Heather has so much FAITH & HOPE!

I just read THE MOST INSPIRING blog post ever! Please read this from a blogging siesta! If I am ever in her shoes I pray I will have her faith and hope!


The Title is: "Victimization, Despair and Heaven".
It was written by Heather on July 30, 2007. (Click on her name and you can read it!)



God is SO good!
I am grateful today!

Best Friends!

"You just remined me of what's really important in life, friends, best friends."
- Fried Green Tomatoes

I am so glad Sarah has finally arrived! These two girls have talked about living together in NY for years! What a gift it is to have a friend in a big city to make it feel more like home!

"Tsas Philas" = girlfriends...there's nothing quite like them!

It's Not About Me

Dear Siestas,

I would appreciate some prayers tonight as I am exhausted from quite a weekend. My son and I drove 12 hours from Michigan to North Carolina Thursday to help my mother move from her home to an apartment. My son ended up getting strep throat and felt miserable so he was unable to help. We worked two long days then drove 13-1/2 hours home today! It was one of those draining times when anyone who has read The Purpose Driven Life would remember two things. 1). It's not about me. 2). EGR (Extra grace required). I was doing okay with #1 but #2 was where I had the problem. I am having a difficult time with one of my loved ones and for some reason I turn into a rebellious teenager when I am around her. I want to show my family I am a Christian, but I am not perfect and I feel the pressure of "messing up" so they can call me a hypocrite.

I learned two more things: 1). One person's trash is another person's treasure! I learned that one big time! 2). They are all just things!

They'll Know We Are Christians

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us

This is my commandment that you love one another that your joy may be full

I thank GOD for His Word tonight! (...and for music)
Much Love,
Angie

True Friends!

These are some of my special friends that I've had for a very long time! They've stood by me at some of my happiest moments and some of my saddest ones. They've laughed with me and they've cried with me!

I spent the weekend with them and had the best time! They love to stay home and spend the entire day cooking! Look what we ate for dinner on Saturday!

These two beautiful little girls are my friends' granddaughters. They are fortunate to have their "Brampa" and Grandma to love them like crazy! They need a lot of prayer since their lives have been far from easy! Trust me on this one!

We had such a relaxing weekend in Ludington, Michigan! We saw the most beautiful sunset ever! These two people know the true meaning of commitment!


Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test -
Time and change - are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
For 'mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die,
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.

by Joseph Parry

Wanna know why I'm so happy?

I'm very happy right now because I love my brothers and sisters. It's always been important to me that my son and daughter are close when they grow up. They are not quite 14 months apart and I absolutely loved being their mother! I can't tell you how much I cherish the memories of cooking dinner and having them play in the cupboards together! I'd give anything to have that kind of laughter in the house again!

Anyway... right this minute my son is flying out to New York to spend the weekend with his sister. He is spending his hard earned money to go and make some memories of their own together! As much as I would love to be there with them, I am more excited for them!

I praise God this afternoon!
Have a great weekend, siestas!
Angie xoxo

...all other ground is sinking sand!

In Christ Alone


In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Album: Adoration The Worship (2003)


THIS IS MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE SONG! I took this picture in Aruba last year and I love to see it because it reminds me that when my husband and I are each putting God first in our lives we are so much stronger and better together!
He is so good to us! So... that's what I'm THANKFUL for this Thursday evening!




In Him Alone,
Angie xoxo

God is in Control!

It's one of those days when I need to remember who is in control! For some reason I am reminded of this...“Attitude reflects leadership, sir.” (from Remember The Titans) so I need to let MY attitude reflect MY leadership and be a relfection of God!!

OUCH!

I am not sure if it's right to copy comments from another blog, but I need to right now and I am truly sorry if it offends anyone! I like to read this other person's blog AND comments and I do it as often as possible. I have to admit that I am guilty of this! Beth got me so excited to get into the Word, but it has gotten a little out of hand and I have begun to put her on a pedestal too much! (Father, please forgive me!) I know Beth would never want me to. It really is GOD who deserves the credit!

I am going to make it a point to seek out other bible teachers as well. It will be difficult because she makes the bible so much easier for me to understand and I love how she shows me how to apply it to my life! It will be difficult because I love her so much! But... who would think God could talk to me not through her blog post, but by a comment that one of her beloved readers wrote!

"Anonymous said...
Beth, I recently heard an incredible speaker teach, his first comment was beware of anyone vying for position in any church or ministry. I have enjoyed your studies very much, but when the girls at church started to say things like, "we're doing a Beth Moore," instead of a Bible Study, and I began to hear your distintive voice in my mind when I read the scriptures, I began to look to other teachers. After a blessed time learning from others I am back, but you are only one of many, I am not saying it is your fault, but the enemy will use us or get to us any way he can. You might want to urge your disciples to listen to others often. Shalom,"

July 16, 2007 10:47 AM

Then... Beth's daughter added...

Amanda said...
"Anonymous 10:47,
You are absolutely right. We all need to be exposed to many different Bible teachers. I've heard and read Beth say many times that we should never camp out under one teacher. Blessings to you!
Amanda"

July 16, 2007 12:05 PM


Please pray for me!!!
All my love,
Ang

Chillin'

Sometimes it's just nice to stay home on a Saturday night watching classics!

Unfailing Love

Unfailing Love

You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still you make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

I will praise You
Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love

Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love

Artist: Chris Tomlin

100 THINGS ABOUT ME

A blog friend gave me this idea so I thought I would give it a try! I hope it doesn't bore you too much!



100 THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I was born in Flint, Michigan.
2. I was born on Valentine's Day and the doctors brought me out in a heart-shaped box!
3. My name is Angela, Annie, Angie, Ang, Ann, Aunt Annie, Mom, Honey. People don't know that I like Ang the best!
4. My middle name is Kay
5. I am the 6th of 7 children in 10 years!
6. I have four sisters and two brothers.
7. I wake up with "Annie hair" which is a big knot in the back of my head.
8. I was on a state champion softball team in 1979. I played 3rd base and 2nd base, but I liked 3rd better. I didn't go out for the team my senior year because I had to work. I regret that decision.
9. I graduated in 1980 from High School & 1984 from College.
10. I lost my oldest sister to Breast Cancer in 1998.
11. I lost my dad to Multiple Myeloma in January of 2005...my hero!
12. I am a dental hygienist and I love my job!
13. I spend way too much time on my computer and I love my siestas!
14. I have a birth mark on the right side of my stomach.
15. I hate having pedicures. I had a traumatic experience several years ago so I cannot relax. But... I must have them because I have terrible toe nails!
16. I have a husband. Our marriage has been a miracle. It's getting better & better every day! We were married in 2001 and just celebrated our 6th Anniversary!
17. I have a daughter who makes me SO proud! I love our shopping trips,lunch, Starbucks outings and just plain doing mom & daughter things!!! :) She is the absolute opposite of me so we get along very well! I love when she calls me for advice! She moves so slowly and I'm sure she will live to be 100! She has a heart of gold! She loves her brother and treats him way better than he treats her! I love how she talks with me about her concerns. I love watching chick flicks with her & getting manicures done! She lives in New York & works for Ralph Lauren! I miss her like crazy!
18. I have a son. He is the most determined kid you will ever meet! When he sets his mind to something he doesn't quit until he succeeds. He plays Lacrosse for Michigan State University! He LOVES to play any kind of sport and he is so competitive and goes "all out" no matter who he is playing against (younger people, girls, elderly people or ME)! If I ever want to connect with him it always involves a sporting event! He's so stable and a great guy! I hate arguing with him because he always has good points! I love how he calls me from college to tell me how his classes are going!
19. I was married in 1984 and divorced in 1996. The divorce was the most difficult thing I have been through in my life!
20. I was brought up Catholic.
21. I love to go to church on Wednesday nights!
22. I don't like air conditioning. I'd rather have a window open.
23. I cannot stand to go to bed with a closet or drawer open.
24. I have a lot of friends, but not one "best" friend.
25. I love the song, "On Eagles Wings" and "In Christ Alone"!
26. I don't mind laundry or cleaning, but I don't enjoy cooking very much!
27. I cannot stand when people lie.
28. I don't like gambling.
29. I've traveled a lot. I've been to Ixtapa, Aruba, Cancun, St John, Puerto Valarta, cruises, Hawaii, London, South Africa. I'd love to go to Italy! (I don't mean to brag, only remember.)
30. I cannot wait to be a grandmother!
31. I finally forgave my first husband for betraying me in 2007 at my daughter's college graduation. I know, it took 14 years!
32. I wear the diamond ring from my first marriage that I had remade on my pinky of my right hand as a reminder that God brought me where I am today and I am so grateful!
33. I played the clarinet in band.
34. I played the coronet also. I especially loved the marching band and have been known to embarrass myself when it comes to marching!
35. I LOVE baths!
36. I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my right cheek when I was 18 years old.
37. I like to read, but only if I get obsessive about it. I cannot read just a few pages per day as I get tired.
38. I need my sleep.
39. My favorite dinner growing up was Lazagna and I still love it!
40. I am grateful for the friends God has brought in my life!
41. I cannot stand when people chew with their mouths open.
42. Life without music would be tragic. I love it!
43. I freak out on every single one of my birthdays. Trust me, it gets very ugly out of nowhere! Ask my family!
44. I hate arts and crafts!
45. I love to spend a lot of time driving in my car.
46. I want my children to stay close when they are adults.
47. I love South Carolina and want to have a retirement home on a lake there one day!
48. I get stressed out entertaining in my house.
49. I love the smell of apple pie cooking in the oven!
50. I love to sing to my sister playing the piano for hours. We sing our hearts out!
51. I love my relationship with my kids.
52. I am working on accepting my husband just the way God made him!
53. I love how he is so forgiving of me... again...and again... and quickly!
54. I love my oldest friends and my newest friends!
55. I love to play any kind of sport! Go for long walks especially with my daughter. I love to play sports with my son until one of us gets hurt... it's always ME!
56. I have seen Neil Diamond in concert more than 5 times!
57. I love the movie Christmas Vacation and can watch it any time of the year! I love chick flicks and comedies!
58. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday even though I don't really like most of the meal.
59. I am the pie lady and am always in charge of making the pumpkin and pecan pies on Christmas & Thanksgiving!
60. I only like traditional recipes on holidays. No pumpkin cheesecake allowed!
61. I love girls' weekends.
62. I would walk through fire for my children!
63. I am scared to death of big cities!
64. I love the underdog.
65. I love Golden Retrievers. That's the only kind of dog I would ever have. I am scared to death of most others, especially German Shepherds... and my husband is a Veterinarian!
66. I love to balance my checkbook and pay bills on quicken.
67. I love lilacs. I've been known to steal them... sorry!
68. I have always needed people's approval way too much!
69. I love how music communicates in a way that I am unable to.
70. I have always been a slow reader and hate timed tests.
71. I am horrible at geography!
72. I love good manners and polite people!
73. I won an African Safari worth almost $44,000 from American Express last year!
74. I am more impressed with people's character than movies stars, professional athletes or wealthy people!
75. I never could have made it through a divorce without God!
76. I love to read my bible. I never even owned one before my divorce!
77. I love dark chocolate and red wine!
78. I love awkward teen-agers!
79. I love to ride my bike, go rollerblading, walks, jogs, golf, just about anything active!
80. I cannot imagine life without my ipod!
81. I am very self-concious about giving gifts. I love to give them, but I always worry if they will like them!
82. Fall is my favorite season. I love the smell of burning leaves!
83. I love family traditions!
84. My first car was the ugliest green Plymouth Fury! You could live in the back seat! I was so mad at my dad for picking it out. I trusted him and used all of my money to buy it!
85. I paid for every dime of my college education.
86. I am not afraid to die thanks to my sister and her faith!
87. My mom has the "mother's intuition" and just happened to invite herself over to dinner when both of my children were born. I love her so much! She can make me cry in a minute! She always seems to just "know" what is going on.
88. I have lived in the same house for 21 years.
89. I have a long scar on my right ring finger from a camp accident in 7th grade.
90. I have very bad posture! I try to stand up straight but it just doesn't work.
91. I love fine dining!
92. My dad could fix anything and he would do anythig I needed, whenever I needed him. I know he loved me!
93. I learned to drive a stick shift car and check my oil.
94. I love coffee.
95. I need to be around water. I love to sit on the end of a dock with my feet dangling in a lake!
96. I could look up at the stars forever!
97. I love sunsets, but I love sunrises even more!
98. I am terrible about remembering people's birthdays.
99. I went on two mission trips to West Virginia. My favorite was the first one where both of the kids went with us!
100. WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST IN MY LIFE I WOULD BE A MESS!

Can He Really Use a Dental Hygienist?

I had such a neat experience yesterday! As I was walking into my dental office I prayed to God to help me serve Him today! I asked to help me encourage my patients and give someone hope. Well... I looked at my patients scheduled for the day and noticed one of my favorite patients was coming in. I remembered how 6 months ago I shared some things that I later regretted. I told her how I was struggling in my marriage. I was kind of dreading seeing her yesterday since I was a little embarrassed for sharing too much with her. It gets a bit awkward when my patients sit there while I clean their teeth. We have to do a little small talk because the quietness is just too weird. I used to be a shy girl, but over the years I've had to come out of my comfort zone. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE my job and most of my patients are such a joy to see and we have developed some great relationships! Anyway... this particular patient is very friendly and we quickly began to catch up on what has gone on in the past 6 months. I told her how much better things have been since her last visit. She asked me what changed? I told her that I couldn't explain it, but I feel so much better. WE HAD NEVER talked about God or about being a christian or anything and I've known her for several years! Anyway... she pressed it and really wanted to know what worked. I finally had to tell her that I went to a Beth Moore conference. I asked her if she had heard of her and she said that her friends had tried to get her to go and see her and a Women of Faith conference. Before we knew it we were in a deep spiritual conversation. I explained to her how Beth had people stand up if they were in a desperate season of their life. I had stood up with my girlfriend who I had taken to the conference. She had just been diagonosed with a malignant tumor in her thyroid. I stood up with her to support her. It was almost immediately when God said to me, "Yeah, right! When you signed up for this conference you had one foot out the door on your marriage!" So... after that God has done huge things in my life! I told her about Beth's books and bible studies and I offered her some of my praise and worship music. I know she could see the excitement in my eyes! I am very excited about what God can do in her life, too! By the end of her appointment we both agreed that it was no accident that she was in my chair! So... long story short, He really can use this dental hygienist! HE answered my prayer!!! By the way... I did have enough time to clean her teeth!!

I just love where God has me planted!

Summer Vacation

Okay... I have to go back to work tomorrow after having a week off of work! We had such a nice vacation in northern Michigan. We rented a cottage on Mullett Lake and it was adorable! It was so tiny and cute and reminded me of a doll house! I had my quiet time every morning while sitting on a picnic table out by the lake with a cup of coffee, the sun shining brightly, while listening to the loons! I just love the sound they make!! I am doing my study on 90 Days with David and I just love it so much! (This was the first time I have ever taken my Bible with me on vacation... so this was huge!)

We swam, showered in the lake, went on our waverunner, read books, cooked out, had a bonfire and went golfing too!

Yesterday was our last day up north and we decided to spend the day on Macinac Island. We had lunch at a cool restraunt to celebrate our anniversary. We rode a tandem bike around the Island which is about 8 miles. That was fun until my husband decided to ride NO HANDED with me on the back! Did I ever tell you how much of a handful he can be? I better not get started! Then we had our Macinac Island Fudge ice cream before heading back on the ferry to catch our car to drive home!

We would definitely love to come back soon!

7-7-07 Happy 6th Anniversary! We made it!!!!

1 Corinthians 13

Love

1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR GOD BEING THE CENTER OF OUR MARRIAGE!
I am more in love with you today than I was on July 7th 2001!
-Angie xox

New York!!!

Hi Everyone! (haha... I am hoping a lot of people are interested... haha!)

I had the BEST time visiting Meghan in New York! It's amazing how much better I feel about her living there now that I've actually seen it with my own eyes! We had so much fun. I noticed so many things that happened would be perfect "blog" material!

Anyway... here are some of the best points:

1). I enjoyed staying with her in her very tiny, dark room with a loft for a bed. I had to be very discreet since she doesn't know her current roommates well and she worried I might make them unncomfortable being a "Mom" staying with her!
2). When I was in Starbucks waiting for her to finish up at work She called to tell me where to meet her and I had a difficult time hearing her so I decided to go outside to hear better... only to notice it was louder outside than inside!
3). We went to a very cool restraunt called Fig & Olive to celebrate her birthday... a little late!
4). We saw the play LEGALLY BLONDE! It was so much fun!
5). She got her haircut... and it took almost THREE hours!
6). I almost got stuck in the door of the subway! For real... in fact my water bottle went flying! (I could tell many stories about subway experiences!)
7). We went kayaking right in the middle of the city! And it was FREE!
8). I waited for her to teach swim lessons!
9). We went shopping at a certain store that she works for and got some unbelievable discounts!!!!! Thanks, Meghan!!!!!
10). She signed her first lease on an apartment! Did you notice the picture of her room? She can reach both walls at the same time! But... it's very bright so that's the best part!
11). We walked SO much!
12). We went for a jog around a reservoir! We had to make sure it would be safe for her to go early before work!
13). We rollerbladed around central park! I was very "uncool" because I insisted on wearing wrist protecters! I only had a few close calls!
14). We ate so many amazing dinners and the most amazing desserts ever! Did I mention EVERY night? Oh well... it was vacation, right? And her birthday? And I don't know when we'll get the chance to do this again? Did I give enough excuses?
15). We heard some very loud explosions only to later find out a manhole exploded and flew up on top of her apartment building!
16). I couldn't help but notice that although it is such a big city it seemed like there were a lot of lonely people. I told her how important it is for her to find a good church to make some close friends! I don't want her to lose her smile!


I guess we just did a lot of mom and daughter bonding and there is really nothing quite like it!
Thanks for dragging this small town girl around the big city!
Love you-Mom xox