Hermit Crabs

Rebecca's hermit crab just changed into the coolest shell possible. It's long and pointy with colorful stripes that go all the way around it. It changed one other time into one she had bought for it. She prayed that it would, and out of 7 shells he picked hers! God cares about the little things. After a week or so he changed back into his original shell.

Tag!

Here is how it works. Tell in your blog seven things we never knew about you and now wish we didn't. In other words...Seven strange/weird/crazy things about me. Then tag someone else-(at bottom of your blog say--I tag_____. And post the blog.

1. I have always been annoyed by the way my dad eats. Poor thing. It's really awful of me. He has a mouth full of implants because they were sucked out from some big truck that he used to drive. But I just can't stand it. I love everything else about him. I also can't stand for the kids to eat in front of me if I'm not eating; the noise drives me crazy.

2. Unlike Tammie, I never finish books. In fact currently I am reading at least 8 all at the same time. I love it! I just read a little when I can; otherwise, I get bored. Novels I have to stay up and read all in a few days. (Tammie, I can hear you cringing-are you okay?).

3. I hate to make phone calls to ask people simple questions. I will procrastinate until it's embarassing.

4. I am awful at housecleaning. Once I do it, it looks great. It's the talking myself into it that takes WEEKS!

5. Once I set my mind on something, on achieving some goal, I cannot tear my mind away from it. I will sacrifice everything to get it done. The children will not eat and I will run them ragged looking for the cheapest "this or that"; though, I've gotten a little better out of sheer survival. Or, I will have the kids stay up until 10 just to get their rooms absolutely perfect BECAUSE we never clean them out that often, and once I get started there is no stopping me!

6. I am a control freak. God help me. Really...I can't stand lots of noise. It's like I can't focus or something. A friend has said it's because I am so visual. I think I'm just mental.

7. Once Micah says we are going to eat at a certain place, I absolutely cannot have him change it. If my tastebuds have gotten used to Chinese, then only Chinese will do.

I tag Alisa!!! (Mom, will you let her know she's tagged).

Newsboys ROCK!!!

The concert was the ABSOLUTELY most amazing, faith building event I have been to in a looooong time. It was like church on steroids by a million. I had no idea how very much these men love the Lord-I mean you just never know. The entire concert gave such glory to God. Starting with Kutless singing "Strong Tower" and "Sea of Faces" the entire mood changed. For me, music is just so much a part of who I am and how I worship God. This was like nothing I could have imagined. To SEE and HEAR all of the body of Christ together like that (4500 to be exact) was just amazing. And these men wanted absolutely none of the glory. Or if they did, they did a great job of directing it straight to God. Somehow they did a magnificent job of having every one of theirs songs (even "Breakfast") come out as a worship song. I have never thought of very many of their songs as worship songs, but will forever have that memory etched in my mind. They invited each of us to join in the worship of our Saviour. And you just couldn't help but get wrapped up and swept away...

He shared his testimony, shared the gospel, and invited many to give their hearts to Christ. Oh, his story was so good. It reminded me so much of what I have been going through this past year or so. It felt so good to know others had gone through this, too. Basically, he just shared that he was a pk and had a drug problem...he was DRUG to church all his life! :) Anyway, eventually he stopped spending time with God and eventually couldn't tell if he was ever hearing His voice or was even His child. He felt very much in the dark. Oh, I wish everyone could hear his testimony. Then God reminded him that he was either feeding his flesh or feeding his spirit. So he had this total life transformation and now you know over 15 years later we have all these wonderful songs they have written. I firmly believe because they give all the glory and praise to God during their concerts, directing the church to worship Him, that is why they have so many hit songs. I just bought their latest CD, and there were only two that I had never heard!!! Next time they come to Texas we will be there, and hopefully we will be on the bottom floor. It was worth twice what we paid.

If THIS concert was so absolutely amazing, what in the world will heaven be like??? It brings me to tears to think of what an absolutely awesome, good time we are in for. One thing is for sure, the Newsboys will be the opening act, and I....will want a front row seat. Until then I think I shall be a groupie and follow them around the world. Do you think Micah and the kids will notice if I'm gone? I'm off to Australia in a few weeks! ;)

I am

I am a mother and a wife
I wonder what it feels like to visit Paris
I hear a call to be a dancer
I see people being saved
I want to be a part of it
I am a mother and a wife

I pretend that someday I will be just the way I want to be
I feel very sad sometimes
I touch roses and soft dew every morning
I worry that I’ll forget to teach something important
I cry about things that make my children sad
I am a mother and a wife

I understand that God’s Word is true
I say it every day
I dream my children will love Him, too
I try to do the best I can
I hope for a peaceful home
I am a mother and a wife

News Boys

We are going to see the News Boys tomorrow night! We are all so excited. It is the girls first concert, and I haven't been to one since George Strait in highschool. So here we go. I'm SURE I will feel old.

Also, through all my sickness and medicinal purchases I happened upon a wonder drug. At least for me and my family. It is Congaplex by Standard Process. I do not know where else to get it but People's Pharmacy. But truly as soon as you or the kids get a scratchy throat or stuffy nose. Start immediately, and it works overnight. We all had some sort of thing going on. We all took it and felt better the next morning. Elizabeth had fever and it took a whole day, but she was completely better in 1 1/2 days. And no one else got it! That has never happened. I should have given her a normal dose, and maybe she would have been better more quickly. Blaine was severely congested, and I was having to give him several breathing treatments in one day. The next morning it was as if nothing had been wrong. I gave some to a friend who was laid out on the couch. She was better the next day. They have chewables for kids that is great crushed and mixed in cherry yogurt; though B takes it straight. The capsules are twice as strong and work great! Directions on bottle.

Stars

Blaine is actually in his room playing quietly!!! I'm scared to move lest I somehow force the stars out of alignment...
I talked to Jenny a little about starting school back up; we get the proverbial, "WHAT!!! We have to do school? We just did it yesterday! I thought summer vacation was forever and that I never needed to know anything else than I already know!" With me feeling behind, that's the last thing I need to hear. So we've been doing something new around here. Micah thought it up completely, printed it out, and implemented it. Thank goodness. I was cleaning up glass and spilled Italian Soda. (Did you know it is possible for Italian soda to "pop" thus creating an explosion that totally drenches your laundry room in red, sticky soda?-Don't try this at home kids. I had to move the dryer. I had to move everything. Need I say more?)

They now get cards for completing their work without complaining. Cards for computer time, TV time, friend time, etc. It's wonderful. They even have to earn co-op, park day, and the like. My aunt sent money for them to buy this wonderful fancy trampoline, so they are even earning cards for that. Elizabeth said, "It's like we have to earn everything. We can't do anything unless we earn it." By George! I think she's got it!

Make Me Over

http://play.rhapsody.com/nataliegrant/awaken/makemeover



I've been silent instead of speaking up
Gave my advice instead of giving love
I have been unfair, faithless and unkind
I have shut my eyes just so I would stay blind
It's not what I'm meant to do
Cause I wanna honor You

Chorus:
Make me over, make me new
Make me a mirror, a reflection of You
Take me all apart, take me to Your heart
And pull me closer
Oh Jesus, make me over

Take away the pride that whispers in the dark
Take the stone out of the middle of my heart
Hidden underneath my insecurities
Is the servant that You've destined me to be
Day after precious day
I get in my own way

So make me over, make me new
Make me a mirror, a reflection of You
Take me all apart, take me to Your heart
And pull me closer
Sweet Savior, make me over


I am only made of Your imagining
I'm dust and clay on the wind
Wash me in the river of Your sacrifice
Until I'm changed, purified
Take me all apart, take me to Your heart
And pull me closer
My Jesus, make me over
Make me over
Make me over
Oh, make me over, Jesus

The Real Me

This is Rebecca's favorite artist, Natalie Grant. I have to agree. She is awesome, and here are one of her songs that I absolutely love! Click to hear. Such an awesome reminder that often we need to let down our mask and let the Creator in.
http://play.rhapsody.com/nataliegrant/awaken/therealme?didAutoplayBounce=true

Foolish heart, looks like we're here again.
Same old game of plastic smile,
Don't let anybody in.
Hiding my heartache,
Will this glass house break?
How much will it take before I'm empty?
Do I let it show?Does anybody know?

CHORUS:
But You see the real me.
Hiding in my skin, broken from within.
Unveil me completely.
I'm loosening my grasp,
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause You see the real me.

Painted on, life is behind a mask,
Self-inflicted circus clown.
I'm tired of the song and dance,
Living a charade, always on parade.
What a mess I've made of my existence.
But You love me even now
And still I see somehow...

CHORUS

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When You look at me.
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life
into a perfect tapestry.
Oh, I just wanna be me,
I wanna be me.

CHORUS

and you love me just as i am.
wonderful, beautiful is what you see
when you look at me.