All About You - Letter M

• I am happily MARRIED
• I am a MOM
• My oldest son is MATTHEW
• MISSY is one of our cats
• I live in MISSOURI which is in the MIDWEST
• I lived in MILTON, Florida many years ago
  
• I have been to MARYLAND, but not MICHIGAN
• My sister-in-laws name is MAE
• I would love to have a MAID
• I love getting MAIL
• I have worked as a MANAGER for several companies
• I did the MAYPOLE dance in high school
• I love MILK and MUFFINS

TSMSS - Every Move I Make

This is one of the songs we often do in Children's Church. The kids ( and I ) love it, hope you do too!

Update on Stephen

I received the following in my email:

To Let you know STEPHEN IS HOME NOW! Praise the Lord!! I will give more updates later. I'm a little tired right now. I will talk to you later. Thank you for praying. I know Tiffany and Stephen appreciated it. But please continue to pray! Thank you! Love and Hugs!!

Please continue to pray for continued healing.

All About You - Letter L

• My middle name is LINN
• I LOVE my husband
• I like LEMONADE and LIMEADE
• I once worked in LEE'S SUMMIT
• I have been to LOS ANGELES but not LAS VEGAS
• I like LEEKS in my potato soup
• I once wanted to be a LIBRARIAN
• I really dislike LIVER
• I don't play the LOTTERY
• I adore scented LOTIONS
• I am very LAZY when it comes to housework
• I love to LEARN

Thankful Thursday - The Voice of God

Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage could not have picked a better topic for this week than Obedience. Several posts down you can read about the disappointment my hubby and I are working through.

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love."
~ 2 John 1:6 NIV

I'm not really sure how to put my thoughts into words today, but I'll try.

• I'm thankful that the Lord loves me, just as I am.
• I'm thankful that God led me to my husband
• I'm thankful that my husband is the spiritual leader of our home
• I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to follow God's will for my life
• I'm thankful that my husband loves the Lord and follows His will
• I'm thankful that God provides all our needs
• I'm thankful to have such a wonderful church family that loves us, flaws and all

Summing this up: Even though a group of men in Wichita don't feel my husband meets their "criteria" for a licensed minister, God knows my husbands heart. He knows how much we both love, adore, and worship HIM. We will follow God's will for our lives, even without a piece of paper. We will continue to fellowship with, disciple, and/or teach in our current church home until He calls us somewhere else. While I'm not the best at obedience, God sent me a wonderful husband to help me when I fall. Praise HIM!

Question of the Week #21

How about a question about questions this week. What kinds of questions--if any--do you want to see asked for this Question of the Week feature? Are there any kinds of questions you don't want asked? Is the lack of participation due to bad questions? Are my questions too shallow? too deep? too personal? too irrelevant? too repetitive? too mindless? too boring? If you want Question of the Week continue in the future, think of a few questions you'd like to see presented at a future date on Question of the Week. I'm asking you to take a few minutes of your time and give back. Be honest. I can take it. Really. If there is zero interest in this feature, then I'll stop this one. I might think of something to replace it. Another interactive type feature that is more open-ended than answering a specific question. So make that question two or three. Would you be more interested in stopping by weekly if it was not a question feature but more of a chatty free for all?

My answer was actually posted on her blog. If you have any ideas, please click here to help Becky out, thanks!

Question of The Week #20

Do songs ever make you cry? Do you have a song (or two) that makes you teary-eyed every time?

My answer:

What a good question for the girl that can cry over a tv show, book, or even a commercial! Of course I do!

How about John Michael Montgomery's "Little Girl"





Or, Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel"

Question of the Week #19

Do you like to read different translations of the Bible? Why or why not? Do you have one dependable and/or beloved translation that you use all the time? Or do you like to keep things fresh by adding different translations to your rotation?

My answer:

I do like reading different translations of the Bible. I think this helps me grasp what the author is saying. Some translations are more of a song, such as the King James Version. Some are more blunt, such as the Literal Translation. Either way, I enjoy reading a passage in several versions.

The Bible I use most is in the NIV version. I tend to use this one more, because it is a Pentecostal study Bible. As a member of an AG (Assemblies of God) church, this is preferable to me. I don't believe one translation is more dependable than another. I believe God is all-powerful, therefore is powerful enough to ensure the Bible is correct and properly written. It's man that misreads or misinterprets things incorrectly. Only the Holy Spirit can convict you in this area, not man.

I do like to keep things fresh by using different translations. As I said, I believe it helps me to see where the author is coming from and saying.

Quick update

Well, I've been MIA for a couple of weeks.
Eddie and I have been dealing with a small disappointment, and I'm ashamed to say I've gone into my shell for a couple of weeks.

We traveled to Wichita, Kansas on May 10, 2009. We met with a few members of the Kansas District office for the Assemblies of God. Background - Eddie has been taking classes through Global University in hopes of obtaining his Ministerial Certificate by the end of this year. Most know that both Eddie and I have been married previously. We are a blended family. - Anyway, we met with three members on Monday, May 11, 2009, in hopes of receiving the okay to apply for certification through the Assemblies. This was a no go. Seems they did not agree that his previous marriages/divorces were pre-conversion.

Anyway, that's my excuse. I'm still working through this. We both know this does not change God's plan for our lives. We also know that a piece of paper does not actually mean a person is more qualified. However, as humans, we are still hurt. We feel like we both have this big scarlet letter on our foreheads, like we are damaged goods or something.

So, in short, we need your prayers to continue to work through the disappointment. As of now, I've put my plans to start working towards being a children's pastor on hold as well. No sense in spending the money on the classes if I cannot get licensed, eh?

Prayers needed

Just received this in my email. Please keep Stephen in your prayers:

Please keep Stephen, Tiffany's husband in your prayers. He is in the hospital. Has been since Sunday. The docs are really not sure what is going on with him. He does have a blood infection and he was on antibiotics. Then this morning they did a lung biopsy on him and tomorrow they are going down his throat with a camera to check out his heart. He does have a heart murmur. They just dont know what is causing all of this. We pray that the biopsy comes back ok. If you can ask people to pray for my brother in law, we all would greatly appreciate it.

All About You - Letter K

• My in-laws live in KINGMAN
• Our church is in KANSAS
• I have lived and worked in KANSAS
• Char's middle name is KAY
• Both of my boys took KARATE
• I think KANGAROOS, KITTENS and KOALAS are cute
• I like KIT-KATS
• I use sugar-free KOOL-AID at church
• I love to KISS my husband
• I call Cassie's daughter KUTIE
• I'm still trying to learn to KNIT
• I'm looking forward to the day I see my KING in His KINGDOM

TSMSS - 3 Wooden Crosses by Randy Travis

I really like Randy Travis, and his song "3 Wooden Crosses" always chokes me up! So, if you are a weeper, like me, have some kleenex handy!

I dedicate this to all moms! None of us are perfect, some have a "checkered" background, but we love our kids!







A farmer and a teacher, a hooker and a preacher,
Ridin' on a midnight bus bound for Mexico.
One's headed for vacation, one for higher education,
And two of them were searchin' for lost souls.
That driver never ever saw the stop sign.
An' eighteen wheelers can't stop on a dime.

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway,
Why there's not four of them, Heaven only knows.
I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you,
It's what you leave behind you when you go.

That farmer left a harvest, a home and eighty acres,
The faith an' love for growin' things in his young son's heart.
An' that teacher left her wisdom in the minds of lots of children:
Did her best to give 'em all a better start.
An' that preacher whispered: "Can't you see the Promised Land?"
As he laid his blood-stained bible in that hooker's hand.

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway,
Why there's not four of them, Heaven only knows.
I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you,
It's what you leave behind you when you go.

That's the story that our preacher told last Sunday.
As he held that blood-stained bible up,
For all of us to see.
He said: "Bless the farmer, and the teacher, an' the preacher;
"Who gave this Bible to my mamma,
"Who read it to me."

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway,
Why there's not four of them, now I guess we know.
It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you,
It's what you leave behind you when you go.

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway.

All About You - Letter J

• My youngest son is JOSHUA
• My youngest sister is JENNIFER
• My mother's middle name is JEAN
• My older half-sister is JERYL
• My ex and step-son are both JEFFREY
• I don't like JALAPENOS
• I've never been to JAMAICA or JAPAN
  
• One of my sisters was born in JUNE
• Another sister was born in JULY
• I've never tried JAMBALAYA
• One of our cats is named JASMINE
• I like JAM, JELLY, and JELLY BEANS
• I love JESUS!
  

All About You - Letter I

• My family lives in INDEPENDENCE
• I lived in IMPERIAL Beach, CA as a child
• My boys have American INDIAN ancestry
• I have been to IOWA and ILLINOIS
• I love ICE CREAM
• I like my drinks ICE cold
• I would like to go to ITALY and IRELAND
• My youngest son was born in INDEPENDENCE
• My ancestry is IRISH and ITALIAN
• Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE with God
• I was born on an ISLAND
• I've never been able to ICE SKATE
• I don't like INSECTS
• I love INFANTS
• I do not like to IRON clothes

Thankful Thursday - Mom

As one whom his mother comforts,
So I will comfort you;
And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
Isaiah ~ 66:13

Perfect topic as this Sunday is Mother's Day. One of the many things I'm thankful for in this life is my own mother. I don't get to see her, or talk with her, as much as I'd like. You'd think as a mom myself it wouldn't bother me too much. It does. My mom has been my pillar of strength and my best friend through most of my life. No matter how much I messed up, she was always there to comfort me and help me pick up the pieces.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity to be a mom. If you are a mom, you understand. There is no other greater joy in the world than holding a newborn child. While my oldest child is 25, I still remember the fear I felt just before the doctors put me to sleep - my son had his cord wrapped around his neck three times and was blue. I also remember the great joy at hearing his cries when I awoke.

As a step mom, I have had the joy of marrying into a "premade" family. This, to me, is a great gift. To have a child welcome you into a family with open arms and give you love unconditionally is a true gift. I have been given that privilege times six! I am truly blessed!

I've also been blessed with two different mother-in-laws. My first was supportive and loving. She helped me in so many ways I could not begin to mention them all. She accepted me into her family willingly and kept me as part of the family long after her son and I divorced. My second is loving and raised a man who loves the Lord with all his heart. They are both spectacular women!

All About You - Letter H

• My dad's name is HAROLD
• I love HONEY
• My HUSBAND does not have much HAIR
• My HAIR is very long
• My boys had two HAMSTERS as pets
• My HANDWRITING is HORRIBLE
• I was born in HONOLULU, HAWAII
• I love my HOUSE
• I look forward to HEAVEN
• I think HEDGEHOGS are cute
• I like the song HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
• I pray none of our family or friends go to HELL
• Our God is HOLY
• So is the HOLY Spirit
  

Question of the Week #18

Spiritual insights. Realizations. These little insights "aha" moments can pop up anywhere and everywhere as you're living life. And they can often be found in unexpected places: Life. Music. Books. Movies. TV Shows. Family. Friends. What have you learned (realized) lately?

My answer:
I've thought on this question for over a day, and just can't come up with much. How sad is that? The only thing that pops into mind is when I was playing a game of spider solitare. Sometimes the game seems to be going so bad, you just know you're going to lose. Yet, in the end, you win. Just the opposite, sometimes it seems to be going your way, and BAM! you loose. Life is the same. Never, ever give up, or get too confident. Always remember we serve an Awesome GOD. No matter how good (or bad) things seem, GOD is in control. Never judge a book by it's cover.

Sorry I don't have more. Please share if you have an AHA! moment! Head over to Becky's and share with all of us!

All About You - Letter G

• I like GRAPES
• I do not like GRAPEFRUIT
• My FIL's name is GEORGE
• My boys' last name is GAGE
• I have been to the state of GEORGIA
• I love GELATTO
• GIDGET is an awesome friend!
• White GRAVY is my favorite
• I love to hear children GIGGLE
• We have three adult and three young GIRLS in our family
• I wear GLASSES
• I thank GOD for His GRACE
• I am a very GIVING person
  

All About You - Letter F

• I lived in Milton, FLORIDA for three years as a child
• I have arthritis in my FINGERS
• My second FAVORITE season is FALL
• I have a FRIEND that lives in FINLAND
• I sleep with my FAN on
• I like to eat FIG newtons
• I don't like FOOTBALL
• I miss my FAMILY
• I have FAITH in my Heavenly FATHER
• I like FRENCH FRIES
  

TSMSS - You Are Everything by Matthew West

This week I've chosen "You Are Everything" by Matthew West. I love this artist, and this song touched me deeply today. We (like most people these days) are still struggling to get our bills caught up and just put food on the table. But, in the end, all that matters is our relationship with God. HE is our everything!

All About You - Letter E

• My hubby's middle name is EDWIN
• My youngest son's middle name is EDWARD
• My dad's middle name is also EDWARD
• Both of my grandfathers had the middle name EARL
• My church is in ELWOOD, Kansas
• I own the book E is for EVIDENCE
• Both of my EARS are double pierced
• I rarely wear EARRINGS
• My EYES are brown
• Although I lived in California for over seven year, I never EXPERIENCED an EARTHQUAKE
• EASTER is my favorite holiday
• I have had a couple of ECHOCARDIOGRAMS
• I like to EAT EGGS
• I do no like to EAT EGGPLANT
• I've never been to EGYPT
• One of my friends from church was born in ENGLAND
• My ELBOWS are very sharp
• I love the song EAST to West by Casting Crowns
• My stepdaughter ERIN lives too far away
• I like EASTER Lilies
• I also like EVERGREENS
• I call my hubby EDDIE