Well guys I am a little sad this morning...My Christmas Tree is sitting in broken pieces all over my living room.  Let me tell you the story!

I wanted to put up my tree 3 weeks ago but Charlie & the kids said to wait until after Thanksgiving.  Well, I patiently waited, really it was just because I couldn't get the tree down from the top shelf in the garage.  Anyway back to my story...On Monday Charlie & Trevlyn took the tree down and brought it to the living room.  Trevlyn actually put it together for me because in my weakened state (I've had the flu) I was unable to lift anything.  ;(  Then as we began to plug in the lights...you know A to A, B to B, C to C, etc because it is a prelit tree.  We realize 3 entire rows are not working.  We unplug & replug but alas the lights were kaput!  

But...I am married to a lighting guy, right?  All should be well.  Let's continue the story.  Charlie sees the problem on Monday evening and says no problem, I can fix it! (said in Tim the Toolman voice)  So, I try to trust him as my tree is sitting deformed and losing needles from all the pulling and prodding of cords.  Charlie decides he needs a light zapper (something he has saw on TV).  

On to Tuesday morning, Charlie is on the search for a light zapper.  After going to Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, and Dollar Tree, he finally finds one at Walgreens.  He comes home yesterday afternoon and dismantles the tree.  He begins to test each and every fuse & light bulb for a malfunction.  OMG...I think this is going to take forever.  

Wednesday morning...It does take forever...It still isn't done and now my tree is sitting in pieces all over my living room floor.  It is sad and Christmas is broken!  

Charlie says he'll continue to 'work' on it when he comes home this evening.  But I have a feeling that tomorrow my tree will still be sitting dejected in broken pieces in my living room.  I can't even go into the living room because I feel the need to clean it up.  All my decorations are scattered around the room.  The tree is in pieces around the room and fake needles are covering the floor.  We'll see if I'm able to make it through the day without throwing the tree together and putting a strand of lights on the rows that aren't working.  

To be continued...

Tinsel & Treasure

This weekend my sister and I, otherwise known as Lulu and Joy, have a booth at Tinsel & Treasure.  I don't have much time to write because I'm making a few last minute items but please come see us if you are in Knoxville.  We have wreaths, decorated insulated double wall tumblers, decorated Christmas ornaments, handmade children's clothing, burp cloths, bibs, headbands, and other hair accessories.  I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.

We are in booth #82! We'd love to see you there!

~Blessings
Krista

All in a Day of a Housewife

Click here to check out my newest creations on my craft business blog. 

What do you do all day?  I hear this question all the time.  I can even remember asking SAHM/W this question myself when I worked full time outside of the home.  I say it that way because I still feel like I work full time but I very rarely leave my house!  I actually probably work more now.  Now that I am a housewife I kind of chuckle when I hear that question.

So what have I done today.  It's 12:30 and I've already made breakfast then cleaned up the kitchen, made homemade laundry detergent, canned homemade apple butter, scheduled an installation appointment for DH, washed 2 loads of clothes, and now I'm eating my lunch and typing up a blog post.

Woosh.... I'm tired!

Actually the rest of my day is fully scheduled too!

After I finish my sandwich I have 2 embroidery orders to fill, and then I need to get started on the many things that I have to make before the Tinsel & Treasure show.

Charlie asked me this morning if I was happy just being his housewife.  I just smiled and said I love it!  I couldn't ask for more.  He then said but we don't have as much as we had when we were both working.  I asked him if that bothered him.  He of course said NO and that he loved having me at home.  I then reminded him that things are not important to me and never have been.  As long as he is good with it then I am very happy.  I feel like the Lord has me just where he wants me to be.

We don't have the things that we used to have.  We don't eat out as often.  I haven't been to the mall in months.  You know what?  I don't care!  I love saving us money by making our laundry detergent.  I love grocery shopping knowing that the meals I make are healthy.  I love the sense of accomplishment I get by managing the office side of Charlie's business.  I schedule his appointments, create & send in the invoices, and manage all the office stuff.  I guess my 'job' with Singleton Services gives me my office fix that I need every once in a while.

I also love that I have time to create things.  I love to sew and I really like knowing that my creations are going to someone special.  I put my heart & soul into every item that I make.

My children, although in college, act like they like me being at home too.  They come home every day and sit in the kitchen just to talk to me.  I feel like I'm more involved in their lives then I've ever been.  I no longer make their decisions but I do pray with them and for them as they are making decisions that will effect the rest of their lives.  I know that they love the home cooked meals that await them.

Well, my sandwich is gone and it's time for me to get back to work.

~Good Day to you all and Many Blessings,
Krista

Crafter's Block

Do you see all this fabric? It's literally yards & yards of fabric and I haven't been able to make a thing for the last 2 weeks.  I can't get past this little crafter's block that I'm having.  I usually can look at a piece of fabric and I think "oooohhh I want to make _____ out of that!" But not so.  I just look at it and think "Wow, that's a lot of fabric!"

Geez, what's wrong with me?  It's driving me crazy.  Any ideas on how to get passed this? I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks and many Blessings!
Krista

Coffee

The 1st step in overcoming an addiction is admitting that you are an addict, right?  I think that's what the AA program says.  Anyways, to get to the point I am addicted to coffee!  I drink a minimum of 2 cups a day but most of the time more than that.  A few years ago I went to a nutritionist who helped me with my diet because of my toxin levels at that point I was drinking a pot of coffee a day!  I completely weaned myself from all coffee, caffeine, and food from a can.  Within 6 months I was eating all natural foods; fresh or frozen vegetables, fresh meats, etc.  Basically good for you foods.

I have slowly added coffee back into my diet.  I didn't think I was addicted like I was before because I'm certainly not up to my pot a day intake.  However this week I started a challenge with some friends of mine.  We are eating healthy fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.  Of course, we are only drinking water!  We have milk in our smoothies but basically water. I thought my biggest hurdle was going to be the food.  Our caloric intake per day is between 1300 & 1500 calories and we have to exercise for 30 minutes a day, but not so!

Today is only the second day and I am dying with a headache!  It's not the food I'm having a problem with.  As a matter of fact, I am full!  Can you believe it?  No, I am having coffee withdrawals.  My Keurig is sitting on my counter taunting me!  It's saying "You can have just one cup." "One cup surely won't hurt you." "Come on just do it."  I don't even drink sugar or cream in my coffee so what would it hurt?

My head is pounding and you may say no it's the food but I know what a caffeine withdrawal headache feels like.  It's definitely a headache derived from having no coffee for 2 days.  My last cup was on Sunday afternoon!  My wonderful or should I say normally wonderful husband is running away from me in fear that I might bite his head off.  I realize that anything that has you so addicted that you get a headache or are hateful when you do without it is not good for you!

So, I need your prayers.  I don't want anything to have that much of a hold over my life.  You may say, 'Geez, Krista it's just coffee. Get over it.;'  But really, I don't believe anything should have that much control over my life.  This diet thing we are doing is only for 10 days, but I am going to attempt to cut my coffee back to only casually drinking.  Not a daily I have to have it kind of thing forever.

There are so many good things can come out of this.  1st and foremost that coffee won't have control of me. 2nd - it will surely save us tons of money.  Those Keurig cups are so expensive!  3rd I will be more healthy.  So, as your drinking your cup of coffee remember me sitting here with shaking hands, and a roaring headache and say a little prayer for me!

~Blessings
Krista

Hold Me While I Cry

Do you ever have one of those days where you just feel like crying?  When you know that everything is going to be okay because the Lord is with you but the problems just seem so insurmountable.  I couldn't make it through any day without the Lord.  I know he's always with me.  It's just that sometimes I wish I could crawl up in his lap, let him hold me, and feel his arms around me.  I just want to cry out all my problems and let him tell me that everything is going to be okay.  I'm sure he'd say "Fret Not, Krista!"  or may be he'd say "I've got this!  Why are you worried?"

It's just one of those days when I see all the bills in front of me and the lack of income or I should say a minimal income makes me worry how we are going to make it.  I know God has brought us this far so why would I think he wouldn't take us the rest of the way.  I hate to even complain because I know that some people have it so much worse.  Then I remember my Mother saying "You've got to be tough" and "Everything is going to be alright".  I really don't complain much and it condemns me to say anything at all because I've been blessed so much but I know that God is our Father.  Just like a Father, he wants us to tell him our concerns, our trials, and our weaknesses but he also wants us to know that he is there with us.  He will never leave us.

This song says 'tomorrow I'll be okay', and I know that is so true.

~Blessings
Krista

New Handmade Items

My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby.  We are all so excited!  She is due to arrive on September 26th.  This will be my parents' 18th grandchild.  Her name is Norah.  Isn't that adorable?  I can't wait to show you pictures of our newest little addition but for today I can only show you pictures of a few of the things I made just for her!

Check them out at Lulu and Joy's blog...

~Blessings
Krista

Sonlight Express VBS - Wednesday Night

On Wednesday night we visited Fearless Falls and learned that Jesus Cares.  The little children's train was rocking back and forth as you can see below one of the little children's car laid her completely flat while another little boy took it all in stride.  He never even became scared at all.  The memory verse for the night was from 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,".  The bible lesson was from Mark 4:35-41 where the students learned how to trust Jesus during the difficult times of life just like the apostles did when they were on the boat during the storm. 

The craft for the night was a boat with fisherman on it.  As I took the picture; this passenger, which just happens to be my nephew, was rocking his boat back and forth like it was in a storm, and he was explaining the lesson to me.

Charlie with the 3rd & 4th graders.  He takes getting on their level seriously!

Charlie with the K - 2nd graders.  Again getting down with them so they understand.

Three of the 3rd and 4th grade girls leading our theme song "Get On Board Little Children"

   

The kids had a special surprise for Charlie for the closing assembly.  They had all learned this little rap of the song the B-I-B-L-E.  It is super cute!

Two more nights of VBS and I hope to have more pictures to upload tomorrow.  Then on Saturday we are taking a Back to School trip with the youth.  We will be leaving at 6am for Six Flags!!  I'll have to sleep the entire next week to recoup from all this excitement!

~Blessings
Krista

Sonlight Express VBS - Tuesday Night

On Tuesday we visited Mercy Meadows and learned that Jesus Leads.  It was so cute to see the children making their little sheep in the Craft Caboose.  Then they went to the bible lesson and learned to trust Jesus and to follow him just like sheep follow their shepherd.  The bible lesson text was from John 10:1-9, 27 and the memory verse for the night was John 10:4 "The sheep follow him: for they know his voice."

Charlie leading the children through the lesson.

Boxcar Games - the object of the game was to listen to the leader of your group on how to wrap up one of the children.

The Preschool kids were all proud of their sheep!

5th grade and up singing songs in the Melody Coach

Stay tuned for more of the Sonlight Express VBS!

~Blessings
Krista

Sonlight Express VBS - Monday Night

This week we are having VBS at our church. Charlie & I are in charge of our program.  Charlie takes care of all the bible lessons and I take care of keeping things organized; pretty much directing the programming.  We are very blessed to have a lot of participation at our local church.  We are averaging about 30 kids per night and about 30 adults too!  Isn't that awesome?

On Monday night we visited the Great Gorge and learned that Jesus Saves.  It was a little chaotic on Monday night so I didn't get a lot of good pictures.  For those of you who have directed a VBS program before you know that Monday night is full of excitement and lots of energy as everyone gets used to the schedule.  In the end it always turns out great!

Opening Assembly in the Passenger Car at Sonlight Station

3rd & 4th graders in the Melody Coach learning their songs for the week.

Obstacle Course for the K - 2nd graders at Boxcar Games

Preschoolers in the Melody Coach

Preschoolers at the Sonlight Station learning about Nicodemus

2 of our visitors for the night.  Anthony on the left was one of our youth from our church in Georgia and the guy  on the right is one of my brothers, Dabreon.  His children are passengers this week for their 1st ever VBS program.

Stay tuned for more of the Sonlight Express as the week progresses!

~Blessings

Krista

Dreams

As young girls we dream big dreams.  We dream of beautiful weddings.  We dream of being mommies and having husbands just like our daddies.  We dream of our very own Prince Charming.  As we get older and grow into young adults we dream of beautiful homes and fulfilling careers.  We think we can change the world!  Then reality comes pouring in.  Life never seems to reach our dreams and expectations.

Prince Charming isn't so charming or maybe you've never met your Prince.  Your children are rebellious and you often wonder if you are a good Mother.  Maybe you've lost children and grieve their death.  That career you worked so hard for crumbles as the economy declines.  You realize that you and you alone can never change the world.  We've all experienced a time when life doesn't measure up to our dreams.  

It's very easy to let shattered dreams make you bitter and some even sink into depression.  Many wonder what is the use in dreaming? Your heart may be broken and in a thousand pieces as you realize you're life isn't what you dreamed.  Without God in your life that is all you are...shattered broken pieces.  However, when you come to the Lord he can put all the pieces back together again molding you into a beautiful child of God.  

Psalms 34:18 "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."  

Psalms 91:4 "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."

When we depend on God he can take our desires and give us more than we could have ever imagined.  He can give you Prince Charming.  He can change the heart of that rebellious child.  He can give you a beautiful home.  He can exceed our expectations.  He can use your life and testimony to change the world.  We can't make our own plans leaving God out and expect good things to happen.  Let God direct your life and everything will fall into place.  

Romans 8:28  ^"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

First Time Canning

Do you see this?  That is a lot of jars, isn't it?  If you are an avid canner then it probably isn't to you but to me it is.

Over the weekend our niece and her family came to visit.  With them they brought two full cases of tomatoes they had just picked from their garden.  I love tomatoes but my first question was "What am I supposed to do with that many tomatoes?  They'll ruin before we have a chance to eat them."  Well their answer to me was "Just put them up."

What?  Put them up?  What do you mean?  I am becoming Suzie Homemaker but I haven't ventured into the canning arena yet.  Mostly because I don't have a garden.  I don't see the point in buying vegetables to can unless you just find a really great deal.  My niece's husband started telling me how easy it was to can tomatoes, and assured me that I could do it.  I already had jars and lids.  So, why not?

Today I found all of my jars and sterilized them.  You are probably asking "Why do you have so many jars if you don't can?"  The answer is simple.  My mother-in-law, Lethia, was a gardener and canner.  She canned everything, and I mean everything.  I have catered weddings in the past and we always have food left over.  Many times the family doesn't want the left overs.  One wedding we had a lot of fruit left and Charlie took it to his Mother.  It was an entire pan of various fruits; cantaloupe, watermelon, star fruit, grapes, pineapple, strawberries, etc.  She took that fruit and made all-fruit jam.  It was the best I've ever had!  Before Lethia passed away in 2009 I would give her the jars back after we ate the food.  These are all the jars that we've emptied since she died.  I've never been able to bring myself to give them away so they've been in various places in my house.  Charlie even went to the storage building and brought back a couple of boxes I had stored there.  


Back to my story...Today I scoured the internet, looked through cookbooks and called different friends that have canned tomatoes.  I am a perfectionist and I didn't want to get it wrong.  As I was peeling the tomatoes my mind seemed to be flooded with memories.  As a little girl I helped my grandmother can fruits & vegetables.  Then as a young married lady I helped Lethia can too.  I've just never done it by myself.  


It was actually fun to me.  I couldn't wait to complete the process and hear the 'ping' of the lids.  I canned 4 quarts and 7 pints of tomatoes.  I still have about 1/2 case of tomatoes left and tomorrow I am going to attempt to make tomato juice.  I didn't think I'd be able to make tomato juice but tonight I borrowed a Food Mill/Strainer from a friend.  Tomato Juice was one of my husband's favorite things that his Mother made so I am determined to try my best!  I know this is a lot of empty jars but maybe just maybe another gardener will see fit to share their bounty and I can fill them up!  


I wish I had the things Lethia used to can; her pressure cooker, her food mill, her funnel, everything!  I am a very sentimental person and even the simplest of things are worth millions to me!  I don't know who ended up with Lethia's kitchen stuff but I know if it was me I'd be using them today.  Charlie came in the kitchen tonight and saw all the jars lined up on the counter and he said "My Mama & Daddy would be proud of you." They always wanted to make me a country girl.  I wonder if they know how much they taught me?  I hope so!


~Blessings
Krista

Win a Jo Totes Camera Bag

Check out Tater Tots & Jello for a give away!  The Jo Totes Camera Bags are beautiful and functional.  I tried to post pics here but for some reason Blogger won't let me.  You'll have to visit the link to see all the awesome pics!

~Blessings
Krista

The Story of a Father & His Daughter

A baby girl is born. Simultaneously, from amid the ranks of ordinary men, there emerges a mighty, courageous, gallant man who is quaking in his shoes. As they grow together, the girl comes to know that her father is no ordinary man.

He can hear the sound of the sun pushing the clouds out of her world, and he helps her to hear it, too. He can taste the worst cookies that she will make and then eat three or four more from the same batch. He can touch the stars and pull them closer to her. He can see the fire of youthful puppy love burning in her heart. No, this father is no ordinary man.

He has a body to shield his daughter from strangers, big dogs, and noisy things; a broad expanse of chest to nestle against; and an arm to pillow her head while watching television. He has two strong arms to hold her up to touch the sky, to see inside a bird's nest, or to fly like an airplane.

Fearlessly, this father and daughter adventure into the realms of surprise.
Together they open doors and share peeks at monsters; with him, she is never afraid. He is there for her first bike ride. He has flowers picked to tickle her nose, shaving cream dabbed on her face, and a goodnight kiss in the dark when he comes home late and thinks she is asleep.

In her teenage years, he teaches her to respect herself and others. He is always proud of her for trying new things; she doesn't always have to win. He is a wealth of truth in the midst of peer group untruths, an impatient driving instructor, and a light in the window at twelve o'clock on a Friday night.

He is the firm cornerstone of the family who gives her values to believe in, a heritage she feels worthy of, and an urgency for living her life completely.

Now, in her adulthood, he could slow down a bit, but he won't. He still utilizes his many resources to teach his daughter well, and somehow his mere presence continues to trigger the potential in her. So what does a daughter say to this man of subtle sensitivities and infinite wisdom?
She says this... "I love you, Daddy"

~ Author Unknown

Have you heard?

In this picture do you see how the clouds are covering everything and making it all appear so dark but then there is a small area that is in the sunshine?  Right now I feel like I am in that dark water.  I can see the sunshine but I'm not sure how to make it to that area.

I was reading a devotional this morning and the following verses were used: Isaiah 40:28-31

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Sometimes on this journey it seems that I am really weak.  I feel like my way is blocked by such an insurmountable wall that there is no way that I will ever make it over.  This week I've been very discouraged.  We are waiting on a call back that will put Charlie to work.  The waiting is the hardest part...  Then I read the verses above and I realized again that in the 'waiting' is where God renews our strength.  He makes us powerful.  He allows us to be able to run.  In the 'waiting' is where he finds out what we are really made of.  Are we willing to stand or will we give up?  Do we truly depend on him or do we try to take things into our own hands?  While we are waiting do we start thinking about the 'what if's'?  or Do we trust that God is going to take care of everything?  Do we believe that God and God alone will provide our way of escape.

Several different people and at different times, some not even knowing our circumstances, have prophesied to us that God was going to send us a financial blessing.  I am trusting and believing that he will...we just have to wait on it.  God doesn't always send things on our time table or according to our schedule.  He sends them on his so we learn to trust and be faithful in all things.

The devotional I was reading from Girlfriends in God said this also:

Don't wait until you believe it all. 

Don't wait until you can see it all. 

Don't wait until you understand it all. 

Trust God and step out in faith. He will meet you there. 

Most days writing on this blog allows me to push on, and not to give up.  It is my journal and whether anyone reads or comments it allows me to renew my focus by getting my feelings out in the open. As our Pastor was preaching Sunday he quoted a verse from Philippians that we all know but before it he made another statement.  My son said it sounded like a battle cry.  So today I will sound my battle cry!

I will not bend, I will not bow, I will not break. 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil 4:12

~Blessings

Krista

I work out....wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

Are you laughing yet?  You are if you know what I look like right now, and yes, I do 'wiggle, wiggle, wiggle' when I work out.  I have gained a ton of weight.  Well, not literally a ton, but a lot.  So much that I'm embarrassed to even tell you how much I currently weigh!  NO ONE KNOWS, not even Charlie.  I really am embarrassed by it.  I was looking at pictures from our latest vacation and I think I look like a beached walrus.  My face looks like a giant balloon.  I have squinty eyes anyway but I've gained so much weight that you can barely even see my eyeballs!  I know you are laughing now!

Healthy, that is what I need to be!  I am going to quit trying to diet and just be healthy.  I am definitely not healthy right now!  This all came to me as we were driving to Florida a couple of weeks ago.  I was walking in to this convenient store and I saw my reflection in the doors.  I thought to myself 'Wow, is that really me?'  In my mind I could hear my father-in-law talking to me.  He used to say and yes, this is when I weighed a good 50lbs less than I do today, "Sis, you need to back away from the table. You are getting to be as big as all the rest of them."  You see I was always the small one in my husband's family.  I have a sister-in-law who is well over 300lbs.  So, when I'd start packing on the weight my father-in-law would gently remind me that I needed to slow down.  Well, I don't know how gentle that statement was but it got the point across.  I guess I've not 'backed away from the table' in a while.  Probably over 3 years to be exact because that would have been the last time I could have heard my father-in-law's voice.  Man, what would he say to me today?  I'm sure he would get a kick out of it!  He'd probably laugh at me and tell me that he guessed I just decided to join the rest of them!

Fast forward 2 weeks....Charlie & I have started going back to Workout Anytime.  I am literally working my butt off or today it feels like my 'bat wings'!  You know what those are, right?  Those wings you get on the back of your arms when you gain weight!  This week I've been doing 20 minutes on the elliptical machine and then doing the weight machines.  My arms are getting the biggest workout or at least I think they are because that is where I hurt!  They burn!  I hope that is a good thing.  Doesn't it mean when it still hurts after the workout that it is actually doing some good?  I don't really know about all this but I figure that if it hurts a little then it must be good for me because I've always hated exercise!  I have felt better this week.  I have more energy even though my muscles or lack thereof do burn...I'm thinking that those muscles have been buried under fat for so long that they are very mad at me about being used again!

We've also turned a corner this week on our eating habits and we've been eating better.  I'm no longer making meals that are covered in cheese!  Our breakfasts have consisted of oatmeal, smoothies, boiled eggs, etc.  Lunches have been turkey wraps or homemade chicken salad.  Last night we had a low country shrimp boil which consisted of red potatoes, turkey polish sausage, corn on the cob, onions, and shrimp!  It was yummy!  I'm not sure what I'll be making tonight but I'm leaning towards grilled chicken or fish and a salad.

I have a lot to do to get into shape and the reality is that I need to lose more than 50lbs probably closer to 60 and so does Charlie!  I'll try to keep you in the loop along this journey.  Hopefully Charlie and I will both be a lot smaller and healthier by this time next year!

~Blessings
Krista

Creating...

If you are interested in painting furniture she sells an e-book with great instructions!

I love to create things, and I love to learn how to do something new.  It's really hard to keep my attention on something so I often start new projects and have new ideas.  In the last few years, I've learned to sew; specifically quilt, make hair bows for little girls, to machine embroider, make memo boards, make my own laundry detergent and cleaning supplies, the list goes on and on.

To my family the fact that I've started researching how to do something else is not new.   I always research for days and even weeks before I start something.  There are things that I'd like to do that are way beyond my ability, but then there are somethings that I see and think "Hey, I can do that!" Of course my family just wonders how long it will keep my attention.

Anyway I've been researching how to redo furniture and I've found some really cool blogs that I'd like to share.  Hopefully over the next few weeks I'll have a few pieces of my own to share.  I may never sell anything but I have a few pieces in my house that are older than dirt that need a fresh look.

http://altard.com/
http://betterafter.blogspot.com/
http://www.thenester.com/
http://www.younghouselove.com/

~Blessings
Krista

A Greater Yes

Good Morning!  I very rarely post on Sunday mornings because I'm super busy getting ready for church but this morning I wanted to take just a minute to post a song I heard this weekend.  You see I am at our annual church convention and we are blessed to have many talented musicians & singers in our organization.  Yesterday one of the sisters sang this song and it seemed like the words spoke to my heart.  I hope you enjoy it too!

Here are the lyrics.....

Verse 1:

It starts with a desire, planted deep within your heart

You pray in faith, and wait for God to move

Time passes and you wonder

Did He hear me when I called?

Should I even have prayed that prayer at all

Chorus:

You never pray a prayer, your Father will not answer

He can't ignore His child's earnest request

While you're waiting and believing

For what you thought was best

Trust God if He says no….. You're still Blessed

There must be a greater yes

Verse 2:

There comes a time when child-like faith

Must graduate to trust

Trials come and you're convinced you're on your own

But the teacher's often silent

During the hardest test

But He'll answer when It's time with what is best

Bridge:

Sometimes God will answer - just like we prayed

Then other times what's on His mind

Is a better plan, a another way, a greater yes

A Conversation

Do you ever feel like you just need to have a conversation with the Lord?  or maybe you don't need a conversation but a begging session?  You know like when you were a little kid and you'd stomp your feet then whine until someone gave you what you wanted?  My Mother calls them temper tantrums. Oh you never did that? Well I think I did.  Sometimes as an adult I feel like I want to just scream & cry then stomp my feet until the Lord moves.  I know that is so childish and no one else ever feels that way, right?   HAHAHAHA 

You are just too embarrassed to say it!

Come on...you know you've felt that way too.  You've been patient for what seems like a long time.  Okay, maybe it has only been like 15 minutes or maybe it has been years.  Don't you ever just want the Lord to just move right now?!?  Have you ever prayed and said Lord if you don't move 'right now' then I don't know what I'll do?  Maybe you haven't but I have!

Tonight as Charlie & I are getting all of our last minute things together for a youth retreat this weekend, we received a call from our son.  I could tell by the sound of his voice that something was wrong.  Really it was probably because the first words out of his mouth were something like "Mom, don't panic.". You don't start a phone call like that and then expect me not to panic.  Then he says "I just need you to pray.".  I'm thinking "Oh geez, what now?"  But I was the good Mom and said "Son, what is it?  What has happened?"  He continues to tell me that he has hurt his ankle playing in the last basketball game of the season and they think it is broke.  He has very weak ankles and we've been through this many times but always before we've had health insurance.  Well, without jobs, guess what? You got it.  No health insurance!  Let me say he's only fractured his ankle once and that was last summer.  Always before it was just really bad sprains.

To get to the point...we went over to the school to pick him up.  Of course he had to watch the rest of the game!  I mean you know it was the last & final game of the season...the championship game.  Picture this...my son, the number 2 scorer in the league for the entire season, sitting on the sidelines in a soft splint with his foot propped up in chair. The entire time he is wincing if he barely moves his foot.  But he still cheers on the teams...talking trash from the sidelines.  Oh btw, his team didn't make it to the championship game.  After he hurt his ankle his team lost...Boo!

I guess you are trying to figure out why I started this post out by asking if you've ever had a conversation with the Lord or a begging session.  Well, now that you've pictured my son, picture me...I'm on my way home alone.  Charlie is driving the son home.  I am crying the entire way and talking to the Lord or should I say screaming to the Lord.  My conversation went something like this...  "Why?  Why can't something be easy?  Why do you think I'm so strong?  Can't you tell I'm not?  I'm weak and I really can't take much more.    I don't mean to be ungrateful but I can't do this anymore.  I'm tired.  Please make it all better.  Please put the bones back together again.  Don't let his ankle be broken.  You know where we stand.  You know we don't have the money to do this."  Seriously, no pausing...just me begging the Lord... Next time you see a child pitching a temper tantrum just think of me because that was totally me this evening...I don't know how I even made it home because I surely couldn't see.  A little bit ago I was washing the dishes and I was thinking to myself "Krista, that wasn't a conversation. You weren't listening.  You were the only one talking."  A conversation requires that both people are allowed to talk.

Sometimes I forget to listen for the Lord to talk back to me.  I'm not talking about a supernatural Johnny Cash voice from the sky.  I don't expect that!  But I do think the Lord can 'talk' to you.  Most of the time it is through the preached Word and you'll get a special message.  Then sometimes I'll feel something come to my heart...like the Lord is sending me his spirit to comfort me.  I know he does because many times I'll feel his sweet Holy Ghost just when I need it but tonight I was so intent on telling him how I couldn't make it that I wasn't open to receive his spirit.

Don't get me wrong,  I'm not always begging the Lord for things.  I thank him for his blessings often.  Charlie and I were actually talking about how the Lord has blessed us the last few months when Trevlyn called with the news.  The thing is even when I'm thanking him, or praising him, I'm talking!  I realized tonight that I need to shut-up and listen.  The Lord must have something he needs to say to me and I'm not getting it.   So, from now on I'm going to take more time to shut-up, listen, and try to have conversations with the Lord not begging sessions! Then I can be open to feel him wrap his arms around me and fill me with the comfort that only he can give.

~Blessings
Krista

Praise Him Anyway

Looking at these pictures make my heart hurt; literally!  This is my daughter's car.  She was on her way to school today on a very busy highway and had a wreck.  Road construction had the lanes merging from two lanes to one and the car in front of her came to a dead stop to let other cars merge.  She didn't realize that the car was stopped until too late and she rear ended it.  Her car is totaled.  This was her first car.  We bought it used and only had liability insurance on it.  That's okay though.  She can always get another car.  I couldn't bring myself to even imagine what I would have done if she had been hurt.  Other than a few bumps and bruises she is fine.  She is really really sore.  I know God took care of her.  As you can tell from the pictures the driver's side didn't get pushed into the car only the passenger side.  If the driver side had then it would have surely crushed her legs.

There are a lot of things going on in our life right now that don't seem to be good things.  Sometimes I feel as if the weight of the world is on my shoulders but I have to believe that God is with me.  I'm living my life for him and I fully expect a good outcome.  I've been singing a song the last few weeks and it seems that the words are so appropriate today.

A Miracle Today

Lord, you see the puzzle not the piece

You see the forest not the trees

You know what's best for me

Lord, you have bottled up my tears

You see my questions and my fears

And the way it has to be.

I know that there are others more deserving than I

I know that I'm not worthy but you listen when I cry

So if this cross is mine to bear, I'll praise You anyway.

Lord, I could sure use a miracle today.

Lord, You are faithful more than words

You feed the lilies and the birds

You catch the sparrow when it falls.

You know exactly where I am 

So I'm not questioning Your plan

There's a reason for it all.

You turned the water into wine

You healed the leper and the blind

God I know there's nothing you can't do

You calmed the sea with just one word

and when you spoke the deaf man heard

So, I know this is a little job for you.

~Blessings

Krista

Our Easter in Pictures...

This post won't be very wordy but will be full of pictures.  We started our Easter weekend by hosting a community Easter Family Festival.  I was up at 7 making hot dogs.  We were at the church by 9.

Volunteers sorting thousands of Easter Eggs.

By 11:20 over 100 people.  It only gets better

Dyeing Easter Eggs

Getting prizes for the Easter Egg Toss

Receiving a Bible for choosing the correct ducks

Face Painting

The line never slowed for the 22' Slide

 The old

and the young play hopscotch

 S'mores with Peeps

 are messy

So messy that I don't want to touch

By 12:15 the parking lot and the hill behind the church are full!

At 12:30 the first group ages 0-4 head up the hill to hunt eggs.

By 2 everyone was leaving and we were cleaning & setting up for Easter morning service.

The choir singing Easter morning.

My little family + my sweet nephew Isaac.

I hope you all had a great Easter weekend.  We did!  There is nothing like celebrating our risen Saviour with children.  They are so eager to learn the true meaning behind Easter.  It was a great weekend and just what I needed to make me smile!

~Blessings

Krista