Friday....Thoughts on my mind

My waiting continues. Can today be the day? Patience is hard to have when you know what you are waiting for is so big. Looking around everything is set up and ready. My family is lined up for what is to come. Everything is lined up. So when there is nothing to do, we stand still and look around. I would love to hear the sound of a rushing and mighty wind that will leave what I am waiting on. I see the signs everywhere. I see and hear what others are saying, is that the rushing and mighty wind? Could what others are saying none stop be the wind that I am waiting on? I believe it is so where is the promise? In the Bible when they were waiting on the promise of the Holy Ghost they heard the rushing mighty wind. When it came everyone in the building receive the Holy Ghost and then they were marked, with clover tongues on each of them. Today can be the day where we see what is promise become physical in my hands. Just a thought on my mind. I know that it seems like I didn't finish but that is because this post is going to need a TO BE CONTINUE...Next post on this subject will be about the promise that has come to pass. Be ready to read what happens.

Prayer Time

Last night I felt a strong need to pray. When I felt it I was putting children to bed. They were loud and the atmosphere around us was crazy. So I just started to pray. About a minute into it, two of the kids were sleeping and the other was very calm and relaxing. I continued to pray. I prayed for everyone that came to mind. I also thought about everything that God have promise and spoke to him about it. After I prayed I got up and felt a peace about everything. For the people that I prayed for I had a peace about them. For the promises that God have given I felt a peace about it. I know that God's hand is with the people that I prayed for. I know that God is getting ready any minute to let his promises become physical, as I always say. The reality is fixing to be real to live. So today I stand. I stand on the Word of God. I stand for what is right. I stand for the people that need me today.
So I want to challenge everyone that if you need an answer or know someone that needs God, pray. Take the time to honestly openly hearted pray. Prayer changes things. Prayer changes life.

Speak The Word

Sorry I haven't written in a couple days. It was a holiday weekend and I enjoyed my time with my family. Church was awesome this past Sunday. God moved in a mighty way wanting to be there for people that was hurting and needing deliverance. But, one thing that stood out was in the Pastor's message about speaking the Word. We are living in a day that we have to make sure that we can get the attention of God and let the devil know that we are not playing his game. Speak the Word of God... That is the answer for every situation. When you are sick turn to the Word of God. When you need a certain answer turn to the Word of God. Anything that you are going through and need God to do something with talk to God and speak his Word. I am so glad that we can even remind God of what he said. Of course he hasn't forgotten what he told us but he likes to see that his children remembers what he said. So stay in the Word of God. Stay grounded to the fundamentals of who Jesus is. I am glad that I am because I am seeing God move more and more everyday. Stay strong in God.

Hello, Anyone Home....

Today I felt like with something’s I have said or done makes me feel like I was talking to a wall. Just when I felt like I was going to stop trying to get through to some people then I get a message from my husband that he read my blog and loved it and that he loved me. Just what I needed to keep going. I wasn't feeling the wall in front of me with him but God used him to speak to me. People are listening to me they just are not acting. They read and talk to me but they are not responding. Here is what I would like to say.
1) If someone asks for prayer, tell them that you are agreeing with them.
2) If your friend or family member is supporting a cause then you support it too.
3) Show support for your friends or family members in what they do; college, owning a business, being a parent, working in the ministry, etc...
4) Share your experience with your friend or family member so they know that you care.
There are many more things that I can write of what we should do but you get the idea. It is time to support people that surround us. Let us connect with one another. If we join together then just imagine what can get accomplished. We can see broken families be healed. We can see ministries explode because people join together and cared for one another. I believe that with God ALL things are possible. I am excited to see what is ahead of us. Because God is ready to show out for some people if they can start showing that they are ready to receive. God bless and hope that your day is blessed.

My Husband

In one month my husband and I will be married for 9 years. We have known each other since 1995, 16 years. It is amazing. Through the years we have had bad times and good times. We loved each other and dislike each other. But through it all we have stayed by each other side. Sometimes you can go through the motions of life and forget the ones around you. Today I would like to show my husband that I have not taken him for granted. I the past 6 months Jonathan had watched his only sister die of cancer. She was his best friend. They always talked and she would come to him for questions she needed answer.
Jonathan has dealt with being sick himself, some days he couldn't even get out of bed. But he always got up and went to work. He spends time with his kids and protects them. Every day he is an example of God and shows me who he really is. He has blessed me with three children. Looking at each child I see Jonathan and smile every time they act like him.
Looking at what God is fixing to do for us it is exciting to know that Jonathan is going to be by my side in the next chapter of our lives. When he looks at me it reminds me of the first time we looked at each other. When he hugs me it reminds me that I am safe. When I don't feel good he is taking care of me. When I am on my last string he is the rope to hold on to.
I love you, Jonathan and so glad that God told you to pick me. Even with spending a couple hours with me you knew that I was the one. I hope that when our children are ready to get married that they will have the same experience as we did. The first look and God telling them that the love of their life is right in front of them. I pray that they are lucky to find a godly person like we have. Again, love you much Jonathan.

Thanks goes to....Josie and Ron

I was on Facebook looking at all the post that was on there. I got to Josie's post to her husband and she made a comment on her post that talked about being introduced to God 14 years ago. It made me wonder how long has it been for me. So I pulled the calculator out and did the math. The answer is....I was introduced to God 18 years ago. I couldn't believe it. It has felt like a life time.
It all started when my brother, Ron, found the church and introduced us to Souls Harbor Pentecostal Church. The pastor at the time was Brother Wesson. That is where the life changing experience begins, in late 1993. In July of 1994 I was baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost on my brother's birthday November 17, 1994 at Apostolic Heritage in Phoenix, Arizona. That church was where are Pastor's uncle was the senior pastor at the time. A few years later I would come to have Apostolic Heritage as my home church and have great friends from there, one is Josie.
Since then, the road hasn't been easy. I have learned so much on this journey. In 17 years since I accepted the Lord I have learned and know what I believe. I have gifts and callings that I would never imagine that I had but because of the Bible and people that I have surrounded myself with I have developed into a great woman of God.
Today I want to thank Josie for being an example to so many of how a Godly woman should live. I haven't seen my great friend in a long time but I love her. I am also thankful that she is living Titus 2 in training up young girls to follow God. She is a great mentor and I am so glad that I can call her friend.
I also want to thank my brother Ron. We haven't always seen eye to eye at times but if he didn't follow the leading of God I don't know where I would be. I am also so glad to see my brother is still so strong in the Lord and is mentoring the youth of his church. After all these years and the trials that he has been through has only made him stronger. I am excited to see what God has in store for him and for my great friend, Josie.

How We Made It To Kindergarten

It is so funny to watch Nathan. He will be 6 years old in July. He is almost done with his first semester of kindergarten. He has done so much this year in learning. I am proud of him. I know that he has much more to do to catch up with his grade level but he is going to do it. I am having him in year round school to make sure that he can get catch up to the age level that he needs to be.
It has been a journey for my son. As a natural born teacher, I started teaching with him when he was born. I had my developmental checklist out to make sure that he was doing great. Some people thought that I was crazy but I know that learning starts when you are born not when you enter kindergarten. That is what I did. I spent the first year giving him all the information that he needed. When I evaluated him at 1 year old he was ahead of the average child in America. I thought no worries and was excited for the following year of learning.
Between 1 and 2 years old, I continue teaching everything that he needed and for the first half of the year he did great then I started noticing that he was losing what he was learning and that his speak stopped developing. I kept note of it and by the time that he was 2 told his doctor what I had seen and wanted their opinion about it.
All year long at 2 years old, he was struggling and wasn't progressing at all. Talk to two doctors and they didn't show concern and said it was because he a new baby sister. He loved his sister and it was something else. So at home I continued teaching him everything that he needed. When he did accomplish something I was so happy and proud. Again, crazy was my title from many because he thought that I was going overboard on teaching my son and they agree with the doctor that there was nothing wrong with him. But they didn't live with him and they were not his teacher. So what did they know? From my experience as an Early Childhood Educator and from living with a mom that was a teacher in that field for 20 years I had knowledge on what was going on with my son.
We moved when he was 3 years old and found another doctor to talk to about what was going on and needing suggestions to get my son some help. Finally after a year and half a doctor listen to me and referred my child on to get testing done. The school district took a jumping start on him and diagnosed him as a young child with developmental delays and wanted to put him special education preschool to help him. I didn't hesitate and off to school he went. He loved it. He had speech therapy twice a week and had one on one with his teacher for other areas that he needed. I felt that this was just the beginning of a long journey. The staff at the school gave me hope for him and said that when he went to kindergarten, with help, that he would be at the level that he needed to be. That would have been true if we stayed in the town that we were in but we had to move.
We moved and tried to go through the school district in the new city. They offered preschool to him but after a week of him not eating and scared to go to school I pulled him out. He continued speech therapy with the school district. But what I didn't like about this school district is that they pulled the diagnostics off of him and said that he only had a speech delayed. I didn't agree with them but they didn't offer testing to rule out anything. Some schools don't care about the children. I was improving with his speech but he was still having a hard time with life. So 4 years old, I went to a doctor and told them what was going on. This doctor agreed that there was more to it and sent him to get more help. We started testing that lasted for 4 months. In the 5th month, we finally got the results from the testing and they ruled that he had autism with ADHD. Of course they said that further testing needed to see where he was at on the autism spectrum and how the ADHD was affecting him.
At 5 years old, he was being homeschool still Pre-K because he wasn't ready to move on. He was getting private speech and occupational therapy. 5 1/2 years old trouble happened at the office that he was at and we pulled him out of therapy because he was scared of what was going on there. I went to his doctor and said ok, we need to continue finding out what is going on in my kid's head. So she referred us to more testing. We spent another month of testing from scans of his brain to blood work that ended with a brain wave test. I was overwhelmed of how much testing had to be done to find out what was going on with my child. We started this journey of testing when he was 3 1/2 and now at 5 1/2 he was still being tested with no answer. I decided that we were stopping after this, if they couldn't tell me what was going on than forget it. If I was at the point of losing it I could only imagine what my son was thinking.
Seating in the specialist office waiting to see what was going on was nerve racking. Finally the door opened and he said that the CT was normal. He said that his brain wave test showed that he was very smart for a 5 year old. He said that his autism was not playing a big role in what was going on with him that the ADHD was his problem right now. He suggested continuing homeschooling to make sure that he gets education and the one on one was what he needed to help with his ADHD problem. He told us what medicine that he wanted him on and it was natural product with no side effects. Told us that he would see us in 5 months to check his progress.
So I said all of this to say that I know that the journey is far from over. But we have accomplished so much in these past 5 years with my son. He is excelling in school and is very subject is Science. We have stopped all therapies and are doing everything at home. He can now talk to me in full sentences and they are clear and understandable. He is starting to understand joking and how to say a joke. He is learning how to interact with his peers. As of this week, he learned to read his first word. He is learning the Bible and the things of God. Even at the age of 5 is being an instrument of God. I see great things for this kindergartener. I am excited to see what God has in store for this kindergartener in the future.

To come: My toddler and preschooler

Cancer and how it fits into the Bigger Picture

I got a phone call last night about someone else that has been issued their death sentences with cancer. I then check Facebook and another friend were told that her love one has cancer that is in the brain. The feelings that come over you are why again, God? Why is this cycle still happening? Questions and memories flood my mind and the only thing I can do is praise God. I know that sounds weird to some but I turn to God and when I look at him and stand in his presence I find that I can't complain. I can't see all the bad that I feel is happening around me. All I see in his presence is him and all my soul wants to do is praise and worship him for who he is and what he can do.
Cancer seems to be controlling so many people's lives today. In just one year I have had 4 family members die of it. I have felt much hurt and pain when a year ago I found that my dad die of cancer in one month. I wasn't there for reason that were beyond me but I was told that on his death bed that he wanted to let me know that he loved me and that he was sorry. Those words hit me so hard and depression hit me. Questions were flying around me of how could this be and why could things be different. Why couldn't I say goodbye. I went to church the following day so heavy with grief but I felt that God wanted me to be there. In the middle of service a great man of God asked me to come to him and he didn't know about the pain that I was feeling with the loss of my dad. He shared that God told him all that was going on and he told me that God wanted to fill the void that was there because of my lost. He prayed with me and when I was praying God told me to look up and I saw my dad standing next to him and God said, "You just let go. I am very proud of you, my daughter." I let it go; all the pain and the feeling of lost. It doesn't mean that I don't miss my dad, but it doesn't hurt anymore, I don't have cry spells anymore because of it.
Then the same month that my dad's news came, Rhonda told us that she had cancer. The following day I went to her house and she looked at me and said, "Sarah, I'm not strong enough for this. And what about my girls? This can't be happening to me." With tears we cried together. As I was holding her I told her that it was all in God's hands and everything was going to be okay. I told her that she was strong enough to handle whatever came her way. She was going to get her strength through God and her family. And that she did. A week and half before Rhonda died, I went to her house to see her. She was so fragile. She looked at me and said, "Sarah, I am so tired. I don't know how much I can do anymore. I am so tired in here." She pointed to her heart. I know that her time was near. When we got the call that Rhonda had two days to live we didn't hesitate, we went straight to her side. I went to see her one last time. I could feel the heavenly host waiting for her. When I told her goodbye and told her I loved her. She opened her eyes and said in a whisper, I love you too.
These are just a few memories that I have and wanted to share. I know that this cycle is not over. I know that in months to follow I will hear of another death from cancer. But I want to remind everyone that cancer isn't the bigger picture. Focus on the bigger picture, focus on God. I know that it is hard but when you are walking hand in hand with God everything else doesn't matter. The worries and pain that come with cancer and other situations is not the bigger picture and shouldn't have our focus. Yes, we don't want our love ones to suffer or even die but I know who holds tomorrow. That is what gets me through these days that can look so dark. I know my future with him. Even though death took our love ones on to their enteral rest it didn't take there soul. They are waiting for us on the other side telling us not to worry and finish the race so that we can join them in paradise and living forever with our Lord.

Another Day with my Children

Wow! Is the first thing that has come out of my mouth every time I look at my children or the mess that they have left for me? The past two days has been full of messes. From the living room all the way to their bedrooms, the trail of toys and color papers feel the walking spaces. Picked it up once but then I have to pick it up again. What to do?
Abby is the biggest mess maker I have. She goes through Nathan's textbooks and papers. She will put them all over the place. Afterwards, she stops to read a book. My wish for her is that she loves school when she starts.
I was lucky that I was able to talk on the phone for a few minutes today. My little ones take advantage of mom being distracted with a conversation. That is why I don't worry about what they do.
It might sound like I am complaining. I am not. I find joy in these times. Abby wants to be educated at the age of 2 years old. She understands the importance of education. Nathan exploring everything he sees and wanting to know why things work. Love it. Savannah, my little fashion queen; it brings me a smile. She knows how to dress up herself and her sister. She also is a great housekeeper. She has been playing in her room of ironing clothes and folding them. Savannah is a homemaker in the making. I am so glad that my children are picking up skills that will benefit them when they get older.
What do you love about your child? Do they do anything interesting?

Short but Sweet

I am very tired tonight so my post is going to be short. I just finish an essay about high risk students and what type of programs we should have for these students. On top of that I have been taking medicine that has been making me feel like a zombie. I just want to stare at the wall and do nothing. So I am sorry to anyone that called me this afternoon and I didn't seem myself. I just couldn't pay attention to what anyone was saying because of the medicine. Hopefully it will be better tomorrow. This is my last week in my two classes. School is moving along great. I have decided to change my major once I finish my first degree. I am excited to see what God is doing and how quickly he is moving. This week has been full of confirmations on what God told Jonathan and I at the end of last year. I can't wait.... Anyways, I am ready for bed, can't stay a wake much longer. Hope that you can enjoy life as much as I am.

A New Day

This week starts a new week and new day. Life has a way of keeping you busy even though you want to slow down. In school, it is final week so I have two papers to write and to have turned in by Sunday. Glad to say, I have a two week vacation from school starting next Monday.
Then I have Nathan's schooling. We are almost through are 2nd quarter of kindergarten. Right now the subjects that he is excelling in are Science, Bible, and Phonics. Math is having a little struggle with. He doesn't understand counting by tens. We might have to repeat that unit. I believe that Science is his favorite. This week we learned about the sun, moon, and stars. His favorite out of that was stars. He likes that a group of stars are called a constellations and that they make a picture.
The girls are getting so big. Last week, Abby decided that she was going to potty train. That is great once she gets it. Savannah has become her coach; taking her to the bathroom when she needs it and being the boss when they are in the bathroom. Funny...
Church is great. We are enjoying the group that we are with. In May we will be having a fundraiser to support our group on going to church camp. I hope that each one of you take a part. I will let you know when time comes. The kids love the church. They have open up to the Pastor and his wife. Nathan has found him a new male figure to look up to. I am glad that he is looking up to a godly man.
My family has enjoyed the time we have been spending time together. Last night we went outside to look at the stars and the moon. It was so much fun seeing the kids looks for constellations. Many more nights to come just like this one.
Lastly, for this post, my husband. I am glad that I am with someone that believes in the same things that I do. He respects the things of God and I wouldn't have it any other way. He wants the kids to be raised knowing God. Most of all, he loves me and respects who I am. I am glad that he has been put in my life.
I hope that you have a great day. Take the time to see what is going on in your life. This week I have many things to take my time up but I will make time for me and for God. If I don't then my week will be crazy. Take the time for you.

God is Moving...

I sorry I didn't post yesterday. But time got the best of me. Yesterday I was cooking dinner and Savannah was singing a song. I have never heard it before so I wrote done what she was singing. When Jonathan got home I showed it to him and he asked Savannah about it and she said, Dad I am writing songs now. He started humming it and said that it sounds like one of his songs that he wrote call God is moving. I played that song through my head and thought about everything that has been going on around. God is moving. God is moving in our children. My kids have been moving in the spirit. God is moving in our lives. God is moving in people that we have surrounded us with.
Everywhere I have looked at this week, I see God moving. The question I have for you today is God is moving, can you feel him? God is speaking, do you hear him? I am excited to go to church today to see and hear what God has in store for his people when we come in unity and humility. I hope that you can hear what God is telling you and see what God is doing in your life. I hope that you go to church today that you can be in expectation to receive something great from God.

Thoughts from Yesterday...

Yesterday started like all others, getting up and getting the kids breakfast. I pulled up my newspaper online and started reading about how the President wouldn’t agree to a budget. Question I have is can Congress go ahead and pass the budget that they have and then let the President veto it, like he plans on. And then send it back to Congress to get 2/3 vote and make it official, just wondering. They do that with laws that they don’t agree on with the president. Then people will get paid, won’t be laid off and abortion won’t be supported as much as it is right now.

I don’t agree with abortion at all. These moms that are pregnant and don’t want should go through the pregnancy and then deliver that child they are having. After seeing that beautiful child then if they still don’t want the baby then give it up for adoption. There are so many couples that would love to have a child that physically can’t. Then if you don’t want to get pregnant, how about trying abstinence? It works. I am a product of it. If you are married and don’t want kids, try birth control. It works too. It is time to take responsibility for ones actions and not look for the easy way out. I know it sounds like I am on to the people that are doing abortions, but my main focus today is really the President. He needs to take his responsibility to every citizen in this country seriously. The job of the presidency is not to cater to certain individuals; it is to make sure the country as a whole is treated right. So that means that these issue of supporting abortion funding can be cute because it is not like those individuals are going to stop if their funding gets cut from the federal government. They will find more money elsewhere. Let’s worry about those families that have a mother or father in the armed forces and depend on the paycheck that they get every two weeks. Let us think about those children that live in those homes that might want a house to live in or food on the table. Their parents that are overseas shouldn’t have to have something like that on their minds while they are fighting in a foreign country. That kind of distraction could get them killed and won’t be coming home to their children that are smiling. Think, think, and think.

Of course, the biggest problem with this country is that they have forgotten God. If we had truly prayed to God about who to put in office we would have never had put this President in office. I just pray that this will be a reminder when it’s time to select a President soon. Think about what has happened and how it’s affecting each individual in this country. Do you really want to go through this all over again or go through something that is worst than this?

Okay, off of the government and what is going on around us. My life consists of my husband and children. I love that I wake up with my son telling me that the sun is up so it is time to get up. I love that my oldest daughter is sassy and that she likes controlling everything. I love that my youngest is full of life and loves to dance around the house singing. I enjoy the time that I get with my husband and try to not let anytime go by when I don’t think about him and spend time with him. Whatever happens in the world I have a family and some great friends that I can share special experiences with. That is what really matters.

Being a Teacher...

Many of you know that I stay at home with my children and that I home school them. I love being a teacher. Even before I had kids I was a preschool teacher. Early Childhood Education is so important. The first years of learning are so important. During this time you can also catch if children have delays or disabilities. Because you caught it early then the child has more chances of being caught up to their age level.
Home school can be challenging if you are not a teacher by nature. But anyone can do it. You know why? Because you, as a parent you are the child's first teacher. Homeschooling opens doors for personalize education that in public schools children are not getting and they also struggle on getting one-on-one with teachers. As for me, homeschooling came easy because of my background of teaching and growing up in a home where my mom was a teacher. I have many years of experience behind me.
When Nathan was born I decided to stay home with him. I had considered putting him in preschool but the cost was horrible. Every Friday I was going to have to pay $200. Can you imagine paying $200 a week? I couldn't have done that. So staying home was the option. But it was great. I was able to use all the training I had from school and from work that Nathan started right away learning. Every three months I reviewed his development by the time the first year passed he was way ahead of the average one year old. By the time he turned 2 I noticed that something was different with him. He was falling behind and was struggling. I continue to teach him at the level that he was and he slowly picked up skills. Finally after long struggle through test after test they finally could tell us what was going on with my son. Testing started when he was 3 1/2 years old. Testing finished as of last month; Nathan is 5 1/2 years old. He has autism, on the lower end of the spectrum. He has ADHD. Finally he has anxiety disorder with a sleep disorder. Through 2 years of testing this is what all of the doctors and specialist have come up with. With all these things fighting against him, some people have asked if I still want to home school him. They think that it would be easier if I put him in public school and let them be the teacher.
I would love for him to go to a school where he could make friends and be part of what a normal kid does every day. But reality for Nathan is right now, he can't handle a classroom. He makes himself sick and he won't eat or drink. He is scared. So why would I put my kid through all of that just so he can have someone educate him. I won't. As long as he is struggling in crowds and needing another method of how to learn he will be home with me learning it. If it wasn't for the option of homeschooling Nathan he would be so behind right now that I would be frustrated. Some days are hard but so rewarding. Like yesterday, he learned in science what happens to ice when it melts and how many teaspoons a piece of ice is when it melts. Now, that is learning. I still teach him through textbooks but he needs the time to also explore the world around him. I am excited to see what in store for the rest of the year and when the next year starts.
Abby and Savannah are also learning right along with him. I am so surprised at how well they are picking things up. I am teaching Nathan in kindergarten textbooks except for his language arts, that is pre-k. The girls are learning everything that I am teaching him. Kids are smart and can learn things very easily. I want to encourage every parent to take the time to read to your child or teach them a new skill. You will be so proud of your little one when they have mastered it. God bless and have a great learning day with your family.

Love from...

Yesterday was a great day. I did answer the phone one time to talk with my sister, Brianna. I love her so much. We talked over an hour about everything and she helped raise my spirit. I felt the love from her. Then my day started. My kids were being kids and were so created. I had Nathan show love to me by wanting to be with me a lot. He also wanted to tickle me and play games. Savannah gave me many hugs and told me that she loved me. I love that even children understand what love is. Abby she never wants be gone out of her site. She is attached to me. How I can tell that she is showing love is the smile that she gives for no reason. Her eyes light up and the biggest smile that she can produce can make you smile back.
Jonathan has been great to me. He showed his love with by first staying up with me until 3:00 in the morning. Then he saw that I still didn't get enough sleep so he took over watching the kids so I could take a nap before he left for work. When he got home he took care of me and made sure that the dog came in to sleep. He made sure that the house was closed up and held me for a while. He is the best person in the world. I am glad that God put him in my life.
Today I would like to challenge you all to take a look into your life and see everyone that shows love to you and how they do it. Even though I don't see my sister all the time, she took the time to listen to me on the phone and share with me what is going on with her. It doesn't have to be someone that you see all the time or someone that lives in your house. It could be someone that goes to church with you or someone that you work with. Can you share on my blog who get love from? Thanks for reading once again. I appreciate that you all take the time to read what I write.

Silence is good sometimes...

Today I have nothing to say, nothing good or bad. I don't even want to talk. So that is what I am going to do. Go through the day, take care of my family and not say a word. I am fine with that. It doesn't bother me. Sometimes it is nice just to listen. Listen to what your children are saying. Listen to the world around you. Hey, listen to God.
I know this is not an eventful posing but I will pray that tomorrow I can tell you all that I hear and it should be interesting. So have a blessed day and take time to listen to what is going on in your life. You can learn so much when you stop making noise.

Sunday's Song

Yesterday was great. Got up and deep cleaned my house, even the kids’ room. Then we got ready for church. When you go to church expecting God to move then he won't just do a little. He will do big things and why shouldn't he? He is a big God, right?
I love the church that we are going to. It is a home mission work, which means that they are small. These work just started in July of last year so not even a year old yet. They average about 20 people on Sundays. The church is the perfect size for us. Each service we go into my children will seat down and are not trouble. I always have trouble with them in larger churches because of the size that they are. They sing and praise God. What can a mother ask for, seeing their children singing and raising their hands to worship God? Many people don't believe that even the little ones can do that. I beg to differ.
When I walked into the doors yesterday it felt different. It felt that God had already made that his dwelling place. The power that you feel from him being there and feeling the brush of angels’ wings around you, you knew that you were in the presence of God. We did a few songs before Sunday school. The lesson in Sunday school came out of Romans, great book to read and learn from. Then service. And the anointing was in the place. Jonathan preached about the greatest work in you is about to come. The scripture that kept ringing in my spirit was:
"And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested." I Chronicles 4:10(NKJV)
And the other thing that was ringing in my spirit was:
 "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;" Isaiah 54:2
These words I feel is for everyone that is in ministry and wants to do the works of God. Be in preparation and make room because God is getting ready to bless what you do.
The Word was confirmation for Jonathan and me. It was confirmed through the message and again confirmed through the Pastor last night when they came over for dinner. First God spoke it to us, and then he spoke it through his Word, and finally the third time of hearing it was through our Pastor (the shepherd). So I am excited and ready for God to show out once more. Bigger and better things to come. The ministry that we have is only going to get bigger and reach more people than we could ever imagine. I am ready to help and equip the people of God to save the lost across this nation. I am ready to see souls change.
Who is with me? Who will follow what God has put in your spirit? Today is a great day to tell God that you will do his work.

The Life of Being Parents

Yesterday was a good day. I had the opportunity to be with my kids all day. Nathan had school work that had to get done but that didn't take long. After that we started our day. We found ways to make messes in the whole house. We even were able to fit in a nap. It was a great day. The kids were on a roll yesterday.
Abby decided that she was going to get potty trained yesterday. She took her diaper off and handed me a pair of underwear and said, "Me turn." So we did. Savannah took charge and made sure that Abby went pee-pee in the potty every time. Guess what, she did just that. She didn't wet herself at all yesterday. She was proud of herself and of course I was. This morning she got up and straight to the bathroom and then came to me. Proud, Momma, so proud.
Savannah yesterday and recently has become very bossy. She takes charge over everything. We were getting dressed for our day and doing hair and teeth, you know all the stuff to make you look good. Savannah was in the bathroom looking in the mirror combing her hair. I heard her talking to Abby and saying, "Abby first you must comb your hair to look pretty. Then you look in the mirror and do this." She was checking herself out. I was just smiling. Then she told Abby, "Ok, now it’s your turn to look pretty. Don't forget to smile." I was laughing.
Lastly, my Nathan. He is growing so fast. I can't believe how fast life is passing and how big he is getting. He still has good days and bad but the good always outweigh the bad. Yesterday he was so proud of himself as well. He was able to play a computer game all the way through without help. He has gotten so good with using the laptop mouse that sometimes I think that he is better than me. I didn't watch TV. yesterday but was on the computer most of the day. He even showed me the train set that he wants. And cost doesn't matter, how about $150? Not bad considering that he wanted a set early this week that was over $5000. I am not kidding on that. The prices of toys today are crazy.
MUST READ PART: If you didn't find me bragging about my kids interesting then read this. This part is about the life of being a parent. Jonathan came home and took us to Subway last night. When we were Subway last night, this girl came in just talking ugly to the servers that made her sandwich and was speaking profanity to them all the while she was on the phone. Then she walked out and left. When we were paying for our food she came back and was behind us doing it again still on the phone my I add. The server was nice and told her that she needed to watch her mouth because there was kids here and that she will get assisted as soon as she calmed down and let them finish with us. She wouldn't stop. Finally, Jonathan got on to that girl. I told her to calm down or leave that she wasn't going to ruin this evening for us and she needed to at least be considerate for the children that were in the restaurant. She said something under her breath and Jonathan was right there ready, but then she turned around and said nothing. The rest of the night when we were in there she was on her phone, but she didn't get out of control and didn't use profanity. THANK YOU, JONATHAN. I am so proud of you for standing up for what is right but standing up for your children. Many parents wouldn't have said anything. But why should we live in a world that is surrounded by people like that. I am sorry if we are paying for service or food, then we shouldn't have to listen to that garbage and our children shouldn't have to see that. The Subway staff was good but sometimes it takes a PARENT to stand up and say something and stop the madness.
Now, I am going to enjoy the day with my family. We are going to church this afternoon then the Pastor and his wife are coming back to my house for dinner. Tomorrow we should have something great to say about the Word of God.

Sewing 101

Yesterday afternoon I decided that I was going to pull out my sewing machine and try it out. Remind you the last time I even got near a sewing machine was when I was 12 maybe 13 when I was helping my mom make costumes for our Christmas play at Souls Harbor Pentecostal Church in Phoenix, AZ. It has been a long time. Anyways, I put it on the table and pulled out the instruction manual to see how to get the thread where it needed to go. After about 20 minutes of reading and following the instructions I was ready to sew.
A week ago, I had cut out my girls’ patterns for them to have a skirt, belt, and hair accessories. I decided to start with the belt and see how I would do. No problem. Then I decided to do Abby's skirt first. I followed the instructions that came with the pattern and thought I did great. When I finished the first step of sewing the sides I told Abby to try it on. She couldn't get into it because I took to much fabric on both sides. So I undid the sides and tried it again. This time it worked and fit her. I noticed that she is getting bigger because her clothes are getting a little tighter on her or not baggy anymore. I finished the skirt within an hour, all steps. She loved it and then I was going to start Savannah's but it had gotten to late so today I will do hers.
It takes up a lot of time but it was worth seeing my girls face when I gave them their stuff to try. When I was feeding the kids dinner Nathan asked what I was going to make for him. I told him that I would need to get a pattern for him. He said that if that was the case then he wanted a pair of pants from me. I can accommodate that. Now, he is excited about sewing clothes.
I thought about if I got good I would make clothes for kids. It is hard to find clothes that are modest for little girls. All they outfits that you find in the stores are made to have our little girls become grow ups before they are ready. I decided that my girls are not going to be those kids. They are going to be different. I don't want grow up children until they are grown. Until that time, I will make their clothes if I have to to get them their age. As for Nathan, my only boy, he wants Thomas pants made from the fabric that he saw at Wal-Mart the other day. Now, I have my kids creating the style that they want to wear and maybe if they get older, they can learn to make their own clothes. May Savannah is going to be a fashion designer yet. Everyone needs a good dress or skirt to wear.

College

A lot happened yesterday that some I just want to forget. But the big event for me was homework. Not for my son but for me. I am in college. I go to the University of Phoenix online. I am almost done with a degree in Elementary Education. I love teaching. That is who I am. But, wow, the schoolwork that comes with it!
The way that the classes are set up is that I take 2 classes every 9 weeks. In 9 weeks, I have 6 credits. I can finish a semester in 18 weeks. It is the same about as doing traditional college without trying to juggle 4 classes at a time. The benefit for doing classes online is that I can do school year round and finish earlier than if I went to traditional college. The only thing that I don't like about doing it online is that it cost soooo much more than if I was in a traditional college. But I learn better the way that I am doing it, so I will pay extra to get a degree or two.
As of yesterday, I was behind in my classes. So I made a list of everything that I needed to do for the whole week. It included 8 assignments for both classes. That sounds easy right? No. One assignment took 6 hours to complete because I had to research over 10 religions and right how those religions stand on 5 topics. Then write a 500 word summary about religion and how it affects school districts. Some of the religions I had never heard of or could even pronounce. And I even had to keep a neutral ground because I was only suppose to share what I found in my research and not make any comments on my personal beliefs. Do you know how hard that was?
Some religions believed that God didn't create the world. Others didn't believe in God in general. None of them had the same beliefs that I have. So hard for me to keep a straight face when I was writing, finally, I got to the summary and could handle it anymore. My summary was summarizing what I found out about the other religions but I had to also talk about what I believed and what I stood for. I believe in one God, one Faith, one Baptism (love that scripture). When I was finished and looked back I told myself that I didn't care what grade I received on the assignment because I had to do it, I had to share who God is and what he means to me. If I get a failing grade, then so be it. In college or in any other situation that comes my way if I have to choose between God and something else, guess what? I am going to pick my God and the things of God first.
That even brings me into my children's education. Many don't agree with me but part of the reason why I home school my children is because I can give them an education that is from a Christian perspective. That is very important to me. Right now, Nathan is learning how God created the earth in science. I love his science textbook. The whole year we are learning about creation. It breaks up the story of creation and shows what God created on each day. This week we started Day four of creation. What is also so great? The textbook uses the Bible as the source of its information. So it doesn't use someone's opinion on science, it uses the Word of God (the truth). That brings joy to me because I know that in everything that I teach my kids I know that they can see God in each subject and in each lesson. I am starting my day ready to see what God has in store for us through his Word.