The blog thingy-ma-bobby...

I know. My vocab astounds me sometimes. Where did all learn all those long impressive words?

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
Taking care of a 5 month old baby, freaking out over my husband's job loss and possible move.

2. What are 5 things on your to-do list today.

1. Laundry
2. Wash dishes, wipe counters, scrub kitchen sink
3. Sweep, mop kitchen floor
4. vacuum rest of the house
5. clean the sink and toilet in the bathroom.
-Saturday is usually clean up day. The day I reserve for all my most fun chorres for this day. I could list at least 10 more on my to-do.

3. What are your 3 favorite snacks?
Jalepeno chips
dried fruit (craisins and plums...mmm)
a taste of something sweet

4. What would you do if you were a billionare?
pay off the tiny bit of debt I have, as well as my parents'
Buy enough cleared land to build a custom house with a wing for mum and dad (yeah, i really think that much of them.) along with a barn type out building for some chickens, a few dairy goats, and a beef cow.
Set my husband up in some sort of business of his own so he isn't subject to the idiotic whims of his employers
Sew a large seed into revival, and ministries that I admire, and support missions, orphanages, and feeding programs.

5. What states have you lived in?
PA,Colorado,TX,VA,NY

Praying...Seeking...Praising...

I promised I would save my thoughts about the Outpouring for another blog post. Here it is. I'm going to attempt to put my thoughts in a rational, well spoken post.

I've been watching the revival that has been taking place down in Florida since mid-April when GodTv first started airing it. I took it at face value. People were being healed, saved, delivered, and drawing closer to God. It stirred something in me. Something that had fallen asleep, and something that I had given up long ago. Experiencing God's love. I've posted about it before. My experiences do not define who I am as a follower of Christ. I love Him, but not because of experiential bliss. I love Him, because He first loved me. There, now I've gotten that out there I can freely talk about what I really intended to blog about.

After watching the outpouring for a few weeks I decided to see if I could find anything by anybody that had been there. I wanted to see if there is abiding fruit coming out of all that excitement. As I started to search I did find a few testimonies from people who had been there, and been touched, but what I found more of was people bashing what has been going on. Things like: It's demons, not God healing all those people, Jesus isn't being preached, people aren't getting saved, people lives aren't truly being changed, it's witch craft that makes people act or feel the way they've been feeling. To all that I wanna say "GIVE ME A BREAK!"

Since when do people that have spent 2 hours worshiping and praising Jesus, praying to Him and in His name and asking His presence and Spirit to touch them receive a demon instead? Since when does someone laying hands on you and praying for you "IN the name of Jesus" operate with witch craft and demonic power? Tell me how if you are asking something from the Father, In the Name of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit, tell me how they are receiving lying signs and wonders or demons? What ever happened to this passage of scripture?
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matt. 7:7-11

When people are flocking to the front every night to accept Christ as their own personal Saviour, how then can the observation be made that people are not coming to Christ? What's more, how do you explain away a 15 year drug addict that is instantly set free from addiction with no cravings and no withdrawals? All the glory belongs to God.

Come on people! What's going on may not be in the package you like, but does it make it not from God. John the Baptist was radical, clothes in animals skins and crying out "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." He wasn't a package that people of his time would like, but does that mean he was not God's messenger? Todd Bentley is not perfect. There is a lot of imperfection in him. (He's only 32 years old.) Those of you without sin, and that have reached perfection, go ahead, cast the first stone.

There may be a lot of emotionalism and excitement going on. All those that claimed to be healed may not actually have been, and there may be people there with their eyes on the vessel (those in ministry) rather than the One who flows through the vessel, but let us not be taken in by those that say this is not of God. Keep your eyes on Jesus, keep pressing in to Him, seeking and asking and knocking. Let's not seek the signs, the wonders, the miracles, the goosebumps or other manifestations. Let's seek the giver of those things.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matt. 7:8

This and That

I know I haven't posted much lately. I have been rather wrapped up in real life instead. Living it instead of writing it. We've been looking at a house, and all the 'fun' stuff that goes with it. At this point I don't think we're going to get it. It would be great, and perfect and exactly what I would want in a property, but if it doesn't come now, it will at some point. If I'm anything, I'm pretty patient.

Hubs was off work for 2 days over the weekend. That never happens. Maybe once or twice a year. Sunday we worked on getting the pool ready. Yeah, I know, work on Sunday...Jesus is my sabbath rest, but I still try to keep a literal sabbath day. This week didn't happen, not fully anyway. Monday we spent the day putting new molding around the kitchen, and some of the living room. It didn't' get finished. We needed another day or two. Then, I'm going to paint all the rooms. If we're going to live here a little longer, then I want it to look a bit fresher and newer. I may break down and redo the kitchen cabinets too. That would be soooo nice!! I've wanted new cabinets for several years now.

Last week I had some weird stuff going on with my body too. Nothing is more irritating than when one's own body gets a glitch. It's personal, but it's fixed now.

We have been working on the final push for the end of the year (homeschooling). 10yo was doing pretty well and keeping up a good attitude. It was my fault we fell behind. I had a breakdown of sorts this past Jan-Feb. I was of no earthly good. We accomplished much less than we should have school-wise. Now we're having to make it up, even though we'd rather be doing summer vacation type things.

In between all those earthly happenings, I've been closely watching what's happening down in Florida. I've watched via GodTV nearly every night. People are popping out of wheelchairs, throwing away canes, and claiming to be "missing" tumors. Praise God that He is still in the miracle working business. I've been praying, praising and worshiping right along with them. The other day, I was looking for some fresh news about the Outpouring, ... Maybe that's a whole 'nother post. Yup. I think it may be.

David VS.

David. The Duel. How many of us called this one?

I like both of these guys. I don't even care who wins. Not that I ever really care all that much.

Tonight a little live bloggin'.

David and David make a few nice comments about one another...ahhh isn't that nice.

David Cook is up first with "Still haven't found What I'm lookin' for." I like it. Sounds very DC. I had to sing along. good song.

David Archuletta does one of my all time favorites "Don't let the sun go down." This is just one of those songs for me. I also really like this kid. We'll see if he brings it home for the chorus....

Sorry, I don't really know if he did or not. 5yo was in the bathtub and ready to be washed. What I heard sounded okay, but in no way compares to say, George Michael.

The second song of the for the boys are the ones written specifically for the contest. Sorry, I totally missed the names of the songs, but in my opinion David A.'s was a better written one.

The last song selection of the night was contestants choice.

David C. chose "The world I know." Again, that's a pretty good song. He did well with it. If I'm being honest though, I prefered David A.'s song rendition of "Imagine." Vocally, he totally outshines the other David while the other David generally has much more energetic performances.

The winner will be vocals vs. performance. I'd rather hear a great singer than watch a charismatic one. My pick? David A. But truthfully, it's either of their's to win.

Listen to the Rhythm

Of the falling rain...Pitter patter. I feel so relaxed and so at peace. I'm so in love with My Lord and so amazed at how He keeps me. He keeps me, and guards me, leads me, and guides me. I feel peace, although things are very unstable. I feel rest, although things should make me feel restless.

The rain is falling, I'm drinking a hot cup of coffee, and I know God loves me. What more do I need?

No 'pooing

As I have mentioned before I am a granola momma. I ooze all things natural. Last June I switched to friendlier hair care products and cut back on the amount of product I was using. (All those chemicals being so close to my brain had never occurred to me before that.) I had known that the less often I shampoo my hair the better it would look and the healthier it will be. My dad told me stories about how the old ladies my grandmother nursed as a young women never washed their hair. They used cornmeal and a boars bristle brush and had beautiful glossy hair. Being a person with L-O-N-G hair (it's currently past my waste) and a person looking to be even more back to nature, I tried it on a few gross hair days while weaning my hair away from being washed everyday. (The cornmeal works, y'all, but it is sooo much work. all that brushing) Gradually I was able to go every other day without looking greasy, and now I need as little as 2-3 washings per week. My hair is looking great and it doesn't stink! (i was worried about that part of less shampoo.) I know, it seems to contradict western thinking. How can washing my hair less, make it less greasy?

Our bodies make natural oil to coat the hair. By washing it away we are stripping it, and telling our body to produce more oil. By gradually cutting back on the times between shampooing, my body has regulated how much oil is really needed up there. I used to think I HAD to shampoo every day. Now I know I don't.

So I've been shampooing less often, cutting out silicone based products, and sodium laurel sulfate products, and switching from a brush to a comb (especially when it's wet). My hair has been through some damage. I swim all summer which is bad for it and then last Christmas I actually caught it on fire. I had to cut several inches off. I was hoping I wouldn't have to chop it all off, and now I don't think I will.

So i first heard about no pooing quite a while ago. (Last year sometime?) When I first heard of no pooing I thought "ewww! gross" even though the reasoning behind it made sense (less chemicals). Don't we need shampoo to get our heads clean? Slowly the idea started to seep in and I thought that someday I may give it a try. After all, I had found making laundry soap to be pretty painless. As time went on though, I became even more diligent about chemicals out of my life. I had switched to homemade cleaning products years ago (hello vinegar!), quit using deodorant (hello salt crystal! and NO i don't stink!!) and have been eating organically for years and years (thank you Mr. Nature Dad and Organic Gardening). Why not try giving up the shampoo? Still, it has taken me weeks to get the courage up. Tonight, though, I did it. I didn't use shampoo to wash my hair. Instead, I no 'pooed.

I took my 1tbsp to 2c. water into the shower, along with my apple cider vinegar and gave it a whirl. First I wet my hair, (i brushed it really well with a boar's bristle brush before the shower though.) then I used one of 5yo's play teapots to distribute the bs (baking soda) mixture across my scalp. It got slippery (like i had used a soap that didn't bubble.) I used my finger tips to scrub my scalp from front to back until the hair began to feel rather squeaky clean. I used this as the signal to rinse. After that I used a ACV rinse and let that sit a few moments while I washed my face and body. Right before I got out i rinsed the ACV mixture. My hair felt funky. kinda sticky and I thought there was no way I was going to be able to comb it. I was worried I need conditioner but thought I'd try to go without and then hop back in to shampoo the correct way if I needed. When i finally was ready to comb out my hair I was pleasantly surprised. Not only could I get a comb through it, but it was easier than if I had used shampoo and conditioner. Go figure. My hair feels light, and soft and silky. I had 10yo smell it ( i was worried it would smell like dirty hair) but all she could smell was the faint smell of vinegar (which I'm assured will dissipate quickly.) I'll fill you in tomorrow to see if it actually looks clean. My only complaint so far is that my scalp feels a little dry.

I've read a few theories of how some think no poo work. I'll write about them later, after I see that it really does work. I'm not totally ready to give up the shampoo. I like the Giovanni triple minty type thing I just bought. It left my hair looking great (even without the SLS or 'cones).

Groovy Baby

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

New Beginnings

At the start of this year I did some major soul searching. I prayed, I cried, I poured my heart out to the Lord. I needed to hear something from Him. I can't really disclose all the details, but one of the things He showed me was that '08 is a year of New Beginnings. Oh, how that refreshed me.

All things made new this year. That's what I want. New Beginnings all around. New steps, new firsts. Bring it on Lord.

As I am watching Revival unfold I am reminded of those words. "New Beginnings." Is this the start of New Beginnings for me? for others? Is this finally the year that things will be made fresh in me? I want to be different. I want change. I want to hunger and thirst after righteousness. I want to step into new levels, new things. I want to be a part of Joel 1&2. I crave it. I desire it. I ache for it. Wake me Lord!

True Blue Friend

BLUE

You give your love and friendship unconditionally. You enjoy long, thoughtful conversations rich in philosophy and spirituality. You are very loyal and intuitive.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

Bless him anyway

We got a phone call yesterday. Mr. Moneybags doesn't feel like he wants to spend so much money on plane tickets. It was one thing when he was sending my parents and I, but my parents had to remind him I also have 2 children that I can't leave at home alone. The man could well afford to send us, but...Oh anyway. God bless him.

I still want to go to that meeting. If God doesn't provide the funding to go, then I know He can still bless me here at home.

Oh, I'm so hungry. Since praying that prayer last week for the Lord to make me hunger and thirst for Him, I have indeed begun to do just that (in a greater way). Tonight as I was in the car driving home, I began to get so restless to be home and with the Lord. Burn me up LORD!!

What's Up

Other than being sick last week, I've been busy doing a few things. I went through and dug out everything from every cupboard, closet and storage area and tossed what I don't want anymore. Some of the stuff was too good to just be thrown out, so I boxed it up and put it aside for a yard sale this spring. I have only ever done 1 yard sale before, and made a fair amount of money off of used baby goods. This time around we have speakers, chargers, buffers, movies...oi! the list goes on. It'll be good to get rid of it and a real bonus to make a few bucks off of it. My next item on the to do list is to finish some outside painting, re-gravel the driveway, plant some spring/summer flowers, and then move inside for some painting. We have a lead on a property we have been looking at for several years and wishing would go on the market. It looks like it may sometime this summer! Yeah for us. If not, then we'll figure something out. Another year in this same place is doable, just not favorable.

In other news, I may be taking off on a jet plane to head to Florida for a week or so. One of the men in the church approached my dad (the pastor) Friday about sending him, my mom, and I to Florida to some meetings. This would be an answer to prayer as just Thursday we prayed and said if the Lord would provide a way, we'd like to go. None of us even mentioned it to this gentleman. God is good. Of course, my mind starts to doubt that it will happen. I looked up plane tickets, hotel accommodations, and rental car info for a group of 5 and it seems so pricey. I have a hard time believing someone would be that generous. Maybe he'll decide to just send my mom and dad. That would be okay too. I'm not technically on the ministry staff, although most of the people consider me part of the package. If it's the Lord's will I go, He can work it out.

Tomorrow 4yo will turn 5. Daddy is home today and not tomorrow, so the celebration starts today. We're off to buy a new bicycle and then to Olive Garden for lunch. My baby is getting so big. My how time flies.