Menu Plan Monday

Here is our menu plan for the week:

Sunday - Chicken fajita tacos

Monday - Meat and beans and homemade tortillas

Tuesday - Okra tomato chicken stew on brown rice

Wednesday - Jason's Deli and Iron Man at the dollar theater

Thursday - Spaghetti and Italian sausage

Friday - Dry garlic spare ribs with steamed veggies and rice

Saturday - TBA

On healing

This morning in church, our (wonderful) pastor opened up the floor for us members of the congregation to share how we have experienced God in our lives, or in the lives of folks we know. This could have gone one way or the other - people could have sat in their seats, looking around, waiting for someone to make the first move. Gladly, one person stood up, followed by another, another, and so on. Soon it was dismissal time and we got to know eachother in ways we didn't expect. I had a story to share, but never made it to the mic (there was a line!). I will share it here....it's a story of being moved by the Holy Spirit and of great healing.

A couple of years ago, in our Friday morning bible study, a friend of a regular attendee came for a few weeks to visit our group. She was young, maybe 27 or 28, a mother of a sweet little toddler girl. She always shared herself so openly, and with wisdom beyond her years. It was great to have here there, even for that short time. She had been suffering debilitating back pain. It was so bad that sometimes she had to crawl to get from one place to another. It was a real sacrifice for her to make it to the study. We made a custom of standing in a circle for prayer at the end of each meeting to lift each other up and support each other, to intercede for one another. Our visitor remained seated, with tears in her eyes, in so much pain that she could not stand up to pray. The group of women, in a moment filled with the Holy Spirit, encircled this young woman, laid our hands on her and prayed for healing.

I didn't see her for two years, then ran into her at a holiday gathering this summer. I asked how her back had been feeling, and she looked at me, almost confused. Then she realized what I was asking her....THREE days after that prayer, her back pain totally and completely disappeared. She has been pain free since! When she first told me it took three days, it didn't strike me as having any significance, but after recounting the story to a friend, she pointed out the absolute significance of the three days. That was NOT coincidence.

A story I need to tell....

I just finished reading a book called The Shack by William P. Young. I don't want to spoil it for you by going into detail, I can only give this book the highest recommendation....it is a book that I think everyone should read. Everyone.

After I read it, though, and discussed it with a great friend (who recommended it to me), I have realized that there is a story from my childhood that needs sharing.

When I was about 6 years old (appx.), I went to the grocery store with my mom. She just had to run in real quick and I stayed in the car. Before you get all upset with her for doing that, this was in the 70's and we lived in a tiny little town where everyone knew each other. And she parked directly in front of the store's great big windows. (I never blamed my mom for a minute).

In a child's eyes, a couple of minutes seemed like LOT of minutes. My young mind quickly grew impatient. I got out of the car and decided to wait for Mom at the entrance of the store. Do you remember the old fashioned soda vending machines? The soda was dispensed and the dispenser part jutted out (not like the new ones which you have to reach into the machine to get it). Can you picture that? The details are so clear in my mind. Well, I was sort of sitting/leaning on the part that jutted out of a Coke machine, waiting for my mom to emerge from the store.

Remember the part where I said it was a tiny town where everyone knew each other? There was a stranger in town that day. It was an old man. He saw me, a young girl, unattended. He got out of his car...a large burgundy or deep red thing, maybe a Cadillac or a Buick...and approached me. He invited me to come home with him. He said he had a nice big bubble bath that I could enjoy. He had a new litter of puppies...and lots of candy! (He pulled out all the stops). He was quite friendly, and I still remember the vision I had of the bubble bath from my 6 year old imagination! I didn't want to go with him (thankfully) so he grabbed my arm (my right forearm) and pulled me...trying to see if I would resist. I resisted and he tried harder. He even left marks on my arm. He couldn't fight with me because it was in a public place, and it would have drawn attention to himself. He went back to his car and watched me. My mom came out as soon as he got in his car and we walked to our car. We had to pass right by him, and he waved at me as I went by.

I told my mom and she notified the police but the man was long gone by the time they looked.

I am so thankful that it turned out the way it did. I was a lucky one. The terrifying thing is that I probably wasn't the first attempt of this man. There are so many children out there that weren't able to escape the hands of their assailants. My prayers go out to every family that has ever been affected by the twisted, broken people who prey on children.

What a day, what a day!!!

Today was quite a day. We started out early - we went to the farm to do the CSA preparation and delivery. We were there about..eh..maybe 15 minutes. Danny usually begs his big sister Oliv to play with him and take him around the farm. About 2-3 minutes after they went (out of my site) I heard a scream! YIKES! As I ran in the direction of the cries, Oliv was running with Danny in her arms towards me! I took him to console him, thinking it was just something minor, but Oliv's hands were full of blood! Upon closer inspection, we discovered an inch long gash on his head. He fell and hit his head on a pool ladder. We promptly packed ourselves up (left the delivery behind) and headed to the ER. Now, Danny stopped crying within about 2 minutes of his fall and was hurting all the way, but didn't cry anymore. We were seen right away, and were out of the hospital with three staples within an hour. He was so big and brave, and didn't cry even when he got the staples. I was so proud of him!

We came home (the girls went with my friends to swim) and snuggled and cuddled...I was giving a good dose of Mommy loving....and I noticed that the air conditioning vents were blowing hot air! The A/C decided to quit on us. Thankfuly it was minor and it is already resolved, but it sure was hot in here. Danny was feeling well enough to get out so we went school supply shopping and to eat at a pizza buffet (cartoons and a/c!). We spent the rest of the time at my sweet Mrs. Ginny's house and now we are home.

I am just really thankful that Danny didn't get hurt worse. (and that our a/c problem was minor!)

Today's voice from Sojourner's

Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.- Corrie Ten Boom

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy....

...inked on my wrist!

Thank you Kevin, I am very happy with it!

I have two reasons for this tattoo. The letters j*o*y are there as a constant reminder that first comes Jesus, then Others, then Yourself.

The second reason is that my family fills my heart with so much joy, every minute of every day. Even in the hectic, crazy times, it feels like my heart is overflowing. And for this, I am so very thankful.