The Lord Sings

Wish I'd Done That: Build a "fort" on your stair landing, under a table, behind the couch. Make a simple one using a sheet, or find a large piece of cardboard to help. Kids love the small spaces; things that are just their size. It should occupy them for quite a while. Maybe you could climb in too? When LA was 4, she was into Ghost Busters. She built a camp on the stair landing every day. My brother came to visit, and he spent 2 hours there with her. What a guy!

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

Praise God! His Word encourages me each day with the promise of what He does for me. He loves me, in spite of my deceitful, selfish ways.
As we celebrate Valentine's Day next week, let's remember to Whom our heart really belongs!

Girl's Weekend #2

Wish I'd Done That: For each holiday, main ones and obscure, involve your little ones in the decorating and preparations. It makes them feel needed, and through crafts or just markers you can inspire creativity. For the upcoming Valentine's Day, have your kids make homemade valentines from doilies, lace, construction paper and sequins. Use safety scissors to let them cut out hearts and so on. Go crazy!

My sister Jana has moved to Pampa, TX. Mom, Sharla and I have invited ourselves down for another girl's weekend. Last year's event was at my house, but this year, it's just the "old girls". After LA graduates in June, I'd like to gather all the girls at our house again.

Jana has plans for us to antique, go to a tea room, and shop. We're heading over to Amarillo for a day, and I think there's mention of a movie or two.

I'm so excited. I told my sisters and Mom that we will make plans for the next gathering each time we meet. If we don't, it will never happen.

I cherish my sisters; I wish I lived closer to them. I miss Mom every day......

Praise God for families who love you anyway, no matter how weird you are.(Yes, I know this is terrible grammar, but still!)

A Bit of Heaven on Earth

Wish I'd Done That: Make friends with the people at the appliance store. You need a contact there! Nothing beats a winter day like making a fort/playhouse/whatever out of a giant refrigerator box. Paint, markers or nothing at all. Kids will have a ball, and when it's all broken up, put it out in the trash!

I've just returned from my little bit of Heaven. (I use this term loosely!) Ace gave me a gift certificate to a spa in Tulsa for a facial.
Oh, my.
Never should have done that, Ace.
Now, I feel the NEED!
A relaxing hour of oils and lotions, massage, WARM TOWELS, even a foot rub! Afterwards, a steam shower and more lotions.
Wow. A girl could get used to this......
Thanks, Ace.
I love you!
(It's Marilyn Ihloff Salon, if you want to try it too!)

God Inhabits the Praise of His People

Wish I'd Done That: While my two were very small, I made sure to keep the Tupperware and pots and pans low in the cabinets. While in the kitchen cooking or cleaning, the kids could join me and play safely in those dishes. Was it noisy? Yes, but it SURE beats the quiet I hear now!

God Inhabits the Praise of His People

Yesterday's worship service was so marvelous!My heart was bursting with the praise of the One Who created me.Many of our church family read scriptures our pastor had dictated.The singing part of our service underscored all the Words spoken.God manifested Himself in the people's praise.

Really a wonderful time of fellowship and worship.

"Oh Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below - you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way." I Kings 8:23

"Oh, the depth of the rices of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen" Romans 11:33-36

"Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord."
Psalm 150: 1-6