Abiding All Day

I've been struggling with learning how to truly abide in Christ--not just giving Him a few minutes a day or week but actually communing with Him throughout the day. It seems so hard and it is so easy to let the cares of the day choke the Spirit out of my life. Well it has been one of those good days--I hope there are many more like this. It started out this morning with me reading a devotional book my mom gave me at breakfast. It seems to get me in the mood for meditating on God. On the way to work I was listening to a new CD of hymns that I have. A phrase from the old old song Amazing Grace really struck me. I was listening to a version by Aaron Neville--quite unique. Go to http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=_z7SEf-9D4s to hear him sing this. Unfortunately the you tube version cuts off before that amazing phrase that meant so much to me this morning. If you are like me you have heard this song so many times that you stop truly listening to the lyrics. You don't often hear this verse but here is what struck me:

"The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be for ever mine."





















The Bible does say that God will destroy this earth someday so it truly will dissolve. There are trees on this earth that are 2,000+ years old, but they will pass away. Continents were created over 4,000 years ago in the time of Peleg--they will disappear like a mist. The sun will quit shining someday as well. These things that have existed long before you and I will easily disappear at God's command. But we have the amazing assurance that those who trust in Christ's grace to save them from their sins will be forever His. Our relationship with Him will never dissolve. Anyway, this made me cry.

Several teachers and I meet to pray every morning before school starts. We had an incredible prayer time this morning. It was just getting better.

I had to sub today, but I really enjoyed teaching the students. I was able to come up with a good assignment for them and help them learn & I always love to watch kids learn.

Now I'm going to study some using a new Bible Reference tool I've downloaded on my computer that includes 100 titles that help you study the Bible.

I'm feeling so good despite the fact that I think I'm coming down with a cold.

Omelets & Clue

My sister, her husband, and their twins came over for dinner before Christmas. It was the first time Rebecca had seen my kitchen's new paint.
We had omelets--Mary's specialty. Even Matthew had an omelet and he loved it! We played Clue which Brian usually wins. But I actually won this time! It is probably our favorite game. My sisters, Mom, & I used to play Clue nearly every Friday night when Rebecca was a senior in high school.

It's Beginning to Look alot Like Christmas!

Nativity scene from my friend Joni

Decked out for Christmas!

Here are some pictures of the decorations I've put up in my house this year.


Check out the world's smallest birdfeeder!




I made this while working at Michaels

Paint Brightens Kitchen

Sunday, a friend and I painted my kitchen. It hated how dark it was before. The wall paper with bunches of flowers made me want to puke. It is now a happy soft mint green that works well with my vineyard theme.


Before


After


Before


After


Before


After

Sleep # Bed For Sale!

If you or anyone you know is interested, we are selling our Sleep Number Bed. We have decided to switch back to a waterbed because Dwight prefers that. My grandparents, sister, and Dwight's aunt & uncle love their Sleep Number. We've just decided it isn't our preference because we had become too used to the waterbed feel. If you would like to try out the bed, you can come over & see what you think. Leave a comment below & I will get in touch (FYI--don't post personal info. like a phone # on this site for security sake & your protection).

Here is the info. on it:
5000 model Queen bed
Dual (means sides can be adjusted to different numbers)
Pillowtop
Remote control for sleep # adjustment

Price is negotiable. Original price was $2,000 but we will sell it for significantly less and you won't have to pay shipping or taxes.

We've had it a little over a year, but Dwight has not slept in it for over 11 months of that time so it hasn't seen much use. We didn't sleep directly on the pillowtopper itself because we added a pillow topper mattress pad of our own. (This is also for sale if desired).

Picture of bed:

















Picture of bed covered with optional pillowtop mattress cover:

New Gifts for Matthew!

Here is a video of Matthew playing with the toy given to him by his Aunt Ruth, Uncle James, & 5 cousins. He was having so much fun with this cool toy that lights up, plays music, and has many interactive pieces. Good choice, Ruth. I wanted you to be able to see him having fun with it since you couldn't be there on his birthday.