas, Salvation, Scripture Implementation and Cherishing Our Dads.

Today, my scattered brain self is thinking about different thoughts such as,

attachments to homes and places, what makes a house a home, marriage, anniversaries. . .love, unconditional love. . .the Hebrew word "hesed" that the word kindness in the book of Ruth is translated to.

hesed-A strong relational term that wraps up in itself an entire cluster of concepts, all the positive attributes of God-love, mercy, grace, kindness, goodness, benevelence, loyalty, covenant faithfulness,: in short, that quality that moves a person to act for the benefit of another without respect to the advantage it might bring to the one who expresses it.

From the Kelly Minter, Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy Bible Study,

For Discussion: Has someone shown you hesed? If so, describe the person and what this extraordinary love means to you.

My answer: Yes, first my parents and then my husband. My parents loved me and helped me even when I turned away from the Godly ways in which they had trained me. Then, my husband came into my life right at that time, when I had done the unmentionable. We began dating. I was truthful with him about my past, and he loved me and stayed with me anyway. God's, My parents' and my husband's extraordinary, unconditonal love have meant the world to me.

What thoughts are you thinking about family today? I hope you'll join in. It doesn't have to be serious like mine. It can be anything about family! Have a funfilled Friday!

Sandy

THANKFUL Thursday

This week, I am THANKFUL that
He did knit us each together in our mother's womb, that He knows all about us,
He "knits" us together with other believers, all unique and different from us, but all with a love for Him!
He knows it all. . .we don't have to!
He is in control. . .we don't have to be!
I am just so thankful!
I wrote this post first, and then went to read the post from Iris, our hostess. She is thankful for Internet Radio this week. I am thankful for Internet blogging.
Below is a quote from Beth Moore today.

" The Internet has brought such harm and havoc to individuals and homes but this day I sit in awe of the beauty of several thousand women with hearts knit together in Scripture from all over creation with one lofty aim: to seek Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Our Kinsman Redeemer. Our Life and Breath."

What are you thankful for this week?
Please join Iris at Grace Alone, our hostess for the month of June,
and our host, Greg at Greg's General Store,
to read lots more Thankful Thursday posts and to link up your own!

Angel's WHY I COUNT IT ALL JOY Wednesday

I'm just including the picture, because I accidentally left it off of the Mama Moments post, and because I think it is such a great picture for JOY, and because

I am filled with JOY because I will get to see Kalyn's smiling face today, and Jase's!
(not Madasyn's, but did so enjoy her last Friday and Sunday, and maybe I'll get to see her again this Friday!)

I am filled with JOY because my husband is off work today. (so I have to hurry with this post!)

I am filled with JOY because friends called about the house we have been holding onto for almost 2 years, and we are renting it to a young couple who really needed to get into it!

I am filled with JOY because the Bible study intro. meeting at my home was awesome yesterday! (looking forward to developing relationships, getting Connected, and hopefully mentoring young, tired Moms)

I am filled with JOY because I am going to get to meet Valerie, a fellow LPM "Siesta" and blogger in less than 2 weeks!

I am filled with JOY because Angel is doing this Meme, and because of what we are being reminded of from her, that she is learning from Joseph!
so go here to share in the JOY!!!

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12

Be JOYful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What fills you with JOY?

Siesta Summer Bible Study 3 Launch

For our small group on this blog, Please comment to leave your answers to each question. You never have to do them all at the same time, but can if you want.

1. If you don’t know each other, spend a few minutes finding out some basic biographical information about one another. (Single, married, still in school, or in a career. Children, no children. The regular stuff. Keep in mind that everybody fits in Bible study. You don’t need to all be alike. In fact, the more alike you all are, the less you may sharpen one another.)

2. Each of you in your small group characterize your life in this present season in ONE WORD. Have the leader record these.

3. Each of you in your small group share one specific goal you have this summer for being in Bible study. Have the leader record these, too.

4. Look at the very last verse of the Book of Judges (Judges 21:25) because of its placement just prior to the book we’ll study together this summer. Discuss several specific reasons why doing what each of us sees fit at any given time could be dangerous. After several minutes of discussion, read Jeremiah 17:7-14 and talk about how this segment relates or contrasts to Judges 21:25.

Please join in today, as soon as possible, if you haven't already, please let me know if it is okay for me ot use your profile picture for a group picture of us.

Thank you!

Sandy

MONDAY'S MAMA MOMENTS. . .

I have so many subtitles for this post running through my head! I decided they all pretty much fall under the title, Monday's Mama Moments. However, I want it to be more than that. All of the comments on my last post called it a tribute to the Dads in my lives. I guess it was that, but I meant for it to be a prayer and encouragement to all others, just to cherish the moments.

I hope that the scripture

at the bottom of this post

will be an encouragement to you!

Jeff and all of his "children"

Father's Day 2010


Madasyn last Friday,


when "Gramma"


got to spend the day


enjoying her!

Jeff having fun,

wearing the silly hat.

Jase's Scripture Wall

behind him.

At the beginning of this year, Brooke @ A Life in Need of Change

invited us all to join her in
praying for our children.
Sandra @ Today's Housewife
wrote about that today.
I agreee that Brooke's idea
of posting her prayers
for her children on their walls
is an awesome idea!
I only have 1 child left at home,
most of the time,
and he has made his own
Scripture Wall.
Today,
I am praying for Jase,
as he is gone to church camp,
as a Junior Sponsor,
for the middle school students.
He wants to invest his life
in helping others.
He says, "That's what I'm here for!"
I pray that You will use him
in a special way this week.
I pray for
Kalyn
as she is working at that same camp
all summer.
I pray that You
will use her in a special way,
and that you will keep
everyone at Falls Creek safe.
Dear Lord,
I pray for
Josh
as he is
investing his life
in being the best
Husband and Daddy
that he can be,
and also investing
in the youth at church.
I thank You so much
for Adrianne and Madasyn
and for the baby boy
that is growing inside
of Adrianne.
Dear Lord,
today,
I pray that we can all
claim the
scripture verse below.
Thank You so much
for all You do for us!

"You will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul."

Dueteronomy 4:29

FOREVER FAMILY FRIDAY-Part 5-CHERISHING OUR DADS

This Father's Day, I am praying for the ones who have lost their Dad, including my husband and 2 of my sister-in-laws, and the ones who never had a special relationship with their Dad, and the ones who are still praying for their Dad to accept Jesus Christ, and the men who are praying to be a dad.

My Dad. . .
has always been. . .He has always been so much to me, that it is hard to put in words this year. I know that he will not always be. . .here on earth, but I know that
he will always be. (eternal life) (and my Mom will always be with him!)
I cherish the time that I had with Ray as my Father-in-law.
I cherish anytime that I have with my Dad and Mom.
I cherish the times that I get to see my brothers be "Dad".

I cherish all of the time

that I have had

with Jeff as Dad to my children.

I cherish any time

that I get to see

Josh be "Daddy".

He has always been

a wonderful big brother,

(well, since he was almost 4)

and now he is a wonderful

Daddy!

I cherish the time

that I can see

God preparing Jase

to be a Daddy

or a blessing to others

in some way.

our children
with their Great Grandpa Hammock
17 years ago

Daddy's do special things
for their daughters,
(and other special things
for their sons!)

The special Man

that is my husband,

my children's Dad,

and my grandchildren's

Grandpa!

Even if you can not

cherish good memories with your Dad,

I pray that you do know

that you are cherished by

your Heavenly Father!

Happy Father's Day, 2010!

If you didn't come here from Spiritual Sundays, go here!

You will be so blessed, and you can link up your own post, too.

Thank you so much, Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays

and to all the others who link up such great heartfelt, encouraging posts!

I pray God's blessings on all of you!

THANKFUL Thursday

This week, I am thankful that I was led by Loren to Angel's new meme "Why I Count It All JOY Wednesday". It is a perfect prelude to Thankful Thursday! I am also thankful that I met 3 new blogging friends, because of that meme!

"Come, let us sing for JOY to the Lord;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our Salvation.

Let us come before Him with

THANKSGIVING

and extol Him,

with music and song. "

Psalm 95:1-2NIV

I shared yesterday that my friend, who I AM working with in VBS, had called to say that her husband had changed their vacation plans to be gone that week. Well, she said she woke up this morning, and just told him that she just didn't want to go to Colorado with their friends at the last minute like that. Her son and daughter would miss VBS, and her daughter would miss a whole softball tournament. He didn't mind not going.

So, I am thankful that I will be working together with her, and that her Mom will be helping us, too. I am thankful that we got a lot of planning done today.

I am thankful for doctors, medicine, hospitals, and most of all the power of prayer, and Jesus, our healer!

I am thankful for my Dad, for all the dads in my life, and for our Heavenly Father.

Please join Iris at Grace Alone, our hostess for the month of June,

and our host, Greg at Greg's General Store

with a Thankful post of your own and to read all the other posts linked up for Thankful Thursday!

Angel's WHY I COUNT IT ALL JOY WEDNESDAY

Angel is asking us all to join in with her in a new meme today, so go here to share in the JOY!!!
I know I'm going to love "Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday"! At least, I thought I was going to yesterday, when I had this post all ready to go!
I am counting it all JOY, that by the time I finish this Joy-filled post, I will have it memorized!
Here we go again. . .
Our oldest son became a Husband and Daddy before we (his Dad and I) were ready for him to, but he is proving to be doing very well at both. My husband and I are very proud grandparents of beautiful Madasyn Shae and looking forward to the birth of our grandson!

We miss our daughter when she is not with us, but she loves her Summer job at a Christian youth camp, and we enjoy being there with her.

Our youngest son will be leaving soon for a Mission Trip. He has only been on an airplane once. That was a long time ago, and we were with him! He is so passionate about sharing the Gospel, and we know that God will be with him.

"I have no greater JOY than to know that my children are walking in the truth."

III John 4

Because of school budget, I do not have a job. I do not know if I am going to have one, but I am praying that God has something special for me.

"Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers (sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance.

(lol I am persevering through this post!!!)

Perververance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must BELIEVE and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1: 2-6

This year, for VBS, I was planning to be a "helper" in Crafts. My friend, who I was going to help, called last night to tell me that her husband had changed their vacation time, for them to be out of town the week of VBS. I told her it was fine, to enjoy her vacation with her family. I quickly texted a sweet, mature high school girl, who I became close to last year at youth camp. I asked her if she will help me, and she said she will. I am so excited that I will have Taylor's smiling face and helpful self with me!

Most of all, I count it ALL JOY, because I have a relationship with God. He has made known to me the path of life; (I don't know what is front of me, but He does! I am following Him.) He will fill me with JOY in His presence, with ETERNAL PLEASURES! (Psalm 16:11)

Thank you, Angel for hosting this fun meme! I look forward to doing this every Wednesday, but hope it won't take me as long from now on!

Thank you, Loren, for telling us about Angel!

I hope you all will join in, and give me some comment love, too.

Have a Wonder-ful Wednesday, counting it ALL JOY!

YEA!!! It published! Just took me hours, but I am counting it All JOY! Got these JOYFUL verses in my heart and head today!

COUNT DOWN TO JASE'S MISSION TRIP-BUILDING PRAYER NETWORK!

The count down has begun for Jase's iGo Global Mission Trip to Cardiff, Wales. I would like to hear from you, if you. . .
will pray for him.
or
have been on an evangelistic Mission Trip out of the country.
or
want to share anything about any Mission Trip you have been on.
or
you would like to share about living in the UK.
I hope to hear from you!
Thank you!
Sandy, Jase's Mom

TUESDAY ON-LINE BIBLE STUDY (RUTH) Discussion begins Next Tuesday, June 22. . .Sign up here now.

If you would like to discuss this study here, let me know, so we will be ready to sign up with Beth Moore next Tuesday.
Thank you!
Sandy

Loren's "Mom, Can I have some friend's over?" Give-Away. . .or just a Chocolate Lover's Win from a Blogging Friend!

or for me, I would love to have these 2 cuties together in 2 weeks,
and decorating

these,

together with

my niece, Gabby

and my granddaughter, Madasyn,

would just be double the FUN!

http://themagoosnews.blogspot.com/2010/06/mom-can-i-have-some-friends-over.html

Above is the address of my blogging buddy, Loren's great give away! Go check it out to see if you are interested in winning these great brownies. We don't eat a lot of sweets, but. . .Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies??? They would be eaten! Yes, I do remember those days of "Mom, I need some brownies to take to school tomorrow." I actually love to cook, but my husband doesn't always like for me to go to the trouble at the last minute, and these would be fun to just decorate together!

About the Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies:

It´s 7 p.m. (or 10 p.m) when your child informs you that they need baked goods to share with the whole class tomorrow. Sound familiar? How often have you been hit with the need for last-minute baking when there simply isn´t enough time? Pillsbury comes to the rescue with Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies, available exclusively at Sam´s Club.With a taste as delicious and authentic as if you baked them at home, Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies are a blend of 3 types of cocoas with real chocolate syrup and milk chocolate chunks to make a delicious fudgy brownie—they’re the perfect solution when you’re pressed for time. Add personal flair to these already-baked brownies with your own decorations, frosting, caramel or powdered sugar! With a straight-out-of-the-oven flavor without the time or clean-up, Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies are a great treat for any occasion!In addition, when purchasing Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies at Sam’s Club, you have the chance to support your local school with Box Tops for Education. Each package of Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies has 6 Bonus Box Tops that can be redeemed to earn cash for the K-8 school of your choice.