I was tagged by Paulette for this meme. Here goes:
Accent: Um. Educated redneck? Born and raised in Arkansas, now living in Georgia. My high school French teacher told me I had an excellent French accent. Mais oui!
Bible Book that I like: Ephesians. Favorite verse from Ephesians is 4:32.
Chore I don't care for: Any of them. I need a maid.
Dog or Cat: Fried, please. (Kidding!) Dog
Essential Electronics: Computer and cell phone
Favorite Movie: Napoleon Dynamite. Yes, I am a dork.
Gold or Silver: Silver
Handbag I Carry Most Often: My husband bought me a red and black canvas bag with a University of Georgia emblem on front for my birthday.
Insomnia: Usually only at night. I have no trouble sleeping at my desk or behind the wheel.
Job Title: Accounting Technician (fancy way of saying data entry clerk), Wife, Mother
Kids: 1 husband, 1 stepson, 1 stepdaughter, 2 daughters
Living Arrangements: 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bath humble abode in a quaint little subdivision on the outskirts of town. We have hubby's kids on weekends and mine whenever they choose to grace us with their presence, (hopefully for the school year.)
Most Memorable Moment: Winning the Miss America pageant. Oh, wait. That wasn't me. Seeing my ankles again after giving birth to my first child was pretty momentous, but it doesn't hold a candle to falling in love with her immediately. Then her sister came along, and my heart doubled in size. Nothing compares to that.
Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: Mercilessly teasing my overweight sisters, which not only was terribly cruel, but was really stupid on my part because they could beat me up.
Overnight Hospital Stays: Twice for childbirth, once for a hernia operation, and once for a cervical cone biopsy.
Phobias: Being the only one who doesn't get the joke.
Quote: "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to shut up." - Unknown (kidding!)
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again." - Stephen Grellet
Religion: None for me, thanks. I'm a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, whom I know personally as my Lord and Savior. Southern Baptist upbringing, if you must know, with a sprinkling of United Methodist (pun intended. I was dunked.)
Siblings: I have an older sister by 2 years, a younger sister by 11 months, and a younger brother by 8 years.
Time I Wake Up: After about the 4th or 5th snooze. 7:15 at the latest.
Unusual Talent: I can read upside down, recite the alphabet backwards, and quote Green Eggs and Ham word for word. Not unusual enough? Okay, I can sing the theme song to "All In the Family" and sound exactly like Edith Bunker. Wanna hear?
Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Beets. Or anything pickled. Except, you know, pickles.
Worst Habit: Smoking. I've been meaning to quit. (2nd worst: Procrastination.)
X-rays: Ribs, once, after a car accident. Dental, several times.
Yummy Stuff I Cook: I don't cook often enough, but I can make a mean meatloaf, baked chicken, spinach lasagne, and cheesecake
Zoo Animal I Like Most: Otter
I'm tagging Barb and Diane, and inviting anyone else who hasn't done this one to please join in.
Have a Wonderful Day!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
A Comforting Word
I take great comfort in today's scripture reading. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
How quickly the Lord responds when I cry out to Him. Immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine? How awesome is that? And not only has He comforted me with His Word, but with your words of encouragement and prayers for my family. THANK YOU for standing in the gap with me for my girls.
Father, thank You for the wonderful women You have brought into my life through this blog. Thank You for their comforting words and their commitment to pray for my daughters. Bless them abundantly, Lord. Thank You for the everlasting promises in Your Word and for the power that is at work within us. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
How quickly the Lord responds when I cry out to Him. Immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine? How awesome is that? And not only has He comforted me with His Word, but with your words of encouragement and prayers for my family. THANK YOU for standing in the gap with me for my girls.
Father, thank You for the wonderful women You have brought into my life through this blog. Thank You for their comforting words and their commitment to pray for my daughters. Bless them abundantly, Lord. Thank You for the everlasting promises in Your Word and for the power that is at work within us. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
More Mama Drama
I was counting on Lindsey to encourage Sarah to come back here for school next month, but when I spoke with her 2 days ago, she informed me that they both want to stay with their dad for the school year. My heart lurched at the news. I tried reasoning with her and reminded her of all the progress she made while she was here. Listening to her responses, it seems that since she's been there, she's forgotten all the reasons they need to be here. I know why they want to be there, and it isn't about preferring their dad to me. It's about doing what they want to do. It's about being resistant to change.
She has lapsed back into rebellion, hanging out with the same old friends and lying about where she's going with whom. She talks tough, as if her hummingbird butt could actually back up her alligator mouth: "Friend 2 showed up where we were and tried to get me to go with her to get the clothes I borrowed, but I wasn't about to leave so she shoved the door and it hit me, and I was gonna kick her @$$, but Friend 1 got in between us and I couldn't hit her...." It sounded like a transcript of the Jerry Springer Show. And my child using that kind of language with me? Not OK. But it's not just the language, it's the whole I-can-do-and-say-anything-I-want-to-and-get-away-with-it attitude.
I spoke with her again yesterday, hoping that something I said had gotten through. Nope. Same in-your-face tone. "If we went to court, the judge would ask us where we want to live,and we would get to stay here." I'm so tired of it all, and I'm angry.
Sarah wasn't as adamant when I spoke with her, so I don't really know what's going on in her mind, or her heart. I'm hoping that she's softening up and realizing that I am trying to do what's best for them.
After our conversation ended, I thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Sarah were to come here and Lindsey were to stay there. I've had it with her disrespectful attitude. Let him deal with it. Maybe that is what she needs.
I shook that thought out of my head and paused to assess my anger. I'm not angry at God, at least I don't think so, and I know I have no right to be. He hasn't failed me, I have failed Him, and not only has He has forgiven me, He has drawn me closer to Him. Satan is furious. He has launched an all-out attack, concentrating his efforts on the one area in which I am most vulnerable - my children. He would like nothing more than for me to give up hope.
I refuse to give him the satisfaction.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Some Gave All: A Tribute*
Corporal Bobby R. WestHometown: Beebe, Arkansas, U.S.
Age: 23 years old
Died: May 30, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Tex.
It is my privilege to honor the memory of Bobby Russell West, a young man who loved God, his family, and his country. He left high school at 17 to join the National Guard, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, his father, and his older brother. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he and his brother decided they needed to do more and enlisted in the Army. During his first tour he was a part of the operation that captured Saddam Hussein. His second tour of duty ended on May 30, 2006 when a makeshift bomb detonated during dismounted patrol operations in Baghdad, killing him instantly and severely wounding many of his comrades. He paid the ultimate price to protect the freedoms we all hold dear. On that day, America lost a great soldier, a soldier lost his only brother, and a mother lost her youngest son. I grieve with his family for their loss and pray God's blessings upon them for all they have given for the cause of freedom. Bobby's courage will not be forgotten, and I am eternally grateful to him and his family for their great sacrifice.
*Visit Some Gave All for your opportunity to pay tribute to a fallen hero.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
31-day Prayer Guide
It's a brand new month, and the year's half over. Amazing how quickly time flies. I am just blown away by my teenagers, who were only yesterday, it seems, taking their first steps and potty training and being cuter and sweeter than any mom could stand or any kid has a right to be. I'm thankful to have most of it on video, cause those days are long gone.
Now they're in the stages of first dates and driver training and cell phones and laptops and begging for a new car. Forget cute and sweet, although they do have their moments. I cherish every last one of those moments, hoping against hope that it truly isn't the last one. And I remember what it was like to be that age, wanting to hurry and get it over with so I could move out and live by my own rules.
I also remember being totally unprepared for life in the real world and many of the consequences that living by my own rules would bring. I didn't have as firm a foundation of faith as I had thought, and I succumbed to temptation after temptation, causing my foundation to crack and crumble until it gave way beneath the weight of the world. I fell hard, but thank God I landed on my knees. Thank God that He never left me alone and that He was there to pick me up and put me in my place.
As I kneel before my Father, I have to admit that I haven't fully prepared my children to walk uprightly in every circumstance. Despite what I have learned, I haven't been diligent enough in grounding them firmly in the Word. Oh, I took them to church and they've both accepted Christ as their Savior, but I have neglected to foster their spiritual growth. I was a Sunday school teacher myself, but I relied on church and their Sunday school teachers to pick up my slack. As a result, they don't know Jesus as they should and can barely grasp the concept of allowing Him to be Lord of their lives. Well, yeah, that is a tough one. I only recently came to understand it myself. What a difference it makes! Knowing what I know now, I wish that I could go back and correct my mistakes, but there is not enough White Out in the world.
However, there is something far far better. Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.(John 1:29) Because of Christ, my sins are forgiven. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9) There is no need to go back. I need to remember my mistakes only to learn from them, not to wallow in guilt, not to worry about trying to undo them. All I have to do is move forward, trusting Him to guide my steps.
With that in mind, I must make every effort to teach my children to trust and obey Him, to hide His Word in their hearts, to seek after righteousness. I've had to make some changes. They don't like it much because they've become accustomed to what I call casual Christianity. Not fully committed, no real sacrifice. Basically, fire insurance. Biblically, lukewarm. I must pray diligently over them and entrust them to Him.
This necessity has become more evident over the past year, and I pray more fervently now than ever before - not just for my own children, but for every child I know. God has answered many of my prayers, one of which was "Teach me to pray, Lord." You see, I had the fervent part down, but I wasn't quite sure about the effectual (James 5:16) part. I read tons of articles on prayer and finally came across this guide at Moms In Touch International. I knew immediately that this was what I had been looking for. I emailed the link to my mom and my sisters. I printed it out to put on my wall at work as a reminder, not that I'd forget to pray, but to help me remember the scripture references.
I chose today to share this with you because there are 31 character traits and virtues listed. That's one for every day of the month. I urge you to pray daily for your children if you don't already, whether you use this guide or not. It is always necessary, even when it isn't obvious.
Blessings,
Brenda
Now they're in the stages of first dates and driver training and cell phones and laptops and begging for a new car. Forget cute and sweet, although they do have their moments. I cherish every last one of those moments, hoping against hope that it truly isn't the last one. And I remember what it was like to be that age, wanting to hurry and get it over with so I could move out and live by my own rules.
I also remember being totally unprepared for life in the real world and many of the consequences that living by my own rules would bring. I didn't have as firm a foundation of faith as I had thought, and I succumbed to temptation after temptation, causing my foundation to crack and crumble until it gave way beneath the weight of the world. I fell hard, but thank God I landed on my knees. Thank God that He never left me alone and that He was there to pick me up and put me in my place.
As I kneel before my Father, I have to admit that I haven't fully prepared my children to walk uprightly in every circumstance. Despite what I have learned, I haven't been diligent enough in grounding them firmly in the Word. Oh, I took them to church and they've both accepted Christ as their Savior, but I have neglected to foster their spiritual growth. I was a Sunday school teacher myself, but I relied on church and their Sunday school teachers to pick up my slack. As a result, they don't know Jesus as they should and can barely grasp the concept of allowing Him to be Lord of their lives. Well, yeah, that is a tough one. I only recently came to understand it myself. What a difference it makes! Knowing what I know now, I wish that I could go back and correct my mistakes, but there is not enough White Out in the world.
However, there is something far far better. Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.(John 1:29) Because of Christ, my sins are forgiven. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9) There is no need to go back. I need to remember my mistakes only to learn from them, not to wallow in guilt, not to worry about trying to undo them. All I have to do is move forward, trusting Him to guide my steps.
With that in mind, I must make every effort to teach my children to trust and obey Him, to hide His Word in their hearts, to seek after righteousness. I've had to make some changes. They don't like it much because they've become accustomed to what I call casual Christianity. Not fully committed, no real sacrifice. Basically, fire insurance. Biblically, lukewarm. I must pray diligently over them and entrust them to Him.
This necessity has become more evident over the past year, and I pray more fervently now than ever before - not just for my own children, but for every child I know. God has answered many of my prayers, one of which was "Teach me to pray, Lord." You see, I had the fervent part down, but I wasn't quite sure about the effectual (James 5:16) part. I read tons of articles on prayer and finally came across this guide at Moms In Touch International. I knew immediately that this was what I had been looking for. I emailed the link to my mom and my sisters. I printed it out to put on my wall at work as a reminder, not that I'd forget to pray, but to help me remember the scripture references.
I chose today to share this with you because there are 31 character traits and virtues listed. That's one for every day of the month. I urge you to pray daily for your children if you don't already, whether you use this guide or not. It is always necessary, even when it isn't obvious.
Blessings,
Brenda
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