Needing Rest

I'm tired. Life is coming at me hard and fast these days. I'm heading to bed soon...but there is a post in me somewhere that needs to be let free.

My nephew Josh is serving on a mission team in Calcutta, India. He has been there since August and he has six more weeks to go before he comes home. His mom is already planning the welcome home party. He is a remarkable young man and I am so proud of the work he is doing there...working with dying hospice patients...making their last days a little more bearable. He posted yesterday that he is sick and weary...and homesick.

I received an email yesterday from a woman who works with a non-profit Christian group in northern Mississippi. She told about a couple that came in for help. They just moved to that area a few months ago from Tennessee for a job. Before the husband could get health insurance, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he is having seizures from the medicine he must take. They have three small children and a fourth one due in December. The woman told how sweet and appreciative they were about everything she shared with them. She said that they cried as they told her that things are so hard for them right now, but they are believing that God will take care of them...somehow.

Life comes hard and fast to most people...at one time or another. My comment to my nephew's blog was to tell him to crawl up in our Father's lap and let Him love on him for a while. That is good advice for all of us.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)

Guess what? The invitation is still open.

Rest in Him.

Limping Through Life

I broke a toe last week. You just can't imagine that a tiny little bone could hurt so much...oh...but it does! I'm limping through life these days. When I was thinking about that tonight, I wondered just how long I've been "limping through" other areas of my life.

In Sunday School this week, a lady who was sharing the lesson told us about something that Max Lucado had written. It had to do with life being like an ice cream sundae...and how we shouldn't complain if there isn't a cherry on top...it's still an ice cream sundae. That struck a chord in me. It's so easy to look for what's wrong. I'm trying to shift my focus to all the things that are right...and to be thankful.

So...here's to cherry-less sundaes...and may we all learn to enjoy despite the fact that it might not be perfect.

Here's Why...

I came across an excellent article today that discusses why Christians should ask God before allowing their children to celebrate Halloween. Here is the link if you want to know more: http://www.christian-mommies.com/special-features/bible-studies/why-we-dont-celebrate-halloween/#keepreading

A New Phase

It seems that I am beginning a new phase of my life...that of being a work-at-home mom. Over the last few weeks, I have been fortunate to find work as a bookkeeper from three different sources...most of which I can do from home. This is exciting for me because the extra income will help us tremendously. Also, the work is helping me to keep my mind sharp.

The Move

This quote came in my email this morning...kind of makes you think, huh?

"In order for God to take you to another place, He must first move you from where you are. The move often seems like disaster, but it's only the creaking and groaning of a reluctant door." ~Pastor Bonner http://www.mountainwings.com/

Baby Girl Is Stylin'

Just had to show off BK's new backpack. I ordered it from eBay, but the seller lives in-state...and she is very nice. Her website is: http://embroideryandmore.org/

Comments Welcome

I just wanted to let you know that I have enabled my comments section to accept anonymous comments, so you don't have to have an account to leave a comment. I do still have to approve them before they post, so please be nice. : ) Also, please leave your first name so I'll know who you are. I would love to know your thoughts on the things I share.

Downgrading

Today is the day. We are scheduled to have our expanded cable downgraded to limited basic. That means we will only be getting local channels...and a few more thrown in for good measure. We are doing this for financial reasons...$55 verses $15 per month. We are also doing it for other reasons...including the fact that much of what is on TV these days is just garbage.

If I had friends that wanted to have casual sex, spout profanity, and commit random acts of violence...all in my living room...needless to say that they wouldn't be invited over very often. But we think nothing of inviting our "TV friends" into our homes every night...doing the same things. I am not a prude, but I do have standards that I want to teach my daughter...and to be honest, most of what is on prime-time television does not meet those standards. BK is at an age that she takes everything in like a sponge. What I sometimes forget is that we all take things in. Everything that we see and hear becomes a part of us...changing us. It may not seem like that is true, but it is. Television is the means that society uses to mold and shape us to its image...transforming us one episode at a time.

So, we have taken the first step to showing some of our "friends" to the front door. Now we just need to learn to use the OFF button on the TV remote more often. I have more than enough life to fill up my waking hours without TV. I might actually get a book read...or my house cleaned. : )

Try, Try Again

“Brett Favre, the lion-hearted quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, is one of my favorite players in the National Football League. He’s courageous and tough-minded, showing a rare grace under pressure, yet his boyish enthusiasm for the game is infectious as he celebrates each Packer success. A couple of Sundays ago (Sept. 30), Brett threw a pass that set a new record: the most touchdown passes by an NFL quarterback – 421. In surprising contrast, the very next week (Oct. 8) Brett tied another record: the most interceptions thrown by an NFL quarterback – 277. The most touchdown passes and the most interceptions! It reminds me that there was a time when Babe Ruth, the baseball player who was one of the greatest hitters in the game, owned two records simultaneously: the most home runs hit in a career as well as the most strike-outs in a career.” Making Points With God, written by Jon Walker

This came in an email to me tonight. Although I do not follow sports at all, I found this article very interesting. It seems that those with the greatest successes probably have the greatest failures as well...that is just a part of life. I can't tell you how many times I have been frozen into inactivity because of fear of failure. Stories such as these serve as a reminder that to be successful in life, we must risk failure...and no matter how bad it looks...it ain't over till it's over.

Homekeeping 101

Here is another great web resource for homemakers: http://www.christian-homemaking.com/catagories/homekeeping.htm

You can sign up for a free e-newsletter too.

Great Group For Moms

If you are a mom and live in Mississippi...or ever lived here...there is a great online website that you should check out: Mississippi Mom's Connection http://www.mississippi-moms.com

I have been a member since earlier this year and I have met some great moms. Most are young enough to be my daughters, but they welcomed me on board and even made me a moderator. The forum is great fun. We post messages about everything from advice for new moms...to money saving ideas...new recipes...sharing prayer requests...chit-chat about our favorite TV shows...and everything in between. We try to have a Mom's Night Out once a month and a quarterly Meet & Greet, which is open to all members and their families.

Come join us and see what all the excitement is about...and tell them that Deidra sent you. : )

Breathing Easier

I took my mid-term exam last night for my online Sociology class and made a 94. I'm happy with that...I have managed to still maintain a 4.0 overall average, so I didn't want to mess that up. Yesterday I FINALLY finished my second essay that I have been working on for weeks now...in between working my new part-time job and running after a toddler. I going to be scrapbooking with friends tonight. Today...life is good. : )

Wonder Where She Heard That?

BK was playing with her toy computer one day this week. I asked her to do something and she said, "Hold on...I have to check my email."

This little girl cracks me up.

Passing Along The Smiles

My friend Elysa bestowed my very first blog award this week, the YOU MAKE ME SMILE AWARD. The creator of the award says:

"The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell, and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with. I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose ten bloggers. Please grab your badge and wear it (with a smile) proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you. So, now it is my turn to pass it on."

I just have a few blogs in my Favorites folder, as I am kind of new to all of this. I check in on them every couple of days to see what's new...although there are a few that I find myself gravitating to more regularly than others. After Elysa gave me this award, I found myself thinking about which blogs make me smile...and I realized that my favorites not only make me smile...but they also make me cry...and feel encouraged...and be inspired...in short, the writers enrich my life greatly...each by sharing a little piece of their life with me. I want to share my list of folks to whom I am passing on the YOU MAKE ME SMILE AWARD:

Leslie at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen/
Leslie is the mother of six wonderful children. The youngest one has Down's Syndrome and she is such a beautiful baby girl. Leslie shares her heart in her blog, telling of her incredible journey of faith as she faces trials and heartaches along the way...never failing to give God praise, even when her heart is threatening to break. I do not know Leslie, and probably never will, but she has touched my life in ways that she will never know.

Elysa at http://elysasmusingsfromgraceland.blogspot.com/
I don't know what protocol is for giving back the same award that has been given to me, but I cannot leave her off my list. Elysa homeschools her seven super-sweet and smart children and always has something great to share from their adventures. She also loves Jesus and has a passion to share His love with others. I know Elysa IRL (in real life) and she is as genuine and funny and loving as she is on her blog. I am so very thankful for her friendship...and for her blog that helps me feel connected to her even when we don't see each other regularly.

Suzanne at http://dearreader.typepad.com/dear/2007/10/dear-reader-c-2.html
Suzanne captures the events in life in a hilarious way that is so specially unique to her. She encourages me to read...and to just enjoy life. I hardly ever leave her blog without a smile on my face.

Barbie Bassett at http://www.barbiebassett.blogspot.com/
My family has watched Barbie on WLBT for years...inviting her into our home via the evening news. I have just recently discovered her blog and I'm hooked. Barbie is funny and wise. She loves God and always has a good word to share.

Heather at http://madamerubies.com/blog/?page_id=212
Heather lives locally, but I have not met her…yet. I have been reading her blog for a couple of months now and her insights on life have challenged and inspired me…often challenging my assumptions and causing me to think outside of the box.

So there is my list of my award winners. I hope you will take a minute to check out their blogs and see if you agree with me about how special these women are.