Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice . . .

. . . That's what little girls are made of.

Abbie & Daddy at the beach 04/11/2009

Mother's Day 2009

Abbie had a great 4th birthday. Warren & Seamus came for a visit that weekend & we had a birthday party for Abbie & some of her friends.

05/22/2009 Abbie's 4th Birthday

Abbie has been pushing her limits since her birthday. I wonder why this always happens arounds birthdays . . .

05/24/2009 Ready for Church

Jim & Abbie caught a tadpole in April, while we were in MI. It grew to be a frog. Jim & Abbie let it go in some nearby water.

Abbie & the frog 06/13/2009

My spider (from last year) left babies on the rose bush. I have about 3-4 small spiders on the red rose bush, 2 spiders on the peach rose bush & 1 spider on the black-eyed susans.

The spiders are still pretty small, but soon they'll be big enough to eat all the bad bugs.

Abbie loves to catch bugs. She catches butterflies, grasshoppers, & dragon flies & puts them in the old "frog" container. Last week she caught a big bumble bee (NOT a honey bee.) The bee was mad. I told her that we DO NOT catch bees & promptly let it go free.

Father's Day 2009

Occasionally, Abbie will sort the silverware & put it away.

Abbie went to Vacation Bible School this year. The last day of VBS was Jim's 46th birthday. Barb & Jerry came over with a cheese cake for Jim. Abbie helped blow out the candle.

We have a hawk that visits our backyard. The smaller birds try to chase him away.

Abbie riding her bike 07/01/2009

Warren & Seamus came to visit during 4th of July weekend. Abbie & Seamus liked to play in the corn field behind our yard.

Doug's family (Doug, Terri, Lindy, Jamey, Zack & Curby) came to visit on the 4th of July. We had a cook-out & visited & ended the day with some fireworks. (Thanks to Terri for cleaning up the kitchen for me!) We had a great visit & a fun day.

Abbie playing in the sprinkler 07/10/2009

I'm always trying to catch Abbie playing in her room. She makes up songs & sings to her toys. Whenever she notices me, she stops. It's so hard to be sneaky & get good pictures.

Yeah, Abbie is made of sugar & spice & everything nice--I'm just made of SUGAR.

I was officially notified by the Naval Hospital last week, that I have gestational diabetes. I went in to see a diabetic counselor & was placed on a low carb-low calorie-low fat diet. Don't worry--I'm not starving (except for maybe the time between breakfast & lunch.) I am having trouble figuring out what I can eat & still fulfill all the nutritional requirements for each day. I'm good at eating fruits (but not allowed until lunch & NO juice at all!) I'm not too good at finding meats to eat. So much for PBJ's 3X a day. No more desserts for me. Instead, I spend my time testing my blood glucose levels 4x a day & counting carbs. At least it's only for a few more weeks--I hope.

Tomorrow, I'll be at 32 weeks. Thursday & Friday I have doctor appointments with the specialist & an OB doctor at the hospital. Hopefully, they will schedule the amniocenteses for 36 weeks, as the specialist has recommended. That will determine when to schedule the C-section. Yes, I have to have a C-section. I still have placenta previa, which won't allow a natural delivery.

I think that pretty much brings brings everyone up-to-date. Eat a piece of cake for me, & some cookies, & some candy & some . . . . .

Singing the Scriptures

I love finding songs when I'm reading the Bible. They're not just in Psalms, ya know.

I was reading in the book of Numbers (yes, you can read Numbers) last night, when I came across the scripture where Moses declared "Rise up, O LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you." (10:35) Moses said this every time the cloud of the LORD lifted from the tent of meeting & set out from the Israelite camp. The LORD directed the Israelites in the wilderness by a cloud at day & a pillar of fire at night. Once the tent of meeting (tabernacle) was complete, the cloud/fire rested over the tent. When God moved, the Israelites moved. When God stopped, the Israelites stopped. Simple obedience.

I remember singing a praise song: "Let God arise, may His enemies be scattered. Let God arise, may His enemies be scattered. Oh, let God arise, may His enemies be scattered. Let God, Let God arise." (You remember it, Di?)

Whenever I come to a scripture that I know as a song, I like to mark it in my Bible with a little musical note. That way, when I'm looking for scripture to sing, it's easier to find. (I don't usually look in Numbers, though.)

"Whenever it came to rest, [Moses] said, "Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel." (10:36)

We don't have a cloud or fire to help us follow God, but we do have His Word. And, when we are following God, He clears the path for us & gives us rest at the end of our journey.

Lots of Stuff

Where to start?

Jim put together a new twin bed + trundle for Abbie's toy room/new room. She will be moving to her new room & new bed on her 4th birthday later this month. We're driving to Raleigh (Apex) this afternoon to pick up a new mattress for the bed. We will be visiting with Jim's brother, Doug & his family before heading back to Jacksonville.

Jim, Abbie & I travelled to Michigan for a visit with my family at the end of April. We celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary with a surprise party. (Their anniversary isn't until August, but I won't be able to travel at that time, hence the early celebration.) My sisters did a wonderful job pulling it all together, while I yelled instructions from the sidelines (via email.) We enjoyed visiting with family & friends that we haven't seen in years.

I'm so glad that my cousin, Pooka (sorry, but I'll always remember you as Cheryl) & her husband Gary came to visit from California. We had a great time just catching up after the party & the following morning, before they had to go home.

Also, Kathie Clish (from my post "Remember") came all the way from California to honor my parents' anniversary.

During bedtime prayers in MI, Abbie asked God to "hep us get to gwanma & gwanpa's house safe, but wea aweady hea & I have monkeys on my bed." Her blanket had a monkey on it & she had some stuffed monkeys at the foot of the bed. I like listening to her pray. I wish I could pray more like her (except for the whole pronunciation thing.)

Great family & friends.

Abbie had fun in MI playing with aunts, uncles, cousins & their pets. She got to go to Chuck E. Cheese, Cabella's, & the playground. She made cookies with Aunt Di. We celebrated Abbie's 4th birthday in MI. Her birthday is not for 3 more weeks, but my family wanted to give her gifts then. Thank you for all the gifts!

I got to shoot Jim's Sig Sauer--so did Gary. And so did Dad, Chad, Steven & Uncle Bob. Brad, did you ever get a chance to shoot? (Poor Brad works too much!)

Jim had a slip down the steps--but kept most all of the coffee in his cup. That's important!

We also celebrated my Uncle Bob & Aunt Joy's 40th wedding anniversary before coming back to NC. Their's was also a surprise party.

The trip to MI & back was relatively easy for me. Jim does all the driving. Abbie was well behaved & content. The travelling took a long time, but we made a lot of stops along the way. (Eat, pee, stretch out, gas up.)

While looking at animals on the drive home (cows, horses, sheep) Abbie asked if she could feed the lions & tigers at the zoo. I said that the zoo keepers did that. Then she said that "it wio probawy change, but when I gwow up, I want to be a zoo keepa." She told me before that, she wants to be an animal doctor. Animals.

When we got home, the rose bushes & the daisies in our back yard were all in bloom & huge!

Jim & I had talked about purchasing a Wii game system, but wanted to wait until they were more available at stores. While shopping for Abbie's birthday gifts at Toys R Us, Jim & I saw the Wii on the shelf. So . . . impulse purchase! We got the Wii, with some extra sports games & the Wii Fit. Jim loves it. I'm sure I'll have fun on it once I'm no longer pregnant. My center of gravity is a bit off. Although, when we got home, I created my own Wii Mii & added myself to the Wii Fit game. I played all the balancing games it would allow a beginner & did the test. My Wii Fit age is 36!!! WOW! I wonder if Wii Fit knows that I'm 39 & 5 mos. pregnant?!

The barn swallows keep trying to build another nest on our front porch. It's not gonna happen this year! I do not want to be dive bombed every time I walk out the door. Jim has already knocked down the start of a nest twice this week.

I had two prenatal appointments this past week. Thursday I saw the fetal medicine specialist. We are having a girl!!! Her name is Ella Joy. I'm thrilled. I already know how girls work. (kind of goes without saying) Plus, we have all the girl clothes & toys that can be reused.

The ultrasound showed that Ella is right on schedule for growth. She's doing great!

Jim will get a boy dog. (Fred) Hopefully not for awhile. I can't handle a baby & a puppy at the same time.

Last night, Abbie gave my tummy a hug & a kiss & said "I love you" to Ella. Who knows how long that will last. Coming from experience, siblings usually don't "love" each other when they're kids. I'm sure when they are older, they will be the best of friends. (J.J. & Buffy--I told you so!) I love my sisters now, but I'm sure they considered me a pest, when we were kids. (I'm the youngest of 4 girls & took my job as the baby of the family very seriously.)

The next section is rated NC-17.

The ultrasound also show that I have placenta previa. That means that the placenta is blocking my cervix. That means that I will have to have a C-section. The doctor said that it could change (as my parts stretch out with pregnancy, the placenta could move up the wall of the uterus, off the cervix) but he did not sound very optimistic. Instead, he was very concerned about the extent of my physical activity, my blood count & how far away we lived from the hospital. If I have any spotting or bleeding, I've got to get the the hospital right away (I could bleed to death.) As of right now, the doctor wants to schedule a C-section at 36 weeks. He doesn't want me anywhere near full term. My midwife has transferred my regular care to an OB doctor at the hospital, since I won't have a normal, vaginal birth. I'll find out more during my next 2 appointments (May 22 & June 11.) I'm concerned about Ella being born too soon, but that is something I've got to leave in God's hands. If you want more info on placenta previa, check out http://www.babycenter.com/0_placenta-previa_830.bc?page=1.

It's almost time to eat lunch & leave for Raleigh & I still want to add a few pictures, so until my next post . . .

Remember

This week, many people will reflect upon the cross, what Jesus did there & what He does for them every day, in their own personal lives. It's Easter week! He is risen!

Many of us will dye eggs, hide treasure-filled baskets for the little ones, fly kites & grill out with friends & family. Some us us will go to church & remember the holiday by participating in The Lord's Supper.

It's spring! New life!

The new baby is doing well, according to the midwife at my last appointment on Friday. We won't find out if we're having a boy or a girl until the end of April.

The daisies in my yard have popped. I took a picture of Abbie smelling one, then she asked me if she could pick it. I have two vases full of clover flowers & dandy lions on my kitchen counter already.

The barn swallows are swarming my front porch again this year. Last year they built a fairly sturdy nest over my front door & dive bombed anyone who came near. (The nest has since been knocked down--thanks Mom, for the clean up job.)

I was remembering my first experiences at church as a small child. I think I was around 4 years old. The neighbor lady, Kathie Clish, took Patti & I, along with Maryellen, Jay & Corey (ages 2-9) to vacation Bible school at her church. I remember Mom getting me up really early in the morning to get ready to go. After vacation Bible school, Mom let Patti & me go with Kathie & her kids to church every Sunday. (My parents didn't go to church at that time.) I remember the children's church meeting in the basement. I remember making arts & crafts. I remember taking a walk with my Sunday School class in the small field next to the church to gather items for a craft.

I remember getting left at church after worship service one Sunday. (Kathie had a lot of kids to handle on her own.) I was taken to the pastor's house next door, & the adults made some phone calls. Kathie came & picked me up. We laugh about it now, but it was a bit scary for a 4 year old.

My Mom was in her thirties. She didn't know the Lord yet. She was searching. I remember her inviting some Jehovah Witnesses into the house each week to talk to her. I usually hid. I didn't like them talking to me. I was afraid of strangers.

Kathie invited my Mom to an Understanding God class, so my Mom went. I don't know where I was when Mom was at these classes--maybe next door at Grandma's house. I do know that my Mom came to know Jesus as her Savior during these classes. (Then, Mom took us girls to church with her every Sunday. Eventually, Dad started coming with us, too.)

At the end of the Understanding God class, all the ladies got together for a party. The children were invited too, & we had our own little Bible class that day, down in the basement of whatever house we were at.

They told us the Easter Story from the Bible. (It didn't include a bunny.) I remember the story about Jesus dying on the cross & how God raised Him on the third day. I remember drawing a picture of an angel sitting on a big stone in front of the tomb. They told us that Jesus died for me--to pay for all the bad things I'd ever done. (If you saw my "marker picture," then you know I was bad.) We were told that all we had to do, was ask Jesus to forgive us & ask Him into our hearts & we could be forgiven. When the teacher prayed, I asked Jesus into my heart. I was only 5.

When you're a kid, things are simple. Faith comes easily. The "wisdom of the world" has not had a chance to leech simple faith from your life, yet. Maybe that's why experts quote statistics of how young people come to know the Lord more readily than us older folks. Once you hit a certain age, you've been exposed to the Truth for so long, you become numb to the Message & it's easier to say "No" to God.

I've served in different churches with young people (in spite of my kid phobia,) from newborns to teenagers. It's a blessing.

I don't really think people understand how important it is to make the Bible available to our young people. Tell them stories of Jesus. Share the Good News. Show them God's love in everyday service.

So, remember this week. Remember what Jesus did for you. And, remember to say "Thank you," to those that serve you & your children by faithfully ministering to them each week. Maybe it's time to stop saying "No" to God, and say "Yes" to serving Him by ministering to a child.

Kathie Clish was a young mother with 3 kids of her own, yet she took the time to be friends with a neighbor down the street & to take the neighbor kids to church with her.

Thanks Kathie.

Thank you Jesus, for Kathie, and for others like her who take the time to share Your Love with a child.

Mark 9:37 (NLT) "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me."

14 weeks-not for the squeemish

I saw a fetal medicine specialist on March 5th. I'll be seeing him for the remainder of my pregnancy, as well as my regular midwife. His equipment is much more advanced than the military clinic. He said that the placenta/uterus was working fine (on the ultra sound), so he wasn't too concerned about the subchorionic hematoma. I've been bleeding "old" blood (brown) since I went to the ER for the hemorrhage on February 20th. The doctor said that was normal for a few weeks. He also said that, if you run a mile, your legs will tell you to take it easy, because they will hurt the next day. Not so with your uterus. It may not hurt. It will just bleed. So, I have to take it easy.

My Mom has been here for a week & a half. She's been cooking & cleaning & playing with Abbie. (I feel bad--she had back surgery 2 years ago--I should be taking care of her!) My Dad is coming at the end of March to pick her up. Then I'm on my own.

Tuesday morning, we made a weekly trip to Walmart for groceries. After lunch, I went pee & there was fresh, red blood. Unsettling. I called the nurse line at the hospital's OB clinic. They told me that as long as I wasn't filling more than one pad in 1/2 hour, I was O.K. to stay at home, sit & put up my feet & drink lots of fluids. No more red blood today--back to the brown stuff.

So, pretty much, I worry every time I pee & every time I have any kind of abdominal pain. (Being pregnant at 39, you have a lot of pain--it's pretty normal.) I hope I don't see red blood. The brown blood is still a bit unnerving. I know I'm not 'spose to worry, but it's hard not to.

As of yesterday, I'm at 14 weeks.

The second trimester.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Day to Day stuff

I started a blog so I could write about little daily things that I didn't want to forget. That is what this post is--daily details to remember.

Last Friday we had a scare. I was having some pain--lots of pain. I figured I'm old & pregnant & pain is part of the territory. So I laid down on the bed for a bit. I called Jim & left a message on his voice mail. (He just got the message yesterday--great cell phone service.) Abbie broke out her toy doctor's kit & started giving me a check-up. She is so cute.

After about 15 minutes of no relief, I got up to pee. (Always got to pee!) There was a lot of blood. It just kept coming. Being 11.5 weeks pregnant at that time, you can imagine the terrible thoughts racing through my mind. I slapped on a BIG pad & made my way downstairs to find my medical file & the phone number to the OB clinic at CLNC. When I called, they told me to go to the ER.

I called Jim, again. I got his voice mail, again. He called back quickly & I told him I needed to go to the ER but didn't think I could drive. Jim called our good friend, Barb, who happened to be off from work that day & only lives 3 miles away. Barb came right away & whisked Abbie & me to the Naval Hospital ER, where Jim was waiting. He had already checked me in.

I waited about 1.5 - 2 hours before I was placed in a room. Waited another 1/2 hour to see the doctor. They did an ultrasound--the baby was still there & moving around! The ultrasound showed that I had a subchorionic hematoma (hemorrhage.) It was large enough to see on the ultrasound. I was told to stay off my feet & take it easy.

After seeing the ultrasound picture, Abbie asked if the baby was in it's swing.

Jim freaked out & put me on bed rest. Bed rest will kill me. Jim waited on my hand & foot all weekend. I sat. Sitting around makes you sick.

I had a regular OB appointment on Monday. The midwife didn't tell us anymore than what we had learned from our internet research. We listened to the baby's heartbeat. I have an appointment with a fetal medicine specialist on March 5th. My midwife said that he would know more about my situation.

Subchorionic hematoma is common in about 25% of pregnancies. There is nothing a mother can do to prevent it & there is nothing she did to cause it. It just happens. There are 3 outcomes: it clears up on its own, it continues throughout the pregnancy until delivery, it doesn't get better & the baby is lost. I'm takin' it easy & prayin' hard.

Abbie asks about heaven all the time. Her & Jim got on the conversation of asking Jesus into her heart. She was not ready to do that during one of their initial talks. On their way home from church this past Sunday (I was at home---sitting.), Abbie said that she was ready to ask Jesus into her heart. She said, "Jesus please come into my heart. Now I can go to heaven." Simple.

You pray for your children, before they're even born, to make this important, life-changing decision. I don't think she really understands this decision yet, but at least she's going in the right direction.

Yesterday morning during breakfast, Abbie asked me if Jesus was still in her heart. I told her yes, He would never leave her. Then she asked if, when we get to heaven, will Jesus come out so she can see Him? She is so cute. Childlike faith.

Yes, we will see Jesus in heaven.

I hope to see you there, too.

Michigan Welcome

Jim & I made our first trip to Michigan, as a married couple, in August 1997. This would be Jim's first time to meet my family & friends, so we were both excited.

We were driving up from Jacksonville, NC. As we travelled on I-75, coming out of Toledo, OH, and into the always-present construction in that area, we were looking for the "Welcome to Michigan" sign.

We were in bumper to bumper traffic. There was an on ramp, joining the long line of vehicles on the interstate. Every once in awhile, a vehicle would barrel down the on ramp & sneak into the line somewhere ahead of us. Eventually, we moved forward. From behind us, a pick-up truck zipped past & forced its way into the line directly in front of us. We didn't even know it was coming. The driver, held up his middle finger in the back window for us to see. Then we saw the "Welcome to Michigan" sign on the side of the interstate. I told Jim, "There's your Michigan welcome."

We laugh about it now, but in reality, it's kind of sad. I grew up in this state-this culture, where rude people were the "norm." People are more self-serving & self-centered where I grew up. I was so accustomed to it, that it didn't really faze me--it was normal. Sad to say, I've taken a bit of that attitude as my own.

On the other hand, Jim grew up in a bubble. South Dakota. Where everyone is your neighbor (or relative--ha ha.) Everyone is generally polite, gracious & helpful. This, I was to find out on my first trip to South Dakota in January 2001. It was a whole different civilization. Unreal.

Oh yes, there are exceptions to every stereotype. I'm sure there are some rude people in SD. (?? not) And there are nice people in Michigan. (My family & friends are an exception--but they still know what I'm talking about!)

Then there are Christians. It's hard to say that all Christians are nice. It's just not true. That's sad, too. Of course, the word "Christian" has been misused. Christ's name has been misused. People call themselves Christians, when they have no idea what being a Christian means.

I propose we use a new name: Godstock.

We are Godstock!

We are children of God! As such, we should act like it. We should be like Christ. I know, we are still human. We have our faults--we're not without sin. We have our good days & our bad days. But remember, we are Godstock!

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Tickets to Heaven

Abbie picked up the cat today. (Abbie is only 3.5 years old.) She has tried, unsuccessfully, to pick up the cat in the past, but today, she actually accomplished her goal. You should have seen the look on the cat's face/ears--"I can't believe she is doing this!" I wish I had a camera at that moment.

If you know my cat, Kirei aka Booboo, then you would know that NO ONE touches the cat, except me, Jim & Abbie. The cat bites everyone else. Booboo will deceive naive people who think that they are some sort of cat guru & can pet her. She licks their hand for a second or two, then strikes! What she is really doing, is cleaning you BEFORE she bites.

Today, Abbie made some tickets to heaven. She made one for Jim, one for me, one for herself, & one for Booboo. Abbie told me that we would need our tickets when we go to heaven tomorrow.

I guess I should not be surprised that Abbie talks about heaven as a place to visit, like Grandma & Grandpa's house. I told her that once we get to heaven, we won't be coming back--we won't need to. She wants to take her teddy bear. I told her that God has better toys for her in heaven, so she won't need teddy. She asked me if she has to take naps in heaven. Hmmmm . . . Abbie seems pretty content with my answers so far. We talk about heaven a lot.

. . . when we go to heaven tomorrow . . .

I guess we all need the reminder, that we just might be going to heaven tomorrow. Kids have their spiritual eyes open wider than adults. I think "wide eyed" is the expression.

Oh, that my eyes would be wide to all that the LORD would have me to know.

Do you have your "ticket?"


Mark 13:32 (NIV)
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

I Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him."

It's a start

O.K. So I started a blog. Don't know how far I'll go with it.

I'll be pasting my notes from FB here, so if you've already read them all, then you're in for a repeat. If not, sit back & get comfortable--I'm long winded.

Looking for dawn

Looking for dawn, Friday, 01/30/2009 at 4:45pm on FB

As I throw my legs over the bed, my feet search for my slippers, situated on the floor next to the bed. I slide my feet in, grudgingly rise, & shuffle my way through the darkness, to the bathroom. I take joy in the fact that at this time, I’m only making one trip to the bathroom each night. Very soon, I will need to make multiple trips to the bathroom each night. (I’m eight weeks pregnant, now. After the baby is born, no telling how many times I'll be up each night!)

Darkness. It hides sin. It keeps us from seeing truth.

One of my favorite pastimes (of the mind) is to ponder what heaven will be like. I have so many questions. (Maybe you have some, too?) Will we have to go to the bathroom? Will angels have wings with feathers like a bird, or skin like a bat? (Bats are mammals-I’m not saying that angels are mammals--I have no idea--that’s another question.) How will we travel? Just think of a place, & we’re there? Will I still need to take “classes” to learn new things? (I think we will always be learning.) Will I always be able to sing on key? Will I know all the words to the songs? I think there will be animals in heaven--but will my pets be there? Will I be able to communicate with animals? I have dozens of questions--I won’t list them all here.

Last night, Abbie asked me if she would be able to see God’s eyes, when we get to heaven. I told her, yes. She asked if we could meet God together. I know she’s little, & meeting new people is scary to her now, but I pray that she will KNOW God, long before we go to heaven. (Abbie is only 3 years old, now.)

I’m reading the book by C.S. Lewis, titled “The Problem With Pain.” In it, Lewis talks about the doctrine of The Fall, & what man may have been like before the fall. He suggests that his spirit was in COMPLETE control of his body, even over involuntary things like being hungry, or tired, or digestion, or having to go to the bathroom. The spirit was not overwhelmed by these “desires” of the body. It’s hard to imagine that much control over your being. Of course, that control was forfeit when man decided to elevate his own desires above God. We now inherit an entirely different body, than that of the paradisal man. How much easier it would have been to worship God, without the “pull” of our flesh. Now, our flesh rules us. We live in sin, death & darkness.

“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16 ESV

Jesus is the light that has dawned on us.

“For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

We can’t see Jesus completely now, because of our flesh. But one day, in heaven, we’ll meet Him & see His eyes.

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” I Corinthians 3:12 ESV

I’m really looking forward to that day. No more darkness.

How about you?


“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 ESV

Try not to yawn . . . (25 Random Things)

Try not to yawn . . . (25 Random Things) Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 1:08pm on FB

I don’t normally “do” this kind of thing, but since RHONDA requested it, I’ll oblige (plus, I like to write.) (This is not like my normal notes.)

(note to blog reader: an omission of FB directions has been made)

Try not to yawn . . .

1. I’ve been married to Jim for 12 wonderful, years. He spoils me.

2. I have a delightful 3.5 year old daughter, named Abbie, and I’m pregnant with our second child due in September. (Yeah, I know. I'm too old to be pregnant again, but hey, God knows what He's doing.)

3. I have 3 older sisters, (Di, Dawn & Patti) who are my best friends (besides Jim.)

4. I am a great aunt! My nephew David & his wife Jael have a 1.5 year old son named Jack-Jack, & my niece Michelle & her husband Jon, are expecting a little girl in June.

5. I have 7 nieces & nephews on my side of the tree, ages 16 through 26. (David, Michelle, Marc, Julianne, Bethany, Erica & Steven.) I have 9 nieces & nephews on Jim’s side of the tree, ages 3 through 30. (Holly, Courtney, Lindy, Jamey, Zach, Austin, Brett, Addison, Seamus.) I miss them all.

6. From 1988 through 2007, I moved 16 times. My garage is still cluttered. (The life of a military dependant.)

7. From 1986 through 2005, I had 15 different jobs. (The life of a military dependant, again.) (My favorite jobs were at Credit Unions--SOOO much better than banks!)

8. I’ve lived in:Michigan-Romulus, Hawaii-Honolulu, Mililani, Laie, Kaneohe, North Carolina-Jacksonville, Tarawa Terrace, Hubert, Midway Park, California-El Cajon, Virginia-Virginia Beach, Suffolk (I know, this kinda goes with #7. Sorry, but it's hard to think of random things.)

9. The first church I attended (at 4 years old with the neighbor lady) was Lutheran. Since then, I’ve been a member of the following churches: Independent Baptist, Southern Baptist, Non-Denominational, Presbyterian, Methodist. If they preach GOD’S WORD, it’s all good. Won’t be any denominations in heaven.

10. I like to read, but don’t find much time for it (now that I’m a mom.) Priorities.

11. I’m having a hard time coming up with random things & I’m not even halfway through yet.

12. I love music, but don’t find much time for it (now that I’m a mom.) Priorities, again. You can check out my favorite artists on iLike Music--on my tabs.

13. I wrote a script. (that’s random)

14. My favorite color has always been blue, but I like orange, too. (not necessarily together.) See my other post “Colors.”

15. I would rather wear jeans. (I graduated from a Christian High School--we had to wear dresses to school every day. Ironically, all through grade school & middle school, I never wore a dress because when I was in kindergarten, I wore dresses every day until a boy knocked me down on the playground one day & everyone could see my underwear. I’ve obviously never forgotten that incident, & it has scarred me.) TMI--but hey, it’s random

16. I was alive in the 60’s. See my other post “Do the Math.”

17. I hold a green belt in Chutoku Ryu Karate. See my other post “Meaningless Dribble.”

18. I am SCUBA certified. See my other post “Meaningless Dribble.”

19. I served as an interim youth pastor (with Amye, at Enon.) (I also helped out with the youth at Integrity, when Chad was unable to make it on Wed. nights.)

20. I served as a 4 year old Sunday School teacher. (That is SOOO NOT me! It was Kim’s fault.)

21. Of all the churches I‘ve attended & places I‘ve lived, I can recall singing in the choirs of 4 different churches. (That doesn’t include helping out Integrity with leading music when someone else was absent. Julie made me do it.) Alto, Second Soprano & Tenor. Now I just sing lullabies.

22. I was baptized by my Great Uncle Lonnie (may he rest in peace) with 44 other people (yes, all during the same service) including my Dad & my sister, Patti.

23. My Dad can fix anything.

24. I used to be a clean/neat freak, but had to give up the obsession once I had Abbie. Priorities. (I’m still a freak.)

25. I hate to cook, but I do like to mow the lawn.

O.K. Was that random enough?

Psalm 139: 1-16 (NIV)
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Comments posted on FB:

Rhonda Pennington Newton at 3:26pm January 24
I especially like the SCUBA info - have you ever gone deep sea? I'm too claustraphobic!

Pamela J Meeker at 4:26pm January 24
I think the deepest dive I logged was between 30-40 feet. Not very deep.

Brad Scott at 5:21pm January 24
Your dress story is hysterical. Goes to show there's a reason for everything.

Pamela J Meeker at 5:40pm January 24
Yeah, Patti knows the boy who knocked me down. He was about 4 years older than me. He liked Patti. He was Kara Evens' step-brother-I forget his name. Patti said I should have told her about it back then & she would have beat him up for me.

Hope Klos at 9:05pm January 24
25. I hate to cook, but I do like to mow the lawn.You and Di MUST be related ;)

Julianne Joy Scott at 9:15pm January 24
haha.. i was thinking the same thing, hope :)

Hope Klos at 9:15pm January 24
hahaha(: you know what they say!Great minds think alike!

Pamela J Meeker at 9:24pm January 24
Oh, I meant to write this one, so it's the new #11. I know at least nine "Jim's" off the top of my head, besides my husband. There may be more, but my brain is not working properly at this time. (Jim Kelley, Jim Gant, Jim Warner, Jim Baird, Jim Rose, Jim Lucas, Jim Simpson, Jim Blevins, Jim Fuchs) Funny--when I first met my husband Jim, I couldn't remember his name for about 2 months.

Hope Klos at 9:26pm January 24
What about your father!Isn't his name Jim too?

Hope Klos at 9:27pm January 24
OH wait. thats Bill.My bad.

Rhonda Pennington Newton at 9:32pm January 24
My mother-in-law and both of her sisters are married to different men named Don! I guess it's not too weird to know that many Jim's!

Pamela J Meeker at 9:35pm January 24
All 3 sisters married to Don's!!??? Must be hard when the family gets together.

Hope Klos at 9:48pm January 24
"different men named Don!"Well I sure hope it isn't the same man! :P

Kim Hrush McIntyre at 8:34pm January 26
Pam, I am excited about the new addition. Cool! My mom's bday Sept. 17. Congratulations!!!

Justice or Mercy?

Justice or Mercy? Friday, January 16, 2009 at 5:30pm on FB

I just read today’s blog post by Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. http://www.albertmohler.com/blog.php. He writes about the “American Way” and the assumptions that we, as Americans, believe along this line of thinking.

Dr. Mohler does not endorse these assumptions. He is just making us aware of the fact that “in America, an identifiable "American way of life" rules as an operational worldview for many persons -- perhaps even replacing more fundamental convictions.”

One of our assumptions is, that “Eternal punishment in hell is not consistent with "the American experience" or "the American way." The God of the Bible, in other words, does not act in ways consistent with what many people consider to be American ideals. Sending people to hell is just not fair.”

What would be “fair“ or just?

Justice: the administering of deserved punishment or reward. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/justice #5)

What do we all deserve? None of us is without sin. Hell is what we all deserve.

Now, do you want "fair?" Or do you want MERCY?


Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NASB)


Comments posted on FB:

Patti Fife at 6:10pm January 16
I'll take an order of mercy, please, with grace on the side. Thank you Jesus!!

Diana Lynn Scott at 7:16am January 18
Me too! What She's having!!!!!!!!!

Where we goin'?

Where we goin’? Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 7:47pm on FB

Every morning when Abbie wakes up, she asks me two questions. The first one, “what day is it?”. Then, “where we goin’ today, Mom?” She’s 3 ½. Surprisingly enough, Abbie knows that on Sunday, we go to church. On Wednesday, we go to Walmart. And on Saturday, Jim takes her to the pet store (to look.) If our schedule ever deters from this, she is not happy. I like schedules, myself (BIG UNDERSTATEMENT.) If my plans are ever hindered, I don’t always take it in stride, like I should. This is one of my many faults. Bear with me. I’m workin’ on it.

We make lots of plans in life. We plan on graduating from high school, then college (plan altered here!) We plan on getting married, buying a house & having kids. (Not everyone plans on having kids.) We pad our IRA’s in hopes that we will have enough to last as long as we do. We plan on helping our kids through college, praying for them as they find a spouse, & waiting for them to have kids of their own--so WE can be grandparents. We’re blessed to live in a country where we have the opportunities to accomplish our plans.

So, what’s the plan after that? Death. It’s inevitable for all of us. (Heb. 9:27) Have you planned for it? By planning for death, I don’t mean having a life insurance policy, last will & testament & a trust fund in place. Death is just another stage of our life--as a whole. Our whole life does not only include this wasting body that we carry around with us every day. Our whole life includes our soul & our spirit, as well. We may be finite beings, but that is not because our lives come to an end. We are finite because we have a BEGINNING. God created us in His image with a body, soul & spirit. (Gen. 1:26-27)

I’m not writing here to argue theology. There are some good Christian apologetic authors that I can recommend, if you have an interest in that line of thinking. I just want to know if you have a plan. As my friend on FB, I feel that God brought you to my attention to pray for you, as your name comes to mind. And I have. I would not be a good friend, if I didn’t share God’s plan with you.

Do you have a plan? I do.

Do you know where you’re goin’? I do. (I John 5:13)

Here’s what I believe:

I believe that Jesus is God’s son. That He lived on earth to show how much God loves us. He willingly gave His life on the cross to pay the penalty for us not living right, and God raised Him to life on the third day. Jesus made it possible for us to have a right relationship with God, if we just accept His forgiveness, and believe, God will do the rest. (I John 4:10)

We are all sinners & need a Savior. (Rom. 3:23)

Holy Spirit moves on each one of us, when God calls you to believe in Him, but we need to give up our plans, and let God have control. That’s hard for a lot of people who think they can run their lives better than God can.

Who better to give you a new plan for life than the One who created you. The psalmist says God created my inmost being & knit me together in my mother’s womb. All the days of my life were written in His book before I was born. I am fearfully & wonderfully made. (Ps. 139:13-16)

God loves you. You have to decide if you want to accept His love. Your decision now, will determine the permanent “plan” for your soul & spirit after your body is gone.

God’s Word says that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved--meaning, your spirit & soul are secure with God. (Rom. 10:13) If you’ve never asked God for forgiveness, never accepted His plan for your life, you can do it now! Simply pray a prayer similar to this one: Dear God, I know that I’m a sinner. I believe that Jesus died for my sins. Please forgive me & come into my life & be my Savior and my Lord. Thank you for a new life. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you don’t have a plan for your WHOLE life & would like me to answer more questions for you, please shoot a message to my inbox here on FB. (Note to blog readers: please leave me a comment requesting more info.) If you don’t believe any of this--you think when you die, that’s the end, then I think you’re pretty brave to go through your WHOLE life without a complete plan. What if you’re wrong? That would be the biggest mistake of your life. Look down deep. I’m sure you’ll find that YOU WERE MADE FOR MORE THAN JUST THIS LIFE.

I’m going to heaven. I hope & pray I'll see you there.

How ‘bout you? Where you goin'?

We All Die
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)

God Created You
God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature” . . . God created human beings; He created them godlike, reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. Genesis 1:26-27 (MSG)

How You Can Know
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. I John 5:13 (NIV)

God Loves You
This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. I John 4:10 (NLT)

We All Sin
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NIV)

God Has Set Things Right
But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-24 (MSG)

God Has a Plan for You
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Psalm 139: 13-16 (MSG)

Call on God
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 (NLT)


Comments posted on FB:

Diana Lynn Scott at 9:16pm January 14
Wow!I love Jesus and His plan is MINE!

Patti Fife at 6:07pm January 16
I will see you in heaven (& hopefully many times before that too) !