God continues to amaze me every single time I open His Word. These past couple of days I have been so frustrated with my inability to see without reading glasses. I just don't like it. When I want to read something I want to be able to see. Yesterday I was sitting at breakfast and wanted to do my daily reading. I got so mad that I needed to pull out those stinking glasses. Thank you, God that that's all I have to worry about! But I got to thinking. I just find it strange that when I could see well, I didn't care about reading my Bible so much. Now, when I want to read His Word I can't see and need help focusing.
I looked up "eyes" in the Concordance in the back of my Bible. I wanted to see what I could find. Here's where God took me...
Colossians 3:18-24
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their EYE is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
This passage made me stop and consider my life. I tend to be a people pleaser instead of a God pleaser. I need to think about how pleasing my life is to Christ. Do my words and actions speak love to my husband and others in my life?
Dear Lord, Thank you for Your Word and for giving me eyes to see them, even if it's with reading glasses. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can be full of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And please, Lord help me especially when no one is looking besides You. Help me keep my focus on You.
I love Thankful Thursdays because I believe Praising God can help ANY situation. I mean think about it. Praising God changes everything. It takes the attention off of me!
Today I am Thankful for Spring Breaks. We have been very fortunate and blessed to have been able to take many, many wonderful trips over the years. Some of my favorites were when we used to go to Hilton Head Island every year. I love the Azalea plants. I love walking on the beach and seeing the dolphins. I love Spanish Moss trees. I love everything about it. I even loved the road trips. It took 16 hours to get there. Then as the kids got older we traveled with families of my kids' friends. I miss those days!
Tomorrow my son leaves for Utah to play lacrosse with his team for Spring Break. He is hoping to go skiing in his free time. He has never skied out west and is looking forward to it. Tonight we are watching MSU play Wisconsin in basketball. I love having him home!
There is only one sad thing about Spring Break. I couldn't help but notice my daughter's "away" message... It said, "wishing I still got a 'spring break'." She is working full-time now and reality has set in. I wish we were sneaking away.
Anyway... I am Praising God for all of the memories we have. I Praise Him that I can close my eyes and go back to each place we have visited. We had the time of our lives.
Today is a big day for this siesta in Michigan. It's cold and snowy outside but my heart is so warm because this is my 200th post. I am not sure if I should be embarrassed that I spend too much time on here or happy about how much my faith has grown since I first began this blog. I think I'll go with the happy part. I simply could not do this post today without adding this song. He is my everything. I want to personally thank each one of you who has ever visited my blog and taken the time to comment. I am blessed!
It's Monday and we all know what that means... Time for an update of Cover to Cover hosted by Bev and the girls. I look forward to reading their insights every week.
Reading the book of Leviticus was actually quite difficult for me. There were so many laws and guidelines that had to be followed by the Israelites. So many specifics left absolutely no room for misinterpretation. The bottom line was that the LORD is perfect and Holy. Since God is holy, nothing can exist in his presence that is not perfect and pure.
It is hard for me to understand why some of the laws still exist today and some do not... Leviticus 23:3 'There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.
All I know is that God set apart the people of Israel from the surrounding nations and with that came a great responsibility.
Leviticus 19:1-2 The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
I probably shouldn't admit this, but I am glad to be done with this week's readings. I'm looking forward to next week. Until then, I am praying for all of you that something lingered in you that I didn't catch. I'm going over to Bev's to see what insight she shared!
Much Love, Angie xoxo
p.s. I tend to be a perfectionist, so maybe that's why this seemed so overwhelming to me.
As a dental hygienist I am very mindful of making sure my patients stay on schedule for their 6 month recall appointments. It's just necessary for good dental health. Some need to come in more often but that's a whole other post. As I looked at my schedule the other day I couldn't help but remember... 6 months from this weekend is the Siesta Fiesta! It is going to be in San Antonio, Texas on August 22nd and 23rd. Check it out! I tried to link to it, but it didn't work. Look up Beth Moore events and you'll find it. If any of you are new to the blogging world you won't want to miss this amazing time we have planned. Beth had the great idea and mentioned it on her post on the LPM blog last Jun 13th. We'll get to meet each other face to face! I am so looking forward to meeting you! Have you all signed up? I need a theme song, but cannot think of any. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate them.
For now, don't forget to make sure you have your dental appointments made. It'll make life a lot easier for you... and your dental hygienist! :) Also, keep flossing!
In His Love, Angie xoxo
Thank you, Annie for your contribution to this post. Absolutely PERFECT!
This Thursday I am thankful for my son, John and his character. It's probably not right to brag about him, but tonight I want to. I talked with him last night about his lacrosse team and his disappointment in the leadership of his team. Because of that he has taken on some traits that he is not proud of today. He has decided that he needs to be a better role model for the younger guys on the team. I'm proud of the fact that he isn't afraid to admit when he is wrong.
I am also thankful for all of the people who loved me when I went through my divorce. A young girl I work with had to go to court today to finalize her divorce. I pray I can show her the love of Jesus and point her to Him during this difficult time. It brought back so many memories.
I am thankful for my health today. It seems this week so many people have lost loved ones or have had some scary situations. I Praise God that he is in the midst of every situation and He knows and is here to wrap His loving arms around us.
I am thankful for our small groups. I love the whole idea of small groups and how connected we've become over time. We are here to encourage one another and hold each other accountable. I can't imagine life without a group of friends who are living life together.
Happy Thankful Thursday. Of course I am also thankful for YOU! Love, Angie xoxo
I'm Praising God tonight for my special friend. I love you, M. When I look at you I see Jesus! I'm so happy I could just cry. God continues to amaze me every single day!
I went to a funeral today of my friend's grandson who passed away last Thursday. He would have been 2 years old this week. He was only expected to live a week or so but he blessed his family for so much longer. It was a beautiful celebration of the life of Ben Randall. He was loved by so many people! Please enjoy this beautiful song that was played today. Please pray for the family of this adorable little boy who had Down's Syndrome.
Hug your kids tonight if you can! Love, Angie xoxo
My daughter went to a birthday party for her best friend's grandfather this past weekend and she shared this poem with me that was given to everyone as bookmarks. I'm not sure how old he is, but I know her grandfather and he is an amazing man who has such wisdom. He's different and I am sure it's because God is his center. I have no idea who wrote it, but I thought you'd enjoy it as much as me.
It Shows In Your Face
You don't have to tell how you live each day; You don't have to say if you work or you play; A tried, true barometer serves in the place--- However you live, it will show in your face.
The false, the deceit that you bear in your heart, Will not stay inside where it first got a start; For sinew and blood are a thin veil of lace--- What you wear in your heart, you wear in your face.
If your life is selfless, if for others you live, For not what you get, but how much you can give; If you live close to God in his infinite grace--- You don't have to tell it, it shows in your face.
I have one more story I want to share that I heard yesterday. I was out of town when my girlfriend, Sheila's father passed away and when I got home we had a good cry together. She told me a story that is priceless. Her father was a recovered alcoholic. He went to AA meetings several times a week for 45 years! At the funeral home were many, many men who stopped in and my girlfriend and the family had no idea who they were. They told them they were from, "Monday mornings", or "Tuesday afternoon" etc. The first man who came in was at the funeral home every second of the visitation. He told the family that my girlfriend's father had been his sponsor and he had been sober for 11 months and was so grateful for his support. The family had no idea what a support he had been for so many during his time at AA. I don't know much about AA except that it's a 12 step program. I'm pretty sure God is in there somewhere. He must be! Apparently after each year of sobriety they give them a coin. In the corner of his casket was a bowl with the 45 coins in it. He was close to 46, so they gave him his 46th coin. This story gave me the chills. He clung on the support of other men for all of those years because he had a stronghold that only God and AA could set him free of. He's free now, and that makes me smile. Precious, just precious! And... we never know who we may touch along our path. Please pray for Sheila's mother who is struggling since they were ready to celebrate their 65th Wedding Anniversary this next weekend.
We have much to learn from these 80+ year old men. Let Christ's light shine brightly and show on our faces today! Love, Angie xoxo
We woke up to rain and ice on top of the snow we already had this morning. I couldn't go to church because the ice was so bad. It would have been dangerous to make the trip to church. I was supposed to join my cousins for a luncheon to plan a family reunion for this Summer. That was canceled. At first I was happy to be trapped in the house. I did some cleaning that was way overdue. I spent a good part of the day doing my Bible study homework for Tuesday night. I made dinner and that was mediocre. I'm sure we have all had those kinds of days when nothing is really wrong...
God's Word is full of Hope. I learned something fresh again during my homework time. God's Word is God talking to me and my way of talking back to God is... PRAYER. I think it's time for me to get down and pray for all of my sisters so I can get away from my selfish thoughts.
I think I'll dream about being in the picture above. I'll pretend it's so hot that I wish I had some sunscreen. I think I'll pretend I have a full day ahead of me going snorkeling on the island of St. John.
I have so so much to be grateful for this evening! I know it! I'm just happy listening to this song!
I feel better! Thanks for listening... Love, Angie xoxo
As a lot of you know I am a dental hygienist. My husband is a Veterinarian and since he has only been open for 2 weeks, on my days off he likes me to go in and help out. I have to admit I am a little out of my element. (Actually I am scared of most breeds of dogs.) He has a new computer system and they are trying to go paperless. When I try to "check a patient out" I feel like Lucy and Ethel. He wants me to go in again this morning, but I'd rather stay home and get some things done... like watch my favorite episode of, "I Love Lucy".
I hope you have a better day than me! Love, Angie xoxo
I just love how Patty started the God Stop Fridays. I look forward to reading about God and what He is doing in the lives of my friends!
I had a major God Stop this week and all I can say is I am glad I am typing this and not trying to tell you this face to face because I would be a total mess. You wouldn't be able to understand my words through the tears. I am not kidding.
I saw Jesus this week through my dear friend Annette (and her husband Mike). I wish I had the gift of words to describe my time with her. This experience was like none other in my life. Our time together was a gift from God. There is absolutely no other way to explain it than Him. He orchestrated it from the beginning. It was her birthday when I arrived and she treated me like it was mine. It turned out it was her husband's birthday as well. I couldn't believe she invited me when it was probably the worst week for them. Her girlfriends took us out for dinner. They treated me like I had known them for my whole life. It was the strangest, most beautiful thing ever. We had such a special time when I went with her to Bible study. We worshiped God together and He spoke to me through Beth Moore again. It was another gift! I had hoped I could meet Beth in person, but it didn't work out. In the end it didn't matter. Beth is a vessel that God chose to get His Word to me. I'm grateful for her obedience!
I don't know why Annette chose to love on me. I'm just an ordinary girl from Michigan. I will never forget this precious week of my life. The love and generosity that was shown to me had to come from a God who loves me and is deep within this new friend of mine. I will cherish the memories of this week forever!
God stopped me in my tracks and gave me a taste of HEAVEN! I pray you feel just as loved today! Angie xoxo
Happy Valentine's Day to you all! I am so Blessed by you! Thanks for loving me!
Have a great day! Love, Angie xoxo
p.s. I was out of town and have so so so much to be thankful for this Thursday, but I have to get to work. I wish I could spend all day on this computer reading your posts and telling you all about my sweet time away. I'll be back as soon as I can.
**THIS IS TOO LONG... Only read if you need something to put you to sleep... sorry!
When I was young I always thought I wanted to be a nurse, but as I reflect on what I am thankful for tonight...
I'm glad I'm not a nurse.
If I was a nurse... I'd probably have to work in a hospital. I would get nauseated in a hospital since the smell makes me want to faint. I wouldn't have worked in a dental office instead in high school. I wouldn't have learned that I wanted to be a dental hygienist. I wouldn't have had to work to pay for my way through dental hygiene school. I wouldn't have worked in the dental office where I met my soon to be husband. I wouldn't have married my husband. I wouldn't have had my two children, Meghan and John. I wouldn't have gone through my divorce . I wouldn't have had my friend Pauline take me to the Christian bookstore to buy my first Bible. I wouldn't have quickly learned that I couldn't live without a Savior and surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I wouldn't have had the need to heal from the divorce with the help of Kensington and the Catholic Church. I wouldn't have married my current husband. I wouldn't have met my husband's cousin (M.J. and her husband, Mark) who was interested in going to Kensington. I wouldn't have told him that I actally enjoy going to church on Wednesdays. I wouldn't have gotten close to M.J. and Mark and had the talk about The Holy Spirit's nudgings to go on a Mission Trip. I wouldn't have gone on that Mission Trip and met my friend Lisa. I wouldn't have been on the same project for a week and quickly learned we'd be lifelong friends. I wouldn't have had her invite me to see her favorite Bible study teacher, Beth Moore. Who cares that I had never heard of Beth Moore? I wouldn't have gotten excited to do Beth's studies and been able to understand them. I wouldn't have fallen in love with Jesus and with Beth Moore's excitement and contagious way of giving me the deep desire to get in His Word. I wouldn't have invited my mother and sister-in-law to the WOF conference in Cleveland last Summer and introduced them to Beth Moore. I wouldn't have told my friends in my small group I was struggling in my second marriage and having them pray for me constantly and even start to lose their patience with my never-ending complaining about my marriage. I wouldn't have taken my friends to see Beth Moore in Detroit last February. I wouldn't have stood up at the conference when Beth asked anyone who was in desperate need to stand up for prayer. (I stood up for Paula since she was having a serious surgery in the next couple of days. God quickly convicted me saying, "When you signed up for this conference you weren't even sure you'd be with your husband.") Beth wouldn't have prayed for me! I wouldn't have experienced the miracle in my marriage. I wouldn't have gotten on Beth's website and learned about her blog. I wouldn't have known what a blog was? I wouldn't have started my own. I wouldn't have met such amazing women. I wouldn't have gotten all of the love and support from "imaginary" friends. I wouldn't have commented on total strangers' blogs. I wouldn't have become close friends with so many of the girls and bought a ticket to a "Siesta Fiesta" in San Antonio where we will all gather together and celebrate such an amazing gift from God Himself. I wouldn't have read a comment on one of Beth Moore's posts that touched me so much that I just had to click on a special girl's blog. I wouldn't have read so many of her posts and been inspired by all of them. I wouldn't have e-mailed her back and forth. I wouldn't have told this girl so much about myself. I wouldn't have learned so much about her. I wouldn't have gotten the DVD's she sent me for my Bible study. I wouldn't have had her as my prayer warrior for the first Bible study I facilitated. I wouldn't have talked with her on the phone. I wouldn't have been invited to go visit her. I wouldn't have had someone offer to work for me so I could get away for a long weekend. I wouldn't have made plane reservations to really go see her. I wouldn't be getting on the plane on her birthday this Saturday. I wouldn't have received this gift for my birthday from my husband and God Himself. I wouldn't have been able to Praise God!
I'm so glad I'm not a nurse! Thank you, God! Nurses are some of my favorite people in the whole world! Love, Angie xoxo
p.s. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Growing up Catholic, Lent was always a big deal in our family. The big decision the day before Ash Wednesday was, "What are you going to give up"? I usually gave up something I enjoyed, like chocolate or junk food. It was always about me though, and had nothing to do with God. I wanted to drop a few pounds in the name of Jesus, yeah right! As I look back at it, I'm actually quite embarrassed.
It's hard to break an old habit. I had the same conversation with a dear loved one today who was trying to decide what to "give up"? They decided instead of giving something up they would make a commitment to go to church. I thought it was a great idea.
God and I had a little talk this evening about what I should do in preparation for Easter. I am going to commit to pray for a special family. I don't want to say too much, but I am begging you all to please pray with me for this family who is in such need but doesn't even know it. God is the only One who can do a miracle in their life. They need a miracle. Mark 9:21-24 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." " 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Please, will you pray with me? They need some rest. I can't thank you enough. More love than you can imagine, Angie xoxo
Tomorrow is the first day Baylis Animal Hospital will be open! My husband, Lincoln has been working hard for months in preparation for this day! Please, if anyone has any Scripture verses that might help ease the stress we would appreciate it! This is huge! I am going to find a verse that applies.
I know all the Glory goes to God for ALL of this. God gave Lincoln the ability to learn to care for the animals in a special way. During these past couple of months I've heard people say so many nice things about him.
Today at church, Lincoln asked our pastor to pray over him. Steve Andrews prayed and quoted C.S. Lewis... "You can never love an animal too much, only love people too little". Such great words!
I thought you might like seeing the pictures. This is the first time I tried to add a slideshow, so please bear with me.
Thank you, dear prayer warriors for all of your love and support! Angie (& Lincoln) xoxo
It's another cold day in Michigan but today my heart was warmed by my friend, Tonja, from "Gatherings". She was so sweet to give me this award called, "Pay it Forward" -Blessing Award. I was so touched by her thoughtfulness. I'm honored to have just one person think I am a blessing. As crazy as it sounds, I can get tears in my eyes by looking at my computer screen and seeing such kind words from someone I have never laid eyes on. I never take it lightly! Tonja has been such a blessing to me since the first time I read her blog. She's very funny, too! One of my favorite posts I've read of hers was when she was doing what all teachers should do and corrected the spelling of "ya'll" to make it "y'all". It must have bothered her to read it on so many posts. Someone gave her a hard time about it. Personally I appreciated it and thought it was hilarious!
Since I am supposed to pass this on, I am going to pass it on to my mother who wanted me to help her set up a blog. (She loved the post about my dad). I'm hoping y'all will stop her blog, "Honeybear" to welcome her and give her some love and encouragement ahead of time. I would appreciate it so much! And please pray for me for patience as I try to explain how to do posts. We are still working on how to "sign in". She lives in North Carolina! I'm praying she will be blessed in blogland and be a blessing to others!
Thank you again, Tonja! You are just the sweetest friend! I love y'all, Angie xoxo
That's what I love about this blog. It's the feeling of belonging. This is better than any sorority I could have been in, because ANYONE and EVERYONE is welcome. We don't have to be perfect, smart, pretty, young, rich, dress a certain way, live in any certain location, our house doesn't have to be big, beautiful or clean for that matter. We don't have to come from the perfect home! We don't have to have perfect grammar. All we have to do is be a girl and have the desire to write and share openly about what's in our hearts. Plain and simple, that's all we want is to be loved and accepted! Hopefully we are on here because we love God and love His people! Or we may just be on here because we want to check this whole God thing out!
Patty over at Girlfriends in God started the coolest thing. It's called GodStop Friday! Go to her blog and check it out to learn more about it. It's basically a time to just stop in our tracks and reflect on what God is doing in our lives.
Mine today is the simple fact that I've realized this week that we can all come together and feel loved and not afraid to show our strengths and weaknesses to each other. I pray we all feel safe enough on here to be authentic. I find that most people only want to share the parts of their lives that are perfect. Hopefully the Christian women want to be different and be real. We all struggle with something in our lives and I'm so grateful for the Great Physician who is in the business of healing all of those areas we would rather keep secret!
Thank you for always making me feel like I belong! It's so refreshing! Love, Angie xoxo
p.s. Did you catch that my song didn't work out right? I tried so many...
