Fresh Faith

This past weekend was our middle school youth kids spring camp and I went along. I will be honest with you I did not want to go at all.. I wanted a weekend without 2 kids in the house fighting over whose been on the Playstation longer (by the way I am about to sell that demon thing) I wanted a weekend with no smart mouth, I just wanted a weekend with Eric and Tyler the one that has not turn into a teenager yet. You know a peaceful restful weekend. Even up to the time we got there I was not wanting to go, getting on the bus I still didn't want too. I was struggling with it but I didn't want any of the kids see me feel that way cause these are a group of 30 great middle school kids. So, I took a deep breath and said a prayer. I didn't feel peace until we actually step in the church and our youth band Ready To Rise started playing at that moment I knew I was were God wanted me to be...

I was reminded what the theme was Fresh Faith, boy just seeing those words was something I knew right then I needed to be here cause I have been in a slump... We had a great speaker Chad and I think his last name was Irland but it might not have been.. anyway..He spoke from Hebrews 3:7 and basically told us that if we are 1 degree off with God our faith is going sour. If we are not engaging on a personal level with God and we are not encouraging each other then we will not be able to endure to the end... I could tell just from this night it was going to be a good weekend.

Saturday morning Stephen taught out of Psalm 42:1-5 and the basic of it was God tells us every day where to meet him but we ignore it and then our faith goes sour cause we are not spending time w/ God. We need to spend time w/ Him daily but doing devotions, journal, praying, and reading His word. We need to engage Him each day. He claims us as His friend and we say He is ours but when was the last night you spent time with Him like you would your best friend... ouch, toes are being stepped on...

Saturday night Chad came back and spoke to us again out of James 1:21-25 and this was on true reflections, God's truth is like a mirror and it reflects into our life. We need to examine our self and let God exam our heart, not to be just a hearer where we hear all of his truth but we don't do His work. We need to go out and explore ways to imply truth into our life. God puts you in places and puts people in front of you for a reason to be able to explore the truths. We are also to escape the things that keeps up putting off our faith and get rid of those things, tv shows, music, friends, places we go, on and on...

Then on Sunday Bucky closed it for us out and on this day boy tears c0me back.. He had us spread out for about 5 mins and for that time we were to sit there and sing whatever praise song we wanted to. Within a minute I could hear all these different songs being sung and I was just in ah with it hearing these 12-14 yr old kids singing praises out loud. It as truly a wonderful experience. Our goal should be to build our relationship with God. It needs to come from the inside out. We need to start with God, love Him, let Him come first, worship Him, be with people that share the same goal, encourage each other and strengthen each other. Our relationship with God should come above all else... Thank you Jesus, I pray to put you first and spend time with You each and every day...

You want to know what goes on these trips beside the spiritual which let me tell ya watching a group of teenagers sing,hugging each other, crying with each other, encourageing one another, praying, listen and watch God move in them you can't get no better than that. I am honor to be there. I learn so much from them each time I am around them. But here is all the other stuff.. We got on a bus and headed to Fayetville GA the girls were staying w/ Laura parents (have to be the nicest people ever, and just wonderful host) and the boys were staying w/ Stephen aunt and uncle and we were meeting up at Laura parents church that was in the middle.. So, after our worship session we get to the house and get our rooms and our kids in our room and no we didn't look first but me and Shannan got a room w/ a big comfy king size bed and a bathroom so we slept good. We had some great 8th grade ladies in our room and I swear being in a room w/ this group we felt like we were at a spend the night party w/ all the stories and laughter. After getting some rest on Friday night we got up Saturday went to the church for our morning session and then off to Stone Mountain we went. Now, we were told that we were hiking up the rock which I was not going to say a word but the girls in our room didn't bring hiking shoes w/ them they brought flip flops so I volunteer to take that group and we rode the tram up to the top.. WOW, glad I made it to the top it was beautiful looking at all God's creation. We did decided that we would hike down shouldn't take that long... WRONG!!!!!!!!!! We are not talking about walking down a path we are talking jumping from rock to rock, going down this big ole rock. Nor, did we know about the path that took you into Stone Mountain so we go all the way to the end then come out miles from where we are suppose to be meeting our group.. It took us another 50 mins to walk to where we were to meet. So, needless to say I got my walking in for a week in 1 day.. But boy, it was great to spend time w/ our group, spend time with one of my closet friends and God's glory.. We did meet up with the groups hiking up and I have to give them all hand. I honestly proud of my oldest cause he did it and I didn't think he could..Stephen my middle child hike up and down and winded up getting dehydrate and got sick several times on the way down.. Saturday night after dinner and worship the kids played some great games I got to be a 7th grade girl and help out some just didn't do the crawling. Sunday we got up loaded up and went to the boys place and had our last time together before heading off.. Did, I want to go? No.. Am I glad I went? I am truly blessed to be serving alongside great youth leaders and under Bucky and Stephen spending time with great group of kids... I was truly blessed, I love those kids!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait until the fall trip.

Daddy & Tyler time

I finally remember what else we did Easter weekend that I couldn't remember to post about... That is ok, cause I think this deserve its own post...

Home Depot and Lowes's have kids workshop on Saturday mornings and it is free. You just show up and they give you the supplies and if you don't have an apron they give them one and after they have built bird houses, picture frames, jewelry box, cars and all other kinds of thing you get a badge and a certificate. Every time they have one Eric always makes it a priority to take Tyler it has always been something they enjoy doing together. I need to get some paint and let Tyler paint all that he has built and get a shelve put up to display them. He loves to go and build things like his daddy. The weekend of Easter I tagged along since we had to go to the egg hunt afterward, it was so sweet seeing them working together and what Tyler knows how to do and even the smallest project Eric takes so much time and care about. I did notice that the kids that come all the time had badges on their apron I need to get Tylers on his..

Easter

I think I am behind again and skipping over one that needs go before this one but if so they will just have to be out of order cause I am lost right now... Anyway, here finally is my Easter post...

We started out with our Easter like alot of the rest of you we went to the wonderful egg hunt at church. I was really glad that we had one this year cause one I didn't want to take Tyler to Upstate for theirs I know that is bad but I have heard it is pack so coming to one that was smaller and his friends was so much better. Thank you for all that help out in this and made it such a wonderful day.

After the egg hunt I went shopping all over town for Easter basket stuff. I decided this year that I was not going to put alot in their baskets cause I wanted to really focus on what Easter meant and not just another day of getting a bunch of stuff. So they all got a little something and some candy. I was even good this year and got candy I didn't like since I am trying to stay out of it. The funniest thing of all of this is when we had gone to the circus Tyler wanted a lighted sword but they were all sold out and he has talked about that ever since. Well, I set out to find him one now mind you he already has a Light Sable so getting that was out of the question. After hitting everywhere I winded up at Toy R Us and found this cool Power Ranger gun that turn into a sword and it lite up, cool all the things he liked. So, I get it rush home and got refreshness up to go to a bridal shower and about that time my loving husband comes in the bedroom with this cool Power Ranger gun and I am like yeah it is something like that but it turns into a sword too well guess what, so did this one.. Santa brought him this for Christmas THIS year.. so after the shower we had to go back out to find something else. Now today my child keeps on taking about those Bakua (however you say and spell it) things and I had heard other kids talking about them and I even thought about getting him that and was like nah, he won't like that.. Guess I was wrong cause tonight that is all he has says that he wants. Should got it. But they all seem happy with their baskets that morning and they all know and understand what Easter is really about.

On Easter Sunday we got up and went to church and was able to sing Praise and worship our Lord, it was a beautiful service, the preschool choir was awesome, everybody was all dressed up. Which is another thing that I didn't do this year I didn't buy any of us anything new to wear. When you live w/ all boys they do not care to dress up and I buy these clothes and they never wear them again so we all just pulled out something from the closet. I will say that I did go and try and get a pair of new shoes so I could wear my skirt and a shirt I had bought a couple of weeks before but no luck on the shoes, still haven't..

After church we went to Eric's mom and ate lunch with his parents and sister in law and her kids. Of course there is always tons of food left over. After lunch and kitchen was clean we went outside and hunted eggs. Now, the first time Eric hid for the kids and then the boys Tyler and Preston wanted to hide the eggs first time was great we found all of them BUT the second time well it took alot longer cause they couldn't remember where the last 2 were thank goodness Eric found them one he stepped on as he reaching down to get the other they were side by side under the leaves. The kids loved hiding and having the adults hunt. It was a great spending time with the family..

Oh, we did dye eggs Saturday night and the one thing we missed out was getting a picture of Ryan with his basket. He left for church at 6:45 or ealier and then he came home and got into while we were still at Gigi & Papa and when we got home he was walkig out for band practice. I guess that what happens when you have teenagers. I did miss it though...

Tag Your It

I saw this on Stacy's blog and decided to play along.



8 Things I am looking forward to:


1. Women's retreat in Charleston in May
2. Savannah in July
3. West VA mission trip in June (crossing my fingers)
4. Beach in October
5. Summer get together
6. spending time with friends
7. This weekend trip to Atlanta w/ the middle school youth kids
8. Ginger's b'day celebrations


8 things I did yesterday
1. Cleaned most of the front of the house
2. Went to church for a meeting.
3. WEnt to DJ Sunday night class
4. Took a nap
5. Watch TV
6. Posted pic on Facebook
7. Ate
8. Talked on the phone to Kim



8 things I wish I could do
1. Loose Weight
2. Go on a cruise
3. Take a month off of work and get my house in order
4. Decorate and Organize my House
5. Take the summer off and travel to places we have not been and camp there and site see
6. Pray out loud in front of my peers
7. Take up a hobby
8. Learn how to make my blog all pretty



8 shows that I watch
1. Survivor
2. Real Housewives of....
3. One Tree Hill
4. Harpers Island/Southland (I flip back and forth)
5. American Idol
5. The Bachelor/Bachelorette when they are on
6. Reba
7. Jon and Kate plus 8
8. Still Standing

Tag 8 friends
I am tagging anyone that wants to do this. So have fun!

Have a New Kid By Friday

I know a couple of weeks ago I said that I was reading this book called Excellent Wife and I would post about each chapter. Well, I got stuck on chapter 2 and got kinda lost in it. My friend Tammy said that I just to move on to chapter 3 cause it starts getting good.. Well, before I do that I picked up that book called How To Have New Kid By Friday, cause with 2 teenage boys and a 6 yrs old that is sweet most of the time but can develop an attitude I wanted to see if I could REALLY have a new kid by Friday...

I am only on Wednesday and I have really learn alot in this book. First his method is you tell your child 1 time to do something and if the don't do it you don't say anything else then when they come and want something a snack, go somewhere, you to buy them something whatever it may be you simply so NO, I ask you to pick up your socks and they are still there. Then you turn your back and walk away. Ok, the kid goes and pick up the sock and they want whatever it is you still say NO... Oh my my first mistake I would have said ok lets go. He basically says if you do this consistent enough (still learning that one too) then it will get to the point to where you say clean your room and they will do it after being told one time..

Another thing is the ABC which is Attitude, Behavior and Character. Guess what I learn here... IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH ME!!!!! My kids are not going to change unless I change my attitude, if I am fussing at them or telling them to do something over and over and they see the frustration they are NOT going to say, wow I really upset mom let me go and do this for her, instead they are going to do it unhappy and it will be another struggle next time. I am all the the time telling my kids that I want them to be somebody and I don't want them to have the hardships I had and I want people to respect them and say good things to them but that is just words cause they have tune me out already.I have to teach them now for who they will be when they are adults. If I do everything for them including that homework project (which I have to say I have never done, I am done w/ school it is there time now), if I let them rule the house and tell me what to do, if I am constantly yelling at them and not letting them make decisions then I am not doing them in favors. The book said you have to find a common ground between those 2 different parenting skills. Who we teach our kids to be today is who they will be when they are 30 years old... We are to let them learn from life reality. If they don't do that term paper then they let them face the teacher with it. I have t say Tuesday step ALL over my toes, cause I learn that I need to change my attitude for them to. I need to be more consistent with them, say it in a loving way instead of aaaahhhhh I am going crazy here way. I need to talk to them even about the smallest thing like their music (that is a hard one on Ryan cause I can't understand his) but basically if I talk about the small amount of things with them they will know I am there for the big things too.. I have been trying to put these things he said in our life and I see a little change but it won't happen overnight. Oh yeah, and with telling your kid something once is all cause if you say it over and over and over (yes, guilty) then you are implying that they are dumb and don't understand.

I can read any book out there but the main thing I know that I have to do everyday is to pray for my kids and release them to God cause they are really His. I pray for them to be surrounded w/ good Christine friends, to be respectful and obedient to not just us but to anybody in leadership of them and their classmates and friends, to want to share who Jesus is with other if not speaking but just the way they carry themselves that day, I pray that people will see Jesus in them and want to know Him better or at all. To give them the eyes, ears and heart of Jesus all through the day so they will see others around them and their needs, to speak kindly to everyone and for them to be protected and to protect the people that Ryan will be driving around today.Yes, I also pray for their future wife too and for their purity and staying strong in that commitment. If it means that God has to make them hit rock bottom before they feel any convictions that He will do it and give me the strength, guidance and comfort to continue to pray for them and love them along the way. I use to pray something like this every day and in the busy of life I just said a prayer to keep them safe and watch over them and I can tell it now, the difference have felt this week I believe is cause I have been on my knees praying specific things for each one of them cause there is a different prayer cause they are all different and have different things they need praying for.. Even though God knows our prayers before we ask or say them He still wants us to speak them. So, when there is a moment I want to pop their little heads off I just simply say Jesus, this is your child give me yours attitude and your words... I am not going to say we will be perfect cause you never know when God is breaking one down to bring him back up but I know through my faith and prayers we will be ok and they will become Godly husband, friend, men, fathers, sons, co-worker, coaches or wherever life may lead them. God put them in my hands for a reason and He will direct they way...

I will get back to Excellent Wife as soon as I am done with this book...

Phillip Briggs

This is an email I got this morning from Ginger Darwin and I wanted to share w/ all you...If you want to keep up with Phillip and Amy story her blog is http://ourdailyblessinglife-amyb.blogspot.com/. She is also a McKMama follower of The Not Me Monday and little precious Stellan....

Good morning ladies. The email below is regarding Tim’s cousin in Florida that has a son, Philip, who suffers from a brain cyst. He has had many operations and had a stroke when he was 6 months old. He is now 19 and is getting ready to have a very serious operation. His mother, Amy, has cancer and is undergoing chemo right now. This family really needs our prayers. Also, they are having an online benefit party to help with some of the expenses of this operation. If you like candles, you may be interested in purchasing some.

Love you,

Ginger



Subject: A benefit party for Philip's operation...





I wish there was a way to have a real sit down party and spend some together. But since everyone is spread across the USA..I hope you still will take a minute to look...

As always prayers are what Philip and our family needs most.



Party to help Philip...
Most of you know that Philip is having a major operating in a few weeks. I posted the details HERE. Please take a minute to read the details of his surgery so you will know just how important prayers are right now for Philip.
A few weeks ago I met Brandy online and found out what a wonderful lady she is. She sent me a product that she sells to try out and I am hooked. It is my favorite thing in my house right now. It could become my new addiction.
Our family has been offered a very special opportunity by Brandy. Please read her message below for the details.
If any of my followers are lead to post this or link this on their blog I would appreciate it. As always thank you for praying for Philip and our family.
_______________________________________________________
In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18" I have been so blessed to have come across Amy in my blog readings. We have never met personally however, given that we are all children of a mighty God, I feel some closeness to her and her family. I pray daily for each and every one of them and their daily struggles. Amy and I have gotten together and are very excited about doing this SCENTSY benefit party for Phillip. Some of you may ask "What is Scentsy?"Well here is your answer - Scentsy Wickless Candles are highly scented bars of wax that melt at a very low temperature over a 25 watt light bulb in exclusive electric warmers. Because they use no open flame like a standard scented candle, they pose no danger to children, pets, or property when used properly. Scentsy candles are leadless, wickless, flameless, and smokeless, and are available in over 80 exclusive scents. Please see my website(www.scentsy.com/bpainter) for more details and to place an order. You can also find my email and cell phone number in case you have ANY questions at all. If you are interested in hosting a party yourself or becoming a consultant, I would love to talk to you!To place an order that will benefit the Briggs Family, visit my website (www.scentsy.com/bpainter) and click MY EVENT. You will then see Philip Briggs Benefit. Click on Philip's Name and your order will go toward this benefit. Once you have placed your order, you can pay with a credit card and have it shipped directly to you. Amy and I discussed setting this party up to end so the products should be delivered in time for Mother's day. I will be donating back all of my commissions on each and every sale for the run of this party.Please feel free to contact me for any questions/concerns!!! Thanks so much to you all and May God Bless You!!!Brandy Painter_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am so excited to invite all of you to Philip's online Medical Fundraising Party. I wish we could all get together and hang out for a "real" party. Maybe one day.
I hope you will take a minute to go over and look at Brandy's site. I promise you not be disappointed.

And most important..what we need most is prayers.

Sorry, I don't know how to do the links that well so you will have to copy and paste.

Keep praying for Philip and Stellan and their families...

Judging People

My cousin Andy share this on FB and blog today and I wanted to share for all of you. Click on his link and read his posting for today and watch the video, you will be truly bless and also make you stop before you judge somebody again.

http://andyfbcdenmark.blogspot.com/2009/04/we-are-in-no-shape-to-judge-people.html