Well...a chain of events have taken place:

Saturday- I finally asked DH to say Happy Anniversary to me. He did reluctently. We had coffee this a.m. and we both went about our way.

I felt sooooo abandoned by God. My thoughts/mind were still in the "I cannot stay in this marriage" mode. The hurt, the anger, bitterness, etc. Well, I enjoy my time at the house when DH is working all day. It's a sense of mental freedom; I don't have to hear the smart @## comments he tends to make from time to time.

Life Team @ 5:30-
It was like any other life team...potluck, and guess what the title of the lesson in the video series was??? Battles of the Mind. I had a feeling I was being spoken to. They hit on everything I have been going through. Marti sensed it. Cindy said she sensed God saying to let it out and deal with things through prayer. I said I wasn't ready to share.

BUT...I knew if God was speaking through others...I'd better obey. At the end of the video and prayer time...Marti put me in the hot seat. I finally did open up and told DH that I was sorry that I didn't share these things with him, but I feared it would come back to bite me later. I shared how I hated my life, my thoughts were not so nice, not forgiving due to constant hurts..blah blah blah. OOOOOO...the comfort of hands being laid on you and the sweet voices of being prayed for in the Holy Spirit...the loving hands carressing your arm and the hands of pray warriors on your head and shoulders. Whew! Cindy sensed that the Lord was telling her that I was a new creation and that I have been released! The hot seat lasted about 15 minutes. This group stayed late to pray for little ol me. I love the Lord!

Today at church we had a powerful message and prayer time. I ended up sharing my experience with the church. I do feel the darkness has left. Oh, I know DH's mouth will still hurt but my weapon of warfare is the vision and feeling of those over me last night. "I am a new creation." AND...DH really does not know that every thought should not come out of his mouth. I will begin praying for his wisdom as to his words and that if anyone else is witholding darkness to allow being placed in the hot seat.

Whew...now that was a good venting! Praise God.

Michelle-
We prayed for healing today...I pray that your body heals from the top of your head to the tips of your toes and may you have a restful sleep and feel like a "new creation" as you awake!

Bunna, EZ, Sami...thank you for sharing...it helps to know that I am not alone in the world.

I feel a little guilty for not posting. I've had a very bad week eating wise and then I tend to stay away. Dumbie me!! That's when I need your prayers the most. I still ate my healthy breakfasts and lunches but after work- look out! I hope to be back on track tomorrow and then while we're away on vacation.

I have been going to Curves and exercising at home so hopefully the damage won't be too great. I bought a cute outfit for the wedding and am excited to be able to wear it. I am also really excited to see my sisters and brother again. It'll be a little family reunion. My sisters and I are going to go to Curves together- that'll be fun!

mkay: I am so sorry that you had to ask your DH to say Happy Anniversary to you. I'll pray for both of you. I loved your story of how your Life Team prayed for you. There is so much power in prayer.

sami: So good to hear from you and that you're exercising regularly. Keep up the great work! What kind of car did you daughter buy?

Gary: Sounds like you had a relaxing weekend. TLC and HGTV are my favorite channels to watch right now. One day I might start DOING some of the ideas I've seen. I get to go to IKEA when we're in Calgary. Do you have them down there? They sell really neat furniture and household things at a decent price. I think I might be able to find curtains for my bedroom there.

Hello to Michele, Sunnyd, Sunshinelady and all the rest I've missed.

Have a great week!!

Mkay, thanks for the prayer. I do believe in healing prayer and I'm glad you received. Sounds like a wonderful Spirit filled time.

I didn't make it to the anniversary party sat. After going to the mall to get cards, etc, i overdid it and was in pain. And truthfully, there was a part of me that didn't want to go. Just too difficult to get there and i didn't know a lot of people. Maybe i'm kind of anti-social sometimes too?

John called this a.m., he misunderstood and thought our old Alpha group was having breakfast this a.m. We talked for awhile, we really do get along well.

I got a tape about a place that helps with chronic back and neck pain, going to check them out tomorrow. I'm hopeful.......

HI GALS

Well it looks like the pictures of the vacation will have to wait, I didn't ghet around to having Angie "help me" OK-OK -- DO IT!! Maybe sometime this week. She is out giving her daughter a "stick" driving lesson in my Ranger, her "new" car-- I start taking the new F150 to work tomorrow.

My goddaughter came over yesterday afternoon with her boyfriend, they had the week-end off from the Navy-- we took them to dinner for mexican then rented the move Dirty Dancing Havana Nights, Angie and I walked the puppies while the kids all watched the movie--guess it was good...did see Patrick Swayze in it for just a minute passing thru...weired...sure looked old...at least "I" still look young

Reminds me of going to colonial Williamsburg...we were doing a tour of a big home of somebuddy of fame, anyhow the tour guide had us line up in the parlor...men on one side women across the room...we had to pair off with the woman across from us..of course it ended up NOT being Angie...anyhow it turned out I was the first guy...the guide made me and the lady across from me "STROLL" down the center of the room hand in hand while the other people "GOSSIPED" about us...one lady was so funny...she said "OH MY, did you see he is starting to lose his hair!" I was doubled up in laughter...she apologized later...then again... when our paths crossed at another site...each time I told her NO PROBLEM!!...I told her she sounded just like me with her "smart" mouth!!

Went to church this morning then we took the puppies to the little lake and park by us for a couple mile walk...they sure love the ducks...then to Starbucks...they don't like ice coffee, from Angie...no way am I going to give them any of my Venti coffee of the day!

Looking into a shuffleboard for the yard..a site in Canada has great ones.. a little pricy...$1,000 + but it would last forever...sizes are from 52 feet to the mini 27 feet which is what we would get..the LOW end model...now...if only the kids and I can get it passed Angie

Well gonna check out but want to give SHOUT OUTS to WILMA, MICHELE SAMI and MKAY since they have checked in since my last post.

WILMA--IKEA is my daughter's FAVORITE!!! store--she usually decorates her dorm or condo at school each year from their products. I was just tellig Angie that I have never really seen anything I wanted to do on my house from the "HOUSE" shows BUT I sure enjoy them and love a lot of the ideas...Angie painted our front door RED this week and put on new handles and locks yesterday. Have fun at the wedding.

MICHELE--I know what you mean..the party sounds so good until it is the day of it and you would rather just not BOTHER...happens to me all the time, but then again I am anti-social!!

MKAY-Sounds like you are better today!! Remember dear..a lot of times when we ask God to change us--WE REALLY MEAN THE OTHER PERSON!! One thing is for sure though--GOD HAS NEVER or NEVER WILL ABANDON YOU!! We just may not see His work at times! Prayers for you and your DH.

SAMI-Glad to see the IMPROVEMENT in the exercise..WOW!! you are doing so good!! Hope your daughter gets a great car, my step daughter just inherited my 93 Ford ranger with 240,000 miles on it!! She feels lucky..my son's first car was a 13 years old and my dauhgter's 15!!

Well gotta go...Gary

I am doing well, no problems, weather still cool, actually wore a jacket the other day. strange for August.
M-kay- So sorry to hear things still not going well, but remember GOD never abandons us, and if you need a place to vent with out repercussions this would be it, Sounds like you hade a good time with your dog at the lake, what kind of dog do you own? Sounds large since kids can ride him, your in my prayers that all works out Happy belated anniversary, My sister and bil is on August 6th and my dads b-day is August 6th as well. .
Sunny- Glad to hear it wasn't you up there! Roodf does look good. I am terrible at posting pics I have to make several attempts and sometimes they actually do post but most of the time its just a bunch of wasted time. I will try to get some to post, take my word for it though Alaska is beautiful and majestic, and as I said breathtaking- Gods hand created it all in so short a time.
Bunna- I am gone alot in the summer, I always do a missions trip with my youth group even the year the pastor was so sick we went to western N.Y. for an extended weekend, . It is a joy to see them motivated to serve Christ, and they are so gifted musically which I am not.. I also am gone camping alot, and I go home to see my family every other weekend, as I live an hour away, and see them on Wed. and Sundays when I go home for church, as I am not interested in changeing membership to one nearer me. So its worth the drive, we have a very close church family. I am a home body in the winter, usually not out more than I have to be, although I still go home but no vacations usually unless it is to a warmer climate. One of the treats we enjoyed ont he missions trip was the fresh grapes and peaches in Jersey, the fruit was cheap and so yummy.

Sprout- Prayers coming your way for you and your family- that your able to find and recieve the help your son needs, and that the family unit will be strengthed, pray your feeling better- Agaiin thanks for all the devotions they are trully motivational and really hit home often.
Sherry- Glad your doing well! Trust your enjoying your last camping trip, I am a die hard I camp until Columbus weekend , which is coing quickly.
E.Z. - The master cylinder is seaping- they have ordered the part with installment around $170. is the estimate. hope that ends my car troubles for awhile. Could use a good garage- so hard to trust that what they say is true, and not being taken for a ride would love a garage closer that was trust worthy, its that woman thing, they take advantage. Sound like the pups are keeping ya busy. Hows the nephew doing? Enjoying the summer! The youth group left Sunday afternoon,for a camping trip with the pastor, and another group of adults , also some area churches, they have bible lessons, and do devotions but have a great time watersking, jet skiing, and messing around playing football on a large sandbar. I had to miss this one as had to work, unfortunately couldn't get the time off, would have been fun. But they will all be back Wed. around noon, they have had a busy summer, and all the activities keeps they involved and focused, teens so often drift away.

Sami- I am so glad to hear the pain is better- smart taken meds before pain is severe. Pray all goes well with finding car for dd. How is work going, did it ease up?
undefinedWilma- Good Job! still motivated its always fun getting new outfits!
Hi to all that I missed. Have an awesome day!

August 9


John 8:10-11
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, 'Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?' She said, 'No man, Lord.' And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.'


The doctor was going to kill her. Kate had been told to lose thirty pounds over six months. For awhile she had done really well. She took off twenty in the first three months, but lately she had gained again, for a net loss of only about twelve pounds. Kate was astonished when the doctor merely encouraged her to try harder. Christ, like the doctor, offers us no condemnation. He wants us to lose weight for our own sakes, not for His. He wants to help us, not hurt us. Take comfort in the acceptance of Jesus Christ.
Today's thought: Even when I give in, I'm still a good person.

Thank you all for reminding me that God does not abandon me. I probably abandon Him by feeling rejected by Him. Anyway...today the negative thoughts tried slipping in. I MUST read devotions or anything of God during those thoughts. We just have so much going on right now that we can only look up.

Michelle-
I understand the anit-social thing. I usually tend to make commitments and then don't want to do them or go to them at the last minute. I enjoy staying home and just being here. Thursday, a few of us from the life team will be doing a 24-hour water only fast for one of the kids in our group and his parents. During that time, I am going to add you to my prayers. This will be a first doing a water only and for 24 hours. I will pray for so much healing that day.

Wilma-
I heard of IKEA and have gone to their web site. I love house decor stuff but really can't do too much right now. Soon though. I'm bringing the "blood red" color that we found at Pier One into our living room (and into my cubicle at work) .

Doitforme-
We'll be wearing light jackets by Wednesday here in MI. Boy oh boy, you are a busy woman. I've always wanted to do some sort of missions work, but don't really know where I'd fit and be most beneficial. We have a yellow lab, Nikita Girl aka Nikki and she weight approx 80 lbs. She is so loving and gentle. I think DH likes her more than me. He takes her everywhere...to work everyday and to go collecting $$ at night, to the store, etc. Probably because he can talk and talk and talk and she can't.

EZ-
Your wife sounds like a go getter. DH probably would NOT want me to paint anything in the house yet alone do the hardware. BUT...I may give it a whirl when he goes deer hunting in November. I would like to change the color of my office/computer room from a sage green (too dark for a small room) to a buttery color. Hmmm...makes me hungry for toast or popcorn.

Everyone else...later!

Hello It is Monday! Monday is a very busy day for me at work. I am glad to see most are doing better. I have a rheumatology appt. tuesday so I am taking the whole day off. I am also taking next tuesday off it is the first day of school so I can come home to peace! I hope to do some scrapbooking!
Mkay-I am so happy that your church friends are praying for you. At my work 6 people in the last 6 months are getting a divorce. I will be praying for you and your hubby. Remember God brought us together to lift each other up. And I think it is easier to sometime talk to others you don't know to help you though. We are here for you.
Sue-You are such a blessing to you to others you give so much of yourself. Thank you!
Wilma-It is easier to be good when you are not at home. I quit buying my weak items. The kids want to know why I don't buy junk like I did and I just say we are changing the way we eat. OF course It just kills Ashli! LOL
Sunny-Thank you for all the wonderful uplifting posts you sure cheer me when I am down.
Ez-DD still has not found a car yet. She thought she did and while they were on a test drive the check engine light came on. I keep telling her GOD will lead her to the right car. She was told last night she may lose her job because she works for the city and with all the cut backs they may close for the winter. I told her not to worry She is a very good worker and I would hire her. I told my Boss about her and she was bring her on! It makes me proud!
Sprout-I will be praying that things go well with your son. Thanks for the up lifting devotions!
Michelle-How are you feeling? I do stretching in the morning and it does help. I pray that you find a doctor that can really help you.
Sherry-How are you feeling? Post soon I miss you.
Angel lover-How is your house comming? I think of you so often. Post when you can.
Bunna-How are you doing. Praying that the weight keeps comming off.

May God Bless you and keep you.
Sami

Sunny: I have to encourage you NOT TO GIVE UP. It is so frustrating to be on a plateau. I'm there right now too. BUT, we haven't gained weight have we? Maybe change something in your eating or exercise routine. Sometimes we just need to shake things up a bit.

I'm worried about going on holidays and eating. I plan to eat as many salads as possible but my DMIL doesn't make them alot.

My sisters live all over the country and we're meeting for this wedding and because we are going to be together for 3 days we thought it might be fun to work out together. I would love it if we all lived in the same city and were able to workout together.

Have a great day!