Observations

This past weekend, I had the privelege to go to a Christian ladies retreat at a fairly local camp. Seven other ladies from our church went also. This was the type of event hat we did not have to plan as that was all taken care of by the people at the camp.  I have become friends with on of the ladies I met there. She lives closer to Baltimore/D.C. Area. The church they attend is a lot different than the one we attend. They have a lot of people to move around a lot and that has to make it an interesting place to worship Jesus. They have folks from the USA and all over the world, including Nigeria and Jamaica.

Our speaker was Cindy Foor.  She is so easy to listen to and is all about living out the Word! She went over Hebrews 11, the wall of Faith as she calls it.  There are so many examples of people who could have walked away from listening to God but didn't. Because of their faith in God, He blessed them. I think one of my favorites is Rahab.  She is called a prostitute several times in the scriptures that talk about her, and yet because she helped two of God's chosen, her family was saved! She asked, in faith, that when the destruction came, that her entire family would be saved. They told hr, if your family is under the same roof as you, they will be safe! For days, they had to live together to be certain of their safety. They didn't know anymore than we do when God is coming.

Cindy is the type of speaker who prays before, during and after the retreat, for the women attending! I didn't know this when the following incident took place but I found out soon after.  Toward end of one of the sessions, I had to sneak out for a few minutes. Use your imagination! Too much hot tea for  breakfast, I guess.  Anyway, Cindy had been talking about us asking for forgiveness for ourselves and for others and to others. On my very short walk back to the meeting room, I passed a lady who looked upset and sitting by herself.  I stopped and asked if she was alright and she said no. She was feeling very convicted about a situation regarding her marriage and her husband. I can't and won't go into details as I do not feel as though it is my place. I did sit and talk with her but mostly listened. Really listened!!  Turns out she blames herself and something our speaker said really hit home.  I prayed with her for a short time and then I didn't see her until the next session. Cindy came in to start the session and before she did she said something like "I am feeling like some of you are struggling with feeling convicted with something from your past. Please know that God tells us that when we ask for forgiveness, God forgets about it!"  How is that for God working!!

Some of us from church are working on the book "Unglued" by Lysa TerKeurst.  It is a great book that talks about us as women, losing our emotions and controlling our emotions through victory in Jesus.  We have been working on this for several weeks now, and I being this up because as soon as I got home from this amazing biblical retreat, Satan jumped in and tried his best to get me to lose control.  I had to literally stop and say out loud, "Satan get away from me! You will not win this battle! I am a daughter of Jesus!"  In a matter of seconds I was totally calm! Praise Jesus!!

I am not to the point where nothing will set me off, but with prayers, accountability from my sisters in Christ, and work on my part I can get there. Please pray for me as I continue to make time, not find time to do my devotions. I have found that having a speaking Bible app works great, as I can use it while getting dressed and perhaps one of these times I will remember to use in while driving!  Thanks and have an awesome day!

The cabana boy is fired!

I was thinking today, as I shoveled snow for what felt like the hundredth time, that I wish I had a "snow boy."  Since we don't have a pool, I guess I can't have a pool boy!  I started by working on the driveway but not before the dog helped make a path to my car. It isn't a huge drive, just over two car lengths long but when you are doing it yourself, it can be huge. I did find a little heart as I worked on the spot where my hubby Jay parks. I thought this was a cute thing since it is Valentine's day and all. 

As some of you might know, I usually seem to have issues getting my devotions done on a regular basis. I know this is my own fault and that it can be changed but I am not making excuses. It might seem like a weird thing to bring up in the middle of snow pictures but keep reading and it will makes sense. I hope. This year for Bible quizzing, we are studying Exodus. I got to a point today working in the driveway, that I was physically reaching my breaking point. Looking around, I figured the best thing to do was start praying, and for what ever reason, Moses and the forty year desert journey came to mind.  Being at my mental breaking point by this point and on the verge of tears, I started looking at the snow as my desert.  Now this doesn't happen often (to me anyway) but when it does, it is for a good reason which comes in loud and clear.  Remembering a friend's post on Facebook this morning, he talked about be thankful for shovels. That could seem like a weird thing but for him it is a big thing. He has MS, so he posts something everyday that he is thankful for! Wheels (cars, wheelchairs), shovels,  his family/wife, fans/air conditioning, etc. I have two dear friends who are both cancer survivors but can't get out and do this kind of stuff around their house. My hubby might have to go leave for work at five am due to the snow, and might not get home until eight at night for the same reason but I can do this. This is just a season in life and in our life.  Wielding a shovel for several hours today and reaching breaking points, knowing that I have the ability to do this stuff, even while dealing with lupus and arthritis, made me feel whiny. Crying out to God was my sanity today!  After lunch I got another crazy idea! Why don't I shovel off our deck??!! Now, granted it is ten by ten or something like that so it isn't huge but you get the point.  Anyway, I had trouble opening my back door so I had to push the door open as far as I could, and try to shovel a bit. Let's just say that is quite the adventure.  If you look at the pictures below, you can see part of the mess that loomed ahead (not as bad as the driveway though).  After I managed to get enough shoveled to reach the swing, I had my handy dandy yardstick ready. 19 inches in two days!!!!  So glad, that I had the foresight to fill my suet feeders yesterday morning. At the corner of the deck you might be able to see a thistle feeder bag, which was half full of ice.  The deck isn't perfect but it is ready for the next two-five inches we are supposed to get tonight or wait is that tomorrow??  I do try to start every weekday morning watching Joyce Meyer but that is no excuse.Who knows but I know that this has been a great lesson for me...get off my butt and do my devotions. Feel free to keep me accountable! 

Part of the point to this story, is this. Even in the midst of my desert, I need to remember a few things. First and foremost, do my daily devotions. Be thankful to God everyday (I am!) for my health even when I hurt so much I want to cry. I can still physically walk into the house and take some over the counter meds that will help me deal with it.  Next, be appreciative of the fact that my hubby is able to work. I have several friends who are either widows or their hubby can't do this to due to health issues.  Hugs and blessings to all of you who might read this today or in the future. 

Our snowy icy wonderland

Welcome to our winter wonderland!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, 

consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

For you know that when your faith is tested, 

your endurance has a chance to grow.

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed

 you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

James 1:2-4 NLT 

Over the last week or two, we have had several snow storms and even an ice storm. Those of you who live near me, know what I am referring to! Lost electric means no water, sewer or working refrigerators/freezers!  I am however thankful for answered prayers. When we woke up, we realized we had no electric due to the ice storm.  After my hubby left for work on Wednesday morning (early!) I prayed for over an hour for safety for our houses and neighbors.  We had a number of trees breaking around in our area and you could hear them from a distance.  We had one in our back yard, that I saw was going to go and it did about three minutes later. I prayed for our homes but forgot sheds and back porches.  LOL live and learn. Our red shed was hit but I don't think it is badly hurt. Our neighbor had trees broken and uprooted by his back porch.  

Icy tree archway a few minutes from our house

Downed tree on our shed

Busted evergreen is 40 yrs old 

Another snowy day!

My project for today was get rid of my migraine, head to school to 

teach library to my favorite kiddos. Also included in my itinerary was 

cleaning a path from the house to the dog pen and including the dog pen. 

The  dog helped sort of. She supervised and had snow thrown on her twice. 

She loved it!

Pen area before

Pen area after! Not too shabby!

Impossible pie recipe

I tried a new recipe called The Impossible pie. I haven't tried it yet as I am waiting for my hubby to get home from work. It smells great! This is one of the easiest recipes EVER!

Recipe:

2 cups milk

1 cup shredded coconut

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup sugar (I used 1/2 cup)

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix all the ingredients together in a blender, except for the nutmeg.

Pour into a well greased and floured pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Enjoy!

Snow Day

Guess I should take down sign!

 

Yes this is how much snow we had so far today!

 

This is a gnome door I found at the base of one of my trees.
  

First one home today from work gets the empty spot!