tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64371491959095232662023-11-16T02:58:27.290-08:00Darlene's JournalAn inside look into my heart of the things God is teaching me through His Word, my family, my ministry, people in my life, and things that surround me everyday. A celebration of God's grace and mercy at work in a wretched heart that He constantly gives a second chance to. Welcome! Please sit down and dine with me on the goodness of God.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-80123115273991815522015-01-06T20:21:00.001-08:002015-01-08T20:52:18.512-08:00Satisfaction<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<i> "1 O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.<br /> 2 <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory.</span> 3 Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.<br /> 4 So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands.<br /> 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips."<br /> (Psalm 63:1-5 ESV)</i><br /><br />
This is a Psalm written by David as a fugitive (before he became king of Israel) hiding in the wilderness of Judah. King Saul had been after David for sometime and wanted him dead. David and his small army had been moving from place to place mostly in the wilderness and dessert area in the south. Looking at this background story gives you a better perspective on this Psalm.<br /><br />
Verse 1 was David's motive: "I seek You." His desire; his longing was for God - not for the comforts of a palace or even just a permanent home. For God. Nothing else!<br /><br />
Verse 2 was his response to the previous verse: "I looked for You." He was out in the open where he can clearly see the skies during the day and the vast number of stars at night. The sanctuary he was talking about was not The Tabernacle or any physical place. He was seeking God's presence in the midst of His circumstance.<br /><br />
Verse 3 was the reason why he did what he did: "Your lovingkindness." David said that God's love and His kindness was better than life. Better than his own existence! God is GOD. God is... God, all by Himself, without anything attached to it! God is powerful and glorious.<br /><br />
Verse 4 is another response from David: "I will bless You. I will lift up my hands in Your name." David explains in this verse that he will praise God as long as he exists. He knew his days were numbered. King Saul and his army were after him. He probably also wondered if they would survive the harshness of living as fugitives in the Judean wilderness. David was determined to keep praising the Lord!<br /><br />
Verse 5 is the result: "<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips." What a contrast to life in the dessert! David talks about spiritual fullness, spiritual satisfaction - much more than just the temporary physical gratification.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">God is... the only ultimate desire we should have. God is... reason for rejoicing. God is... cause for joyful lips praising Him in spite of our circumstance. God is... SATISFYING. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdmzkoMIvHYkJiBzYX4hbRw2ennxNr-xRu4hgJCChDJLb-0Jlo0WLw2J4TEAaGlg5LlGRdTdHRhNNqpR1Gi_eWiB8XnYLRhmh774DHDv_on-1lDXE0zgPba-BclY34ybzMoCNmTgdN8Sw/s640/blogger-image-807202477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdmzkoMIvHYkJiBzYX4hbRw2ennxNr-xRu4hgJCChDJLb-0Jlo0WLw2J4TEAaGlg5LlGRdTdHRhNNqpR1Gi_eWiB8XnYLRhmh774DHDv_on-1lDXE0zgPba-BclY34ybzMoCNmTgdN8Sw/s400/blogger-image-807202477.jpg" width="580" /></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This is my desire for the year 2015. I get so caught up in the god of accomplisment and "things to do" that I tend forget this: </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You..." (Psalm 63:1)</span><br />
<br />Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-39345231390636219252015-01-06T04:09:00.001-08:002015-01-06T20:00:18.231-08:00Hello, World!<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I am back! After a long hibernation mode (aka. neglect), I am determined to make my visit here a regular thing. I admit that I have let other duties keep me from writing and from many other things that I should have been doing. Here's to hoping that I will have the discipline and the determination that this year, 2015, will be different. </span></div><div><br></div><div>I guess, this is kind of like a New Year's resolution? I usually don't do resolutions, so I will call this a personal goal. 😊</div><div><br></div><div>Happy New Year, friends! I hope and wish this year you'll get to know God deeper and experience Him in a more meaningful way. God bless you!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPUG_oCLltXSLGD-1B26IqIaBGBq5lEjiZlxLU0TeWqb7J0jNAw-OS8LfOr_FvwzyHTgGkBVj6vMIaKMv2qWAnMi_7WhrKDU1geK-KopJ_fzKyaVkmmt6_XoTouu3TYE1i1JbkpWHBZep/s640/blogger-image-71303410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPUG_oCLltXSLGD-1B26IqIaBGBq5lEjiZlxLU0TeWqb7J0jNAw-OS8LfOr_FvwzyHTgGkBVj6vMIaKMv2qWAnMi_7WhrKDU1geK-KopJ_fzKyaVkmmt6_XoTouu3TYE1i1JbkpWHBZep/s640/blogger-image-71303410.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-82534568729349405682013-09-07T10:37:00.000-07:002013-09-15T03:04:24.756-07:00"Mommy, I Want to be Where You Are!"<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-42hiPcyRSao96IlaTT6lGhzwomm_crKQtCnqX-Ju_o7gV5etxsEoKtOluTQtAWr-3sc6pnE0pB4HwELV2wqy4avN6YWmh68uGrtZsT4-p6cTfu38Kk6azBExXm4iJ63wA-P4XyIquuPZ/s640/blogger-image--1943900827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-42hiPcyRSao96IlaTT6lGhzwomm_crKQtCnqX-Ju_o7gV5etxsEoKtOluTQtAWr-3sc6pnE0pB4HwELV2wqy4avN6YWmh68uGrtZsT4-p6cTfu38Kk6azBExXm4iJ63wA-P4XyIquuPZ/s320/blogger-image--1943900827.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
He's not clingy. He's just very sweet and expressive. This evening, all he wanted to do was be with me wherever I was in the house and do whatever it was I was doing. I told him earlier that iPad time is up and that he has to find something else to do... like play with his toys, read books, draw, or play with his brothers. He said that he just wants to be with me. He waited at the table while I was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. While I was mopping the floor, I told him to sit and wait for me on the stairs. He said, "But mommy, I just want to be where you are. I want to be next to you." My heart, melted. But I had to finish mopping.<br />
<br />
This reminded me of Don Moen's Praise and Worship song that I used to sing a lot as a teenager.<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white;">I Just Want to be Where You Are.</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I just want to be where You are,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">dwelling daily in Your presence</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I don't want to worship from afar,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">draw me near to where You are</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I just want to be where You are,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">in Your dwelling place forever</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">Take me to the place where You are,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I just want to be with You</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I want to be where You are,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">dwelling in Your presence</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">Feasting at Your table,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">surrounded by Your glory</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">In Your presence,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">that's where I always want to be</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I just want to be,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I just want to be with You</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">Oh, my God,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">You are my strength and my song</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">And when I'm in Your presence</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">Though I'm weak You're always strong</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I just want to be</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">I just want to be with You</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xqwZcTXAKH4" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
A very familiar passage from Psalms come to mind.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord." (Psalm 27:1-4)</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am a home-buddy. I love being in my home and being with my family and doing things together. I like the comfort and security it brings. But my home doesn't compare to the rest, comfort, love, joy, and peace that the presence of Jesus brings. May my heart will always seek to be near my Lord and my God who is the Lover of my soul. Just like the words of my five-year-old, "I just want to be where You are, Lord." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlTJHQQ-_QMKL1SNMQD8L0z0wastr1Umf3cdOE3KDebZRv5onLvoPApwbjsTQvPhtvCf8Ci9p-yMSiyn77AUuLQwxNqDcEq_GcUj1c0w39pJuT-0EPDM6Be5KTTY3tbVOnphc-D72V8Ub/s640/blogger-image-324812029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlTJHQQ-_QMKL1SNMQD8L0z0wastr1Umf3cdOE3KDebZRv5onLvoPApwbjsTQvPhtvCf8Ci9p-yMSiyn77AUuLQwxNqDcEq_GcUj1c0w39pJuT-0EPDM6Be5KTTY3tbVOnphc-D72V8Ub/s1600/blogger-image-324812029.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This was the view outside my bedroom window yesterday morning. Looking at the gorgeous hues of colors the sunrise brought to the sky, I felt like God sent me a hug. </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-79009743074104356412012-04-09T08:28:00.000-07:002012-04-09T19:53:38.601-07:00I Don't Want To Be a Pharisee 'Cause They're Not Fair, You See<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ddweber/5663799287/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Day 241 by darlenedw, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 241" height="426" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5222/5663799287_6c57b387f0_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Have you heard the song, <i>"I Just Want To Be A Sheep?"</i> I learned it a couple of years ago when my co-worker taught it to my children. There's a verse to that song that has these words... "I don't to be a Pharisee 'cause they're not fair, you see." <br />
<br />
Last week, as I looked forward to celebrating Easter, I was once again reminded of what transpired in the tiny oasis country of Israel leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. The religious leaders, mainly the Pharisees and the Saducees, played a major role in the unfolding of the Old Testament prophets' words about the Messiah's sacrificial death for all mankind. One thing that stood out for me this time was the self-righteousness of those people. Their self-righteousness blinded them to see the truth. Not only that, it prevented them from reaching out to others or seeing the needs of others. In fact, they purposely separated themselves from others because, to them, everyone else wasn't good enough. Sound familiar?<br />
<br />
We are just like the Pharisees. When we see redeemed and restored people who don't have an ideal kind of life in our mind and human standard, who don't have an ideal past, who have been scarred by sin and by personal battles, who don't have an ideal family life, who we think are less perfect than us, we turn up our noses in disbelief and tell ourselves, "I am better than they are." We try to shield ourselves, our children, our ideal life from being "contaminated" by those people. <br />
<br />
So, what about love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness? Those are the very same attributes of God that placed us where we are now. Many times we think that people who have had messed up lives become totally useless... worthless... valueless. I hate self-righteousness. And I become a self-righteous human being when I begin to abhor self-righteous people. I forget to love. I forget to love God with all my heart and soul. I forget to love others the way God wants me to love them. <br />
<br />
Two days before Jesus was hung on the cross, a woman who lived an openly sinful life, whose life was transformed by mere encounter with Jesus, poured out her love for Him by washing His feet with very expensive perfume and wiped them with her hair. (Luke 7 :36-50) The Pharisees were offended by it because of the woman's reputation. Simon thought it was such a waste. Jesus' response to them was, "He who has been forgiven much, loves much." That made me think... If I don't love God and others much, have I truly been forgiven of my sins? Do I realize the magnitude of my own sins that I may consider as minor? Do I have unconfessed sins that prevent me from coming to the ever-loving, ever-forgiving Abba Father? <br />
<br />
As I think about that gloomy Friday when Jesus was crucified, it was the self-righteous people that hung him; myself included. My own sin put Him on that cruel cross. Hallelujah to the Risen Savior! Who forgives me, who gives me a second chance, and a third chance, and a fourth chance, and so on. I absolutely have <b>NO</b> right to self-righteousness! I am just as messed up as the next person. But yet... I am forgiven and I am loved.<br />
<br />Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-76388552761093184832012-01-31T20:54:00.000-08:002012-02-01T05:27:23.331-08:00Mussings At the Gym with Some PoutingSo, here I am, sitting in the gym lobby with flip-flops and a pout on my lips. Nah, you really can't see it on my face but inside me, yes. The boys are in their swimming class. I'm supposed to be working out but I left my running shoes in the house. Dog gone it!<br />
<br />
Policy is... You can't leave the premises while your kids are in here. Ed's out playing golf with some guys from our church. I wish I had my Kindle in my backpack so I could at least read a book for 1 1/2 hours! Ugh! But I never bring a book to the gym and I'm not one of those that can read on the treadmill or the spin bike. I just can't keep my balance if I read and run at the same time. Hahaha!
Thankfully, I have my [not so smart] phone with me so I can type and get entertained.<br />
<br />
So what's the point of this blah-blah-blah? I got a bad attitude. I'm pouting like a school girl who didn't get her way. More like disappointed with myself. With Ed not around, I can't get myself together. How do single parents do it all? I have become so dependent on my husband.<br />
<br />
Back to the question, what's the point of this? One, I need the Holy Spirit to take control of my emotions so I have a better attitude. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." When I'm walking in the Spirit, those things will manifest in my life. No questions, no excuses. The opposite of walking in the Spirit is walking in the flesh. Oh, how easy it is for me to revert back into walking in my sinful flesh! Now I'm singing [in my head] Steve Green's <i>"Fruit of the Spirit"</i> song to shake off the pouting and keep the attitude in check.<br />
<br />
Two... I should be happy I get a day off from working out. My body probably needs it. I can always do something when I get home to make up for it.
For now, I can go back to the pool and watch the boys swim and see what they've learned in just two weeks of swim lessons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxX2aPPpVKdcOawQ3AEUV-gVrM-JrKz-Yk4FHdA4f5N1GQJAlIjui43JZ7E0HPNi3Gkz_TpgFum_XDvW-y0IqKw-GbxZUpyAUQjPdu6i6EGmiIEG51-ORWXi95VnMDPcAdsVJ2vLskNkI/s1600/Photo+Jan+31,+5+58+58+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxX2aPPpVKdcOawQ3AEUV-gVrM-JrKz-Yk4FHdA4f5N1GQJAlIjui43JZ7E0HPNi3Gkz_TpgFum_XDvW-y0IqKw-GbxZUpyAUQjPdu6i6EGmiIEG51-ORWXi95VnMDPcAdsVJ2vLskNkI/s400/Photo+Jan+31,+5+58+58+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ynl6syVzUxDQEuFq60-x9JLTEdmW5P8_1ybws93IX4s2SgZ1OEAbal8BbHz7QLltEVbyWJOrsKuG4uIcZJesJ6zPJUT8NZ2tlZtTQbwvsGeQ32AwCPT7DqhxP8TBjNc6wO12cBUbsQ4q/s1600/Photo+Jan+31,+6+04+11+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ynl6syVzUxDQEuFq60-x9JLTEdmW5P8_1ybws93IX4s2SgZ1OEAbal8BbHz7QLltEVbyWJOrsKuG4uIcZJesJ6zPJUT8NZ2tlZtTQbwvsGeQ32AwCPT7DqhxP8TBjNc6wO12cBUbsQ4q/s400/Photo+Jan+31,+6+04+11+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbWq4mD7STZ5mhI2NrPs7Gp4ATu4_tTJpovGlXMNro7xmExkIA7S_AmBTtwZSSfHKNF4zpMB8Rf7JgywBr1vizcOZAhTIy6c5CVieUohFWEqlMO8P3D1lCnuG53LBJkJbpZ0rcbieH-WN/s1600/Photo+Jan+31,+6+20+45+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbWq4mD7STZ5mhI2NrPs7Gp4ATu4_tTJpovGlXMNro7xmExkIA7S_AmBTtwZSSfHKNF4zpMB8Rf7JgywBr1vizcOZAhTIy6c5CVieUohFWEqlMO8P3D1lCnuG53LBJkJbpZ0rcbieH-WN/s400/Photo+Jan+31,+6+20+45+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmS17RRLsGQNCqKE6JfcFLfAAgGQITYSe50wQaRG-wZvMn8CAwwNpZhuLBBfGZ8g1Vk1UMI5THOjEDJKsYOte12nYKk-_4d3rlMLINGrUOM-a8OVuGd7rRfPr5USI2Z_YVpj7BMnPdyh3/s1600/Photo+Jan+31,+6+23+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmS17RRLsGQNCqKE6JfcFLfAAgGQITYSe50wQaRG-wZvMn8CAwwNpZhuLBBfGZ8g1Vk1UMI5THOjEDJKsYOte12nYKk-_4d3rlMLINGrUOM-a8OVuGd7rRfPr5USI2Z_YVpj7BMnPdyh3/s400/Photo+Jan+31,+6+23+04+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks for reading this lengthy post.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-82174291024930699982012-01-29T11:24:00.000-08:002012-01-29T11:38:04.334-08:00Why Did You Eat My Ice Cream?!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_bAmuMkUV7Dscme4Tp6ng8i_4EmqwNOMWV33bXRHHIOb6LjkfdRpzq2AMUxHiPxy9PRc5S03aBhSJBFw6dthfu1ZRmqXIMoBLh1KtvpcMIh4vJ_O2qHQw8AoobMrNUh0utf-hywjLEqZ/s1600/110703-4edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_bAmuMkUV7Dscme4Tp6ng8i_4EmqwNOMWV33bXRHHIOb6LjkfdRpzq2AMUxHiPxy9PRc5S03aBhSJBFw6dthfu1ZRmqXIMoBLh1KtvpcMIh4vJ_O2qHQw8AoobMrNUh0utf-hywjLEqZ/s640/110703-4edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was mad and totally disappointed that I was in tears. My husband responded, "But it's just ice cream, honey! I can get you more."<br />
<br />
"But they're closed already, it's already 11PM" I replied. I was really upset because I was looking forward to eating my leftover ice cream from several nights ago. I don't eat it very often so I was reserving it as a treat to myself for eating well and working out all week. But it was gone. My hubby ate it.<br />
<br />
"I would have been willing to share if you just asked; but you didn't!" Crucifying him with my tearful accusation.<br />
<br />
What is wrong with me! It's just ice cream! No, I'm not pregnant. I just needed sugar. Hahaha! And a better attitude.<br />
<br />
For two Sundays, the preaching at church cut me like a two-edged sword to the core of my heart. I was almost in tears during sermon last Sunday. Our Pastor is doing a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. "Christian Counter Culture," he calls it. Last week and this week, he hammered on how we show on the outside how good we look as Christians but we are rotten inside; how we are fake; how we build facades to hide what we really are inside; how we don't hunger for righteousness; how we like to go with the flow to please people.<br />
<br />
I am guilty as charged. To most people, save my family and my close friends, I look good. I like to pretend I'm good. I like to show I got it all together. But I know deep inside I don't. I am just the opposite, in fact. Matthew 5:7 says, <i>"Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy."</i> Being a child of God I am a recipient of God's mercy and grace. And because of that I ought to show mercy and grace to others. I am a fake. I can't even show mercy to my husband who ate my precious ice cream! I have three little people in my home that look to me, watching how a Christian should live life. When I have a bad attitude, I fail to point them towards Christ. How can I teach my boys how to live a Christian life that's pleasing to God if I don't do it myself? <i>"Oh Lord, have mercy on me because I am a failure." </i>God and I had several conversations regarding a sin issue for the past two months. I am stubborn but His love and grace pursue me.<br />
<br />
So, before I finished writing this post, I had to swallow my pride and walk over to my husband and ask for his forgiveness for the way I acted last night about the ice cream. I'll strive to do better.<br />
<br />
"Let's go get some more ice cream. Whatever flavor you like." He said.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-49785058855728253912010-12-12T02:41:00.000-08:002012-01-29T10:43:39.531-08:00Oh, You of Little Faith!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0EsZBkyYdGMMPpXt5dv_g2NbIeHvk6j50H3hCKxCZkZ0m_aSsjPgz_I_WwkfBhcEqWH_FOFhUMjgyD3ZJdF9huye_mScp1oOkxIM5PMHsorDeiAMadboxYx2GKXMtni6f6BfHR7gwG1X/s1600/Luke12.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0EsZBkyYdGMMPpXt5dv_g2NbIeHvk6j50H3hCKxCZkZ0m_aSsjPgz_I_WwkfBhcEqWH_FOFhUMjgyD3ZJdF9huye_mScp1oOkxIM5PMHsorDeiAMadboxYx2GKXMtni6f6BfHR7gwG1X/s640/Luke12.28.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Between my husband and I, I'm <i>usually</i> the one who is stronger in faith when it comes to finances. I grew up in a third world country with my father a Pastor of small churches. Money was always tight... very tight. I owned only two pairs of shoes - one for school and one for Sundays. That's a far cry from how many pairs I own now. Quite embarrassing, actually. I won't mention the many other things that I had few of or things I didn't have growing up. The Lord always provided for our needs. I've watched my parents carefully spend what little money we had. We never owed anyone but we always had food on the table.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For some reason, this week I just really struggled with lack of faith that God will provide for us this month. As I looked at the things that we need to spend for and the low dollar exchange, my heart sank. "Lord, we don't have enough!" In my worry, I started to feel a tight knot in my stomach. Why am I all of a sudden feeling this? I've seen over and over and over again God's faithfulness and provision. </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I was editing this photo, I was reminded of this verse passage.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Luke 2:22-28:</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>And he <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[Jesus] </span>said to his disciples,</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i>"Therefore I tell you,</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"><i> </i></span></span><i>do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-25474" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i><br />
</i></sup></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i>For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-25475" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i><br />
</i></sup></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i>Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"><i> </i></span></span><i>Of how much more value are you than the birds!</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i>And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-25477" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i><br />
</i></sup></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i>If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><span class="woj"></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i>Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"><i> </i></span></span><i>yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><i>But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><br />
</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God will take care of our needs. He always has because He is faithful. Jesus went on to say in verse 33 about selling what we have in order to give to those in need. He didn't just stop to say that our Heavenly Father will provide for us. He also commanded us to share and meet the needs of others. God is good and He is love. I just need to trust Him - daily.</span></div>
</div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-89806456446915247422010-12-03T03:01:00.000-08:002012-01-29T10:46:37.298-08:00He Knew All AlongHold on to your hats, friends! This is going to be a long one but you may want to stay with me. It shows how blessed I am in spite of what happened.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-Xubwthf0N1d_TYXBbs4V-t2QQegXUEEWR4AEomL4WLM7MHyQuI8fxQEe0WQgKcb-mdpyV3L2fhv8HRVhOOqI_AkYZwZM5vFUUgdbsV6wZqWfBopTqhARcx8mOwVpiYOm9ZntgeaSYQb/s1600/DSC_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-Xubwthf0N1d_TYXBbs4V-t2QQegXUEEWR4AEomL4WLM7MHyQuI8fxQEe0WQgKcb-mdpyV3L2fhv8HRVhOOqI_AkYZwZM5vFUUgdbsV6wZqWfBopTqhARcx8mOwVpiYOm9ZntgeaSYQb/s640/DSC_1152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We were running behind my planned schedule. Nothing new. Ha! The boys were finishing school for the day. I wanted to leave at 4 o'clock in the afternoon to pick up Ed at the airport. His flight wasn't coming in until 11:30 that night but I wanted to go in early to take the boys to a mall children's play place. I also wanted to check out the Office Depot at that mall, eat dinner at a Food Court, and still have time to relax in our hotel room a little bit before heading to the airport. My plans... that's all they were.<br />
<br />
I've gone only about a mile from the house and my cell phone rang. I didn't recognize the number so I told Jojo not to pick it up since I was driving, anyway. Five minutes later, Jenni, called and told me Ed was trying to call from Tokyo. His plane was detained on ground more than two hours already. He told me not to bother meeting him at the airport. He would just get a taxi to the hotel. I was really looking forward to meeting him at the airport with him being gone for a week. But there was no telling what time he'd be in.<br />
<br />
Only ten minutes after we got on to the big highway, I wasn't getting any power on the gas pedal. I pulled over to the side and turned the engine off. Turned it on again... nothing.... Tried again.... nothing. I was getting nervous. The car died on me! I hope this wasn't something major. I knew I had a lot of gas in the tanks (regular and LPG).<br />
<br />
I called our mechanic in town and he said he was sending his guys to help me out.<br />
<br />
Although I was fine and calm about the whole incident, I have to admit was little scared - a little woman like me on a big highway with three young boys. I could be a magnet for bad guys out there. But I had so much to be thankful for:<br />
<br />
1. I had my plans but God still makes plans for me, overall... and always for MY best.<br />
2. Ed's flight was delayed so I didn't have to feel so bad about not being there at the airport to meet him.<br />
3. We were still within town limits. I was only twenty minutes away from home and our mechanic's shop.<br />
4. We got stuck at a U-turn spot where there are street lights. Before and after that point, it was dark.<br />
5. We really have an awesome mechanic with very helpful assistants. They've rescued us many times already. Once, they drove an hour one way to get to us because we couldn't find anyone in that town to help us. That night I was stuck on the highway, after coming to check out my car, the employees went to our house, got their boss to bring his tow truck, got the ministry van, and drove it to where I was so I didn't have to waste time going home. They treated me like royalty, helped me with the boys, checked to make sure I had oil and water in the van, and made sure I drove away safely.<br />
6. All the time, my boys were content even though they were hungry (it was 9 o'clock before we got to stop for supper). They entertained themselves. They were understanding and helpful when I needed help.<br />
7. And the icing on the cake? That picture above. What a beautiful sunset sky we were looking at while sitting in the car waiting for help. <i>(picture is straight out of the camera, no editing whatsoever!)</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I will</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">fear no evil, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">for</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You are with me;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Your<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 6px;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">rod and Your staff, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">they comfort me.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Psalm 23:4b</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXX8pDkenr6fu00bPP6doZjjh5NKMRRjn9TPrnnIp0veKKGFlKFgwthRwhZgxLd5Q1pGEjIM4ezVjFt9ZoP29FhUrWDnMAAPyXJOYogNO4bGByyhndiwASPbPHlNQe_X9Rihdm4V6YD7p/s1600/DSC_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXX8pDkenr6fu00bPP6doZjjh5NKMRRjn9TPrnnIp0veKKGFlKFgwthRwhZgxLd5Q1pGEjIM4ezVjFt9ZoP29FhUrWDnMAAPyXJOYogNO4bGByyhndiwASPbPHlNQe_X9Rihdm4V6YD7p/s400/DSC_1182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
God knew all along this was going to happen. God is a caring and loving God, for no reason at all other than just because His very nature is LOVE. He didn't leave me with no help. I had my cell phone; I was able to call our mechanic (I had his number!!!). Many friends on facebook were praying just because I was able to update my status and our co-worker/friend, Jenni put out a prayer request on her status, too. I was tired that day but thank God, I put hot coffee in my travel mug with me!Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-22402087303330720072010-11-24T08:24:00.000-08:002012-01-29T10:46:48.854-08:00Wun Khawp Khoon Phra Chao<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxv0L54piCCYhuR0-IQB1IP-XeuL0sC0JU2YylI68q_IRSWmhtn-D1NBDHkojNxyNjOV_DU2PQr5r2Zq_XufO-LLBeve4QDwAU3RoAr2dEggirgRYUaDadVE99pi0qjgC4_Z1CCkhyphenhyphenrcT/s1600/Psalm113.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxv0L54piCCYhuR0-IQB1IP-XeuL0sC0JU2YylI68q_IRSWmhtn-D1NBDHkojNxyNjOV_DU2PQr5r2Zq_XufO-LLBeve4QDwAU3RoAr2dEggirgRYUaDadVE99pi0qjgC4_Z1CCkhyphenhyphenrcT/s640/Psalm113.3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I have so much to be thankful for on this "Wun khawp khoon Phra Chao." (That's literally translated as "Day to thank the Lord) This being thanksgiving week, here's what I'm thankful for this week. Not that I'm not thankful the rest of the year. On the contrary, I am so-oh blessed there's too many to list. So... I'll stick to just this week:<br />
<br />
- My sweet husband. He had to fly to the States for a funeral but he made sure I had a full 1,000-liter tank of water and 17 more filled jugs so I don't have to do much water run while he's away for a week. And he mopped the floors too! So thoughtful and so caring.<br />
<br />
- On Monday, we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. I am thankful that my husband is also my best friend. <br />
<br />
- Jenni Starkey, our friend and co-worker. She kept the boys for us for two days so Ed and I can go on our anniversary date.<br />
<br />
- The little things that God orchestrates because He knows what's going to happen ahead before we even know, like.... Ed was able to get a seat on a flight to the US just a little over 24 hours before he had to check in. You know how hard it is to get a seat this week, Thanksgiving week??? The lady at the counter asked Ed how he got a ticket because the flight was fully booked!<br />
<br />
- Our frequent flyer miles through Delta Air. Ed's round trip plane ticket was less than $400! He was told that the regular price would have been $1,700!!!<br />
<br />
- Jenni already planned to take the week off of language school this week before we learned about Pastor Tim's passing. Jenni has been a big help to me while Ed is away.<br />
<br />
- Magic Jack! So we can call the States unlimited for free. If you don't know what it is, just Google it. Ha! <br />
<br />
- I am rejoicing over the salvation of a dear girl who finally made it right before God regarding eternity. My heart swelled after I heard the news.<br />
<br />
- I got to see a friend from college that I haven't seen in 15 years. I am so encouraged by her love for the Lord and heart for missions. <br />
<br />
- Pastor Tim Nyhuis. He was Ed's youth pastor since Ed was about 10 years old at the church where he got saved. He was Ed's friend, mentor, and spiritual father through the years. The man had literally seen Ed through teens years, military, college years... ever since he first knew Ed! They talked on the phone only a few weeks ago. So thankful for a man of God who poured out his life on Ed and the many people that God entrusted to him through the 33/34 years he had been at Hartford Federated Church in Hartford, Michigan.<br />
<br />
See? I told you, I have a lot to be thankful for, and that's only for this past few days. Tomorrow, Jenni, the boys, and I will travel to Bangkok to celebrate Thanksgiving with other American missionaries. Looking forward to food and fellowship! Happy Thanksgiving again!Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-14329361411080744212010-11-08T19:14:00.000-08:002010-11-08T22:30:22.399-08:00How To Be Nice To Others<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few weeks back I was reading Luke 6:27-45 and found this really good list on my Bible's footnotes. This is just straight from my Scofield Study Bible. I can't improve more on this one so I'm just going to type it word for word.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNMv3M5RWmTqeyB9SKn_4Pk09z1GjGT6DgymwBhfBUhwWfKjXP1Zh-e1dOG6ind7eVQs9OiT-45RK8lOSLcXH7N6TKLWsGKsBGTYuhXnViqM0r-7CTMhVCaeFwVcZcc0xtx2-FyZJHJSK/s1600/100730-1+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNMv3M5RWmTqeyB9SKn_4Pk09z1GjGT6DgymwBhfBUhwWfKjXP1Zh-e1dOG6ind7eVQs9OiT-45RK8lOSLcXH7N6TKLWsGKsBGTYuhXnViqM0r-7CTMhVCaeFwVcZcc0xtx2-FyZJHJSK/s400/100730-1+%25287%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>HOW TO TREAT OTHERS</b><br />
Tell the truth when testifying about your neighbor. Exodus 20:16<br />
Do no covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. Exodus 20:17<br />
Love your neighbor as yourself. Leviticus 19:18<br />
Don't move your neighbor's boundary marker. Deuteronomy 27:17<br />
Don't take your neighbor to court. Proverbs 25:8<br />
Don't visit your neighbor too often. Proverbs 25:17<br />
If someone forces you to go one mile, go two. Matthew 5:41<br />
Pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44<br />
Do good to those who hate you. Matthew 5:44<br />
Love your enemies. Luke 6:27<br />
Bless those who curse you. Luke 6:28<br />
If someone takes your cloak, give your tunic too. Luke 6:29<br />
Give to everyone who asks of you. Luke 6:30<br />
Lend to others and don't expect anything back. Luke 6:35<br />
Don't judge. Luke 6:37<br />
Don't be a stumbling block to others. Romans 14:13<br />
<br />
I found myself feeling guilty for NOT doing most of what's on the list. The Holy Spirit gave me a new light to that Luke 6 passage as I was reading it that breezy, dewy morning. It is nothing but Jesus' commands for ME, as a child of God, so that I may show HIS love to others.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">♪</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">♫</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">♬ In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">In my life, Lord, be glorified today. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">♪</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">♫</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">♬</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-86755946176618504332010-11-04T02:08:00.000-07:002012-01-29T10:51:10.756-08:00Q & A: My Spiritual JourneyOK, this is going to be scary. Mainly because I'm going to be opening my heart a little bit wider than I am comfortable with. Oh, I don't have a problem with that - when face to face. It's different when you're doing it online because you'll never know who's reading. You can't see the other person's facial expressions and response to what you just said.<br />
<br />
There's a lady who's blog I've been following. <a href="http://ashleysisk.blogspot.com/">Ashley Sisk</a> did <a href="http://ashleysisk.blogspot.com/2010/11/wee-bit-wednesday.html">something like this</a> on her blog to share a little bit about herself. I wanted to do it to but focus mainly on my spiritual journey. I trust that the God of grace, mercy, and love will encourage your heart as you read. So, here we are:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1lRB_mx3soyo37ECAx_9Z860hYo6dbnH8hE6Mu2P3Er8XZTuitrlt5zUsw49WNS9jX-qMO4LEVoCFDhSy_waGUS8XRypaqDCRAZSUADURP6TtbIzg4tOhoTsGO3moCiAaxcdAulYs7AO/s1600/365Photos-Day40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1lRB_mx3soyo37ECAx_9Z860hYo6dbnH8hE6Mu2P3Er8XZTuitrlt5zUsw49WNS9jX-qMO4LEVoCFDhSy_waGUS8XRypaqDCRAZSUADURP6TtbIzg4tOhoTsGO3moCiAaxcdAulYs7AO/s640/365Photos-Day40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One:</span> <b>When did you become a Christian?</b> I realized I was a hopeless sinner and that I needed a Savior. I asked Jesus into my heart sometime after I turned four. I don't remember the exact date but I can still vividly remember the events surrounding that rainy afternoon when my mom shared the Gospel with me.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Two:</span> <b>Was there a time after that that you thought you were still headed to hell?</b> Oh yes! I asked Jesus to come into my heart several more times until I was in sixth grade and just gave everything over to the Lord.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Three:</span> <b>If you can turn back the clock, would you undo something?</b> A definite yes. Not just something, though. Several things, actually. Sometimes, Satan still tries to put guilty feelings in me and tempt me to forget Christ's work and sacrifice on the cross. Thank God for His love and forgiveness. Whew!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Four:</span> <b>How were you as a teenager?</b> Oh no! Bad! Attitude, lying, self-worth struggles, feeling unloved, seeking all other things other than God, troubled friendships, and the list goes on. I can sum it all up in 1 John 2:15-16, "Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world." I didn't know how to love others and who I am in Christ because I didn't love God.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Five:</span> <b>Was there ever a time when you wanted to call it quits as a Christian? </b>Yes. I thought things would be easier away from God. But the more a got away from God, the more I didn't have peace and joy in my heart. Several mature Christians saw and understood my predicament and reached out to me in love and in prayers. I thank God for using them to rescue me back to Him.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Six:</span> <b>What was it like growing up as as Pastor's kid?</b> Hard. Partly because there was a verbal expectation of how I should behave because I am a PK. Partly because I rebelled because something was expected of me. I didn't really understand what it is to just please and honor God from the bottom of my heart. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seven:</span> <b>Did you always want to be a missionary?</b> No. In fact, when I was in Bible college for one year, I gave my life to God for full-time Christian service during missions conference but specified to God in my prayer that He ought to call me to serve Him just in the Philippines, nowhere else, especially not in Thailand. Ha!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Eight:</span> <b>How did you end up being a missionary in Thailand?</b> I was serving at a church in the Philippines, the same church I attended while in college. Half way into my second year of full-time work there, I sensed that God was calling me to Thailand. It was weird. I would wake up in the middle of the night and "see" myself teaching kids in Thailand! I was very happy and content with my ministry in that church so I was perplexed. Six months later, I was on a plane to Bangkok with my Aunt, Miss Marina Cagas, who's been a missionary to Thailand for 35+ years now.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Nine:</span> <b>What are your favorite books other than the Bible, of course?</b> Oooohh! I have so many. One book that I keep going back to is <i>"<b>Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands</b> - <span style="font-size: x-small;">People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change</span></i><i>"</i> by Paul D. Tripp. It's a counseling book but I find myself needing it over and over again. One I'm currently trying to finish is <i>"The Cross Centered Life" </i>by C.J. Mahaney. I have several books on my mental list that I'd like to read next. I love to read.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ten:</span> <b>Since there are 10 questions here, can you name ten people who have been helpful in your spiritual walk? </b>My hubby, of course. My papa. My mama. Nan Mosher. Connie Ceballos. Romillas Necesito. Levi Layos. Took Hammond. Lisa Caynor. Robert Mullen.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-14669019819952954922010-10-24T23:54:00.000-07:002010-10-25T21:15:48.992-07:00Cause I'm Random, Just Like That!Do I have ADHD? I couldn't keep still. My friends in grade and high schools used to to call me not "Darlene Dawn" but "Darlene Prawn" because I literally jumped all over the place. I didn't know how to walk; I ran! My attention span was always short. Or maybe it still is.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Even now, it's still hard for me to focus on just one thing at a time. I keep finding myself multitasking. But do I multitask because doing only one thing bores me to death? Do the two previous sentences mean the same? I'm loosing my focus. Ha! I am consistently in awe that God would choose me to be where I am now to do what I do now considering the "ME."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGzoe3Kj31d5SKZZNGqldg4oHwVrHNe8zq5NKSLZf3bcifSnvnX60-pdSbT1c_OvExFvT1CxKFb3f61XB7omsXJV-SBkEfVrLwkgpL2-VLeoFDrGE0HbzQ06j2YJ2QjWczY79AFABxEuU/s1600/DSC_0328a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGzoe3Kj31d5SKZZNGqldg4oHwVrHNe8zq5NKSLZf3bcifSnvnX60-pdSbT1c_OvExFvT1CxKFb3f61XB7omsXJV-SBkEfVrLwkgpL2-VLeoFDrGE0HbzQ06j2YJ2QjWczY79AFABxEuU/s400/DSC_0328a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531936705488462914" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">today's rainbow mentioned below</span></span><br /></div></div><br />Anyway, so here are my random thoughts today:<br /><br />It's been three weeks since I last wrote on my blog.<br /><br />I miss being in the States during the fall season.<br /><br />(Looking out the window) Oooh! The clouds are beautiful. It's really bright out. Man! Jayjay broke my sunglasses. I need a new pair.<br /><br />Jay, I wish you didn't slobber all over the balloon before you asking me to blow it.<br /><br />What should I fix for dinner? Maybe pizza? I have dough in the freezer.<br /><br />It's really hot and humid today.<br /><br />My house is a mess. I'm too lazy to pick up the pageS that my toddler tore off of a book.<br /><br />I really should go out for a run today.<br /><br />The toddler needs to take a nap.<br /><br />I need a nap. Weird, because I had eight hours of sleep last night.<br /><br />This coffee is not keeping me awake. Or is it the hot weather that's making me sleepy?<br /><br />I need to take Jayjay's three-year old photo today or sometime this week.<br /><br />It seems like UNO cards just keep appearing out of no-where. I keep finding them around the house.<br /><br />It's almost the end of October.<br /><br />I'm thirsty.<br /><br />I've never fixed garbanzo beans (chick peas) before. What do I do with the pack that I bought from the grocery store four months ago???<br /><br />I'd like to try a new recipe this week.<br /><br />I really like Sam Tsui's voice.<br /><br />It would be fun to go camping with my little fam. Maybe during our Christmas break.<br /><br />I'd like to finish reading the book, "The Cross Centered Life" this week.<br /><br />OK, so now... it looks like it's going to rain. Again.<br /><br />And the sky is bright. Again.<br /><br />I need to get off this computer and do something productive.<br /><br />There are ten guys sitting and chatting outside in front of the shop houses, discussing about their motorbikes.<br /><br />It's almost 5PM. I need to start dinner.<br /><br />I hope I get to visit my parents soon. It's almost three years since I last saw them. *sigh*<br /><br />Cold Stone ice cream sounds very good right now.<br /><br />Look at that beautiful rainbow in the sky. I can see all the colors! I'll take some pictures.<br /><br />I need to end this list. It's almost 6PM and I haven't started dinner yet.<br /><br />I am so distracted and I am not making sense. ADHD?<br /><br />Hahahahaha!Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-22262014407966295752010-10-04T12:37:00.000-07:002010-10-04T21:01:18.745-07:00My "38" List<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaBTajMJ2xbYqfIFu2Nl4J0GUTU7CGkXOPX4o3Dos8AFM5uyleel5b2Ep9PAg39KtzoIif24YjY8xJXUqriyVT7-UNC5XKjVpWQJil4PNph2eJg4tGlGLBZ_7qczF-8Wzl-HUggR1SxCm/s1600/SanFranCity-33copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaBTajMJ2xbYqfIFu2Nl4J0GUTU7CGkXOPX4o3Dos8AFM5uyleel5b2Ep9PAg39KtzoIif24YjY8xJXUqriyVT7-UNC5XKjVpWQJil4PNph2eJg4tGlGLBZ_7qczF-8Wzl-HUggR1SxCm/s320/SanFranCity-33copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524300584621558722" border="0" /></a>Thirty eight. There! I said it! That's how old I am. Here I am sitting at my computer at 2:30 in the morning - WIDE AWAKE! I made this silly rule at home that I don't cook on my birthday. We either order in or eat out. We went out for dinner tonight. Our favorite restaurant in town is having Mexican buffet for four days. It was a very pleasant surprise. Yumm! Coffee and tea came with the meal so I had latte, a strong one! So now, here I am so wide-eyed.<br /><br />In honor of my age, here are 38 things I am thankful to God for: <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(in no particular order, except #'s 1-7)</span></span><br /><br />1. God. He chose to love me in spite of me.<br />2. My hubby. He ain't perfect but he's perfect for me. I thank God for his servant's heart. I am one spoiled wife!<br />3. Josiah, my oldest. He is a talented and smart boy. He corrects my grammar and he always strives to make me happy.<br />4. Boaz, my middle one. I am forever in awe that God chose me to be his mommy six years ago. It's amazing how much he looks like me! He loves to make me cards and write me "notes."<br />5. Micah Jasper, my youngest boy. He makes me laugh everyday. Sure, he's a toddler and throws tantrums but he is a sweetheart. I'm so blessed to be given the chance to raise up another boy.<br />6. My Dad. He always pointed me towards God. His love and devotion for the Lord became my guiding post through rebellious teen years.<br />7. My Mom. She fussed at me when I got lazy but now I am so thankful she did. She prepared me for my wife and mom duties now.<br />8. My extended family - both my mom and my dad's sides. I am thankful for the Christian heritage all the way from both sets of grandparents.<br />9. Marina Cagas, my aunt. She was the one who prayed for me as a young girl that God would call me to be a missionary. She was the one who brought me to Thailand for the very first time in 1996.<br />10. Music, for the opportunities God gives me to serve Him through that.<br />11. The love to cook. I've had so many wonderful memories of fellowshipping with friends and family over food in my kitchen.<br />12. The ministry in Kabinburi. I learn so much about faith, service, and love for God and others.<br />13. My middle son's birth parents for entrusting us with his life. That's bravery on their part and God's great display of His sovereignty.<br />14. Thailand, Thai people, and Thai food.<br />15. Missionary friends. They teach me a lot. They pray for me a lot. They understand where I'm coming from when I feel discouraged.<br />16. Jenni Starkey, our co-worker and friend. We learn so much from each other. I've known her since 1997.<br />17. Coffee!!! LOL!<br />18. Photography and the chance to have it as my hobby.<br />19. My high school close girl friends. We still are very close and still keep in touch on a regular basis. Thanks to email, facebook, and texting.<br />20. Shenandoah Baptist Church family (our sending church) in Virginia. We are beyond blessed to have these people in our lives.<br />21. Financial supporters who sacrificially give so we can be here in Kabinburi.<br />22. Prayer warriors that faithfully uphold us before the throne of grace so that we won't pack our suitcases and leave the mission field.<br />23. Running. And the strength and love to do it.<br />24. My closely knit friends who help me walk in the right path through their friendship, prayers, and encouragement from God's Word. You know who you are.<br />26. Water at Jenni's house. Even though we don't have running water at our place, Jenni's place is only kitty-corner from us.<br />27. My flower garden. It's my stress reliever and one of my favorite places to find a subject for photography.<br />28. Believers in Kabinburi. They are encouragement from God when I get discouraged. God reminds me that these believers know the One, true, and living God because God called us to here.<br />29. Facebook. I'm serious. I live away from family and friends and facebook is how I get connected with everyone. I don't get as lonely anymore as I did years ago before social networking was born.<br />30. The opportunity to live in the US for a little while before coming back to Thailand full-time. I met SO many wonderful people. Some of them became like family.<br />31. Carpal tunnel syndrome. What? I'm thankful for that? Yes. When it acts up, I get to rest and my boys get to do my job. Hahaha!<br />32. "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Gomer Pyle, USMC" on DVDs. Those are our regular entertainment at home.<br />33. Christian Thai friends.<br />34. Non-Christian Thai friends.<br />35. Our local market just 500 meters down the road from us. It is so abundant with fresh fruits and vegetables e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y!<br />36. Street side restaurants all around our area. Oh, especially when I'm lazy or too tired to cook.The foods are cheap and very delicious.<br />37. Thai massage!<br />38. The last but certainly not the least. Intentionally, written as the last one - God's Word, the light on my path so I can walk the straight and narrow way to the Heavenly Father's heart.<br /><br />I wrote this in 59 minutes. I could have written more but I had to stop at that number. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I am one blessed girl!Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-23674191797908139062010-09-19T22:24:00.000-07:002010-10-03T22:21:24.757-07:00What's Ministry and What's "My" Life?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6VM-3UIVScPa7iTdy-ur8wvWtMwjIbf1LJyJWvt2he73NyZ6SYZUn7UfLR9vCkNfolMTCqVk3l4aHvzCX5bV6nUVcAKrFMZsmZ28EcMvwRu6Cr-pU-5JqUM4z_39wV1LMkjmLWeQpru/s1600/mommyNboys.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6VM-3UIVScPa7iTdy-ur8wvWtMwjIbf1LJyJWvt2he73NyZ6SYZUn7UfLR9vCkNfolMTCqVk3l4aHvzCX5bV6nUVcAKrFMZsmZ28EcMvwRu6Cr-pU-5JqUM4z_39wV1LMkjmLWeQpru/s320/mommyNboys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519380751110647442" border="0" /></a>So many of my friends are blogging. It's mostly about their random daily lives and some life lessons thrown in here and there. I love reading them. They help me get to keep up with them and not miss them so much, unlike before facebook and blogging became popular.<br /><br />I have been thinking lately about my own blog. Should I convert this into "all" blog and not solely my spiritual journal? Should I start blogging about my family life and other random stuff? That will be another blog added to four that I already maintain: <a href="http://webersinthailand.blogspot.com/">Ministry Blog</a>, <a href="http://webermksinthailand.blogspot.com/">My Boys' Blog</a>, <a href="http://darleneweberphotos.blogspot.com/">My Photography Blog</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">(I think you should totally check out my photos! Hehehe! Well... all of those blogs, really!)</span>, and then this one. Whew! Four!<br /><br />But then I had a light bulb moment! Aha!<br /><br />There's really no dividing line, not even a fine dividing line between "my life" and my ministry. My life IS ministry. First, our house is also the ministry building. Second, my main ministry is my family. Third, my husband and I are the ministers in this ministry. Even our boys help out a lot in this ministry.<br /><br />Someone once asked me, "Don't you want to live in a place where it's not the ministry building?" Another one asked, "Don't you want your privacy?" Yet another one asked, "Don't you want to get a maid or a nanny or a tutor for your boys (we homeschool) so you can minister?"<br /><br />Here are my answers to those questions. "Yes!" But that is not what God wants for me. My life IS ministry. (I said that already, didn't I?) People watch how I keep my house, how I train my boys to help in the house, how we live as a family. Where we are, there's not much of that for people to see. We are a light here. Do I want my privacy? Ummm... Do I have something to hide? God wants us to be bearers of His light and His love. We need to SHOW what Christian life is all about. Who/what I am in private should be the same in public. I say, should, because I'm not always that way. God help me.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">"That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights <span style="font-size:100%;">(stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world." </span></span><span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">[Philippians 2:15<span style="font-size:78%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:78%;">(Amplified Bible)</span></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"></span>]<br /><br />Back to blogging. I'll keep this as my spiritual journal. You can read about our family/ministry life through our other blogs mentioned above. Even my photography blog shows a lot about our everyday random lives here. Thanks for stopping by this blog and I hope you are blessed. Please come back often.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-57066117280038785462010-09-15T20:21:00.001-07:002010-09-15T22:15:17.074-07:00God Loved on Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBLe8Tw8XWTB8QHNKCDthtZUnQvLdi1kGPDf1B-nnnyyUvikI0Qk_itM4G6zRfs64cL7qyCPTz6GwYIy1Z6Rxpxm2msFBAcvkp-ITBPFHetbm6NKY1KzSxL42Zp4O97dyr99pZ1E08xsW/s1600/monarchbutterfly.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBLe8Tw8XWTB8QHNKCDthtZUnQvLdi1kGPDf1B-nnnyyUvikI0Qk_itM4G6zRfs64cL7qyCPTz6GwYIy1Z6Rxpxm2msFBAcvkp-ITBPFHetbm6NKY1KzSxL42Zp4O97dyr99pZ1E08xsW/s400/monarchbutterfly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517365086524330882" border="0" /></a>I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the fullness of God's love until I started this "Love Journey" study that our home church Senior Pastor had put out for our church family over the summer months. It's an eight-week study that makes you dig into God's Word daily, have you memorize Scripture passages weekly, and challenge you to act on specific "Love God" and "Love Others" commandments. I'm only on the second week but I'm learning so much and I'm getting so much blessing from His Word.<br /><br />I wrote this blog a few years back, <a href="http://darleneweber.blogspot.com/2008/06/are-you-loved.html">"Are You Loved?"</a> But now I realize I do not have a good grasp of God's love, especially for me. That's probably the reason why I'm still having a hard time loving others. Oh, I sure do love my family and friends; but they're easy to love. How about the ones that aren't? Yesterday I had just a tiny, ittty-bitty, little sneak peak of God's love through someone I met only twice. Both meetings were "chance" meetings which I like to call, "divine appointments."<br /><br />During our first meeting I had no idea who this person was but from our conversation, all I saw was God's love and truth flowing out of her. Like I could almost see them spilling over like an overflown cup. My life was forever changed. I was challenged to change my life into a walking-by-faith-not-by-sight life.<br /><br />Yesterday, I was sharing something with her from my heart. I felt so confident and so mature-like. Her response was, "I don't want to talk about those, I want to talk about your life. I think what you just said was an attitude of spite. Until you bend down on your knees before God and your heart goes down too, God cannot work amazing things through you." Ouch! The rebuke I got was spoken in such love and compassion that I felt like I got spanked by the Heavenly Father but yet at the same time, I felt very much loved. If was a weird feeling. I didn't feel condemned or shamed. I just felt... LOVED!<br /><br />As I was leaving the room and walking out in to the hallway, this "older" sister in Christ called out to me, "I love you!" I responded, "I love you, too!" And all of a sudden I felt this warmth all around my body and I was in tears.<br /><br />You see, I learned shortly after our first meeting that this dear sister is of royal blood (literally, a royal descendant). She didn't look at me as a commoner and a foreigner in this country. She looked at me with equality through the royal blood of Jesus Christ. All I showed her was immaturity, lack of faith, and a judgmental attitude... amongst other things; but she saw past that.<br /><br />God knew I needed that experience to make me have a visual picture of God's love, just to get a glimpse. Just a glimpse.<br /><br />Noticed something in that picture above? There are lots of roses all around but the butterfly chose to land on the withered one and it sat there for a long time! I'm kind of like that rose - withered, ugly, ready to fall to the ground. But like the butterfly, God saw something in me, landed on me, and loved on me.<br /><br /><h4 style="font-weight: normal;">1 John 3:1, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!..."<br /></h4>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-15021766967894355732010-09-02T08:52:00.000-07:002010-09-02T09:57:09.218-07:00Wow! You Blow Me Away, God!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr6H09aqRmPqOPHObehUI5mWaBPoPgMo0iIZWC_L55mGt4PvkeyPuvxA7XmorZEzEhIW0pNgyP9du7BuK8oh0_AqzDGCxYWtdGHJbUPO87a4y2glK2NzwmUksgxP4uCh9Zn031fKDm2fj/s1600/dar-sunset.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr6H09aqRmPqOPHObehUI5mWaBPoPgMo0iIZWC_L55mGt4PvkeyPuvxA7XmorZEzEhIW0pNgyP9du7BuK8oh0_AqzDGCxYWtdGHJbUPO87a4y2glK2NzwmUksgxP4uCh9Zn031fKDm2fj/s400/dar-sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512358937278911858" border="0" /></a>I don't know how many times I said this today: "You blow me away, God! You blow me away!" God is working in our lives in ways we've never seen before. It's one thing to have faith to believe that God can and will do great things for His glory, but it's also another thing and a totally, equally faith-requiring, life-changing experience to be a part of that great thing and knowing that it could only get greater because God is ready to display His unlimited power and His unparalleled greatness.<br /><br />[OK. Sorry, that was a looooooooooooooooooong sentence. Probably the longest sentence I've ever written in my life! Hahaha! You can tell I'm just really blown away. Please bare with me.]<br /><br />I'm awestruck. This is beyond my faith; beyond my reasoning; beyond what I ever dreamed of. When God speaks, He speaks - in His terms. When God gives vision, He gives vision only to advance His kingdom - what we are are nothing but broken vessels. When God commands, He commands in His will with so much unconditional love attached to it. When God leads, He leads and provides what we need (spiritual, emotional, physical) along the way - without us having to think or worry about those things because He already prepared the provisions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deuteronomy 10:21 says, "He </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">is</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"> your praise, and He </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">is</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"> your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen."</span><br /><br />The question now is... Is my heart ready and open for Him to do all that He wants to do through me? Am I totally 100% without any reservations going to make myself see His greatness and His glory?<br /><br />"Oh, Lord! I am but a pebble in the sand. My faith is even smaller. Please work a miracle in my heart. Amen."Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-85704002385542424642010-08-31T06:05:00.000-07:002010-09-02T10:00:19.171-07:00Pesky Ants<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJv4Ynjl7Et0p2bHyjrsqm_NI1aH7z43j_DOvrUs_CD_Sd9af-S5w9wPG6N1Cuw7npQJsqdGuNLDKHLyCXae_KZE9u8_th0M4mIU9dCUKUtaduzgIwbkWPmFJvGHoSk_3kkmv75T4WLVu/s1600/ants.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJv4Ynjl7Et0p2bHyjrsqm_NI1aH7z43j_DOvrUs_CD_Sd9af-S5w9wPG6N1Cuw7npQJsqdGuNLDKHLyCXae_KZE9u8_th0M4mIU9dCUKUtaduzgIwbkWPmFJvGHoSk_3kkmv75T4WLVu/s320/ants.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511569181561955794" border="0" /></a>I love living in Asia. I can survive the heat and humidity elevens months out of the year. But the ants? I can't stand them! I STRONGLY dislike them. They seem to just come out of nowhere. I'm beginning to believe they have a stronger sense of smell than dogs have. In fact, just yesterday... I brought my mug to my computer table so I could get on facebook and check email while sipping my hot coffee. I was half-way through my mug and the ants started crawling up!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ant societies have divisions of labor, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems. These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. </span><span style="font-size:78%;">(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ants)</span><br /><br />The Bible mentions the ants in Proverbs 30:25, "Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer."<br /><br />I found myself mesmerized by a group of ants carrying a pea that I dropped on the ground. A few things came to mind:<br /><br />1. These ants are quick! It didn't take them long to smell food. They didn't waste any time.<br />2. They work as a team. Only one cannot accomplish the task... it's too big and too heavy!<br />3. They are constantly busy. Day in and day out, they're in my house. Sometimes they get into really gross stuff in the trash that I don't care to mention here.<br />4. They're ambitious - big goal setters. Oh the things I've seen them carry are beyond my understanding!<br />5. They persevere. The task is big; the destination may be far; the road along the way is not always smooth. Yet, they accomplish what they set their minds to do.<br /><br />Wow! I will end with this.... shouldn't we, humans, emulate those characteristics when it comes to working together in God's ministry? We (mainly ME) tend to sit contentedly in mediocrity in what we should accomplish. We bask in our separatism and reluctance in working with others to achieve the same goal for God's kingdom. We over-celebrate individualism and focus a lot on the "me" than the "all about God" mindset. I have to admit, I have failed in these areas over and over again.<br /><br />Next time I see ants, I need to remember those five things. "Lord, grant me the courage to be what You want me to be to accomplish what You've given me to do."Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-8641044558306921292010-06-26T06:00:00.000-07:002010-06-27T07:12:14.876-07:00Keep Looking Up, Dar!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOWroKYkF1cOWcSU1jXAI6WpSfVrhIxgisPGGWqxeNO3b_fW0k5jTy7mmtyl7V9YUDEAxkeYDv6Y5y2-C88DN7Rbj_oBllp6dpoPcyxlxpzX77w3Tn0YJkZkYi-Kqztxq157PLgs3T3fy/s1600/CIMG2370.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOWroKYkF1cOWcSU1jXAI6WpSfVrhIxgisPGGWqxeNO3b_fW0k5jTy7mmtyl7V9YUDEAxkeYDv6Y5y2-C88DN7Rbj_oBllp6dpoPcyxlxpzX77w3Tn0YJkZkYi-Kqztxq157PLgs3T3fy/s320/CIMG2370.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487074374498158834" border="0" /></a>One advice that I so habitually ignored when I was young was to apply Hebrews 12:2: <span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."</span><br /><br />In WHATEVER we face in life, we ought to fix our eyes on Him alone. He loves us so much that He is interested in everything we do. He is the source of our faith and He is also the one who can polish it into something pleasing in His eyes. He delights in knowing every single detail of our lives because He adores us and loves us.<br /><br />I've been reminded over and over again these past few weeks about Peter wanting to walk on water when he saw Jesus walking on water. I'm sure you know the idiom, "getting your feet wet." Peter's scenario was not the origin of the idiom <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(it was Joshua and the Israelites' Jordan River crossing, actually)</span>. Many times we don't get to experience big things in life or the things that God has prepared for us because we are afraid to "get our feet wet." Peter wasn't perfect. He lost his focus on the Lord (back to that verse again); but he was brave enough to get out of the boat, not like his fellow disciples who were scared! to! death!!!<br /><br />I gave this same illustration to a dear friend a few years ago when she was in doubt about God's specific leading in her life at that time. I think I remember telling her this, "Unless you step out in faith out of that boat, you might not find out what God has in stored for you."<br /><br />I still struggle to fully focus my eyes on Jesus. I so often allow the things around to distract me from focusing my gaze on my Lord. Many times I'm afraid to ask God to give me the courage to ACTIVELY seek His direction and revelation in my life because I'm afraid of changes and I'm afraid that the things that God will reveal to me will blow me away, out of my comfort zone.<br /><br />I think, a great pair to Hebrews 11:2 is Jeremiah 29:11: <span style="font-style: italic;">"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and not for evil,</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> to give you a future and a hope."</span> All I need to do is trust God that all that He has for me are only for my good. Keep looking up, Dar!Ed and Darlene Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16231653451401255496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-77397221926501986902010-03-28T00:06:00.000-07:002010-03-28T09:47:06.405-07:00Shame on Me!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EIUhtm4kc7aeNqR8h61pdZDfzhMB0sJ4UXpX_P79bkKXTH6ug8KaI1Xsvo5mNVZyZ4T4yEbSIdc8PHTqPrS5NJuGIVJfZiVZ3yx4lNO65j4jb4kNYAoxOXsrbuMjvs_PcLZeR9A9aiDR/s1600/NY2010VacayDay6-34a.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EIUhtm4kc7aeNqR8h61pdZDfzhMB0sJ4UXpX_P79bkKXTH6ug8KaI1Xsvo5mNVZyZ4T4yEbSIdc8PHTqPrS5NJuGIVJfZiVZ3yx4lNO65j4jb4kNYAoxOXsrbuMjvs_PcLZeR9A9aiDR/s200/NY2010VacayDay6-34a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453579925996965538" border="0" /></a>What is going on with me? Why so emotional?<br /><br />I was sitting at the kitchen table to rest my feet after cleaning up from Sunday's lunch fellowship in our Student Center/Church. I can hear Selah playing on the little boom box in the other room. <span style="font-style: italic;">"Depth of Mercy"</span> played. I had never really listened to the words before but today I did.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Depth of mercy; can there be mercy still reserved for me?</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Can my God His wrath forbear me, the chief of sinners, spare?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heaven find me on my knees; Hear my soul’s impassioned plea</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Depth of mercy can there be; Mercy still reserved for me</span><br /></div><br />Then Selah's own rendition and arrangement of "I Surrender All" came on. Growing up in church as a pastor's kid, to me that song is old and out of date, or so I thought, compared to the newer more touching, feel-good songs. The rendition was so heart-felt that the familiar words pricked my heart and made my mind think of the profoundness of the familiar words.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All to Jesus I surrender; Make me, Savior, wholly Thine<br />Let me feel the Holy Spirit truly know that Thou art mine<br />I surrender all; I surrender all<br />All to Thee, my blessed Savior<br />I surrender all.<br /></span></div><br />I walked over to the little boom box and played again the two songs I just listened to. I got teary eyed. What very powerful words I heard today. The depth of God's mercy for me is unfathomable. Every single day His mercies are new - never out of date, never stale, always fresh. I was crying. I was overwhelmed. God loved me so much that He gave His life for me, a very wretched person with reprobate qualities by nature! The least I can do is to surrender all of me and whatever accompanies my being. Just because I am a missionary and living in a land away from my family and friends doesn't mean I have given my all to God. I still struggle with letting go of so many things in my life. I struggle not once a year, once a month, or once a week. I struggle daily! Why is it so hard to let go and let God take control of all of me knowing He knows best and only has my best interest in mind? <span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of the mercies of God, to make a <span style="font-weight: bold;">decisive dedication</span> of your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and <span style="font-weight: bold;">spiritual worship</span>.</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> [Romans 12:1]<br /><br />Wow! The Apostle Paul couldn't have said it better! Period. Shame on me if I give God anything less than my all, my whole being!<br /></span>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-82654515427179952882010-03-04T20:00:00.000-08:002010-04-11T08:57:24.193-07:00Don't Get Fooled Again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws5UgTG9XQMUUhUqybCG9CjuDRR6Q43iScjc0xBVOWHGuubH2LB-qeTUyprME9tnLAfNn4Kfzs4zylziCYvIj5NaASdevpmd1bPkWETwdN-Eq7QIjCnG-ujBnVBHrFntsJC0f4eqSzx0E/s1600/091218-1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws5UgTG9XQMUUhUqybCG9CjuDRR6Q43iScjc0xBVOWHGuubH2LB-qeTUyprME9tnLAfNn4Kfzs4zylziCYvIj5NaASdevpmd1bPkWETwdN-Eq7QIjCnG-ujBnVBHrFntsJC0f4eqSzx0E/s320/091218-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458896591949221154" border="0" /></a>Don't get fooled by that little, sweet, innocent face. He's trouble. He makes life really exciting for us. Having three young children at home with no maid or nanny is really not that hard EXCEPT... having a two-year-old. Ha! That's totally another story.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="UIStory_Message">Exciting event in the Weber household: Mom fills up the 10-liter water filter. Baby empties it all. Kitchen is flooded (thank God we have tiled floors!!!). Mom and older boys mop the floor. Kitchen is clean!!!</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />[January 20, 2010] </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="UIStory_Message">One day it was a 2-liter water bottle that got emptied inside the fridge. Fridge got cleaned too! I<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> love how a 2-yr-old's activities force you to clean your house. ;-) Right</span></span></span> after that, he threw a NT Bible, a joystick, a place mat, and a sock out the window on to the awning roof. And just now, tried to get into my vanity cabinet. life is exciting for me!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></span><br /><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lkYghQfvqrJ4Gjs-_QGn0J8SYTEjxmw06Z4QVs12bOxDln7i-Xw9jyEhRxnUXTIJSyKtIMCcksd7R3FmmW1vjOHHAEJ-a-s-5u_T51Dv4x43tQcck0YchPlCVxPVSibVBYY3RzjnXM1q/s1600/JJ-videos.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lkYghQfvqrJ4Gjs-_QGn0J8SYTEjxmw06Z4QVs12bOxDln7i-Xw9jyEhRxnUXTIJSyKtIMCcksd7R3FmmW1vjOHHAEJ-a-s-5u_T51Dv4x43tQcck0YchPlCVxPVSibVBYY3RzjnXM1q/s320/JJ-videos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458895525915133634" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">[March 5, 2010] </span><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">Events that took place in a matter of five minutes while I was eating breakfast: toddler dipped his toy trucks in my tea; toddler got into the spice cabinet; toddler got into plastic container cabinet; toddler colored the kitchen table with yellow and red crayons. I turned around to clean up his mess and he ate my breakfast!!!<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">[April 11, 2010]</span> Just recently he started throwing crying fits while squeezing the tears out as hard as he can. It's hard not to laugh in front of him. Sometimes, he also pretends he's crying like his older brother, Boom, and then laughs at himself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNIOjNXcNbn_hq6g7NjUws0Aal2-DtBWvYW-UGcoAOlURtvXm0cdZTWrMtc0lSpQ-qTtVDRt_wzeopEQ8WgGUO8JWnAzC1vblxJ2rP7WHZPXUPzq-YqY1s90cUCsMJGbwoQAguUJoET_Z/s1600/milkmustache.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNIOjNXcNbn_hq6g7NjUws0Aal2-DtBWvYW-UGcoAOlURtvXm0cdZTWrMtc0lSpQ-qTtVDRt_wzeopEQ8WgGUO8JWnAzC1vblxJ2rP7WHZPXUPzq-YqY1s90cUCsMJGbwoQAguUJoET_Z/s320/milkmustache.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458895511463565266" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span>Strawberry milk shake mustache<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(sorry my lens got fogged up)</span><br /><br />Look what he did to my Easter egg dye<br />when I turned around to dry the eggs!<br /></div><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC-Z58WsMmr2z42mFimqzrvwno9HfpBqaavItletiPNN0vnWlDJ6Gi8PaCifE7IAB_BbD5C92NddDMnIpZTo5Md3YwZfN1Ad5fOuGrbXrPCqxCai7EDSKn6RRwbvU9iVNvp77pGt5u891/s1600/guiltyboy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC-Z58WsMmr2z42mFimqzrvwno9HfpBqaavItletiPNN0vnWlDJ6Gi8PaCifE7IAB_BbD5C92NddDMnIpZTo5Md3YwZfN1Ad5fOuGrbXrPCqxCai7EDSKn6RRwbvU9iVNvp77pGt5u891/s320/guiltyboy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458898183735771954" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="profile_status">But then...</span><br /><span id="profile_status">there's the irresistible smile and<br />the hugs and kisses that come with it.<br />Ahhh! I love this boy and I'm so blessed to be his mommy.<br /></span><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhhD4yKUPjis4OQe_qQ_Hh4Uehac6iBkvAnQZQ6Nno5s5UKNkgezpWSmQWEnmtRHZ_Lpe5g9DeLRXeSdE6XvBVJ9L4ivQ1qlo6yAyWpec9MO3ypQUdzuF5D-r1I5n7doGgs_yZFx1FG1D/s1600/irresistablesmile.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhhD4yKUPjis4OQe_qQ_Hh4Uehac6iBkvAnQZQ6Nno5s5UKNkgezpWSmQWEnmtRHZ_Lpe5g9DeLRXeSdE6XvBVJ9L4ivQ1qlo6yAyWpec9MO3ypQUdzuF5D-r1I5n7doGgs_yZFx1FG1D/s320/irresistablesmile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458897805294302850" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-24996036612753040412009-07-18T01:15:00.001-07:002009-09-11T04:23:47.169-07:00"What My Feet Pleat!"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYxz8mmUpB5ojcu9NjXBsXAffYAXaQAtBrQ9AqNjBIOZFIn1U_kZnKOjc66vaCLbU1zIckdHLIjqGJ2myWqkRVgSizw65wGLHzW3apvNRL7NuzVujcEVndUtXahan1H-sSVerv1zhJo5G/s1600-h/090717.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYxz8mmUpB5ojcu9NjXBsXAffYAXaQAtBrQ9AqNjBIOZFIn1U_kZnKOjc66vaCLbU1zIckdHLIjqGJ2myWqkRVgSizw65wGLHzW3apvNRL7NuzVujcEVndUtXahan1H-sSVerv1zhJo5G/s320/090717.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359711580083349138" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">My two older boys love art and I try my best to allow them to enjoy that. I hate the cleaning up afterwards. Although they clean up most of it, I still have to make sure there are no paint drips or open markers laying around for the baby to grab and paint the walls. Hahaha! Yesterday was no different. The boys were doing some finger painting. Being the trouble-maker that he is, Boom-Boom got paint all over his shirt, mixed blue with yellow, and dripped paint all over the floor AND stepping on them! I ordered him to go to the bathroom so we can wash his feet. A few seconds later I heard this conversation:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">Boom: Manong (big brother), can you wash my feet?</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">Jojo: What do you say?</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">Boom: What my feet, pleat! (Boom language which means "Wash my feet, please!")</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">Jojo: OK.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">How many of us are willing to wash our sibbling's feet? At age 8? Not me.</span></span></span></p><p><sup id="en-NIV-26624" class="versenum" value="4" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">John 13:4-8 </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>[Jesus] got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."</i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">NASB</span></span></span></b></sup></p><p><sup id="en-NIV-26624" class="versenum" value="4" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">These two boys are not even biological brothers but they are inseparable and they always help each other. And partly because of that, they learn to love and appreciate each other. Of course, they do argue and fight just like other kids but they do serve each other on a regular basis. I was going to wash Boom's feet and I probably would have done it with matching yelling at Boom-Boom for being so careless. Jojo did it with a willing heart. I even heard the two boys giggle in the bathroom. What a good example Jojo was to me about servanthood and humility. </span></span></span></span></sup></p></span></div></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-73727907224850888332009-07-11T02:41:00.000-07:002009-07-11T07:00:18.754-07:00My Life is Service<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEZYGy84MMeQCWJflDtoMxwVvk2b41_9St97rHHZj-kCawetjKlCXqzQu7oAL5VF1as1QaBTaPI0noTblEtx2T80x79tig4UM7bp9jrnjEWMQDUNc8T3O-Di-oc1BoLzyk_RXY6uXvoon/s1600-h/mylifeisservice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEZYGy84MMeQCWJflDtoMxwVvk2b41_9St97rHHZj-kCawetjKlCXqzQu7oAL5VF1as1QaBTaPI0noTblEtx2T80x79tig4UM7bp9jrnjEWMQDUNc8T3O-Di-oc1BoLzyk_RXY6uXvoon/s320/mylifeisservice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357141325390420306" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">It's been a month since my last posting. What a busy month June had been for our family - travels, guests, English camps at two schools, and as I am writing this we are hosting a team of thirteen people. We've had plenty of ministry opportunities - ministry ministry, ministry to friends, ministry to my family, etc. It seems like the whole theme was on service. Funny... because right when I was at the point where I was so emotionally and physically tired of serving other people, I saw this sign on a law firm door: "My life is service." It was like God giving me a slapping reminder on the face. "Darlene, your life is service."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Serving God by serving others is joyful and easy when we are full of energy and are vibrant in attitude. But what about those times when we are exhausted, fed up, selfish (what about serving ME this time?), and being required by God to do an extra act, an extra task, an extra hour? Are we still joyful? Am I still joyful? Much as I hate to admit it but there were a few times this past month when I wasn't a happy camper because I had to serve more than I was willing to.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL'; font-style: italic; ">Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (NASB)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we willingly obey God about serving others, He gives us joy and contentment in serving even if there wasn't a fanfare appreciation for our deeds. <span style="font-weight:bold;">That's</span> when God is pleased with our service!</div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-84129954329542652182009-06-10T06:46:00.000-07:002009-06-10T07:15:19.182-07:00Joy and Hope<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddUvd_99N2b6Fg_Usxdpf3yUfGMJJ3gHYW1J7U3xXnB45A6DE1flDgbcmXKnW7wCsk-IcN6zYdIna2EEv0w3w5k4GpeFmal17Qsj4BjIg4IYtS-79Utp8F0y4lpbURIj-OcXj6mBIInCd/s1600-h/DavaoDec08-30.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345701126753776978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddUvd_99N2b6Fg_Usxdpf3yUfGMJJ3gHYW1J7U3xXnB45A6DE1flDgbcmXKnW7wCsk-IcN6zYdIna2EEv0w3w5k4GpeFmal17Qsj4BjIg4IYtS-79Utp8F0y4lpbURIj-OcXj6mBIInCd/s320/DavaoDec08-30.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="center"></div><div>I really don't know but for some reason this phrase kept popping up in my head yesterday, "the joy of the Lord." Hmmm... </div><div><br>...the joy of the Lord is my STRENGTH. Even when I am tired, discouraged or just plain have no motivation, the joy of the Lord is my strength.<br /></div><div><br>...the joy of the Lord gives me JOY. It's not based on what I have or don't have. It's not based on my mood. It's not based on any of my accomplishments. Not even on my spouse or my kids. It's based on who God is!<br /></div><div><br>...the joy of the Lord is my HOPE. Too many people around me are sad, discontented, feeling like a failure, wandering around with no goals and direction. Sad to say that some Christians are the same way. But when I put my trust in Jehovah, He gives me the joyful anticipation of knowing that He has something wonderful planned for me and my family.<br /><br></div><div>Psalm 19:8 says, <strong>"The precepts of the LORD are right, giving <span style="font-size:130%;">joy</span> to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving <span style="font-size:130%;">light to the eyes</span>." </strong>That's what Christian life should be right there - joyful and hopeful!</div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-35102050682314248422009-06-01T02:48:00.002-07:002009-06-01T19:47:45.538-07:00Beauty<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvg4pKlT-oRMOm-qeCHaxYV68y4Kdhqranj0u1fZs-5Rh5OQbuhJI9CAoVa_pNrhD1Hl90HtA9tg9QsR8QX2yYtvZ-rXdyG2szgHM40c_9tp5vNhRnlFlqyDStLg6ygMsi-TJqRcfb-3f/s1600-h/purplelotus-blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342303669145873474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvg4pKlT-oRMOm-qeCHaxYV68y4Kdhqranj0u1fZs-5Rh5OQbuhJI9CAoVa_pNrhD1Hl90HtA9tg9QsR8QX2yYtvZ-rXdyG2szgHM40c_9tp5vNhRnlFlqyDStLg6ygMsi-TJqRcfb-3f/s320/purplelotus-blog.jpg" border="0" /></a>Just two days ago, people around the world anticipated the "Britain's Got Talent" finale. Seven weeks before that, Susan Boyle, took the www by storm. If you got on the internet regularly, you most likely heard her angelic voice or saw a video of her first performance on the big stage. When I first saw her video I cried. I then researched the search engines on whatever I could find about her. What a lowly background! She deserved to win although she came in only second. Blogs and news reports went flying the moment the winner was revealed on BGT's finale. Sad to say, many people had to say something not-so-nice about Susan's physical apprearance.<br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Beauty is very subjective. As a famous quote says... "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Most people think that you have to be good looking to be successful. In my own experience, many times I get better service if I'm wearing make-up and dressed nicely. It clearly depicts the mindset we are emerged in . One of my favorite Bible verses is found in 1 Peter 3:3-4:</div><br /><div align="center"><em>Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, </em><em>and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.</em></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Two key words: merely and precious.</div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>"Merely"</strong> clearly states that the outside apperance need not be neglected, but should not be the only important thing. <strong>"Precious"</strong> gives a picture of a gem - something beautiful to behold; something that is far more of value to God than the latest fashion trend and accessory.</div><br /><div align="justify">Susan is not one of the most attractive person in the music world out there. I see beauty and strength within her. I try to see beauty beyond what is obvious to the eye, although I don't always. Someone recently posted this on her facebook status: <span style="font-family:verdana;">"The average woman would rather have beauty than brains, because the average man can see better than he can think." </span>True about men. True about women too! I'm guilty as charged. Many times I put too much emphasis on how I look outside that I totally neglect "the hidden person of the heart." Oh, Lord, have mercy on me!</div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437149195909523266.post-82958998322624230382009-05-26T00:38:00.000-07:002009-09-11T04:23:19.515-07:00Superboy!<em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMf5IL15wHQMcHL43uz8KxPpYweKolUXAJaqgAaBic3lzq9YiTVcXqC1vmkQaeQZrjpvSinEgUwyXKWjRYJYyXMNYoJCMJsSGTxdZQUHqSapWOeQmUdhWEF5-mTXHWH2E7lS5w9hrN_rg/s1600-h/DSC_0049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340039036981494130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMf5IL15wHQMcHL43uz8KxPpYweKolUXAJaqgAaBic3lzq9YiTVcXqC1vmkQaeQZrjpvSinEgUwyXKWjRYJYyXMNYoJCMJsSGTxdZQUHqSapWOeQmUdhWEF5-mTXHWH2E7lS5w9hrN_rg/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>I grew up in the era of Superman, Wonder Woman, the Justice League, and Superfriends. Wow! If that's not going to give away my age, what will? I wanted to be Wonder Woman - being able to disappear, being able to help others with my power. I also wanted to marry Superman. Now... I can hear you snickering in front of your computer monitor. And when Superman and Wonder Woman marry, what would they have? Superboy!</div><br /><div></div><div>Well... I'm no Wonder Woman; just a woman who constantly wonder about so many things in life. I didn't marry Superman, either. Although, sometimes he does things that are super cool! We DID HAVE a Superboy. I know it sounds funny but this is a true story that happened a few months back. <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>(Sorry for the very late posting. Too many things to do in a day. I told you, I'm not Wonder Woman. Hahaha!)</em></span></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></div><div>We were going to eat lunch out with our friend and co-worker, Jenni. I was finishing getting ready in our bedroom on the second floor. When Jayjay (who was sixteen months at that time) saw his Daddy and brothers heading out the door, he ran after them down the stairs. Thinking he was being left behind, he JUMPED off the stairs!!! Ten feet straight down to the concrete floor while Ed (my husband) and Jenni were watching in horror and shock!</div><br /><div></div><div>All I heard upstairs was... "No, Jay! No Jay! <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(two-second silence)</span></em> Oh, Jay! Oh, Jay!" That's enough to make a mother's heart stop beating! I ran down the steps not really knowing what had happened. I found Ed cuddling a very pale toddler and a horrified "Aunt." </div><br /><div></div><div>I held Jayjay in my arms and cooed in his ears, "Oh, baby! Oh mommy's baby!" We tried to keep him alert while Jenni told me what happened. As Jayjay was free-falling, his arms were wide open to the sides like he was flying. Now, if you had a child you would know that babies' heads are heavy and usually the first ones to hit the ground. Jayjay's head was up and his chin was the last to touch the floor!!! Fifteen minutes later, pink color came back to his face and he was walking. Thirty minutes later he was eating lunch at his usual superboy speed. An hour later he was walking around, pushing his stroller, and giggling. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />That still didn't put us at peace. We decided to take him to a doctor in Bangkok. Four hours later we were sitting in the doctor's examination room after an x-ray was taken. The doctor shook his head and asked us AGAIN (for the 10th time) how Jayjay fell and how he landed. He couldn't believe it - "10 feet?! flat on the floor, not rolling down the stairs?! not a bump?! no broken bone?!" We said... "It was a miracle, Doctor. Angels protected him." He looked at us like we were nuts or something like that.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Psalm 91:11 - <span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.</strong> </span><span style="font-size:78%;">(NLT)</span> I will never read or think or look at this verse the same way again... ever! And if Jayjay will ever come to a point in his life where he will doubt God's plan for him, the Superboy boy story will once again be told.</div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10231807847581185451noreply@blogger.com0