More of God's Creation

I spent another afternoon enjoying God's beautiful creation. Instead of water and birds today it was woods and animals. Not that I was expecting it to be this good.
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Enjoying God's Creation

After cleaning house this morning I drove up to the lake to take some pictures with my new Canon EOS Rebel XS Digital Camera. It was a beautiful morning and a great day to play around with the different settings. God's creation always gives plenty of things to take pictures of. I have much to learn about the camera and the editing software. I'm hoping that some friends and I will soon be able to take a photography class that will help us become better photographers. Here are a few photos from today.

I'd Rather Be Here. . .

I found myself thinking this morning about camping, sitting in front of a bonfire with friends and longing to be in the woods. Don't know why, but the thoughts just soothed my soul.

Then and Now

I was looking back at soccer pictures from 2006. That was the year Angela played AYSO soccer and was on the U-12 State Soccer team (which one the title). It's amazing to look back at old pictures and realize how much your children grow.

2006

2008

Phi Theta Kappa

David was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa this week. Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold: 1) recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and (2) provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. Being a member of the Phi Theta Kappa will give him the opportunity of scholarships when he transfers to a 4 year college.

I am so proud of his accomplishments throughout his college education. He has proven to be very diligent in his studies and is very determined to get his AA by December 2009. He has shown the ability to stay on top of his studies while working 4 days a week (at times more than that if they need him).

Keep up the excellent work David! We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments.

Our week

Earlier in the week I traveled to Sebring along with another soccer mom to watch the Lady Tigers play against the Sebring Blue Streaks. The JV won their game 3-0 and the Varisty won their game 3-1. It was neat to watch them play on a football field instead of a soccer field. It was hard to tell when the ball was in bounds or out of bounds from the stands due to the lines being marked in orange instead of white and at times I was confused with some of the calls that the ref's made. I love watching the girls improve each week and learning more about the rules. I'm not sure if I will ever thoroughly understand offsides.




Later in the week, I went to Seminole Ridge in Palm Beach for another soccer game. The JV girls lost 3-0 and the Varisty girls lost 8-0. This was the JV's first loss of the season.


In other news. . . David is diligently working on a research paper that is due on December 1. He has done a lot of writing this semester for his classes and I think at times he feels overwhelmed. He's still working as well as going to school and is looking forward to the Thanksgiving holidays. But even with the holidays approaching he will be working and trying to finish those research papers. There is no rest for the weary.

Tomorrow night we will be watching the Tiger football team take on Mulberry Panthers in the Class 2A playoff game. Go Tigers!!

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; every morning;they are new great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I love to worship. I love worship in song. I’m not a great singer, but the Bible assures me it’s all a joyful noise unto the Lord. There are many times that I wish I had a beautiful singing voice so that I could just belt it out and last night as we were singing Mercies Anew was one of those times. The lyrics are beautiful.
Every morning that breaks, There are mercies anew. Every breath that I take Is your faithfulness proved. And at the end of each day, When my labors are through, I will sing of Your mercies anew. When I’ve fallen and strayed There were mercies anew. For you sought me in love And my heart you pursued. In the face of my sin Lord, You never withdrew, So I sing of Your mercies anew. And Your mercies, they will never end For ten thousand years they’ll remain. And when this world’s beauty has passed away Your mercies will be unchanged. And when the storms swirl and rage There are mercies anew. In affliction and pain You will carry me through. And at the end of my days, When Your throne fills my view, I will sing of Your mercies anew. I will sing of Your mercies anew.

For the believer, God’s mercies are new every day. This does not mean that, as a believer, I can continue to consciously sin and God will just nod His head and “POOF” sin forgiven! As the Apostle Paul would say, “May it never be!”. It does, however, mean that those days I repent of the sin I have failed to mortify through the Holy Spirit, I can be renewed in His mercies.

I cannot think of a better position to be in than to be a joint heir with Christ.

Pictures from the Immokalee Game

My friend, Kim, is a wonderful photographer and is sweet enough to take pictures at all the soccer games. She emailed me these pictures today of Angela playing against Immokalee last week. Notice the aggressiveness in the second picture.

Lake Placid

The soccer games were reversed tonight with Varisty playing at 6 and JV playing at 7:30 due to some of the Varisty girls being on the Cross Country team who have a regional meet tomorrow. The Varsity game ended in tie (4-4). Our girls have played better games, but I haven't seen one that was tougher yet. The Lake Placid girls were very aggressive and made a lot of contact with our girls. At times it seemed like a brawling match.

The JV girls played one of their best games yet, winning 6-1. Angela played forward and right mid tonight. She had one assist which she was very happy about. Lake Placid's JV team was not as aggressive nor did they make as much contact. With the win tonight the JV is now 4-0.

Their next game is in Sebring on Monday night.

Undefeated

JV Lady Tigers remain undefeated tonight!!!! 2 - 0. Woohoo! Varisty Lady Tigers defeated Immokalee as well. Their score was 4 - 0! These girls are looking good. Two more games tomorrow night against Lake Placid.

Lady Tigers Win Again

Angela traveled to Lely tonight with the rest of the Lady Tigers for their soccer game. Unfortunately, I was not able to go. I called her around 7:30 tonight to see how her game went and was thrilled to hear the JV won 3-0. She only played one position tonight (forward). Varisty lost 5-0.

Thoughts on WOF

The Women of Faith Conference was wonderful! It was encouraging to hear women of the faith share their testimonies throughout the weekend in ways that encouraged other women. Some of the speakers would have me in tears, while others made me laugh. It was amazing to be seated in an arena with thousands of other women (from all walks of life) and all be rejoicing because we realize how blessed we are that God's infinite grace has been poured out into our lives.

As I've reflected on this weekend I've thought about the way I sometimes look at other Christian women and think, "they have it all together" not realizing that they struggle at times just as I do. One of the speakers made the statement that we are more alike than we are different. I realized that this weekend. There are none of us on this side of glory that "have it all together" and guess what, We won't until we stand in the presence of God. I'm not alone in pursuing the goal God has set before me and I will attain it just like Patsy Clairmont, Lucy Swindoll, Jan Silvious and the rest of the speakers. . . by God's infinite grace!

Anita Renfroe was the only speaker that didn't bring tears to my eyes (okay, so one time) when she was on stage. She is a comedian, musician, speaker, and author. She is definitely one that comes out and says what we are all thinking. You gotta love a women that can do this. . .



and when asked by Dad's where their song is comes up with this. . .

Expecting Great Things

I'll be spending my weekend with nine of my sweetest sister's at the Infinite Grace Women of Faith Conference 2008 in Ft. Lauderdale. We leave this morning at 8:00 am and expecting to be blessed beyond measure! I'm looking forward to hearing God's Word taught, fellowship with these sweet, sweet sisters, and sharing the things we learn this weekend with others.

I'm a Marilyn

I took this silly quiz after seeing it on someone else's blog. There were only 2 questions and this was the result. . . You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear
• * Listen to me carefully
• * Don't judge me for my anxiety
• * Work things through with me
• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us
• * Laugh and make jokes with me
• * Gently push me toward new experiences
• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends
• * being responsible and hardworking
• * being compassionate toward others
• * having intellect and wit
• * being a nonconformist
• * confronting danger bravely
• * being direct and assertive
  

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent
  

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt
• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Hmm, pretty accurate.

Lady Tigers

The JV Lady Tiger's Soccer Team opened their season tonight against LaBelle. Angela played goal keeper the first half. She kept 3 attempts from making their way into the goal. During the last quarter she played on defense, but was not pleased with her playing at that position tonight. The girls did great. They won the game 3 - 0.

It was the Varisty's second game of the season tonight. They defeated Glades Day 5-1 on Monday night in Belle Glade. The varisty game was exciting as well and we enjoyed cheering them to victory (4-1).

Yes We Can

Regardless of how you voted, keep in mind that the people of America have spoken. Although you may not agree with the outcome we as Christians are called to be obedient to God's Word. His word tells us "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (Romans 13:1)

Because President-Elect Obama's election is legitmate, we must respect and give honor due to his position in the high office he will hold. Failure in this responsibility is disobedience to a clear biblical command.

We must pray for this new President, for his wife and family, for his administration, and for the nation. We are commanded in the Word to pray for rulers, and the President - Elect faces challenges that are not only daunting but potentially disastrous. Pray for God to grant him wisdom. He, along with his family, will face new challenges and the pressures of this office. Pray that God will protect him, as well as his family, that he would grant them joy and that he would bind them together as a family. Continue to pray for protection of this nation as he settles into his role as Commander in Chief, and that God will grant peace among us as he leads the nation through times of trial and international conflict and tension.

Americans we should look for opportunities to work with the new President and his administration where we can. To guard our tongues from slandering him and his efforts. That instead of being critical we would find comfort in knowing that whether the man of our own choosing is in office, that ultimately the man of God's choosing is in office. As the Word tells us God establishes authority not man.

Homecoming 2008

Angela went to her first Homecoming dance on Saturday. She was absolutely beautiful.
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