date night

So tonight, for the first time in a long time, Stan and I are getting to go on a date. Three very brave singles have agreed to babysit for us so we can go without even having to take Judah. M, one of my friends here, is in charge of Judah by default because she is female and the two guys, G and J, will be here for Kirby and Bennett crowd control. We don't have a plan as far as where we will go or what we will do but it doesn't really matter. I'm planning to let the boys, and sitters, enjoy some KFC (still our only fast food, and I'm making them eat left over green beans with their chicken burger and fries) and watch movies with popcorn or whatever else their little hearts desire. I don't even care if they get in bed on time (well I do care if Judah gets in bed, but he's easy at bedtime, I just hope M makes it through his fussy time before hand). I'm kinda hoping that a little bit later bed time could possibly get the boys to sleep in tomorrow morning. I doubt it but there is always positive thinking.

Now, Stan needs to get home, get rested up and we are on our way....hurry up date night!

loaves and fishes

I heard a good word last week and I just had to share. Someone had read through the story of the loaves and fishes, I think most people are at least somewhat familiar with the story, even if they have only been to church a handful of times in their life. Anyway, he said that for the first time reading that story he got something more than just the story of an incredible miracle. We know that even though there were only five loaves of bread and two fish, Christ and His disciples where able to feed thousands, probably more than 10 including women and children, with no problem. So even if I have only a little to offer, God can do something miraculous. You may be thinking, ok, so? Most of us get that.

The revelation comes to see that God does not expect me to do the miraculous. He doesn't need me to try to get out there and write some amazing book about some aspect of Christian life, or be able to speak in a way that makes the Gospel clear to the masses and bring them to Him, or any other 'big' thing, all I have to do is be faithful in the small tasks he calls me to do. Even changing diapers and wiping noses. Even just sharing with one neighbor about the love that He has given me and how it has changed my life. Even just having a servant's heart towards my husband. That's all I have to do. God will do the rest. My name may never be known outside of my family and circle of friends but it doesn't matter. The most important person knows it and I will be faithful in the small things He asks of me.

I'm ready to fry up my fish (cause how else do you serve it when you are from the South) and butter the bread and wait on Him to do with it what He wills.

Oprah

First I should say that for many years I haven't really enjoyed watching the Oprah show. I have nothing against her personally. How could I? I've never met her. I feel that she is a good person. She gives to charity and does many things to help others but I dislike that she has become someone that people look to as THE authority on almost everything. She is knowledgeable about many things but it seems that she gets the credit when it is due to another. It just bothers me. I saw this video on FB earlier today and it instantly grabbed my attention and I had to watch it. I can't get it off my mind. As I've been mulling it over several things started to weigh heavy on my heart. Everyone has the right to their opinion about God and religion in general. I believe Christ is the only way to heaven but I am not naive enough to think that even someone reading this blog feels differently...that's a discussion for another day. There were a couple of things that I thought were particularly disturbing and inaccurate from this video.

--The first thing was her comment about God being a jealous God. He absolutely is, it says so in Exodus 34:14 (and other places), but not jealous in the way that Oprah has interpreted. It clearly says that God is NOT jealous of us as individuals, as Oprah stated, but that He is jealous for us when we love something more than we love Him. He created each of us for His glory, honor and praise and for no other reason. His jealously is of a person, place or thing taking His place in our life.

--The other thing that bothered me was what she said about God being a feeling experience not a believing experience. I not only believe in God but I believe God. I believe the promises that He lays forth in His word. According to what is said in the video if we still have to believe in God then it's not truly God. Because of editing it doesn't show whether or not this is a statement she agrees with but I have to be honest, that doesn't even make sense to me! (And I watched it several times.) Everybody believes in something, even if just themselves, so if you believe in something then it isn't truly that? Or maybe the author only feels this way pertaining to belief in God. Either way it sounds like talking in circles to me and I'm left with a big, Huh?!?

I know that this is a video created to campaign agaist Oprah and her 'church' (is that really what it's called? remember I'm out of the loop for American TV) and I know that there is a good chance there are some things that are taken out of context. I'm not going to even begin to research each statement in this video to verify it's truth. But the jealousy thing came directly from her mouth during dialog that was not edited in any way. If she has been incorrectly taught during her church experiences then shame on those Pastors and I believe they will answer for that but I hate to hear things misrepresented, especially by someone who has so much influence over society.

I am a conservative evangelical Christian, and I am not ashamed. I feel that Christ teaches a message of love and respect to all people, of every belief and every background. My purpose in this is not to have my own hand in bashing Oprah. I simply felt that these two things were expressed in a false or confusing way and my heart couldn't rest easy until I wrote about it. I welcome comments whatever your belief but I ask that you remain respectful to me as well as others.

State Fair

It's that time again! Since October is Fair time of year and most of us foreigners come from an area that has a pretty decent State or County fair we like to hold our own. Last year was the first and it was so much fun we decided to make it a yearly event. Maybe it's just an excuse to make really fattening fried food but it was still a blast. You can see more pictures of the boys having fun here, but I thought I would run down the list of our State Fair menu (the first two items are our contributions).

-Sausage with peppers and onions

-Deep fried Snickers

-Caramel Apples

-Pretzels

-Corn on the cob

-Apple Pie

-Brownies

-Smokies

-Funnel Cake

-Grilled Chicken on a stick

-Root Beer Floats

-Hong Kong style beef noodles

(HK doesn't have a fair but we decided if it did, beef noodles would definitely be sold.)

-Pepto Bismol (ok, maybe that was just for me)

Add in some candy and a few games for the younger children and you've got a fun evening. So what I need to know is what was the new thing on the menu at the Fair this year? We've got to keep up when we plan for next year!

4 things

I wrote this last Wednesday after a public tag. I thought, wow, what a great post idea...I'll take that tag. So I wrote it and then before I could publish our internet went out. I kept hoping it would come back on its own since Stan was out of town and we had a really busy weekend coming up but no such luck. Thankfully there is no such thing as the weekend here so Stan went this afternoon and we are back in business.

So here are my 4 things.

1. tell me something great as of late


2. tell me something hard as of late


3. tell me something about your family


4. tell me something about your friends

1. Tell me something great as of late—Wireless Internet.

We finally got our router to work. Right now I’m sitting on my comfy bed, watching a movie (Elf, I told you I’m ready for Christmas) and blogging. This is oh so relaxing. When I finish I’m going to set the laptop aside and close my eyes for a few minutes. Ahhhh.

(This is slightly ironic since minutes later we lost all internet.

I am still super excited we have wireless though.)

2. Tell me something hard as of late—Life.

This has proven to be our most challenging season to date. With all the new changes around here we wanted to be sure we were thriving and not just surviving. We had the opportunity to talk with a comp. councilor this week and it was so wonderful. He gave us the best, most practical marriage and parenting advice/ideas I’ve ever heard. He really encouraged us. PTL for Godly wisdom!

3. Tell me something about your family—Good. Bad. Funny.

Good: Judah is smiling and laughing so much. He makes the whole family smile just looking at him. He’s 15.5 lbs of pure joy.

Bad: Bennett is having major sleep issues. The sleep thing is bad, not Bennett himself. Going down for naps and going to sleep at night is a battle, plus he’s up several times during the night. Since Judah is now sleeping 9 hours at night I’m tempted to have him give Bennett a sleeping tutorial.

Funny: Kirby told me today that when Judah gets bigger we are going to have a girl. Are we now? Apparently God has given him some insight that He hasn’t chosen to give me. Hmmm….

4. Tell me something about your friends—Near or far I can't live without them.

This part changed slightly since my original writing. I was so excited that a good friend that lives in a different city was coming to spend a week with us but plans had to change and she isn't able to come visit anymore. Sadness. :(

But, I still feel totally blessed by the friends that I have living here and back in the States. It is just amazing to have friends that are praying for me through this hard season of life and friends that encourage and turn me to the Word of God. I'm so blessed.

Now I'm passing along the tag. I want to hear your 4 things.