Ok, I have had a re-newed fire lit under me to be a little more intentional in memorizing God's Word.  One of my sweet friends suggested our small group do it together and so I am excited about it.  I also have been reading Beth Moore's blog and she started doing it through the blog at the beginning of this year and she has a little video that I watched yesterday and it had some great ideas to help.  By the time I finished watching I was really excited.
SO, the verse I am going to be tackling this month is Hebrews 10:22-24 ESV.  I know this is more than one verse, but I love this whole piece of scripture and couldn't decide what not to memorize.

"let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir-up one another to love and good works...."

My plan is to add in verses 19-21 also, so this may take me through December.  Otherwise, I will plan on 2 verses a month.
Being Transformed,
C

I found myself face to face at the cross again in my quiet time this morning.  I am using the book 90 with John to guide my bible reading and up until this morning, haven't really been understanding or hearing anything in particular.  Today I read John 19:38-42.  I have read this many times before, this morning it was different.  The last few mornings I have read about the crucification and really pondered the thought that Jesus was beaten so badly that his appearance was disfigured.  Normally, I don't ponder there to long, because honestly, I don't like to think about it, it makes me to sad.  So in reading John 19:38-42, this was fresh in my mind.
"After these things Joesph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission.  So he came and took away his body.  Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.  So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.  Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.  So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, the laid Jesus there."
I never gave much thought much about Joesph or Nicodemus being the 2 chosen to take care of the body.  Before they were fearful of what people would think and now had to dig deep to be the ones to take care of Jesus' body.  I wonder if Joesph was nervous when he had to approach Pilate.  Did his voice crack when he asked?  Then they had to take Jesus from the cross to the nearby garden, not forgetting that his body was a bloody mess.  Was it just the 2 of them in the tomb?  As difficult as it all must of been, how intimate of a time with Jesus in the face of death.  I wonder if as they tenderly wrapped his broken body if the cloth and spices were intermingled with their tears.  I wonder if they understood that it was for their sins and mine that Jesus had died for.  My heart breaks as I imagine the scene in the tomb.  It causes me to become very serious about the choices I make, at least for now.  I pray that I won't soon forget this precious time with Christ.  I wonder if they knew that in 3 days the cloths they wrapped Jesus in would lay empty.  Scripture leads us to believe they didn't.  As I read I couldn't resist going to John 11:43:44~"Lazarus, come out."....."Unbind him, and let him go."
It is taken care of.  Death does not rule any longer and I am so grateful.  How precious is the blood of Christ.  Though my sins are as black as the shirt I wear as I type, I have been washed as white as snow.  Praise God for His wonderful mercy. 
Humbled,
Connie

  Summer is officially half over and for me it is time to get serious about making sure I have all the subjects and books my kids need for this year.  Plus, spreadsheets with somewhat of our High School plan for Trevor.  High School, I can't believe it. 

This summer has been filled with softball, softball, little baseball, little swimming, and food.  It has been non-stop and just this week I had one day that wasn't full and honestly, I wasn't sure what I should do with myself.  My motivation level is low to do the things that need to be done, so I'm hoping somehow I will be refreshed.  Our big vacation to MI is in a few weeks and though I am excited to be away 7 whole days, I know that on our return it will be time to say "farewell" to our summer days and back to the school year schedule.  So needless to say, I'm praying for a new attitude and motivation.  Oh, I almost forgot, we are considering purchasing a R.V.!!!  HA!  We have done the research and now we will take one more look at it and see if they will take our offer. If they do, we will be rolling our way all over the U.S.  Can't you just picture it!  Friends who live far away, beware we just might show up on your door step to celebrate Christmas with you like in National Lampoons Vacation.  I love that part when the brother-in-law shows up.  I think I'm going to rent that.  Maybe R.V. too, with Robin Williams.  HA
I will keep you all posted on the R.V. status because I know you will be waiting by your computers to find out what we decide.
Thats where were at,
Connie
P.S. This photo is not of the one we are looking at just for the record.  This is just to help you get a visual of what I'm talking about.

About 18 years ago, I was a working college student.  It was a Thursday and I had school most of the day and then I was off to work until about 6ish.  After work, the plan was to meet over at my moms home and go for dinner and my cousins graduation ceremony.  It was a beautiful day out all day until I was finished with work, then it looked as if a storm was brewing.  It was gray and it looked like the sky would open up at any moment the rain would poor down.  I remember being dressed in a black and white check suit-like coat with puffy shoulders and a black skirt.  Though the storm was coming, it was very warm and I was looking forward to beating the storm home, and cooling off some before we had to leave for the graduation.  My job was a floater at a day-care and this was in the days before everyone had a cell phone, so I kept getting phone messages from people.  I wondered why they wouldn't wait until I got home to let me know what the "plan" was for later.  Little did I know what would all transpire in the next hour.
I drove over to my moms and my step-dad had meet me in the driveway as I approached the house and asked how I was doing.  I said I was fine, but really hot.  As we got closer to the house he said he had to tell me something, so I stopped and face him.  The next thing he said is that my friend Jennie, had killed herself.  I replied, "What?" He then told me again and this time it sunk in enough to get me to repeatedly say, "No, no, not Jennie.  Why?  What happened?  Not Jennie, not Jennie!  At this point I was hysterical and my mom had opened the door to let me in and heard what I was saying, and she asked, "What?  Jennie?  She then said, "It wasn't Jennie, it was Stephanie."  Now, my mine is trying to process the information and figure out what is going on here.  Then I see Troy come from the other room and I'm wondering what he is doing there, because he wasn't suppose to be.  Turned out he was in a car accident prior to the news and when he called his parents they told him what had happened, so they brought him over to be there for me.  Both my mom and Troy hugged me and from then on things get pretty blurred.  It was a whole week until the funeral and I'm not sure what all transpired in between time.  I remember hearing this version of what had happened.  She had been under the influence and made some phone calls to her ex-boyfriend who was at the bar, then talked with him and then he hung up on her and she called back and talked to his good friend who was with him.  Some said that she was threating to take her life on the phone and he didn't do anything.  (Whether this is true or not, I don't know, it's just what I remember about what was said)  She was in the living space in the basement across from her old bedroom that her sister was asleep in when she did it.  Her sister is the one who found her.  I think she left a note, but I thought I heard that they didn't know if it was written specific to this time.  These are the things that have played over and over in my mind for 18 years.  Along with things like.....we had plans, why didn't she call me?, she was getting her GED, she just got a new job, she was going to be getting a car of her own. Oh how I hate it even still today.  I remember piling into a friends car to head to the airport to pick-up my friend Jennie.  Turns out in my grief I took us to the wrong airport!  Dah!  We did pick her up but I don't remember much about the ride, besides staring out the window and the tears rolling down my cheeks every so many miles.  Next thing I remember, is it was time for the funeral.  I wore a black velvet dress, with some white lace on the neck line and puffy sleeves of course.  I can't remember if their was a Friday evening showing, or if everything happened on Saturday morning.  All I remember is Saturday, we went to the funeral home and looking at a silverish, shiny blue, casket with a picture of my best friend sitting on top.  I was numb with sadness and remember sitting in the middle of the room surrounded by friends.  I was holding a yellow rose that I was given and instructed to, at the appropriate time, walk by the casket and put it in a green vase.  I wonder if I talked to anyone?  Her aunt sang along with a tape, the song "Friends".  And then it was over, but not really.  Not for me.  I still wrestle and it's been 18 years. 

Today as I read and pondered what God had for me in this part of his word, I was amazed once again.  At first glance, it is obvious that I can relate to the prodigal child, being that I was once just like him in so many ways.  But today, I read with eyes of being a child who is with the Father, so I wondered, am I like the son who was angry with the Father for "never" having a party thrown in my honor?  As I cringed to think that was what the Lord was showing me, it didn't take me long to see that was truly what He was saying.  So I took a closer look at the words to see how the Lord handles a child whom clearly isn't as rebellious as the prodigal and my heart is filled with confession and humility.
This is what happens: "But he was angry and refused to go in.  His father came out and entreated him." NIV says, "pleaded with him."
What a wonderful father, when his child whom he loves very much is to stubborn to come in and join the party, he goes to them.  This is amazing to me once again today.
Then I love what the father says, after his stubborn child has gotten everything off his chest.  He says, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours."
So many times I am throwing a temper tantrum about foolish things and am missing out on the joys God has for me and it is so interesting that it is a fine line that I walk between being a prodigal or the child who stays put and shows up faithfully with joy!
My prayer is that God would exchange in me a heart of rebellion for one full of compassion and gratefulness. Always remembering of the party he threw for me when I finally decided to come home to him. 

                                                                     

 

I love Easter Sunday.  I think if I had to say, it is my most favorite service of the whole year, every year.  It is always a time to focus completely on the Victory we have in Christ over death.  It causes my heart to want to fall face down in humility and adore the one who saves.  Our worship team sang this song and did a beautiful job.  I am once again amazed of the great love of Jesus Christ.  Praying that you will be too this Easter Sunday.
Celebrating the Risen Christ,
Connie

We are headed to the Creation Museum in Ohio/Kentucky.  My mom will be in attendance this trip and so our (my in-laws) car will be loaded down.  Everyone was allotted 1 backpack and 1 pillow.  Troy said, no pillows!, but I convinced him since we were driving into the late night the kids needed something to rest their heads on. (Hopefully, they will really use them, or I am in trouble.)  I will take a picture once everyone is in the car and post it!  It should be a fun trip, considering we are studying the time period this year from Creation up to 635AD.  Thats it for now. 
Blessings to all,
Connie

I got to share a parenting tip today.  As I thought about what I would say, I was very unsure as to really what I had to offer.  Then yesterday, in talking with someone it dawned on my what I would say.  So here it is:
You are in charge of your kids!!!!!!  No one else.  Not their School, Teacher, Doctor, or the kids themselves.  It is You!!!  You alone (with your childs other parent of course) are the ones who will answer for how you raise them.  SO, don't be bullied or pressured into allowing or doing the same thing everyone else is or isn't doing.  God has given you those kiddos and He has and will continue to equip you to raise them, contrary to what the world tells us.  Practical example is this:  In our house, we as parents always reserve the right to change our minds on things if we find out or realize it is not the best things for our kids.  This comes by way of movies, T.V., dating, sleepovers, or whatever other issues we will face.  We have told our kids that our home is likely going to look different than most and that is only because we want the very best for them. Odds are we will make wrong choices on their behalf and so we are sorry ahead of time.  But the bottom line is we are in charge!!!!!
So, anyone who reads and has kiddos of their own, remember, you are in charge, not them or anyone else for that matter.  We will reap what we sow!!!!
 

Worship!  That's the topic.  What will I say about the topic?  What do I really know about it?  In about 2 hours I will be presenting to approx. 150 K-2nd graders and I am hoping I will be able to say something that they will be able to relate to and understand.  The more I learn about authentic worship, the more I realize how little I know.  My talk will have a Ninetendo DS, a Webkinz, and a TV remote.  The idea is to get them to tell me all about these things. (the remote will represent their favorite TV show)  Usually, when we really enjoy something, we tell about it and most of the time we can do it without really mentioning anything about ourselves at all.  Hence, "worship".  Authentic worship should be about God and the adoration of him and him alone, not us or how we feel about Him.
Oh Lord, put your words on my tongue and prepare those little hearts.  Make me wise beyond my years.
I heard once, "we were created to worship, so the question is what is it that gets your worship?"  I'm wondering, what do you think about worship and what is the thing that gets your worship, have you thought about that lately?
Desiring to be an Authentic Worshiper,
Connie

My aunt and daughter, participate in a Slice of Life writing project for the month of March.  We will be joining her, but I will be posting these on my Treasured blog spot.  If you want something new from me, check there. Lord willing I will be posting daily, but I am already behind.  If you would like to participate you can get the details from the blogspot called twowritingteachers. (I think) Check it out.
Blessings,
Connie

This last weekend was the annual Bible conference at our church.  I love it every year, and this year was no different.  It was called, "Fire on the Mountain".  Dr. Block is a O.T. scholar and he also helped in translating the New Living Bible. He knows his stuff.  I was challenged, convicted, and encouraged all the same.  Here are just a few things that really stuck.

Main premise of the conference:  True worship involves reverential acts of submission and homage before the Divine Sovereign, in response to His gracious revelation of Himself, and in accordance with His will.

#1.  No where in the bible do the people say, "I love you Lord.".  Interesting we say this all the time and don't think twice about it.  Love (ahavie) in the Hebrew, which I am sure I spelled wrong, means a covenant commitment demonstration in action of the next person.  They never say they love the Lord, because it would be putting themselves on the same plain as God himself.  He also said early on in the weekend, that we say, "I love you Lord, but I hate your precepts!" Ouch, that one hurt a little.  I know I don't say the words, that I hate His precepts, but my rebellious actions are a reflection of that truth in my life.  He said our prayer should be more like this, "Lord change my pathetic lack of love that I have for you."

#2.  He talked on Isaiah 6:9-10 where God asks, "Whom shall I send?" and Isaiah responds, "Here I am, send me!".  Dr. Block's comment really struck me and I hope to remember it: "The calling is to do what God has called us to and the fruit is up to God.  The fruit is not a reflection of my faithfulness."  So many times I measure myself against the fruit and this can be very discouraging.

#3.  Throughout scripture when the people worshiped, they fell down before the Lord. (knees or face)  If I do not ever find myself in this position before the Lord then, I'm afraid to say, I can't claim to be a true worshiper of the Lord.  When people worship authentically then the fruit will be a transformed life and they will "go out"!  (There would be no need for anymore volunteer drives, now would there be:)

#4.  Our culture is the only culture that doesn't realize they have a problem. (sin being the issue)  We walk around saying, "I'm ok, you're ok!"  We have sanitized our souls. (falsely) This is so sad to me!  I'm praying that my children would not end up buying into this lie of our culture.

He also preached Sunday morning on Prayer.  Here are the things I took away from that:
Daniel 9:1-24
#1. We pray as if we are the center of the universe! (ouch, I'm guilty!!!)
#2.  Prayer starts with God trying to get through to us.
#3.  We are the ones who have turned from God, the problem is with us.  God always keeps His word.
#4.  God is at the center.  God's name is stamped on His people.  People are drawing conclusions about God because of me wearing His name.  God's reputation is at stake and the welfare of His people.  God doesn't need us but he stakes his reputation on us. (Oh, how humbling, is that.)  He calls us to cast our cares on Him for Jesus sake~not our own.


When was all said and done, a part of me felt like such a shmuck!!!  I fall so, so very short, and I do know this, but so many times I try to cherry coat my sin and gloss over it, by comparing myself to others.  Oh I am so much like the Pharisees.  I am thankful for the gentle rebuke through this conference and humbled at the great love my Saviour has for me.  What a good God.
Thankful He doesn't leave me to myself,
Connie

"Am I living for today or the day?"

I choose to live for "the day" and do whatever comes next, by God's grace, and only because of His great mercy!"

"I am not responsible for someone else, only to them!"

"Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.  If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire."  1 Corinthians 3:12-15

One day all of mankind will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account, both believers and non-believers.  The judgment for those who trust Christ for their salvation will be judged on their stewardship of the gifts they have been given.  And Jesus opinion is and will be the only one that matters.  In the end my investment in people and relationships will be the only thing that matters.
Praying that I won't soon forget this,
Connie

I have wanted to write up my own bucket list, so that is what my goal is for 2009!  Here it goes, and I will likely add to it as time goes on.

Bucket List
~Do some rock climbing, not to high though!
~Spend the weekend alone with Troy at a B&B, in a cute town, that is quiet.
~Meet Beth Moore in person and wouldn't it be fun to have lunch with her!!!
~Have a girls shopping weekend with my mom, Tori, Lisa and the girls, my sweet aunts, and my sweet girl cousins!
~Attend a conference with my mom, Lisa, my sweet aunts, and my sweet girl cousins.
~Have a spa day
~Spend a weekend with my best girlfriends from HS, PJ's, Nail polish, lots of laughter, old stories, and great food.
~Re-do wedding day
~Write a book
~See Glacier Park
~Visit Washington D.C.
~Travel to Israel (safely)
~Mission trip to anywhere to minister to kids and women
~Meet our compassion child
~See the people I love most come to the saving truth of Jesus Christ!!!
~Ballroom Dance
~Learn to kick box really good.
~Beat my boys in a video game!!!
~Go on the show Amazing Race or Survivor just to see if I could do it.
Thats it for now!!!!  This is a good start.
Until next time,
Connie

#1  Driving in the car together!  No need to say anymore about this!!!!
#2  Bobby pins in my hair.....Troy has never liked it, but I do and I just don't understand.
#3  Long sweaters......He doesn't like this either, but I am drawn to them, for comfort and warmth, again, I just don't understand.
#4  The remote control......I really don't even know much about this, but I have been told we have one!!!HA
#5  Movie choices......The ones I pick out never seem to be the right ones.
#6  Our Lawn.......He likes it nice, green, soft on his feet and just the right height!  I don't care as long as I don't have to hear about it.
#7  My mouth.....Ha, no need to elaborate here either, I'm sure you can figure this out on your own.
#8  Football......I have worked really hard in this area, he loves it and well, me not so much.
#9  Games.......He loves to play and I love to curl up with a book or talk or blog or facebook or whatever!!!!
#10  Noodle making!!!......He does it his way and we'll I do it my way which can be hit or miss!!!!  Noodles and cheese have been the source of our biggest fight to the date!!!!  (the fights happened many years ago, and now bring much laughter to our marriage)

There you have it.
Blessings,
Connie

#1 The fan in the bathroom drives me crazy......so I very seldom use it.
#2  I have trouble hearing when there is a lot of background noise......because when I was young, Troy and I went to a Tesla concert and he made us sit right in front of the HUGE speaker.
#3  When driving I usually plan to drive so I don't have to back track at all.....I hate doing that, it seems to be such a waste of time.
#4  I like to have a stockpile of toilet paper, paper towel, napkins (feminine and regular), paper plates, plasticware, hairspray, toothpaste, and laundry detergent.
#5  I get very impatient when I have to answer the same question over and over again.
#6  I love a house full of kids.
#7  Every time I have to speak in front of a crowd of people (kids or adults), I still get nervous, but I really enjoy it.
#8  I enjoy a good health debate every now and then.
#9  I wax my own eyebrows.....so don't look to close at them!!!!!
#10  My most favorite time is when Troy is meeting us somewhere and we arrive first and as he looks for us, its the moment that he sees me and I him.....It speaks so deeply to my heart.

Well.....now you know.
Blessings,
Connie

This below is from the Family Life web page.  They are doing a Love Dare Challenge and I thought it would be fun.  So here is a commercial and go check it out.  I'm sure that it would be a good way to strengthen our marriages.  I will let you know how it goes.  I know I am already behind, but that's ok I will just start today.

Blessings,
Connie

Your Daily Love Dare

Starting this month, FamilyLife® is challenging couples to "love like you mean it" by joining our 40-day Love Dare challenge. Based on the Love Dare book from the movie Fireproof, the challenge is a practical way for you to practice unconditional love and transform your marriage by applying simple, biblical principles to your everyday life.

Every day from January 5th to February 13th, we’ll give you a Love Dare for the day for you to put into practice and show love to your spouse. Then, at the end of the challenge, we encourage you to celebrate your spouse with a special Valentine’s Day date.

You can receive your daily Love Dare one of three ways:

• Visit this website (this page) each afternoon to see your daily Love Dare.
• Register to receive your daily Love Dare via email each morning.
• Tune in each day to FamilyLife Today™ to hear your Love Dare for the day.

Ok, I don't know really who all visits here anymore, but I need some input for a talk I am putting together for THIS THURSDAY MORNING.  So please if you would be willing to just jot me a short comment, I would love that, so I could have a wider perspective to speak from.

Here is what I'm looking for.  What are some things that you find challenging with your kids?  I'm focusing in on the age group of 7-12year olds.
Some examples would be homework, bedtimes or whatever you find to be a challenging area.  We have our own things in our house, but others may have other things that I might not think.
Thanks for your help.
Blessings,
Connie

Trevor took his ATV test on New years day and had to get an 80% to pass and get his license.  It took him about 4 hours to read and take the practice quizzes and then the final.  After that they ask for a charge card to pay the fee, before they show you the test score.  He was so anxious to see if he passed it made me anxious as I entered in the numbers.  Next thing I knew Troy was in the room and all 3 of us were wishing I could type a little faster, because we could hardly wait.  Finally all the info. was in and all I had to do was to press 'enter'.  I asked if everyone was ready, and then we all held our breath.........
80% on the head!!!!!  Next thing we know there is a mini celebration coming for behind us....I PASSED!!!!!  I PASSED!!!!!!  We were all glad the boy passed, so we wouldn't have to pay another $15 for the next test, but I was hoping for a much higher score to be honest.  Trevor he didn't care one bit.  He was on the phone calling all that he thought would care and be excited for him.  We all celebrated and did the happy dance and it was a great way to kick off the year.
Now only if his plastic card would arrive in the mail.  He is a funny boy.
Blessings,
Connie