New Twist.

After breakfast, our family has morning devotions together. I want to relay today's to you. It was about a pro golfer named Robert De Vincenzo. The readers digest version goes like this: After winning a tournament, De Vincenzo flashed a smile for the cameras as he accepted his winning check. After all his duties, he was walking to his car and as he was crossing the parking lot he came across a sad eyed young lady. She proceeded to tell him that he was having a good day but she was not. She continued to tell him that she has a very sick baby girl with a blood disease, who the doctors said would die. De Vincenzo looked at her and without much thought asked if he could help her little girl. He then endorsed his winning check over to her and told her to make some good days for her baby. A week later, he was having lunch at a country club and someone asked him about the incident with the young lady. It was then he was told that the lady was a phony and that there really was no sick baby and that he had been scammed. He said, "You mean there isn't a baby who is dying without hope?" His buddy nodded. I love his reply. He grinned and said, "That's the best news I've heard all week." How cool is that? Not the response you would expect. Made me think about how I would have responded. Did it make you think?

YIPPEE!!

Alright so most of you know that Mike and I have been waiting anxiously for some of our first assignments to be returned. Well I am SUPER HAPPY to report that we are doing a GREAT job!!! Mike got 3 assignments back and he got the following grades: A, B+ and a B!!! I received 2 assignments back and here were my 2 marks...A and B+!!! I am SOOOOOOOO excited! I feel like celebrating!

Also something came to me as I was looking at these assignments. I think that a person truly needs to be passionate about something in order to succeed in it. Both Mike and I are not the best students, however, we ARE passionate about serving God so we will continue writing papers until we are told to stop, only because through this, we are serving God. I was reflecting about my past studiousness, or lack of more like it, I didn't make high grades in many subjects simply because I was not passionate about the subject. The subjects that I enjoyed on the other hand, were not too bad. So in light of this, here is a challenge...Figure out what are you passionate about. Then ask yourself this question, "Am I as/more passionate about serving God as I am about my other passions???" Just a thought.

Are You A Sacrament?

Ok so I know that the title has sparked your interest...Now that I have you here I want to share something that I am learning. Now if you know me I come from a background of churches that regularly practice the sacraments, such as baptism and communion. Now that I attend The Salvation Army, I no longer partake of any of those on a regular basis...which honestly kinda bothered me...Until today. See, many people believe that The Salvation Army does not believe in the sacraments...This is not true. It is in the Bible, therefore we very much so believe in it. We just choose not to let the rituals of church interfere with our daily worship, so to speak. In my studies I have learned that my very life is regarded as a sacrament. William Booth (founder of TSA) had the right idea after all. Probably a good thing that I agree with him, especially if I am willing to serve God through TSA from now on! Anyhow, it has come to my attention that "When our hearts are made holy, all of life is a sacrament." Grace does not come through the communion of bread and Welches but through the grace given to us by faith in Jesus. I know this is not new info but it just sat right with me today. Instead of partaking of bread and wine/juice...We in TSA commune with God in every aspect of our lives. Instead of baptism of babies we dedicate them, instead of adult baptism (which is a public declaration of faith), we wear uniforms...not just once but almost everyday to show our public commitment to Christ. As far as communion, we are instructed in the bible to do this in remembrance of Christ...Not every second Sunday of the month (or whenever churches do it) but EVERY time. This is why we, in our house anyways, try to have a mini devotional after a meal. The Salvation Army is in no way "anti-sacraments", as viewed by some. Rather, our sacraments are lived out every single day in The Salvation Army. I am a living sacrament. My life speaks of the grace given to me by God in faith, it is not dependant on bread, wine or water, as some, not all, churches believe. Too many people get caught up with the rituals of church and forget about grace altogether. Sacraments tend to separate the body of believers...We are all to be joined together in faith. Living a holy life consecrated to God. I am a living sacrament...Are you?

Case Papers Down

Hey everyone!
I just wanted to tell you all that our case papers are now out of our hands! We got them on Tuesday and by Thursday we dropped them off at the church! All that is left is Meg's medical on the 1st of May. That is all my news so far. I will keep you posted. HA get it? POSTED??? I need a vacation! **SIGH**

The Craziness Continues and I Love it!

Hey all, thought I should update before I get some complaints of my lack of posting...So on the college front, we received our full case papers yesterday which is yet another step in the huge process of college life. These papers include a medical for Megan, dental forms for our dentist to fill out, budget papers as well as life history and the pastor and key people in the church get to pick you apart yada, yada, yada...The kicker is that they want them done and back at the office for the 27th of THIS month! HA! Love it! I have discovered that I work very well under pressure...On top of our studies we need to get these papers done ASAP. SO please pray for it. I am really enjoying this process actually...It is fun and you learn about yourself. Alright moving on...Still no news on Mike's health, won't know much till after the 9th of May...As for Meg...**SIGH** For the last two days she has been a challenge. A wonderful challenge but a challenge none the less. She is not napping well, she is teething and everytime I put her down she cries. yet if a visitor comes she is completely happy. Funny. Not funny "Ha Ha" but just funny. Pray that she gets her teeth soon please. I feel so bad for her. Poor kid. Anyhow, that is all I have for you right now. Have a great day!

Prayer Please...

Hey all!

Ok so remember in my last post I said things must be ok with Mike's blood test? Well it turns out that after all the time we spent calling the doc (as requested of us) to find out the results...We just resolved to breathe a sigh of relief because we were told that everything must look normal because they had no results. Well I got a call yesterday from the doc's office wanting to set up an appointment with an internal specialist. Apparently things don't look so normal. What a HUGE disappointment. It is hard not to let my mind run away with different thoughts. Please pray for peace. Mike is fine, it is me! I know I just need to really trust in God and know that He will take care of everything! On May 9th he goes to see the specialist and we will know more hopefully. Until then, we will continue to trust God and live our life in a way that pleases Him. Please pray. Thanks.

The Prodical Poster

Well I am back. Sorry to all my faithful readers for not being as diligent in posting. I am sure I have a ton to tell you, now I just need to remember what is happening in our lives. Ok, first I want to tell you about a monetary blessing we received. It made me cry, not because we were given $150.00. I cried because it shows that God is really working in this particular family. It blesses my heart more to know that people are tuned in to God this much. ***SNIFF*** Anyhow, on uglier news, I got my period this month for the first time since having Meg. YUCK! I told Mike we should try for another baby just so I can be without it for another year and a half! Bad reason I know...Megan is now 8 months old and Mike and I were in bed last night wondering how she got to be so big already. Ridiculous really. I mean the kid is sitting up all by herself, playing with her toys, eating like crazy and talking all the time! What happened to my little baby who would sleep on me, or lay bone still in my arms? Now she doesn't even like to snuggle! ***SIGH*** It really goes too fast. Anyhow, Mike seems to be feeling better but we can not get any answers out of the doc. We were told to call about his blood test results and the nurse has nothing for us. We are assuming that every thing is OK. Also on the college front...I am SUPER excited for May!!! We have a couple of interviews but that is NOT the fun part, the best part is that we are meeting our best friends in Edmonton, staying in a hotel and then they are coming home with us!!! Super exciting. We have completed the 3 assignments required of us for the first Unit and now we are moving on to the second unit. Also, I was reading in the Army magazine about a couple who has been accepted for college...They have a son who looks to be about Meg's age!!! I am REALLY relieved about that! One of my prayers was that there would be a young couple with a kid like us...God is all about the details. Now I just hope that we get accepted for this year. It is all in God's hands...We do feel that the timing is right for this year. Anyhow, I am not too sure what else to tell you. Our Easter was super jam packed with family stuff and not school. Which was nice. For lunch yesterday I ate a chocolate bunny. Yep, I ate the whole thing. later that night, some friends came over to "weigh in" for "Weight Watchers" and everyone maintained their weight...except for me. I LOST 3 pounds!!! Yippee!! I should eat chocolate for lunch more! Speaking of chocolate, I am hungry. I am going to go for now. Hope this satisfies my readers for now. Who knows when I will post again. most likely when I get my first assignments back. This way I can tell you if our instructor is off her rocker or not. LOL! Chat later!