Holy Ghost Fit!!

This morning on the way to work I was dragging big time. I didn't want to be out of bed, I definitely didn't want to go to work. I decided I would turn on some Christian radio to try to revive me. I ended up having me a little Holy Ghost happy dance. I was singing, crying, almost ran off the road. Not what I expected at 730 on a Saturday morning. Anyways, I decided the words to the song were the perfect post for today. So I hope it touches you too (especially the chorus, that's what got me!!!)

"I have been a wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned sovereignty
and had my share of doubts.

And though sometimes
my prayers feel like their bouncing off the sky,
the hand that holds won't let me go
and is the reason why .

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved!!!
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand, I will not be moved.

Bitterness has plagued my heart
many times before
My life has been a broken glass
and I have kept the score
of all my shattered dreams
and though it seemed
that I was far too gone
my brokenness helped me to see
it's grace I'm standing on.

And chaos in my life
has been a badge I've worn
and though I have been torn
I will not be moved."

Praise Jesus!!

All I've got to say is if she can do it....so should you!

Being thankful...even if its late

Today was a rough (rough is not nearly a strong enough word!!) day at work. I got yelled at by a salesperson, I got yelled at by a customer....I almost popped a blood vessel over it. It was all I could do to control my tongue. I had an algebra teacher in high school who always said the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body, thus the hardest to control. (You have to imagine an older lady, with gray hair in a really tight bun, looking down her nose at you and you'll get the picture) Well today, I finally believe her!! I had a VERY hard time keeping my mouth shut today. But at the end of the day, I decided I had too many things to be thankful to let either of them, or anything else for that matter, get to me. So I decided tonight, I was going to list them. And yes I missed thanksgiving by a couple of weeks, but give me a break, it's been a busy time for me.
Soooo...drum roll......here it goes......

First and foremost, I am thankful that no matter who I am, or what I do, I have a heavenly Father that loves me and looks after me every day. I always think back to the verse that says all the hairs on our heads are numbered. WOW!!! (Imagine that...a year ago I would have never thought I could quote a verse. Maybe I don't have a clue where it is yet, but hey baby steps right??)

I am so thankful for my parents. I love my mommy!! We fought like crazy when I was a kid, but now I don't know what I would do without her. She is my best friend. And my dad, has only physically been around since I was 9, but as far as I am concerned HE is my dad, no matter what blood says. He is always there to pump me up and encourage me in anything I do.

I love my sister too. For all her craziness, I still love her to death. She's still young, and a little nuts....but I am so glad that we are all nearby and can be together whenever we want.

My dearest John....I know I have been rough on him lately, but I really do adore him. I have been trying to approach him from a new angle lately, and I think it has really made a difference. No where near as much yelling, and it continues to get better each day. He is a wonderful father, and that is huge. He could be a crazy, drunk, absent dad...but he's not.

These 3 silly girls are my life...I wouldn't trade anything for them in the world. It is new and fun everyday!! They are so adorable...there are so many moments that I almost cry just looking at them.

I am so thankful for the wonderful church family that we have found. I believe nothing is an accident, God planned for us to be there now. It is amazing to me how perfectly we fit in there. I couldn't ask for anything better. Each and every person at Breakthrough is so amazing, they each hold a special place in my heart. I know without a shadow of a doubt, if I ever needed any of them, all I'd have to do is ask, and they wouldn't hesitate for a second.

I am amazed at the way God is using me. I am loving Praise and Worship with the kids. Every week I think, maybe I'll have someone fill in so I can go to "real church". But then God reminds me I don't have to be in the sanctuary to praise Him. He is so right (duh!!) I love singing with the kids, they have so much fun, energy, and excitement all rolled into a little tiny body.

I am extremely thankful for the new found relationship that I am entering into with God. Each day I feel a little closer to Him. I never thought this would be where I am, but I love it. And I ask for more each day. He freely gives as the heart desires.

I am sure there are tons more....but I'm going to start with these. I just needed to take some time to remember no matter how bad it may seem, it never really is "that" bad.

On the edge...

Why do I feel like I am always right on the edge?

On the edge of a breakthrough or a breakdown? I'm not sure which. I know God has plans for me and my family....but at the same time I also know the devil has plans to stop them. It just feels like a constant power struggle inside of me. I know it sounds like a ridiculous cartoon that we have all seen, but I feel like God has one arm and Satan has the other, and they are just constantly tugging in each direction. And some days I am just so tired...too tired to fight either way. I feel like my life is a huge roller coaster ride, with tons of ups and downs. But honestly, I'm ready for the flat part of the ride. I don't want to be worried anymore about more about the big drop that is just around the corner.

And yes I know that I am being melodramatic....but I just want things to be simplier. Why does everything have to seem like a battle?

Three in one

I was thinking today about how differently I act in different places. There is Libby at church, Libby at work, and Libby at home. And sometimes they are all polar opposites.
Libby at church and Libby at home are finally starting to come together as one. I am finding ways to share my feelings and faiths at home, without being pushy. You don't have to talk the talk all the time...sometimes you just need to walk the walk in front of them. I am very happy with the progress that is happening in our house, no matter how slow it may seem. God tapped me on the shoulder the other day and said that He doesn't have to show John, He only has to remind John of His might. John knows, or at least he used know at one point, but just some where along the way he forgot how wonderful Our God is. How faithful, how caring, how loving, how gracious, how forgiving, how amazing, and just HOW BIG He is!!!! I know God can do ALL things, but to me reminding John seems much easier than showing him for the first time.
My problem lately though is figuring out who Libby at work is. It's hard to be the boss, you can't say this, or you shouldn't do that...but somewhere along the line you still have to be tough. I have been very concerned lately with some of the things happening at work. If things are being done by upper management that I don't agree with, at what point just because I'm there does it make me just as guilty? My grandmother always used to say "If you lay down with dogs, you'll wake up with fleas." I know I don't work for a christian business, but still....should I have to be a different person? Or hold back who I am supposed to be?
I have been sick (AGAIN!!) lately, and I was talking to my mom today. I told her I think I am just basically worn out. I get sick, and feel guilty about missing work so I don't, but then I never get completely better, so I just get beat down and sick again. My mom's answer to that was I needed to cut down on some of the "extra" stuff I do so that it doesn't affect work. She said I couldn't let volunteering at the kids school or at church keep me from being able to do my job. I told her that was completely wrong. 50 hours + work a week, that's what wears me out. I shouldn't have to give up what I enjoy so that I can be at work more!! I could barely talk at all today (and I'm in sales!!) and it never occurred to anyone to say "hey, you know what? You are always here, you look like you feel bad, go home." At what point are we trying too hard and killing ourselves to impress others, than to do what's right for us? I know that God has a vision for me....and it is not hocking furniture for the rest of my life!! Don't get me wrong, I love it, but it is not going to define my existence.

Ok....I am officially stepping off my soap box now. My biggest downfall, at work, at home, at the kids school, and yes even at church is that I don't know how to just say no. At some point, I have to slow down and get some rest. So if you pray for me at all, I hope it will be for the ability to finally learn to say no occasionally.

It's a New Season

"It's a New Season.
It's a New Day.
Fresh Annointing is coming my way.
It's a season of power and prosperity.
It's a new season coming to me."

This song just popped into my head as I sat here thinking about what to type. Every time we think we are "out" of fresh oil or fresh wine, God fills us again. We are given a Fresh Annointing to deal with each day that is set before us. All we have to do is slow down long enough to ask for it and then be ready to listen and then do what He says. It may not be the way we see, or the way we want to handle it, or the way we think it should go....but we have to realize that HE knows so much more than us. And wants the best for for His children, no matter how it may seem on the surface. He knows our past, our present, and our future. I'm guessing if He says go left, not right...He knows what is at the end of that road for us, and maybe we should listen. I'm not saying it will always be easy, but why do we always tend to take everyone else's advice before His? The hard headed, self reliant, "know-it-all" in us all may not think He has it all figured out, but I am starting to learn, He does.

My shelter

There has been a song in my heart the last few days that we sang at our church in SC. It has been resonating in my spirit for a while, so I decided the words to that song was a perfect posting to share. It's called "Made Me Glad" by Hillsong.

I will bless the Lord forever.
I will trust Him at all times.
He has delivered me from all fear.
He set my feet upon a rock I will not be moved.
And I'll say of the Lord...
You are my shield, My strength, My portion, Deliverer, My shelter, Strong tower,
My very present help in time of need.
Whom have I in heaven but You.
There's none I desire besides You.
You have made me glad.
And I'll say of the Lord...
You are my shield, My strength, my portion, delivered, my shelter, strong tower,
My very present help in time of need.


Amen and Amen!!!

I am ready!

I am determined to get into the spirit of Christmas!! I am going to have a great month, no matter how the things around me appear. We may not "seem" to have the money, but I know it will be okay. Work may "seem" like it is going to be a nightmare, but I'm not going to let it get under my skin. The house may "seem" upside down, but I'm not going to stress about it. Because there are much more important things in my life. I have a wonderful husband....he may not be everything I want him to be, but it could be much worse. He could be a drunk, or a drug addict, or violent, or even not here at all. But he's not any of those things, and I thank God for that. I have 3 wonderful daughters, who make me smile each and every day. My parents and sister are near by too....which is such a blessing. And besides our natural family, we have a wonderful church family that we love and adore. I am so blessed to know all of them, and I look forward to the journey God has for all of us together.
So now matter how crazy this month always seems to get....slow down and enjoy it.

Take Time

There's no way to sugar coat this, it has been a rough week. I'm tired, and I'm sick and tired. My body is wore out, and my nerves are shot. My boss tells me I'm too easy on my salespeople, and then turns around and tells me a salesperson came to him crying that I was too hard on her. Then he said oh by the way we need you to work Wednesday and Sunday this week. I am just totally fried!!

Well today I decided I was going to just relax and not things get to me. I always give the salespeople a motivational quote each morning. Here was today's "You can't pour the perfume of happiness on someone else without a few drops getting on yourself." I told them I knew that the hustle and bustle of the season can be crazy and unbearable. But I want us to be different. Let's keep the Christmas spirit, enjoy it, and have fun!!

Tonight in Kidszone, we had a blast! We let go and had fun in praise and worship. We danced and sang and giggled. And you know what....there is nothing wrong with that!!! I know I needed it. It reminded me that sometimes you just have to stop whining about what you don't have, and just honestly be thankful for what you do have!! Thank you God for all you have done for me, are doing for me, and will still do for me!!

Where's my miracle?

It has been a while since I have written, I have sort of been lost in my own misery and not really sure how to get out of it or share it either. I tend to always tell people who ask me "Oh I'm fine" or "Good and you?" and never really talk to anyone about what is going on. I have never had very much luck on the friend scene, so I have a hard time sharing with anyone. And yes, I know, that's not the way God intended, but I have just felt very isolated lately. It's hard to share my worries and concern about our household with so many happily married christian couples. Some days its hard to even sit in church and look around and see so many couples there together. It hurts my heart so much, I can't even explain it. When I see a family sitting together on a row, and the husband very lovingly puts his arm around his wife's shoulders as she shivers with tears during a service touches my heart and breaks it all at the same time. Today a very nice dad at church says to me "you look like your hands are full, can I help?" I almost broke down into tears, I shouldn't have to depend on another man to help us get to the car after church, MINE should be there!! Not only for himself, but for us! I am sick and tired of seeing other families praising together, or praying together....it's mine turn. It may sound selfish...but this is where I'm at.

Well this morning at church God spoke very clearly to me. Just because it may not look like He is doing a work in our house, doesn't mean He is not right in the middle of our mess. Just because the vision He has given me about our family can't be seen right now, doesn't mean it's not coming. I have to be able to look past the current circumstances and see clear to the end result, and just BE PATIENT!!

I just realized something I said to Tyler this week, that I should take as advice for myself. It's much easier sometimes to teach it than to believe it for ourselves. Tyler's eye has been acting up for a while due to allergies, it has been red, and itchy, and irritated. We prayed over it directly one night, laid hands on it and asked that the aggravation be taken away from her. I told Tyler that when we pray for healing, it doesn't always just miraculously get better, it could mean that we know the right medicine to use, or it begins to clear over a few days. But I wanted her to understand just because it didn't immediately change, didn't mean God wasn't listening to her prayers. Well about 2 days after that, she was standing next to me, and my mom was saying maybe we should go see a doctor for it. Right at that moment, I looked at Tyler, and it was in just the right light, and at just the right angle, I saw what looked like a scratch on her eye. So I knew it was time to see a doctor. I talked to Tyler on the way to the doctor, that this was God answering our prayers. If I hadn't looked at her face at exactly that moment I wouldn't have seen it, and probably wouldn't have taken her to the doctor. Plus, I told her that God gives the doctors the knowledge to help us as well. So even though it look like a miraculous healing, God still had a hand in it all along. I need to take these teachings to a 9 year old and apply them in my own life! And remember just because we can't see our miracle right now, doesn't mean it's not coming.

What's your hang up?

The last few weeks in Kidzone, we have been singing a song called "God is Big". The kids love this song, in fact I love this song. They get so excited, and they scream it at the top of their lungs, because they don't know any different. None of the "junk" of the world clouds their view of God. Tyler said to me on the way home from church tonight "did you know that there was no beginning of time, that God always was." And she was completely amazed by it!!

The last few days I have been praying for God to help me "deal" with all kinds of stuff....help me deal with Abigail's asthma, help me deal with bad attitudes at work, help me deal with my frustrations at home....but here's the thing, by asking Him to help me "deal" with it, I am putting Him in a tiny box. I am making Him so much smaller than He actually is. Don't help me deal with Abigail's illnesses, just heal her, take them away from her. Don't help me deal with bad attitudes at work, change their hearts, make me a positive influence that is so BIG they can't help but agree. Don't help me deal with frustration, take the burden off my heart to handle it alone, and help me to truly hand it over to You.

I had no idea how much I was limiting what I thought God could do. How much lack of faith that I really have. He is so much bigger than we can even imagine, our tiny brains can't even begin to comprehend. I can't wait for the day when I get to stand in front of God and say "oh, now I get it".

Did I say that???

Everyday I get about 5 different scripture references sent to my email. 1 for healing, 1 for prosperity, 1 for faith building...anyways. As the day goes on, I read them at work to remind me that there is someone bigger than me standing in the gap for me everyday. The verses always seem to be right on time for me...it always seems like it was just what I needed to hear at the moment. Well today I was reading one of the emails that had this verse in it:
Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick,and they will recover." It was one I had heard before, didn't really seem to be that big of a deal at the moment...but....one of my salespeople was reading it over my shoulder. He then says "I remember back in the 70's when people really thought they could speak in other tongues" and he proceeded to say a bunch of mumbo-jumbo and then laugh hysterically. Normally, because I didn't want to possibly offend someone, I would have just kept my mouth shut...but today the Lord was not allowing me to get by with that one. The words were coming out of my mouth before I even knew it. I said well actually there are still lots of people TODAY that believe that speaking in tongues is still very real and use them all the time. He laughed again and said "oh come on, you're kidding right? You don't believe in the mess do you?" I said actually I do, I believe there are many examples of tongues throughout the bible, first there are times when people spoke in their own language and everyone heard it in their own, then there are times when there are tongues spoken to a congregation through a member that someone will always have an interpretation for, and then the final type of tongues is a prayer language used to speak directly to God. I think I sort of shocked him, he quit laughing and started to ask real questions. He asked if I thought people yelling and screaming and acting crazy were real. I told him there are always people who put on just for the show, but I personally know people very close to me who very often and fluently pray in the spirit, and I trust them 100% and know that I know that I know that it is real! I told him that as you get more intimate with God in prayer there is a language that comes that is only between you and God.
I couldn't believe that I said that. I would normally not even begin to give my Christian views at work, I always felt that was one place that I shouldn't show that side of myself. But you know what....who cares what they think. Maybe by saying that someone will get one step closer to God. And you know what? If no one there did, I at least hope it will be me, bring me one step closer!!

Nothing is an accident

I have always thought that things happen for a reason...but today I think it goes one step further...I believe nothing happens by accident. Everything is planned out, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, by someon SO much bigger than us.

I always used to be a very impatient driver. I hated getting behind someone taking their sweet time and getting in my way. Then one day someone said to be....what if God was slowing you down on purpose? What if there was an accident just waiting to happen, that if you had been there 5 seconds earlier it could have been you? I take it now as a purposeful delay. What if the last 10 seconds of the song I am listening to on the way to work is the 5 words that I needed to get through the day, even if I didn't know it yet?

As I continue to pray for John to join us at church, something hit me today. It was no accident that he was the one who found the article in the newspaper about the grand opening of Breakthrough. He only looks at the paper once in a blue moom, and the one he choose to read that week had the article in it. As I type this now, I realize it is even much deeper than that. When he read the article he said it seems very much like your church in SC. He never went to church with us there, maybe once in the 3 years we went....how did he know what "our" church was like?? Apparently he saw enough of it in me and the girls that he know what it was about. That is awesome!! I think it wasn't by chance that he found Breakthrough for us...I am taking that as a sign straight from God. An omen if you will, of his future desire to join us there. I just have to wait until the time is right! If I can just be patient, and wait for God to reveal it...I just pray He will use me in every way He can to make the difference, whatever it takes.

Constantly amazed

This one is an easy one to write, something happened at church last night that completely took my breath away. In our children's worship we have Praise and Worship with all the kids, then we circle up and pray together before splitting into the age groups. Every time we circle up, I ask if anyone of them wants to lead us in prayer, usually no one says anything, and I always say that's ok, one day you will and go ahead and pray myself or have one of the other teachers lead.
Last night was different....I almost didn't ask, but something told me to....one lonely hand shot up like a light! I have to say I would have been proud no matter who's hand it was, but it happened to be my oldest daughter Tyler. My heart just lit up on the inside, I was so happy that she was willing to step out in faith, no matter what anyone else thought.

We have been praying more at home, and she will lead us sometimes, but its usually the standard help us have a good meal, or a good nights sleep, or a good day at school. But I haven't said anything to her because at this point any prayer is great! Well last night in Kidzone, she prayed all that first then....she says if there is anything on anyone's heart that is burdening them, I pray for them that You can take it away. I almost cried!!! It was so perfect, and so pure. Some days, she amazes me.

The other day we were at a friend's house who happens to home school all her children (bless her heart!!) and I wondered if my kids were missing out by us not doing that. Are they being exposed to things at school that we don't want them involved in? Are we making the right choice? God very quickly stirred my spirit and said that Tyler is going to be a very strong light for Jesus anywhere she goes, and if she stayed home everyday, how many kids would miss out on that blessing that is to come through her??

Hide all the mirrors!!

It is so hard to look in the mirror and see someone you didn't even realize you had become. What happened to that happy go lucky girl, who was all about her music, and didn't care what anybody else thought of her? Where did she go? I wish she would come back, I miss her.

But, in the same breath...I'm glad she's gone. We go through (notice I said through!!) things that shape us into the people we are to become. And on top of that, we go through (again with the through) the things that God has planned out for us so that we come out on the other side a different person. A smarter person, a more loving person, a more devoted person, a more focused person, a person that God can use to do His work.

It is very easy to lose sight of the person we want to be, and get caught up in the everyday, angry, hurt, bitter, miserable, fill in your own adjective, crazy person that we swore we would never be. In the process of praying for my husband, I am daily asking God to mold me into the wife I should be. Its amazing how many of the issues are not with him, but they are with ME!!! It isn't that he isn't listening to me about God, its that I'm not talking about God in front of him. It isn't that he won't consider going to church, its that I quit asking. Simply because I wasn't getting the answer I wanted right away. I can't expect it to be different overnight...it's a process. God will not throw Himself on you, He's not intrusive. He has to be invited in. I can't expect my husband to just wake up and one day say "Oh wow, I need God". I have to be patient, loving, kind, and continue to pray.

Lord, help me to be open to anything you would have me say so that I may be a small part in doing Your Will, not mine. Help me to stay calm and focused even when the devil is screaming at me that it will never happen. Help me to be the kind of wife you want me to be, cleanse me of any anger, past or present, any hurt feelings, anything that I could be holding against him. Soften my heart so I can be the best vessel for you that I can be. Renew me, remake me, undo me, unbreak me. In Jesus name I humbly pray. Amen.

New frontier

The days are getting better, for real!! I am amazed by the things that can happen when you ask God for them. I have been really trying to be calmer and more understanding lately....and it makes a difference to the response you get from other people. The book I have been reading really emphasizes that before you can ask God to change someone else, you better start with asking Him to change you first. 9 times out of 10, it may not be the other person at all!

I have been asking God to help me be more loving, and less argumentative, and slower to anger or show extreme emotions. There were some days it is very hard to stay calm and be nice, when no one else is...but self control is a good thing. Well, last night it paid off. John and I had a couple of hours together, just us, after the kids went to bed. It was perfect!! Nothing major, just a little time alone. Some days it seems like we lead very separate lives under the same roof, we each have our own little routines, and we kind of leave each other to them. But last night, they sort of converged, we were really "together". I told him how much I appreciated the time with him. Then God quicken me to say something before I even realized I was saying it....I told John that I had been praying to God to give us some time alone. I was praying a free trip for a weekend away would come up at work, and it would be given to me, so that John and I could go away. Please understand, that wasn't about my asking God for material things, it was about having some quality time with just John. We never do anything without the girls, we need some us time. But last night was a wonderful start. For me to tell him that I was praying about us was a HUGE step for me. I always try to shelter him from that sort of talk to avoid confrontation. But what do I have to lose? He's going to think what he wants to think anyways. But what if telling him this time could make the difference? What if I didn't tell him and lost that one opportunity to touch his heart?
I am just blessed. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily hum drum we forget to slow down and appreciate all the wonderful things God has for us. They may not be wrapped up all pretty and neat like we want them to be, but they are still ours!

Here's a bonus one....last night after I prayed for Abigail, she said I pray for you momma. I said ok. She leaned over to me, put her hand on my forehead, said take care of momma, AMEN!! Love that baby girl!!!

GOD IS BIG!!!

I started reading a book today suggested to me by 2 wonderful friends called "The Power of a Praying Wife". I have read 1 chapter so far, and I am already crying my eyes out over it. The first few pages have pulled so many things that are happening in my life together, its got me completely in awe. You know how little things happen or are said to you and you don't really know why or what they are for at the time....then a couple of weeks later, God pulls it all together and makes it all make sense. That's exactly what is happening for me right now.

If you have been reading these blogs, you have seen that I am trying to get the girls more comfortable and accustomed to praying. **Here I thought it was for them, when lo and behold God says uh no, that was for you silly!** The first thing this book says is its much easier to pray for our children because from the first moment of their little life we want to do everything we can for them, its our mothers heart...but it says we have to take that same passion to pray for our husbands as well. No one has the same heart as a women, there is nothing like us...ON PURPOSE!!! He made us this way for a reason, use it!! So now that I have been more aggressive about prayer for the girls, I just need those same emotions for my husband and my marriage.

The second thing that all came together today is how big our God truly is. Pastor Nate preached on this today at church. And I said amen, and agreed, and understood it. But I didn't really know how to apply it until I started this book. I always felt there was no way for us to get to the place where I wanted us to be in our marriage. Don't get me wrong, its not horrible, I just want the whole fairy tale. I felt like nothing could ever change this enough....We seemed so far away from the ideal relationship, how could we ever get there??? But one line in this book made me realize. She says "You have to trust that God is big enough to accomplish all this and more." There it is. Our God is so exceedingly bigger than we could ever imagine, He can do all things. Not me, but HIM!!! I have to allow Him to show me what to say, how to react, how to respond....and things will change.

Thanks to Jacquie and Michelle for suggesting this book. If the first 5 pages are this good, I can't wait to see the rest.

Don't push that button!!!

Have you ever seen the movie Dennis the Menace with Walter Mathau? Where the kid can't help himself, every time he sees a button he HAS to push it. He tries so hard not to, but he just can't stop. Well that's how I have felt this week. I feel like everyone is pushing my buttons and just begging me to push theirs back.

But I have made a decision, a promise to God and myself that I will not give in so easily. I will not respond to every poke with a poke. I refuse to be mislead by the devil so quickly. Every time we take a step towards the right atmosphere in this house, the devil gives John these great little "pokes" to throw at me. It fires me up so much, and all I want to do is send a fiery dart right back his direction as loud and mean as I can. But I am not going to fall into that trap anymore. That is the easy way out. I am not going to do it anymore. I calmly say, that's ok, or whatever you say, or I'll try honey. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy....in fact it is horrible. Because sometimes that makes the "pokes" coming my direction get even bigger, and uglier, and harder to resist. But I will not let the devil win any longer.

Whether its my boss, my employees, my children, or my husband....I will not give in to the devil's ways any longer. I will not allow any comments to stir my spirit in a negative way. Happiness is a choice that we can make everyday....and I choose to be blissfully happy in every day that the Lord has given me to share with my family and friends!!

How do you do it??

As a working mother, I get asked all the time....how do you do it? In fact a customer of mine asked me that very question last night. She said that she got home at 730pm and was doing her "house things", and she thought of me, working all day, then going home to a husband and 3 kids...she said she had no idea how I could do it.

So I decided to stop and think about it for a minute, just how do I do it? I came up with 3 reasons or ways that I get things done. First of all, is I just decide that's what's got to be done, and do it. Once I set my mind to something, there is no other way. I just pre-plan a lot, I'm a list maker. The key to that is keeping up with the lists! But seriously, I work 50 hours a week, because it has to be done, we decided we wanted a nice home, a good place for the girls to grow up, a dependable car...so certain things have to happen to live in such a beautiful place. Yes, the cost of living is higher in WNC, but look around, how could you not love to live here!! My mom and I took the girls on the boat tour of Lake Lure on Sunday, all the tourists were saying how gorgeous the views were...I leaned into Tyler and said "and just think we LIVE here!!" It's amazing.

The second way I am able to do what I do is with a wonderful husband. I will admit John is not the perfect husband, but I don't think anyone is. I will say he is a great father, and he will do anything for these girls. Even if it means working at night so they don't have to go to a babysitter or daycare. He wants them to have the opportunities that he didn't have growing up. There are some husbands who are home during the day that want to just sit around though...not John. He has been helping with the daily mundane house junk that has to be done, he cooks, he is teaching Abigail her ABC's...I am amazed with him actually. Other than laundry, he does it all. He may not be going to church with us this point as I'd like, but it's all in God's time, not Libby's, I just have to be patient.

And the 3rd way I can do all things is through Jesus. Check out this verse I found this morning, it really sums it all up.....it's 1Peter 4:10-12
10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

That's it in a nutshell...everything I do I try to do with excellence, I do not settle for mediocre. So why not, in this short time we are here, do all they we can with everything we have in us???

Thank God for Tuesday!!

Let me just say Hallelujah it's finally Tuesday...the girls go back to school in the morning!!

Don't get me wrong, I love them all...but it is time to get back to our regular schedule. They have eaten us out of house and home. The house has been upside down for 3 weeks. I am definitely ready to get back to normal. It has been a very long break, but I think a very productive break. Apryl has learned to tie her shoes, Tyler went to a young leaders camp, and Abigail has had her big sissies around to play with. But the best part of all...me and the girls are coming together every night to agree in prayer. Tonight, I told them we would all sit down and pray for school...Tyler asked "can we each have a turn to pray about certain things for school?" ABSOLUTELY YOU CAN!!!

They are each at the point where they want to pray, they aren't afraid to. And the main reason is....because the have seen it WORK!!! They have seen healings up close and personal. But also the faith of a child is amazing. It's trusting, loving, and blind...it has no limitations. They believe that anything is possible, because it truly is! I only wish I could be as sure as they are.

I always want them to learn for me...but I hope that is one thing I can eventually learn from them.

The wind is blowing....

Things that may seem to other people as small and uneventful, are major steps for me. I am so excited about the little changes I am seeing in this household. I pray everyday for the devil to flee from here....and he is!! Don't think for a minute that I don't have to remind him everyday that he is not welcome...because he is a very stubborn adversary. But I will not allow him to have any influence over my family, my house, my children, my husband, or my life.

Here is the small step for tonight, and that's all I have to say. As we were all getting our jammies on to sit down and veg out in front of the TV for a little while Apryl says "so momma, who are we going to pray for tonight?" Not in a smart mouth, I don't want to kind of voice....but in an excited, I know things can get done when we pray kind of voice. They are getting it!!

Thank you Jesus, because I know You can and You will change this situation for your glory!

The forgotten Golden Rule

What is happening in the world today? When did we forget what it means to treat others as we would like to be treated? Again, I guess my momma just raised me better. But I just don't like the way people interact anymore, in the workplace, in stores, in schools, on TV...which bleeds over into our homes. I don't want my girls thinking its ok to scream and yell at each other, or be rude, or use words that aren't positive and uplifting. What happened to just being nice to each other because it's what we should do?

It happens everyday at work...whether its from employees or customers, it happens more times that I would like to count in a single day. Customers want to be helped and treated with respect...but only when they decide it's time. When the first arrive, they put their hands up and say in the rudest voice possible "I don't need any help, I'm just looking". Why does it have to be so hateful? Or from employees...rather than doing what's expected from them and maybe a little extra, they want to do as little as possible but demand more pay, and more days off, and more benefits. And then they spread their negativity disease to everyone else at work, they tell anybody that will listen how mistreated they are.

I don't want that for my children. I don't want them to grow up in a negative world. I don't want to shelter them either, but I want them to realize that you get more flies with honey, than you do with vinegar.

Tonight Tyler got very loud and obnoxious with me. The exact phrase was "for your information". It lit me up like a firecracker. Typically I would scream and yell, and possible spank her. Tonight, I sent her to her room first. I needed a few minutes to think, to gather myself, to decide where to go next. This week, I have been trying to approach things from a different angle, to try to achieve different results. I needed a bible verse to show her...I wanted her to know not only did I say she shouldn't talk that way, but I wanted her to know that's not what Jesus expected from her either. I went online to use a bible concordance to find something, anything that would work. I looked and looked, and wasn't finding anything. Iwas about to give up. (Of course that's what the devil wanted me to do) I tried to think of someone to call that might know one, but its a little late on Friday, and its not like this was an emergency. But wait, to me, it seemed like an emergency, it was something I wanted to handle now and I wanted to handle it the right way. Finally I came across Matthew 7:12 which says "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Thank you Jesus, I found one!!!

I called Tyler back into the room, and I asked her to bring her bible with her. I had her look up the verse. Once she found it, I asked her "what color is that verse?" She said "red". I asked her "what does that mean?" She said "that means Jesus said it". I said "exactly, then read it out loud". We discussed it, I explained to her that means if you don't want to be yelled at, or talked ugly to, or mistreated, then she shouldn't do that to others. I may not have the backup in this house that I desire....but tonight I found backup, the biggest backup of all!! I truly feel like she took it to heart. We discussed if we wanted to be more like Christ, we need to talk more like Christ to everyone around us.

Quick and to the point....

The seasons are changing outside....and they are inside as well. Every small step will eventually get us there.

You have to choose to do things differently than you ever have before. If you want to see change, it has to start with your attitude. I am determined to see in change in my house. I rebuke the devil, I banish him from this house, he has no place here. Where the glory and praise of the Lord lives, there is room for nothing else!! I will fight for this family, and anyone who gets in my way better watch out. I have set my sights on it...and I will attain it, because I am victorious!!

This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.

Remember as a kid our moms always said that just as they drew their hand back for the first lick of a spanking? I can still hear it echoing in my head. She would always say, "I know you don't believe me now, but this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you." What?? Are you crazy mom?? You are spanking my butt, remember?? I thought she must be nuts. How could her spanking my hiney hurt her??

Now as a mother of 3 beautiful, but not always sane, children I get it. So many things happen to them, that really do upset us more than they could ever imagine. Tonight was a perfect example. Apryl and Tyler wanted to have hot chocolatewith marshmellows since it was a little chilly outside. As Apryl was standing at the counter drinking hers, she tipped the mug too far, and it spilled all over her. It was a nightmare!! She was so upset. Apryl's way to handle things is to hide from it, she never wants you to look at a boo-boo, she puts her hand over it. That's what she did tonight. She didn't want me to touch it, look at it, definitely didn't want me to put anything on it. Not only that, but she was crying harder than I have ever heard her cry. (And if you know my girls at all, Apryl is not the cryer of this family) I was so distraught. I didn't know how to help her. It really tore me up inside. I wanted to help her feel safe and stop hurting. I wanted to comfort her. She wasn't going to let me though, it was killing me inside. Abigail was right there too, wanting to help her big sister. So what did we do? Abigail and I prayed for Apryl right on the spot in the bathroom. Something I would never have done before. Something a few days ago that I would have thought was silly to pray for, God has bigger things to deal with than my little problem. BUT NO MORE!!! He is always there ready to comfort us, He wants us to jump in our daddy's lap and tell Him where it hurts. So we did!!! I prayed for calming peace for her spirit, and healing for the burn. Abigail and I both laid hands on her chest and didn't stop until she stopped crying. (If you've never heard Abigail pray, she is a very good Amen-er. And she knows what it means to lay hands on somebody, she's had her share of hands laid on her. 15 minutes later I found her with her little hands together over her baby doll praying something fierce!!) Anyways, back to Apryl. She finally calmed down and she hopped up on my lap, I held her tight, and rocked her. She hasn't let me do that in years. It was wonderful. I went to put some cream on the places on her stomach, and I was in awe. When I first took her shirt off, she was beat red from her chin all the way down to her bellybutton. Just a couple of minutes later, AFTER OUR PRAYER, there were 2 tiny spots of redness. I brought all 3 girls together right in the middle of the living room, and I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for all of them, for healing for Apryl, for continued health for Abigail, and for a light of Jesus in Tyler that shines brighter everyday.

As a final note, Apryl just came to me and said look mommy, there's no red spots now. I told her all because she let me help her....then I said someone else helped you too. She looked up at me with those big blue eyes with a huge smile on her face. I knew right away she knew what I meant, but I asked her anyways, "do you know who?" She whispered to me "JESUS!!!" Amen!!

This atmosphere will change....he may not have been here tonight to witness it...but if I know those girls they will definitely tell him the first chance they get. And as I get more and more confident in the authority I walk in...he will see it first hand, whether he likes it or not. Amen again!

Will you catch this??

In a germ-a-phobic world of colds, flus, STDs and everything else disgusting, where hand sanitizer is in every good mother's purse.....we are all scared to death of catching anything. We scrub our hands all the time, we won't even think about sitting on a public toilet, and definitely don't handle the door knob in a public bathroom. I personally wipe everything with clorox wipes. BUT....today I found something that I hope is so contagious, no one can escape it, and in fact I want to be a carrier as well!!

First, let's look at the definition of the word infectious....the first one I found said this "communicable by infection, as from one person to another or from one part of the body to another". But as I continued down the list, here's the one I like...."tending to spread from one to another". I want what I have to be a complete, world dominating, epidemic.

I hope to spread infectious JOY everywhere I go!!!!!

I heard that phrase on Friday afternoon in a commercial and it has bounced around my head all weekend. That is exactly how I hope to be. I want to carry the joy of the Lord with me, and give and show it to everyone I know and meet. Please do everything you can to help me spread this horrible disease!!!

To panic or not to panic??

This gas thing didn't bother me at first. I decided it was just a media frenzy. The media made everyone think a shortage was coming, so everyone freaked out, got gas even if they didn't need it, and created the shortage in their panicked actions. The supply continued to get lower, the prices got higher, the lines got longer, the outlook seemed dimmer, what was next???

By Wednesday I was beginning to feel a slight amount of anxiety over the situation. I was getting concerned. I had tried to conserve and wait out the shortage, but it was getting down to the wire. Then I started thinking not only was I out of gas, but what about grocery store supply trucks, or pharmacies, or electricity repair men. The scope continued to grow in my head and really begin to scare me a little bit.

Then with all the talk about the stocks, Wall Street, bailouts....lots of things I didn't understand....it was all starting to create some concern in me.

Then a wonderful friend reminded me with the following words:
I know its stressful right now, but panic won't help anything. The bible even says not to worry because it only causes harm. How much more simply could that be said?! Remember that we've not been given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind. God has given us power over the fear, and then He tops it off with love and peace! Walk in that authority!

All things that I already knew...but I just needed a little reminding. We are all dependent on something, and sometimes we don't realize how much until its not available to us. Step back and take a look what are the things that you NEED too much???? Your car, cell phones, the Internet, coffee, chocolate, whatever your "it" is.....could you do without it if it was gone tomorrow???

Where's my baby??

I don't know when it happened, but all of a sudden, over night basically, my baby has turned into a full blown girl!! Did I sleep through it? Was I hit over the head and missed it all? It blows my mind completely. I can remember every minute of being pregnant and having Tyler and now she suddenly 8 going on 30, and wants to shave her legs. (Yes I said shave her legs, YIKES) What happened to my baby? Apparently, martians came in when I wasn't looking and replaced her with some alien who is worried about everything from droughts to hairy legs, and other people's feelings to helping her baby sister, from being sure she hears everything that's ever said to talking 90 miles an hour, from staying up later than the night before to never staying in the bed past 6am, from her hairstyle to being sure her clothes are just right. WHO IS THIS CRAZY PERSON IN MY HOUSE???

I'll tell you who she is, in case you didn't know...she is turning into a wonderful young lady right in front of my face. She will one day lead hundreds of people to the Lord's work. In fact, she has already started. She has such a sensitive ear to hear the Lord's voice. I only wish that I could hear Him as clearly as she does. She thinks of other people before she considers herself. She is always concerned about things that are much bigger than her. She is basically AMAZING, and I can't believe I have the privilege to be her mom. She teaches me something everyday, she reminds me to slow down and take time to just sit and be. Her heart is so huge, and she is constantly dying to show it to everyone she knows, or at least anyone who will listen. She continues to go one step beyond what I expect from her. I honestly believe it will be her that one day reaches her father for the Lord. She will show him nothing but the love of Christ and he will finally "SEE", see what a difference it has meant for her, and realize he needs it as well.

No matter how big she gets, how tall or how old....I will always remember her as the little newborn who had jaundice and had to sleep in the sun almost nude for the first 2 weeks of her life. Or the toddler who constantly wanted to play tea party. Or the big sister who always wants to be the "little momma". And even the 8 year old who wants to shave her legs. She will always be my baby, even when she is 50, and I am....well never mind that number!!

Praise Him!!!

Let me just say I love what to do....for a long time it was very hard for me to divide my time at church. I loved music and singing with the praise team at our church in SC, but I still always felt lead to help with children's church. I was very "involved" with all parts of church. We were a very small but close church. I loved it with all my heart. Leaving The ROC and everyone in it, was my only reservation about moving to NC. When we moved I thought I wanted to try something different, because I didn't feel like I could find anywhere that would compare to The ROC. So I tried the biggest church I could find. I thought I wanted to be able to just sneak in and hide at the back, and no one really notice. I wanted to find a church that the girls would have lots of opportunities and lots of friends. One church we tried was just that....HUGE church, HUGE children's church ministry. I would sneak in and out every week, without ever really being noticed. I thought it was great at first. Then I started to realize this was not right for us. Even though it was good for the girls at church, if I couldn't be "fed" at church how could I be an example to them at home.
So I was very frustrated. We tried a handful of churches. I felt horrible dragging the girls from church to church each week. I had almost given up. Then....Tahdah!!! There was Breakthrough!! My husband found an article in the paper about their journey as a church, and the grand opening service. I called and spoke with Nate, the pastor, and after just few a few minutes knew we had to go check it out. The first night we went, I could feel the frustration from the girls, especially Tyler. She asked me, how will we "know" this is the right one? I simply told her she would be able to feel it. I almost "joined" the first night, but I wanted to see what the girls thought before I decided. We got in the car, and for a couple of minutes no one said anything, then Tyler says you were right, I just feel it. That is the right church for us, they treated us like they have known us forever!!!! So needless to say we still love Breakthrough one year later.

Here's my point to the whole thing. I wanted to get involved in Praise and Worship right from the beginning, my heart longed for it. It was killing me to not be involved. I almost didn't get involved in anything else, because I knew eventually I wanted to sing!! Well, the Lord started leading me towards the children's ministry, and I kept saying but God I wanna sing. He still said go help with the kids. So I did, because I loved it as well, but I still wanted to sing. After a couple of months, I felt a real burden on my heart for the children of our church, I knew that that was the ministry where I was supposed to be involved in. So I put aside the idea of music ministry, and gave it my all. I didn't feel completely equipped to handle the job, but knew I was ready to try. I thank God everyday that he introduced me to Phyllis. She and I are a perfect match, I handle the events and "extras" while she is very wonderful at the classroom and lessons portions. We compliment each other wonderfully. As we started to pray, plan, dream of what we wanted the children's ministry to be....new ideas were born. We have true Praise and Worship time with the kids!!! Real music, real songs, real emotions, real praise!! Combining my two talents....music and children. God had it planned all along. I have always been around music, played cello for a long time, but was never involved in church music until The ROC. He used that time to train me so that I would be ready for this new adventure at Breakthrough years later. Why do I continue to question Him? He is always 2 steps ahead of me preparing the way if I would just let Him. DUH!!! He already had a place assigned for me, but He had to be sure I was ready for the job.

Ok, so here's the real point to all of this....tonight P&W with the kids was amazing! I always tell them that it doesn't matter how small you are, if two are gathered in His name, HE IS THERE!!! And boy was HE there tonight. I can get more tore up in there with them than I would have ever imagined possible. I could feel His presence so strong with us tonight. It was incredible. And its always amazing to me how quiet they get in those times, they feel it too. I know they do!!

I am just so thrilled to be in the right place doing the right thing. Even when rest of my life is messy....I know that I know that I know that I am absolutely using my best for His glory!!! Thank you God for the opportunity to share that joy I feel with these kids every week.

Working for the benefits...

Ok, let me just say first that I am quite addicted to blogging. It's great to have my own little soapbox to stand on any time I want, even if no one is listening. Just getting it off my chest is great for me. Plus by posting it, even if no one reads it, it feels like the world is seeing it. I'm just going to pretend that I have a huge following that is just waiting to see what revelation I have next.....ha ha ha!!!

Anyways, my idea for tonight is the lack of committment that seems to be plaguing people everywhere. It seems like everyone wants all the benefits of work, like vacation time, days off, insurance, 401K, discounts, whatever, without ever having to actually work!! Everyone feels like something is owed to them for just showing up, even when they are late every day. Its seems like when you are a nice boss, people step all over you and take your for advantage every chance they get. You offer an incentive for doing things they should already be doing as part of their job, then they think they are entitled to that every day. Employees want to start a new job every month or so, but expect to be treated the same as people who have earned the right to be respected as an experienced member of the team. What's up with that???

The best I can figure my momma just taught me better than that. We were taught to do everything you can without hesitation. That anything you decide to do, you are supposed to do with your whole heart. And if you can't give it everything you've got, then maybe that's not the place for you. And even sometimes if you decide its not the place for you, you still stick with it because you made a committment to do it no matter what. I guess I was never really a temper tantrum kind of child, but that's what it seems like so many people in the workplace do, they basically lay on the ground, pound their fists, and kick their feet until they get their way. Or in adult terms....they tell EVERYONE else at work how they are mistreated, and its not fair, and how none of them are appreicated anyways, and they don't need this job they are looking for a different one every day.

Why does negitivity spread like wildfire at work? As managers we try everything we can to pump our people up, to motivate them to want more than the mediocre, to try harder to help themselves...and within 5 minutes they are off in a huddle talking about how bad it is, how awful ti is, why should they put up with it, or how they should start their own business.

I think we all have to learn to appreciate what we have. And until you operate in the situation you are in with excellence, why would you ever grow into anything more? I don't think God will allow us to move forward into a new season, until we can completely handle the one we are in right now. SO rather that complaining about how bad things are, and saying how you deserve better than this, and how they just can't see how great you are....how about putting everything you are into what you are doing today, then maybe something bigger and better will come your way tomorrow.

Salt and Light....what is that really???

I have always sang a song that says to be salt and light in the world, love the song but never really stopped to think what it means. Then, this past week a good friend said it to me, go be salt and light. So I decided I needed to really figure out what it means. Of course the internet and all its splendor has tons to say about it, but I wanted to figure out what it means to me to be salt and light to the world.
To me, light is the easy part. We all know what it means to be a light in a dark world. I always tell the kids at our church that they may be the only light of Jesus that other kids at school have the chance to see. We have to be a reflection of Jesus. Something I read today said that we are simply luminaries of the One True Light, just like the moon only shines as a reflection of the sun. I totally get that part....it was the salt that stumped me. What does that mean???
So I looked up some descriptions, I tried some definitions....there are so many ideas out there to attach yourself to...but I decided I needed to know for myself, what it was to mean in my life, in my daily walk. Something I saw today was about a verse in Matthew where Jesus says you are the salt of the earth. This article said that you have to understand each little word to understand the whole picture. First, who is the "You" in that verse?? It was the disciples, but in this day and age aren't we all just disciples, followers of Christ? Of course we are. The next word is "are". He didn't says you should be, or go be, or try to be....He said you are. No hesitation, no reservations, you are by your heritage the salt, whether you like it our not. Next word is salt, salt has some special qualities that make it salt. Salt, in that time, was precious, serious trades and payments were made in salt. (I even found out that's where the word salary comes from) Secondly, salt penetrates any food it is added to, it goes through the entire dish. You may not see it, but it always gets to every part of a recipe. And finally salt was used to perserve things and keep them from spoiling. Is it all starting to add up for you too??? So, if you have a plate full of food that is bland or needs spicing up, we add salt. It can bring out the best in food, it can flavor an entire meal. Even if it is only a few tiny granules, it can affect a huge amount of food. And lastly is "in the world"...that means you have to go out there!!!

Here is the final kicker for me....something I read said salt is put INTO food, not kept apart from the food. The thing about it is, as christians sometimes we want to sit back in our little christian homes, and our little familiar churches, and only hang out with our christian friends....but to truly be salt and light in the world, we have to get out there and be a part of it, affect some change. We don't go out there to save the world, we go out there to change the world, improve it, make it better. Show people what can make it better, or really WHO can make it better. We can love people where they are, as they are. My dad always says you have to work with people where they are. And you don't have to scream your testimony at them, or preach the gospel at them, just show them the love of Jesus and the rest will come in time. Once they figure out that you are different, they will want to ask you why or how. Remember, salt always makes you thirsty!!!

I had always felt like less of a christian because I suck at testifying....but maybe I am equipped with a different way to testify other than quoting verses or praying in the spirit...maybe my gift is to softly but effectively show someone their life can be different, and then explaining why.

I hope this makes you stop and think a little....it sure did me. And by the way, once I can figure out how, that's the song that will play on my Blog "Say So" by Isreal.

One step for mankind....so why not me too

If you know me at all you know that I love to talk. Well, apparently this is the "new way" to talk to the world. Everyone seems to be doing it, so I decided why not me too?? I read a few blogs here and there and decided maybe I have a few things to share as well. Amazing things happen and I am always busting to tell someone, so this is the new way to keep track of the everyday goings on and maybe help someone else in the process.
You never know when your little triumph may be huge to someone else. Your victory may not just be for you, it may be just for you to share to inspire someone else to do more, go further, take one more step. I heard someone say today to never give up because you just may be one step away from your blessing. If you stop now you may miss out on that which is set aside for you.
So...with that said here is the first little thing that happened to me this past week, that on the surface seems small, but after I thought about it...its HUGE!!!
I woke up Wednesday morning with a terrible back ache, felt like I had pulled something or had a pinched nerve. I could barely move at all. I tried some cream on it, then a pain pill and nothing was helping. My mom said I should go over and see the chiropractor again, but I knew I didn't really have the money to go. I finally decided that a $25 co-pay wasn't too bad, so I had to go, even if it was just for one visit. So I called and made an appointment for 3. In the meantime, this really nice little older lady that I had helped at the store a couple of times called. She always calls me angel Libby, because I was so helpful to her. When I answered the phone, she said is this just Libby or angel Libby?? She is so sweet. She wanted to be sure I was going to be at the store today when she stopped by. When she came in, basically the 2 chairs she bought were not going to work for her, she looked for something else, but we couldn't find anything. I told her to just bring them back, I would take care of it. Then we started talking about other things. She all of a sudden in the middle of the conversation said 'you're a Christian right? Isn't it amazing that you don't have to push it on people for them to figure out who you serve. We started talking about church and my girls. I was telling her how we pride ourselves on not just being juice and cookies or a babysitter in Kids Zone. I told her how Tyler told me last week that she hears from God. She said is that what you teach them in children's church? I gave a resounding YES, absolutely!! She said that is exactly what they need to hear, they need to know there is more. It was an awesome conversation....but that's not even the best part yet!!! So she decides to go home, get the 2 chairs, and bring them back to the same day. While she's gone, I go to the appointment at the chiropractors office. It helped a little, but he said I was really tense, and knotted up. So he wanted me to come back again later in the week. Again I had no idea how I was going to pay for it. I figured I would do this visit, and see how it goes, then maybe call and cancel the 2nd visit. When I got ready to pay, she said our new insurance has a $50 co-pay. I almost flipped out right there. She said it would be cheaper to be a cash payer, because that would only be $40. So I paid the $40, and left knowing I would definitely have to cancel the 2nd appt. When I get back to the store, there's my little lady waiting in the parking lot for me. She said before we go inside, come here a second. She had a little framed artwork in her arms. She said I bought this a couple of days ago, and I want to give it to you today. It said 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord', I thought it was so sweet of her. Then....here's the crazy part. She took my hand and said here take this, go buy the girls something, go have a nice dinner, whatever, just God bless you. And she didn't let go of my hand. I told her thank you, and to please drive around back and I would get the chairs out of the car for her. Well, as I walked inside, I looked in my hand,expecting to see $10 or so....it was $100!!!!! I almost dropped to my knees and cried right there in the store. I couldn't believe it. I really hadn't done anything for this lady, except be nice and listen. It blew my mind. Of course when I met her at the back of the store, I told her the story about the doctor, then she almost cried too!!! She thanked me for telling her the story, that it confirmed she did the right thing. She was being obedient to her God, not even knowing why or how much it would bless my family. The best part of the whole day, I didn't even understand until I got home. I looked at the plaque again. I had heard the verse before, but I guess never really paid it much attention. Then one small word jumped out to me...it said "WE", not me, not me and the girls, but WE. I had been feeling really discouraged lately about John ever coming with us to church...but to me, this is a word from God placed into my life through this wonderful little lady. I receive it, and I believe it. I always worry that I don't hear from God, but this week I realized it doesn't always have to be a big resounding voice from heaven, it can come from a sweet little 80 year old woman. Thank you Ms. Stone!!!
Okay, so I know I am rambling on...I can't help it.