September 11th...

I remember that day, still.

My girlfriend Gina called at 6ish a.m. and said, "Turn on the T.V.!"

This is what I saw.

One of the Twin Towers was hit

and

the next one was about to be hit by the airplane in the background.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

It was as if I was watching a movie,

this was NOT real,

oh,

but it was.

I just remember tears streaming down my face.

I felt so helpless,

watching as people began jumping from the first tower that was hit.

As I remember it now, my stomach actually turns.

My eyes are watering, 

taking me back to that moment.

Pure EVIL in human form,

taking innocent people to their death on the airplane,

 death in the Towers,

death on the ground.

War,

on our ground.

And even though it was on the other side of the nation,

I felt as if I was there,

as many bystanders were watching,

horrified,

helpless,

hopeless.

Then, the 2nd plane hit.

Speechless.

More tears, 

weeping.

News of the 3rd plane,

heading towards the Pentagon.

Wait,

something happened.

EVIL was overtaken by GOOD.

The plan turned,

what happened?

Someone had the courage to step in and face that Evil.

Others joined

and although they all fell to their death,

many others were saved.

I just wanted to remember this day.

It changed our nation,

communities

and 

neighborhoods 

forever.

It changed me.

We are in a battle, friends.

A battle of Good and Evil that is

REAL.

And I'm glad that God is on my side.

God promises to bring something good

out of every heart break,

hurt,

loss.

We have hope in HIM.

I am so grateful to live in this beautiful county,

that was built on GOD.

What about you?

What are you grateful for today?

Be blessed-

First Day of School

First Day of School!

This picture was taken 4 years ago.

These pics were taken today.

Yup,

first day of school 

for my 3.

I will have one child in 

Elementary School,

one child in 

Middle School,

and one child in

High School.

Crazy, yes?

Yes.

Crazy and blessed,

I am blessed beyond measure.

Thank you, God, for the blessing of children.

Thank you for their laughter and tears,

their mistakes and their successes,

their joy and their sorrows.

Thank you for giving me the 3 children that I needed

in order to grow to be more like YOU.

They teach me lessons everyday about myself,

about what I need to work on,

improve on,

grow in.

Our children are gifts from God,

specifically placed in our lives to teach us how to be more like God.

I've learned how to fully love someone, without expecting anything in return.

I've learned patience,

gentleness,

and

how to communicate in different ways.

I've also learned that I'm not so different than my children.

Like them,

I want to be loved,

appreciated,

and

acknowledged.

I want to have 
fun,

laugh,

tickle,

sing,

and

be a part of something bigger,

like a family,
God's family.

If you have children, 

what have you learned from them?

How are you similar to your child/ren?

Give your kid a BIG HUG today!

Happy Hump Day!

Love Powered Parenting

I'm super excited that we started this bible study last night!

1 video,

4 couples,

8 books,

11 children,

&

15 individuals

to be blessed!

We watched our first video lesson tonight with Tom and Chaundel.

So insightful

and

very practical!

Week 1: The Power of Priorities

Key Verse: "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ"

Galatians 6:2

Focus: The need for accountability in order to live out our priorities.

There are kinds of accountability we all need:

To God,

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

2Corinthians 5:10

to others 

"Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2

&

to ourselves.

"Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Ephesians 5:15-16

Maybe there's a reason for some accountability!

Do you have a friend that you can share happiness and tears with regarding your children?

If not, can I be someone who can pray for you?

Remember,

God created us to be in community!

You are NOT in this alone!

Do you have a friend that you can share happiness and tears with regarding your children?

If not, can I be someone who can pray for you?

Have a wonderful weekend!

What is it about Costco?

Ok- What is it about Costco?

I went to Costco yesterday with my full intention of purchasing the items that I had on my list...and ONLY those items on my list.

I get there, and I'm not kidding, I feel like I'm at a Sale or something!

I LOSE CONTROL!!!!

Can anyone relate?

On the outside, I'm calm, cool and collect and on the inside, I'm like,
"What do I need, do I need some of those, do I need more of this, oh my gosh, what a good price, I've got to get that!" (repeating in my mind at light speed!)

Here is what I had on my list:

Fruit (it's healthy, we all eat a ton)
chicken (it's healthy, we all eat a ton)
trash bags
pizza (for mom's night out)
romaine lettuce (it's healthy and I eat a ton)

Here is what I purchased IN ADDITION to my list:

cute shirt for my daughter (only $10.00 for a brand name!)
cute shirt for my husband (only $15.00 but said he didn't like the color-too feme, but still cute)
cute shirt for me (only $10.00 for guess what, a brand name and excellent quality well worth over the $10.00!!!!!!!)

kids sour vitamins (we actually needed these)
kids fruit snack ( made with real fruit....but did we need 74?)
6 pack cans of soup ( weird thing, I like to have cans in the garage in case we someday DO go to war or get invaded by aliens or have THAT earthquake they've said is coming)

Do you overspend at Costco?
Do you ever feel like it's a frenzy in there?

Being in Costco is almost like having a drug induced episode (though I've never had one, I guess this is what I imagine it would be like?)

You go in and come out with things in your basket that you don't remember putting in, everything was a blur and all of a sudden you are in front of your car....

Maybe it's because I think I'm getting a totally awesome discount by shopping there?

Maybe it's because their drinks only cost .59 cents?
Maybe it's because I can feed three half-starving children for less than $2.00 each!!! Seriously!
Maybe it's because you can actually have lunch for FREEEEE by snacking at all their sample stations!
Maybe it's because you feel like part of an elite group when you are shopping there?

(Yes, I have a gold card- ha ha!)

Do you think God wants me to pray about where and how I'm spending money?
Well, it is HIS money, isn't it?

What about praying for self-control when going into the out-of-control zone?

What about praying for wisdom on what to purchase?

What about praying for peace, so that I don't do or buy anything to fill that gap I may have in my heart and ...Let HIS peace fill it...

I know this may sound silly, but I really believe God wants us relying on him for strength, wisdom, peace and self-control.
I believe that HE wants us to rely on HIM for even MORE, but you and I have a choice every moment of every day to say "YES" to the Lord or "NO!"

When I do rely on HIM more, I'm more like HIM. I make choices HE would make and, have the kind of self-control, wisdom and peace that HE would have.

Just for today~

Ask the Lord to give you wisdom as you make choices and decisions for your family.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7

I love those who love me and those who seek me, find me.

Proverbs 8:17

Ask the Lord for self-control in spending, eating, maybe even your tongue.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Romans 8:26

For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of LOVE and of sound mind.

2 Timothy 1-7

Ask the Lord for peace as you go on with your day, to be in the moment, fully engaged with the day!
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

On the journey with you~

Janet