Thanksgiving 2013

I have so much to be thankful for this year.

1. "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7
   
   I am thankful for a God that loves me unconditionally and provides for all our needs.  I'm thankful that I serve a God that doesn't give up on me, even when I feel like giving up on Him.  I'm thankful for a God that hasn't a perfect plan for each of us, even when I don't understand that plan.  I'm thankful that God is my strength and my comforter.
    
2. I'm thankful that we several Bibles in our house because we are blessed to have an abundance of English translations available to us.  I'm thankful for an organization, Wycliffe, that has a goal to bring the Bible to every people group, even those that don't even yet have a written language.
   
3.  I'm thankful for my amazing, loving husband.  We have been through so much in the last few years and have grown stronger together.
   
4. Anne is our rainbow baby and a blessing.  Someday she will understand what that means.  We love her so much.  Words cannot even begin to describe what a miracle she is.  There are days that I just stare at her beautiful face in awe that she is really here.  I'm thankful that I'm able to stay home and take care of her everyday.  I love watching her experience all her "firsts."  The look of awe and wonder on her face when she figures something out or experiences something that first time is so fun to watch.
   
5. I'm thankful for my family.  I'm thankful for parents that are still married after 33 years.  My parents taught me the value of marriage and commitment.  They taught me the value of work and that there was no such things as a free lunch.  I'm thankful for sisters and a brother that love each other.  I'm thankful for an extended family that loves each other.
    
6. I have some of the greatest friends anyone could ask for.  The few years have not been easy for me and one thing you realize when bad things happen is who your friends are.  I'm thankful for their listening ear and their hugs.  I'm thankful for the new friends I made in an incredible online support group.  I don't know how I would have got through it without them.

I have so much more to thankful for.  I could list things forever.  We have a home, food to eat, electricity, jobs that provide for our needs, a ministry that we love, monthly financial partners that believe in us, people that love us that prayer for us regularly, and much more.

Happy 1st Thanksgiving Anne!

Bible Study Theme Verse

Jeremiah 17:7-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

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I chose this verse to be the Theme Verse for the online Bible Study I lead.  I have never met most these amazing ladies in person, but we were all brought together because we have one thing in common.  Our paths crossed because of great heartbreak, but together we are looking to the future.  Anxiety can sneak up and destroy you if you let it.  We are blessed because we trust in the Lord and have confidence in Him.  I know I'm not alone in feeling anxious when we feel like we are in a drought.  A drought is when you feel like everything around you is falling apart and that God can't possibly still be there.  It's hard to turn to God when you feel empty.  We don't have to fear the drought because God promises us that even when we go through heat we are still connected to His stream.  We always have the ability to bear fruit, even when we feel weak and empty because we are using His strength, not ours.

Christmas GTG from Omaha

We had such a great weekend. Kristen and her husband, Devyn braved the rough 80/90 all the way from Nebraska to come visit Steve and I before heading south to Lafayette to her in-law's house.  They arrived Saturday night at around 7:30 and we went to dinner at Indulgence in South Bend.  Yum. I love that place.We sat around and talked about all kinds of stuff until the turned the "Open" sign off.  I guess that was our clue to go home.

After Indulgence, we went back to our house and talked some more and played with their cute little dog, Bruno.

We talked about everything from life to work to Wycliffe.  Devyn seems to especially like Da Jesus Book.

Here is a picture of all of us after church this morning.

I hope that they had a great time too.  I loved getting to meet someone from an online group that has been so important to me, in real life.  Even though we have "known" each other online for about 9 months, we met in person for the first time on Saturday.  It felt so comfortable, like we had known each other our whole lives.  At least to me it did.  This group has been a God-send to me this year.  There are so many spectacular women in this group.  Now, I'm looking forward to Christmas.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) 

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Our Elfster Gift

Our gift came in the mail today. The socks look so soft and fuzzy.  I can't wait to wear them around the house.  Steve got an Ohio State t-shirt.  He is pretty happy about that too.

The card says, "May the beauty of God's love bless you this Christmas. Best wishes for a new year filled with peace, love, beauty, and joy.". The personal message inside was so sweet.

Thank you, TLR.

It's Off to a New Home

• Proverbs 3:27 - "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."
• Proverbs 22:9 - "He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor."
• Deuteronomy 15:10 - "Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 -"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. "

I am so excited to send out my Elfster exchange Christmas present.  It's going to be traveling all across the Country until it gets to it's destination.  The gift isn't supposed to be sent until December 15th, but I just couldn't wait.  I love buying and giving presents.  It's one of lives simple pleasures.  I really hope that our pick and her husband like what Steve and I bought for them.

Travel safe Christmas present.

ETA: The got it and they really liked it. :o) I think now that she has it I can safely post what it was.

Bible Study - Grieving God's Way: Fresh Grief

Study: Fresh Grief

VOTD: Matthew 15:29-30-"Jesus...went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them."

The Healing Process: Jesus went up a mountainside, sat down, and healed everyone who came to Him. It couldn't have been easy for the crippled and blind to journey up a mountain, but it was a necessary part of the healing process. Jesus healed those that reached out to Him, so I don't think we should be afraid to climb the mountain of despair because that is where we will find God's loving arms.

Feel free to Respond

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I like the imagery of this verse. I can just imagine all these people struggling and in pain climbing a mountain to see Jesus. I can imagine them wanting to give up because the pain was too much, but if they would have turned around when they pain got bad then they never would have received healing.

The message of the devotional is so spot on too. In the middle of grief, it's hard to hear that things will get better because you want to believe it, but it's hard to imagine feeling happy again. It's a daily journey to becoming better.

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Day 32 from Grieving God's Way:

"Those of us in grief don't need anyone to tell us the conditions of the path ahead; we don't want to know. We reject, even resent, reports of splendor down the road. "You'll be a better person," on grieving mother told me. "Who cares?" I wanted to yell. "I don't want to be a better person!" "You'll be happy again," a grieving father said. I wanted to scream, "Are you crazy? I will never be happy again!" Fresh grief is no time to find good in the bad. We don't want to know that the view is great or that wonderful things lie ahead. It's hard to see the view when you are blinded by tears. Nor should we try to sort our feelings about God and faith when we can't even determine night from day."

QOTD: What is your favorite Christmas song?

Christmas Elfster Recipe Exchange

For Christmas, my online group is going a Christmas card exchange with a recipe inside.  We use elfster.com to put the exchange together.  I picked out my recipe and the perfect card and sent it out on Friday.  Just for fun, I decided to make the recipe while Steve was at work last night. Yum!

Better Than 'Everything' Cake (We'll keep the title family friendly) 

1 German Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Jar of Caramel Ice Cream Syrup
1 Can of Condensed Milk
1 Container of Cool Whip
Nuts, Sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

First, you make the cake according to the box.

I baked my cake in a 9 X 13 casserole dish.  You can make it any cake pan.  Bake the cake according the instructions on the box.  When the cake is done, while it is still hot, poke holes all over it with the wooden spoon handle.  Spread a mixture of the caramel and milk filling up the holes.

Cool the cake, then top the cake with the Cool Whip, nuts, sprinkles, or whatever you choose.

Enjoy!

Black Friday Picture Day with Erin

I had a great Thanksgiving with Steve's family in Michigan.  He has a huge family, so it's always a blast.  Of course, the guys and a few of the ladies went out and shot clay pigeons while I kept an eye on our nieces inside.  I'm not big on shooting guns, but Steve enjoys it.  We had to rush home in the afternoon, so we could get home in time to go to bed early. 

On Black Friday, I had to be at work at 4am until 2pm and Steve had to work at 6am.  He is supposed to get off at 7, so he should be home soon.  We shall see if he gets off on time.  After work, I drove up Sears to see Steve and bought some presents for my Elfster exchange buddy.  I think she is really going to like them.  Now, Steve needs to decide what he wants to get her husband, so we can go shopping.  Then I went upstairs to the Photo Studio to see my sister.  She was bored and didn't have any appointments, so she took my picture.  I really like how they turned out.  I got a free 8 X 10 collage, no purchase necessary!  It was a win-win for both of us.  I got great fun pictures and my sister got a photo sit.

Bible Study - Thanksgiving Edition

Hi ladies!
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is about family and being thankful for what you have.  It's so easy when things aren't going our way to focus what we don't have.  It's nice to have a time set aside every year to focus on what blessings we do have.
I would love to switch up for the format for this weeks' check-in. 

What if we just listed are favorite bible verses or song lyrics that have a thanksgiving theme or that have spoke to you this year.  You can add as many as you want.  There is no limit.   If verses are repeated, I think that's probably ok.
This has been a really tough year for many of us.  I know, for us, 2012 will go down as the hardest year of our life so far.


Psalm 145:7: "They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." 

Psalm 31:19: "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you."

Bible Study - Grieving God's Way: Friday Check-in

Study: Grieving God's Way

Day 12: "Almost every dieter hits wall.  Days, even weeks, go by without any noticeable loss of wieght.  It's enough to make you want to sink your teeth into the nearest candy bar.  Those of us in grief hit the same kind of wall.  We reach a point where we seem to be stuck in depression and it looks like things are never going to improve.  Whether we call this a wall or plateau, it's God's way.

The grief plateau or dieter's wall serves a useful purpose - this slowing down allows the body to adjust to the many physical and emotional changes taking place.  Whether a person shoots up a foot, loses ten pounds, or is traumatized by loss, the brain must make adjustments to accommodate the changes.

Emotions are as taxing to the body as physical exertion. Grief changes how a person breathes, behaves, and even thinks - and this is reflected in speech, movement, and outlook.  The brain can't possibly process this all at once, so we shut down.  We become more reclusive to prevent outside stimili from interfering with the work of the brain. It feels like we are buried in a hole, but in reality we are in God's protective care."

Faith comes to us in the quiet moments and healing takes time.  You may think you are making no progress and are stuck in grief, but God is preparing our body and soul for the next stage of healing.

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VOTD: Job 37:14 - "Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God."

Feel free to respond.

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Question of the Day:

1) When was the last time you stopped and saw something or somewhere that can only be described as "wondrous work of God?

Bible Study - Grieving God's Way: Wednesday Check-in

Ever since I wrote a message on Facebook looking for study ideas for the Bible study that I help lead, I have had a few friends ask if they could be involved.  We start a new study every week on Wednesday, with a check-in on Wednesday, Friday, then Monday. I'll post the check-ins here, so people outside of our forum can participate if they want to.

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Hi ladies,
I got this free book in the mail yesterday called, "Grieving God's Way - The Path to lasting Hope and Healing."  I thought this week, I would share some of it and we could "read" it together.  I pulled out some things to share from what I have read so far.

Study: Grieving God's Way

VOTD: Romans 8:26 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness."
Feel free to respond

When a loved one dies, the body reacts with shock.  The circulation slows; we feel cold and disoriented.  Breathing is shallow. After the numbness wears, bones ache and muscles are sore.  Food holds no interest, and though we may fall exhausted into bed each night, we often can't sleep, or we sleep too much.  This is how the body grieves. Grieving God's way requires us to trust that God will lead us through the darkness, heal our pain, take away our weariness, and fill our hearts with hope, peace, and new purpose.

Day 2: "Take a deep breath. If you are grieving a loved one, chances are you haven't taken a breath for quite some time.  The physical and emotional stress of grief can do an enormous amount of harm to the mind and body. We become so caught up in our pain we literally forget to breathe." In both Greek and Hebrew, the word for breath also means spirit.

Studies have shown that deep, slow breathing can strengthen the heart, tone muscles, increase energy, etc.  Shallow breathing, the kind that is prevalent during grief , fills only the upper parts of the body with air.  The headaches, back pain, indigestion, and depression that plague us during the darkest days of grief might simply be our bodies crying out for oxygen.

Question of the Day:

1) How does grief affect you physically and emotionally?

Divine Appointments

My former pastor called Divine Appointments those times when God brings people together in surprising ways to meet a need.  Have you ever met someone and they said or did the exact right thing that you needed at that moment?  You knew that God had to be in it.  Time and time again God leads Christians and sometimes non-Christians together to cross another person's path and great things happen.  My last year has been filled with Divine Appointments.

I have always loved the month of November because it's a month to give thanks.  This year I find myself thanking God for my loving husband, my amazing friends, and an online group of ladies that I have never met in person.  This Spring I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined an online group.  I'm usually a pretty private person, so getting my story out there was hard.  I have found nothing but love and support from this group and I hope that I have given love and support back.

Today, I logged in to the group and what I found did not surprise me.  This year has been hard. 2012 will be a year that we will always remember.  We have not been very open about why today is significant in our lives, but of the few people that do know no one remembered, but this group did.

Here are just a few of the messages that I got today.

• "This am as I was driving the little girl I nanny for to school I saw a sign that said Wycliffe (I think it was the subdivision) and it made me think of you. On the way back to their house after dropping her off I had the sense that I was supposed to pray for you. So while driving I started to pray for you!"
   
  
• Extra ((((HUGS)))) for you today.
   
•  I have been thinking and praying for you extra this week, especially today. I hope that the day is kind to you. I am sending you so many (((hugs)).
  
• More here, honey! Big, huge, squishy HUGS!
  
• Extra hugs to you today dear! I hope the day is kind to you.
  
• Even more bigger hugs your way!  *hugs Bethelgal extra tight*

I believe in Divine Appointments.  I believe these wonderful ladies were brought into my life at the exact time that I needed them.  This is not a group that you volunteer to join, but it's a group that is a god-send and we were all brought together at the perfect time. 

Our Date Night

I can't believe this year is almost over.  It's been quite a year of ups and downs.  Today, we are remembering what could have been if things turned out differently earlier this year.  Last night, we needed a date night, since Steve works tonight.  He said that we could go anywhere that I wanted to.  I wanted to try Cheddars.  We hadn't been there yet and I had heard pretty good reviews of it.

The biscuits that came with the salad were absolutely delicious.  Steve got the Braised Beef with mashed potatoes.  The mashed potatoes were heavenly.  The beef was good too.  I wanted to get the Chicken Pot Pie, but they were all out so I got a sandwich...very tasty.

Our food came out really fast, but our server was a little slow with our drinks.  They were pretty busy though.  She was really friendly.

After dinner, we went to the dollar theater to see Hope Springs.  It's a movie about a couple that has been married for 32 years and they go on a week long marriage enrichment trip.  It was actually pretty funny.  It's not a movie to bring kids too.  It's rated PG 13 for a reason, but it's tastefully done.  Marriage was portrayed in a positive light as something worth fighting for and not something you just throw away.  I liked that since so many movies nowadays try and portray marriage as something negative that should be avoided.  It was an honest movie with some humor thrown in.

My Life's Soundtrack

 

What songs are included on the soundtrack of your life?

1. Someone Like You by Jamie Slocum
   
   

   This is my ministry song.  As Steve and I make the journey to serve God full time with Wycliffe Bible Translators, this song comes to mind.  God can use someone like us to bring His word to the people that still need it.

2. Hurt and Healer by Mercy Me
   
   

   I am so thankful that God has brought us through this last year.  This song has been a big blessing this year.

3. Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James
   
   

   I am thankful that I have a husband that loved me, before he even knew me, enough to "wait for me."

4. Tomorrow from Annie
   
   

   I grew up watching this movie.  No matter what happens the sun will come up tomorrow.

5. I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman
   
   

   This song is for my amazing husband.

Let Your Light Shine

Let your light shine out
make it big and bright
Let your light shine out
deep into the night.
Let Your Light Shine

Let your light shine out
for the whole world to see,
like a flower as pretty as can be.

Yes, let your light shine out
making it spread about
to every creature & everyone
making it a happier place under the sun.

Written by Sue Chevalier on August 3,1996

October: A Month for Women and Hope

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
On October 25, 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed that October would be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

• Approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies worldwide will end in miscarriage.  
• Approximately 75% of all miscarriages occur in the first trimester.
• An estimated 19% of the adult population has experienced the death of a child (this includes miscarriages through adult-aged children).
  
  "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them." - Ronald Reagan

Domestic Violence Awareness Month
This year, YWCA Week Without Violence is October 14-20, 2012.

• One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
•  85% of domestic violence victims are women.
• Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.
• Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.
• 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household.

 Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Bible Study: Psalm 139

Verse 1: You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

Verses 7-10:  
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

God, I need you to search me and know me.  I know that there is nowhere that I can go to flee from your presence.  You are always near me, even when I feel so alone. 
Nothing and no one can escape your concern.

Verses 13-16:
13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

God, I know you created all life and you love each and every child,
even the children that leave us way too soon.
You knit me together in our mother's womb.  
You made me special and you called me wonderful.
You have never forsaken me.
You saw everyday of my life and wrote my name in your book of life.

Verses 13-16:
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Online Recipes Exchange: Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

My online group decided to do a recipe exchange.  I've had a lot of fun picking out my recipe for the person chosen for me.  I plan on putting mine together tonight and getting it sent out tomorrow.

I got recipes in the mail today after work.  The recipe was for Pumpkin Spice Pancakes and for Fall Veggie Casserole.  Steve and I love having breakfast for dinner and Steve loves anything with pumpkin.  Steve insisted that we have it for dinner tonight.  So after a quick trip to the store to get some things we didn't have, I made some Pumpkin Spice Pancakes and they were so good.

 Steve said they tasted like he was eating little pieces of pumpkin pie.  While Steve was making the scrambled eggs, he decided that he wanted to put some pumpkin puree in the eggs.  Pumpkin scrambled eggs are interesting, but good.

Thank you, Smash2009 for recipes and the nice card.  You are awesome.

Bible Study: Psalm 37

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.  Trust in the Lord and do good dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:1-4) 

 This verse says to me that if we love the Lord then He will give us the desires of our hearts.  It's his promise to us.  God promises that when we take pleasure in Him, then he will give Himself to us.  It's easy to get discouraged when you really want something and you really believe that the desire comes from God and it's taken from you.  It's easy to become broken and start doubting that God's promises are real.  

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread." (Psalm 37:35) 

This Sunday in small group, our leader talked about Luke chapter 7.  John the Baptist is in jail and he sends back a messenger to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”  Jesus responded saying, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”

Our leader went on to say that even John doubted some while he was in jail. Sometimes, when all we can see are our “prison walls,” we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to share what God is doing.  John never lost faith. He just needed confirmation and his faith was rewarded, right?  God saw John’s faith and brokenness and sent his deliverance and rescued him from jail, right?  No, if you know the story John was beheaded.  What does this teach us: God’s love for you is not defined His response to your brokenness.  That was a powerful message for me because I know this year I have been broken.  It’s easy to lose sight of God’s goodness and love when you are broken.

"I have seen the wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in it's native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found." (Psalsm 37: 35-36)

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in times of trouble." (Psalm 37: 39)

Psalm 37 ponders the question, "Is life fair?" "Why does it seem like the wicked are always successful."  It's basic conclusion: The success of the wicked won't last, while in the long run the righteous will flourish.  Our reward is in Heaven.  Through a lifetime of troubles and anxieties the righteous are never abandoned by God.

Philippians 3:14 - Pressing on Toward the Goal

I'm co-leading an online Bible study with the always amazing, HopingForChange.  I'm really enjoying our study of Philippians.  This is what I posted for the lovely ladies today.

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VOTD: Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

QOTD: Paul sees the Christian walk as a race with a prize at the end. He says that he will continue to run the race towards the goal because he believes that God called him. Although we may never achieve perfection in this world, it should still be our goal. What is the prize at the end of the race? I believe that Heaven is the prize at the end. This road we are running on is going to have bumps and detours along the way, no doubt, but ultimately if we stay on the path and press on, then we will win the prize.

1) Do you think to this point you have been giving all your strength to achieve the goal Paul is talking about here? What changes can you make?

I thought that I had been giving all my strength to winning the prize, but this year, I think, have proved that I have a lot of growing to do. I think I had a shallow faith because I never really had any huge hardships. Now, I'm being forced to live out the lessons that I have always taught my students and I'm learning that this journey is really hard. I know the prize is worth it at the end. I just wish the journey wasn't so hard.

I know there are changes I need to make in my life. I need to bring joy back into my life. I used to be known as the encourager and a positive role model. I have let depression rule my attitude for long enough. That needs to change.

2) Why is it important to forget what is behind? How could not forgetting the past hinder future service to God?

I think it's easy to get stuck in the past. I don't ever want to forget our past hurts, but I can learn to let go of the hurt and anger. I think that's part of what Paul was talking about when he said "press on." I don't want to stay here. It's hurts here.