tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15926422706969918762024-03-13T00:28:16.515-04:00.......memoirs of amyAmy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-74136441442839200562012-08-29T13:10:00.002-04:002012-08-29T13:10:49.553-04:00Summer's endIt is difficult for to believe, but summer has come and now summer is almost gone. I enjoy summer a great deal. It is really a break from the every life. I am a home school mom, so think school teacher, summer breaks. In general, a teacher's job is not like a year round, day-in, day-out job. I still get to enjoy summer breaks, like I did during childhood. It seems that the summers now are much busier than they were when I was young. I distinctly remember those days when I would spread a blanket or beach towel out in the backyard and I would lie there for hours watching the clouds. I would search for little surprises in those clouds...was that a bunny rabbit that just hopped by? Then it would somehow morph into a cute little (are not so little?) hippopotamus! As the clouds continued to move and change, I never knew what I would see next. And this would entertain me for hours.... Or at least it felt like hours to me. Now, as a mom, it seems that I only get a chance to see clouds as I am driving from one activity to the next. And I can't just stare at them and consider what they look like---then I am back to reality because I am driving after all. I can't just stare off at the sky!<br />
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So, with sadness, I realize that another summer has passed and we are moving into fall soon. I do feel a bit of excitement about that though. Fall after all is my favorite season. I always thought that October would be the perfect month to get married. And imagine an outdoor wedding in October in the South! The colors would be glorious. Bridesmaids' dresses in an array of fall leaf hues... I can picture it now.<br />
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The bottom line, I would say, is to just relax and enjoy whatever season you are in. So I will take each opportunity to see the cloud formations as I drive or the watch those beautiful, multicolored leaves as the fly past my windshield. Because I know that soon enough those leaves will be gone and I'll be watching as snow flurries hit my windshield.<br />
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Enjoy your season!!!<br />
~AmyAmy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-55922027160288107612012-04-18T13:22:00.000-04:002012-04-18T13:22:52.574-04:00A rose by any other name...We have an old rose bush at our house. Can't tell you how many years it has been there, but the house was built around 1935...probably this bush has been around almost as long. When we moved into our house in 1998, it was a pitiful, unfruitful rose bush. It is amazing what a little TLC will do for a living thing though! It is now so tall and robust---and filled with buds this year! Here is one of the first beauties to come off of the bush:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWI3zIVZX_Q/T472ZuYsAuI/AAAAAAAABV8/FGcXf6YEUb0/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWI3zIVZX_Q/T472ZuYsAuI/AAAAAAAABV8/FGcXf6YEUb0/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1HrT4Wf0ms/T472dGNnpoI/AAAAAAAABWE/KP665tOqBPE/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1HrT4Wf0ms/T472dGNnpoI/AAAAAAAABWE/KP665tOqBPE/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Isn't this one of the most beautiful roses you have ever seen? And it smells heavenly (unlike so many roses these days that do not have any smell at all)! I don't know the variety, but I do remember we had a rose bush when I was growing up that my mother always called a Peace rose bush... These little yellow and pink buds look very similar, so maybe that's it. Anyway, I love it! Thanks to hubby for picking this for me today!<br />
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Blessings to you! Go give another living thing some TLC and see what happens!<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-78332861861140183322012-04-05T20:39:00.000-04:002012-04-05T20:39:13.179-04:00Tennis Champions!Exciting news!!! My mixed doubles team (7.0) won our local tournament, so we are headed to the district tournament in Richmond in June---as long as we have enough people to field a team. I hope we will be able to go. What fun!<br />
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It is almost time for ODTA and USTA women's tennis to begin. I'm looking forward to both of those teams. It has been exciting to meet lots of new tennis friends.<br />
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No more updates right now. Busy times! Have a great day!<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-44847532450491115662012-03-17T20:39:00.000-04:002012-03-17T20:39:41.412-04:00Update on goalsFirst, I can say that I am not getting around to blogging every week, however I am doing it more than my blog seems to show. This is because I am having to "edit" sections to add info. So just today, I edited both the "In the Kitchen"and "In the Library" sections so far. So I'm okay with my progress on that one.<br />
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My walking/running has fallen behind because I injured my leg about 3 1/2 weeks ago and had to take a break. That is really an understatement since I could barely walk for a couple days. It was my calf muscle/tendon area. I was playing tennis and felt a "pop" while running. It was either a strain, sprain or small tear in the muscle/tendon. It is definitely feeling so much better now. I have played tennis 3 times since the injury (after a 2 week complete break).<br />
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That brings me to another goal. I have started playing USTA doubles tennis. I'm actually doing mixed doubles which I had not originally planned on doing. But I am enjoying it. It is great experience in playing with tougher players. The first match I played, my partner and I won. The second match saw a different partner and I losing in 2 tie break sets. Ugh! My male opponent was the toughest server I have ever faced. I am hoping to get another shot at playing against him again this season because I REALLY want to win!!<br />
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I have read a couple of books already...I have others I'm reading now, so that goal is going well. But I have only seen one movie in the theater so far this year. Falling a little behind on that goal. I'm going to have to head to the theater soon!!!<br />
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Recipes are going well, as is Bible reading. <br />
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Biking, zip lining, kayaking---those are waiting for spring, warmer weather and for me to purchase a bike, borrow a kayak and find a zip line!<br />
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That's my update. Almost 1/4 of the way through this New Year. I finally feel like I am accomplishing some things. By just making a list this year, it has made me stop and consider what I <i>want </i>to do. It has made me focus on planning for the future. When I look back at life, I want to see that I could set goals and get those things done. It has been a struggle in my life since I graduated from pharmacy school. Up until that point, I had always had goals. Once I reached that ultimate large life goal of becoming a pharmacist, I felt a let down. I thought, "What do I do now?" I've floated along for a lot of years and I feel like I've lost myself along the way. Now, I am on a journey of discovering who I am again. And I am taking those things along with me that are the most important...my journey with my Lord, Jesus Christ, my family, my physical well being and health (especially my tennis), my journaling (in the form of blogging), and some other fun stuff (movies and books). I'm glad you are here on my journey with me.<br />
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Have a blessed day!!!<br />
<b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-88869620626970913772012-02-23T13:12:00.000-05:002012-02-23T13:12:36.031-05:00TimeTime just keeps ticking along. I have so many good intentions, but I just don't have enough time to get all the things that I want to do done... I have been absent from the blog for a couple of weeks. In that time, I managed to hurt my leg while playing tennis. The doctor said that I strained, sprained or slightly tore my calf muscle/tendon. All I know is there was a lot of pain associated with it. I couldn't bear weight on that leg very much the day that I did it. I am now about 3 days out and my leg is feeling much better---thankfully! I am so ready to get back out on the tennis court, but I know that if I return too soon, I run a much higher chance of re-injuring it... So I will try to catch up on my blog today to distract my mind from tennis.<br />
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Hope your day is going well.<br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">~Amy</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-80196695311013705692012-02-04T08:56:00.000-05:002012-02-04T08:56:43.355-05:00A good weekThis has been a good week. I managed to wog (walk/jog) 8 miles this week....still catching up from when I was sick a couple of weeks ago. I tried new recipes, crafted, read my Bible, started a new Bible study (Beth Moore's James study) with friends, and I accompanied another friend to Richmond for a dental appointment at Medical College of VA.<br />
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It was a wonderful trip. Girl time talking in the car for several hours there and back was awesome. And the LORD gave us some great surprises along the way. The most memorable are the ones at Short Pump Town Center. It is a huge mall! My friend had never been there, so she just kept saying, "I can't believe how big this place is." But we were headed there just for dinner before our trip home. The restaurant: Maggiano's Little Italy. I had read online that they didn't have a gluten free menu, but the chef would come out to your table and speak with you about what he could make gluten free for you. Since my friend and I both have gluten problems, this seemed like a great thing to try. We also had her 8 yr old little girl (the one with the actual dental appt) with us. So the trip to the mall started with us getting a great parking spot (first space in the row) in this huge, packed parking lot. Then we went in, talked to the chef and got a great meal. But the surprise came in when we both got another helping of our meal choice to go. And I had gotten a $10 off coupon online before we went. So...we got a kid's meal and 4 adult meals (2 we ate there and 2 to go) for just under $23!!! Can you imagine? And it was so yummy!!! My friend's daughter had prayed before we left that we would get surprises from the LORD. And, boy, did HE surprise us!!!<br />
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I have seen the goodness of the LORD this week!!! How about you? Remember to watch for what HE is doing in your life!<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-72733945783128958442012-01-25T19:47:00.000-05:002012-01-25T19:47:45.408-05:00Get the clutter out!!!I told you my list of goals for 2012, but I have some other things that are not really goals, just good things to do. One of those things involves all those bottle of lotion, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. that have just a little bit left in the bottle. Usually this happens for me because I really like the item, but it is no longer available. I don't want to use the last little bit because then I will never have it again. Or maybe I got a new bottle of something and had to try it<i> immediately</i>, leaving behind a little bit of the old product. But all of these bottles just pile up and then when I try to find something, I end up with a mess on the floor because I had to drag out a piece of bottle of this and smidgen of a bottle of that just to get to what I wanted. No fun!! Clean cabinets and drawers are so much nicer!<br />
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There, of course, were other items like hair products that I tried that did not work for my hair type. All of those I donated to my hairdresser who sees all different kinds of hair and can use those products. Sometimes I get a lotion that I don't really like the smell or texture or something about it. For those items, I ask family and friends if they like it---if so, they can have it. And what about the samples that you receive in the mail from time to time. Use them! Or give them to a homeless shelter or a similar organization. They appreciate and use anything that they get.<br />
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Hopefully, I have given you some new ideas!! If you have other good ideas to share, please feel free to comment. I would love to have even more ways to get clutter out of my house!<br />
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Have a blessed day!!!<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-49136481365949226152012-01-10T11:46:00.000-05:002012-01-10T11:46:03.802-05:00Check out all of my pagesFor anyone out there who might occasionally stop by and think that I never update my blog, please check the different pages. I am trying to add recipes as I try them, so that page gets updated. I also added a craft project that I made recently. But I have to post those directly to those pages at this point. I am learning about static versus dynamic pages and have not quite figured out if there is a way to make my static pages (all except front page) into dynamic pages. I would like to be able to post directly on the front page and then tag the post so later it could be found on the appropriate page... So many new things for this tech challenged gal to learn... And so little time!!!<br />
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Have a great day!!<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-14056623355685137112012-01-02T13:08:00.002-05:002012-01-06T11:04:01.485-05:00Happy New Year!I hope that your year New Year has started off well. Mine has. I decided this year to NOT make resolutions. Instead, I have made a list of goals for the New Year. Here is what I see as the difference:<br />
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First, resolutions to me seem aimless...for example, a resolution might be "to lose weight". But I am left wondering, "How will that be accomplished?"<br />
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Second, goals are exact...for example, I am planning to run (jog or walk) 365 miles this year. I have chosen this as a goal because I just started running (intervals of jogging and walking really) this fall. I trained with a group and we used a basic pattern of 2 miles 2 days a week and 3 miles one day a week. That adds up to 7 miles a week (average of 1 mile a day). I have struggled without the group to keep up with that pattern, so I thought that I needed to put it out there as a goal to achieve. I will know if and when I have accomplished it. It is definite. I may find that keeping to that pattern helps me to get into better shape and I may even end up running more this year. However, if I get to 365 miles, I have achieved my goal, and I have an idea of what I might make as my goal for the following year. If I end up losing some needed weight in the process, then that is a bonus! I will feel better just by having run either way.<br />
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So I'm posting my list below. Enjoy!! I'm off to start the New Year with a new me!<br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">~Amy</span></b><br />
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Here is my 2012 List of Goals:<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing"> <span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">1) Run (jog/walk) at least 365 miles this year</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">2) Start biking</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">3) Do a zip line</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">4) Learn to flat water kayak</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">5) Play USTA tournament tennis (doubles and singles)</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">6) Read through the entire Bible</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">7) Try 52 new recipes</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">8) See 12 movies in the theater</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">9) Read 12 books</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "SU Harry Paul"; font-size: 16pt;">10) Blog at least once a week</span></div>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-61758202751437246022011-09-26T16:22:00.000-04:002011-09-26T16:22:59.373-04:00Epic, part 2I'm still thinking about epics. They explain all of life really. GOD versus Satan...EPIC battle from the beginning of time until the end---when GOD wins!!! But I still have trouble looking into the face of evil. I'm okay with the calm times, just floating along between battles, maybe even have some fun times along the way. But evil always rises again, trying to take over. Sometimes it is a sneaky evil, until it sucks you in, then it reveals itself in its full ugliness. That is when it becomes too much for me. That is the point at which I have to turn my head, sometimes even run. I don't want to look evil in the face. Perhaps, I fear that I am not strong enough to fight evil. But in those times, I must remember that GOD is with me and HE can always defeat evil. Will these thoughts and realizations help me to stand up to evil in the future? I don't know for sure, but I certainly hope so!<br />
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Blessings to you today!<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-37358940697474722382011-09-19T11:36:00.001-04:002011-09-19T11:40:02.747-04:00A Visit & A ChrysalisFinally, we got to visit E!!! What a joy it was! She looked good---has put on a little weight which she needed to do. She is seeing the LORD working all around her which I think is helping her to believe that HE will work on her behalf as well. She rededicated her life to HIM on September 8th. That's a praise. She has struggled a lot with whether she is saved or not, but she finally realized that she is saved, but she has not been living that way. She came to a place where she is ready for GOD to work in her and through her. She told many stories of how the director of the facility protects the girls, which is an awesome thing for a mom to hear. She smiled and laughed---things that have been missing for a while. We are so thankful to have had this time with her. Just her dad and I got to visit this time. Next visit, her sisters can come also.<br />
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I've thought about a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis a lot over the last couple of weeks. Have you ever witnessed the process? I have and it is difficult to just sit by and watch. That poor little butterfly struggles so hard to free itself from the chrysalis. We are tempted to just gently rip open that protective shell and free the little butterfly to start its life outside the chrysalis. And, unfortunately, I have done that, too... It was NOT a success! If you have ever done it, you know that those little wings stay curled up just like they were inside the chrysalis. Once you "help" the butterfly out, it's life is basically over. It will never fly with its deformed wings. I have pictures somewhere of what that looks like, but they aren't digital so I cannot share those with you. Trust me, you feel very bad when you see that butterfly walking around with useless curled wings....and you know that it is your fault....<br />
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Turns out good stuff happens as that butterfly struggles to get out of the chrysalis. That process helps to strengthen the wings and get that butterfly ready to live life outside the chrysalis. Gets it ready to live life on its own.<br />
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Makes me think of children... Isn't it better to let them struggle on their own to get them ready to live outside our homes? Although with children, we can do it in stages and over many years. As my children were younger, I was very protective and sometimes tried to "fight their fights" for them. But gradually, I am to teach them how to do that on their own. It's not always a "fight", maybe it's just learning how to approach a teacher when they have a problem. Gradually, they will begin to handle those problems by themselves---at least they should. And if they are not, I need to push them in that direction. I know that it is definitely not my responsibility to be calling their college professors with questions about how their work was graded!!! LOL<br />
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I am endeavoring to take these teaching steps with my girls now because the thought of them wandering around with curled up, unusable wings like that butterfly that I released from its chrysalis is not a thought that I can bear. I want them to be whole and able to take care of what they will face in life. Which leaves me watching them struggle sometimes.... Tough on a mommy, but I must keep my eyes focused on the end goal in order to stay strong.<br />
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Have a great day!!! Keep watching your little butterflies struggle their way to wholeness. We can always cheer them on from the sidelines though!!!<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy </b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-64219949878126589512011-08-24T21:49:00.000-04:002011-08-24T21:49:14.731-04:00My birthday and an earthquake!What a birthday I had!!! Pretty quiet and unassuming until about 1:52pm....then the 5.8 earthquake hit! It was centered in Mineral, VA, which is about halfway between Richmond and Charlottesville. It was almost a record for VA. Back in 1897, there was an earthquake that measured approximately 5.9, so no record. So on my birthday, our world was rocking!!<br />
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I got the sweetest card from my middle daughter, M. She wrote me a poem that made me cry (in a good way). That was the only gift, so I ended up ordering myself an iPhone!!! There was a sale, so I really saved money. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)<br />
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I'm still praying for E constantly. I hope that she is doing well. I know there are difficult days, but I pray that GOD gives her the strength that she needs each day. I pray that she is learning about GOD and herself. We each must learn our own coping mechanisms for the things that occur in our lives...and I hope that is what she is doing.<br />
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No other really exciting news. What can top an earthquake!?! Around the house, there is still school work being done (since co-op started on Monday), and I am still cleaning out all the stuff that has built up in our house over the last several years. It is so freeing to find new homes for all the stuff that has been hiding in closets, in cabinets, on shelves, etc. I really hope that other people can use what I am getting rid of. I'm donating some things to Goodwill, and other things I am trying to sell. It is a good feeling to get rid of stuff that we are not using and haven't used in forever!<br />
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I can't remember if I mentioned before that I am going to train for a 5K this fall. I would love to "run" (or jog) the whole thing, but we will see. My friend, Pam, and I have a goal of doing it in 30 minutes. Today we walked/jogged 1 & 1/2 miles in 20 minutes! That was pretty awesome since it's only the second time we walked/jogged. <br />
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That's all I can think of today. Blessings to you!!!<br />
<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</b><br />
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Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-27936853505023745082011-08-21T22:27:00.000-04:002011-08-21T22:27:00.845-04:0010 days and she called!!!I was so excited to receive a phone call from E tonight!!! It was so good to hear her voice. She actually sounded good and happy. She said it had been tough, but she is doing okay. It was only a five minute phone call, but it was good to hear from her.<br />
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Around here, we have had a busy weekend. M had a friend (Lindsay) come over on Friday for a photo scavenger hunt at church, then a sleepover. On Saturday morning, Lindsay headed home and M & I headed to a birthday party way across town (Tilly's party). You know, I realized that if we didn't home school, then we would really only know people near us. As it is, we know people from near and far! We had 3 fun hours there with lots of pool time, cake, and gifts. I enjoyed meeting some moms that I had never gotten to know before. I met another mom with celiac disease. I'll have to look into the difference between celiac and gluten sensitivity sometime. Meanwhile, my husband took A to her soccer game (it's a tournament weekend). After the party, M and I headed over for game #2 of the soccer day. Finally, home, showers and bed.<br />
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Sunday, of course, is church day. M and I worked in childcare for the early service, then Sunday school and church with Rick Via preaching. Meanwhile, A and my husband were at an early soccer game before they came to late service. The rest of our Sunday has been peaceful and quiet.<br />
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My highlight for the day was definitely hearing E's voice!!! Thank you, LORD, for that gift on this Sabbath day. Tomorrow home school co-op begins. Busy day!<br />
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Watch for the LORD working in your life. HE is there and HE is always working. We must just be still and notice!<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-44864771707055561692011-08-18T10:46:00.000-04:002011-08-18T10:46:56.417-04:00It's been a whole weekHard to believe in one way, but feels like forever in another. I was awake off and on all of last night, so I wonder if E was struggling. I just continued to pray for her and those working with her throughout the night. I have to remember that GOD is sovereign and He has placed her in this program for this time. Things will be okay.<br />
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Life goes on here. Everything has or will start back by next week. A has started her travel soccer season and has a tournament this weekend. M has had violin lessons all through the summer, so no real break there. Co-op starts on Monday and then M's soccer (just the rec league) starts on Tuesday. We still have a couple of other things that will start by mid-September, so we are kind of easing into our schedule. It is good to keep busy and focused. Keeps the mind working!<br />
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The other thing that is changing is my health. I had to go gluten free 5 weeks ago because I was (finally) diagnosed with gluten sensitivity. I'm sure that I have suffered with that for years....I wonder if it's been since childhood... Anyway, taking all that gluten out has really made me feel so much better. I have so much more energy and my thoughts and memory are clearer. I play tennis on average twice a week throughout the summer---starting doing it last summer. Well, let me just say that last summer after I played 2 hours of tennis, I had to come home and sleep for several hours. I was exhausted!!! That still persisted until just the last couple of weeks. I had so much energy yesterday that I could have played for hours longer. And after I came home, I cleaned, fixed dinner, read part of a book, did laundry, etc. I never felt like I needed to rest. Praise the LORD!!! Is it difficult to take the bread, pasta, cake, cookies, etc. out of your diet??? Heck, yes! But for the way I feel now, it would not be worth it to start eating it again. I've even lost a few pounds without trying. The first week gluten free I noticed that my bloated belly was starting to flatten---no weight loss at that time, but I felt thinner. Now the pounds are starting to slowly drop off. Another great thing to the gluten free diet, but not the reason I am doing it.<br />
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What's next for me? Well, I have been wanting to do a 5K. I'm not a runner, but it is just one of those things on my "bucket list." I was just thinking I would go on Facebook on Saturday and see if anyone else was interested. But I checked my e-mail first and a friend had sent me an e-mail to see if I was interested in doing a 5K. I took that as a sign that the time was right. I am going to start "training" (if you can call it that---going from couch potato status to actually moving around), and the end goal is the Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving morning. My friend has a goal of doing it in 30 minutes, so I am going to jump on board with her goal. Sounds reasonable---10 minute mile for 3 miles. I'll keep you posted.<br />
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I will end for today. There are more thoughts swirling in my head, but I will share those another day. Remember to watch for GOD's blessings every day!! They are there if only we will look for them.<br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-51630169710336813412011-08-16T12:02:00.000-04:002011-08-16T12:02:28.388-04:00Day 6Yesterday we received E's school schedule, and I realized something. I felt strongly that GOD wanted us to put E into public school last year after having home schooled her for her entire life. It was a very difficult thing to do, but a friend finally said to me, "If you feel that GOD told you to put her in school and you don't, what are you?" My reply was...."disobedient". I couldn't disobey what GOD told me to do, so off to school she went. It was a big change for all of our lives. And I had hoped that by being obedient, GOD would magically heal her. That was not to be. I was disappointed when the healing didn't happen and I questioned why we had to put E in school at all. The other stressful thing that occurred was trying to get credit the subjects she had done while home schooling. It took the entire school year plus some, but in the end we got all eleven credits that we requested.<br />
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Now, I think I might finally see why we had to go through that process. Because of all the credits that she got last year, she only needs 2 core classes and some electives in order to graduate!!! And the only real subject she has in English 12. Otherwise, she has health and p.e., a life skills class, a theology class, and an interpersonal relationships class. So her course load will not be overwhelming while she has to deal with her eating disorder. GOD had it all planned. I am so thankful that I was obedient to HIS leading about public school even though it was difficult.<br />
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I just wanted to praise HIM today as I realized the miraculous way that HE works!!! May HE reveal amazing things to you as well.<br />
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<div class="heading passage-class-0"><h3>Romans 8:28</h3><div class="txt-sm"><b>New International Version (NIV)</b></div></div><b> </b><b> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28145">28</sup> And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. </b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy </span></b><br />
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Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-80768205706086439662011-08-15T13:30:00.000-04:002011-08-15T13:30:38.531-04:00Day 5In true form, I'm having trouble updating every day. I want to write at night about what has occurred during the course of that day, however I end up going to bed because I'm exhausted!! LOL<br />
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So Saturday was M's birthday. We celebrated and enjoyed the day. Sunday was church day. We went to Sunday School and church service. We saw friends who actually saw E on Saturday when the EATC girls were going door to door to raise funds for their Walk-a-Thon. They saw her smile!!! That is a great thing. Believe me, I know harder days are coming (and may have already come), but a smile is something to write about!!! I have missed E's smile and laugh for so long now...<br />
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Not sure how the days are going for E. I had a friend (Rachel R.) text today saying that she and her family are on vacation, and the LORD woke her at 4 a.m. with "an overwhelming heaviness" for our family. I wondered if E was struggling at that time? The middle of the night is probably the most difficult time for E. Thank you, LORD, for burdening the hearts of other faithful people to pray for my daughter and my family!!! What a gift!!! Thank you for obedient servants of the LORD who don't mind being inconvenienced (even while on vacation) to do what the LORD instructs them to do. Prayer is powerful and must never be taken for granted.<br />
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So, today I have a thankful heart. Help me, LORD, as I work through my issues on a daily basis, too. Help me when fallen mankind is rude or harsh toward me. May I, like Jesus, look at them and say, <br />
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<b><span class="woj">“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)</span></b><br />
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<span class="woj">May your day be filled with blessings from the LORD. But more importantly, may you see those blessings for just what they truly are!!</span><br />
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<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="woj">~Amy </span></b><b><span class="woj"><br />
</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-14924773761296485402011-08-14T08:22:00.000-04:002011-08-14T08:22:10.898-04:00Day 3Quick post because it's actually the morning of Day 4. Yesterday was my middle daughter's 15th birthday, so we were kind of busy. Shopping almost all day equals exhaustion. Then we had dinner out at Applebee's and stopped by Kroger to pick up a red velvet cake for the birthday (it's a favorite!!). It was a good day, but I didn't get to update the blog.<br />
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I forgot to mention on day 2 that I ran into another home school mom at Wal*mart, and she commented that I looked 15 years younger!!! Isn't that awesome?!? I'm sure it is related to my new gluten free diet. I was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity on July 14th, although I suspected that was the case since September of 2010. I am feeling much better. Next I am hoping that my sleep will improve---wonder if I will look 25 years younger then?<br />
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Life continues on. Now it feels like E is just gone to summer camp. I mean she has been away for a week before when we haven't seen or talked to her. So it's still not as strange as I thought it would be. I am praying for her literally all day long. LORD, please deliver her from this eating disorder. Be real in her life. Show her that Jeremiah 29:11 is true in her life!!!<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0"><h3>Jeremiah 29:11</h3><div class="txt-sm"><b>New International Version (NIV)</b></div></div><div class="result-text-style-normal"> <b><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-19647">11</sup> For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. </b><br />
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There is a hope and a future for each of us in the world. Are you walking in the plans that the LORD has for you today? I hope so. If not, I pray for you to have an encounter with the LORD today!!!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></div>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-72002599023793155492011-08-12T22:12:00.000-04:002011-08-12T22:12:54.203-04:00Day 2It's been over 24 hours now. It sort of seems like E might just be gone to work...for a long time. I am beginning to feel myself relax <u>slightly</u>. It is more difficult than I thought it would be though. I have lived in a constant state of stress and anxiety for the last few years which makes change more challenging. Perhaps each day will become easier for me. I pray that each day will become easier for her as well.<br />
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I have thought of E often today. Wondering how her first night was, how are mealtimes going, how is she getting along with the other girls and the staff. E is such a sweet, kind, generous, giving young lady---unless she wants to act of her illness. Then it is not so pretty. I pray that the staff will be able to handle those trying times. Those were the hardest for us at home. My husband reacted with great anger toward her during those times, and I feared that he would hurt her sometimes. I often felt deep fear toward her because of the depth drive to get to food. I am sure that the staff is trained with how to handle those outbursts. I am not trained, and I still don't know the proper things to do.<br />
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So as this day comes to a close, I ask the LORD to hold each of us in the palm of HIS hand. Protect us and strengthen us as only YOU can, LORD. I praise YOU, LORD, because YOU have the power and victory over this illness. YOU are our healer and protector. YOU and YOU alone can make each of us whole. Please act in E's life to help her to see herself through only YOUR eyes....because ultimately those are the only eyes that matter. I pray that for each member of my family.<br />
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Thank you, LORD, that you are already answering that prayer request!!!<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-20071273137400097682011-08-11T15:59:00.000-04:002011-08-11T15:59:21.831-04:00Day 1Well, today was "drop-off" day for our daughter. We left E at a treatment facility. What a bittersweet day it has been.... There is great sadness knowing that at least a month will pass before seeing our little girl in person again. But there is great joy in knowing that the LORD is moving in her life. There is change on the horizon. There will be fruit from all that has occurred over the last 4 years. LORD, please come and comfort E now and comfort me, her mother. Help this transition be as easy as possible. Hold her when she is weak, LORD....hold me when I am weak.<br />
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<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="color: #0b5394;"><h3>Psalm 119:27-29</h3><div class="txt-sm">New International Version (NIV)</div></div><div class="result-text-style-normal"> <br style="color: #0b5394;" /><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-15926" style="color: #0b5394;">27</sup><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, </span><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><span style="color: #0b5394;"> that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. </span><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-15927" style="color: #0b5394;">28</sup><span style="color: #0b5394;"> My soul is weary with sorrow; </span><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><span style="color: #0b5394;"> strengthen me according to your word. </span><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-15928" style="color: #0b5394;">29</sup><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Keep me from deceitful ways; </span><br style="color: #0b5394;" /><span style="color: #0b5394;"> be gracious to me and teach me your law.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">Thank you, LORD, for leading, teaching and strengthening me...and E.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span> </span> </span> </div>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-4164401239353135392011-08-09T20:13:00.000-04:002011-08-09T20:13:52.473-04:00New DirectionMy life is about to go in a new direction. My oldest daughter, who has struggled with an eating disorder for about 4 years, will be entering a year-long treatment program this Thursday. It will be quite a change for our family. I have decided to try to keep a blog record of this journey. I'm sure that I will still discuss things from GOD's word, as that is a big part of my life. I feel like HE has worked out all the details of my daughter even getting into this program. We received the application in email on July 14th. I filled it out and mailed it on July 21st. We met with someone from the program on August 4th. And she checks in on August 11th. What a whirlwind!<br />
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I hope to journal here about what is going on with our family here at home and with her there in treatment. It will be challenging to have my baby gone, but it is thrilling for her to have this opportunity to heal and learn more about herself. Please pray that GOD will bless this time in her life and help her to grow closer to HIM and mature.<br />
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Blessings to you!!!<br />
<b style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></b><br />
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Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-89136258372533006622011-05-24T08:24:00.000-04:002011-05-24T08:24:07.387-04:00What does it take to cover our sin?First, I apologize for being AWOL for so long. Really, I'm trying to get better about posting at least a couple of times a week. It seems like I only have short bursts of time on the computer. And it takes me a while to post because I am concerned about it being "right"....you know, the right words, proper punctuation and spelling, etc. A little OCD, huh? I'm trying to get over that!!!<br />
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So to our topic for today...what does it take to cover our sin?<br />
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I love the Bible progression about this matter. In Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit and their eyes were opened and they knew they were naked, they tried to cover themselves...with fig leaves! Doesn't sound to comfortable to me, but I guess they were just getting whatever was easy and quick. Here is a picture of some fig leaves, just to give you a mental image:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGeAnbcvGe0/TdudOZNbhvI/AAAAAAAABCk/uELDzmclmUY/s1600/fig+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGeAnbcvGe0/TdudOZNbhvI/AAAAAAAABCk/uELDzmclmUY/s320/fig+leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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God, of course, knows all that has gone on and comes looking for the couple. Then the Lord doles out some punishment to Adam, Eve and the serpent. And here is the part that I am finally getting to: covering our sin. Verse 21 of Chapter 3 of Genesis says:<br />
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<i>"The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them."</i><br />
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This is the first covering for sin, not to mention the first animals dying. In this case, one animal died for each person (at least that is the way I picture it....could have been one animal for the couple, I suppose). So basically, one dies for another one.<br />
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As we move ahead in the Bible and come to Exodus 12:1-14 we see that dynamic changing.<br />
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<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1818">1</sup> The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1819">2</sup> “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1820">3</sup> Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-1820a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2012:1-14&version=NIV#fen-NIV-1820a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> for his family, <b style="color: #351c75;">one for each household</b>. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1821">4</sup> If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1822">5</sup> The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1823">6</sup> Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1824">7</sup> Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1825">8</sup> That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1826">9</sup> Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1827">10</sup> Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1828">11</sup> This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover. </i><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1829">12</sup> “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1830">13</sup> The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. </i><br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-1831">14</sup> “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance. </i><br />
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This section of Scripture speaks of the first Passover celebration. And I highlighted and changed colors to draw attention to what I wanted you to see. We have now moved from one animal per person to cover sin to one animal per household. But still death had to come in order for sin to be covered.<br />
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Then we move over to the New Testament. There are many references about this topic, but I have chosen Romans 3:22-26.<br />
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<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28014">22</sup> This righteousness is given through faith in<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-28014a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%203:22-26&version=NIV#fen-NIV-28014a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28015">23</sup> for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28016">24</sup><b> and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28017">25</sup> God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-28017b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%203:22-26&version=NIV#fen-NIV-28017b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> through the shedding of his blood</b>—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28018">26</sup> he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.</i><br />
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I have boldfaced again, but you probably already know what I am going to say here. Jesus (one God man) came to die once for ALL. All who will accept Him and give their lives to Him.<br />
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There you have it, the progression that I love...<br />
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One animal per person<br />
One animal per household (or family)<br />
One God man for ALL!!!<br />
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In literature terms, I see foreshadowing throughout the Bible. Hinting at what is to come. Yet who could have guessed what God would do for humanity? His precious Son to die for sinful man. To take all of our sins on His body.... His love is amazing!!! <br />
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What does it take to cover our sin? The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's all, but that is so much!!! No animal could do it for us. We needed the God man to come to this earth and live a sinless life, then He had to die for us. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving your life for us....for me. It is definitely a gift that I do not deserve. But the story didn't end with His death. He was resurrected and therefore, conquered sin and death for us!!! We praise your name, Lord Jesus!!!<br />
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Have a blessed day as you consider all that the Lord has done for you personally.<br />
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</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></span>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-309782260278440592011-04-26T13:11:00.000-04:002011-04-26T13:11:16.672-04:00Profound wordsThere are so many things going on in life right now...and so little time for me to get on the computer. Hopefully, I will get better at balancing that. And I'm still reading Genesis, but there are so many juicy morsels to share that it is almost overwhelming!! I'll need to start picking and choosing...<br />
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Today, I received a message that has really made me think. There is a couple I know who have been married for 30+ years (I'm not sure how many exactly, but it is at least 30---probably more like 40 years). Anyway, back in the winter, he had an accident. He simply slipped on the ice and hit his head. That was the beginning of a steady decline in his health. Since that time, he has been in brain injury units of hospitals and nursing homes, then just in a regular nursing home. Things have deteriorated to the point of the message I read today.<br />
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Here it is:<br />
<div style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">DAY 121</span></div><div style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">MONDAY APRIL 25, 2011</span></div><div style="color: #073763;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">We know it and yet it still manages to surprise us. It is the way of things. We are born and we live and we die. I realize now that I was well prepared for death, but not so well prepared for dying.</span></div><div style="color: #073763;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">John is unconscious. The seizures continue to come as his injured brain fires over and over causing his arms and legs to tremble. All that can be done to keep my beloved comfortable is being done.</span></div><div style="color: #073763;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wish for one more smile, one more look of those soft eyes and one more conversation. But the time for that is now over.</span></div><div style="color: #073763;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">John is only talking with God now.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The line that really struck me was this one:</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">"I realize now that I was well prepared for death, but not so well prepared for dying."</span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">How profound is that?!? They are Christians who have known the Lord for years and served Him in ministry with their lives. They knew that life leads to death and after that heaven for those who die in Jesus. But what has been such a challenge for the family has been the dying process. Watching the one you love slowly fade away with no more laughs or smiles, no more quiet evenings talking together, no more hand holding, and so on. My heart breaks for this family. Soon death will come, but I pray for this family while they continue through this process. And I continue to ponder the profound words of this message.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">May you feel God close to you today. (P.S. I'm not sure why my font changed, so just ignore it...)</span></span></div><div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix" style="color: #073763; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">~Amy </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></b></span></div></div>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-11084675549494527922011-04-05T10:51:00.000-04:002011-04-05T10:51:21.662-04:002 Kings 6:15-17 First, let me set the scene for you. God is revealing many things to Elisha who is informing the king of Israel. The king is making his strategic moves based on the information from Elisha. Israel's enemy, Aram, is becoming very frustrated that Israel seems to know what they are doing ahead of time. Their king believes that someone in his camp is leaking information. Then he (the king of Aram) is informed that Elisha the prophet is the one who is giving Israel the information. He decides to find out where Elisha is staying and capture him. The troops head out to Dothan and surround the city. Here we pick up the story in verses 15-17 of 2 Kings 6.<br />
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<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-9690">15</sup> When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. </i><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-9691">16</sup> “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” </i><br />
<i> <b><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-9692">17</sup> And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. </b></i><br />
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I have highlighted verse 17 because it is the crux of these verses. It is so important for each of us to remember that in the midst of our battles, there is warfare in the heavenly realms that we do not see. Oh, how I wish that my eyes could be opened so that I could see those "hills full of horses and the chariots of fire" that are around me and my family as we struggle through some tremendous battles. My oldest daughter has been in what I feel is an "epic" battle (see my previous post <a href="http://memoirsofamy.blogspot.com/2011/03/epic.html">here</a> about those!) with an eating disorder since the summer of 2007. You know, that is almost 4 years now. And we as her family are in this battle with her. I wish that I (we) could see the army that the Lord has fighting for her right now. She waffles between wanting to be better and wanting to just be the disease. It is agonizing to watch and I feel so helpless to actually make a difference against this illness. It is like an abusive boyfriend that she must decide to dump. But those abusive relationships seem to be so hard to get out of for some reason.<br />
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This verse is such an encouragement to me that I am not alone...she is not alone...we are not alone. The Lord has given me this verse twice in less than a week, so I believe that He wants me to understand that the battle is His. But I am still praying, "Lord, intervene quickly!! I need You to help us!!"<br />
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Blessings to you today!!<br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy</span></b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-88770040906911395862011-04-04T10:36:00.001-04:002011-04-06T08:17:21.625-04:00Submissive Rebel?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/iyIvf09k5Ns?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Give me rules, I will break them<br />
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Give me lines, I will cross them<br />
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I need more than a truth to believe<br />
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I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes<br />
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To sweep me off my feet<br />
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It ought to be<br />
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More like falling in love<br />
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Than something to believe in<br />
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More like losing my heart<br />
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Than giving my allegiance<br />
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Caught up, called out<br />
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Come take a look at me now<br />
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Its like I'm falling, oh<br />
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Its like I'm falling in love<br />
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Give me words, I'll misuse them<br />
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Obligations, I'll misplace them<br />
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Cause all religion ever made of me<br />
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Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet<br />
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It never set me free<br />
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It's gotta be<br />
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CHORUS<br />
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It's like I'm falling in love, love, love<br />
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Deeper and deeper<br />
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It was love that made<br />
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Me a believer<br />
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In more than a name, a faith, a creed<br />
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Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me<br />
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CHORUS<br />
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What is a "submissive rebel"? Isn't that an oxymoron? Well, yes, but what a descriptive term! My youngest daughter calls herself a "submissive rebel," and I can so totally understand what she means. I believe that I am one also. (Shhh, don't tell her!!!)<br />
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Webster defines submissive as "submitting to others." Submit means to "yield to authority." So, I would say a good combination of those terms to describe submissive would be..."yielding to the authority of others." "Rebel" on the other hand, would be "opposing a ruler" or authority. Truly opposites!! Submit or oppose.<br />
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How could one be a "submissive rebel" then? The way I see it in me is a deep desire to submit to the Lord and do His will (submissive part), which is always battling with that rebellious side of me that wants to go my own way (rebel).<br />
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These verses come to mind regarding that constant war we battle with our flesh:<br />
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<i>Romans 7:15-20:</i><br />
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<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28107">15</sup> I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28108">16</sup> And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28109">17</sup> As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28110">18</sup> For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28111">19</sup> For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28112">20</sup> Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. </i><br />
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So I wonder, are there other "submissive rebels" like my daughter and I out there?<i> </i>I put the song by Jason Gray at the beginning of this post because I hear in it the cries of a "submissive rebel." Wanting to do what is right and believe, but still struggling...<br />
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Have a blessed day!<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy </span></b></span>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592642270696991876.post-85536624629913167492011-03-12T15:48:00.001-05:002011-04-10T13:17:27.813-04:00Three aspects of temptationI love it when the Bible carries a theme from the Old Testament to the New Testament---and it is clear enough for me to see it! It is like a thread weaving them to together for me.<br />
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In Genesis 3:6, we read:<br />
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<i>"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was<b> good for food</b> and <b>pleasing to the eye</b>, and also <b>desirable for gaining wisdom</b>, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."</i><br />
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There they are...the<u> three aspects of temptation</u>. We read about them again in I John 2:16, which says:<br />
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<i>"For everything in the world—<b>the lust of the flesh</b>, <b>the lust of the eyes</b>, and <b>the pride of life</b>—comes not from the Father but from the world."</i><br />
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The three aspects are repeated again, although a little differently. We can definitely correlate them though.<br />
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"Good for food" would be "the lust of the flesh"....don't we just love to have some little delicacies that please our flesh? Maybe it is food, or maybe it is something else that our flesh loves...<br />
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"Pleasing to the eye" and "the lust of the eyes".....don't really need an explanation there, do I? I think of the children's song that says, "Be careful little eyes what you see..."<br />
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"Desirable for gaining wisdom" would be related to "the pride of life." We can we prideful creatures thinking that we are so wise that we can tell God what He should do in our lives, can't we? I know I am guilty of that. I think that my simple, earthly wisdom is right, when ultimately God knows what is best and He sees the full picture, unlike me. This is evident sometimes in my prayer requests. I "ask" God to help in a situation and then I give Him some pointers on how He could do that!! How arrogant am I? My wisdom is nothing compared to His. The quicker I remember that, the better off I am!<br />
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That's my thoughts on that passage. I'll be back soon with some more thoughts from Genesis. I'm starting to read through the Bible, beginning to end, again, so I will be writing on things that the Lord shows me this time through.<br />
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Have a wonderful day!!<br />
<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~Amy </b>Amy C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10263956951466576046noreply@blogger.com0