Happy 100th Post to me!!

WOW it’s been great. Blogging has become something I really enjoy doing. I’ve met some amazing people along the way and have stayed connected to some of my very favorite people in the whole wide world through it.
So it looks like this will be 100 things you might not know about me. Truth is if you read this blog you basically know me pretty well but let’s get started. Sorry god’s girl if it doesn’t stay short and sweet. The order will be all over the place so don’t try to read into the order ;0)

- I was born in Pennsylvania
-Never knew my bio-dad -he left my mom and i
-I have 4 or 5 siblings that I don’t know. Not even sure if I ever met them. - they belong to my bio dad
-I have lived in Tennessee
-I have lived in Montana
-I have lived 80% of my life here in Cali
-I am terribly shy – YES I AM it’s my list!!!
-I love to have my toes popped – my husband is grossed out by feet so he won’t do it for me:0(
-I get hurt by people who chose to stay in their wrong way of life and won’t choose the harder more freeing way with Jesus.
-I really did believe I would lose the 72lbs I gained during pregnancy. WHATEVER! – yes you read that right 72
-I met my husband while cocktailing. – o how God redeems
-I pray over my husband and son every single day

-I already have my eye on a little girl that I believe could grow up and win the heart of my son. He doesn’t have a clue and we are going to keep it that way.
-I was kicked out of my house when I was 15 and still went to school and got a scholarship.
-I am so very quiet and calm in my home.
-I read all the time.
-I love watching my son do anything – okay not throw a fit!
-I hate to drive and only got my drivers license because I got a ticket the first day of college parking my friend’s car.
-I really do still get butterflies in my belly when Bobby walks in the room after being gone.
-I really do believe I have the bestest husband in the whole world.
-I often go shopping and get bored and put all the stuff back. – Tammy understands that one.
-I miss my family all the time and chose to disconnect because it’s better than being sad. yes I’m aware that this is not true but let me live in my place of denial.
-I went to college for 6 years and never graduated.
-I love vinegar
-I hate candy
-I love chocolate
-I get nauseated after chewing gum for anything longer than 15 min. started during pregnancy 11years ago and never left.
-If the base boards in my bathroom are cleaned than I believe my house is cleaned – regardless of how the rest of the house looks.
-I love TV – Lost, SO You Think You Can Dance, Idol, are my favs.
-I tape the first 25 min. of the View everyday – I love the debates.
-I have emailed the View more times than I should ever admit – arguing my point of view – I think they should have me on there as a reg. guest host.
-I believe if you do not vote than you never ever ever have permission to have an opinion.
-I bang my leg almost all night long – due to RLS
-I am an amazing choreographer in my head.
-I love to cook but have a family that does not like to eat. No it’s not because of my cookin’
-I make my dog Geoffrey’s food for him. It’s completely the healthiest and is a ¼ of the price.If you want the recipe I’ll give it to you.
-I am energized by people. I could be completely out of it and I get on the phone or see a friend and within minutes I’m going 100mph.
-I love to laugh and believe that I am funny.
-My husband does not think I am funny
-My husband is wrong!!! – One of maybe 2 faults he actually has.
-I never wanted only 1 child.
-I wasn’t supposed to be able to have kids. – Thank you Jesus for proving them wrong.
-I have been healed a couple of times in big ways by the Lord.
A serious liver condition
Surgery to remove my dead ovary - at pre-op they saw it was perfectly healthy –surgery cancelled.
PRAISE TO MY JEHOVAH RAPHA
-I never read rhyming books to Aaron – one of the reasons he is not a strong reader.
-I have a hitch hiking toe – just ask god’s girl.
-I was once a very good softball player
-I was once a good high diver
-I played the accordion – not for very long but I played - it may have been 1 or 2 practices
-I am a world class jacks player – okay maybe not so much anymore
-I really do not have a favorite color – I love them ALL
-I have not drank soda for 1 ½ years
-I never liked white baby dolls when I was little – I wanted black ones and they were not easy to come by way back then.
-I wanted to marry Michael Jackson (back when he was black) (The Wall)
-I have always been a huge U2 fan. Bono was my white boy rock star crush
-I was and still am Daddy’s little girl!!!!!!!!!!!
-I love shopping on HSN & QVC
-I love great quality 500 count sheets
-I love love love sheep – I collect them but let me tell you it is very hard to find ones that do not look like cartoon characters. What is the problem in the Christian Biz world that they can’t make sheep??????????
-God speaks to me all the time in the everyday sort of things – here is the silly way today. I bought some Lysol, new scent – okay it stinks to high heaven – so gross - I was frustrated because I knew I couldn’t take it back – it still will do the same great job that my other scent does. Then He said “just like the difficult person in your life right now. She will be used by Me to the same effectiveness as you”
-When I’m at a concert – I’m rocking out like I’m 16 again – just ask Steph – no one hit it harder than her and I at TobyMac
-My heart breaks that Bobby’s family doesn’t have any idea how completely amazing he is.
-At Starbucks I only buy Venti passion tea / no water added / 2 splenda / shaken.
-My favorite way to eat a bagel is: Poppy seed toasted well butter cream cheese and Dijon mustard
-My favorite meat is swordfish!!!!! Grilled with lots of garlic butter and lemon
-Favorite veggie – this one is hard I love so many but I enjoy a large artichoke boiled in chix broth / then cut in half, broiled with butter, peppercorn. Dipped in mayo, Dijon, peppercorn dip.
-favorite dessert – cheese cake with anything on it
-Favorite Woman Bible Teacher is Margaret Ashmore - she is so anointed
-Favorite Man Bible teacher – this one is hard – it changes a lot – I would have to say it’s a toss up between Jon Coursen and James McDonald
-If I could only go to one concert for the rest of my life I would pick Jeremy Camp
-My favorite Book of the Bible is Nehemiah
-I sleep with a fan, even when it’s cold
-I will be voting for McCain – even thought I believe he just ended any chance of wining with his choice of VP. I do not believe that the American Republican Party will be able to see Sarah Palin as a viable president. If something were to happen to McCain. It’s a great thing our Lord is SOVEREIGN!
-my drivers license state that I am 140lbs HAHAHHAHAH ROTFL HAHAHAHAHAH
-My Favorite season is Fall
-My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving
-I believe I make the best turkey in the world. The secret is packing real butter and herbs under all the skin.
-making this list took me a long time
-I love to sit back and watch people interact with each other. (be that fly on the wall)
-Every time I get in an airplane I assume that I just might die.
-When I talk on the phone I am so productive cleaning my house.
-I have very vivid memories as early as 3 yrs old.
-If there is a mess anywhere in my home it can only belong to me, both my boys are neat freaks and I haven’t ever had to pick up after them – did you just grunt???
-I set Bobby up all the time to fill my gas tank up – of course he knows but I have fun being all apologetic about it.
-If someone was to pay for me to go anywhere right now – I would choose Alabama to see my sis – I really miss her.
-if I could have one plastic surgery I would chose my girls to be put where the good Lord intended for them to be – bobby would never ever ever allow it so I guess they get to stay in South Beach the rest of their lives.
-I love to crochet and I make scarves for people and pray for them while making the scarf. “wrapped in prayer”
-I do not like flower scented lotions, perfumes or candles.
-I can not wear perfume – it all turns to smelling like bug spray on me.
-I work for my church staffing the janitorial
-I serve on a leadership team for our churches home school group
-I serve on a leadership team for children’s ministry
-I serve because I can’t imagine not getting to do things for my Jesus
-Having to learn true forgiveness without being apologized to is one of the greatest trials my Lord has used to draw me so very close to His heart and to teach me the power of breaking free of bondage – so regardless of how horrific the situation was I praise My Jesus continually for using it greatly in my life.
-I love to pray to go to that place of God showing me what’s on His heart.
-I could live in flip flops forever
-I am so very gray - thank you Jesus for steph who keeps me blond, red, brown and any other color we decide to mix in.
-I love my Geoffrey so much – I never thought I could love a dog this much – thank you steph
-I am a Steeler fan
-I am a Red Sox fan cause it makes aaron mad ;0)
-I am a Suns fan


If you made it this far – sorry not so interesting – I never could get on a role – it was hard

can you name them?

My Sweepstakes winners

the man in the back is actually Reggie Jackson

no the girl in the middle is not me - she's the prize presenter

doggie heaven

so this is our very old friend Larry - he was visiting us for 5 days - he is the sweetest old dog ever and we sure enjoyed having him - now Geoffrey on the other hand - we'll let's just say the two of them had to set some strong boundaries for one another - it's was pretty funny - Larry's the kind of dog where you can almost see the think bubbles above his head - you know what i mean :0)

aaron and geoffrey doing what they do best - aren't they sweet!

a visit to az

they really do like each other - silly little things
this really says it all - i so love these kids
dancing so this is josh at his basketball game - actually this is josh playing basketball - notice the hands - this is what he did the entire game and could care less what anyone wanted him to do - at least we don't have to worry about him being a follower hehehe
with his team

Inductive Study - what and how

Let me preface this by saying this is my way. Not the only way. I am at all not the authority or expert on this at all. I just know what I have grown to love and what works for me.

Inductive Bible Study For Life Application.
This is a way of studying the Word of God verse by verse looking at what God is speaking to your heart and getting application and coming up with practical steps for yourself so you can grow in that area God is speaking to you about. Other studies are awesome and used greatly by God, are typically, of course, being written with the authors learning style and their own ‘rabbit trials’. Please know that I think other studies are good and absolutely of God. This is just what currently works best in my life.
I typically don’t use commentaries unless I am completely stumped then I will use one as a spring board to prompt a thought in my head. I believe that commentaries are great tools. The reason I don’t use them much is because I get lazy, that’s all. I like looking up words in the original language this always brings a deeper understanding of what God is saying. So the great news is there really isn’t a wrong answer, except if you come up with some heresy ;0).

Here are the 3 step:
Step 1
Getting Started. Get your Bible and find a comfortable, quiet place to read. Always begin your Bible reading by praying and asking God to calm your heart, focus your thoughts and ask God to help you see what He has for you in His Word. I will often even ask God to speak to me about something I am specifically seeking Him on at the time.

‘Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your Law’ – Psalm 119:18

The first day read the entire Chapter so you are seeing it in context.
It is always best to read the passage 2-3 times.

Briefly describe in your own words what you have read. Think about if you were sitting with a friend and telling them what you read, what would you say?
Or you can simply write the verses as you see it word per word ( this is currently how I am doing it) from your Bible. If while you are writing something seems to stir in you with one of those hhuummm moments then highlight it. That is possibly God getting ready to speak to you. You will go back later and look at the very thing you highlighted.

Step 2
Observation – What do I see? (Spiritual lesson)
Read the verses and write what you see. – Who? What? When? Where? Is there a command? Is there a promise? Is there a correction? Who is mentioned and what are they doing? What is happening now to the character? How do the main characters respond to their situation? Is this a response that honors God or dishonors God?

Step 3
Application – How does it apply to me? Does this show me how I should act? How I should not act? How will I apply it to my life? It’s good to write the steps you will take to accomplish what God is putting on your heart. Often we are seeing something that needs to be changed in us and the best way to do that is by writing practical steps in accomplishing that change.



That’s it, that’s all there really is to it.

We all process differently and there is no right or wrong. I get off on rabbit trails. I might see a word that stirs me and I’ll go off on a whole study on that word.

Others can see the simplicity of the lesson and are moved by it. Remember it’s all about learning styles - not one getting more than the other / better or worse. I have been in studies for many years seeing women become defeated because some of us fill up 2 pages for 1 simple truth. They may have 3-4 sentences for the exact same thing. This is learning processing style. Please don’t let the enemy rip you off thinking anything differently. He is a LIER!!!

I pray you all will pray about incorporating this in to your walk with Jesus. I promise you will never ever regret it. There are many thing s that Inductive has brought to my walk but one I will share is the ability to give an account for the things I do or don’t do . To be able to tell people how God through His Word guides me in the things I do in my life has kept me from going down wrong paths many times. Not that they were wrong. They just were not what He was calling me to. The feeling of knowing that the God of the universe has taken the time to speak to my heart about anything is humbling and complete joy all rolled into one.
Sorry so long you can see this is very dear to my heart.

I will post an example later.

Keep chasing righteousness!!!

perspective - we all need a little this day

this is really good - i bet you can't help but be thankful by the end of this :0)


Dear Ann Landers: I hope you will print something a friend in Australia sent me.I think it's perfect to run on Thanksgiving. -- Bee in Fairfax, Va.
Dear Bee: Please send my best wishes and warm thanks to your friend in Australia. Here's the thoughtful piece she sent:
Things to Be Thankful For
· Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat.
· Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends.
· Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means you're employed.
· Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home.
· Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.
· Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.
· Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk.
· Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church, because it means you can hear.
· Be thankful when people complain about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.
· Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means you're alive.

7 more

so i see i have only 7 more post to make that big 100 mark - i guess i better start thinking of what that post might be - so let me ask you what would you like to read on my 100 post. Don't be shy please give me your advice - i just might take your challenge

back to school

So today was the first day back to school. For most of you Moms you rejoice at this time. Well, for me a homeschooling Mom not so much. It amazes me that even after 5 years of home schooling it's still not my cup of tea. I love the planning but the actual teaching , not really my thing. I suppose it sure doesn't help that Aaron really could care a less about learning. This in and of it's self is very painful for me. We all want our children' to be brilliant and to apply themselves. Well, that's not my son. I know it's in there, in him, I see it. We just haven't watched it gorw yet. I am thankful that he will do the work. He's just not really interested. Before you comment, yes I can see the pattern here between him and I, I'm no dummy. Well enough of what seems like the negative. The truth is I am so very thankful that I have this choice to school my son this way. I have amazing support. Most importantly I have the Lord telling me that for now this is His choice for Aaron. So this is what we do. I won't go into all the reason for that because trust me you really do not want to hear them. I'm being obedient to my Lord and thanking my husband for his support. Some days are good days and some not at all. But tonight in closing I pray that this will be the year that Aaron gets a spark for learning but no matter what this year entails I know who is in charge and in whom my trust is so guess what
I'M A WINNER!!!!!!

you may not want to read this - just letting you know up front

Proud people focus on the failures of others.Broken people are overwhelmed with a sense of their own spiritual need.
Proud people have a critical, fault-finding spirit; they look at everyone else’s faults with a microscope but their own with a telescope.Broken people are compassionate; they can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven.
Proud people are self-righteous; they look down on others.Broken people esteem all others better than themselves.
Proud people have an independent, self-sufficient spirit.Broken people have a dependent spirit; they recognize their need for others.
Proud people have to prove that they are right.Broken people are willing to yield the right to be right.
Proud people claim rights; they have a demanding spirit.Broken people yield their rights; they have a meek spirit.
Proud people are self-protective of their time, their rights, and their reputation.Broken people are self-denying.
Proud people desire to be served.Broken people are motivated to serve others.
Proud people desire to be a success.Broken people are motivated to be faithful and to make others a success.
Proud people desire self-advancement.Broken people desire to promote others.
Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated.Broken people have a sense of their own unworthiness; they are thrilled that God would use them at all.
Proud people are wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked.Broken people are eager for others to get the credit; they rejoice when others are lifted up.
Proud people have a subconscious feeling, “This ministry/church is privileged to have me and my gifts”; they think of what they can do for God.Broken people’s heart attitude is, “I don’t deserve to have a part in any ministry”; they know that they have nothing to offer God except the life of Jesus flowing through their broken lives.
Proud people feel confident in how much they know.Broken people are humbled by how very much they have to learn.
Proud people are self-conscious.Broken people are not concerned with self at all.
Proud people keep others at arms’ length.Broken people are willing to risk getting close to others and to take risks of loving intimately.
Proud people are quick to blame others.Broken people accept personal responsibility and can see where they are wrong in a situation.
Proud people are unapproachable or defensive when criticized.Broken people receive criticism with a humble, open spirit.
Proud people are concerned with being respectable, with what others think; they work to protect their own image and reputation.Broken people are concerned with being real; what matters to them is not what others think but what God knows; they are willing to die to their own reputation.
Proud people find it difficult to share their spiritual need with others.Broken people are willing to be open and transparent with others as God directs.
Proud people want to be sure that no one finds out when they have sinned; their instinct is to cover up.Broken people, once broken, don’t care who knows or who finds out; they are willing to be exposed because they have nothing to lose.
Proud people have a hard time saying, “I was wrong; will you please forgive me?”Broken people are quick to admit failure and to seek forgiveness when necessary.
Proud people tend to deal in generalities when confessing sin.Broken people are able to acknowledge specifics when confessing their sin.
Proud people are concerned about the consequences of their sin.Broken people are grieved over the cause, the root of their sin.
Proud people are remorseful over their sin, sorry that they got found out or caught.Broken people are truly, genuinely repentant over their sin, evidenced in the fact that they forsake that sin.
Proud people wait for the other to come and ask forgiveness when there is a misunderstanding or conflict in a relationship.Broken people take the initiative to be reconciled when there is misunderstanding or conflict in relationships; they race to the cross; they see if they can get there first, no matter how wrong the other may have been.
Proud people compare themselves with others and feel worthy of honor.Broken people compare themselves to the holiness of God and feel a desperate need for His mercy.
Proud people are blind to their true heart condition.Broken people walk in the light.
Proud people don’t think they have anything to repent of.Broken people realize they have need of a continual heart attitude of repentance.
Proud people don’t think they need revival, but they are sure that everyone else does.Broken people continually sense their need for a fresh encounter with God and for a fresh filling of His Holy Spirit.

© Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com Info@ReviveOurHearts.com

21- day prayer and fast

our church continually does the 21 day prayer and fast, each time with a different focus - i received this email from a very dear friend that i am in leadership with:

Hi Ladies,

Prayer Ministries is planning another 21 Days starting this Sunday, 8/17 through Saturday, 9/06. If you’re not familiar with 21 Days, it’s a call to commit to pray and fast for 21 Days with a specific theme in mind.

The theme for this 21 Days will be New Life and Growth in Christ.

The verse for the focus: “I am the vine, you are the branches; He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Please pray about joining me for 21 Days. If you have not yet experienced the incredible intimacy with the Lord that comes through fasting and prayer, you will be in for a real blessing. The Enemy does not want people to know the power of fasting and prayer!

Fasting means denying our flesh, so pray about what God would want you to give up. He usually shows me very clearly the areas my flesh is struggling with. It might be food, or the computer, or sweets, or sleep, or even complaining words! It might be a combination of things. Ask the Lord, and He will be faithful to show you.

I would also encourage you to start out with a specific prayer list in mind. List specific people, situations, marriages, etc. to pray over the 21 Days. The New Life theme and verse fits every situation in such a beautiful way.

If you’re up for the challenge or have questions, please email me and let me know. What a blessing it will be to encourage one another and hold each other accountable.

so i knew the Lord was calling me to this - as i've talked about before this is an area that most of us are pretty immature in - my simple take on this is that it is one of the most powerful offensive weapons we have over the enemy and it is an 'of course' as to why he keeps us blinded to the power of it - and yet time and time again we are showed examples of prayer and fasting in the word, not to mention the command to do it !- - okay, so anyway i am of course being compelled to join this 21 day prayer & fast - i decided to post my response so as to prayerfully keep me more accountable.

I know God is calling me to this, so yes i'm in - i know that i will be fasting from: eating past 7pm - this is a huge sacrifice for me that has many fleshly issues, physical and emotional, wrapped up in it - it was the first thing that came to mind - the 2nd thing i believe i need to fast from is a behavior of feeding in to the negative of what tear people down that are being negative - let me try to explain: sitting in the office and someone walks in all fired up and nasty attitude a bit over the top - how easy it is to be annoyed and buy into the sess pool of Satan's deception, instead of seeing the situation as Jesus would - they are hurting, frustrated, overwhelmed with something else more personal in their life and they need us to come along side of them and extend grace and love - give them that cup of water - it's so easy when we are busy about our work to buy into the lies - we take things personally when most of the time it has nothing to do with us - i am so very thankful that the Lord has opened my eyes to this ugly thing and has shown me my own fault in participating - how i want this purged from my life - yuck that was vulnerable!

remember - keep chasing righteousness!!! - susan

maybe if anyone reads this post they too might be compelled by the Lord to start their own 21 day prayer & fast - don't think you're getting off so easy ;0)

back and forth to arizona

I just spent 5 days in Arizona to watch my kiddos while Tam and Bri headed to Colorado for their anniversary - 10 years wow it seems like yesterday - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ! - anyway, i had such an unexpected sweet time there in so many ways - i was blessed beyond blessed to do a worship workshop for the CM worship team - I pray my words and encouragement were nuggets from our Jesus and that it can be used to add to the foundation He is laying out there - what a great group of people - it felt like home to me - i love seeing the work of God in other places - who am i kiddin' i just plain love seeing the work of My God!!! - thank you Jesus for that fun time - catching up with friends was a treat - God is doing this great work out there and of course it comes at a cost DIEING TO SELF & SACRIFICE but what an encouragement it was for me - God would clearly show me the bigger picture and why the hard stuff and it blessed my socks off not only for them out there but for all that I am dealing with out here - PERSPECTIVE isn't that always it - if we could always just get our eyes off of the circumstances of how we feel going through something we would be able to see that we are living those amazing stories we read in His Word - I had some sweet encouragement on prayer while I was there as well - a few things that I have kept tight in prayer for a long long time and God chose to show me how He is working in it and answering it - GOSH that was one of those scream out loud HALLELUJAH moments - so of course I am encouraged to keep praying, IT WORKS! - my time with hannie and josh was great - they kept me going - kept me laughing - i even played - yes it's true, i played - someone must have been praying for that ;0) - they are growing up so fast - where does the time go - i really cut myself off from everything back home (except my boys of course) while i was gone - barely talked to anyone - it was unintentional but so needed without even realizing it - God really needed to get hold of my head and clear it up - thank you Jesus - - and speaking of my boys, good grief they partied the whole time i was gone - i don't think they ever slept - paintball in the middle of the night, golf a few hours later, back to paintballing and so on and so on - o and let me say buying stuff alot of stuff, i guess we won the lottery while i was gone - i'm waiting for my portion!!! nahh!! i got mine in arizona xoxoxoxo

Empty Me

last night after 'k' group, we had our intersession prayer time~ this is always such a perfect ending to a great night~ and always lites the fire under me to continue praying for each of the ladies - few stay but it is always so rich and rewarding in ways that are hard to explain~ Lori had gotten this picture recently in seeking a desire for the greater working of the Holy Spirit~ a piece of PVC pipe and the Father has a pitcher of water(Holy Spirit) that He is pouring it into the pipe - there is this big sponge in the center of it that is soaking up the water, so on the other side of the sponge it is just dripping through, one little drop at a time~ you see the sponge is self and we have to be emptied of self before experiencing the complete work of the Holy Spirit~~~ during prayer time I layed there in this place of conviction and enlightenment all rolled into one~ you see we pray and ask God to do these big things and to empty us and use us and then when He does and the battle comes we start asking Him to take care of this horrible situation(trial) we ask people to pray for the injustice coming our way~ we go into panic mode in a way that is completely opposite of what we should be doing - -last night i realized that when we are asking God for the greater things of Him and then our lives seem to get turned upside down - - Praise Him, because this is Him doing what we have asked - until we are emptied of self we can not experience that over flowing power of the Holy Spirit in us. ALL of HIM and NON of ME!!!! - so I pray that I stop trying to get out of the hard things that come my way and realize that this is what it means to Empty Self - so my prayer request now changes to please pray that I would walk through my trials with humility and dieing to self because I so desire the greater work of Him

hangin' with the boys

the boys trying to make the best of having to go shopping with me

Chad and Aaron hanging under a banana tree
boy humor