Unexpected Thankfulness

Lynn is hosting Thankful Thursdays for the month of January and today we are sharing our Thankful hearts ~ specifically the unexpected moments.

It didn't take me long as I began to ponder what the Lord has given to me that I found unexpected....

Yesterday as I went about my day with the impending storm on everyones minds, on the radio and tv we had the MOST BEAUTIFUL sunshiney day with the temperatures reaching 65!!!! SIXTY FIVE!!!! NO WAY .....COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED :)
I drove with the windows down and just relished in the sun and warm air. As I was walking in the mall I overheard a older woman tell her husband "Come on Honey ~ lets get out there and say hello to the sun....Lord knows we won't see it for another week" Too funny Thank you Lord for the Sunshine and the Warm Air ....so unexpected

I shared with you all about our preparations for this storm. One of those being firewood. Well we were suppose to have a rick of wood delivered and stacked during the day, so when 5 pm arrived and we had no wood I called the person to see where he was. He explained something had come up and wouldn't be able to make it. OH NO!! WE ARE OUT OF WOOD and every other call my husband had made before he left he found that each person was either out of wood or couldn't make it until the weekend which was too late. Sooo I knew we were in a pickle. I texted my husband and then just prayed. At nine o'clock last night I received a phone call from one of our best friends. He told me he and his wife had some wood and he was in our driveway ready to drop it off and where did I want it??? HOLY SMOKES :) We all unloaded it together and then He left me with some IceMelt and assured me that if we lost power he would return to hook up our generator and also bring my children some deer jerky! Total Blessing Thank you Lord for Friends like the Stumps!... unexpected to say the least :)

I hope everyone has a VERY BLESSED DAY today....Praise the Lord for whom ALL BLESSINGS flow!! What has HE shown you unexpectedly?? Tell me about it and we will praise HIM together!

Hoping for the Best ~ Preparing for the Worst

Bags packed (check)

Hair appointment today (check)

Manicure and Pedicure appointment today (check)

Groceries bought and put away (check)

Gas for Generator in case of power outage (check)

Firewood loaded and ready to keep everyone warm (check)

As you can see I will have a fun day today ~ I am getting my hair done and my nails and a pedi woohoo! But in that back of my mind I am wondering if it is necessary.....They have increased our snow and added substantial ice to the forecast. In Oklahoma well, we just aren't prepared to handle this type of weather!! DISASTER was in the forecast ~ yep ~ the meteorologist actually said Disaster! LOL Nothing like sending everyone into a PANIC

Here are a few of the Facebook Status' I read last night:

Here at walmart with the rest of the town
comment: OH! I thought everyone was here at Reasors with me! :)

Y2K ALL OVER AGAIN

Make your bread, toilet paper, and milk run NOW! Oh wait, they are all gone!



As you can tell, we are all calm ~ no need to worry .....NOT! I will keep you posted....
Love and Blessings

My Daybook

FOR TODAY... January 26, 2010

Outside my window...the Sun is peeking on the horizon and it is a chilly 34'

I am thinking...about how I am suppose to leave for Florida on Friday but they are saying we may get 10' - 12' inches of SNOW
and if this happens I won't be going ANYWHERE

I am thankful for... my sweet Husband who made me coffee and breakfast this morning....Love you Honey

I am wearing... sweats and a hoodie for now

I am remembering...the last snow/ice storm we had....we were shut down for 10 days without electricity and this time my DH will already be in Florida...He leaves on Wednesday BEFORE the storms comes....OH MY!!

I am going... to run sooo many errands today then to Physical Therapy.....I am in need of a break from all this running!

I am currently reading... Beth Moore's "So Long Insecurity" to review and a "Princess' Devotional" for review ~ I just love reviewing and I have a great handle on things .... Thanks to the great advice from my friend Clif

I am hoping... the pain in my body would go away....it really is worse in the cold weather

On my mind... how the end of this week will play out???

Noticing that.. Our new puppy is sleeping longer and longer during the night YAY!! this means we sleep more too :)

From the kitchen... home made chicken rice soup today, taco salad tomorrow and well then we will just have to see whether I am here or leaving on a plane LOL

One of my favorite things~ watching my puppies play together

From my picture journal...


Rylee on Christmas.....isn't this just the sweetest picture EVER!!

Wonderful book

Romance on the Ranch:
When Jenna’s cowboy returns to their small hometown in Texas, 
she discovers that the memories of the past aren’t so easy to shake after all


Popular author Sharon Gillenwater releases a new novel, Jenna’s Cowboy, set in the beautiful part of West Texas where she grew up as the debut novel in The Callahans of Texas series.

Readers meet Jenna Callahan, who has a young son and is working hard at her father's ranch. She's content with her life. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town—the first guy she ever noticed, the very same one her father sent away all those years ago. And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.
Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him—and become the man Jenna deserves.
With an emphasis on simple acts of love, Jenna's Cowboy gives romance readers what they want most: a love story with a Texas touch. This contemporary novel will appeal to fans of Debbie Macomber and Lisa Wingate.
Sharon Gillenwater was born and raised in west Texas, and loves to write about 
her native state. The author of ten novels, she is a member of ACFW and Romance Writers of America. When she's not writing, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and adorable grandson. She lives in Port Angeles, Washington.
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life.  They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.
Jenna’s Cowboy
by Sharon Gillenwater
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3353-7
January 2010; $14.99

my Review:

This book is wonderful ~ It is full of Romance, Love, Family and how they pull together for each other leaning on the Lord for ALL things! Jenna is a single mom with a precious little boy who has returned home with her family on the ranch. Nate has returned home from his tour in Iraq and you will see how these two find their way back to healing, seeking the Lord and experiencing the Love and Strength of FAmily while they see each other as well, in a whole new light. You will love the Texas ways of a small town and feel the warmth of the characters and see their determination to conquer the trials that life gives them. I could hardly put this book down and CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE TO COME OUT! This is the 1st book of the series and I HIGHLY recommend this sweet book and to the author ~ I thank you for sharing such a compassionate look into these men and women who are returning from serving in the armed forces! I will forever be greatful and well, so will my neighbor ;)



Love and Blessings,

Are you Anointed? Spiritual Sundays

"The Lords goals and plans for us requre HIS power" says Priscilla Shirer in my Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed Bible Study. Of course in our own natural abilities we can....
mother children
teach a class
stay in a marriage
or even write a book
BUT to fulfill the supernatural purposes of the natural activities demands an anointing by Gods Spirit.

Are you anointed? If you are a Believer in Christ and have been saved ~ according to 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 the answer is YES!

Now HE who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2Cor 1:21-22

The verb to anoint and its derivatives appear over 140 times throughout the Scriptures. The word anointed come from the Hebrew word mashach. The word is used for the cermonial induction into leadership offices by the pouring of oil from a horn on the head of an individual.

Anointing set apart and consecrated a person to divine service. Anointing with oil was often accompanied by another important and interesting spiritual event. When Samuel anointed David, the Spirit of God rested on him in a new way from that day forward to empower and strengthen him for the particular task at hand.(1 Sam 16:13) Anointing means "a divine enablement to accomplish a divine task or a supernatural empowering to accomplish supernatural goals."
written by Priscilla Shirrer

I am so thankful to be ANOINTED and because I am and because you are we will be able to accomplish divine tasks for HIS glory! How does this change things for us?

The anointing causes a woman with children to become a developer of Christian soldiers.
The anointing gives a mere speaker a message that penetrates the hearts of the listeners.
An author can pen a book without the anointing, but only the anointed author can write words that carry the weight of God to accomplish eternal purposes in the lives of readers.
~written by Priscilla Shirrer


The anointing causes blogs such as Spiritual Sundays to grow and penetrate the hearts of its readers with love and encouragement!

Thank you Charlotte and Ginger for operating in your anointed calling and sharing this blog with so many! Go here to read other Spiritual Sunday posts


Praise God from whom ALL Blessings Flow!

Adorable Giveaway ♥

My friend Kathy at Blessed Beyond Imagination is hosting a Valentine Giveaway! She made this ADORABLE apron just for us!! Isn't that just the sweetest thing!! Yep ~ she's good that way :) So go on over and visit her today, leave her a comment, write her a poem that will blow her away ;) Don't you know it will just make her day. ♥


Love and Blessings

T.G.I.F.

It's FRIDAYYYYYYYY :) Yes, I AM SOOO EXCITED!! Today, I get to stay home ~ No physical therapy ~ no appointments to be at ~ just me and my puppies and I plan to catch up with my bloggy friends and spend some serious quiet time with the Lord today.

It is also Friday Funny day which always makes for some laughs! Today Kim asked for "family funnies" and how very appropriate that is since I am going to share a video of Tyler. He is Jenna's boyfriend and they made this silly chicken cup video and we have laughed too many times. One day Tyler said you need to use that on your blog so here ya go! Hope you enjoy his silliness :0) Be sure to visit Kim for more funnies or maybe even join in with your own!!




Happy Friday

Thankfulness

Please join Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage for Thankful Thursdays.


I am thankful for many things ....what exactly ~ you are asking? I will share :)

My new Bible study titled Anointed Transformed and Redeemed with Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur ~ It has already spoken volumes to my heart and I love learning and growing deeper in the Word! Thank you Lord!

Friends ~ I have been able to spend some time this week catching up with some friends ~ having lunch. It seems like I haven't seen anyone in so very long since I was gone for most of December and with the holidays so catching up with them has been such a gift. God has blessed me with such wonderful friends here at home and in this blogging community! Thank you Lord!

Ministry and Church ~ I feel the Lord is leading us back into ministry and into a traditional church. We have been a part of a home church for awhile and this season is ending so we are seeking HIS will and where exactly HE wants us ~ It is fun and exciting to see what the LORD will do!! I am soooo ready! Thank you Lord!


Patience ~ from you all. I have not been able to get around to soooo many blogs and I feel awful. It means so much to me to have your friendship and comments so when I am not visiting you and sharing my heart I miss each one of you, and I feel awful! So, thank you for your patience. I am hoping things will be calming down soon. I will be returning to Florida soon to see my Stepmom. It will be good and very hard to be back at Dads but I know it will also be healing as well. (not sure how that popped up LOL) Please know that my not visiting doesn't mean I don't care ....it just means life has gotten tooo busy and I will be back SOON.
Thank you Lord for my bloggy friends patience.


Mentors in this blogging community ~ I have found some blogging friends that have come to truly be mentors! They are such a gift to me and I learn from them everyday whether it be in their posts or for some the relationship has grown and we email or even talk on the phone. I love this and the fact that I never would have found them if it wasn't for this blogging community. One sweet lady I would like to share with all of you because she is soooo full of wisdom and has an amazing beautiful heart for the Lord is Kathleen ~ The Sassy Granny. She began blogging for her grandchildren, in hopes that her words will inspire them for many years to come. What a heritage she is giving her family but because of the blog I am able to reap these benefits as well! Thankyou Lord for Kathleen and others who are such godly examples and bless me as I sit at their feet learning daily!

I will end with this one ....I am very thankful for Maggie and Tyson becoming friends and playing together, sleeping together and having fun!! I was so worried about Tyson for a few days which I shared in a post but almost immediately after posting that they began playing and he has warmed up to her more and more each day! THANK YOU LORD :)
here is a sweet pic of the two of them sleeping with my son ♥



Love and Blessings,

The Judas Ride

Honestly, I don’t like giving a bad review, but I feel I MUST be honest and I pray that my words will not hurt anyone especially the author.

The Judas Ride was one of the most difficult books I have ever read. One of the main characters is Pastor Manny. I have never known a pastor who behaves in the way this one does. Drinking beer at church while ministering and hanging out with the young men in his church is far from what I would call acceptable. The majority of the characters in this book are teens. The young girl in the story is pregnant but doesn't know who the father is out of two young men. One, is a new Christian and wants to help raise the baby and support her while the other is an abusive young man who also is a drug dealer and gives the young pregnant girl all the drugs she desires. She plays both of them to her advantage, which could be normal for a young girl but it becomes quite ridiculous. The family issues in the story are ones we see unfortunately, far too many times in life but the issues in this book are very dark, deep rooted and very disturbing. That being said, there are times when the characters are in the middle of very strong abuse and then in the next sentence they are acting as if they know Jesus and what HE would say. I don’t understand how this can be and honestly I found myself asking over and over as I discussed this book with my husband how this was able to be labeled as a Christian book. Jesus is with us, beside us, full of Hope, Strength and Love ~ NOT giving up, nor abusive. Yes, these issues are very real and happen everyday but I felt as if this book portrayed more condemnation than it shared HOPE and for me no matter what we face when we have Jesus there is ALWAYS HOPE to face any stronghold ~ NO MATTER WHAT.

After having read this book, In my humble opinion, I don’t feel comfortable recommending it.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Judas Ride

Tate Publishing (December 8, 2009)

by

Peggy Sue Yarber


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Peggy Sue Yarber, PhD in psychology, lives in central California with her husband, two daughters, six turtles and two dogs. She works in the field of education.

The Judas Ride was inspired by her current and previous students. She has seen and experienced and seen similarities between the students and Jesus’ traitor, Judas Iscariot. She has always been fascinated with Judas. Yarber went to a catholic school when she was young and Judas was always portrayed like a mysterious rebel.

She ventures to say, “I guess he was my James Dean of the Bible. But in a good way! In the way that…he did something so wrong so that the entire world could be saved. He had to betray Jesus in order for the rest of the story. I have always wondered what it would be like to not do that one bad thing that would lead to that one great thing. So I had the Vader character sort of run through the paces of Judas.”

Redemption and reality are the two distinguishing features about Yarber’s writing. Not all teens find redemption in The Judas Ride. Yarber considered trying to show the negative outcomes as much as the positive. She wasn’t thinking in terms of positive and negative but she did try to balance the two sides. Yarber says she often sees people daily that , “…have even more screwed up lives than these characters.” Yarber admits sometimes there is not an ending to the madness unless someone dies and then even after the death the ripples still linger. She has written another novel TARE and a children’s book Rocketships to Heaven and the SOS Fuel Station. She loves to run, read, shoot guns and watch her daughters play soccer.

ABOUT THE BOOK

An unwed (and unwanted) teen pregnancy with two possible fathers. Abusive relationships. Drug and alcohol addiction. Rape and molestation. The struggle to understand grace, forgiveness, and free will versus predestination. The Judas Ride hits the road running in the opening pages, where Sonia and Xavier argue explosively about whether Sonia should have their unborn child and about who the father is: Xavier, a struggling Christian, or Vader, an abusive and abused drug dealer. As the pages turn, readers continue to meet a hodgepodge of troubled teens and eclectic characters, including Pastor Manny, a quirky immigrant pastor infatuated with John Wayne. Pastor Manny desires to help the tortured souls in his community but finds that it takes more than unconditional love to reach them. Secrets literally kill in The Judas Ride, an edgy, in-your-your face Christian novel that boldly explores the struggles of modern-day young people.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Judas Ride, go HERE

The Book of Eli

Today I will be sharing a couple of reviews. This morning will be this movie "The book of Eli" and this evening I will share about a book I have read.

First, I want to share a couple of links I was given from Karen Kingsbury's site about the movie.

This one shares a bit on Denzel and how he was so protective of the movie


This next link is in regards to the "R" rating and the language in the movie


So, as for my review ~ What I would share first and foremost is that it truly is an "R" rated movie. The Language is BAD and you don't see any nudity. That said, it is a VERY INTENSE movie with alot of killing and I mean alot. But, the storyline is something that speaks volumes. If you can handle the killing and blood then you will want to see this movie, but if you get nauseated at the sight of blood and gore then DO NOT GO! It is along the lines of Mel Gibsons "The patriot" without the Romance.
Again, though, the story shared with us a determination to Run this Race the Lord gives us until we have completed the task.










Just my humble opinion,