A New Look for the Holidays!

So... before we left to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family I had it all planned out how I would spend this afternoon getting out the Christmas decorations. We would play Christmas music, make hot chocolate, maybe get the house smelling like Christmas with a great stove top poutpourri... you get the picture.

However, here is the reality. I am tired. Don't get me wrong.. we had a GREAT Thanksgiving! But, the thought of pulling all the Christmas decorations down from the attic doesn't sound like such a great idea anymore. I want the day to relax and unwind and reflect.

So, in an effort to relax and unwind while still accomplishing some Christmas decorating, I decided to decorate my blog for holidays. I can sit down and relax, play around with Christmas colors and templates and play the Christmas music while I decorate.

Not exactly what I originally had in mind, but it works for me. And, next weekend, we'll get the rest of the house ready! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Perfect Mess

"...Together, you and I, we have been working with a purpose in your heart. And it is wild and beautiful and perfectly in process. To you it seems like a mess, but to me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive -- a living fractal."

excerpt from The Shack by Wm. Paul Young


fractal - [frak-tl]: (n) any of various extremely irregular curves or shapes for which any suitably chosen part is similar in shape to a given larger or smaller part when magnified or reduced to the same size.


I have recently completed reading the book The Shack. I cannot even begin to explain how much this book has blessed me. Although a work of fiction, it brings to life so much about the importance of our relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The author has such a beautiful way of describing God's love for us and the way in which He moves and is working in our lives.

The quote above is one of many that really spoke to me. Quite often I do see my life as a mess. I don't feel that I have it together well in my relationship with God, in my relationship with others, I don't feel that I always have my priorities straight or that I show God's love to others. Many days I'm not sure I am a good wife, mother, friend, or employee.

However, regardless of how big of a mess that I feel I am... that is the complete opposite of what God sees. God sees the bigger picture and He knows that while I may not have a strong relationship with someone today, I am learning something from the struggles on-going at the moment. Maybe someday that relationship will be great. Or, maybe someday I will be better prepared for another situation because of what I learned from the current relationship struggle. Because God is looking down on it from above He sees it all and He knows how all the pieces fit together.

As I was recently discussing this quote with several friends of mine, a picture came to mind (partly because of the setting in which this quote takes place in the book). Imagine that you are standing in the midst of a garden that is filled with many different kinds of flowers and grasses and trees. While beautiful, at the same time it is unorganized and there is no apparent rhyme or reason to how it all fits together. However, you then have the opportunity to fly over the garden and see that what appeared to be unorganized when standing IN the garden is now seen as the shape of an animal or a tree or some other object when looking down at the garden from above.

That is what God sees from above... the way the picture of our lives fit together to form the perfect pattern.


Thank you, Lord, for being able to see how my puzzle fits together. Thank you for seeing past the "mess" and being able to see the beauty that is in me. Thank you for standing beside me and never leaving me. Thank you for encouraging me to move forward even when I can't see past the present moment and all the messes that I feel have taken over my life. Thank you, Lord, for taking our messes and fitting them together into the perfect puzzle. Amen.

Ruth 1:1-6

"During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with his wife and two sons. (Now the man's name was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) They entered the region of Moab and settled there. Sometime later Naomi's husband Elimelech died, so she and her two sons were left alone. So her sons married Moabite women. (One was named Orpah and the other Ruth.) And they continued to live there about ten years. Then Naomi's two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, also died. So the woman was left all alone - bereaved of her two children as well as her husband! So she decided to return home from the region of Moab, accompanied by her daughters-in-law, because while she was living in Moab she had heard that the Lord had shown concern for his people, reversing the famine by providing abundant crops." Ruth 1:1-6


As I read this short passage of scripture, I am amazed at the trials that both Naomi and Ruth faced.... and the story hasn't even really begun! Six short verses into the book of Ruth, Naomi has endured famine that led to her family moving to a foreign country, she has lost her husband and both her sons, Ruth has lost her husband and they are both looking at moving again... on foot and alone. Any one of these events alone would be difficult enough to endure.

Let's briefly look at each one of these events.

First, Naomi and her family endured a famine that forced them to move to a foreign country, Moab. Can you imagine there not being enough food? And, to make it worse, that there is so little that you must pick up your entire family and move to a foreign land?

In this particular case it was an even bigger event than one might imagine as their move involved relocating from Bethlehem to Moab. To understand this, we must share a brief history on Moab. At the time of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's surviving daughters were fearful they would never marry and have children. Because of this fear they got their father drunk and slept with him. They both conceived and each had a son... one named Moab and the other Ben-Ammi. These two sons became the patriarchs of the Moabites and the Ammonites, two nations that warred frequently with Israel. The Moabites worshipped Chemosh (a deity requiring child sacrifice) and fertility dieties, Baals and Ashtoreths.

Second, after living in Moab for a period of time Naomi's husband, Elimelech, dies. Her sons then marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, which brings on another new challenge. Remember above the differences in beliefs between the Moabites and Naomi's family? Ten years after marrying both her sons then die. Naomi has now lost her husband and her two sons while at the same time Orpah and Ruth are now widows.

Third, as we reach the last verse of this passage, the women are looking to move away from Moab and to Bethlehem. Naomi has now heard the famine in Bethlehem is over and she wants to go home to her people. At this point, both Ruth and Orpah are planning to return to Bethlehem with her. This is a big deal as they would be leaving their homes and moving to a country where they know no one and where they worship very differently. Very similar to how it was for Naomi and her family when they originally moved to Moab.

In addition, this move would require these three women to travel alone for approximately 50 miles thru the mountains and the barren area of the Dead Sea. And, they would do it all on foot. Yes, you read that right... on foot. Can you even begin to imagine?

As I read thru these verses I am amazed at the ability of Noami to keep moving forward. I am amazed at her strength in even considering the journey back to Bethlehem. I am amazed at the willingness of Ruth and Orpah to travel away from their home and their family to journey to Bethlehem with Naomi.

I pray today that I would always be able to have the same strength.. the same trust in the Lord.. to enable me to be so strong and so willing to move forward in difficult circumstances. Some days I think my life is rough, but it is nothing compared to the journey Naomi encountered and walked in her life.

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving: Thankful He Delivers us From Troubles

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses." Psalm 107:6

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week I am especially thankful that God delivers us from our troubles. You see, several years ago around this time, I wasn't the happiest person you might meet on the street. Sure, I was friendly and I smiled (usually), but inside I didn't feel friendly and smile-y. Somehow, I had allowed myself to let the busy-ness of life, the daily trials, and quite frankly, Satan get ahold of my life and gain more control than I care to admit.

Even little things that happened during the day felt like it was someone or something's plight to hurt me. I felt resentful that my husband was gone constantly working (bad job situation) and resentful towards the company that he worked for even if they did pay his salary that allowed us a roof over our heads and food on our table. I let my relationships with friends become dry. You can certainly imagine all these feelings affected my relationship with my husband. And, even greater, if affected my relationship with the Lord.

I still attended church and I could "talk a good game" about my faith. And, truth is, I did still have my faith, I just didn't act upon it. By that I mean, did I spend time in God's word? NO. Did I pray? YES... but usually only when I needed something. Did I seek God in my life? NO.

Almost two years ago I realized how very tired I was of feeling so resentful, so wronged, so tired and so out of control. I was cranky ALL THE TIME. My husband was tired of listening to me (or not, as many times I would just clam up and not share... just be grumpy all the time!). While they never said so, I'm sure my children were tired of "cranky Mom". I was tired of feeling so down-trodden and alone. I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

The something that I did? I turned to God. I told Him how felt. How tired I was of it all. I cannot even begin to tell you how much better I began to feel as I got up off my knees! Certainly it wasn't all solved in that one moment, but I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I had taken all the "stuff" and laid it at the feet of Jesus. I was letting Him carry it and not me.

Since that time, with MUCH help and strength from the Lord, I have worked hard to turn things around. I have learned that so much of what happens on a day to day basis, well, just happens. No one is out to get to me. It's not personal. It is just life. And, while I do need to realize that some things I control and can make different... many things are out of my control and just not worth wasting my energy. So, I let those things go. I don't obsess over them like I would in the past. I've also spent alot of time talking to husband about things. When I'm upset about something I go to him and we talk about it. He may not always understand why I'm upset or why I need to talk so about it, but he listens and he supports. An added bonus? It's helped our marriage. It's good to share and to understand each other better!

I've worked on my relationships with others, too... co-workers, friends from church, family, etc. Those relationships are so important, too. Life is so much harder when you don't have those special people in your life.

While the above are so very important, I've also done some things that are even more important. I've worked on that relationship with the Lord that was missing. I spend more time in prayer, I spend more time in His Word, I spend more time turning it over to Him instead of trying to go it alone.

And, you know what, I truly believe that this last part is what has turned it all around for me. God is faithful. When you turn it all over to Him and allow Him to work in your life... HE DOES. Without him I would be back where I was several years ago. He has given me the strength to step past the walls I had built around myself. He has given me strength to go to my family and ask for their forgiveness and to be able to build back up the communication between myself and my husband. He has given me the courage to step out and do new things and make new friends. He has given me the desire to grow in my relationship with Him.

Do I still mess up and make mistakes and sometimes fall back into my old ways? Sure. I am human. But, God promises He is always there ready to pull us back up a 2nd time, a 5th time or any time. He loves us regardless and He will ALWAYS be there for us to help us "keep on keepin' on" as we seek Him. I may still be a work in progress, but God promises me that He is always there. He is by my side, holding my hand, and guiding me in the right direction.


This week, many of us bloggers have devoted a special post in which we are sharing our personal testimonies of the Lord's work in our lives and/or that of our families. Our collective prayer is that this sharing of our testimonies will not only encourage each other and give Glory to our Lord, but also show the love of Christ to those who happen upon our blogs. To enjoy many more testimonies like the one you've just read please visit us at "Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving".

Prayer Request

This afternoon I received a message from Beth at Outnumbered, Three to One requesting prayer for
Westin Dietz. Westin and his family are friends and neighbors of Beth. This dear little boy has been treated in the past for neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system. This past week they found that he has relapsed.

Please keep this family in your prayers and, if you feel led, drop by Westin's Caringbridge site and offer your prayers and encouragement.

The Scattergories Meme

I found this fun Scattergories meme this afternoon when visiting Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.


The Rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following questions.
* They have to be real places, names, things. nothing made up!
* You can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.
* Tag at least 5 people to play along

1. What is your name... Melanie

2. A four letter word... Moon

3. A boy's name... Michael

4. A girl's name... Michelle

5. An occupation... Maytag Repairman

6. A color... Maroon

7. Something you wear... Mittens

8. A beverage... Milk

9. A food... Marshmallows

10. Something found in the bathroom... Mint flavored toothpaste

11. A place... Maine

12. A reason for being late... Mishap

Wow! A couple of those were really tough! But, I did it! How about you? Can you answer each of the above questions using only words that begin with the first letter of your first name?

Friday Facts - Origin of the Word "Bible"

I've just got one item for today's post, but I thought this was kind of neat!

The word Bible is from the Greek word Biblia. Biblia literally means "books". Hmmmm... isn't the Bible made up of 66 books? And, wasn't the Bible written by over 40 different authors? So, reading the Bible is really like reading multiple books written by multiple writers. Pretty neat, huh?

Thankful Thursday

I have so many reasons to be thankful this week! God is so good!

~ I am thankful for God's protection as I have been away from home this week. Thankfully my flight earlier this week was uneventful and the days have gone by quickly. I've also had some precious quiet time in the evenings this week. Tomorrow afternoon I will be flying home. I can't wait to see my family!

~ I am thankful for special friends. As part of my trip this week I was able to work in a visit with some dear friends. We met for dinner earlier this week and what a special time together we enjoyed! These are all dear women that I have worked with in the past. The Lord really blessed us all when He brought us together thru our jobs.

~ I am thankful for my husband. God has so blessed my life with Jeff. This week Jeff is holding down the fort while I am gone and he always is so great to do this when necessary. He never has a problem getting both kids off to school, helps with homework, fixes dinner, gives baths and so much more. He is such a good daddy! He called me earlier this evening to let me know that our daughter is running a fever so the two of them will be hanging out together tomorrow at home as she rests and recuperates.

I'd like to close by asking if you would please keep my friend M. in your prayers. She is one of the dear friends that I met for dinner this week. She was my manager (and had been for 8 years) until the company laid her off earlier this year. We have worked together as her children have grown and two have married and as both of my children were born. We've shared some special life experiences together. A month after she was laid off her husband was also laid off from his job. So, as you can imagine, this has been a difficult year for them. Additionally, though, she recently discovered a tumor in her chest. She 's been going thru a number of tests to determine exactly what is going on. She had a doctor's appt earlier this week and they have confirmed the tumor and the location. The good news was that they determined some other concerns were non-issues. However, she will soon be meeting with a surgeon to determine how to further address the tumor. Please pray with me that this is nothing serious and also for M. and her family that God would grant them comfort and peace during this time of uncertainty. In addition to her husband, M. has 3 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws and 2 sweet grandchildren with a 3rd due in January.

Thank you, dear Lord, for your many blessings that you grant us each and everyday. Thank you that we can turn to you in times of distress and concern for ourselves and our friends. Thank you for the comfort and peace that only You can provide. Amen."


For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!

Word-Filled Wednesday - Psalm 103:12

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Picture courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

Awards

Last week Laurie Ann of A Magnolia's Heart Beats passed along to me a couple of awards. Thank you so much, Laurie Ann! If you haven't ever visited Laurie Ann before, you must take a minute now and visit her. I promise you will be blessed!



The first award is the Uber Amazing Blog Award. Uber is a German word that is similar to our English word super.

An Uber Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:

~ inspires you
~ make you smile and laugh
~ or maybe gives amazing information
~a great read
~has an amazing design
~and any other reasons you can think of that makes them uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:

~ Put the logo on your blog or post.
~ Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!
~ Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
~ Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.


Laurie Ann also shared this award with me:

The rules for this award are the same as for the first award.

I am so honored to receive these and I want to share this award with the bloggers listed below that I have come to love and enjoy. Please know this is not a full list as I have many, many that I love!

Amy @ Mom of 4-Saved by Grace
Amy @ Musings of a Teacher
Tarah @ Eyeglasses & Endzones
Tiffanie @ Our Life
Tanja @ Three Moody Cuties

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Wow.... The last couple of weeks has been busy around here! I fully intended to post on the book of Ruth today and I just have not had the time to sit down and type out my post. I've done the study work and I know, for the most part, what I will post. I just can't seem to get the time to type out the post.

So... I am going to postpone until next Monday. Later this week I will have some free time open up where I can begin typing out my posts for this study. I'll also be back (hopefully tomorrow) with some other posts I'm wanting to get up. But, for today, Ruth is on hold.

I will be traveling this afternoon to spend a few days out of town on business. If you think of it, please say a prayer for safe travels and that the days will go by quickly until I am home again with my family. Traveling without them is not one of my favorite things to do. Fortunately, this only happens a time or two a year. I am, however, going to take advantage of the quiet evenings in my hotel to catch up on posts that I want to share with you over the next week or two (that quiet time in the week I mentioned earlier).

Happy Monday to you all!

Being "Green" for the Holidays

NOTE: This post has been edited to correct the web site link for Catalog Choice.

Recently I've been looking for ways that I can cut back on the use of electricity, gas and paper around our house. I've been a BIG paper recycler for years and with the expense of electricity and gas over the last couple of years I've wanted to cut back to save money.

At the same time, I've been reminded what precious commodities these are and how we are responsible for using them responsibly. We need to be responsible so that we don't run out of these resources and as a way of taking care of our earthly home that was created for us by God. For example, waste paper and we lose ALOT of trees. Our planet would be in serious trouble without the trees.

This week I discovered a web site that could help us all take part in a great way to save paper. And, here's an added benefit.... keep some of the junk out of our mailboxes! I don't know about you but my mailbox is packed to the brim this time of year with all sorts of mail order catalogs that I don't even open. I've been looking for a long time for an easy way to remove my name from mailing lists on all these catalogs.

This website is Catalog Choice. Here's how it works...

~ First, create an account.

~ As all those unwanted catalogs begin showing up in the mailbox log into your account, choose the search option and enter in each catalog name.

~ If it is a catalog company they work with you will be asked to enter the customer code and key code from the address label on the catalog, then enter a reason code for why you no longer wish to receive.

~ Catalog Choice will contact the company to have your name removed from their mailing list.

~ If you find you are still receiving it in the future you can go back to your account and click an option called "Still Receiving?" and Catalog Choice will make another contact to have your name removed from the list.

~ If you have a catalog from a company that is in their database but does not work with Catalog Choice you will receive a message saying they are unable to assist you with this particular catalog.

~ If the catalog is not in their database, you will have an option to go ahead and enter the name. If Catalog Choice should ever begin working with that company in the future you will be notified via email.

Another really great thing about this website? It's all FREE! They are funded by several "green" foundations so this service is provided to us, the consumers, at no cost.

I've already entered several catalogs in this afternoon and, I'm sure, will do many more during the next few months. Please join me in my effort to clean out my mailbox and cut down on the use of paper and printing costs in our country!

Have a great weekend!

Friday Facts - Odds and Ends

This week I've got an "odds and ends" listing of Friday Facts. I found these unrelated facts regarding scriptures in the Bible, customs during Bible times and some mistakes made at times when the Bible has been printed.

My one question on these is this.... on the one about how long it would take to read the Bible thru.. do you think someone actually tried that? Wow... I can't even imagine reading aloud for that long! I think these types of trivia are why I like this kind of information so very much. It is just sometimes simply amazing that someone even tried to figure it out. :) I also like the one about the year long honeymoon... how great would that be?!



The shortest prayer in the Bible is Peter's : "Lord save me!"
"But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:30

Old Testament books were scrolls, a strip of animal skin that was rolled up on two sticks. One ancient copy of the book of Isaiah is twenty-four feet long.

When friends took a stroll together, they walked single file, not side-by-side.

At an everage pace one can read the Bible out loud in seventy hours and forty minutes.

In 1631 an English Bible printer forgot the NOT in one of the Ten Commandments. Here's how his mistake in Exodus 20:14 read: "Thou shalt commit adultry." Because of this colossal goof, the edition became known as The Wicked Bible, and the printer had to pay a large fine.

An edition of the Bible printed at Cambridge , England in 1653 contained the following printer's error: "know ye not that the unrighteous shall inherit the kingdom of God?" (1 Corinthians 6:9).

Newlyweds were commanded by God to honeymoon for a solid year
"When a man takes a new wife, he shall not got out with the army, nor be charged with any duty; he shall be free at home on year and shall give happiness to his wife whom he has taken." Deuteronomy 24:5


HAPPY FRIDAY!

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for so many things, so I thought I'd just share several of them with you instead of my usual one BIG thing.....

~ I am so thankful that God isn't finished with me yet. Each and everyday I need Him to help me grow and continue to mature in my relationship with Him. Each day I need Him to help me plant my feet firmly in His Word and His promises.

~ I am thankful for the rain. We've had quite a bit of rain here this week. We needed it. I also sleep SO GOOD when it rains. So, I'm thankful for a couple of nights where I slept and slept and slept.... ;)

~ I am thankful for the game UNO. Several months ago my son purchased this game with some money that he had saved. I hadn't played it in years (probably since I played with my parents and sisters as a teenager) and had forgotten it was such a great family game. My son is so funny... each time he gets a Draw 2 card or a Wild Card or a Skip card he grins from ear to ear and says, "Oooh... I've got a trick up my sleeve!" If he's got more than one of these cards he'll say "Oooh... I've got 3 tricks up my sleeve!" or 2 tricks or however many of these cards he holds in his hand. He hasn't seemed to yet figure out that he gives us a good idea of the cards he has when he does that, but he loves it! In turn, we love it, too, 'cause he is just to funny!

~ I am thankful for my loving and always supportive hubby. I've been struggling with some work-related situations lately and was sick over this last weekend. He has been such a rock as he's supported me in my frustrations and took care of things around the house and with the kids when I didn't feel good. I'm a lucky lady to have him as my hubby!

~ I am thankful for an opportunity I have next week to spend some time with dear friends that I haven't seen in almost a year! Oh, I can't wait until next Monday! I'm sure that will be at the top of my thankful list for next week, too :)

~ I am thankful for this opportunity Iris gives us each week to share with each other our many blessings. It is so good for me to take the time each week and spend time looking at all I have to be thankful for and then to share it with all my dear bloggy friends. Oh, and the blessing I receive as I read your posts of thankfulness is just the best! I love "Thankful Thursday"!

I pray you all have a wonderful Thankful Thursday and many, many blessings in the week to come!


For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!

Word-Filled Wednesday

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5




For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Picture courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

Ruth - A Little More Background Info

So, today I'm going to share some more background info and then next Monday I'll start sharing more from my study of this beautiful book of Ruth.

Do we know who wrote the book of Ruth?
It is not known for sure who wrote the book of Ruth. The Talmud suggests that Samuel wrote this book. Others believe that Nathan may have written Ruth during the time of King David's reign. Still others believe it to be written during the time when Israel was exiled.

During what time and in what setting was the book of Ruth written?
As Ruth's grandson is King David, we know that the story in the book of Ruth took place two generations prior to his birth.

As you can find by reading the book of Judges, the land was in a period of time where it is ruled by selected leaders that were called judges. These judges included Gideon, Deborah and Samson. These people were usually both judicial officials and military leaders. Two of these judges, Deborah and Samson, were also prophets. The timeframe of the rule of the judges was approximately 1220 BC to 1050 BC. During this time the land of Israel went thru many difficult and sinful times. At the same time, we see stories of truly memorable persons that stand out, as well. These include Ruth, Deborah and Hannah.

It is thought that the events recorded in the book of Ruth probably occurred around 1000 BC. As we see in Ruth 1:1, the story happened "when the judges judged". At its earliest it was completed around the time that David was anointed king and at its latest at the end of David's reign.

To get a true feel for the happenings of the time and the state of the country, read Judges 17-21. I found in reading this that I understood so much more of the challenges that faced persons living during this time and how the country was ruled.

Who are the main characters in the book of Ruth?
Elimelech - Naomi's husband. His name means "My God is King".
Mahlon and Kilion - Naomi's sons.

Naomi - her name means "pleasant". At a time after her husband and sons died she renamed herself Mara which means "bitter".
Orpah - her name means "deer" or "fawn". Ruth's sister, wife to Kilion, and daughter-in-law to Naomi.
Ruth - her name means "friend". Ruth was Mahlon's husband and daughter-in-law to Naomi. Also, great-grandmother to King David.
Boaz - relative of Naomi's deceased husband Elimelech, he later marries Ruth. They have a son Obed, who is the father to Jesse, King David's father.

Ruth - A Little Background

Before we get too deep into the story of Ruth, I thought I'd begin this week by sharing some background information. I always love it when I can find out a little more about the timeframe, the country, and/or the culture at the time when stories take place. Many times these are of significant relevance to the story and I also like how it gives a more personal look at the persons involved in the story, as well.

In first chapter of Ruth there are several insights into this beautiful story of Ruth and Naomi. Consider these.....

~ There was a famine in the land of Judah. Due to famine, Naomi and her husband Elimelech are forced to leave their home and go to another country to find food. Can you imagine going to the grocery store and finding it empty? And then learning that all the grocery stores were empty?

~ A man (Elimelech) from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner. How desperate would we have to be to go to another country to find food?

~ Elimelech's two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. The name Mahlon means unhealthy and the name Kilion means puny or weakly.

~ Sometime later Naomi's husband Elimelech died.

~ Naomi's sons married Moabite women. Her sons married outside their faith.

~ They continued to live in Judah for about ten more years.

~ Nami's two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, also died. Can you even imagine losing your spouse and your children? And, then, being plunged into poverty?

At the time that the book of Ruth begins, Naomi's life is at a point of desperation. I would imagine Naomi felt as if her life had ended. She had no reason to believe there was so much good ahead for her. Or, that she had such a friend in her daughter-in-law, Ruth.

This is truly a story of hope. A story of friendship. A story showing that God NEVER abandons us. A story that shows how circumstances that appear to be the end of the story are really just the beginnings.

Ads for a Cause

Since I originally wrote the below post, the following amounts have been received and donated:

July, 2009 - $25.06 raised and given to St. Jude's Children's Hospital

January, 2010 - $28.27 raised and given to Compassion International

Originally posted November, 2008

For several months now I have been running Google ads on my blog. I only did so because I was curious about how much (or how little) could really be made by doing this. I’m sure you’ve all heard the stories about how much bloggers can make by placing ads on their site. After hearing this for so long I was curious if all the hype was true or not. I never started my blog to make money for myself and just thought I’d do it for a short period of time and see what happened.

Well, first off, I will tell you that you must have thousands of visitors to make any money doing this. In 4-5 months I’ve made a whopping $4.63. So, I think I answered the question of how much can be made… at least for my blog.

I decided I would take down the ads. I had answered my question and that was that. There weren’t a lot of financial benefits and, after all, I didn’t start my blog as a way to make money. But, each time I would start to remove the ads something would stop me. I didn’t feel I should leave them there as they were, but it didn’t seem right to take them down either.

Over the last few weeks I’ve found what I believe to be the reason why it didn’t feel right to remove the ads. I’ve spent time in prayer and in thought about this and feel that it is right and it is okay. So, here’s the plan…. I’m going to leave the ads up and each time I reach a certain dollar amount (I’m thinking every $50 to $100) I’m going to send it to a charitable organization. It will take a bit of time to add up to those dollar amounts. However, I don’t think the Lord has limits on how long it takes to reach the goal. I think His concern is that we choose the right goal and that we reach it.

And, there’s more…. since I couldn’t do this without each one of you that visit me I’m going to let you pick which organization the money goes to each time. You’ll see that I’ve added a poll beneath the ads. There are several very worthy organizations listed and by voting you get to take part in making the choice of where the money goes. Next week I will post some information about the 4 organizations that you now see in the poll. If you have a favorite charitable organization that you would like included in the list, please let me know in the comments and I'll add it to the list either now or in the future.

Thanks so much to all of you that visit. You encourage me, you uplift me, you are my friends. We all share so much with each other in our posts and comments and prayers. Now let’s share with others that are in need of help outside of “bloggy land”.

Tagged!

Yesterday, Laurie Ann, from A Magnolia's Heart Beats, tagged me for this fun meme where I tell "15 Things I'm Not Afraid to Admit".

1. While I have been involved in many Bible studies I have never read the Bible completely through. That was one reason that I chose to start a blog. It is one way that I keep myself accountable to studying and reading the Bible thru as I share weekly what I am studying. So far I’ve been thru Philippians, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and have just started Ruth.

2. I think I like the “Veggie Tales” more than my kids do. I don’t know what it is… maybe the silly songs, maybe it’s Larry the Cucumber, I don’t know… I just think they’re cute and I love the music. They are just fun! Oh, and Biblical, too! :)

3. Some might find me to be a bit vertically challenged. I am a whopping 4ft 11 ½ in tall. It used to bother me terribly as a teenager. But, you know what? Now that I’m an adult I can’t even imagine being taller. This is how God made me and it works for me!

4. I am an organizer at heart. Fortunately for the rest of my family, I don’t have the time to organize my household the way I would really like to have it done. What an adjustment I’ve had to make with kids and toys in my house! (oh, and did I say toys and more toys and more toys… I swear those things take on a life of their own! )

5. My husband and I are both computer geeks. He loves the hardware side of things and I love the software side. Just picture us sitting side by side on the sofa with our laptops. Oh, yea…. there’s the picture of romance! :) It has worked good for us, though, because it is how we met – thru our computer geeky jobs!

6. I love, love, love to read. My idea of the perfect day is a winter day with snow falling outside my window (notice I said OUTSIDE my window… I most definitely would be INSIDE), a fire in the fireplace, and me curled up in a blanket reading a book… or two.... or three. Hmmmm…. re-thinking a bit here… since I live in Texas and it doesn’t snow much… think I’ll change that snowy day to a rainy day. Those are good for snuggling up in front of the fireplace with a blanket and a book, too!

7. I also love, love, love music. All kinds of music -- Contemporary Christian, country, a little rock, some classical. I can almost always find something to listen to that I enjoy.

8. My hair started turning grey when I was in college. Just a little at first and then more and more. I’ve never gone completely grey, but I do have enough that I choose to cover it up! ;)

9. Marble Slab Ice Cream…. YUMMY!

10. When I have time I enjoy cooking. One of my favorite TV stations is the TV Food Network. I love to collect recipes from their website that I think look good as I watch the shows and then pull several of them together into a fun meal for the family on a weekend.

11. One of my favorite activities to do with my kids? Color with them in their coloring books. I don’t know what it is about this activity but it relaxes me and puts me in a completely new frame of mind. Not to mention the great time I have talking with the kids as we color together.

12. I could spend hours playing computer and video games. Fortunately, I don’t have time to do that, but it is a great way for me to unwind when times are stressful. We’re thinking of buying a Wii and my husband teases me that I will play all the time and no one else in the house will get a chance.

13. Oooh… another way I like to relax? A manicure and a pedicure! Relax, feel good and look good, too, all at the same time!

14. My favorite time of the year? Autumn!

15. My favorite way to spend the holidays? With my family! Some of my best memories are Thanksgiving and Christmas with both my immediate and extended family. I want my kids to have some of those same precious memories. We always make sure we get to spend time at the holidays with just us and then also with our extended family.

So, now is the time where I tag several of you to join in on this fun meme. Come on and join in on the fun!

Natalie at Married to the Preacher

Joan at More God = Less Me

Sab at Seeds of the Heart

Amy at Musings of a Teacher

Thank You, Tonya!

I cannot tell you how excited I was last week when I learned that I had won Tonya's giveaway that she was doing in honor of her son Brent's 13th birthday.

You see, this wasn't just any giveaway (although I do think they all are great). This one was to honor the birthday of a very special young man. When Brent was 9 years old he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system. Almost two years ago now, Brent went home to be with Jesus. Tonya chose this giveaway as a way to honor Brent and his love of giving to others.

I must say, Brent isn't the only one in his family with a heart for giving. When I received my package from Tonya I was so surprised. I just kept pulling items out of that box... again and again. As you can see from the picture above there were some great items in there. First of all, there was a loaf of Sweet Potato Bread. It was yummy!! I had to fight the rest of my family for it.. we all enjoyed it!

My husband was thrilled to find the recipe was included in another item Tonya sent me -- the "Lunch for Life" cookbook. This is a cookbook that is put together by the "Lunch for Life" organization which is a foundation that is all about raising money to help children that have been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.

Tonya also included some wonderful goodies from Bath & Body Works. You just gotta love anything from Bath & Body Works! There was also an air freshener is the wonderful scent of Creamy Nutmeg.... guess what my home smells like today? :) Also included were two books that I have just been dying to read -- "The Love Dare" and "Created to Be His Help Meet". The last (but certainly not least) item was a Caramello bar.... Tonya says this was Brent's favorite candy bar.

Tonya, I just can't thank you enough for all the wonderful goodies. You are such a blessing to so many of us out here in blogland. I love you, girl!

Thankful Thursday

On this Thankful Thursday I am so thankful that we serve a God in whom we can entrust everything. There is no need for us to worry about tomorrow, there is no need for us to worry about whether or not our daily needs will be met, there is not need to worry about the outcome of the election. Plain and simple…. THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY.

Now that I’ve said that I must make a confession. I am a worrier. However, I am a recovering worrier. Over the last couple of years I have been on a journey to trust and rely more and more on the Lord. I don’t want to be a worrier. It’s no fun. It brings sleepless nights. It shows I don’t put my trust where it should be which is in the Lord.

Over the last few months it has become easier and easier to put aside my worrying nature and to just let God handle whatever it may be that could be worrisome. Oh, this doesn’t mean that I still don’t fail… I do. My human nature jumps in there sometimes before I can even stop it. But, it is becoming easier to push aside my human nature.

I’m so thankful that God will handle anything… if we will just let Him. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6....

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."



For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!

Word-Filled Wednesday - Psalm 67:1-3

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you." Psalm 67:1-3




For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Picture courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

Please Join Me.....

Today I would like to ask anyone reading this post to join me in two activities. The first is to vote. Please, please, please... if you haven't already voted, get out there today and do so. It is a privilege and an honor to vote. It is a freedom that so many in our world do not have where they live. It is a gift from God that we are able to vote for the leaders of our country.

The second activity I'd like to ask you to join me in is prayer. Prayer for our country. Regardless of who wins this election... regardless of the actions taken by our government over the next few years.... we need to pray. We should pray the leaders of our country would seek the Lord. We should pray that the citizens of this country respect the position of the presidency... even if they don't agree with them and even if they didn't vote for him but for someone else instead. We should pray that our country as a whole seek the Lord.

On this election day, I have been overcome by many thoughts and many emotions. Some of them you may also be experiencing. However any of us feel... this is the time to pray. We need to remember that God is in control and it is in His hands. We are all His and He will carry us through whatever is ahead... good or bad.

My new "go to" song when I am concerned about something is the song "Yours" by Steven Curtis Chapman. This is such a great song and a reminder that no matter the circumstance... we belong to God. In Him we find hope and in Him we find the reason to continue showing His love to this world.

In closing, I once again invite you to join me in voting today and in prayer for our country. As we pray and as we walk in the days ahead for our country, I pray that you will be comforted in knowing that we all belong to Him.

The Book of Ruth

Beginning next week I will share my studies of the book of Ruth. I have always loved Ruth. This is a woman that shows us what it means to love and support those who are dear to us. She is there for Naomi and her family regardless of the circumstance.

As I first worked thru the process of determining what book of the Bible I should study once I had completed 3 John, I was a bit hesitant. I wanted to make sure this is where God was leading and not just what I wanted because of how I love the story of Ruth. I began to feel God leading there more and more and then I ran across the quote below that is in an online study on Ruth. This can be found in the Life Application Bible, NIV, Introduction to Ruth.

"... it is the story of God's grace in the midst of difficult circumstances. Ruth's story occurred during the time of the judges -- a period of disobedience, idolatry, and violence. Even in times of crisis and deepest despair, there are those who follow God and through whom God works. No matter how discouraging or antagonistic the world may seem, there are always people who follow God. He will use anyone who is open to him to achieve his purposes."

That did it for me. I knew God was leading me straight to the book of Ruth. I'm struggling right now with things I am seeing ahead for our country... for our world. I'm concerned about the outcome of the election this week. Quite truthfully, I'm a bit scared. I need to spend some time studying and being reassured by God that "even in times of crisis and deepest despair, there are those who follow God and through whom God works." And to know this was happening at a time of great disobedience and violence in that part of the world brings more reassurance to me. This is not to say that I think we are going to experience war or anything of the like... but I am concerned about our world turning away more and more from the Lord. Being reassured that God is still with us and working amongst us it what I need. And, it is what I would like with anyone that may stop by here for a visit. We are not alone... God is with us and God can work through us.

I'll close today with another quote I found regarding the book of Ruth taken from Baker's Bible Handbook. This tells us, in a nutshell, what we can expect to learn about how to live from the book of Ruth.

"The religious truth found in this book relate more to practical life than to abstract theology. Loyalty, love, kindness, the value of persons, and the need to understand one another stand out. In the midst of the chaos then in the land, meaning could be found by returning to the first principles of simple truth. The book of Ruth tells us that no matter how bad things may be, goodness can exist, if we are willing to make the effort."

Please join me as I study the wonderful story of Ruth. I pray that we will all be blessed by the many truths that are stored in this precious book in our Bible.

Awards

Laurie Ann and Cheryl blessed me more than they will ever know by sharing this award with me. The Friendship Award... what an honor. Friendship is so very important to me and it honors me to no end to know that Laurie Ann and Cheryl consider me a friend worthy of such an award.

Now this award isn't just any award, it comes with a questionnaire.

1. Do you have the same friends since childhood?

No, I really don't. We moved several times as I was growing up and I've just never kept in touch very long after we would move to the next city. I did stay in touch with several friends for a few years after graduating from high school (we moved the summer after I graduated), but even that didn't last long as we were all wrapped up in our new college lives in different cities spread out over several states.

2. What do you value most about your friends?

That they are willing to listen and are always just a phone call away. It is so great to have someone that you can just sit down with and pour out your heart and know that the person listening hears every word and never judges based on those words.

3. Are your friends your sounding boards?

Somewhat. I usually go to my husband first, but my friends are always the next "person in line", so to speak, that I go to after that.

4. What is your favorite activity to share with your friends?

I love to just sit down and enjoy a meal with my friends. All of us gathered around a table and just enjoying being together.



Also last week Sab blessed me with the Butterfly Award. Thank you so much, Sab! It means so much that you would think of me with this award.


I have made so many great new friends since I joined the world of blogging... and yes, that would be each one of you that is reading this post! I would like to share these awards with YOU and I pray that you will know how special your friendship has been to me and will continue to be into the future. May God richly bless each and every one of you!