Barnyard the Beagle

This is Barnyard.  The shelter we got him at gave him that name because he was found at the local flea market called The Barnyard.  We like to call him Barny.  Meghan, well, she likes to call him Buddy because she says, "He makes a good buddy!"  So, you may be asking, "Why did you get a dog?  Are you crazy?  Four kids, 2 cats and now a dog?  Well, yes, I probably am a bit crazy.  Here is how we came to get Barny.
Sunday, I was talking with Erik and made the comment that I wouldn't be opposed to getting a dog but it couldn't be a puppy, it had to be housetrained and some obedience training.  And, we both preferred a smaller dog that would be calm.  On Monday, I began looking at different websites for shelters and the dogs that they had.  So many cute dogs, some with very sad stories.  I found a dog that seemed to be a good fit, but of course we would have to see it person to determine that for sure.  On Tuesday, I said to Erik, "Let's go to Pets, Inc. and just look at dogs.  He said ok, so we picked up Hanna and her friend and off we went.  Unfortunately, the dog I had found the day before had already been adopted.  Erik immediately fell in love with a sweet female beagle mix and I fell in love with a sweet male beagle.  We continued to look around at different dogs, but most of the family dogs that were housetrained were also big.  We ended up right where we started with the beagles and next thing I know, Erik is saying we'll take the male beagle named Barnyard!  He seems to be a pretty good family dog, although, at times he does shy away from Hanna, so I am keeping a close eye on the two of them.  He follows me everywhere and wants to snuggle every time I sit down.  No accidents in the house...yet!
Oh, and as far as how he is with the two cats, well, Mr. Putty doesn't seem to care much at all.  He kind of looks at Barny like, "What are you?"  Socks on the other hand, hides most of the day now.  I just found her on top of the books of our bookshelf in the office.  So that's our story!

Troubles in our Lives

I have been taught over the last several years that tithing means less troubles in life.  The question was often posed this way, "You wonder why you have car troubles?  You wonder why you don't have enough money to cover the bills?  Could it be because you aren't tithing your 10%?"  This often left me feeling guilty, especially when money troubles crept in.

I've been reading Job lately and my eyes have been opened to a whole new idea.  Job had many trials in his life.  He lost everything!  He lost his family, his wealth, everything!  But he remained faithful to God, even in the moments when his own friends tried to tell him that he must have some unconfessed sin in his life that made God take everything away from him.

The fact is, not everything bad in our lives is a result of sin.  We live in a fallen world.  I have a Life Application study bible and here is what today's notes were:

"Job's friends assumed that troubles comes only because people sin.  People make the same mistake today when they assert that sickness of lack of material blessing is a sign of unconfessed sin or lack of faith.  Though normally (but not always) following God leads to a happier life, and rebelling against (but not always) leads to an unhappy life, God is in control.  In our wold invaded by sin, calamity and suffering may come to good and bad alike...The next time you face trials and dilemmas, see them as opportunites to turn to God for strength.  You will find a God who only desires to show his love and compassion to you.  If you can trust him in pain, confusion, and loneliness, you will win the victory and eliminate doubt, one of Satan's greatest footholds in your life.  Make God your foundation.  You can never be separated from his love."

So, I challenge you (and myself) to look for God in the tough times.  Be humbled by his love for you!  He allows evil for a time although he often turns it around for our good (Romans 8:28).  When I tithe, it won't be to make sure I don't have car trouble.  It will be out of a heart that WANTS to give back to God because he gave to me first.  When bad things happen, I will TRUST in the one who knows what's best for me and WAIT on him!

Christmas 2010

So, I've been trying to add some pictures to share on the blog, but for some reason, the button doesn't want to let me do it.  So, for now, I'll just write and if I can ever upload the pictures, I will.

On Christmas Eve, we asked the girls to write a note for Santa.  The each wrote a note on a paper plate complete with a special treat for him!  Here is what each child wrote on their plate:

Alyson:  Dear Santa, I hope you like our homemade cookies.  Please be VERY quite!!!  Have a safe trip!!! Love, Alyson

Kelli:  Dear Santa, I can't wait to open the presents at Grandma and Papa's house and at my house.  Don't forget that the true meaning of Christmas is that baby Jesus was born to save our sins.  Hope you like the cookies.  Love, Kelli Davenport

Meghan:  Santa I love you!  Thank you for my gifts.   Meghan!  Look on the back win you r finched eating the cookies.  (BAck)  Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas

Hanna:  Dear Santa Claus, I hope you bring a mororcycle that goes in the back yard.  Be quietand don't eall all the cookies or you will be too fat.  Love, Hanna

While we do have fun with the Santa Clause and reindeers, we spend as much time as possible to make sure the kids understand that we celebrate Jesus' birth because without, we wouldn't have a Savior to celebrate at Easter.  It's great to see that they are getting it!

Hope you all have a fantastic year!  We plan on it!

Ooooo, I just want to squeeze you!

Do you ever have moments when you are so happy that you could just squeeze something as hard as you can or scream out loud?  Here are some things that make me feel that way:

1.  When I've spent time talking with a friend and the conversation was completely satisfying.

2.  When I am snuggled up with Hanna on the couch and she looks at me with her big smile.

3.  Erik's look that says "I love you" without uttering a word.

4.  When I've been around the students at our youth group.

5.  When I get to pray for those students!

6.  When my children tell me randomly that they love me and hug and kiss me.

7.  When God has shown me something in His word that speaks to my exact situation.

8.  When someone tells me they are praying for me.

Have a joyous day and look for those things that make you overwhelmed with happiness that you could just SCREAM!!!!

It's December!

Today is the first day of December.  We have offically lived here for 11 years now.  Wow!  I can hardly believe how quickly the years have passed.  We are headed towards Christmas.  My favorite time of year.  I love the weather, the decorations, the music...but most of all, I love the reason we have to celebrate it.  If you don't know who Jesus is, there is no better time than now to find out.  He is the reason I live.  I hope all of you have a most blessed Christmas season.  Try not to let the busyness of the season keep you from focusing on the real reason we celebrate!

Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving time and so what better way to blog than to write what I'm thankful for?  So, here's goes:

1.  That Erik has a job with potential for moving up!

2.  My 4 beautiful daughters are healthy.

3.  All the girls have wonderful teachers and are learning so much.

4.  Friends who are so giving and loving.  Some are close in proximity and others have moved farther away, but all of you are very dear to me and my family.  We thank you for all the ways you have blessed us.

5.  For opportunities to serve at a new church service where God's spirit is moving.

6.  To worship with some awesome people and to be stretched beyond my own abilities.

7.  For new friendships that have blossomed over the last several months.  This includes the awesome youth that I have begun working with and getting to know.

8.  My parents, who have had their share of medical issues but are otherwise healthy.  They have helped out with the kids so much lately and that has been the most tremendous blessing for all of us.

I am going to stop here for now, but may pick up again later...have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Invasion

So, I recently started helping out with the youth group at our church.  They are called Invasion.  The first few weeks, I felt odd and out of place.  I only knew about 2 students and wasn't sure how to even begin getting to know everyone.  This past weekend was the fall retreat and I had the unbelievable, fortune of being a chaperone/leader.

It was truly an amazing experience.  The girls in my rap group (and the girls' who weren't) all stole my heart.  The girls hunger for God!  They are some of the kindest people.  One of the other leaders mentioned that she noticed that none of the students seemed to hang out with the same person repeatedly.  It was truly, one big happy family.

Tonight, (Wednesday) was Wednesday Church for Invasion and several of the students gave testimonies.  I was in tears as I listened to what God did in each students' life.  This is what it is all about!  When I walked in, I no longer felt odd and out of place.  I now have a home here.  I almost cannot contain myself when I think of about those girls.  Oh, how I love them!  Thank you, God, for placing me once again right where you want me!