Wow!!!! What a cool house!!!

Good Monday Morning all!

After really hot temps and even having to keep the air on last night cuz i sweating like a oinker, this a.m. it's gorgeous. It's still in the 70's and there's a nice breeze. It's just beautiful, everything is green from the rain we got last night too. Going walking tonight after work, really crampy this a.m. and decided to walk later today.

July 18


1 Corinthians 9:12
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.


Betty got so annoyed with Sarah. Sarah had lost so much weight, but whenever anyone asked her how she did it, she told them she couldn't have done it without God's help. That got old really fast. Why didn't she just take credit and let it go at that? Everything had to be a big spiritual production for Sarah! It's hard for some people to actually realize the power that Chris-tians find in Jesus Christ. They can't understand our gratitude and thankfulness. We are partakers in a great and wonderful power, and it is right for us to acknowledge the source of that power. Christ saves lives, and He liberates us from things like obesity that threaten to make life less than it was meant to be.
Today's thought: I will give thanks to God for His help in my diet!

July 18, 2005

A Brilliant Idea


Read:
2 Chronicles 16:1-13


Help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You. —2 Chronicles 14:11


Bible In One Year: Isaiah 34-36

An ancient Indonesian fable tells of a turtle that could fly. He would hold on to a stick with his mouth as it was carried by geese. When the turtle heard the onlookers on the ground saying, "Aren't those geese brilliant!" his pride was so hurt that he shouted, "It was my idea!" Of course he lost his grip. His pride became his downfall.

For 41 years, Asa was a strong and humble king. He brought peace and prosperity to the kingdom of Judah. During the early years of Asa's reign he prayed, "Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You" (2 Chronicles 14:11).

But toward the end of his reign, when the army of the northern kingdom of Israel confronted him, Asa sought help from the king of Syria instead of from God. Because of his foolishness, his rule weakened and his nation experienced wars. What went wrong? Proud of past achievements, Asa had forgotten to depend on the Lord, so the Lord was no longer showing "Himself strong" on Asa's behalf (16:9).

God is still looking for those who will allow Him to show Himself strong in their lives. Living a humble, God-dependent life is truly a brilliant idea! —Albert Lee


We must depend upon our God
With deep humility,
Lest pride should rob us of His strength
And bring futility. —D. De Haan

No one is stronger than the one who depends on God.

Hi all

Just wanted to thank you and let you know that Charlie had good news yesterday! His leg is healing from the inside and it's looking good. He has to take it easy still and has another check-up on the 29th, but things are looking up for him. I told him about your healing prayers and he said he felt it. Thank you all, God is so awesome!!

Sunny, I went back to LAWL, i hadn't been in awhile, was having trouble getting back on plan, but i'm back now, eating right, exercising, and going to WI 3x a week. I'm making small weekly goals and that's helping too.

It has been quiet lately???

Here are pictures of the "trails" I walk every morning with the dogs.



Here is a view of the house from the fence. As you can see, the grass isn't doing so well.

Gary -- what a beeyootifull house! Congratulations! I Wish I had trails like that to walk!!

SunnyD -- Thanks for the awesome siggy!! It's so adorable.

Amanda -- Hello! My name is Rachel, don't think we've met before So sorry to hear about your car accident! Thank the Lord that you are okay! Sounds like you've been pretty busy!

As for myself, this weekend was super busy. My martial arts studio had a competition in Lincoln spanning over the entire weekend. We won 11 medals, with 6 different competitiors in different sports such as fencing (foil, sabre, and epee), judo, and karate sparring. I'm very pleased with how our guys did!

I just got finished with my two main summer classes and (drum roll please) I got an A in both classes! My GPA is raised from a 3.0 to a 3.316! If I raise it to a 3.5 this next upcoming quarter, I'll be on the Dean's list. I'm going to try really hard!!

I've been doing good with working out and everything too. Today (I didn't W & M) I weighed myself on the scale after working out and I'm down to 157! That's good. I only have 22 - 27 more lbs depending on where I want to end up.

Anyways, hope you guys are doing well, talk to you all later....

<3 Rachel

You're right, it has been quiet around here lately. I guess sometimes I don't post because nothing much is happening around here. I do want you to know that I pray for you though.

My week at work is going well despite the fact we're less 3 staff. It's pretty slow so that really helps alot. I really prayed it would go well and so far it has. There's been some shifting of staff positions again so that means I get to do more training. Fortunately we've been hiring experienced staff so my job is a lot easier. It has been going a lot better than it has been. I really appreciate your prayers.

Gary: Your place is really lovely. How will you be able to leave it for the winter? Those paths really look inviting.

Rachel: WOW Great marks. You're doing awesome.

Michele: Great job on the weight loss. I'm like Sunny right now. I think I'm sitting in one spot for a bit. Hopefully not too long. Glad to hear Charlie's leg is healing and that there's nothing seriously wrong with it.

Sunny: That snooze sounds so inviting. Sometimes you just have to do that instead of go out. Our bodies let us know when we need to rest.

Canadianmickey: It sounds like you're going through so much right now. My prayers are with you and your DH that you will both find jobs you like and that He'll provide you with a home too. BTW, way to go on the weight loss. You're doing great!

Well, the inlaws are home so I better go. Have a great night!

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE!

It seems like since Saturday I've been running so much I'm dizzy!
Sunday we took Abbi to Bible Camp and it was nearly 3 hours to get there and of course the same home. It is a beautiful area of Missouri and I know she is having a great time! Neither she nor her mama cried, so that is good!

I've been running the other 3 littles to VBS, summer school and friends houses not to mention my oldest to work since his car is on the fritz - I'm a taxi driver!

GARY - Very nice house! Okay, NOW I get it! I wondered about where you were when you have Calif. by your name. We adopted our boys from northern Calif. and that's as far northwest as we've gone - I'd love to see Washington and Oregon one day though.

RACHEL - Hi, my name is Lori and I just turned 50 and am probably one of the crazier ones here! I have five kids ranging in age from 19 down to 7 and three of them are BOYS! I fell off my exercise bike one week and Saturday nearly sunk my dad's boat so I usually provide some levity!

AMANDA - I'm thankful you weren't hurt worse than you were in the accident! I will pray you and dh have less stress soon!

SUNNY - Yep dear, I got the instructions on posting but I suppose being 50 has clouded my brain somewhat! I still haven't figured it out, but will study on it some more! No bruises from the Titanic episode I'm happy to report! Where do you live? I sure can relate to that horrible humidity. With the Mississippi practically in our backyard it's just stifling. It's to hit 98 to 100 degrees Sat. and Sun. and I thank God for AC everyday - we didn't have it when I was a kid and I have no idea how we did that!

MICHELLE - Praise God Charlie is doing better!! \0/

I have a cousin who has a condo on Pensacola Beach and he's been kind enough to let us stay there a week every year. We were supposed to leave on August 13. Well, Ivan really did a number on the area, but it was still going to be okay to go. But............Dennis has all the electricity and services out and will probably not be ready by the 13th. So I think we will just go to the Lake of the Ozarks for a couple of days. It sure will save on gas $$$$ that's for sure -

Well, have a great day tomorrow!

HI GALS

I pray everyone is doing well today!

It is pretty here this morning in the Washington desert, only 78 right now but 100 is expected. My daughter's best friend is staying at our California house right now with her, my son and neice ~~ she lives in the Mesa area of Arizona...was almost 120 there last week-end ~~ she is loving our weather down there of high 60's low 70's at the moment! Actually, when I talked to my daughter last night, she said she was freezing at work ~~ she works very close to the beach in San Diego and they have had what they call a marine layer...cloud cover...however less than 15 miles away it is in the 90's...she freezes all day at work she says then thaws out on the 45 mile drive home

We went to WALLA~WALLA yesterday, don'tcha just love saying that It is a cute little town about 55 miles from us here...we were told it was artsy and craftsy...which it was...however we are spoiled being from our area of California....we have several places around us there much nicer...NOT COMPLAINING! just stating the facts It was a nice beautiful drive and we ate at a really cool deli called ~~ STONE SOUP ~~ I had half a reuben sandwich and potatoe soup...very good!

MICHELE I have a question for you? Did you ever listen to Vin Scully on the radio? or did/does anyone you know? If you did, have you ever heard the intro song to the Dodger broadcast...it says WALLA~WALLA in it...my wife, growing up in LA area has never heard it. I haven't been able to listen to the games since they took them off KFI years ago...the signal on the station now doesn't reach my area very well and I was just wondering if they still played that song.

AMAZING the things you think of when you got tooooo much time on your hands....spent most of the day yesterday trying to remember the "last" EAGLE in the band...thank goodness for the computer though...I knew he was from the JAMES GANG and his name had a J in it...but for 4 hours that is all I could get...until I punced in on GOOGLE and got JOE WALSH! of course!

The grass has greened up quite a bit since those pictures...there is an area in the back yard though that I think won't come back...the builder said he would replace the sod when another bunch comes in for the next house...it is weired here (strange for us anyway) here the city allows you to use irrigation water for free 6 days then off 6 days...well, after the sod was in the builder kept the yard watered, however, they had a really hot spell the 3 days that the city water wasn't running through the system...and he didn't hook it up to house water...so a section that, doesn't get enough water anyway, died out...we almost got it back. Typical new house problems...part of the yard gets way too much water, other parts not enough.

Glad to see your friend doing better...hope the meeting takes place as planned

Did you ever see C & C Factory? or did I miss that?

GRAPHIC GODDESS To be honest, I really liked C & C Factory...it isn't as cheesy as the original Willy Wonka...for me, it is one of those movies that I have mixed emotions about regarding kids...when you see it you will understand. I didn't read the book, I know there is an important part of the movie about Willy Wonka's dad that is not in the book...but I think it fits with the movie very well...you asked if it was dark...well, kinda, but not enough to worthy not seeing it...personally as I said, Angie, Ron and I liked it...however, if it came right down to it~~ I would watch the new one and show my grandkids the old one I would give the movie an 8...good story, wise guy humor, great acting by the entire cast, my favorite the little rich girl!, a ton of color and of course you know the ending ~~ OR DO YOU ...go see it, take Joe.

Thanks for the compliment on the wood floors, we just have it in the living room and hall, we had it installed because of the dogs...thinking it would be easier to clean than the carpet... stupid~stupid~stupid! It is amazing how much HAIR these golden retreiver's loose in a day! We are constantly seeing hair fly across the floor, I usually sweep once a day, Angie vacums every other day in the living room and Ron takes the dry mop around getting a bunch of it (mostly that is a game he plays with Rylee, getting her to chase him) but he still picks up a bunch. They sure are pretty though!

We do not have a basement...almost bought a house that did last November, but it was real close to the little airport and Angie didn't like the idea of planes flying so low over her.

Enjoy the recipe, it is a great meal for hot days...at least for our family, the kids are always requesting it, the flavors mix well together.

Stay cool !

RACHEL Great to see you back! You did so well in summer school...proud of you :cheer!

WILMA Glad to see work is going better! Continued prayers. How will I be able to leave the Washington house for the winter... ...oh yea, #1 My kids and Angie will be in California and those darn dogs and #2 IT GET'S COLD HERE!!! Have a great time with the in-laws.

MICKEY I am so sorry for your family struggles. I know it is rough now, but don't be surprised if God doesn't lead you to a better situation...it may take time..but as you already know..HE is going with you! Continued prayers for you.

LORI Still afloat? Washington and Oregon have some totally gorgeous areas...we don't live near those We are in the desert, there is beaty here though, God didn't forget this part of the world, just a little lazy that day Taxi driver huh, been there done that...and still doing that with the nephew...gotta go with the flow!

AMANDA Beautiful name! My daughter's name I forgot to mention that.

Well, I hope all is well with SUE and MYISHA on their trips over the pond as TEEL would call it. And I pray that all is well with TEEL on her trip and in her part of the country with the recent bombings. Missing SHERRY, SAMI, MARGIE too. SPROUT hope all is well with those kids and you. I am sure I missed somebody..if I did YELL at me I can take it!!

Well, need to do some chores around here before it gets too hot...enjoy your day~~ Gary