Know & Tell #9

I normally post Know & Tell on Saturday, but I will not be near a computer tomorrow until late in the evening. We are camping out at the Fairgrounds tonight and participating in Relay for Life. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

1. What made you start blogging? My friend, Lori, introduced me to the world of blogging in 2005. I began blogging after Hurricane Wilma hit and have been blogging ever since.
2. Do you speak a foreign language? If so why or how did you learn it? I actually took French as a senior in high school, but can't speak a word of it today. In fact, my French teacher signed my yearbook in French and I have no clue what it says.
3. Morning person or night owl (or somewhere in between)? I'm neither a morning person nor a night owl. I'd say I'm more of a daytime person. Not that I go to bed early but I can't stay up as late as I used to.
4. Do you exercise on a regular basis? No and you can tell it in many different ways. I am however about to purchase a bicycle and start riding every night.

Bonus Questions

1. If money were not an object what is one thing you would like to do for another person? If I could afford it I would love to adopt or be a foster parent to children. I've said many times that if I could afford to adopt some of my children's friends I would in a heart beat.
   
2. What is one of your favorite attributes of God? He has so many wonderful attributes that it's hard to narrow it down to just one. One is his sovereignty over all things. It amazes me to think he holds all things in the palm of his hand and it's a comfort to know he controls all things. Another would be his mercy and grace that has been poured out into my life. I shudder to think of where I would be if he had not called me to himself.
   
3. Have you ever thought about adoption or foster care? Yes, see question about money not being an object.
   

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be? I wouldn't want to be a celebrity for one day much less one whole week.

Soup: On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone? 6, but I can remember a time when I would have said 10. I guess as I've gotten older the less I like to be on the phone. That doesn't mean I talk less, just that I'd rather talk in person.

Salad: Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to). St. Jude's, American Cancer Society and others.

Main Course: What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month? There isn't any one food that I could eat every day for a month. It would get old eating the same thing every day.

Dessert: Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year? We have been blessed that the flu has so far passed us by this year.

Know & Tell # 8

I can't bear the sound of ____________. I can't bear the sound of hearing people ask me "What can I get you sweetie" when I don't even know them by name. This happens constantly at one of the businesses I go to in town. I am not your sweetie!

I would love to time travel back to _____________. When my parents were teenagers.

Shop alone, shop with mom or shop with friends? I prefer to shop with my daughter or with my friends. Shopping with my mom would be awesome! I miss those days. I will always treasure the Saturdays we spent grocery shopping for our homes together.

Worst movie ever? Dune, hands down. It was tempting to leave, but we were with another couple and had no choice but to stay. I thought that movie would never end.

Have you ever had your heart broken by the opposite sex (not a family member or close friend)? More times than I care to think about. I have the worst luck with the whole dating thing.

Bonus Question:

In what area of your life have you felt most judged(by others or self-condemnation)? I can't think of one particular area, but I can honestly say I judge myself more harshly than others do. I can always find something in my life I need to change.

Are you now free from this judgment, and how did you get free if you are? I'm not free from it, I still judge myself. Which at times is necessary but sometimes it's just me being down on myself.

What is one way you can be an encouragement to your pastor (or other ministers) this year? Pray for them and with them. As secretary of a church I see how stressful their jobs can be at times (and not just dealing with the members). Send notes of encouragement, point out to them how their love for the Lord has overflowed into your life, if they have small children offer to babysit so they can take their wives out for the night. Most importantly be a part of their lives Monday through Saturday and not just on Sundays. Treat them as you would any other friend, do not put them on pedestals.

It's Leap Year

February 29th is often referred to as "Ladies Day." This is because of the old tradition that women are allowed to propose marriage to men not only on Leap Year Day (2/29) but throughout the entire Leap Year. This tradition can be tracked back to an old Irish legend concerning St. Patrick and St. Bridget in the 5th Century.

The legend goes something like this: Bridget complained that her nuns were upset because they never had a chance to propose marriage (Note: At this time, the celibacy rule in religious orders was based on personal private vows and not a requirement by the church.) So, Patrick suggested that the women be given this privilege every 7 years. This wasn't good enough for Bridget. She said it should be every 4 years! So, Patrick compromised and obliged the women by saying that they could have Leap Year. Patrick felt this showed just how passive women were expected to be in those days. Much to his surprise, Bridget then proposed to him! Patrick declined her proposal. Instead he promised to give her a silk gown and a kiss.

So. . . in the British Isles during the Middle Ages there was an unwritten law that stated every single man who turned down a woman's proposal during Leap Year had to compensate her with a kiss plus either a silk gown or a pair of gloves. You can imagine what good business the dressmakers and glove makers had every four years!

Now to give the guy some warning what was up, the woman who intended to propose to a man during this time period was expected to let a red petticoat show beneath the hem of her skirt. Similar laws soon became established all over Europe. And this custom soon became legalized throughout parts of France and Italy by the 15th Century. It soon spread to the United States, but it's not taken seriously here. However, the tradition of requiring a man to soften the blow of his refusal of a marriage proposal by giving a kiss and a silk gown continued in Europe and the British Isles until it's demise in the 19th century.

There is another tradition that February 29th is also called "Bachelor's Day." This means, that February 29th is the only day out of the entire Leap Year that a woman can not propose to a man. Or if she does and the guy turns her down, he does not have to buy her a dress or kiss her. So, February 29th as "Bachelor's Day" is the one day out of the entire Leap Year the guys get a break from all this romance! But be careful. The girls can start proposing again on March 1st!


While I do not believe in any of that nonsense I could not help but laugh and think how fun it would be to have lived in France and Italy in the 15th Century. Who knows I might would have been found letting a red petticoat show beneath the hem of my skirt. Or maybe I would have done as St. Bridget and not give the man any warning!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: Who was the last person you hugged? My two favorite people in the world, Angela and David.

Soup: Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us. Putting Burt's Bee Foot Cream on your feet at night and then socks make your feet smooth.

Salad: What does the color yellow make you think of ? Sunshine! Give me a yellow crayon and I'll draw you a sun to brighten up your day (okay I stole that from Angela).

Main Course: If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around? Nature. I'd love to capture all the magnificent things God has created.

Dessert: What was the longest book you ever read? It was the longest as in pages, but it took me the longest time to read. . . Of Mice and Men.

Isn't She Lovely

Just this morning we got the CD of pageant pictures. I know I am prejudice when it comes to my daughter, but to me she was stunning.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Know & Tell # 7

Do you read or study best in silence or in a place with background noise? Why? When I'm reading I normally have background noise, but if I'm studying I have to be where there is silence so I can concentrate.

If you were to write a book about your life, what would it be called? This is something I've never given any thought, but off the top of my head it would be called "Where is He?"

Why do you think divorce is so prevalent? I can only speak from my experience. So often I think we fail to put God first in our marriage. God wants to be first in every area of our lives and therefore he wants to be first in our marriage. I also think we are self-centered people. When we go through trials in our marriage we are quick to point the finger at our spouse instead of examining ourselves to see what we have done. It's much easier to blame someone else. Instead of trying to change our spouse we would benefit from changing ourselves first. I have also seen where once children are born they become the primary focus of our life. As I said previously. . . it's God first, then our spouse, then our children, and then our jobs.

What is the best way to resist peer pressure? As I tell my children. . . please God and do not worry about what others think of you.

What is the most serious illness or injury you ever faced? Praise be to God I haven't faced a serious illness nor a serious injury yet.

When was the last time you felt like you had a good laugh with God? Some people think that God doesn't have a sense of humor. I however disagree. He has to, he made me. I'm sure there are times he is laughing with me or at me.

What do you say to someone who is going through a tragic or hard time? This is something I struggle with. A very close friend recently lost her daughter and there are times that I have no idea what to say to bring her comfort. It's at those time that I simply listen or give her a hug. A lot of times someone going through a tragic or hard time just needs someone to listen, to pray with, or a hug.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim? Just recently I helped our Associate Pastor play a practical joke on one of our church members by sending a them a newsletter created just for him.

Soup: What do your salt and pepper shakers look like? They are the boring white tupperware ones.

Salad: Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)? I want to take the kids to St. Augustine, Florida.

Main Course: What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry? Nivea Body.

Dessert: Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name. Easy Peach Cobbler: 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, dash of salt, 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 cup milk, 1 stick butter, 1 can peaches. In a small bowl, mix first 5 ingredients. Melt butter in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour mixture on top of butter; add peaches. Bake 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees.

Baby Shower

On Saturday we had the privilege of giving our Associate Pastor's wife, Cari, a baby shower. We are so blessed to have them here and are excited about welcoming this new child into the world. Cari was blessed to have some of her family members come as well. We are counting the days until we meet Baby Vincent!

Congratulations, Cari. This is such a wonderful time in your life and this child is blessed to have you and Joshua as parents!!

Cari with her sister, Jill, and her mother, Carol.

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith "A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!"

Know & Tell # 6

Question 1: Did you eat candy this Valentine's Day? I ate one Hershey's Chocolate Kiss.

Question 2: What is something you do to relax? Go for a walk, read a book, or take a nice hot bubble bath.

Question 3: (From Poole's book) What is the best approach for resolving conflict?
I do not like conflict or confrontations, so I try to avoid them at all costs (normally letting people walk all over me). However, I know that conflict or confrontations don't have to be handled in a ugly way. In fact, God's Word tells us exactly how to handle these issues (Matthew 18:15-17). So when I have to deal with conflict or confrontation, I would say first of all pray and seek the Lord before going to the person you are having conflict with . . . it's also good to ask the Lord to reveal your part in the conflict, because it usually takes both parties to even have conflict. After praying go to that person in love and make sure to listen to what they have to say. When we resolve conflicts in this manner it is beneficial no matter the outcome. And I echo the words of Paul here. . . For what I do is not the good I want to do; not, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. (Romans 7:19)

Question 4: (Poole's book again) How would you define "freedom"? (this could probably be a bonus question) Not sure that I can define it, but freedom to me is found only in Christ. Jesus has already paid for my freedom. I am no longer in bondage. Now with that said, I just need to start living it.

Question 5: (Poole's book) On a scale of 1-10, how happy do you usually feel? Normally. . . 7-8. I am content with my life, although there are days when I'm down or upset that my emotions get the best of me and it shows.

Bonus Questions
Question 6: If you could choose one "SIN" that you would never have to struggle with for the rest of your life what would it be? I struggle with guarding my tongue and I so look forward to the day that this not a struggle for me.

Question 7: What is one thing that breaks your heart? It breaks my heart that there are parents (especially moms) who do not desire to have a close relationship with their children. My daughter has several friends that are either being raised by their dad (because of divorce) or by another family member. I just cannot fathom how a mom (or a father) can go through life without having a relationship with their child and it breaks my heart. I guess that is why I try to be a surrogate mom to these kids.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer - The world is coming to an end. There's no way out. You only have time to say one thing to one person you know. What would you say, and to whom? Depending on who that one person was. If it was one of my family members I'd tell them how much I love them.

Soup - Name something you're absolutely crazy about. My children. There is nothing else in this world that means more to me than they do.

Salad - What's that nickname you don't want anybody to know about? The only nickname I have everyone is already aware of.

Main Course - Which country would you like to visit, and why? I want to visit Germany one day because I have friends there I would love to see again.


Dessert - Your favorite pet peeve? Everything has a place and when you are finished with it, put it back where you got it from.

Are You Ready to Rumble?

Last night was the Jr. Miss Hendry County Pageant. David and I along with several of our friends from church went to support and cheer Angela on. We had a great time not only because Angela was in the pageant, but several of her close friends (Jeri Lynne,Cheyenne, Brenna, and Chelesa) were in it as well. This year's theme was sports and each girl had to choose a sport for their introduction. Angela chose Skateboarding! All the girls did a great job and we were very proud of them. Angela won the award for the "most improved", Chelesa was 4th runner up, and Brenna was 3rd runner up.

Here are pictures from the night.

What We've Been Up To

It seems like for the past month we have been out of town every Saturday for some reason or another. Mainly because we had to shop for a dress and sports attire for the pageant Angela was in on Monday night. Although we didn't have to go out of town this past Saturday we stayed busy.

On Friday night, I got together with some women from our church for another "girls night out". We ate dinner and then went to see "Bucket List". If you have not seen this movie, go see it. It's worth seeing!

On Saturday morning Angela was in the County Fair Parade. So after dropping her off to ride in the parade, I went to our church to watch the parade. I was joined there by our Pastor and his family, Hueland, David, and Chris. David and Chris have gotten in the habit of watching the parade from the roof of our church but they were there none the less.

BubbleShare: Share photos - eco-friendly toys


After watching the parade we went home to do our chores. David and Chris went to West Palm Beach bowling, Angela got her nails done for the pageant on Monday night. Phyllis, Linda and I had planned on going to the fairgrounds to watch the Miss Hendry County Pageant but it was pouring rain so we decided to go eat and make a trip to Wal-Mart. However, Angela braved the down pour to go support the older girls.

Know & Tell # 5

Friday's Feast is down so I decided to go ahead and post Know & Tell a day early. Enjoy!

Question 1: How often do you get real sick? I can't recall the last time I was really sick. I get a cold maybe once a year, but that is about it.

Question 2:Do you usually send serious or humorous greeting cards? Why? Depends on who I'm sending a card to. I have to admit that serious greeting cards make me weepy. I tend to buy the blank greeting cards and write my own message.

Question 3:Are you a person who has a whole lot of acquaintances, or just a few very close friends? I have both. The close friends are the ones that I share my heart with, while the acquaintances are the ones that just see the surface stuff.

Question 4: If you could cure a disease, or heal a sickness, which one would you choose? This one is tough. . . I'd love to find a cure for all the diseases out there. Cancer and Alzheimers would be two on the top of my list.

Bonus Questions
Question 5: What does "being spiritual" mean to you? "Being spiritual" to me sounds fake. Let me explain. . . there are many people I've come across that say they are spiritual but when you begin to talk to them about the Bible or things of God they look at you as if you have a third eye or something. I don't refer to myself as being spiritual. I have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, whose blood has cleansed me from all sin, and it is the Holy Spirit that lives in me that draws me daily to live a life that glorifies and points others to Him. It is only through faith by grace that I have been saved.

Question 6: Imagine you were talking to someone who did not believe in God and Jesus... How would you explain to them that Jesus is Real (from your experiences in your own life)? By just telling them how he has worked in my life, about the joy and hope I have in Him.

Worst Movie Dialogue

I can't believe this movie line has been nominated for "Worst Movie Line Dialogue". I loved this line. . . ''I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.'' Anybody want to guess what movie it's from?

Happy Birthday Jim

Tonight we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Jim & Phyllis' house with several friends to celebrate Jim's birthday. Phyllis is a marvelous cook and tonights dinner was delicious as always. Jim is wonderful example of a godly husband and father. His love for his wife, his family and his friends is very evident. I rejoice that Jim is such a vital part of our family's life and pray that he will celebrate many more birthdays!
BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Know & Tell # 4

1. Who do you wish you could meet? I would love to meet Carolyn McCulley. From reading her blog, she seems like such a wonderful woman.

2. Best food comes from which country? While I enjoy Italian, Chinese, and Mexican food, I have to admit I prefer American food the most.

3. If you are familiar with the movie/musical "Grease", what girl character would you be (let's apply this lightly...I know some of the behaviors of the girls was not too nice). I remember the movie, but can't remember all of the personalities. I'd love to say that I'm like Sandy, but I'm not. Being honest about and from what I remember about the girls in the movie, I'd say Rizzo.

4. Would you be more likely to toilet paper someone's house, or would you be the one that has their house toilet papered? I'd be the one that has their house papered. I'm not brave enough to do it to someone's house.

5. Do you like small talk, or deep conversations? I enjoy both, but would much rather have deep conversations with my friends and family.

Bonus Questions

6.Who do you most want to encourage this year? I want to encourage my children, but also my friends who are having to make hard decisions.

7.If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? To guard my mouth and my attitude.
Would they be right? Yes!
What will you do about it? I constantly struggle with both of these. I've been trying to guard my tongue and my emotions. It has helped that I continually ask God to guard my tongue and grant me self-control. Asking them to hold me accountable helps as well.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What is your favorite kind of cereal? Lucky Charms, I just love the marshmallows.

Soup: When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go? A HDTV for our living room! Actually David paid half and I paid half.

Salad: What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen? It's easier to show you than try to explain it. What I like about it is that a friend of mine told me they could see me doing the same thing. NOT!

Main Course: Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey). Chipotle Chile Lizard.

Dessert: Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______. I haven't felt this good about my weight since right after high school.

Pageant Shopping

On Saturday, Angela and I along with Phyllis went to Ft. Lauderdale in search of a pageant dress. We found "the" dress at the first store we went to and then proceeded to search for shoes to match. That was an easy search as well. After eating lunch at the food court we decided to drive to the Aventura Mall in Miami to let Angela have a makeover at the Sephora counter in JcPenney. This was her first time having a makeover and she was not pleased with the results. Mainly because she is not accustomed to having a ton of makeup on. Phyllis & I thought she was beautiful, but she insisted on washing it off once we left JcPenney. After our day of shopping we drove back to Ft. Lauderdale to meet Phyllis' husband, Jim, to celebrate Phyllis' birthday at Buca di Beppo's.

Angela will not allow me to reveal her dress until after the pageant. But here is a picture of her makeover.

Happy Birthday Phyllis

Over the past 5 years Phyllis and I have grown closer and shared many memories. She is the friend that I can call in the middle of night, the friend that sees the good, bad, and ugly in me but loves me regardless. Not only is she those things to me, but I am those things to her in return. We grow closer each day and God has blessed us to be able not only to have a very close friendship, but also to be sisters in Christ. I praise God for her friendship and pray that we will continue to grow in Christ together and make many more memories together.

Know & Tell # 3

Question 1: What is your favorite fairy tale? Beauty & the Beast. I love the story line. I like how "Beauty" sees beyond "the Beast's" imperfections and accepts him just the way he is. It's just simply romantic.

Question 2: If you could be guaranteed a spot on the reality show "Survivor", would you go? I'm too big of a wimp to ever be a "survivor". I'd be out the first week (or day).

Question 3: Meanest thing you ever did to a sibling??? Me, mean to my sibling? Never. . . it was always my older brother and younger brother ganging up on me.

Question 4: Best Fashion Era... 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's or now... ? The now era! I look back at pictures and think to myself "what in the world were you thinking." It also helps that my daughter is brutally honest and will tell me if I look unfashionable now.

Question 5:Have you ever skipped to the end of a book before you finished reading the book? No! That would ruin the book.

Bonus Questions

Question 6: What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year? All things are impossible without God. There is nothing that I can do on my own that will amount to good, so I ask him to daily do a work in my life.

Question 7: What is one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God? To praise him daily for his grace and mercy upon a sinner as myself. Spend more time in the Word and in prayer.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: How many times per day do you usually laugh? Most of my day is filled with laughter. Recently I find myself laughing more and more.

Soup: What do your sunglasses look like? The most current pair are brown Ray Bans. I can't believe I haven't lost them yet.

Salad: You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go? New Mexico.

Main Course: Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city. It's a great place to raise a family. It's a small town where everybody knows you and your family. We love it here!

Dessert: If the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best? God made the sky the perfect color and I have no desire to change it. I do like to watch the sky change colors at sunrise and sunset though. The red/orange mixed with the blue is gorgeous.

Christmas Gift

For Christmas a friend gave me a gift card and I finally made a purchase with it. After much debate, I decided on this bracelet. I love hearts and have wanted a heart bracelet for sometime. It should be here in a few days and I can't wait!

Know & Tell #2

Question 1: What is worse? Being gossiped about or lied to? Being lied to, even though being the topic of gossip bothers me too. However, I have learned that people are going to gossip regardless. I can always let people know when it's gossip, however I can't undo the lie someone tells me.

Question 2: What is your favorite "Starbucks" drink? Mocha Frappe! Too bad we don't have one here.

Question 3: Name an embarrassing moment (make it good). One of my first dates was a double date. My cousin and her boyfriend set me up with one of his friends (both of them were football players). After they picked me up one of the first questions was what I wanted to drink. Not being a drinker, I replied "Dr. Pepper". They just looked at me like I was the biggest nerd. At the time I was mortified, but now I realize I had no reason to be embarrassed.

Question 4: What is the one thing you don't mind spending your money on? My kids and food.

Bonus Questions:
Question 5: Is it hard for you to ask someone to forgive you when you have wronged them? This is a pride issue in which I have gotten better at over the years. My nature is to be very outspoken, which a lot of times has offended someone. I don't like conflict so it's easier at times to ignore the problem, but I've gotten better at admitting when I have wronged someone and seek their forgiveness. By the grace of God, it's easier each time and those times aren't as numerous as they have been in the past. I'm learning to guard my tongue.

Question 6: Give one of your parenting tips. . .something you have learned through experience. I can name countless things I've learned in my parenting journey. However, one of the biggest things I've learned and share with my friends is something I read in a book (Age of Opportunity) regarding parenting during the teenage years. As you embark on parenting a teenager do not expect it to be the worst years, yet look at it as an opportunity to teach through a biblical prospective and share the gospel with your teenager. I've been intentional with David & Angela to teach them through discipline how God expects them to live and for that reason I also expect it. I stopped dreading and anticipating these years to be horrible and amazingly God has honored my attitude.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What is your favorite beverage? Sweet Iced Tea.

Soup: Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work. At work. . . an adding machine, a pen and paperwork.

Salad: On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are? A nine, I tell it like it is.

Main Course: If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why? I don't have a clue.

Dessert: What stresses you out? What calms you down? Conflict and people that can't get along. Prayer is the best stress reliever I have found.

By His Wounds

A beautiful song by Mac Powell, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brian Littrrell, and Mark Hall. The song is taken from Isaiah 53:5. You can hear the entire CD here.


He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
And crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed
And by His wounds, by His wounds

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Know & Tell

I came across this blog meme and liked the idea behind it. For the most part my blog is a way for family members and friends to keep up with what is going on in our lives. However, there are several people(other bloggers) and new friends that don't know me that well that read my blog When I found this meme, I thought it was a great way for those of you who don't know me as well as my family does to get to know me. So here goes my first Know & Tell. I will try to do one each Saturday.

Question 1: What is your favorite season & why? Spring, it reminds me of the newness of life.

Question 2: How many times have you moved in your life? If I include the times I moved as a child, I would never remember them all. So I'm just going count the times I've moved since I've been an adult. I moved out of my parents house into a mobile home prior to getting married, after my marriage we moved 3 times. I then moved to Clewiston in 1996. I lived with my sister and her husband for the first year (in which we moved 2 times). The kids and I then moved to our first home in Clewiston and later moved into our current home. So all total since I was 18 would be 9 times.

Question 3: What kind of chicken wings do you like? My favorite are tequlia chicken wings. But now that I can't find them any longer I just like them plain (or naked).

Question 4: Which is worse? Shopping for Jeans or a bathing suit? Shopping for jeans is a much more pleasant experience. Bathing suits are a nightmare to shop for.

Question 5: What is your favorite kind of pizza? Pizza Hut Supreme Pan Pizza.

Bonus Questions
Question 6: What is your favorite book of the Bible and why? The Psalms because Psalms relates to every circumstance in our lives. I also like Romans.

Question 7: Think Evangelism...what kind of witness are you?There lies my weakness. I am not a bold witness for Christ. I share how God has worked in my life, but when it comes to asking others about their relationship with Christ I shy away from it. I have so many opportunities working in the church office to witness to people and I let those opportunities slip by.

Six Month Follow Up

Angela went today for her 6 month follow up for her ACL reconstruction. The appointment bore good news and she was pleased to hear what Dr. Shannon had to say.

Her knee has improved since we were there in November. He released her to go back to physical education at school, with a brace for any contact sports. He wrote a prescription for an ACL brace which she will wear when running or participating in contact sports. She is to continue therapy once a week with the supplemental therapy at home. Her gave her permission to play softball in the spring if she desires and feels comfortable doing so provided she wears the ACL brace. She and I talked on the way home and she wants to wait until he releases her in July to play sports again. She doesn't feel her knee is ready for the intensity of playing and practicing every day. However, with the brace she thinks she will become more comfortable and plans to start jogging to help strengthen her muscles in her leg. We go back in July for her one year follow-up.

She knew several of our friends were praying for her and her appointment today and expressed her thankfulness for everyone's prayers today as we met with the doctor.

Friday 's Feast

Appetizer: What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called? My name is Rhonda Virginia. I've gone by Ginnie all my life, except for when teachers in school refused to go by my nickname. It was my grandfather that started calling me Ginnie.

Soup: If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most? My lack of knowledge and eye for design is exactly why I didn't choose this profession.

Salad: What is your least favorite chore, and why? Laundry, it's never ending.

Main Course: What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life? Snakes. When I was young, I came across a snake in my grandmother's house. We had just gotten toy snakes earlier in the week, so when I told her that a snake was curled up under a table in the bedroom she thought I was teasing her. Later that evening we were shelling peas and the snake crawled into the living room and went up under a baseboard. When she tried to get the snake out with a rake he wrapped around her leg. I was scared to death. It turned out to be a rat snake, but to this day I am terrified of snakes.

Dessert: Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment. In my office. The pre-school director (she's in her mailing something), the wall and outside the window by my desk.

Pictures

Angela and Cheyenne went over to Wellington to Picture People yesterday to have pictures made for the Jr. Miss Hendry County pageant. Phyllis took them over for me since I had to work. Not only was I impressed with their prices, but the quality of their work speaks for itself. These were just a few of my favorites.

Cooking Mania

I have cooking mania right now. . . not sure how long it will last, but for now at least one child is enjoying it. Angela throughly enjoyed her dinner tonight.

Since David had school tonight I offered to save him a plate, but he knew I was trying a new chicken recipe and potato recipe so he asked that I just cook him some chicken strips to go with the baby lima beans. Any idea how to get him to try new things?

Here's the recipe for the chicken parmesan and the roasted onion potatoes. . .

Chicken Parmesan

1 clove garlic, minced
1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup or 1/4 pound), melted
1 cup dried bread crumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
A large pinch of Italian seasoning (herb mix)
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 lbs of skinless, boneless, chicken meat, cut into pieces no larger than 2x2 inches

1 Preheat oven to 450°F.

2 In a bowl, combine the minced garlic with the melted butter. In another bowl mix together the bread crumbs, Parmesan, parsley, salt, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Dip chicken pieces into garlic butter, then into crumb mixture to coat.

3 Place coated chicken pieces on to a 9x13 baking dish. Try to leave a little room between each piece. Drizzle with remaining garlic butter and bake uncovered 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Note that the chicken will get much more browned on the bottom side than on the top.

Serves 4-6.

Roasted Onion Potatoes

4 medium potatoes, washed and cubed (we used red potatoes...about six-eight)

1 package dry onion soup mix

1/4-1/3 cup (really, I just drizzled) olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare potatoes and place in a jelly roll pan. You can even line the pan with aluminum foil if you want easy clean up. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and toss. Pour the onion soup mix over and toss. Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until tender.

Excited About Cooking

One of the many things I have resolved to do in 2008 is become a better cook and to cook more often. I used to enjoy cooking, but over the past year I have become lazy in preparing meals for our family. I have graciously been given cookware by relatives in the past because they no longer needed it (mainly my parents or my late grandmother), but I've never owned a set of cookware that I bought for myself. So a few days after Christmas I made the decision to purchase a set of cookware with the hopes that this would inspire me to cook more often. It arrived yesterday!
As I unpacked it last night I became more excited about cooking and found two recipes that I am going to try out tonight. I'm anxiously awaiting 5:00 so I can go home and try out the cookware and the recipes. I'll let you know how it turns out!

New Recipe

I mentioned in an earlier post that I found a new recipe for green beans and tried it tonight for dinner. It was simple and inexpensive to prepare. Thought I'd post the recipe for others to try.

Bundle of Beans

1 or 2 cans whole green beans (for our family I used 1 can)
1 package bacon or turkey bacon (you don't have to use the whole package)
Catalina dressing (regular or light) or Russian dressing (I substituted with Italian dressing)

Set the oven to broil. Drain the beans. Gather a bundle of beans. Wrap half a sliceof bacon around the bundle. Lay bundle in a 13X9 pan (or smaller pan if you are using 1 can of beans). Do this until you have as many bundles as you want or are out of beans! Pour dressing (as much as you like) over the bundles. Place pan in oven and broil until bacon in done (maybe 10-15 minutes). Remove and enjoy.

This & That in the New Year

The new year is already one of busyness but it has been great so far. We didn't do anything big to ring in the new year. Angela spent the night with a girlfriend, David had a friend over, and I went grocery shopping.

The Wilkerson's hosted dinner on New Years day. We enjoyed being with them and several of our other friends from church. Laughter was heard throughout the evening as we all enjoyed each other's company. Not to mention that the food was delicious as well.

The rest of the week I've worked and battled a cold that refuses to go away. On Friday night a group of us ladies from the church got together for a "Girls Night Out" at Sunrise. We had planned on going to a movie after dinner, but the particular movie we wanted to see stopped showing here in town on Thursday night. We ended up just staying at Sunrise talking and laughing after dinner. I absolutely loved the time with these beautiful women.

This morning I redeemed a gift certificate from a friend of mine for a 60 minute stone massage at the local spa. Words cannot express how good the massage felt and how relaxed I was afterwards. After returning home, I slept until 3:00 this afternoon. I am still relaxed and tension free. After my nap, I packed away the Christmas decorations and cooked dinner. I tried a new recipe with green beans that I found on a friend of a friend's blog. Of course David being the picky eater that he is would not try them, but Angela and I enjoyed them.

So that's what we have been doing in the new year. David begins new classes on Monday, the Bible study I'm leading also starts back on Monday, and Angela returns to school on Tuesday. It will be nice to get back into a regular routine.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: When was the last time you received a surprise in the mail, and what was it? It's been so long ago that I can't remember. However, I had an unexpected gift during Christmas from a very special friend.

Soup: If you could have a summer and/or winter home, where would you want it to be? It would have to be a summer home in mountains (somewhere in Tennessee) because I wouldn't want to be there in the winter due to snow.

Salad: Pick one: pineapple, orange, banana, apple, cherry. Banana.

Main Course: Describe the nicest piece of clothing that you own. A little black dress that I borrowed from a friend and she ended up giving it to me.

Dessert: If you could forget one whole day from your life, which day would you choose to wipe from your memory? I can't think of anything that I'd choose to wipe from my memory (even though I've had my share of unpleasant times). . . through all the trials and sufferings God's grace and mercy have sustained me.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7

Christmas 2007

We spent our Christmas with our family in Tallahassee. We had an entire week to catch up with family, some of which we had never met(my great-niece, Arlen and my nephew, Caleb, were born since we had been home the last time). On Sunday night we had dinner at Applebee's with my parents and my youngest brother's family.

On Monday we spent the day lazing around the house. David and Angela walked around the neighborhood exploring and enjoying the cool weather. Later that night my sister's family along with my nephew's (Jeffrey) in-laws. Christmas Eve night we had 18 people sleeping in various areas of the house.

On Christmas morning we opened gifts and enjoyed watching the little ones as they played with their new toys. Later in the morning, my parents, David, Angela and I went to my nephew's (Matt) house for Christmas dinner. My oldest brother, Lamon, and his wife came over as well as my brother, Robert. We enjoyed being in Matt's and Kim's home and the meal was great. Later in the afternoon we dropped David and Angela off at their dad's house before heading back to Tallahassee. On Wednesday afternoon we went back to pick them up from their dad's.

On Thursday we went to see my youngest brother's (Ken) new home and out to dinner with my parents.

Friday we spent the day exchanging some gifts at the mall and doing laundry in preparation of returning home on Saturday.

A special treat for us was getting to see my brother's ex-wife, Aunt Neicy, along with my nephews (Malachi and Jesse). We met them at Steak & Shake on Friday afternoon to visit with them. Lanisha got married today and my brother did not have them for Christmas this year, so it was special that she took the time out from wedding preparations to meet us so we could see them.

The only family we didn't get to see was my nephew, Chris, and his boys. He had to return to Savannah on Christmas Eve so his boys could be home with their mom on Christmas day.

We had a wonderful time being with our family and hope to be able to see them all again soon. Pictures can be seen here from our trip.

We're Home

We are home from a wonderful time with our family in Tallahassee. Watch for a longer post detailing our week. For now. . . it's time for bed so that we are rested up to worship with our family here at home tomorrow morning!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008. Pay off some bills and stick some money away in savings.

Soup: With which cartoon character do you share personality traits? According to this test I share personality traits with Bugs Bunny

Salad: What time of day (or night) were you born? Had to ask my mom(she couldn't remember), my dad said he thought it was about 2:00 a.m. and my sister confirmed it. She said it had to be around that time because I was always keeping them awake.

Main Course: Tell us something special about your hometown. My hometown is the capital of Florida and has changed so much since I moved away at 15.

Dessert: If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from? Robert Redford or Harrison Ford.

Straight A's

We got David's grades tonight. He made straight A's his first semester. I am so proud of how hard he worked. He is registered for spring classes and currently enrolled for 3 classes. He's waiting to talk to an advisor regarding the next math class he needs to take. Once he talks to the advisor he will be taking 4 classes. Currently he will be taking College Comp, Microcomputer applications, and Earth Science.

My Princess

Angela was in her first Quinceañera last night and she was beautiful. Although I may be prejudiced.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: Make up a word and give us its definition. I give up on this one, I am not creative.

Soup: What is currently your favorite song? Angels We Have Heard on High by Chris Tomlin. Actually I enjoy all of his music.

Salad: What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year? I have everything I could wish for. Not one to make a Christmas wish list.

Main Course: Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life. Old Spice, it reminds me of my dad.

Dessert:Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why? Jerry Springer! Not that I watch him, but his show is disgusting.

She Tagged Me

OK, I've been tagged by Lori. Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I have never broken a bone or required stitches. Does that mean I'm lazy?
2. When buying greeting cards, I have to buy the funny ones. Otherwise, I end up crying over the sentimental ones.
3. I do not like to speak in front of a lot of people. Put me in a small group setting or one on one and I'll talk forever.
4. I do not enjoy being alone. I'm happier when I have people around.
5. Even though I don't like being alone, I'm not good at talking to strangers. When I first moved to Clewiston there were actually people that thought I was shy. However, now they wish I'd be quiet.
   
6. I blush when someone is complimenting me.
   
7. I'm at the point in life where my children tuck me in at night.

Ok, hope that is enough random things about me. Let's see what Ken, David and Brian can come up with. I ran out of people to tag.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What was the last game you purchased? Scene It Squabble.

Soup: Name something in which you don’t believe. Evolution. God created all things. . . He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20

Salad: If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick? I wouldn't want a celebrity as my boss. I have a humble and godly man as my boss currently and I enjoy working for him. Ultimately, my boss is God and it doesn't get any better than Him.

Main Course: What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way? Be careful how you speak to someone or the words you use. It can cause relationships to be broken.

Dessert: Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room. A room with relaxing neutral colors, a comfortable reading chair or sofa and soft lighting.

Which Personality Am I?

So I was bored today and did one of those "Which Personality Are You" tests. This was the result. How close do you think it came to pinpointing my personality?

The Nurturer

You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal.
A good listener, you excel at helping others in practical ways.
In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.
You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for.

In love, you express your emotions through actions.
Taking care of someone is how you love them. And you do it well!

At work, you do well in a structured environment. You complete tasks well and on time.
You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

How you see yourself: Competent, dependable, and detail oriented

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut

On My Christmas Wish List

I want one of these for Christmas to go on my desk at the office. Today was one of those days where I had someone come by the office to do nothing but complain. First it was "why haven't we had the friendship cultivation on Sunday mornings here lately?" Next it was, "is anybody going to fix that toilet in the women's restroom that is leaking? I've told a dozen people and it still isn't fixed."

Is any of this really going to matter in eternity?

Appetizer: What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride? The Carousel. What can I say I'm a wimp when it comes to roller coasters.

Soup: How do you react in uncomfortable social situations? I get quiet (hard to imagine I know but there are those moments when I say very little).

Salad:On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics? Depending on whom I have the discussion with, if I feel comfortable with the topic and person I'd say 7. If I know little about the topic or am not comfortable with the person it goes down to a 2 or 3.

Main Course: Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to? I never get flu shots. I avoid shots at all costs.

Dessert: Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television? There is one show I watch each week (CSI) so an hour typically. However if college football or pro baseball is on I will watch a game.

Spiritual Adultery

In scripture God often chooses imagery related to marital unfaithfulness to communicate the nature and seriousness of sin. God is seen throughout His word as a faithful husband who is jealous for an exclusive relationship to his bride (that would be believers). When we sin (are unfaithful to), God is seen as a rejected lover and he is angered (righteously) and grieved.

I had never thought of sin as spiritual adultery until I was preparing for this week's lesson. In her book, Holiness: The Heart God Purifies, DeMoss uses the imagery of an adulterous relationship between a husband and wife to drive home how our sin grieves God. Here is an excerpt from this weeks chapter:

Imagine your mate walking in the door and saying in a casual tone of voice, "By the way, honey, I've been carrying on a little affair with that gal who works down the hall from me. Nothing serious, really - just a fling. OK, I'll admit we've slept together - but probably not more than six or seven times. I want you to know that I still love you, and I really hope you'll stay with me and keep meeting my needs." Worse yet, imagine how you would feel if your mate refused to break off the illicit relationship, but continued to sleep with his girlfriend once or twice a week, month after month, year after year, all the while insisting that he really love you and wanted to keep living with you when he wasn't with her. (pg 69 -70)

I don't know about you, but when viewing my sin in this light it brings about a whole new perspective regarding sin.

Father, would you open my eyes to see the sin in my life. I am so tuned to looking for sin in other people's lives. A lot of times I miss, I know a lot of times I miss, those sins, those things in my own life that are destroying my vision and keeping me from seeing you correctly. Lord, help me to view sin as You do and to take it as seriously as You do and to realize my great need for repentance every time I choose my way against Your way. Give me the gift of repentance, I pray, that I might grieve and mourn with all my hearts over that which breaks Your heart. Thank You that when I mourn over my sins, I will be comforted and I will receive mercy. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: Imagine that you are deaf, dumb and insensitive to touch.What other image of happiness could you have? I would have my eyesight so I would be able to see the beauty God has created and

Soup: Do you collect anything? Yes, dust in my house.


Salad: When do you start your Christmas? As far as the worlds view of Christmas, I normally start decorating either the first or second week of December. However, as a Christian I celebrate the birth of Christ all year long just as I do his death and resurrection.


Main Course: What would you do if you were in a corner and a snake was staring you down? Scream at the top of my lungs and more than likely wet my pants.

Dessert: If you were in the library and had gas I would excuse myself to the restroom.

Small Groups

We are now into our third week of the Women's Small Group Bible Studies. God is at work among these women that are participating in the studies. I have had many opportunities to talk with the ladies (even those outside my group) about how the studies are going and I have received numerous reports that they are learning, growing together and thankful to be a part of these groups. They not alone, I have so encouraged each week as we meet at my house. These ladies are beautiful and I look forward each week as we come together to study God's word and discuss the book (Holiness: The Heart God Purifies) we are reading together. As we have studied holiness each week we have seen where we each fall short of the glory of God and just how totally dependent on our Lord to redeem us and sanctify us so that when we appear before him, we will be free from all defilement, clothed is His righteousness, to be His holy bride forever.

Over the past three weeks we have discussed the following:

1. What a radicial pursuit of holiness looks like.
2. How holiness and joy are inseparable companions.
3. Biblical motivations for holiness.

There have been many quotes throughout the book thus far, but my favorite is by J.C. Ryle that says:

Without holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy heaven. Heaven is a holy place. The Lord of heaven is a holy Being. The angels are holy creatures. Holiness is written on everything in heaven. . . How shall we ever be at home and happy in heaven if we die unholy?

A Biblical Look at Marriage

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Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What was your first “real” job? When I was sixteen I worked during the summer at a pickle plant (Roddenberry's). I was in the packing house for a week and then moved to the grading yard.

Soup: Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity? I'm not real creative so I have no clue.

Salad: Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when… I put my foot in my mouth. Which happens quite often.

Main Course: What values did your parents instill in you? Honesty, love for others, to protect my reputation, and to be on time.

Dessert:Name 3 fads from your teenage years. Feathered hair, leg warmers, Rubik cube.

Good Company

Now that David is 18, I have the opportunity to visit friends without having to worry about the plans that he and Angela have for the weekend. This weekend was one of those occasions. My best friend, Tom, asked me to go down to his house on Friday to spend time with him. As much as David and Angela enjoy going to his house, they had a concert they were going to on Saturday so I left on Friday when I got off work to go down. When I arrived, Tom cooked a wonderful meal of steaks, steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. He made gravy but was not happy with the result (it looked better than any gravy I've attempted to make). After enjoying the meal he prepared we enjoyed just talking and watching television. It always amazes me how we can talk about anything and never run out of things to talk about it. He's better than any girlfriend I've ever had. On Saturday morning, we enjoyed his famous scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. Then read the morning paper and more conservation. Later in the day we enjoyed some shrimp while watching the movie "The Fisher King". It was a good movie and I don't know how I managed to miss this movie over the years. Tom had planned on cooking me chicken wings for dinner, but after eating shrimp and breakfast I didn't have an appetite. And as usual it was time for me to make the hour and half drive home. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to experience his chicken wings another time.

Appetizer: Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies? I used to love getting Sweet Tarts at the movie, but for some reason they don't sell them now. Now I opt for the buttered popcorn.

Soup: What year did you start using the internet? 1996

Salad: What is your first name in Pig Latin? inniegay

Main Course: Name something you are picky about. The cleanliness of my home.

Dessert: Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today. I longed for today yesterday and I am waiting to see my best friend tonight (so I didn't use today).

Women's Small Groups

Over the past six months I have been praying for a Women's Bible Study to be started at our church. After much prayer, I approached our pastors about starting a Bible study in my home for the ladies of the church. Within a week of discussing my ideas with them, they asked me to make an announcement on a Wednesday night about it and invite the ladies of our church to participate. I was amazed to see that within one week we had well over 20 names on the list that were interested. It was an encouragement to see that the women of our church have a desire to study God's word and to grow spiritually together. Due to the response, we have split the group into 3 group. I had no idea that we would have such a response, but God knew and he prepared two other godly women to lead a study in their home.

We are reading Holiness: The Heart God Purifies by Nancy Leigh De Moss and discussing a chapter each week for the next 9 weeks. Each week we will not only discuss the book, but look to scripture as well. The groups begin meeting this week and tonight was the first night (we meet on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoon). Tonight's group met in my home and what a joy it was to sit with 10 other ladies and study God's word and have discussion. It was an encouragement to me as I heard these ladies talk of spiritual things. I'm already looking forward to next week when we come together again. Please be praying for all of us as we study God's word and encourage each other in our walk.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season? I have no idea. Certainly not as much as last year.

Soup: What was the last television show you watched, and was it good? CSI - I always enjoy the show.

Salad: If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose? An off white. In fact, Angela has been trying to convince me to paint the walls in living room.

Main Course: Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet. I'm not clever enough to think of anything to invent.

Dessert: List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season. The only thing I can think of is to spend Christmas with my parents this year.