HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Happy Mother's Day to all of my readers! I absolutely love being a mother and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

I love this picture. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood is when we would have family devotions and prayers at night just before bedtime. I did not realize how hard it was for my Mom to try to keep this going until I had children of my own. I find myself so tired at night after such busy days, that it is so easy to say that we'll skip devotions, just for that night. I must confess that I have done this on more than one occasion. Well, I only have two children and my mom had six. I'm sure there were nights when we didn't have devotion time, but I don't remember it being very often.

Prayer and devotion time is important. This is the time when we can talk on a more personal basis with our children about God and His Word. We can help them to memorize scripture. When we teach them to pray for people, we are teaching them to think about others and not themselves. And what an awsome thing when they actually see prayers being answered! It will help to strengthen their faith.

We also don't need to just pray WITH our children, we need to constantly be praying FOR our children. Lift them up to the Lord. Sometimes things happen that we just don't understand or don't know how to handle. Give it to the Lord. Ask for His direction and leading.

Moms, we have such an awsome responsibility to teach our children and raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!
Motherhood is such a high calling from God. It's an experience like no other.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothers-to-be! What a special and awesome calling we have been given!
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday.
Beth :-)

A MOM'S JOB IS NOT INSIGNIFICANT!

"Moms, never think your job is of insignificance. You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, training them up in God’s fear, minding the house and making your household a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of Hosts.”

Charles Spurgeon

VBS TODAY!

Our 2012 VBS is today. I am SO very excited! Please help me pray for the workers and the children.
I did something different this year and did not go with any particular curriculum. You see, by the time we have our VBS program, which is usually the last Saturday in July or the first Saturday in August, the children have already been to several in the area, and "know" the different programs, so they are more easily bored because they've already "been there and done it".
Well, today, they are going to learn about the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, along with life in Biblical times (food, clothing, shelter). They will also learn about the order of the encampments of the Israelites. For instance, did you know that they always camped the same way around the Tabernacle according to their tribes? There were four camps, in which were three tribes.
Everything that we have studied in preparation for this VBS regarding how the Tabernacle was set up, how the services were performed and how the Israelites set up their camps has confirmed that God wants everything done decently and in order. We can also see the symbolism of His plan of salvation for us.
There is so very much more to tell, but I have to get ready to go. A report and LOTS of pictures to follow!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth

SATURDAY MORNING SAYINGS

               "The Two Prayers"

                         "Last night my little boy confessed to me,
                         Some childish wrong;
                         And kneeling at my knee.
                         He prayed with tears,
                         "Dear God, make me a man
                         Like Daddy-- wise and strong,
                         I know you can."

                         Then while he slept,
                         I knelt beside his bed,
                        Confessed my sins;
                        And prayed with low bowed head.
                        "Oh God, make me a child
                        Like my child here--
                        Pure, guileless,
                        Trusting Thee with faith sincere."

                                     ~Andrew Gillies~

 

DESENSITIZED TO SIN



           Bran Made Tags   

             

I have heard it said that if you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly bring it to a boil, the frog will not be aware of any danger until it is too late.
Christians are in the same kind of danger today. Slowly, slowly, we are being "desensitized" to sin. Through media (television, books, internet, etc) and public schools, we and our children are exposed every day to the world's views that living together and sex before marriage is ok, homosexuality is just another lifestyle, immodest dress is the way to be attractive and cursing is fine. People are exposed to violence and sexual content in their video games. If we choose to simply just tolerate and "quietly overlook" these sins, eventually we will not see it as such a bad thing.
Listen dear readers, if it was an abomination to God back in Bible times, it's STILL an abomination to Him today. If it was a sin back then, it's STILL a sin today! God does not change.
What is a Christian to do? How can we protect ourselves and our children from this?
First, stay in the Word! 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  Read and study the Bible. Keep up your family prayer and devotions. Constantly talk to and teach your children about God's ways, as it says in Deuteronomy 11:19, "And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."  That's ALL the time!
Know your Bible so that when a situation arises, you can show your children what God says about it. If you don't know, search the Scriptures together with them to find the answer (a concordance helps alot!).
Second, when you are watching a movie or TV program and someone curses, walks on the screen scantily clad, magic or sorcery is introduced, or any other questionable thing comes on-TURN IT OFF! If it is on a DVD that you own-THROW IT AWAY! Sounds drastic? Yes, but it needs to leave your house. You may have to endure some crying and arguments from your children. My husband and I have been there. But, protecting our families should be the most important thing to us. Don't forget that you are the parent, and are the one in charge.
Monitor very, very closely the video games that your children play. Even some of the innocent looking ones may have some surprises as the levels progress.
 Although it's an easy way out, don't use the explanation of, "Just because I say so". Your children need to know why you are doing this. Once again, go to God's word and show them.
My friends, it is a battle which can get very hard sometimes. Satan is shrewd and cunning. But we must fight for the sake of our families. We must continually be on our guard, staying in the Word and on our knees! Watch out that you don't get caught in boiling water!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works;and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16               

Hallelujah! We are wonderful works of God! He knew us from the beginning. Life begins at conception. The Bible even tells us that!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND DOTH SAFELY TRUST IN HER

 

"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil." Proverbs 31:11

Does the heart of your husband safely trust in you? Our first response usually is, "Of course he can trust me! I would never cheat on him. When I took our marriage vows, I meant them for LIFE."
That's wonderful. I am glad to hear it! I always responded the same way whenever I read this verse. And, yes, that is one of the trusts. But when I really, really read this, I found that "trust" in this verse means SO much more!
Can your husband "safely trust" you financially? Are we a wise steward with our household finances, or do we go out and run up the credit card with purchases that we really can't afford, need or are able to pay off within a reasonable time limit? Is the checking account always low, not because of our income, but because of purchases that really can wait?
How about housework? Yikes! Yes, that is a sensitive spot with me as well. I realize that alot of wives, myself included, work outside of the home. When we come home at night, the last thing we want to do is clean our house! My husband helps out some with the housework, and I am trying to train our sons to help, too. I have found that if I set myself to a schedule, and tackle one room a night, it is not so terrible. Cleaning up as we go along helps tremendously. Wash the dishes (or assign one of the children to do this task) as the cooking is done. Keep a roll of paper towels handy in the bathroom, and wipe down the sink after teeth are brushed or hands are washed.
Another area of "trust" is training up our children. Moms, we are the ones who really have the greatest influence on our children. Let's face it, when one of our children falls down and gets hurt, who do they usually run to? Mom! Can our husbands trust that we won't put our children aside for our own selfish desires? Can our husbands trust in us to take care of and train up our children like the Bible calls us to do? This is a very big responsibility!
Can he "trust" in you emotionally, or does he never know which way you will react? We set the temperature of the home, ladies. Our moods effect our family.
Lastly, but most importantly, can our husbands "trust" us to let them be the head of the household, as we are told in the Ephesians 5:23?
The more I study Proverbs 31:11, the more I realize how much work I have to do in my own life. If you are struggling with any of the above "trusts", ask the Lord for help and guidance. Then, go talk to another Christian lady who can help you and pray with you.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

THAT'S MY PEW!

Has this ever been you-It's Sunday morning, it's time for the service to begin. You're making your way to the pew that you sit in every Sunday. You happen to look up and see a visiting family looking for somewhere to sit. They glance in the direction where you normally sit. Silently, you tell them not to sit there, that there are other pews to sit in. Or, you quickly slide into your pew, placing your Bible, purse, coat, etc down, knowing that there won't be room for all of you. The family comes closer, you hold your breath. Then they find another place to sit. You are relieved.

Or, how about this-Have you ever visited a church, found a pew and sat down, only to have someone a few minutes later come and stand by you, letting you know in no uncertain terms with their body language that that was "their" pew? Or, gasp! actually TELL you that is "their" pew?

My boys and I usually sit in the same pew every Sunday-the fourth one back on the left hand side, I guess because that is where my husband and I started sitting when we got married and after he became a pastor, I just kept sitting there. This Sunday, something happened to make me realize that I need to work a little bit harder on teaching my two little "gentlemen" some "pew manners".
This was the situation-we had already sat down in the pew. The service had already started. As we were singing the first hymn, a man, his wife and family proceeded to sit in the same pew. Now, please bare in mind, that these pews were only meant to hold six adults comfortably. Since the seating situation got a little bit cramped, and there were other empty pews, I went ahead and moved us to another pew. It did not bother me in the least. My oldest started complaining, however. He didn't like the view. He felt weird sitting in a different place. I drew the line when he said, "We were there first. Why did we have to move?".

First of all, I let my son know that it is not "our" pew, it's GOD'S pew. It is in His house. Besides, I don't see our name written on it anywhere! Secondly, I feel like it was the right thing to do. Yes, I could have let them know that there were other pews open (which I would not do under any circumstance), but, the Bible tells us, "If it be possible, as much lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:18. It was also the POLITE thing to do.

When visitors come to our church, we need to make them feel welcome. How can we show them Christ if we selfishly hold onto something so material and, yes, trivial?
When we are out in public, if an older person, a mother who is obviously pregnant, a disabled person, etc comes into a room or enters the bus or train that we are riding and needs a seat, we (I surely hope!), will rise and give them our seat. Why don't we do this in our churches?

I was very impressed when we visited a church in the mountains while on vacation one year. The church was small and extremely packed with people. They were in the middle of adding on an addition to their building. A man stood up when he saw us enter, immediately recognizing us as visitors. He willingly and gladly gave up where he was sitting so that we could have a seat.

Oh, Christians! Let's not hold onto such trivial things! No matter what we do, we are representing God and our church. We need to let the love of Jesus shine through!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

HANDWRITTEN NOTES-A LOST ART

A handwritten note. What is that? In today's society of social networks, email, etc., handwritten notes seem to be a thing of the past. It's a lost art. It's so much quicker to post to someone's wall on Facebook or send them an email when you want to tell them something. I am very guilty of this myself. When I tell myself that I am going to grab a piece of paper or note card, sit down and actually WRITE a letter or note, I quickly get aggravated at the slow process of writing. I have noticed that I am slowly losing my handwriting abilities. My hands tire quickly trying to hold the pen and write with it. My mind starts to wander to thoughts of just typing this note out. Stop!
Although messages through the internet are widely accepted these days, a handwritten note just says so much more. It tells the person that you are sending it to that they were actually worth the time that it took to write it. This also applies to businesses, as well. I am always impressed when I receive something that I have bought and find a handwritten note on the invoice or even on a separate sheet of paper, thanking me personally for my order.
Do you know someone who has recently lost a loved one, gotten married, had a baby or given you a gift? Send them a personal, handwritten note! As the pastor's wife, I try to send cards when one of our people are sick or mourning. I like to use blank note cards when I can, but if I use a card with a pre-printed message, I still write a short note on the blank side.
We also need to teach our children to write these notes. I have heard that some public schools are taking the emphasis away from handwriting all together, and focusing on the children's computer skills. What a loss! Children need to be taught to write thank you notes when they receive a gift, or when a friend or relative is ill or just feeling down, to send them a "cheer up" card.
Yes, handwritten notes are slowly being lost. But they don't have to be! Let's try to save this lost art! Send someone a special, handwritten note today and let them know how much you care.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

SONGS ON THE HEARTS

The other morning was one of those typical, chaotic mornings that we often have getting ready for work and school. You know the kind-your youngest is "lolly-gagging", taking his own sweet time, your oldest is half way getting dressed, but decides to stop, look out your back door window and start swinging a string back and forth for the cat to play with on the other side of the glass, you're trying to get the lunch boxes together, on and on. When you finally get everyone back on track, your mind is still racing with everything that needs to get done.
Amidst all of this, I started to listen to all of the different sounds going on in my house. I mean, actually LISTEN. When I did, do you know what I heard? It was something that made me thankful and joyful in my heart. Every one of us-my husband, Nathan, Samuel and I-were each singing a different song. These weren't just any songs. They weren't secular, worldly songs. They were HYMNS. Old time hymns.
What an uplift to my spirit! My morning seemed a little less chaotic. How wonderful to know that the song in each of my family member's heart was one for the Lord!
What kind of song is on your family's heart? Do you play and sing the old time hymns with them? My mom always said that the first song that you hear in the morning will be the song that plays over and over in your head throughout the day. I have found that to be so true. Try turning on the radio to a good, Bible-believing station that plays those songs that have testimonies and fire behind them. Play songs in the car as you are taking your children to school. It will definitely make a difference!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

COYOTES IN THE WOODS!

The other night, after our boys were asleep, my husband wanted to go outside and try out his "Predator Call" to see if there might be any coyotes in the woods that would answer.  For those who don't know, a Predator Call is an electronic device that has several different sounds imitating an injured animal as well as some actual "predator" sounds (a coyote howl, etc) to attract the animal. 
My husband set the device to a coyote howl. At first, the only answer we heard was a neighbor's dog some distance away. My husband tried again. We got an answer that time. Where? In the woods, RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from our house! With that, I promptly turned around and said, "OK, I'm going back inside now!". I am NOT one to stay outside with a coyote that close!
Coyotes are actually on an "open season" hunting list all year long in our area as their population has become quite large and they pose a threat to smaller farm animals such as chickens. They are also interbreeding with the Red Wolf population that has been reintroduced here in our county.
I started thinking about this experience. I thought about how Christians often forget just how close Satan is lurking, just waiting for the right moment to attack. We often get a little "slack" and let our defences down. When we do, we are opening ourselves and our family up to an attack that we won't be prepared for. The Bible tells us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8.
Be sober, be vigilant! Keep a watch out! You have children to protect. Keep those family devotions and prayer times going. Keep them in church. Constantly talk to them and teach them about the Lord. Be careful about and monitor what your family watches and listens to. How quickly Satan can come in to your home through television, video games or music.
"..as a roaring lion,.." Have you ever heard the roar of a lion? I have, when we have visited the zoo. This roar will literally vibrate and rumble right through your whole being! It is a frightful thing to hear! I can not imagine what it would be like to actually come across one in the wild!
The devil will roar. There will be circumstances in your life that will have you so frightened and shaking right to your inner core. Always remember that if you are a born-again Christian, you have One Who is mightier than Satan on your side! Satan wants you to believe that there is no hope, that you can not make it through. All you can hear is his loud roar. But you can! Romans 8:31 says, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?". Romans 8:37-39 also tells us, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." That covers everything. The Lord will never leave you, nor forsake you! He is always there by your side.
There are some things to remember when you are going through these troubling times. First, don't stop praying and reading your Bible, even when you don't feel like it. The Lord encourages us through His Word. Second, don't stop going to church. You need the fellowship and prayers of your fellow brother and sisters in Christ. There is strength in numbers! Lastly, don't forget that these experiences usually draw us closer to Christ. You won't be able to see it now, but further on up the road, you will see where you have grown and learned to lean more on the Lord, and not on your "own understanding".
I pray for all of you, my dear readers! I pray that you will have the strength to go through that trial that you are experiencing. I pray that you will keep a constant vigil for your family! With the Lord's help and strength, you can!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

MAKING TRACKS

The weather Saturday was just SO beautiful that my family and I (our cats came along, too!) took a walk in the fields behind our house.
Nathan and Samuel love to look for animal tracks. The ground is still kind of soft, so the tracks show up pretty well. Among the tracks that we found were tractor tire tracks, deer tracks and, of course, people tracks (ours :-)!).
Some of the deer tracks were old, but my husband said that you could tell from the track how heavy the deer was, along with whether or not it was a buck or doe, as well as if it was running or walking. Boy! I learned alot that day. See pictures below:

BUCK TRACKS
MY HUSBAND SAYS THAT YOU CAN TELL THE BUCK WAS RUNNING BY THE WAY THE FRONT OF HIS HOOF IS SPREAD.

DOE TRACKS
MY HUSBAND SAID THAT THIS DEER WAS JUST WALKING.

PEOPLE TRACKS

TRACTOR TIRE TRACKS

CAT TRACKS
OUR LITTLE "TAG-ALONGS"

When we got back to the house, I started thinking about my life's path and what kind of "tracks" I was leaving behind me.

I have a poem on my refrigerator that reads, "The future lies before you like a field of driven snow; Be careful how you tread it for every track will show." Author unknown.

You know, everything we do, every decision we make, how we talk to and treat people (our families included), all leave "tracks" both in our lives and the people around us.

Our children are like sponges. Whether we are aware of it or not, they watch us VERY closely. Sometimes too closely. Often times, I will see an attitude or action in my child that I know they have seen in me. It's often hard and most humbling to see yourself reflecting back in your child, especially when it's a not-so-pretty attitude.

We as Christians have to be so very careful how we walk down this path of life. We should be a light, a beacon, shining out and showing people the way to Christ, starting with our own families.

Saturday's walk opened my eyes to a few life lessons. I am so very human. I need to rely on the Lord an awful lot. But, you know what? He is there for us. Keep praying, stay in your Bible, attend church REGULARLY.  We will fall, that's the truth. But He is there to catch us and put us to right again.

What kind of tracks are you leaving?

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 23

"Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name." 2 Samuel 22:50

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I am so thankful today that my son, Samuel, joined me for my morning devotions. He has always been an early riser, but I usually have already had my devotional time with the Lord by the time he gets up (I try to get up atleast an hour before the rest of my house does).

Well, this morning, I told him that I hadn't read my Bible or had my special time with the Lord yet. He was excited to join me in my devotional time. We each took our Bibles, climbed up on my bed (my husband had already left to go deer hunting), pulled the quilt up and read. I read three verses and he read three verses. At six years old? Why, yes! As soon as each of my sons started to learn how to read, I would give them verses to read out of the Bible at our Family Devotion Time. It is VERY slow going at first, I must admit, and takes alot of patience. But they do eventually start doing better and better.

After reading, we prayed. Then Samuel jumped up and said, "Mommy! We have to sing some Bible songs!" So I said OK. He ran into his room and grabbed his little song book. We sang about five songs.

 Let me tell you, nothing, absolutely NOTHING, could have made my morning any better! What a joy and awsome privilege to share Jesus with my children!

Have you shared Jesus with your children today?

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)



A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 13

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6-7

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Day 13! Wow. The month is really flying by. Next week is Thanksgiving! Well, today, I am thankful for my children's hugs and love.

You know, some days I feel like such an imperfect mom. I make SO many mistakes. Sometimes I fuss and am grumpy when I should have just stepped back, looked the situation over, then reacted. The list goes on and on. I start thinking about it, and I get somewhat discouraged. I love my children SO much, and yet I am always messing up, or atleast that's the way it seems to me.

Then, out of nowhere, I get an impromptu hug from one or both of my boys. How wonderful that makes me feel. But I also think about how undeserving I am for such love! They seem to love me no matter what.

You know, that's the way it is with the love of Jesus. We don't deserve it, but He loved us so much that He came to earth, lived, died and rose again, for you and me-imperfect, undeserving you and me.  

Do you know Jesus as your saviour? If not, why not today? He knows your heart, your imperfections. But He LOVES you. He is knocking at your heart's door. All you have to do is let Him in. Ask Him in today!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)





FIERY SERPENTS IN YOUR CAMP

If there's one thing I don't like, it's a snake. They fascinate yet scare me, even the non-poisonous ones. Since there are irrigation ditches around our house (we are surrounded by farm fields) and woods, it is not uncommon to have an uwelcome visit from a rattlesnake or water moccasin on occasion. We always give our boys strict instructions that if they see one, they ARE NOT to even go near it, but to come and tell us immediately.
Well, not too long ago, I had allowed "fiery serpents" in my house. What? Yes, that's right. Please allow me to explain.
A couple of months ago, I just went on a complaining, mumbling and grumbling spree. I was looking at all of the stay-at-home moms, wondering why the Lord hadn't answered my prayers. I wondered when He was going to move and allow me to be one? I was tired of praying and waiting. I also had some set backs in setting up my small business. Time definitely was not on my side. As I allowed myself to wallow in my self-pity and unhappiness, I became a little bit grumpy with my husband and children. I was finding little ways to bicker with my husband. I just wasn't happy with how my life was turning out because it wasn't the way I wanted it to be. I was, yes, a little angry with God. Hmmm....
The Lord started to deal with me, and let me tell you, when He starts dealing with you, you know it! One scripture reference that kept coming to my mind was Numbers 21:1-9, where the Israelites were whining, complaining, and being VERY unthankful for what the Lord had done and was doing for them. The Lord had just given them a wonderful victory over the Canaanites and they were on their way to "compass the land of Edom". But the verse goes on to say that, "and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way." vs 4. Maybe the way was rough and hard to travel on, I don't know. But the people got discouraged, so they start to murmur and complain against God and Moses. They even started to complain about the bread (manna) that God miraculously provided each day for them. They said that, "there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread," vs 5. How spoiled does that sound?
Well, God had heard enough, so He sent fiery serpents among the people. They bit the people, and many died. You know, when we get a bitter and complaining spirit, we are not the only ones affected. It affects our families and those we come in contact with. It causes strife in our homes. Nothing pleases us.
 James 3:14-17 says, "But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
Envying and strife are not of the Lord, they are of the devil! The devil absolutely LOVES to attack a Christian home. The Bible says that he, "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." He wants to devour and destroy your home and family. And, ladies, who better to start with than mom? Who sets the mood in the house, really? Mom does. If we are bitter and moody, our house is unhappy. This shouldn't be, and this is what the Lord was bringing to my attention. I really believe that He kept bringing those scriptures to my mind because He was giving me a warning. He would have to deal with my attitude!
It was hard, but I humbled myself and brought everything to the Lord. I asked His forgiveness. We are told "in everything give thanks". We need to thank God because He sees the end that we don't. If we are letting Him guide us, then we are on the right path. This has taught me to be thankful for my circumstances. There is a reason that I am still working. I can't see it, but He does. There is a reason that I had to slow my business plans down. This I now see, because it really was becoming like a second full-time job, and was robbing me of my time with my family. God is so good to us! And I am exceptionally thankful that He gave me a warning!
How short I fall many times. Lord, please forgive me! Help me to be the wife, mother and woman You want me to be. 
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

Earthquakes and Hurricanes

As we here in Eastern NC are gearing up for Hurricane Irene, which may be a category 4 by the time it makes landfall on Saturday, we felt the aftershock of an earthquake in Virginia. What a strange feeling to one who is not accustomed to earthquakes!
It's funny, but with all of the crazy weather and earthquakes that we have been experiencing, it is all so clear to me as a believer in Christ that everything that the Bible says will happen in the last days is coming to pass. But, when I try to say this to my unsaved friends and co-workers, they just kind of "hem and haw", give me a funny look, and say that it is just "nature".  Oh, the prayers I put up for those souls who need the Lord, that He would open their eyes before it is too late!
Something else happened that same day which I definitely took as a "teachable moment" for my boys.
When I talked to Nathan after school, he told me something that worried me and had me calling the school to check into.
He told me that they were all told to get under their desks because there was a man outside their school, wearing a mask, just standing there staring at the building. Of course, in this day and age, this is a very real concern. I asked him repeatedly as to whether or not this was just a drill, to which he answered very adamantly that it was not a drill.
Of course, I called the school to verify this. I was pretty certain that it really was just an earthquake drill, but I had to make sure. The school reaffirmed what I thought. It was an earthquake drill.
As I got off of the phone, I asked my son where he had heard this information. It came out that he heard it from one of his friends, who "heard" two teachers whispering loudly. Boys like action, and since I'm sure they didn't feel the tremor, this was a more exciting way to explain the drill.
Well, I took this opportunity to talk about gossip. Even we as adults are guilty sometimes of spreading some news that sounds interesting or exciting about someone before we find out if it's actually true or not. We, as Christians, should not do this. If someone comes up to us trying to talk about another person, we should stop the conversation before it even starts.
Did you know that the Bible says, "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter." Proverbs 11:13? The Bible has alot to say about those who gossip and spread stories about others. A Jewish proverb says, "What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness with your mouth". I also have a saying on my desk that says, "Whoever gossips to you will be a gossip of you." How true!
Lets stop that gossip wheel!
Please keep those of us on the East Coast as Hurricane Irene makes landfall.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

VBS, 2011-"TREASURE QUEST-PURSUING THE RICHES OF CHRIST"

At last! Here are some pictures from our VBS this year. The Lord blessed us tremendously! The children and adults all had a wonderful time.
The descriptions are below the pictures. If you need ideas, I hope that some of these pictures help. Also, I found the ideas at http://bogardpress.org/vbs2011/index.html helped us alot!

OUR SAPPHIRE GLACIER ROOM

TOPAZ RIVER ENTRANCE

TOPAZ RIVER CLASSROOM

ANOTHER VIEW OF TOPAZ RIVER

THE SANCTUARY

(WE ALWAYS TRY TO BE RESPECTFUL WHEN WE DECORATE THE SANCTUARY)

ENTRANCE TO DIAMOND MOUNTAIN CLASSROOM

EMERALD FOREST CLASSROOM

(WE USED BRANCHES FROM A COUPLE OF TREES BEHIND THE

CHURCH THAT HAD BLOWN DOWN IN A STORM)

OUR LITTLE ADDITION-THE GEM MINE.

WE HAD A "GEM MINE" THAT THE CHILDREN WALKED THROUGH. AFTER GOING THROUGH, THEY EACH RECEIVED A SMALL CLOTH BAG WITH DIRT IN IT. WE THEN LET THEM DUMP THE BAG INTO SOME SIFTERS (BEACH SAND SIFTERS FROM THE DOLLAR GENERAL-SEE 3 PICTURES DOWN). INSIDE WERE ABOUT 5 JEWELS THAT THEY COULD KEEP. THE CHILDREN LOVED IT!

Please let me know if these helped!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

AN ORGANIZED MOM (OR A REASONABLE FACSIMILE!) :-)

I was walking in Big Lots yesterday on my lunch hour, just kind of browsing, when I saw this 17-month Planner laying on the shelf in the school supply section. It was not just any old Planner, it was a "busy Mom's" Planner. Yes! Just what I needed. It was the only the only one of it's kind there. It was meant just for ME! Well, atleast, that's the way it seemed! :-)
So I bought this wonderful Planner. Now I am bound and determined to be THE organized mom this year. It starts in the month of August, 2011 (how convenient!). It is broken down by weeks, with spaces for notes, events, and, yes, even a grocery list. Now I can jot down during the week everything that I will need when I go grocery shopping at the end of the week. No more guessing, because I have a LIST.
No more missed homework assignments, appointments or school projects and reports! Everything in one convenient place.
Now, if only I can find where I put that Planner.....Just kidding!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2011-TREASURE QUEST

Wow! What a very busy couple of weeks we have had at the church! And it's not stopping any time soon.
Let's see...between weddings, wedding showers, baby showers, getting ready for VBS, regular church activities, etc, the time has flown by quickly.
Everyone is excited as we gear up for our VBS on Saturday, July 16th. I chose to go with Treasure Quest-Pursuing the Riches of Christ by Bogard Press this year. I have enclosed their link bogardpress.org/vbs2011/ . We always like Bogard Press as they use only the KJV scripture in all of their material.
Everyone always tells me that they wouldn't like to be the director. But, I'll tell you something. Yes, being the director is VERY stressful at times because you have to organize and get everything together and in order. But, when the day of VBS comes, even though I still am going back and forth making sure everything is running smoothly, I get to go to each area and watch the program unfold. I get to watch the teachers and children as they go through their day. I can mingle with all of the classes and talk to everyone.
For the past couple of years, we have done our VBS as a one-day program on a Saturday. Although it was hard at first figuring up a one-day schedule, it is finally at a point where all I have to do is just change the information from year to year. Finally, this year, Bogard Press even had a sample one-day schedule in their material. I believe alot of other churches are finally trying that route.
A one day VBS works out so much better for everyone involved. In today's society (unfortunately!), just about everyone in the church is employed outside the home. It is extremely hard to find volunteers for a whole week. Also, if one would admit it, the children are SO exhausted when it comes to the end of the week. Attendance is usually down by that time.
With our one day VBS, everyone is there for the whole program. The children get to hear all of the lessons. Do they actually learn their lessons? Well, let me tell you. When we do our closing program the Sunday night after, I usually have my teachers do a quick "question and answer" session with the children. You know what? These children can answer all of the questions! And, I might add, with great enthusiasm!
Well, I've got to go for now and start my day. I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed day. Please remember our VBS in your prayers. Please pray for salvation and life changing decisions!
Beth :-)