Mel's Goin' Goin' Gone...

It's Always Raining Somewhere...

2010-03-09T00:10:00Z

I have been keeping up on a blog on Facebook called (In)Courage. Today's devotion really touched me.

In the season of rain, pray for rain .

When you have a prayer answered, do you then forget to continue to pray for that issue? I know I am guilty of this! Why would we continue to pray for something God has answered? Do not forget that we war, not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of thedarkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 Our enemy prowls around like a lion, looking for whom he may devour. 1 Pet 5:8.

Do not think for a moment that because the Lord has so graciously answered your prayers that you are now out of the woods. I am not implying we should be looking for Satan in everything, just that we need to be aware. Be aware that Satan may try to use this against us and draw us back into what ever issue we may have just been delivered from. We need to become more acutely in tune to where we are vulnerable.

Commit to prayer, everyday. Pick a spot in the house where you frequently find yourself and make a decision for that spot to be a reminder to pray. For some it is the kitchen sink, as in the (In)Courage article today, for others it may be the laundry room. I often pray at the kitchen sink but the shower is my quiet time with the Lord (even as interrupted as it often seems to be!). You can even take one of the kids soap crayons and write the word "pray" on the wall to remind you!

God's grace is sufficient. Rejoice in those answered prayers! Thank the Lord for the blessings you have been given! Most of all, be thankful that we have been given the ultimate gift of Christ's life for our own. Praise the Lord that this life is temporary!!

*If you need prayer, please feel free to email me. I will pray for you!

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Chalk Board Back Splash!

2010-03-06T00:24:00Z

A challenge was given today by The Nester and you know how much I love a challenge and The Nester (I secretly want to be her but shhh!! don't tell her that!). The challenge (or suggestion) was to post a link to your blog showing off your chalk board decor. I do have a chalk board that I love (see Christmas decor pics for that) but I had a can of chalk board paint and an idea, so I got started.

Forgot to take a before photo, so here is the house when we were looking at it. * This is not my decor, although I know you all wish you were into cows and had that cool fish!

Here is the start of the black chalk board paint. Nail biting nervousness going on here but I had taken the plunge so I had to keep going to finish it! *And please, don't be jealous of my beautiful counter tops! Everyone can have them, especially if you like do-it-yourself stuff and don't care if it's done right. Not ME! We can't wait to rip out this crap, pardon my language! Waiting for the $$$ for it - isn't that always the story?

Finished! Only took a few hours and honestly, I LOVE it! Don't you? Well, that's ok, you don't have to live here Eventually I will paint the side walls a real color but when I went to pull the paint can out, guess what?! It was dried up. Sigh... so I will get some more eventually. Since I get to the hardware store as fast as a snail, it may be a while.

Sorry, I do know the hood (is that what it's called?) is dirty but no matter how much I scrub, that's how it looks

Do you think hubs will approve? I hope so! He's in for quite a shock But the teenager said it looked good so that's a pretty good compliment! (Hubs likes it btw )

It's Almost March, Are You Ready?

2010-02-23T20:11:00Z

Can you believe February is almost over? February and March are busy months for us. I celebrated my 33rd birthday along with my Grandpa (we have the same birthday) who turned 75! Hubs and I will have been married 14 years on March 1st, so hubs gets lots of romantic pressure for a good 3 weeks of the year Poor guy! We went to the coast with my whole family this last weekend to celebrate the birthdays. Hubs was kind enough to let me have the weekend off and just enjoy family time, especially with my Mama who I only get to see a few times a year, if I am that lucky!

So now that March is a week away, have you kept to your new you in 52, new year's resolutions or what have you for 2010? I am down a size so I guess I am moving in the right direction. Having a great marriage is my number one goal! If I have that, everything else will fall into place. So far, we're doing pretty well at this one! Another of my goals is to make sure I don't forget birthdays, even if I don't send real paper cards, I am sure to send an email or something because I think birthdays should be special and remembered. I want to spend more time with my family, both immediate and extended. I miss them! I intend to have friends over more often, maybe even weekly. We'll see if I can swing it The list of goals goes on and on. Does it ever end? When we die, I suppose! We just have to keep striving for what we know we ought to be doing. I know I'll give up here and there but the main thing is to keep trying. One day at a time, like I'm working a 12 step program. Life is like a constant 12 step program, we all have our demons we're battling.

I hope it continues to be a good year!

My First Painting on Canvas

2010-01-13T02:07:00Z

This is my very first painting on canvas! It turned out ok. Yes, it's a hummingbird. I did start out following the colors of a real one and when I couldn't find enough photos to get a good idea of all sides of the bird, I improvised.

3 Boys & 1 Girl Because We Fell In Love

2010-01-12T20:37:00Z

I am entering a contest at The Nester.
I want to win one of these awesome signs for my home! You can enter too! Just visit her blog and follow the directions! This contest is brought to you by DaySpring and The Danielson Designs Studios! Isn't that so nice of them?! Create your own sign for your home! There are tons to choose from! Go to: DaySpring-Danielson Design Studio.

What Would You Do?

2010-01-12T18:48:00Z

If you could do ANYTHING and be guaranteed success, what would you be doing? Define success for yourself, as that word can mean different things to different people. I thought this would be a really fun question to answer. Please leave a comment! Be extravagant! There are no rules (well keep it family friendly please LOL). Take a little time to dream!

I personally think my first two choices would be an artist or a decorator. Something that lets me use my creative side and get my hands dirty!

The Love Dare

2010-01-08T14:58:00Z

I am back today with another challenge. I seem to be full of those don't I? If I post it here, I have to follow through on it! So it's a good thing. Have you seen the movie Fireproof? There is a book that goes along with the movie, called The Love Dare. K-Love is doing the love dare on their blog and with hopefully millions of their listeners. Imagine the impact on marriages world wide! Even if your marriage is super fantastic, you can still use this! So come along with me, it won't cost you anything! K-Love has put all the information for each day on their blog and we're only on day 3 so it's not too late to jump in and get going! Let's fight for our marriages and keep families intact! Today's entry is convicting. Selfishness. That is truly the root of all evil. Not money like we so often say! Good luck! You don't need your spouse to participate either! If you've seen this movie, then you know that. If you haven't watched it, I encourage you to do so! Alright, ready, set, GO!!

Day 3 of The Love Dare

New You In 52?!

2010-01-07T15:07:00Z

For the new year, K-love wants to make a difference in 2010 by doing a NEW you in 52 challenge. Now they are mainly focusing on food and diet. I am thinking of the overall picture. Why not a new you in 52 weeks, in what ever part of your life you want! Each week, work on adding something new to your life. Whether it's changing spending habits, saving money, shining your kitchen sink each day, trying new foods, etc. You get the idea. Of course, the idea is to keep the habits or new things you've done the week before and keep adding to it!

Why not make it fun?! Drop some old habits, create some new ones. This last week I started shining my sink every day. No dishes in the sink or on the counter is my goal. We don't have an electric dishwasher. We have a manual one, meaning ME I hate doing dishes. I especially hate doing dishes that have been sitting in the sink for any length of time. It's gross. Dirty dishes seems to really irritate my man, so that is another reason I want to keep them clean.

Have some great ideas for the 52 weeks? Tell me about them! I am going to need ideas! Good luck to you all! Keep it fun (ok, I know like shining your sink is fun!).

It's January, Time to Take It ALL Down!

2010-01-05T16:44:00Z

The New Year is upon us. Can you believe it's 2010? I remember Y2k so very clearly. It was actually the worst year of our lives to be honest and I am glad to kick it out the door (hard with pointy boots on). I pray that this new decade brings goodness to everyone! Have you taken down all the Christmas decor? I have not, I must admit. The tree is long gone but the rest is still hanging out.

The question is, do I put it ALL away or leave out the snowmen? What do you do? I should probably pack it all in. Spring can't come soon enough. I'm ready to see the sun again but realize, that is many months away around here. Mostly, I want to hit garage sales and find some treasures I have figured out which pieces of furniture my home needs and I am ready to start scouring the countryside for them. I have realized the longer we live here. exactly what we need to fill the space and what we don't (like toys! Ok, that one isn't going away any time soon LOL).

I have also decided against New Year's resolutions. Why set myself up for failure each new year? I know what my goals are, they don't change just because there's a new number in the calendar year. Plus, my goals will remain the same for the rest of my life, so I will just embrace them and keep working on myself! I realize that all life coaches would disagree with me. No time line means you're not working towards anything attainable (I'd just keep changing the deadline so why bother). They're probably right but I'm ok with that. That's why they get paid the big bucks to try to fix people and I don't!

So Happy New Year to you all! Feel free to comment and share your goals for the year or for your life! Maybe you'll motivate me

Santa, A Health Menace?

2009-12-18T16:04:00Z

A recent study done by public health expert Nathan Grills from Monash University in Australia, has declared jolly old Saint Nick a public health menace. With that big old belly that jiggles like a bowl full of jelly and his speeding (yes, speeding while driving a sleigh) may put our children at risk for bad health choices and Santa may give them H1N1. Santa needs to ride a bike and eat carrots with his reindeer to front a much healthier life style to children. Seriously?

Grills apparently donned the suit of the big guy in red and says, "I was kissed and hugged by snotty-nosed kids at each performance andwas never offered alcohol swabs to wipe my rosy cheeks between clients." Why not take your own sanitizer if you are that worried about the germs? Can't you just see this man being jolly Santa? Ho, Ho, NO! Don't touch me, you snot nosed kid! Yikes!

I really hope we never embrace the skinny Santa. I say let him eat cookies! My kids don't think they need to eat only cookies because Santa does. Let's give our children a little more credit for thinking than that! How else is Santa going to fly through the sky in a sleigh if he doesn't speed?! Doesn't he require magic to fly? Let's ban his magical powers as well because kids might try to fly and that could be really dangerous too! Speed is required for airplanes and jets to fly too, duh! If Santa were skinny, wouldn't the reindeer go even faster? Less weight to carry! Maybe PETA should get involved. I mean, those reindeer are probably being mistreated carrying all that weight!

Doesn't Santa live with elves? As any mom knows, hanging with the little people is EXHAUSTING! So maybe Santa needs his comfort food to deal with the elves and stay sane. Plus, being a big guy makes him appear authoritative which you've got to have when you're dealing with elves. They're pesky! What else does the poor guy have to do living in the North Pole? Brrr....

As I recall, doesn't Santa do a lot of deliveries of bikes, scooters, sleds, and roller skates at Christmas? I know I got a few bikes as a kid from him! So see, Santa DOES promote a health lifestyle for kids!

If you are worried about the germs Santa may be carrying, sanitize your child's hands after sitting on his lap or don't go see him.

Leave the silly traditions alone! Do we have to take the fun out of everything?! Next they will say that Rudolph's red nose promotes getting a cold! To think this man was actually paid (probably well) to do such a silly study! Ok, vent over.

Here's a Tour of My Home at Christmas

2009-12-14T17:37:00Z

(Thanks to Jane Atwell and Angie Svoboda for scrapping paper and elements)

I have decided to join the Christmas Tour of Homes. Because my home is so fabulous and perfect? Haha, I just choked from laughing. No, not even close! I have had some fun finding new decor this season (I'm not done yet) and thought, why not?! I have been very silly in really decorating my home because I was waiting for certain elements I want. Well, I might be waiting forever at this point so it's time to get moving on making my house a home that truly represents our family (and me).

So take a look around. Shield your eyes from the dust and my ugly Christmas tree. Yes, this year's tree I really hate. I am ready to buy a fake tree on sale after Christmas! Nothing's perfect around here! I do have 4 children, remember! 3 of whom are rough and tumble boys and they have taken out a few decorations already this year!

We'll start off with my favorite items! My nativity set that my MIL has added to until completion the past few years! Thank you!!! ♥ Not crazy about the garland but it's what I had. Also, you will notice my blank chalk board. Oops, erased it before I realized the children had confiscated my chalk. So when I can finally locate it, envision it saying, "Emmanual, God is with us".

Above the wood stove is my giant snowflake that I made this afternoon! I can't get a straight on shot but you get the idea.

Here is my wood stove. I took the Nester's advice and made my own garland this year (see her Most Wonderful Christmas Garland Ever Tutorial). It's still a basic garland and I think for now I'm satisfied with it. I'll probably add to it as I find things to put in it. It is so pretty at night with the fire going and the lights on in the garland. I didn't dust the wood stove because, well it's hot!

The stockings say, "Santa, I've been good" and if you turn them around they say, "Santa, I can explain!" They may have to be turned around for a few of the kidlets

On each side of my wood stove are two ginormous speakers (those suckers need to go SOON). Here are the tops of them. I LOVE my white goblets which I paid under $1 each for. I am kicking myself for not buying another one that I saw at an antique store recently. They are sooo very pretty with a tea light candle in them! Yes, that's two of my precious boys. They are now 13 and 7 1/2! The sleigh photo is on display at the photographer's in the mall every year! (Proud mama moment)

(So pretty at night!)

Above the wood stove are these vases. Yes, I do know that my dear husband hung the metal upside down. I've been too lazy to fix them.

I found this topiary at Goodwill. It beckoned me through the window and I had to have it! I didn't bother changing out my flowers above. Oh well. Do you see my window mistreatments? Still a work in progress but I hung them anyway! I love them but I'm sure they won't be everyone's favorite!

Here's the ugly tree! Sigh... I'm just posting a pic that is dark with lights because, all trees look good with their lights on. Right?!

On top of the tv. Yep, that's dust! Eek! Close your eyes and keep scrolling, it is offensive! I got those cute little milk jars from an antique mall for $1.50 each! I dropped a tea light into them and they are just darn cute! Yeah, I'm weird! Oh and that is a nativity scene inside a NUT! Isn't it cool?

The top of my beloved coffee table. Someday it'll get a coat of paint but for now, the kids are going to thrash it. That's a photo of my little Emma!

Here's my chest that the cats are very quickly ruining. Sigh... I want to put a red ribbon around my lampshade still. Yes, that is baby Jesus all alone in the middle there. I bought that glass nativity set from the dollar store years ago. As you can see, the kids love to play with it. I have no clue where everyone else migrated to but maybe they are on their way to Bethlehem. Jesus really shouldn't have arrived early! That's just so wrong...

And lastly, here is my snowman and a few shelves! My mom recorded herself reading, Twas the Night Before Christmas. The kids LOVE it! Those recordable books are cool!

And here are my ceiling lights. I break every decorating rule and keep them up all year long. I like the soft glow they give to my living room. I still have not fixed my pictures since I rearranged the living room. Someday... Eph 5:2 is painted on the wall for those wondering.

Phew! We both made it to the end. I am going to go spike my eggnog now because that was a lot of work! I now remember how much work it is to get my photos onto this blog. Hopefully you haven't been bored to the point of drooling on your keyboard. If so, wipe up and check out more homes on tour! Seriously, some of those homes will have your mouth dropping open with amazement! No drool bib required, well maybe. You may drool with jealousy. I will pray for your sin of envy.

Thanks for stopping by! Come visit again!

Feel free to leave a comment! I do have to approve comments due to my spammer/stalker/commenter Someone has too much time on their hands.

There will be MORE TO COME! I'm just getting started here!

Check out this adorable Christmas ornament! You can make one easily! See my tutorial here!

Christmas Tour Of Homes!

2009-12-14T03:25:00Z

Check out the fantastic Christmas Tour Of Homes that is officially started at The Nesting Place. It is so fun to see how everyone decorates and to glean ideas from others! Have a fantastic time looking around someone's home and yes, you have permission to snoop

I told you I'd start posting things of the decorating nature here! I couldn't let my audience down (and my one spamming stalker). Enjoy and Happy Christmas Decorating! You still have time to create some new and lovely things!

Cleaning House With More Than A Sweeping Glance

2009-12-12T23:10:00Z

You might have noticed that I've been cleaning house on this blog today (likely you did not but roll with me on this one). There were lots of links to lots of blogs, mostly to blogs I don't actually read or go to. Time to get rid of those. Plus, in the blogging world, it's not proper blogger etiquette to not link to someone's blog if they link to yours. So buh-bye to all those extra page hogger links! Who needs them anyway?

I have been thinking lately about what my blog is really about. You know, I don't really know. Is it a blog for moms? Money savers? Christians? Decorators and crafters? Or just a blog about lots of stuff? Probably a bit of everything. I'd like to narrow down the topic of this blog and I have decided it's going to be mainly about decorating and crafting, with a sprinkle of other things here and there. Why'd I choose this topic? Because it's something I LOVE. Not much makes me feel happier than creating something beautiful with my very own hands. So now you know! You should be very afraid!

I will be linking and providing buttons to some fellow crafty bloggers. Check back for those! These women have some amazing home decor and yes, some do have amazing homes *I am not among those women. Don't get me wrong, my home is nice but it is far from amazing! Stay tuned. I'm off to fire up the hot glue gun!

HP TouchSmart 600 Give Away!!

2009-12-10T14:59:00Z

You heard me right! MckMama (another mama of 4) is giving away a brand new HP TouchSmart 600 on her blog! Who couldn't use a new computer? I know I could! Our computer is an old dinosaur (I love you computer, please don't die on me for that comment!). It does it's job but it's slow... It's lugging around a lot of weight with that big old honking monitor! It provides me with my access to the interwebz so I can work from home each day but takes up about 4ft x 6ft of my little tiny dining room. What I wouldn't give for a little tiny desk with a pretty computer sitting on it! So take your chances, follow her directions and enter but be warned, I will be fierce competition for you Cause mama needs a new computer!

My Munchkins Say The Cutest Things!

2009-11-10T21:56:00Z

This week my kids have said some darn cute things, if I do say so myself.

Emma to Isaac, "Isaac, this song makes my heart happy!" This was said while driving in the van and listening to Audio Adrenaline's song, Big House.

Isaac to Emma, "Emma if you have 28 nickels, you will be very rich." Emma's responded, "I already AM very rich!"

Matthew told us this while sitting in the Christian Chinese Food restaurant, "Hey, I know this song! It plays in our van!"

The Most Embarrassing Moment!

2009-10-20T20:38:00Z

Just had my most embarrassing moment ever. Went to Target with Isaac and Emma. When we got to our van, I threw the slider open and told them to get in their seats and buckle in. I then went around to the back to put my bag in it. When I looked up to pop the back, I realized that there was NO Camp Gilead sticker on it. Shoot!!

So I go back around to the side to see my kids standing with their mouths gaping open, looking in. I tell the kids, "Oh my gosh, we have the wrong van!" Just as I notice a man sitting in the driver's seat! I wanted to melt into a puddle right then and there! Instead, I started laughing, told him I was so sorry, shut his door and quickly hurried straight across to our van!

Same vans, parked in exactly the same spots but one row over! I laughed so hard once in the safety of my own van, that I was crying. I asked Isaac if they thought I was crazy, he said yes. I asked him if the man had said anything to them, he said, "Yes, he said you have the wrong one!" LOL!!

In honor of Jeremiah Eli Murray

2009-09-22T23:08:00Z

Due to the length of this photo montage, it has been cut into 3 parts. Quality is not as good in order to upload to the blog. If you'd like a copy on dvd, let me know. Enjoy! Also, Please be patient, it may take the videos a few mins to load. Video #3 is partly stories Jer wrote as a kid. The first one comes up one letter at a time (it is supposed to, it is not broken). Read his stories and enjoy!

Part 1

http://melindatoad.com/2009/09/22/part-1flv.aspx

This starts out with stories Jer wrote as a little boy. Pleas be patient, it is SUPPOSED to come up ONE letter at a time. Read and enjoy!

Truly Cheap Summer Activities For Kids

2009-07-20T19:05:00Z

If you are like me, you've picked up magazines that claim they have "cheap" summer activities for you and your kids. You open it anticipating a list of things you can do at home or close to home that cost next to nothing, only to be disappointed. Their list consists of things that only exist in major big cities, crafts you don't have supplies for and aren't really cheap to buy. I continue to compile a list of things to do with the kids that truly cost nothing or next to nothing. This is for my price savvy moms out there who are starting to think, "What am I gonna do with these kids ALL summer?!" If you have a great idea, post a comment! I'm always looking for things to keep the kids busy!

* Squeeze bottles*
Re-use those squeeze bottles that your ketchup and salad dressings come in. Here are a few activities you can do with them but be creative and ask the kids what they'd like to use them for.
- Water fights - great for use in the pool!
- Painting - put some finger paint or other washable paint inside and let them go to town on butcher paper in the backyard. Don't have butcher paper? Newspaper is fun too! Kids really don't care.
- Pancakes - put your pancake batter in the bottle and make fun flower, names, and animal pancakes! For more fun, give each child a turn making their own fun pancake.

* Appliance boxes*

Pick up some appliance boxes from an appliance store or rent-to-own store. The possibilities are endless with these giant boxes!
- Play house
- Puppet Theater
- Tunnels to climb through
- Fort

* Shaving Cream*
Good old fashioned shaving cream is cheap! I can usually find it for less than $1.
- Get out one of the plastic table cloths and let them go crazy spraying it all over it and then "painting" with it. Have the hose handy for clean up but it dissolves quickly, doesn't stain, and won't hurt your grass!
- Blow up some balloons, add some shaving cream and then play games that involve popping it by sitting or laying on the balloons.

* Scavenger Hunts*
- Make a list of things you know you'll see on a walk around the block. Have the kids mark off everything they see. You can make it more of a challenge by telling them you have to find everything on the list before you head home.
- Hide some small trinkets and/or candies around the yard and have the kids find them. You can use toys they already have, kids really aren't picky. Let the kids take turns hiding stuff.

* Lemonade Stand*
Get a free lemonade stand at Sunkist.

* Neighbor kid meet and greet*
Do you have kids in the neighborhood that you'd like to meet? Purchase some inexpensive ice cream bars and have the kids make invitations inviting all the neighborhood kids (or select few) to a kid meet and greet. Make sure you write on the invitation that parents are required to attend. This way you get to meet the kids and the parents at the same time. It's also a safety precaution when serving food to children you don't know.

* Frozen T-shirts*
My MIL shared this one with me after seeing it on Regis and Kelly. On a really hot day, take a t-shirt for each of your kids, wet it, fold it, and then place in freezer. Once frozen, have a competition to see who can get their frozen shirt unfolded and on!! Brrr.... Great way to cool off! Make sure you take pictures!

*Noodles*
Kids love to cook. Why not boil up some noodles and have all kinds of toppings for them to pick and choose to make their own lunch or dinner.

* Popcorn*
Come up with new popcorn creations. Make trail mix, peanut butter popcorn, popcorn balls, and other popcorn treats.

* Glow necklaces and bracelets*
These are great for night time fun! We take them camping because the kids love them and it makes them easy to see at night. I get them at the dollar tree and target. Just be careful with little ones, they can leak and they are toxic!
- Have an evening get together and place glow necklaces into vases for cool lighting!
- Go outside in the dark and see what kinds of fun shapes etc they create when you throw them or roll them.
- Create a dark obstacle course.
- The round shapes are perfect for playing hopscotch or other silly games at night.

* Bean bags*
I created a whole bunch of homemade bean bags last week with scrap fabric I had, a couple bags of beans, and my sewing machine. If you don't sew, get some of the no sew adhesive.
- Make up games. Any bucket, bowl, box etc will make for a perfect "hoop" to throw the bean bags into.
- Learn to juggle. Don't know how? Check out a youtube video to learn!
- Obstacle course with bean bag on your head
-

* Milk jugs*
Clean the milk jugs out really well! After making the igloo out of milk jugs for VBS, I would advise putting a little bleach in them and letting them dry thoroughly, otherwise they stink no matter how well you wash them!
- Cut part of the top out of the milk jug, leaving the handle in tact. You'll need 4 buckets, two at each side of the yard. Fill one at each end with equal amounts of water, leaving one bucket at each end empty. Poke holes in the bottom of the milk jugs. Each participant has to fill their milk jug and run to the bucket opposite of them and fill it with what ever water is left in the milk jug. First team to get a certain amount of water in their empty bucket, wins! Great way to cool off.
- Create and igloo or ice wall. You'll need a lot of hot glue and milk jugs. For an ice wall, I would suggest keeping the jugs whole for the first layer and then cutting the handle up off and just using the bottoms.

* Ice*
- You'll need some winter gloves for this game, 2 buckets, and ice. Each team has to grab as much ice as they can and get it into their teams empty bucket.
- Ice walk! Pour a bunch of ice out in the yard, in a straight line. Try seeing how far you can walk across the ice before your feet hurt!
- Freeze a few toys in some ice cubes. Make sure they are clean! Each child gets a cup of ice water (or other beverage), the first one to get their toy to come completely out of their ice cube wins! Catch is, they can't touch their ice cube with their hands or mouth!

More to come....

Peace

2009-04-15T15:47:00Z

I have struggled for my entire life with something that happened to me as a child. I was able to forgive my perpetrator face to face years ago but I still struggled with what happened to me and other issues that come with it. I can honestly tell you, after years of prayer and working on forgiving others who impacted how things were dealt with, that God has granted me complete and utter peace now. I can think about every aspect of it, and no longer feel a tremendous, gut wrenching pain. I HAVE PEACE! Yes, I am shouting because this has been a tremendous journey for me!

I realized about 12 years ago that God had allowed this in my life because it gave me great empathy for others and I really feel like He has given me opportunity (and will continue to do so) to talk to other women who are hurting. That was the start of my healing and it has taken this long to really feel healed! I KNOW in my heart that the peace I now have, has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God. He has given me the peace that surpasses all understanding. I have held fast to Jeremiah 29:11 and if you had ever been to our old house you would have seen it painted on my living room wall, as a constant reminder to myself that God loves me and has a plan for my life. He has no plans to harm me, though Satan might. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
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. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. ^[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

If you are hurting and need some prayer or someone to just talk to, email me. I long for everyone to have a heart that has peace and knows our one and only peacemaker, Jesus Christ!

Bookkeeping Services

2009-03-13T19:45:00Z

Check out my Mom's Bookkeeping Services Site. Need a bookkeeper? She's really good

Catey Bookkeeping Services