Count Your Blessings

1. Sitting on the back porch hearing cows moo.

2. Waiting for lighting to appear so I can TRY to capture it on the camera.

3. Watching the puppies enjoy being outside without oppressive heat.

4. That our fence is almost complete on one side.

5. The cool breeze playing with my hair.

6. Yesterday was an awesome day with the hubby.

7. Loving life in this moment. ( that is not always an easy thing)

8. Watching both dogs try to catch flies
It is too funny.

9. Texting hubby to say I love you

The Kitchen is Complete!!!!

Our kitchen went from this......

to this.......

I am so happy to have a dishwasher again. A dishwasher other than my two hands!!!!

An Unexpected Surprise

We found out that our auto insurance rocks!!! It comes with free roadside that includes towing. Now the hubby and I figured that it would include 1 tow. When we found out that the place hubby had the car towed to did not work on our type of car, we were surprised but, not in a good way. When the tow truck dropped it off the place was closed for the weekend already, because of Easter. Hubby did not know how we were going to pay for a tow. He called on the insurance company and they said no problem, where is your car, and when can the tow truck pick it up.   That is total awesomeness!! Tow truck comes and takes the car to another place, a place that worked on our truck when we had it. They did great work on the truck and they were reasonable. The looked at the car and said the timing belt broke, which is what hubby figured cause we were warned it would break. We just had not gotten it fixed yet. They quoted us at least 2500 bucks to fix the car. Hubby said no way!!! We could pay another 500 and get a brand new motor with zero miles. So another tow was in store cause hubby and I were not about to pay that amount.  We asked the insurance again and again they said no problem. Hubby asked them how many tows will you pay for? No more than 15 a month was there answer. Wow that is a lot of tows, but good to know. So we took it to the people that fixed our ball barrings, why hubby did not take it to them in the first place, is not a question I asked, but just said OK. They have had it for 3 days now, and tomorrow it will be ready. And praise God that not one arm was bent when the belt broke. Because of that we are getting a tune up, an oil change, our motor mounts fixed, our ac recharged, a new water pump, and of course a new timing belt for just below 1100 dollars. Still a lot of money, but not what it could have been.


And if I sound like I know what I am talking about, I will let you in on a secret.  I have not a clue what any of that means, but just nodded my head when hubby was explaining what was going on.Smile and nod is my theory when it comes to anything to do with the car.

Hubby's Health Update

We go for a CT scan tomorrow. Hubby's blood work is great. Everything there is normal. Yesterday he found a swollen spot right under his ribs on his left side. It is swollen and hard when you touch it. The docs threw out that it might be his galblatter. The scan should tell us what needs to be done. I feel so much better now that I know his blood work was all normal. If there was something serious like cancer or something up with his liver it would have shown up in his blood work. I really was freaking out before we went back to the doctor yesterday.


10. Hubby's job is being supportive
11. Having my mom around to talk me down cause I do not want to freak out the hubby with my worries
12. Getting a text after hubby goes to work thanking me for dinner
13. My new hair cut and color...I will post a pic later
14. The feeling of new sock...never worn before
15. The beautiful weather we are having...
16. Having a convertible to enjoyed said weather in
17. Being able to put Diesel out side when he gets whiny

Count Your Blessing 1 by 1

1. My God is bigger than my  problems
2. My husbands love 
3. Our marriage
4. My Mom's love and support
5. Having health insurance
6. To know that worrying will not help this situation, it only adds to my stress level
7. That God is already in the future and He knows and is preparing us now
8. That I can crochet so I can keep my hands and my mind busy
9. Knowing I can go to God anytime or place even if I have no clue what to say

Hubby is having some health issues... We do not know anything yet, but the docs are running test. The docs yesterday gave us a list of what could bes it was a pretty big list , but I only heard one word yep, the C word. But nothing is final, nothing is diagnosed, this was just a could be, but I don't like that it is in there.

Cardboard Testimonies

I love this. It is awesome. We serve an awesome God!!!

My 11th Anniversary Gift

I know I am a little strange. OK so maybe a little strange is an understatement. I have a feeling most women would be hurt or even angry if their hubby gave them what my hubby gave me, but I love it. It is my favorite color combination. Pink and Black. It has a zipper which is great cause I am so clumsy. I used to drop my old one at least twice a month. It has a strap which  I can just throw it on my shoulder with my purse. Wanna know what it is? It is a new coupon binder. It is one of the best gifts he has ever gotten me. He put such thought into this. I know it is a simple thing, but I really wanted a zip binder and one that was easy to turn the pages. Love you baby. Thank you so much again.

Daily Devotion-Be Proactive

O turn to me and have mercy and be gracious to me;

grant strength (might and inflexibility to temptation)

to Your servant and save the son of Your handmaiden.

Psalm 86:16

Jesus warned His disciples about all that He was to go through, because He knew it would be difficult for them too. He said," Pray that you will not be tempted" (see Matthew 6:13, 26:41). He did not say, " Wait to pray until you have been tempted, or until you have given into temptation, or until you are up to your neck in sin and perversion!" Jesus teaches us to be proactive, which Webster defines as acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes."

Many Israelites had already dies from snake bites before the rest of them finally said, "pray for us, Moses, for we have sinned" (see Numbers 21:4-9) They should have recognized their need for God's help much sooner than they did! Do not wait until you are in trouble to seek God. Ask Him to keep you from being tempted to sin today.

Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer

Daily Devotion-Wait With Purpose

My [inner] self [as well as my body] is also exceedingly

disturbed and troubled. But You, O Lord,

how long [until You return and speak peace to me]?
Return [to my relief], O Lord, deliver my life;

save me for the sake of Your steadfast love and mercy.

Psalm 6:3-4

Avoid getting negative when you look at your circumstances. Actively wait on God to give you strength to walk in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Wait with purpose, silently listening for Him to speak, eagerly watching for Him to act.

Tell Him, " Lord I receive strength to be Your ambassador and witness. Your word tells me to love people who mistreat me. Though it is hard to do in the natural, I receive strength from You to be loving today."

Then watch for the opportunity to act godly as He gives you strength to do so.

Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer

Daily Devotion-Confess God's Provision

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

Ephesians 6:10

When your faith feels weak, ask God to show you how to pray. The Bible says plainly in Jude 1:20-21 and 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 that when you pray in the Holy Spirit, you edify yourself, which means you build yourself up on your most holy faith. Praying in the Holy Spirit causes you to make progress, and His leading will guard and keep you full of expectancy and patience for God's mercy to bless you every day.

There is no excuse for anybody to drown in doubt and unbelief, when God has given us His Spirit to fill us with faith through prayer and time spent in His presence. Today, start confessing what you have in God. Declare that your needs are met because the Word says so (see Philippians 4:19).

Daily Devotion-Love God First

Come and see what God has done,

how awesome his works in man's behalf!

Psalm 66:5 NIV

We give attention to whatever we love the most. God wants to be put first in our life (see Exodus 20:3) Jesus said, "Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all of your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)

What might happen in your life if you become so intent on seeking God that you hired a babysitter to watch your children, or used a vacation day, in order to spend time with the Lord? You can not afford not to spend time with God. Give Him your full attention, and make a point to observe all He is doing for you.

Starting Your Day Right-Joyce Meyer

Daily Devotion- God Will Keep You

[As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry.

Psalm 40:17

God has a plan for each of us, and the good things that happen to us are not just a coincidence. All good and perfect gifts come from God (see James 1:17). It is exciting to have a relationship with God when we are aware that He is carefully leading and guiding us to His blessings.

If you do not understand something the first time God speaks to you, He will give you another chance and will continue to teach you until you know  clearly the way you should go. Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost ( see Luke 19:10). This means that He will find you if you go astray.

 

Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer

Daily Devotion- Invest in Someone

The wicked borrow and pay not again [for they may be unable], but the [uncompromisingly] righteous deal kindly and give [for they are able].

Psalm 37:21

Take a chances today and invest in someone else's life, especially if God tells you to do so. You may  give them something of value only to learn they waste it as they always have done in the past. but remember that God made an investment in you, an He wants you to be willing to make an investment in somebody else.

Jesus died to give everybody a chance. Not everyone takes advantage of His provision, but we all have an equal opportunity to enjoy the abundant life. If you help someone, and they end up not doing what is right with it, that is between them and God. Give thanks that you are able to give, and then do whatever God tells you to do.

 

 

Starting Your Day Right-Joyce Meyer

Daily Devotion-He Will Reward You

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean),

 that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of  reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 3:19

Success principles alone will not work  your life if you do not spend time with God, allowing His Holy Spirit to be your Counselor and to give you revelation and understanding of what to do each day. But if you flow in God's plan, you will learn to stop trying to figure out how everything  will work together for your good.

Learn to seek God's face and not His hand all the time. Then keep your hands open and be ready to receive from Him. God is good; you can trust what He speaks to your heart to do.

Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer

Daily Devotion- Be Renewed

[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame,

and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.

    And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and

 branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are,

    So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29

If you are weak in faith, in mind, in body, in discipline, in self-control, or in determination, simply wait on God. He will be strong through your weakness.

Isaiah 40:31 teaches that if you expect God, look for Him, and hope in Him, you will change and renew your strength and power; you will run, and not grow faint or become tired. The Bible does not say "hope so, it could be, or it may be"; it declares that you will be renewed.

 

Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer

My Husband Rocks~Sacrificial Love

Prompt/Theme for Friday, January 23, 2009

Tell us about a time that your spouse went out of his way to serve you, and love you sacrificially.

I'm also going to include a challenge this week. I don't know that I'm going to do it every week, and you do not have to participate, but this one is really more to keep me accountable.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, has two parts. First, look for ways that you can serve your husband. These can be big or small, sometimes the things that seem so insignificant to us can make a big difference in making our husbands feel loved and respected. And second, if your husband asks you to do something for him, even if it seems silly, or like he could easily do it for himself, do it cheerfully and without an attitude of annoyance.

We have been doing the Fireproof Bible Study. It is a six week study. The first week it takes you through the differences of  Ephesians 5:33  (However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband).  I really had no clue about how I had disrespected my husband. I had not meant to disrespected him but I did in my ways of treating him. This opened up a great dialogue between the two of us. We were each able to really open up to one another. We were talking about the way a man is supposed to be the head of the marriage. He really stepped up after this conversation and our prayer time together. He has really lovingly served me this way. He has taken over handling the bills, he lets me know much I can spend at the grocery store, and many other things that I do not have to handle anymore.

 

We talk a lot on the phone at night. It helps keep him awake and we miss each other. Last night he told me how proud of me he was. That really touched my heart to know that he saw that I really I am trying to be better.

A couple of weeks ago we had a little bit of extra money. He know how I was wanting a new mp3 player. Mine old one died before Christmas.  I love wearing it around the house as I clean since I am never really by myself to blast music. He and I went to Wally World first and they really did not have any that I liked so we went to Best B. I was so excited to get a new mp3 player. I tried to get him to get something, but he told me my smile was all he needed. My husband really does rock!!!  

 

If you would like to share how your husband rocks click on the icon above. You can learn all about why MHR started.

 

Daily Devotion- Lord, What's Next

Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.

    Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation;

 for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

Start your day by saying," I am excited about this day, God. I can hardly wait to see what You are going to do. I believe You are going to keep me, help me, bless me, and give me favor. I love You, Father. I am waiting on You, Lord, and I am listening to You."

Ask God to put into your spirit everything He wants you to know. Ask Him to show you things to come and what you are supposed to do ( see John 16:13). He will give you direction, and you will have much to praise Him for today.

 

Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer

Daily Devotion-Wait For the Lord

Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts,

and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may do wisely

and prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,

1 Kings 2:3

When you pray, wait for the Lord. This means to look for, to expect, and to hope in God. This is not a passive state of mind, but one of expectancy.

Tell Him,"God, I have my hope in You. I believe that You are working on my problems. I believe that You are making arrangements for my day. You are posting angels all through out my walk, everywhere along my path where You already know I am going to walk today. Thank you, Lord, that you are a pioneer who has already gone before me and made a way for me to have a blessed day."

 

 

Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer

Daily Devotion-Do Not Fall Apart

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

2 Corinthians 12:9

Come apart and spend some time with God before you come apart. No matter how strong and healthy you are, no matter what your age is, no matter what you think you know, without God, you are going to get weary and tired.

God does not get tired, and the Word says He gives power to the faint and weary, and increases strength to those who have no might. But those who wait for the Lord, who expect, look for, and hope in Him, will be renewed (see Isaiah 40:29-31). God is willing to increase your strength. Get alone with Him anytime you need to be strengthened.

Daily Devotion- Receive By Faith

Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You

[progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and

understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight. And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people.

And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.

Exodus 33:13-14

Everything we receive from God comes by faith. When you are waiting for Him to speak to your heart, just believe that He will speak to you, even if you do not hear anything right that minute.

Believe that because you have acknowledged Him, you can expect to see His hand moving in your life all day long. Then step forward, knowing  that He will keep you on the right path because you have asked Him to do so. Watching God's hand of favor move on our behalf is one of life's greatest delights.

Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer