Get Out of that Pit

That is the name of the book I'm reading by Beth Moore. It is an awesome book. I am learning much from it. In fact what I have is actually the book on CD and I keep going back and relistening to it. Some times it's because my mind has wandered, sometimes it's because Beth talks so fast but most of the time it's because what she says is so good I want to make sure I'm really getting it. Michael is even listening to it with me. There is no doubt about the fact; I live in a Pit. One I slipped into and am stuck in because a) sin and b) it's gotten comfortable. Not comfortable as in cozy nice; comfortable as in known, familiar. However, this isn't the point of this post. Maybe at another time when I've had time to process what I'm learning and have actually thought through what I should post.

What I want to share is this illustration from her book. Beth was explaining the meaning of a word; I can't even remember the word right now. In illustrating the word she described how her girls used to stand on her feet and wrap their arms around her legs. They would play a game like that. Each girl with her own mother's leg, hanging own for dear life, with Beth walking around the house.

As I listened to her I thought, that's how I want to be with God! Picture it. God is huge right? So, I would fit on His one foot like a child. I could look way up at Him and see his face smiling down at me. Or what ever expression that I need to see. Or I could just bury my face in His leg and know that I was loved and safe no matter what. This is where I want to be. Not just at His feet but on them. Moving and going every where He goes, when He goes.

It's so easy to picture that esp when I still have Beth's voice in my head describing the scene. However, to make that happen I have to, well make it happen. It takes time and commitment. Just wanting that isn't enough. I know Jesus is standing there waiting for me to jump on. I know He'll give me the strength to hold on, but I have to put forth the effort and the energy to hang on.

I believe that Beth does a better job at explaining, maybe it's again because I heard her voice and caught the enthusiasm.

Wouldn't that be a wonderful place to be?! Not at the feet of Jesus, but on them!

The Griddle II

Every time I use this griddle I just marvel at how much I enjoy it and how badly I didn't want to be bother by getting one. Didn't see the need, didn't see the benefits and didn't want to put forth the expense.

Tonight as I cooked my pork chops I was thinking how many times do I behave that way towards the things that God wants me to have?! No, God not right now. No, God what I have works. No, really God it's OK it's too much work to do it like that. On and on it goes. The irony is I go to bed and get up in the morning groaning and complaining to God about things. He just patiently waits for me to open my eyes and embrace what he has set upon my counter esp for my use.

And just like the griddle, when I finally see the gift I marvel at how easy it has made my life! I am so thankful that my Jesus is so patient. He waits and He doesn't get frustrated and just throw up His hands and say "forget it!". He waits as long as it takes. He doesn't even change the gift. Once I open my eyes I receive the full benefits of the very thing I either turned my nose up at or was just too busy to see.

Thank you so much Jesus for ALL the "griddles" you've given me and still have out there waiting on me to see.

The Griddle

In the beginning of February Michael announces that he wants an electric griddle. Why?! What we have won't work? We have a cast iron one that works best on a gas stove. No, I want an electric one because I'm going to make something special. So off he went to get his griddle. I'm now smiling and realizing that my first response should have been Sure honey anything you want. So he makes these hamburgers. Good but too much work if you ask me. He was NOT pleased with his griddle. So I'm thinking shucks that's too bad you're disappointed, but great we can get that money back. He exchanged it. OK, so we won't get the money back. Then he made his hamburger things again and they were to die for. He is a great cook. He still wasn't happy with the griddle though. This time he left it out on the counter.

A couple mornings later as I stumbled to the kitchen wondering what I could throw together I saw the griddle. I absolutely hate cooking breakfast, which is really sad because it is, in my opinion the easiest meal to prepare, AND my husband loves a good breakfast. When I did that, ask your husband what is the one thing you can do for him to make him happy; his response was cook breakfast for me every morning. I'm afraid my husband has been a very unhappy man through the years.

Anyhow, back to this griddle. There it sat. Hmmmm... you know I could cook bacon and eggs on that thing all at the same time. So, I did. Eggs, bacon and pancakes all at one time and I didn't burn a thing!! WHOO-HOO! I can cook breakfast now and enjoy it. Clean up is a snap. One pan and it just rinses clean. Did I mention that I didn't burn any thing?! My family has been fed breakfast on a regular basis this month. Not every morning because I'm not perfect and that's OK. All on a griddle that I did not want to spend money on. How about that?

Funny

As we headed home today we were talking about the evening plans. The kids were going bowling with friends and Michael and I were going on our Friday night date. I was saying to the kids that I wanted to change clothes and freshen up, but I wasn't sure what I should wear. Gabrielle suggested that I wear something sexy. Next, I hear Kevin say from the back seat, "But mom can't wear me". The randomness of the statement alone had Gab and I rolling in the floor.

Michael

Today I found a little Bible on the kitchen counter. Michael has cleaned out his office and brought things home; this little Bible being one of those things. As I opened the cover of the Bible sweet memories over came me. See, this Bible didn't originally belong to Michael. It is a pocket Soul Winning Bible that belonged to a man by the name of Horace Trigg. This man was a very special man! To most he was special because he was a mighty Soul Winner, yielded to and used by God. To me he was special because of his relationship with my Michael. This man recruited my Michael to take Operation Go. Then he took Michael under his wing and taught him much. They spent many a Saturday morning knocking on doors and winning people to the Lord. Michael even began Soul Winning out here on base during his lunch hour. There was a time when Pastor allowed him to bring home the van so he could bring Marines to church. Then Mr. Trigg became ill. I called Michael and told him he needed to come to the hospital and see him. Reluctantly Michael came. Michael doesn't do the hospital scene well and he doesn't see much point in grieving over some one that is going to heaven; a much better place after all. He isn't callous, honest. He just hasn't lost any one really close to him and hasn't had to grieve. Any how, he went in to see Mr. Trigg. He came out of that ICU shaking his head. He looked at me and as he told me what took place tears ran down his face. See, Mr. Trigg's first words to Michael were, how's it going? How many souls have you won to the Lord. Michael just could not fathom this man on his death bed still allowing the eternal well being of others to be his only focus. Not only that but he encouraged Michael to stay the course. The Lord used Mr. Trigg to begin a good work with in my Michael. When Mr. Trigg passed away his sweet wife brought his Bible and gave it to Michael. It sits here before me on the computer desk. It isn't used near as often as it used to be for saving souls, but it still plays a huge role in my husband's heart. The Lord started working in Michael's heart, pulling him towards the ministry. Michael believed the Lord was calling out of the Corps into full time ministry. So, we left the Corps. Bible college is not where we ended up. We ended up in North Carolina with Michael working in computers. Here we found a wonderful church. We fit right in and before long Michael had a few soul winning partners and was doing the Lord's work once again. Inside Mr. Trigg's Bible is a written statement dated 03/15/2000. Michael prayed a prayer of dedication to full time ministry and he and this deacon signed the statement in this Bible. Things didn't go as we had planned and he rejoined the Corps. Michael still loves to talk about Biblical things. Theology. I couldn't tell you when he went Soul Winning last. Just recently he began to read his Bible at night again.

I sit and think about where God has me right now. The things He's trying to grow and teach me in. Then this Bible shows up on my kitchen counter. It brings tears to my eyes. It's presence reminds me that God does indeed have a plan for me and my husband. I can't imagine what, but I know it will be big. When Michael is in the Word of God he is a mighty man.

Mornings

I purchased Beth Moore's, Get Out of the Pit, on CD. As I listened I heard her say this as an illustration: I never put alarm clocks in my girl's room because I wanted them to always be awakened in the morning by the voice of some one that loves them. This made me just cry and cry. I thought it was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. See, I love to wake my kids up in the morning. I look forward to the opportunity to sit on their bed and tickle and snuggle them. They like it too. Oh, I know that lots of times they enjoy it for a different reason than I. The longer snuggle time the longer they can put off getting up. :) I wanted to ask Beth, how did you train them to be ready for the real world? How did they know how to get themselves up and ready for the day on time? I used to snuggle and sing to my kids to get them up. Sing? Well, have you ever heard a beagle howl, yea that's more like what I did. See the point was to get them awake and moving. So I would sing my own renditions of Wake Up Little Suzy and Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory. Oh how they would fuss and grumble. Couple mornings they really got ugly so I stopped. Then several months later we were all sitting around chatting and that came up. Do you know they both wanted to know why I quit singing to them?! They expressed that they actually missed it. You could have blown me over!

I have spent an hour trying to get this post to say what I want to say. It all sounds like whining and complaining.

Mornings at my house aren't working for me. I stress out. I believe that my kids should be getting their own selves up and dressed for school. I believe that they should be able to work together a routine with the bath room and shower times that works for both of them. I believe that they should respect the fact that they both want to shower in the morning and then be able to agree to shower times and stick to it. On the other hand I love to wake them up and give them that snuggle time and I believe that IF every one gets equal time in the shower and that we're all ready on time that long showers aren't a problem. This isn't what is happening. How do I get these guys to work things out and get it together? How do I remove myself from the morning routine so that they are forced to work things out? Even though I say that I love to wake them and snuggle them, I also would very much enjoy getting up and just being responsible for me and the things I have to get done. That would involve me getting myself dressed and ready for the day, making breakfast for all and getting lunches together.

I'm not real sure what the point of this post was. Just something that is really on my mind right now. What Beth shared about the alarm clock touched a spot for me because she broke from what I considered the norm of teaching kids to get themselves up and ready for the day. I guess I feel guilty for snuggling my kids and waking them rather than making them get up on their own. So then we have all these mixed messages going on in the morning. Some mornings I sit on the edge of their bed and wake them up slow and sweet; other mornings I've slept late and they didn't get up to the alarm and I'm hollering for them to get up and get moving. I need to decide which it's going to be and be committed and consistent to it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The other morning I woke Kevin and sat and caressed him for a brief moment. Then I made him sit up and wake up so he could get up and in the shower. I sat in the hall to put on my shoes. As I looked in his room he was sitting up in the bed with his covers over his head. All I could see was his back, but I could tell he was doing something. "Kevin", I asked, "What are you doing?" " I didn't get enough tickles this morning so I'm tickling myself." That is indeed what he was doing; tickling his own tummy.

You Know ...

... it's going to be a long day when you get up thinking, "I can't wait until tomorrow when I can sleep in!"

Great Week End!

Friday night Michael and I went out with Gabrielle and Quincy. We went to eat and then went to a movie. The kids went to one movie and Michael and I saw a different one. Nice time. Kevin spent the night with a friend.
I can't even remember what I did Saturday morning. Michael did get my van fixed for me. YEA! Saturday evening we went on a progressive dinner with the Sunday School class. Had a wonderful time! I love going to other people's houses and seeing how they decorate and seeing pictures of their families. The food was to die for and the fellowship was definitely repeatable. I even got kissed by a goat. A very fun, clean goat.
Then today my family was invited to the home of friends and we were treated to a marvelous meal. The table was set so beautifully and the meal was great. Then we got to play Taboo. Now we are at home vegging because we are so full.

I am so thankful for such a great week end and the ability to share it with neat friends.

Teddy Bear

My Gabrielle got the sweetest Valentine gift! It arrived via UPS in a box with an air hole. It is a Vermont Teddy Bear! He has a black velvet vest and hat and he came with a violin case that is holding a red rose. Around his neck is a huge white cloth tag with Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Quincy, stitched on it in red. Just adorable. She was giggling like a little kid.

I immediately went on line to see what all they had. About choked when I saw the expenses! I told Michael that I would love to have one of those bears but I'd kill him if he spent that much money on one. :)

I was very happy for Gabi. I was also very satisfied with the long steam red rose, miniature box of heart chocolates and the perfect card that I got from Michael.

My Valentine

Kina, @ A La Kina suggested sharing how we met our husbands. I thought that would make a really nice post, though those of you that know me have heard the story at LEAST once.

I was working at McDonald's. The one downtown where the kids would always cruise on week ends. I loved working on the week ends. I could flirt, visit, earn money and be safe all at the same time. One night about closing this very thin young man in holey overalls came in. We were introduced and cut up for a second or two. Then after we closed he pulled through in his white 1965 Mustang fast back. We spoke for a few minutes and he was off again. That was the first time I had ever seen him. I saw him every week end after that. Some times he would come during the week. I would hear his car before I saw him and call back his order so it would be ready for him. Then one week end night he cut into the drive thru line, which is a huge no-no. I was just a fussing because we were busy and we didn't have time for such nonsense. When he got to the window he handed through a hand picked pink rose for ME! He would learn my schedule and come by at quitting time and sit with me on the curb and visit. He finally got the nerve to ask me out. Our first date was watching TV at his house. Thus began a 4 year on again off again relationship.
He likens our relationship to that of Jonah and the Whale. HUH? See Jonah was told to go and take a message to the Ninavites. He did NOT want to do this and ran, thus being swallowed by the whale. Michael used to pray and ask God to bring him a wife. God I'm ready to get married who can I marry. He says that every time Robin (me) would come to his mind. But God... he'd say. Michael wasn't swallowed by a whale, he joined the Marine Corps and when he came home from boot camp I was still there. .
We were married July 6, 1987. Michael is still saying But God?! ;)

edited!: We were not married in July, it was June! Now before you give me a hard time, know that Michael proof read this with me before I posted it. Scarey, huh?

I know the man loves me. I am so loved. He is tenderhearted and giving. I'm glad he listened to God. I'm sure he still does when I'm not harping or crying too loudly.

Not A Good Day

It got off to a wonderful start. Kevin got to school on time and I got the van to the repair shop on time. I was told it would be about an hour so I sat with my book. Happy to have some reading time, but then I was looking forward to coming home and doing some cooking with my Gab. After a little better than an hour the nice lady came to me and said the wrong tire was ordered. I commented that a call would have been nice, since she did realize it yesterday. I didn't mention the fact that it was ordered a week ago. So then I asked about the brake pads, were they in? I had been told that they would be ordered so that if they were needed they would be ready to go. See I had already showed up to get my tire at 0900 (on a previous day) like I was told to be and the tires never arrive until ~1500. Why I wasn't told that at the time so I could plan accordingly was beyond me. Since I was nice but irritated the man volunteered to me that he would order those brake pads for me. Thank you that is ever so kind. OK, back to this morning. The brake pads were not in and he had no recollection of having told me he would order them. Folks, I lost it! I raised my voice to the point that she told me I needed to calm down. To which she got my pointy finger telling her that I did not need her telling me what I needed to do! Then I called my husband, walked out the front door and started bawling like a baby. I calmed down, went back in to apologize for my behavior and burst into tears again. At which point this thing hugged me and walked me back out the door very quickly. was there any thing she could do for me, no as I pushed her away. I was very embarrassed and angry. Michael arrived and sat beside me. I told him that I was the one that got ugly, not her. I
just knew he was gonna go in there feeding off my emotion to save the day. He did not. They saw him and told him to just take the van and get.
Then he brought me home and listened to me wail and complain. He told me that they were rude. That my anger was my own sin. That I went in there expecting something and didn't get it and it made me angry. He is ever so right!! Course if I'm told that there would be new brakes and a tire waiting for me, I don't think my expectation was unreasonable. I kept telling him I did not feel well. Physically. I still feel really bad. Not bad enough to want to go to bed, but bad enough to want to just sit and cry because it felt good to do so. Finally I went and called the doctor. Mean while Michael is in the piggy band counting out quarters. He took me to lunch. Remember I don't feel good and I have just had one heck of a cry so going out to eat wasn't my first choice. But it was something he could do to make me feel better. Out we went. While there the doctor returned my call. I have to submit another sample and see him at 1000 in the morning. Now my husband wants to go to the PX and look at the protein mixes. We can't buy any until payday because I did not manage the budget very well this month. Which incidental is why Michael was raiding the piggy bank for lunch. I want to look at him and ask what part of I don't feel good don't you get? But I smiled and said sure. Then I realized that I still had to take Gab to town and pick up Kevin, which means I have to stop at the bank and get gas as well. So Michael suggested that I take his car. His car had gas so that cut out two stops.
I dropped him off at work and went to the Naval Hospital to leave a sample. As I walked through the halls I reflected on the morning and was trying to figure out how to keep some humor and perspective on the whole thing, esp for when I blogged about it. As I looked down I realized I was wearing a sweat shirt that has WWJD stitched across the front of it! Oh Yea. I think it will be burned! It is very comfortable but every time I wear it I do something very stupid!

Which reminds me of an e-mail that will be a fitting close to this blog:
A man driving down the road had to make a sudden stop at a stop light causing the woman in the car behind him to also come to an abrupt stop. The woman was not happy and proceeded to rant and cuss and flip off the car in front of her. Next thing she new there was a police officer at her window asking her to step out of the car. He took her to the station, mug shot, finger printed and put her in a cell. After a couple hours he came to her and said, Ma'am please accept my apologies. See I was behind you when you were ranting and cussing and flipping off that man, and since on your bumper I was reading all these Honk if you love Jesus, WWJD, and God is my co-pilot I naturally thought you had stolen the car.

Thank goodness there was no cop present, I did not cuss and My Michael was available to come save me from myself.

Life

Last week I got in the van to pick up Gab from some where. My Taxi Cab hat gets more wear than any other these days. As I left the driveway, I thought the van felt funny, so at the next street light I got out and walked around the van. Sure enough the tire was flat. So I drove it home. My wonderful husband put on the spare, which thankfully isn't a donut. Sure enough my short little drive on a very flat tire ruined the tire. We had to order a new tire and tomorrow when they replace the tire they will check my brakes which are squealing. We should have bought stock in the brake company as fast as I go through brakes! I have been driving on the spare for a week now, that's why I am thankful it isn't a donut. ;)
Then this past Sunday, my honey went to the store for me and when he came out the battery was dead! He spent the day taking care of the battery and he bought jumper cables. We have never owned jumper cables. I am thankful for two things. One we have the $ in savings to cover these unexpected expenses and most important that it happened on week ends when I was home and my husband was available. Gab and I spend a LOT of time on the road. I am a big girl, but having a dead battery 2 1/2 hours from home would not have made me a happy camper!

Can you top this? I was in the check out line yesterday and this is what the man in front of me said to the check out clerk: I love you and God loves you and there ain't sh*t you can do about it. Now is that a statement or what?! I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry.

How about this: I'm in the dining room at the computer desk trying to iron out some details and needed to ask Gab a question. What did I do? I picked up the phone and called her on the cell phone. Is that lazy or what?! Those of you that know where I live know that we live in a very small house. She was not amused, but I thought it was hilarious.

Time to put on my school teacher hat.

Emotions

In an earlier post I stated that I never learned to manage my emotions, just vent and spew them. Well, I said as much to my mom in a recent conversation and she assured me that I was indeed taught to manage my emotions. So, then I asked her when exactly I forgot that good teaching. After I was married of course. Imagine that?! I guess my assumption of the filter getting spewed was correct. I don't think my mother reads my blogs but I thought for her sake I'd clear up any confusion or concerns you may have had about my emotional up bringing.

If any of you have reason to encounter the way my beautiful daughter can some times manage (or not) her emotions, I take full credit. Feel free to blame it all on me and teach her any thing you can that is Biblical about how to handle her emotions. Me? Just take cover, silently pray and calmly tell me to breath.

Saturday

I have been on the couch all day after a trip to the Doctor. Once again I have a UTI. Do you think they can be stress induced?! My brain is mush from watching so much TV. Thankfully the phone hasn't rung. I am also on call this week end; it has been just by the Grace of God that I haven't been called to work. I sure hope I haven't just jinxed my luck. How's that for a mix of Christian Spirituality and superstitious luck? My husband has been a dream. He has cooked and played Taxi driver. He has yet to clean up behind himself, but he has let me have control of the remote. Fair trade. Tomorrow I'll feel like tackling the kitchen, the food and the rest was worth it. Kevin has sat with us all day with his school work in his lap. He has made some progress but just enough to say work happened. I know you're probably thinking why don't you send the kid to his room to do his school work?! Trust me if he were in his room alone there would be LESS work accomplished!! Gab has been at he Playhouse all day helping and receiveing acting lessons. She is supposed to go to dinner afterwards with a friend. She is going to come home pooped.
I have been lurking, not commenting though. Sometimes the computer lets me and other times it won't. Just like sometimes pictures come through and other times they don't. When I had to go to the library to keep up, I was amazed at how pretty your blogs were. My computer blocks a lot out. The really weird thing is it doesn't block the same things all the time. One week pictures come through great. The next week the same pictures are just empty squares on my page.
Well, back to the couch. If you don't see me at church in the morning it's because I fell asleep watching TV and my mushy brain oozed out my ear.

Tid Bits

No real post to entertain you, just a few random thoughts.

1) Our church is doing a Secret Sister thingy, which I absolutely love. The purpose of course is to lift a sister in Christ up in prayer for a year. Along with that sending cards and little gifts of encouragement. The other week Husband and I were talking about this and how much I enjoy it and he made this suggestion: Why make it a secret? Why not know who your sister is, have her for 3 months and get together at least once a month for lunch or to bake cookies or something. Including of course the prayer, so that you are also prayer partners. I really liked the idea!! It reminds me of a program that a church somewhere had. The Ladies Ministry paired women based on the info that the ladies provided according to spiritual growth, in accordance to the scripture that calls the older ladies to teach the younger ones. That can't be done by age only because an older lady by age may be a new Christian.

2) In my cry for friendship I realized that Americans socialize over food. Again, in talking to my husband I commented about how much I enjoyed meeting and visiting, though I feared that if it continued to always be over a meal I was gonna get very large and broke very fast! He suggested meeting at a track or some place where we could walk and talk instead of eat and talk. What a concept!

Can we say burnt garlic bread?! Be back in a sec. ok, this time I set the timer, sometimes it makes a difference.

3) For some reason this keeps coming to mind. I know I've shared it with some before, but I shall again. We attended a church in North Carolina that was a growing church. What they did was invent Deacon families. Every time a new family joined the church they were assigned a Deacon. Once a quarter the Deacon would put together something, such as a BBQ to invite the members of their *family*. The part I liked the most is the Deacon had a small group to keep his finger on. His 'secretary' would send cards or make phone calls. I think this is such a great idea in all churches but most esp in a military church. (that being a church where a large number of it's members are military) You know how sometimes a person will join a church and after a couple months just disappear? Several people will ask what happened to so and so, but no one seems to know. Ideally, the Deacon would know. The only part that didn't sit real well with this idea is the Deacon's secretary was not his wife. Part of me can see how this could be. Deacons wives are usually the ones wearing the most hats; least in a little church. The other part of me thinks that the wife s the perfect person to gather the info as it comes, send cards make calls, share with husband and say prayers with husband. I'm sure I'm forgetting pertinent details, but that's the gist.


This has been a busy, emotionally exhausting week! I could never for a min even begin to post any of it. After a 2 hour crying jag and a wonderful healing conversation with my husband I feel better equipped to face the rest of the week. Course, it would be a whole lot easier if I could strike that 4 letter 'f' word from my life. I know I'm supposed to feel and that God created feelings for a reason. I never learned how to manage my feelings. I mastered venting them to a 'T'. God forgot the filter that belongs between the brain and the tongue. Or perhaps I spewed it to never never land in the midst of one of my venting sessions. OH to have learned at an EARLY age the art of emotional control. Not to be confused with stuffing and squashing feelings. Oh NO, please do not believe that is what managing feelings are! Those that stuff explode!! Managing is feeling, taking deep breaths with your eyes and mouth CLOSED! Then with a prayer analyse the feeling and determine what it is telling you. Pain, why? Anger, why? Real or perceived? Now what? Talk slow, ask questions. ask questions, ask questions.

My mother told me years ago that she prayed that I would have a quiet and meek spirit. Then not too long ago she told me that she thought I had it. Wow, did I gloat for all of 2 minutes. Not a week later she said she'd be praying for it again. Loud and wide open that' s me.

One summer I was in Alabama with my sister and her children. Her oldest, at the time no more than 5 yrs old, became very upset about something. My sister pulled her from the car, got on the child's level and told her to stop crying. If memory serves me right my sister told the child that she understood why she was upset but the crying was to stop. this. minute. I was shocked! I mean, com'on if a child is crying and has reason to be aren't we to hold and comfort them?! Sure, if you want to emotionally manipulated by that child later in life. I still feel that the situation was a bit harsh, but I now understand and applaud the concept being taught.

After my crying jag my husband looks at me and states, I don't know we must be in for something good; we sure are under attack all of a sudden. May I say to my friends, not my husband, that we are under attack because we are doing something right?! (to say it to him would sound like I was disagreeing with his statement, may be at another time) We have put a huge hedge, or should I say tight hedge around my daughter. The umbrella of protection has had it's holes repaired and we did it TOGETHER!! Oh, I had lots of behind the scenes praying going on, thank you to all, but Husband and I actually talked things out and resolved to stand together!

When Husband and I were talking through things in regards to my daughter I told him that we needed to be her anchor in the storm. As I shared in an earlier post the storm that I antcipated didn't come in the manner in which I expected. It caught me broadside in a whole different area of my life. My anchor is nothing more than a bouy. Thank God, and I do not mean that fisciously, my husband's anchor was solid and strong. There's a whole 'nother messege in that!!!

The very most important thing ever, that I was reminded of today is that my husband loves me. How could I forget? Satan dug in deep and gained a strong hold that just wouldn't let up. My husband is a very tender hearted man and loves me dearly.

Well, tid bit was a bit understated. :)

Make No Assumptions

For some reason this little story keeps coming to mind so I thought I'd post it.

When I was in High School I had a very nice looking young man that would walk me to some of my classes. Upon arrival he would give me a kiss. Who am I kidding, we played a short game of tonsil hockey in the hall way. It was really...ummm innocent?

On the loud speaker every morning the school made announcements. Included in those announcements would be this: There is to be no PDA on campus. Finally, one day I asked a friend, "What is PDA?" I honestly had no clue. She informed me it was no public display of affection. Oh, wonder why they say that all the time? HUH?! I kid you not I did not connect the dots. That is very sad and I'm sure most of you are saying yea right.

The really sad part is NO one pulled me aside and spelled it out to me. No teacher no friend, no one. I'm sure since it was so obvious to them that they assumed I was just ignoring and being rebellious about the rule. Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't totally stupid. I knew that tonsil hockey in the hall way wasn't the best place. It was the only time that we saw each other. If some one had pulled me aside and spoke to me in private I would have been humiliated. I wouldn't have shown it I'm sure. However, I would have found a more private place to, like the band room, to *play*. I'm afraid that I do have to admit the behavior would not have stopped, just become more discreet.

So what's the point? Don't just assume that because it is obvious to you then it is obvious to others. Esp. if that person is a teenager!!

Speaking to a teenager about any thing in any way can be a very tricky thing! One approach one day will be well received, the same approach on a different day may launch a temper tantrum from Hell. I guess the thing to always remember is speak the truth with/in love.
My father-in-law gave the good advise of always ask questions. In asking questions you learn where the person really is in their thinking and lots of times the right questions asked will cause the person to see the answer with out you having to tell them.

OK, now that I've preached to the choir, I'm going to read my own advise and try to apply it.

Have a Happy Sunday!

Follow Up

I wrote a post a bit ago entitled Amazing. While I didn't spell out what was going on I did share things and ask you to pray.

When I wrote that post I knew what needed to be done but was more than a little worried about how things would come about. At some point along the way I learned a verse: sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. It just amazes me the bits and pieces of verses that I remember. What REALLY amazes me is what the verse REALLY says when I can actually find what I remember of the verse in the Bible. Anyhow, I actually found the verse in Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. What's the point? I just knew in my heart that when I followed through with what had to be done I was going to experience one mighty whirlwind.

In fact what I experienced was the truth of the entirety of Romans 8:28 And we all know that all things work for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. There was no whirlwind, I believe because the whole situation was undergirded by prayer. I do so love the Lord, even though I forget just how mighty and grace giving that He is. Don't get me wrong, because of a decision that I made my life is a bit my complicated than it would be had I made a different decision. That's ok though because my faith has grown and my trust in Him has been strengthened. I thank you all for your prayers.


On a less serious note. The dog odor was kind of, sort of resolved. The carpet was cleaned with a rented Rug doctor and any odor killing chemicals that I could add to the mix. The dogs now sleep in the laundry room, not on the furniture and when we aren't home they stay outside. Right now the weather is cooperating with the plan. If it snaps cold again the outside idea may need to be adjusted.

I'm still praying about what would be best in regards to schooling my son. Right now the plan is to stay put and knuckle down with more consistency. I still feel in my heart that a change would be best. However, Michael has ask that no changes be made until the end of this year. While I believe that 5 months is a LONG time to be miserable I will abide by his decision. Like I said, I will continue to pray and try to stick with a routine that works for Kevin.

Next Please

Michael went to the commissary shopping with me today. As we shopped he suddenly said Next Please. Then he shared with me this story:
He was sitting at his desk at work the other day doing what he does. Other Marines were in the same office or shop as he calls it, but all was quiet. Then he randomly with out thought says out loud, "Next Please." He said the whole shop cracked up.

For those of you that have shopped in a military grocery store you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who don't; the store has many registers but we form one LONG line and there is an electronic voice and a visual number that lights up to tell you which register is able to check you out. So, if you are an Arnett you find yourself randomly saying next please while you shop. Or, in Michael's case while he's in the shop. :)

Why?!

I was excited about today because Michael took Kevin to school and then he and Gab went to Palm Springs to pick up Penny. (Mike's step mother, known as Mema) Which means I was at home alone! Let the cleaning commence.

I started at 0730. I was smart and started in the front of the house. I got stuck at the spice cabinet. It had gotten really cluttered and in straitening it out I discovered that I had numerous repeats. So I combined as much as I could. Then I did the same with my pantry. Then I realized that I was running out of time! I kicked it into high gear and managed to get all but my bedroom and bath room done. I even got myself cleaned up. :) Man it feels so good!! I have order in my being again. Michael told Penny that I either clean to operating standards or I don't clean at all. Translation: when I clean I do a great job. It's the when part that really tries his patience. I always tell myself that I'm going to stay on top of it this time. Well, I'm off to a good start. He helped with supper and the kitchen is clean with every thing put away. Yea me.

Nothing!

That is exactly what I accomplished yesterday. Unless you count the fact that I did get up and dressed and delivered the kids to school. Returned the rug doctor, came home and read blogs. Then I made a 1200 appointment and begin the pick up the kids routine. I even managed to put supper on the table. I didn't do not one thing to clean up though. Oh, and I finished the secular book that I was reading and talked on the phone for a while.
Nothing productive. Course you have to understand that where I live getting kids to their respective places can take a good hour or more.
However, I went to bed excited about today!