Spring is a Time For War!

Let me make this one thing clear; I am desperate to hear and be led by the voice of my Beloved! One of the ways He guides me is through my dreams, and several recent dreams have indicated a change, a moving on and a path becoming increasingly difficult.

Last week I kept hearing, "Spring is a time for war." This concept, found in 2 Samuel 11:1, speaks of King David who remained in Jerusalem when he should have been battling the Ammonites and Rabbah with his army. Because he was not doing what was expected of a king, he was left vulnerable to temptation, and that temptation led to adultery and murder! (See 2 Samuel 11)

This morning prior to checking my e-mail, I asked the Lord to reveal the meaning of a dream from last night; through the prophetic e-mail below, the Lord is guiding and encouraging me!

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- April 7, 2009:

Beloved, you are in the flow of destiny, and I am bringing you along the time line of purpose. Even though you catch a glimpse of course changes that await, you must stay mentally and emotionally in the present. Be steadfast and faithful by maintaining spiritual focus. Timing is everything, and it would be a mistake to try to force any issue to obtain the goal. Wait patiently for My leading and trust that I indeed go before you to clear the path and make a way, says the Lord.

Isaiah 43:2-3 "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel."

The Passover celebration begins at sundown on Wednesday evening; Traditionally, part of the preparation for the Passover feast is to remove all leaven from your home. Leaven (yeast) symbolizes sin, and although I do not plan to partake of the traditional Seder meal, I do plan to ask the Holy Spirit to search my heart and uncover any hidden sin.

Lord, I will trust Your leading. Course changes will come, clinging to You, worshipping You while I patiently wait! You will go before me clearing the path of the obstacles. I will do what You ask and go to battle as is required. You will reveal any part within me that does not please You. Any leaven must go because Jesus, I Love You!!!! I trust You to reveal and show me the way!!!! To God be the glory forever and ever!!!! AMEN!!!!!

Fire's First High School Soccer Game

Fire dribbling the ball.
More dribbling by Fire.

Fire receiving a pass.


Fire passing the ball.

Fire passing the ball to D. who scores a goal.

We drove 1 1/2 hours yesterday for Fire's first high school soccer match! Fire was placed in the "striker" position. His team was not expected to win, but they played wonderfully and did win, 2-0. Being homeschooled all of his life, this is Fire's first experience with our local school district, and it has been extremely positive!!! Thanks, Jesus!!!

P.S. You can identify Fire in the pictures by looking for the maroon and white stripped jersey and the red hair. ;)

Behold the Lamb

Fire and I had the blessing of attending Sight and Sound's production, "Behold the Lamb," yesterday. We were blessed to purchase discounted tickets and attended with some fellow homeschooling friends.

Feeling the Presence of the Holy Spirit during the performance was intensified as I watched actors act out the ministry of Jesus. I rejoiced with the blind man who received his sight, wept as Jesus stood on behalf of the sinner woman and then forgave her, and exuberantly applauded as Mary the Magdalene was delivered from demonic possession.

Thank You, Jesus, for allowing Fire and I to experience this dramatic worship!

Happy Birthday, Crown of Beauty!!!

Stop by my friend's blog, Crown of Beauty, to give her birthday Love. You have been a blessing to me, Lidj!!!

Bonding With Consecrated

Hungarian Cookies "Benekies"

Consecrated and I bonded this past Wednesday afternoon by making "Benekies" together. I prepared the dough, rolled it out and cut it into squares, while Consecrated filled and shaped them.

I Love to bake cookies with my boys (I mean men). ;)

Happy Birthday, oH mY wORD!

Please stop by oH mY wORD's blog and give her birthday Love! I know she has a March birthday, but am not sure of the exact date.

Fountains of Living Water: God Loves Us Enough to Send a Whale

While worshipping Jesus yesterday, I felt He said, "There are many Jonahs out there running away from their destiny, and I Love them enough to send a whale."

The prophet Jonah was instructed by God to preach repentance to Nineveh. Jonah did not want to obey, and in response to God's command, he fled from the presence of the Lord.

Jonah 1:3 "But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from being in the presence of the Lord [as His prophet] and went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish [the most remote of the Phoenician trading places then known]. So he paid the appointed fare and went down into the ship to go with them to Tarshish from being in the presence of the Lord [as His servant and minister]."

God attempted to get Jonah's attention by sending a storm, which threatened the lives of not only Jonah, but also Jonah's companions. Jonah's response to the storm was slumber.

Jonah 1:4-6 "But the Lord sent out a great wind upon the sea, and there was a violent tempest on the sea so that the ship was about to be broken.

Then the mariners were afraid, and each man cried to his god; and they cast the goods that were in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. However, Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.

So the captain came and said to him, What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call upon your God! Perhaps your God will give a thought to us so that we shall not perish."

The others on the ship cast lots to determine why the storm had come upon them and determined that it was Jonah who was the cause. Fearing for their own lives; they cast Jonah into sea causing it to cease raging.

Jonah 1:11 & 12 "Then they said to him, What shall we do to you, that the sea may subside and be calm for us? For the sea became more and more [violently] tempestuous.

And [Jonah] said to them, Take me up and cast me into the sea; so shall the sea become calm for you, for I know that it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you."

God's intention was to get Jonah back on the path to His destiny. It was not to cause him the pain or discomfort of being thrown into the sea; It was not to cause the obvious fear of having a huge sea mammal swallow him.

While in the belly of the fish, Jonah's confident cry for deliverance was met by a God full of mercy and loving-kindness.

Jonah 2:1-10 "THEN JONAH prayed to the Lord his God from the fish's belly,

And said, I cried out of my distress to the Lord, and He heard me; out of the belly of Sheol cried I, and You heard my voice.

For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me; all Your waves and Your billows passed over me.

Then I said, I have been cast out of Your presence and Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.

The waters compassed me about, even to [the extinction of] life; the abyss surrounded me, the seaweed was wrapped about my head.

I went down to the bottoms and the very roots of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever. Yet You have brought up my life from the pit and corruption, O Lord my God.

When my soul fainted upon me [crushing me], I earnestly and seriously remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple.

Those who pay regard to false, useless, and worthless idols forsake their own [Source of] mercy and loving-kindness.

But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord!

And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land."

How many of us are fleeing from the Presence of the Lord? What causes us to want to hide from our only Source and Strength? Is there a storm raging? Do not automatically assume the evil one is responsible for it. God may have assigned it to wake us from our slumber. In addition, remember, if a whale of a circumstance swims into our life, God may have assigned it to get us back on the path of our destiny...all because He Loves us!

Holy Spirit, please search us. Is there any area in our life, which we attempt to hide from You? Empower us to turn our face fully towards You, hiding nothing and obeying in whatever You have instructed. Each destiny fulfilled in the name of Jesus. AMEN!!!

Great Job, Consecrated! Thank You, Jesus!!!

Consecrated has been chosen to have his "Crane Games" animation displayed at the Art Institute of York's DDX (Digital Design Exhibition). This honor usually is reserved for higher level students. Consecrated's animation professor told him that he has never chosen a third term student previously for this exhibition.

Thank You, Jesus!!! When we follow the path you have laid before us, Your favor is poured out.

Poetry Place: "Holding One in Worship"

A few weeks ago, during corporate worship, I had a picture of God's massive hands reaching down from heaven. I could see a tiny figure dancing in His palms...the figure was me. I could feel His pleasure as I worshipped Him in the dance. I felt safe and protected in that place.

Let me encourage all who read this; God Loves it when we worship Him with abandon...laying aside what man may think and concerning ourselves with His pleasure.

Whether dancing or speaking or living, may I bring you pleasure, my King!!! AMEN!!!

Holding One in Worship

by Beautiful Grace

2/28/09

Two Hands stretched from heavenly abode,

Reach down for one, the one You know.

Their awesome, powerful expanse,

Set before the one, in whose heart cries, "Romance."

One's heart with passion's flames

Set ablaze by One touch, One Name.

Suddenly, upon the outstretched Hands,

One moves, one dances, one stands.

In this place of protected play,

One laughs and leaps and twirls away.

In this place of power and might,

No fear, no shame, no darkness, just Light.

Forever in worship, continuing on,

One's heart in Love will dance upon.

"His splendor was like the sunrise;

rays flashed from his hand,

where his power was hidden."

Habakkuk 3:4

Please Pray Update: God's Love Poured Out!

Thank you, thank you, my blogging friends for your prayers! My mother-in-law is improving.

Monday was difficult, physically for me, because I needed to make three trips throughout the day to help her...drugstore run, doctor's appointment and supper delivery. Please continue to pray!

The awesome thing about all the running I did was I could worship Jesus in my van during the trips via my Chris Tomlin CD. Although physically stressed, my spirit soared high with Jesus!!!!

Strongman and Consecrated are still sick, but continue to push themselves to fulfill their responsibilities. Fire had a relapse on Monday night, with a return of fever, sore throat, an increase in coughing and as of the middle of the night, severe ear pain. I'm positive he has an ear infection. We have a doctor's appointment today.

The blessing coming from the mid-night episode was an awesome conversation Fire and I had about a dream the Lord gave him. I Love how Jesus warns and encourages us!!

We went to our home school co-op yesterday, and on my classroom table was a bouquet of flowers with a note, "We love you, Mrs. ___________," and I received several hugs as well...Thank You, Jesus for Your Love poured out through Your Body!!!!

I humbly ask that you continue to pray regarding these illnesses. Spiritually, I am strong! Physically, I'm extremely tired!!! I need physical refreshing in order to tend to my family!!!

We ALL Have Sinned!!!

This is a copy of a comment I left on Livin Life's Blog the other day. Please prayerfully consider my heart. We ALL have sinned and have fallen short of our awesome and glorious God. Let us speak life to the sinner and hope to the bound. Let us call for repentance with Love in our words and our actions.


James 4:7-12

"So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

[My] brethren, do not speak evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it].One only is the Lawgiver and Judge Who is able to save and to destroy [the One Who has the absolute power of life and death]. [But you] who are you that [you presume to] pass judgment on your neighbor?"

I believe if we truly react to our own sin with grief and penitence, we would be less likely to judge others, whether outside or inside the church.

NEVER wink at sin; God doesn't, no matter who it is, but how WE address that sin does matter. Obviously, someone who is not saved does not have full knowledge or what he/she is doing in regards to sin, and a Christian can even have blind spots in regards to his own sin. Why else would we need to be changed from glory to glory?

A heart of Love will Love by speaking the truth, BUT that truth would be tempered by our knowledge of the sins own hearts have been capable of committing. If we get a revelation of our own sin and its destructive nature, we will be less likely to act with a Pharisee spirit to any other person...Christian or non Christian, and more likely to prophetically call forth the treasure that lies buried beneath all the dirt of sin.

Please Pray

Dear Praying Bloggers...

As you know my mother has been hospitalized frequently over the last year, and many of you have been faithful to bring her before the Throne in prayer. She has been doing well; She currently is taking prophylactic antibiotics designed to stop infection from occurring. It has been effective!!! Mom's heart is beating normally!!! Praise Jesus!!!!

However, I now would ask for prayer for my mother-in-law. She was just discharged from the hospital yesterday for atrial flutter (top part of her heart quivering, not beating normally and bronchitis). I helped her sort through her medications last evening, but she seemed a little confused and her coloration was terrible. I have to pick up new medications for her this morning, so she can take her morning doses; later I need to take her for blood work. In the midst of this, I need to attempt schooling my son, Fire.

Please pray that this issue with my mother-in-law is resolved quickly, and in addition to all of this, my family has had this terrible respiratory illness. Fire has almost completely recovered with the exception of an occasional cough. Consecrated and Strongman are still sick. Also I would appreciate prayer for myself as I am feeling rather overwhelmed at this point.

Thank you for any prayer you offer on behalf of us!!!

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!!!!

With Much Love...

Glory in a New Manifestation!

Oh, how I Love you, my Bridegroom, my Jesus!!! I receive the wind of Your Spirit; I look to Your cloud to guide me. I receive Your Love, Your power, Your healing- to go to those You place before me to Love with Your Love!!! I am forever grateful to You, my Friend!!!

Your Bride,

Beautiful Grace



The following prophetic word was given by Eileen Fisher on January 27, 2009, during her weekly Prophetic School of the Holy Spirit meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The following was reported by the Elijah List.

The Lord says, "Get ready for a new wind, and in this wind will come My glory in a new manifestation. Get ready to hear the wheels that will begin to turn in the spirit realm. For as these wheels turn in the spirit realm, they will carry My people higher into the Spirit than they dreamt was ever available. For I am going to start to speak Spirit-to-spirit because My people have made so many choices from the soul's realm and they have looked to the left or to the right for confirmation. But as My people have chosen to look up, My Spirit will descend upon them and join the agreement that He has already sealed within their spirits.


"I Am Calling My People to Rise Up and Follow a Cloud"


"There will be an envelope that will be opened, and coming are new orders over My Church. In this new order that is coming over My Church, at first it will cause things to rise up and cause a stench even to the saints of Holiness. But in that stench there will come that transformation, of the smoke, which will cause My presence to come forth. In that smoke, when it is all cleared and everything has settled, you will realize that there has been a cloud of deposit of holiness that will remain.


"I am calling My people to rise up and follow a cloud. This cloud will touch down and descend upon them. In the midst of this cloud there will come miracle, after miracle, after miracle. For there will be a manifestation of the visitation of the heaviness of My presence," says the Lord your God. "For I do go, to and fro from the earth, looking for hearts that at all cost will follow Me, to make Me a manger that I can lie in once again," says the Lord.


"There will Come Back Smiles and there will Come Back Laughter"


"You will understand that as a child lies in the manger there were smiles, so shall the joy come back to the Church. There will come back smiles and there will come back laughter. For I have been grieved by the tears of My Bride. My Bride has been judged, My Bride has been defiled, My Bride has been abused," He says, "but now the Groom has entered the sanctuary and has taken the Bride aside and has reclothed her with dignity, respect and honor.


"Do not be concerned when you get more and more reports that judgment has come to the House of the Lord. But remember this My people: you are My temple, and remember that grace and judgment come hand in hand. I do not judge to condemn. I judge to bring knowledge for salvation.


"And, so I am about to do a new move," says the Lord, "for you will have people come to you once again who are hungry to get saved. You will have people coming again asking where is His power resting?" He says, "It will be resting upon you. I will come in a new wave and in a new visitation of My presence. For I have seen your hearts that are searching and I have seen the wounds that have been left gaping and bleeding by the words and the curses of man."


He says, "I am going to bind up the wounds, and in the process I am going to deposit within that wound: healing virtue of hope. I will deposit within that wound - supernatural healing."


Love and Blessings,
Eileen Fisher
Eileen@eileenfisher.org
Eileen Fisher Ministries

Heart Thought

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

******

Watch your words; they become actions.

******

Watch your actions; they become habits.

******

Watch your habits; they become character.

******

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

******

Author Unknown

Consecrated's Animations

Check out "Crane Games" and "Magic Marker Duel." Great job, Consecrated!!!

Which Mighty Woman Are You?

I am most like MARY MAGDALENE

She was forgiven much & loved much, and you certainly love much! You are a passionate person, who loves God & life. You have a tendency to count your blessings and be very grateful, even in small things. You are an overcomer, and will not allow any life circumstances to hold you down.

Mighty Women of the Bible Quiz

Valentine Dinner

Valentine's Day began with a gift to Strongman, a replacement for our coffee pot that sprang a leak back in November. Later on Saturday I served my Valentine a feast fit for a king.

Homemade Buttery Rolls

Cream Cheese and Crab in Phyllo Dough Cup Appetizers

(My Recipe)


Spring Mix Sprinkled with Red Onions, Currants, Parmesan Cheese, Sugar-Glazed Walnuts With Honey Sweetened Balsamic Vinegar and Oil Dressing

(My Recipe)

Crab-Stuffed Orange Roughy, Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Sirloin Steak and Yucca Con Mojo

Sounds and looks like a perfect meal? Well, I had three exciting episodes in preparing it! I planned to serve one of Strongman's favorite desserts, chocolate pudding pie topped with coconut and chopped almonds. On my first attempt, I forgot about the pie shell in the oven and burned it. My second attempt ended as the light toasting of the almond and coconut topping was incinerated by over-broiling. The finale climaxed with four foot flames shooting up from my grill!! Amazingly enough, the steak survived the licking.

In spite of the three incidents, our meal was successful! We topped off the meal with chocolate pudding scraped out of the burned pie in to cups topped with non-toasted coconut and almonds.

Burned Coconut and Almond Topped Chocolate Pudding Pie

Through Many Storms...By Your Side

My Dear Strongman,

This Valentine's Day, I rededicate myself to you! We've walked through many storms since that September day in 1984 when we said, "I do," but together we braved the wind and rain. I will continue to be by your side until death parts and new life in heaven begins!!! Thank you for standing by me when it would have been easier to walk away. I trust you more than ANY OTHER human being! Thank you for being my Valentine!

I LOVE YOU!

Called to Be a Lover AND a Fighter!

We have all heard the phrase, "I'm a lover, not a fighter." This statement seems like a valid one, especially for Christians, but I believe the Lord has called us to be both...Lovers and Fighters!

Being a Lover as Jesus commands in Matthew 5:43 & 44 requires us to love EVERYONE whether friend or foe. "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." It is rather easy to love those who love us, love those who are like us, love those who fit into our (not God's) preconceived ideas of righteousness. However, what of those who treat us unkindly, those who backbite and gossip and persecute us? Jesus makes no distinction between Loving neighbor or enemy, and even goes so far to say that Loving our enemies indicates our spiritual maturity level in Matthew 5:46-48.

In the post, True Love, More Than a Feeling, it was written that Love, true Love, is based on much more than the feelings that happen to be running through our soul at the moment. According to the standard God has set, Love is actions and attitudes and thought processes; "feelings" are not necessarily required to Love someone, although, I honestly believe feelings will line up with God's Spirit as we are obedient to walk out Love. Just how do we walk out Loving our enemies, when the feelings in our soul scream to hide, shun or retaliate?

Our Fighter calling is birthed by actually Loving our enemies, viewing them with the Father's eyes, and as Romans 12:14 instructs us,"Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them." God is clear, we are to bless our enemies, not curse them, which reveals another question, just how do we "bless" our enemies, "see" them with His eyes?

"For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere," Ephesians 6:12. There you have it; it is NOT about the person (enemy), it IS about the spirit behind the person! Blessing our enemies, seeing our enemies with God's eyes requires us to see deeper than the surface of the physical and to peer into the spiritual realm...not basic Christianity 101.

The proposition set before us is clear, we bless our enemies by speaking words of life, Proverbs 18:21, knowing that our words have the power to break down the spiritual strongholds controlling our enemies!!! Our tongues have the power to set our enemies free from the bondages, which cause them to treat us, unkindly, backbite and gossip and persecute us. In this way, our Christianity matures, day-by-day, being transformed into the image of Jesus!

Holy Spirit, empower us to reach spiritual maturity...not only Loving those who Love us, but Loving and fighting for our enemies. We are called to represent You, Jesus, and You preached the gospel, healed those afflicted by sickness- emotional and physical, and set the captives free! We receive Your power to be Lovers and Fighters!!! All for the glory of Jesus!!! AMEN!!!!

1968: Love Beads and the Beatles

My sister-in-law, Brown-Eyed Beauty, found this picture from 1968 (Thanks, Brown-Eyed Beauty, you're awesome!). I am the little girl between the young woman (my sister-in-law, Brown-Eyed Beauty) and the young man (my brother, Big Bro).

Some interesting 1968 statistics from The People History are shown below.



Cost of Living 1968

Cost of new house $14,950.00
Average Income per year $7,850.00
Average Monthly Rent $130.00
Gas per Gallon 34 cents
Average Cost of a new car $2,822.00
Movie Ticket$1.50
The Federal Hourly Minimum Wage is $1.60 an hour


Technology

Boeing 747 made its maiden flight.
NASA launches Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission
Apollo 8 orbits the Moon, becoming the first manned space mission to achieve the feat.
Dr. Christian Barnard performs the first successful heart transplant.
US Explodes experimental hydrogen Bomb.
The Emergency 911 Telephone service is started in the USA which provides a single number for reporting emergencies and is manned 24 hrs per day 365 days per year
ATM First Philadelphia Bank installs the first automated teller machine in the U.S.

Popular Culture 1968
The first Big Mac goes on sale in McDonalds costing 49 cents
The Beatles create Apple Records and record "Hey Jude" as the first single on the label The CBS television newsmagazine program
"60 Minutes" shown for the first time

Popular Films

The Graduate
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Bonnie and Clyde
Valley of the Dolls
The Odd Couple
Planet of the Apes
Rosemary's Baby


Popular Musicians

The Rolling Stones
The Supremes
The Beatles with " Hey Jude "
Fleetwood Mac
Aretha Franklin
Gary Puckett and The Union Gap
The Grateful Dead
The Monkees
Simon and Garfunkel " Mrs Robinson "
The Beach Boys
The Bee Gees
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Cream
The Doors " Hello I Love You "
Pink Floyd
Moody Blues
Bobby Goldsboro " Honey "
Marvin Gaye " I heard it through the Grapevine "
David Bowie


I was four years old in 1968, and in the picture above was watching a local centennial parade. How old were you, and what were you doing in 1968?

Homemade Ice Cream...Yummy!

Ice Cream in Progress

Vanilla

Strawberry

Strongman, enjoying the company.

My dad in the midst of his four bowls of ice cream,

alternating vanilla and strawberry.

My dear, sweet mother!

The Ice Cream Crew

My mother-in-law is on the left.

One of my most favored childhood memories is my dad making homemade ice cream when snow was on the ground. Snow was an important ingredient in the process, because the snow plus the rock salt caused the creamed sugar to "harden." My siblings and I would watch and wait in eager expectation for the electric motor on the ice cream maker to stall, signalling the completion of the cold confection. My dad asked me to prepare two types of ice cream, vanilla and strawberry, and I did yesterday afternoon.

Happy Birthday, Livin' Life!!

Visit Livin' Life's Blogsite to give her birthday Love!

May I Present to You...

Not many of you know this, but Strongman interviewed for a new job last Friday. His informal interview went extremely well last Friday, so well that he was called back for a second interview this past Monday to speak with the owner of the company.

Picture of a Rheem Heat Pump Unit

Strongman has worked hard building his own HVAC Company these last twenty years, and in those years he has built a reputation for integrity, as well as, a professional job well done. He did all the work...designing new systems, estimating job costs, building his own duct work, and installing first-rate HVAC systems. He has worked hard to provide for our family! Now comes the pay off. Strongman's experience and reputation has opened the door to another job.

May I present to you, Strongman, HVAC Systems Designer and Technical Support Specialist. He accepted the job today and will be starting first thing on Monday morning. He will be the Design Specialist to call for five of the company's branches. Yeah, Jesus!!!

The awesome thing about all of this is we know it is God's will. With the economy the way it has been, the phone hasn't been ringing. We were praying that the Lord would show us the way to go. It turns out that Strongman had a dream two days before he was told about the job opportunity.

In this dream, Strongman was driving a white jeep, and the boys and I were with him. He told me about the dream, and I felt that the jeep represented his ministry. Now this is how cool Jesus is...a long-time friend of ours was the one who informed Strongman of the opportunity two days after the dream. The jeep he drives was provided for him by his employer, the same employer with which Strongman interviewed. The very same type of jeep Strongman was driving in his dream!! Yes, the jeep represents ministry alright; Strongman's ministry of providing for our family and the Great Provider is the One behind it all!!!

All glory to Jesus, Who always provides!!!

The United States of America Prayer and Petition

Dear Friends, I encourage you to read outloud this prayer from the Global Prayer Alert Network. Be blessed!!!!


A prayer of petition is a formal request with which we enter the courts of the Lord. It is written in formal terms that deal with the legal side of an issue, and requires that some judicial action be taken in response. The Lord has given us the legal basis to petition Him: His original plan for our nation includes righteousness in government. This is evident in the spirit in which the first government of this land was established in the Mayflower Compact.

Declaration of God's Faithfulness
Lord, Your Word says that "blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Ps. 33:12). And by rights of creation, this nation belongs to You for surely You have created this United States of America.. This nation did not come from men. It came from You. You put the seed of this nation in men's hearts even before they knew.

Lord, You brought this government time and again through trouble; You brought this great people and this great land through oppression, through depression, through the darkness and deceptions of humanism and of atheism. You have brought this land and this people through strife, through divisions, through horrors of wars abroad and at home.

You brought us through, even when it looked like so many had turned their backs on You and on Your Word that lives in the words of our constitution.

You're so gracious. You are God over those who don't know You and even those who don't want You. We remind You of that, and that men and women laid down their lives. They laid down their all. We look to You again on the basis of the blood of Jesus who died that Your plan would not be thwarted, that Your purpose would not come to an end.

But we also come to You on the basis of the blood of our forefathers who died as well. We ask Lord that this nation would be raised up to the glory of God. We ask not only for our own selves, but for the world to know that we are still a beacon of light for the Gospel, and that Your Words are still true. They are true in this covenant of faith that You have given us, and they are true within our constitution because it was born from Your heart.

Prayer of Petition to God
Raise this nation again, oh Lord. Bring up her government again to its original intent as a body politic to perpetuate the Christian faith. We declare we are one nation under God and we are indivisible; we are indivisible from You. We are indivisible from Your purpose. We are indivisible from Your plan. We are indivisible from all that You have said for this nation and for this body of people to do in the kingdom of God and for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus.

Your desire is that all men might know the love of God. Therefore, Lord, we bring our plea before You. We set our case before You. We offer it in the name of Jesus, guaranteed by the blood of Jesus, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and laid out before You by Your own people. You are righteous and You will not let Your Word fall to the ground, and You are faithful to those who have sowed their lives for You. We fully expect the course of this nation to be aligned with Your plan, with Your ideas, with Your thoughts, with Your ways, and that You would sweep this nation up in Your arms, and again draw her to You. Draw her to You. Oh Lord. Draw her to You. Draw Your people to You in a great sweeping across this nation--a great sweeping, oh Lord. We ask it of You. We require it of You.

We ask for righteousness to prevail. We ask that the seed of righteousness, from which this nation was born, will not die, but that it will continue to bear fruit for all men, in the name of Jesus.

Lord, we ask You for an increase in the anointing upon President Obama. We request that it would grow and increase and increase and increase. We know by that anointing there will be great favor, great wisdom, great skill, great knowledge and great ability. By that anointing, even as You separated King David from among all his brethren, we ask that You would separate President Obama and call him out from among the rest. We ask that the anointing would be evident - the anointing to slay the giant, to bring prosperity and to establish the throne of God among Your people. We ask that it would be evident and increased and would grow exponentially. It is on behalf of the people that we pray for the leaders of this nation…that Your presence and Your hand would be evidenced…that by the Spirit of God the people's hunger in their hearts for You would grow…that their eyes would see and their ears would hear…that their hearts would understand and that they would desire You. For it is by design, oh Lord, that this nation came to be. In the name of Jesus we believe we receive what we have asked of You. We believe that we have the will of God in our nation and the answers to our prayers, in Jesus' name. Amen. So be it.

Consecrated Starts Third Term

Consecrated finished the first week of his third term yesterday! He is doing well and has maintained honor list standing. He received a congratulatory letter from the dean of the Art Institute of York yesterday; he also was awarded with a certificate for perfect attendance in the second term.

We're proud of you!!!!

Prayer & Action Alert: the Alarming Truth about FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act)

Christian Breaking News

Aimee Herd (January 7, 2009)

"As a general matter, if FOCA were enacted, it would wipe out a very large number of existing state laws on abortion, substantially impede the ability of states to regulate abortion, and override nearly 40 years of jurisprudential experience on the subject of abortion."

There is new legislation approaching the US Congress which could, if passed and signed by the new president, make null and void the hard-fought regulation and legislation designed to curtail abortion, which has been enacted in various states throughout the country. The bill is known as the Freedom of Choice Act or FOCA.

Life-minded American citizens need to be aware of this measure—that is so dangerous to both women and pre-born babies—so they can make their voices heard by their representatives and senators. Believers everywhere are encouraged to pray that this treacherous legislation will not pass.
Below is information on FOCA from the Family Research Council.

What FOCA Would Do:
All sides in the abortion fight agree, if FOCA were to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by a pro-abortion President, it would, among other effects, provide for taxpayer-funded abortion on demand even late in pregnancy, grant abortionists immunity from legal action, allow abortionists the discretion to perform abortions on minors without notifying a parent, and deny health care workers the right to refuse to make abortion referrals as a matter of conscience.

"The legislation (FOCA) would invalidate existing and future laws that interfere with or discriminate against the exercise of the rights protected. It also would provide an individual aggrieved by a violation of the act a private right of civil action in order to obtain appropriate relief" - Planned Parenthood website.

"As a general matter, if FOCA were enacted, it would wipe out a very large number of existing state laws on abortion, substantially impede the ability of states to regulate abortion, and override nearly 40 years of jurisprudential experience on the subject of abortion." - USCCB Memorandum on FOCA
FOCA would automatically overturn state abortion reporting requirements in all 50 states, 44 states' laws concerning parental involvement, 40 states' laws on restricting later-term abortions, 46 states' conscience protection laws for individual health care providers, 27 states' conscience protection laws for institutions, 38 states' bans on partial-birth abortions, 33 states' laws on requiring counseling before an abortion, and 16 states' laws concerning ultrasounds before an abortion.FOCA seeks to eliminate any civil pro-life opposition in the public square:

"The bill would give women the right to file civil suits against any person or government agency that sought to limit their ability to get an abortion." - MSNBC Briefing Book: Issues '08.

Presumably this would not only include federal and state legislators who merely introduce legislation seeking restrictions on abortion but also against peaceful pro-lifers who pray and offer alternatives in front of abortion facilities.

FOCA-type legislation increases rates of abortion: According to NARAL's web site, seven states (California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Nevada and Washington) have legislation on the books similar to FOCA.
In Maryland, FOCA-type legislation has been on the books since 1991. According to Planned Parenthood's Alan Guttmacher Institute, the abortion rate in the United States DECREASED nine percent since 2000 to 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age in 2005. By contrast, the state of Maryland in 2005 produced a rate of 31.5 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age, an INCREASE of eight percent since 1991.
Other states with similar FOCA laws on the books show abortion rates larger than the national average of 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age:

California has a rate of 27.1 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age. Abortions in California represent 17.3 of all abortions in the United States.
Connecticut has a rate of 23.6 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age. The rate has increased 12% since 2000, when it was 21.1 abortions per 1,000 women.

Hawaii has a rate of 21.8 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age.

Nevada's rate is 27.0 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age.

New Year's Eve

Menu

Fruit Tray with Pineapples, Carmel Apples with Peanuts, and White Grapes

Vegetable Tray: black olives, baby carrots, broccoli, red peppers & grape tomatoes

Almond Coated Cheese Ball with Crackers

Hot Chili and Cheese Dip with White Corn Chips

Ham Salad

Cajun Crab Dip with Crackers

Croissant Wrapped Cocktail Wieners

Colby and Monetary Jack Cheese Cubes with Garlic Seasoned Ring Bologna Slices Served with Dijon Mustard

Carmel Coated Rice Chex with Peanuts

Hot Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

The Guests

Our New's Eve was going to be celebrated with the four of us, but I think the neighborhood boys smelled the food. Some how I ended up with myself and six guys for part of the evening. We all ate and then played a game of Imagine If... After that, they retreated to another house in the neighborhood for more food and fun!

I watched my favorite New Year's eve movie, It's a Wonderful Life." The four of us watched New York's ball descend over the internet this year, and toasted at midnight with sparkling apple cider. Of course, I had to get some smooching in with my boys.

We had a relaxing time! I am blessed!!!

True Love, More Than a Feeling

What do you think about love? 

For me, Love has been a prevailing thought through this last decade. While continuing to ponder Love yesterday, I heard the phrase “More than a feeling” from the old Boston song. 

Love, the way most people define it, is an emotion of warm feelings one person has towards another person or thing. I agree, that is one definition of love. However, I propose to you Love, holy Love, really has little to do with warm feelings and more to do with actions, attitudes and thought processes. True Love, Holy Love is more than feeling; it is a way of living!

I believe Love will play a huge part in the Lord’s plans for 2009! However, what actions, attitudes and thought processes constitute Love? 1 Corinthians 13 defines Love according to God’s standard, and grasping Love’s true identity, deepens its concrete reality. Feelings are abstract, but Love has substance.

The substance of Love’s action manifests itself in patience, kindness, and good manners towards others. These actions as described in 1 Corinthians makes Love tangible and draws it out of the realm of feelings into a reality which touches others.

The substance of Love’s attitudes is evidenced by our attitudes towards others. Do we hold others up, preferring them to ourselves and rejoice in their triumphs, or do we envy their successes and gifts, feeling we should have the blessings and gifts God has given to them? Do we see the gifts in others and speak encouragement and life to those gifts, or do we constantly speak of our accomplishments and ourselves with an attitude of pride, believing in our hearts that we are somehow better than others? Are we selfless or selfish when faced with a situation which requires us to fight for others who are oppressed or hang on to what we feel rightfully belongs to us?

Love’s substance pays no mind to the response of others towards us, and certainly keeps no record of the wrongs acted out against us. The thoughts we consider indicate what kind of Love/love we have in our hearts. Do we rejoice when the Truth becomes evident and mourn when evil prevails, and do we know that Love's assignment protects, trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres?

Those of us blessed with the gift of compassion and mercy often interpret situations using our emotions as a kind of barometer; there is nothing wrong with feeling emotion as long as God’s Holy Spirit moderates them. Emotions are a good gift given to us by our Abba Father! God has emotions, deep emotions, and we, His sons and daughters, have been created in His image, therefore, we have deep emotions as well. However, be aware, that the god of this age knows us, and he is able to manipulate emotions. Be certain the Holy Spirit is guiding you and not the evil one when it comes to discerning situations and others by feelings. This kind of discernment is inferior to godly discernment and can lead to having a judgmental heart, which definitely is contrary to Love.

TRUE LOVE NEVER FAILS! Love makes no errors and lives through eternity. Love has always been and will always be, as it is perfectly expressed in the great I Am, Whose life on earth lived out Love! Holy Spirit empower us in 2009, and beyond, to live out True Love, Holy Love representing You as we move through the places and contact the people You place before us. AMEN!!!

Jesus...The Reason

Merry Christmas!

Light of the world You stepped down into darkness.

Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You

Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship,

Here I am to bow down,

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy,

Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days oh, so highly exalted

Glorious in heaven above

Humbly You came To the earth You created

All for love's sake became poor

Here I am to worship,

Here I am to bow down,

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy,

Altogether wonderful to me

I'll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross

I'll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross

I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

I'll never know how much it cost

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy

Altogether wonderful to me

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy

Altogether wonderful to me

I'll never know how much it cost

to see my sins upon that cross

Fountains of Living Water: Let Them Eat Cake!

I had a dream last night about a woman who was sitting at a kitchen table with a piece of white cake with coconut frosting in front of her, as well as a walkie-talkie on the table before her. (This woman is someone that I know in the natural realm who has the bad habit of grumbling and complaining.) All this woman could do was grumble about the last time she ate at a particular restaurant. She complained that they purposely withheld the cake from her. She was so distracted by the the apparent injustice, that she didn't see the cake right in front of her.

As she continued to complain, her grandson, who was filled with joy, played with his friends across the street. He had a walkie-talkie which he occasionally used to call the woman's name in an attempt to change her focus. In an attempt to clear up the reception, I took the plug and raised it up in the air and attached it to the metal light frame. The voice of the child was now very clear and he was calling the woman's name, but she did not hear him. Not only did she have the cake before her now, but she also has a child who loves her dearly. The woman was preoccupied to the point where she could see none of these blessings.

This world is full of hurts and injustices, and all of us have been hurt at one time or another. The deepest hurts and injustices have come by the hand of those we have trusted, and we have been wounded to the very depths of our souls, BUT I believe the Lord is saying..."It is time to let go of the past injustices and forgive those who have hurt you. For by rehearsing the past, you are blinded to the blessings right in front of you."

It really doesn't matter who was wrong and who was right; That's for Jesus to decide. What matters now is that forgiveness flows from our hearts...a daily, moment by moment, choice to forgive. Jesus, empower us to forgive from our hearts!!! Amen!!!!

Colossians 3:13 (Amplified Bible)
"Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."

The Reason For the Season?

One of my awesome students sent this to me via e-mail. I'm sorry to say that this lie has infiltrated our nation. I encourage all of you to respond to "Happy Holidays" with a bright and cheery, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Christ is 'The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!

(Philippians:4:13)

As Two More States Institute Assisted Suicide, Many Doctors Take Pledge to Only Promote Life

by Aimee Herd : Dec 18, 2008 : CL Staff – Citizen

…doctors who have a pro-life stance, need support.

According to a report by Citizen Link, more doctors are pledging against the physician assisted suicide laws recently passed in both Montana and Washington.

Spokesman for the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Alex Schadenberg, noted that doctors who have a pro-life stance, need support. (Photo: take-the-pledge.com)

"Some of the physicians in Oregon opposed assisted suicide," Schadenberg said, adding that some then changed their stance to a neutral one after it was legalized.

The pledge reportedly underscores some of the wording in the Hippocratic Oath, by stating:

• I will treat the sick according to my best ability and judgment, always striving to do no harm. Whenever I care for a terminally-ill patient, I will provide optimal comfort care until natural death.

• I will also support my patients' wishes not to prolong the dying process with futile treatment. I will never give a deadly drug to anyone even if asked, nor will I suggest suicide.

• I will always affirm and guard these ethical principles with integrity, recognizing that every human life is inherently valuable.

In addition to doctors, there are similar pledges for medical caregivers and just concerned citizens as well. To access the Pledge website, CLICK HERE.

Dear Blog Readers,

I encourage you to pray!!! Life is precious, whether that life is a child in his mother's womb, or a person diagnosed with a terminal illness. Pray for the doctors who choose life. Pray for nurses who are accused of lacking in mercy because they choose NOT to give a lethal overdose of pain medication. Pray that blind eyes would be opened to the spirit of death, which is behind this legislation.

Father, I bring this issue before Your throne. One Word from You chases away the darkness. Allow Life physically and emotionally displace areas overrun with death. Allow Life eternal fill up this nation who is under God!! All for the glory of Jesus!!! AMEN!!!!

With Love,

Beautiful Grace

My Snowflake

I made this snowflake tonight. Thanks, Joyful Stamper!

Spirit of Prophecy Bulletin

The Trumpet by Bill Burns --
December 15, 2008:

Hear what the Spirit says. As you gain knowledge and understanding of the fourth watch, you will realize that you are on a fast track to the end of the age. It is important that you rise up and enter into that which I have provided for you. Come, I say. Come through the door into the heavenly realm. You will now establish your position in the Kingdom of Almighty God, and there your reward lies. Come with faith. Come with joy. Come with expectation. Come and be what I have called you to be. Allow the eyes of your spirit to be opened so that you see My purpose for you. Destiny will unfold in measures that you can barely understand. You must receive that which I am doing if you are to grasp the reality of this present work within My kingdom. Some of you, My people, need to make a course correction from the position that you have set yourselves in, for you have misunderstood. You thought you heard Me clearly when, in fact, you heard your own will and emotions speaking to you. Now is the time to get back on track within the confines of My purposes. Listen, and I will speak to you and bring revelation and understanding of these corrections. Set yourselves before Me and open your ears. Do not allow your emotions to rule, says the Lord.

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns --
December 15, 2008:

I had a really quick vision of someone pulling taffy, it started with one lump and then was pulled into two lumps. The lumps were still connected but getting really thin in the middle. And, the Lord was showing me that this is how the things of the past will be separated from the future. We cannot take stuff from the past into the days ahead. Past issues will become a dim memory. We will no longer experience the pain of these events, but neither will we forget. They will simply become history. We are now in transition as we are being separated from the bitterness of our personal history that has held us in bondage, so that we can be healed and move forward.

Mom Update

Dear Praying Friends,

I brought mom home from the hospital yesterday!! Thank You, Jesus!!! She is much better, but it is obvious her leg is not completely healed from infection. She remains on two antibiotics until the 18th. Please pray that this infirmity cycle is completely broken in my Mother. With each infection and hospitalization she become weaker and weaker, which leaves her susceptible to another infection. Also, please pray that she would be able to get off of all the medications...there are side effects that I believe may be causing her to be weaker.

Thank you for caring!

I found this list over at TCC. I've accomplished 40 of these things in 44 years. Does anyone want to take me to Africa, the Middle East or Europe? ;)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed/hiked a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (not medically confirmed)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (as a young girl, I was all by myself)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Witnessed a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - going in March!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching - twice!
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar - just last weekend at a wedding reception.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades - camped there for a week without hot water!
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a Bone - (I accidentally bit a fork while eating pumpkin pie and broke my jaw)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life- (Performed abdomenal thrusts on a woman choking)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous- (If meeting members of the Christian rock bands, Thousand Foot Crutch and Red count)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby - (twice)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

My Boys: Consecrated and Fire

This soccer ball was designed and created by Consecrated for his brother, Fire. Isn't it awesome?

This simple animation was created by Consecrated for one of his classes at The Art Institute of York. He has almost finished his second term with 4 more terms until graduation.

I'm proud of Consecrated's talent and diligence!!

The following videos are my boys and their friend, DL. Consecrated is on the left, the tall blond, and Fire, the red head, is playing the djembe. I'm blessed by their musical abilities.

Update on Mom

Hello Prayer Warriors,

I just spoke with Mom's internal medicine doctor. She definitely has septicemia, which in layman's terms, means the cellulitis in her leg has spread to her blood and has traveled throughout her body. They don't have the final report as to the assaulting organism, but are currently treating her with broad spectrum antibiotics (antibiotics which kill numerous types of disease-causing organisms). She has been diagnosed with thrombocytopenia (a fancy way of saying her platelets-the cells which aid in blood clot formation-are low).

The huge praise is that her heart remains in a good rhythm!!!! Yeah, Jesus!! Another huge praise is that her kidney (remember she only has one) function is normal!!!!! Yeah, Jesus!!

Please continue you prayer for complete healing of this infection...this time it was potentially life-threatening!!!

I appreciate ALL of you!!!

Love,
Beautiful Grace

Plant and Animal Cell Drawings by Fire

Fire's assignment was to draw a plant cell and an animal cell. I'm pleased with his work (so is his biology teacher)!

Mom in the Hospital

Hi, Dear Praying Friends,

I received a call from my Dad last night around 9 pm. Mom was not responding normally to him again. Strongman and I left church and headed for my parent's house. It turned out that Mom had a fever of 104 degrees. Her leg looks red again and she does have burning with urination. Obviously, she is infected again!! The huge praise in all of this is that previously with any type of infection, her heart would go into atrial fibrillation. This time her heart rate stayed normal. Thank you, Jesus!!! She was admitted to the hospital a little after midnight for IV antibiotic therapy. She was still pretty out of it when we left around 2:30 am.

Please pray that this hospitalization cycle is broken and that her heart and body remain healthy!!!

Thank you for caring!