I'm Still Here

I know I haven't been posting much lately. Don't give up on me. This last month of school is so hard, as you all know! When I'm finally NOT at school or doing school work, my brain is just tired. I am enjoying everybody's blog, however. Bloglines is a great way to keep track of everybody...thanks Candy!

I will share one little thing God showed me the other day. I had been praying at the House of Prayer (Our church has a small building dedicated 24/7 to prayer. It has worship music playing, comfy chairs, and a large cross. It is such an anointed place, I don't know how I survived without it. Isn't that neat?!) and was almost packing up to leave when God brought my name to my mind. He reminded me that the meaning of my name is 'Faithful Friend'. Then He so gently said, "That's what I want you to be to Me. Be 'Ruth' to me." Now, our pastors have been talking lately about DAILY prayer time in order to have that stress free life I've mentioned before, but I was not expecting that little twist! It was God's way of calling me to a more consistent prayer life. So that's my on-going challenge...one that I'll gladly take!

A big Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there!!

Mother's Day Give Away

href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/1477/mothers-day-giveaway/">

5 Minutes for Mom is having several give away contests for Mother's Day. Head over there and check it out! (I can't figure out why some of the Html code is showing, but oh well!)

Ruth Interviewed

Trella did this interview the other day and asked if anyone wanted to take part. I volunteered myself and here are her questions, and my answers. According to the rules, I must answer at least 5 of the 6 questions. I actually answered all 6. Drumroll please....

(I don't know why this post is skipping spaces and lines. Sorry!)

1) What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?
Now, I'm not trying to be overly spiritual here, but honestly the first answer that came to
my mind was the cross. At the cross I can find everything I need for a victorious life here
on earth, and at the cross is where I received salvation for eternity. At the cross is where
I can place all my problems and fears. Although there are many views more aesthetically
pleasing, to me, the cross is a beautiful place.

2) What do people like best about you?
Well, Matt (my 7 year old) says I'm cuddly. However, I think others that I spend time with
would say that I make people feel comfortable - both friends and new people in new
situations. I am definitely a peacemaker. (Now, that can be good AND bad.) Even in
ministering to people, when someone I have worked with in the past has left the church and
is ready to come back, they feel free to call me.

3) What person has influenced your life the most? why?
This is hard because there are SO many people to chose from. However, at the moment, I
would have to chose my pastor for the past 16 or so years, Pastor Bray Sibley. The past 5
years has especially changed my life and who I am. I could write a book about it, but I'll
summarize. Our church moved into having weekend Encounters, where you basically have
a 'face to face' encounter with God. Wounds are healed. Strongholds are demolished. Faith
grows by leaps and bounds. My life has been drastically changed by this. Now, not only
do I and my family benefit, but I seek to help others do the same. There is nothing more
rewarding then watching somebody you reached out to become who God created them to
be as THEY get healed and set free. Pastor Bray's anointing, obedience, and leadership
has influenced me and continually challenges me to reach God's destiny for my life.

4) If you could choose to be an animal, what animal would you choose to be? why?
I would want to be a spoiled, lazy housecat. I could sleep as much as I wanted. I would deal
with people when I feel like it. I would be queen of the household!!! (At least, that's how MY
cats act.)

5) What would your family say you're like first thing in the morning?
They would say I am slightly grumpy and very schedule orientated. My husband says I am
humorless at that hour. In my defense, my alarm goes off at 4:40 a.m. (I don't get up until
5:10), and I have to get 4 of us out of the door by 7 a.m. I am a night person, so I usually
don't go to bed early enough. Any night person that has to get up so early every morning
would agree with my evaluation of this being cruel and unusual punishment. My principal
doesn't seem to agree with me.....

6)Share a quirky habit you have. How long have you had it?
Hmmmm. I read books I like over and over and over. I have to be in the mood to read a new
book, even if it's from my favorite author. My husband says I say things 3 times in a row
quickly when I feel an urgency in something, like "Watch it! Watch it! Watch it!" while he's
driving.

Are you interested in being interviewed? Just tell me in the comments, and in a few days I will post some questions for you to answer. The rules are: You must answer at least five of the six questions. You will update your weblog with the answers to the questions and include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions (that you write). So on and so on...Have fun, and thanks for volunteering!

Get Your Tissues

I just figured out how to add music to my site. I've enjoyed everybody's lists so much, I decided to do it, too. The song that plays first is an older one by Mark Shultz, and you probably have heard it. It is a heart-rending song of a daddy praying for his son. This song meant so much to me during the times of Matt's heart surgeries (and still does), but also it continues to remind me of my prayers for Ben as he battles autism. The first time I heard this I was driving, and I almost had to pull off the road. It SO mirrored my prayers that it took my breath away, and I just sobbed. I also think that every parent can sympathize as well, because which one of us wouldn't want to take a physical or emotional pain for our children so they don't have to hurt? This song is really every parent's cry at some time. Here are the lyrics:

I'm down on my knees again tonight
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right
See there is a boy that needs Your help
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired I'm sure You can understand
Each night as he sleeps She goes in to hold his hand
And she tries not to cry As the tears fill her eyes

CHORUS: Can You hear me? Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him? Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me Let me take his place somehow
See, he's not just anyone He's my son

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep
I dream of the boy he'd like to be
I try to be strong and see him through
But God who he needs right now is You
Let him grow old Live life without this fear
What would I be Living without him here
He's so tired and he's scared Let him know that You're there

CHORUS
Can You hear me? Can You see him? Please don't leave him He's my son

A Quick, Random Thought

I'm planning on writing something soon, but until then, here's a little fact that I found amusing...At three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07. This will never happen again!

You don't even have to comment...but I thought it was cute! =o)

Show and Tell...Saturday (?)

Even though I missed Show and Tell Friday, I didn't think anybody would mind if I extended it to Saturday. =o)

This was my grandparents grandfather clock. I have loved this clock since I was a little girl. My grandparents lived in Wisconsin, and we lived in Louisiana, so I'd only get to their home once a year at most, but I distinctly remember the layout of the house, the special smell of that house, and...the chimes from this clock. As my grandparents grew older, I remember one of my aunts commenting that, one day, all she wanted from their house was this clock. I never, as a grandchild, thought that I could ever have it, but when I heard that comment, I remember thinking, "Oh well. So much for that." Years later when my grandparents passed, my other aunt called me to see if I was interested in having this clock! Now, I never had mentioned to anybody (including my mom), that I loved this clock. I was excited, but I was so surprised that the other aunt didn't want it. Sure enough, she didn't. So, now I have the clock!! It is such a special piece of memory for me. Isn't God good? He gives you more than you can hope or imagine, and even the little wishes count. It chimes every 15 minutes and on the hour and has such a nice sound. It will be a wonderful piece to pass from generation to generation.

A Stress Free Life

We talked about this in my women's cell group and then at church. It's pretty good, so I thought I'd share some of my notes on this. I need to process it MUCH more, so the best thing for me to do is blog it!! =o)

Is a stress free life possible? Well, it's what God wants for us. Take a look at a familiar scripture, but in the Message Bible:

Matthew 11:28 -30
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

Wow! I like that version of this scripture. I know the Message isn't the most "accurate" translation, but boy, it can sure get an idea across!

The first step to a stress free life is "Come to me." If we are stressed, the first thing we need to check is are we going to Him, or are we allowing our busyness or circumstances to keep us from Him? He is where we find peace, joy, strength, etc.... No wonder we can quickly stress out when we don't take the time to spend with Him. Just daily routine can quickly zap the joy and pile on the stress, not to mention when a "monkey wrench" gets thrown in the routine! Our pastor always says to make an unbreakable appointment with God...and keep it! So, in order to live above the stress line, we must take time to run to God, lay everything at His feet, and let Him "watch our backs".

To be continued....