I had a good devotional time this morning. The Lord and I, we had some moments.
"The Lord binds up the brokenhearted." Isaiah 61:1
Yes, I've been brokenhearted. I've wailed. I've cried. I've sat in disbelief. I've laid on my bed in the fetal position. I can remember those moments, those moments when my heart was shattered. Through it all, God was there, binding. My favorite Psalm is chapter 34. In Psalm 34, is says that the Lord is "close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34: 18) I've meditated on that so many times, there are so many dates next to that passage in my Bible. This morning though, there was a new word: bind. God not only comforts me, stands by me, carries me. . . be He assists with the healing. He binds it up to stop the bleeding. Binding doesn't always feel good, but it is necessary for broken and shattered things (like my heart sometimes) to be fixed. So glad that He binds and doesn't toss away!
I love my God. I can't believe that He still loves me and cares enough for me to take care of my heart. Thank you Yahweh.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
grocery bill
Hi all!
O.k., so I am just so excited about this that I needed to post it right away. As I shared before, I'm trying to coupon and look for good deals, deals that I can use. I don't use a ton of razors, so I don't go and purchase them. I do use pasta, so I'm up for getting it. Does that make sense?
Anyway, I went to two grocery stores last week.
At Family Fare, I spent $6. 29 and saved $29.33! Yup, you read it right. Now, I don't do my regular shopping there, so I did go just for the sale. I got hot dogs for $.33 each (good ones!), pasta, and marinade stuff. Not your-run-of-the-mill-need-it-for-the-week-groceries.
Then, I went to Meijer. This is where I get my nuts and bolts of groceries. I spent $94.56 and saved. . . . drum roll please. . . $93.94! I've never gotten this close to saving as much as I spend before. Many of my friends actually save more than they spend. It was funny too, because a small crowd gathered around to see what the final total would be. The woman behind me led the charge and began commenting about how this was so great. . . could I see your receipt? . . . I'm being nosey. . . hey look what she is doing. It was quite humorous. :) The cashier even checked and made the announcement. Woo-Hoo!
O.k., so I am just so excited about this that I needed to post it right away. As I shared before, I'm trying to coupon and look for good deals, deals that I can use. I don't use a ton of razors, so I don't go and purchase them. I do use pasta, so I'm up for getting it. Does that make sense?
Anyway, I went to two grocery stores last week.
At Family Fare, I spent $6. 29 and saved $29.33! Yup, you read it right. Now, I don't do my regular shopping there, so I did go just for the sale. I got hot dogs for $.33 each (good ones!), pasta, and marinade stuff. Not your-run-of-the-mill-need-it-for-the-week-groceries.
Then, I went to Meijer. This is where I get my nuts and bolts of groceries. I spent $94.56 and saved. . . . drum roll please. . . $93.94! I've never gotten this close to saving as much as I spend before. Many of my friends actually save more than they spend. It was funny too, because a small crowd gathered around to see what the final total would be. The woman behind me led the charge and began commenting about how this was so great. . . could I see your receipt? . . . I'm being nosey. . . hey look what she is doing. It was quite humorous. :) The cashier even checked and made the announcement. Woo-Hoo!
Where ya been?
Hi friends!
Wow, has it really been since May 11 that I posted? That just means that there is lots to say.
I've been thinking a lot lately. Sometimes this is a bad thing, but recently it has been a wonderful thing. My life has been so super crazy busy. It has kept me from blogging (that and a recent breakdown of our router) and has caused me to ponder about how blessed I am. Here is the skinny.
We celebrated Mother's Day with Simon's baptism, with Gary's folks in town, and with a lunch for over sixty people. It was so wonderful! God is so very amazing, and that He loves us and wants to be in relationship with us humbles me. We had such a wonderful time enjoying Mom and Dad Petty's (Gary's parents) visit. The lunch went so very well thanks to our small group at church and my family who helped with the food and such. After the whirlwind of Tulip Time and the baptism, I was a bit pooped.
The following week-end, I went away with six of my girlfriends to a condo on Lake Michigan. God just knew that I needed that time. I must admit I wasn't too excited about leaving. I knew that I would have so much fun, but I wasn't sure about leaving the kids, leaving Gary. . . I'm a homebody and really enjoy being with my family. I had such an amazing time! These girls made me laugh, cry, and had me thinking so much about the relationships that I'm in. I left feeling so very blessed and ready to be a better wife, mom, and daughter of the King.
I got home on Sunday night, we went on a picnic, and then Gary left early the next morning for Chicago. I was a single mom for the week. I'm so thankful that God has not asked me to do that all the time. Things went unbelievably well, but I sure do enjoy parenting with Gary. I also really enjoy Gary! We love each other and enjoy spending time together.
So now, we are home. . . our family is intact. Garrison was in the parade this morning and I couldn't have been prouder. All of the family is wearing red/white/and or blue. I tried telling Simon during the parade why we were clapping for the men and women who were walking and riding by. I began, but had to stop because I began to cry. I so often take for granted that I can go anywhere, say anything, and worship everywhere. Thanks to those who took a stand, who fought, and who died for me. May God spare us the horrors of having our freedoms stripped.
I'm back in action now and will blog more this week, after all. . . so much has happened. :)
Wow, has it really been since May 11 that I posted? That just means that there is lots to say.
I've been thinking a lot lately. Sometimes this is a bad thing, but recently it has been a wonderful thing. My life has been so super crazy busy. It has kept me from blogging (that and a recent breakdown of our router) and has caused me to ponder about how blessed I am. Here is the skinny.
We celebrated Mother's Day with Simon's baptism, with Gary's folks in town, and with a lunch for over sixty people. It was so wonderful! God is so very amazing, and that He loves us and wants to be in relationship with us humbles me. We had such a wonderful time enjoying Mom and Dad Petty's (Gary's parents) visit. The lunch went so very well thanks to our small group at church and my family who helped with the food and such. After the whirlwind of Tulip Time and the baptism, I was a bit pooped.
The following week-end, I went away with six of my girlfriends to a condo on Lake Michigan. God just knew that I needed that time. I must admit I wasn't too excited about leaving. I knew that I would have so much fun, but I wasn't sure about leaving the kids, leaving Gary. . . I'm a homebody and really enjoy being with my family. I had such an amazing time! These girls made me laugh, cry, and had me thinking so much about the relationships that I'm in. I left feeling so very blessed and ready to be a better wife, mom, and daughter of the King.
I got home on Sunday night, we went on a picnic, and then Gary left early the next morning for Chicago. I was a single mom for the week. I'm so thankful that God has not asked me to do that all the time. Things went unbelievably well, but I sure do enjoy parenting with Gary. I also really enjoy Gary! We love each other and enjoy spending time together.
So now, we are home. . . our family is intact. Garrison was in the parade this morning and I couldn't have been prouder. All of the family is wearing red/white/and or blue. I tried telling Simon during the parade why we were clapping for the men and women who were walking and riding by. I began, but had to stop because I began to cry. I so often take for granted that I can go anywhere, say anything, and worship everywhere. Thanks to those who took a stand, who fought, and who died for me. May God spare us the horrors of having our freedoms stripped.
I'm back in action now and will blog more this week, after all. . . so much has happened. :)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Celebration!
We have reason to celebrate!!!
We received news today that Simon does NOT need to have a biopsy done. Did you read that? NOT!
We received news today that our insurance is GOING to cover our doctor's appointments. Did you read that? GOING TO!
Please forgive me for not posting this entire week. It has been quite a doosy. (I think that last word may come on on the spellcheck.) :)
I'm Dutch Dancing and having a ball. It does take up time and creates more craziness in our already crazy house. It is especially fun to dress up all three kids in their costumes, complete with shoes, and make it downtown on time.
Gary's folks are here! Yeah! We have wanted them to come for Tulip Time and this year they made it. We'll be seeing them in just an hour (they are coming after naps).
Simon is being baptized this Sunday. What a marvelous way for us to celebrate Mother's Day. We are hosting a lunch afterwards for 60ish people. If you read this and would like to come, please do! We'd love to see you. I have been cooking ribs in my kitchen all week. My house smells like pork and my darling husband graciously takes everything off of the bone every night after I go to bed. I just love him. My mom is making BBQ, my small group is making salads, we are buying and baking egg rolls, and we are having cake (Red Velvet: our tribute to China). Love the Chinese/Dutch combination.
I went to Garrison's classroom on Tuesday where I was treated like a princess. I wore a tiara, listened to my son and his classmates sing songs in Spanish about moms, recite verses in Spanish about moms. . . I understood everything. I didn't understand most of the words, but I was able to understand his heart. I loved it. He made bread for me, he served me a snack. . .I am blessed.
I went to an orphan ministry meeting at church. We are beginning and praying about where God is leading us at Holland Heights Church. It is so exciting to think about what big things God is going to do. He is a big God and He loves to do big things. I love it when I get to be used by Him.
Garrison went to the doctor yesterday because his cheeks are bright red and the redness is spreading. The doctor doesn't know what it is, but doesn't think it is contagious or anything. We are putting cream on it and just watching. Hopefully it will fade soon. It looks like he put Kool-aid on his cheeks.
So, are you tired yet from reading this? I get tired thinking about this past week. There is still so much more to do, yet I am so very happy! We'll get back to "regular life" perhaps next week. Right now, I'm going to spellcheck this, read it over again, and finish my snack of lima beans and corn. It reminds me of Miami and living with Janet and Karen. Simon and I are the only ones in our family who like it. I knew that boy was mine. :)
We received news today that Simon does NOT need to have a biopsy done. Did you read that? NOT!
We received news today that our insurance is GOING to cover our doctor's appointments. Did you read that? GOING TO!
Please forgive me for not posting this entire week. It has been quite a doosy. (I think that last word may come on on the spellcheck.) :)
I'm Dutch Dancing and having a ball. It does take up time and creates more craziness in our already crazy house. It is especially fun to dress up all three kids in their costumes, complete with shoes, and make it downtown on time.
Gary's folks are here! Yeah! We have wanted them to come for Tulip Time and this year they made it. We'll be seeing them in just an hour (they are coming after naps).
Simon is being baptized this Sunday. What a marvelous way for us to celebrate Mother's Day. We are hosting a lunch afterwards for 60ish people. If you read this and would like to come, please do! We'd love to see you. I have been cooking ribs in my kitchen all week. My house smells like pork and my darling husband graciously takes everything off of the bone every night after I go to bed. I just love him. My mom is making BBQ, my small group is making salads, we are buying and baking egg rolls, and we are having cake (Red Velvet: our tribute to China). Love the Chinese/Dutch combination.
I went to Garrison's classroom on Tuesday where I was treated like a princess. I wore a tiara, listened to my son and his classmates sing songs in Spanish about moms, recite verses in Spanish about moms. . . I understood everything. I didn't understand most of the words, but I was able to understand his heart. I loved it. He made bread for me, he served me a snack. . .I am blessed.
I went to an orphan ministry meeting at church. We are beginning and praying about where God is leading us at Holland Heights Church. It is so exciting to think about what big things God is going to do. He is a big God and He loves to do big things. I love it when I get to be used by Him.
Garrison went to the doctor yesterday because his cheeks are bright red and the redness is spreading. The doctor doesn't know what it is, but doesn't think it is contagious or anything. We are putting cream on it and just watching. Hopefully it will fade soon. It looks like he put Kool-aid on his cheeks.
So, are you tired yet from reading this? I get tired thinking about this past week. There is still so much more to do, yet I am so very happy! We'll get back to "regular life" perhaps next week. Right now, I'm going to spellcheck this, read it over again, and finish my snack of lima beans and corn. It reminds me of Miami and living with Janet and Karen. Simon and I are the only ones in our family who like it. I knew that boy was mine. :)
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