Faithful supporter...

of giving blood?!? What are they crazy?... I received this email today from OBI.

Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) is in critical need of your help.
Knowing you are a faithful supporter of the Blood Institute’s mission, we are asking you to please help us in encouraging people to donate blood within the next few days.

Because of the recent weather conditions, related injuries and higher than usual numbers of organ transplants and other medical needs of our fellow Oklahomans and North Texans, OBI and TXBI are facing a blood emergency and need all types of blood. The current supply of blood is at less than a typical, one-day supply. People across our area are relying on your donation to sustain their lives.

For those of you who don't know... I don't (can't) give blood. As a high school student, I tried! I have visions of receiving a gallon donor pin. But, during my first 5 minutes, I passed out and went into convulsions...they asked me not to come back. They didn't even get enough to test for cholesterol, etc. Apparently, I don't have big enough veins. I have tremendous issues when people try to take blood out of my body~ folks it isn't pretty. My blood prefers to stay inside my body and doesn't support foreign objects (needles easily go in)... IV's are another horrible issue. This is a terrible issue for someone who wants to be supportive and help other. So, while they are right...I am a faithful supporter of their mission. I don't contribute. So I am doing my job. I ENCOURAGE you, if you are able to give blood. My FIL has received many units of blood, including 6 last week and people are faithful to give and have saved his life...for you I am grateful!! SO please if you have time this week, stop by your local blood institute and give an hour of your time to save some lives.

Prayer Closet

My sweet friend Chrissy reference her prayer closet in a conversation this weekend. It got me thinking... I want a place to retreat myself to, to pray. "But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly." – Matthew 6:6 So I did a little research and I am planning to set up a prayer closet- well actually a "prayer corner" in a room, because we are in dire need of closets with light and space. It is suggested to use a 4 x 6 space. My closet is NOTHING close to 4x6, so I am improvising. I want this area to be a retreat to go to and sing, study, and pray- spending more time with God. Because if you are little with God, you will be little for God ~and I want to be everything but little!!!
I found this great jewel of a website www.prayertoday.org It is chalked full of ideas, prayer guides, even a sin-ventroy http://www.prayertoday.org/2008/PDF/2008/2008-Sin-ventory.pdf Truthfully, I glanced through with the "teachers glance" thinking...I should really do this, but a little afriad that I may not be up to the standard I would want to uphold. I already know that I spend WAY too much time watching TV verses "God Time"- an area in which I am steadily improving. I loved the idea of a prayer retreat. A time away from everything just to pray, fast and interceed. I am not there yet...but it is a great goal to work toward.

Continued prayers...please!

Mike is still in the hospital and is leaking blood. They have performed a dye test to determine where the bleeding is. The doctor (who has performed several colonoscopys and endo's) totally forgot all about him, insisted in doing a endoscopy and walked huffy out of the room saying "you need a new liver"! when Mike didn't want to comply. Well, unfortunately UNOS won't give him one because he isn't sick enough and didn't qualify. He has been to several specialist including a recent check-up in St. Louis. This hospital stay is starting to resemble the beginning stages of last years hospital fiasco. So, please continue your prayers.

I got my "One Year Bible" today along with the 50% off Cupcake Calendar. It has hundreds of cupcake recipes. So far, Lavender and Honey seems to look great!

Also, Esther started on Wednesday. I am so excited and Janet and I are planning a fun surprise for the ladies. It seems to be wonderful, very timely with setting at the oval office.

Join me on my knees, Please!

It was with a heavy heart that ended my day yesterday. It was late I was exhausted but I just couldn't sleep. There are major issues at school, private, scary issues that need lots of prayer covering. and some personal ones!

My FIL, Mike, was put in the hospital again. For those of you who followed my blog, might recall the time last year when he was in the hospital for about 4-5 months. He has since been recovering. He however still gets bleeders in in small intestine and has to monitor himself (including his blood) constantly. When he feels low, he goes to get checked. I guess yesterday was a low day- to say the least. He did however still drive his car, but when he checked into the hospital at about 3:30 yesterday, is blood is at a 5.5. He was also dehydrated. This is the lowest he has been in a while. In fact, in the last 3 years I can only remember 2 other times he was at that number. Dangerously low hemoglobin levels put a person at risk of a heart attack, congestive heart failure, or stroke. Normal limits for a male are 14-18-- after middle age that drops to 12.6 to 16. So he was dangerously low. Also he has some dehydration issues going on which could have makes your hemoglobin count elevated, while excess fluid can lower it. He received 2 units of blood last night and will probably receive more today. Thankfully, he hasn't had blood or blood products since Oct. 3, 2008--the longest stretch since his illness began. Please pray that this is isolated incident that will be corrected with this blood and he will be back on the road to recovery.

Thank you all for you prayers. It sometimes feels like so many people are hurting and need prayer that I could spend my whole days in intercession for others ~especially sick babies. So, just remember to keep your "prayer without ceasing" lines open.

Nope Not Me!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have never played MckMama's "not me Monday" game because I don't usually do anything worth fabricating, but this week is a different story.

And now, Not Me! Monday. A list of all the things that there is no way in tarnation I did this week. And if anyone says that they saw me doing any of these things, they are totally lying.

It is not me who is procrastinating getting blood work done because I can't stand needles and forgetting about the orders in my car. I am not doing it on purpose.

It was not me who messaged by husband in the middle of the night to ask if the doors were locked because I was too afraid, or was it to lazy? to get up and check them myself. I am sticking with afraid.

It was not me who got up at 5Am on Sunday morning and was STILL late to church. I think I have a computer addiction. Do they have CAA- Computer Addicts Anonymous?

It was not me who took my daughter into a Taco Bueno bathroom, poorly placed her on the potty and then saw pee leaping over the bowl onto the floor- watching helplessly from the sidelines dodging a stream. Nope not me! It was also not me who used paper towel from the automatic dispenser (man I hate those things) to wipe it up. However, it is not me, who felt I was using pieces of notebook paper to clean up this tragic mess. It was not me who left the bathroom without washing her hands because there was no available soap. Oh...and not me who took off my daughters wet underwear, wrapped them in a paper towel, placed them in my jacket pocket and walked out to scurry my family OUT the establishment before getting caught. AND I most certainly did tell the clerks about this tragic accident.

And...now that you are probably rolling on the floor with laughter-please don't pee your pants!?! because I am not in the habit of making house calls to clean up messes...However, I will bring better paper towels.

It seems I haven't blogged in a while. I have been reading, just haven't had much to say, or maybe too much swirling around to make much sense of it. But, I did want to talk about the scripture memory verse I choose.

The next scripture I chose to memorize has to do with my "word of the year." I have felt so flickering light in the last year. Faith was still there but it couldn't quite be captured. So this year I am determined to shine brightly. I found this scripture and decided it would be a great one to memorize.

Then your light will SHINE like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your God will walk before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Isaiah 58:8 (New Century Version)

I wanted to learn what the "then" meant, so I looked back. Here is the complete section of the passage.

7 Share your food with the hungry
and bring poor, homeless people into your own homes.
When you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours,
and don't refuse to help your own relatives.
8 Then your light will shine like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your God will walk before you,
and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
9 Then you will call out, and the LORD will answer.
You will cry out, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
"If you stop making trouble for others,
if you stop using cruel words and pointing your finger at others,
10 if you feed those who are hungry
and take care of the needs of those who are troubled,
then your light will shine in the darkness,
and you will be bright like sunshine at noon.


Here are a few ways I will (“E”) EXAMINE it:
1. It’s 1st person. They are telling ME what do do. Share your food, provide shelter, cloth...and if I do these things I will shine. God will walk before me and guard my steps. Then I need to do something...I need to call out and He will reply.

2. When I am memorizing there are clues to help me...like abc order and the prepositions. For example, shine comes before wounds...so I will shine and then my wounds will be healed.

3. It is all about honor. The first part of the scripture talks about honoring God through fasting...but not for selfishness but for prayer.

Oh, yeah!! T-8 days and counting....

I decided that I wanted to read the Bible in one year. I am a little behind since it was Day 12 of the year when I started, but Michael and I laid in bed and read out of The Message translation. In the beginning... of Genesis and the first charter of Matthew. It was nice and I am really excited to catch up and finish. I have NEVER read the Bible cover to cover. In fact, it never occurred to me, but I am really interested to see what new things I find out. I looked at several of the "Bible in One Year" series books, I didn't know there were so many options there either. You can read it in one year, you can read it chronologically (in one year), you can even read it in 90 days...not the authentic whole Word of God, but you would get the picture. I am thinking I will pick up one of the chronological ones after I get paid. It makes sense to me to know the big picture...for example, Job was alive when Abraham- didn't know that, but I haven't ever been much into remembering details of things I read.

Also...I am SUPER excited that there is only 8 days until the start of Esther. I learn so much in a specific study of scripture and when others are doing it, I tend to finish! So I am pumped. Plus, Michael's friend will be attending with me. She is leaving her husband and step-children behind in NC, to come back and finish nursing school and work at one of the hospitals. She had some major medical issues last year that she was able to get fixed in NC- when no one in Enid would help, so the move was a blessing, but now she is unable to find a job or continue her schooling where she left off. Their family made the decision to be apart for about 18 months...oh that was a hard decision. She is one brave women!!!

Also in *other* exciting news, I started the medication to help with ovulation yesterday. So, keep praying that this will be the month. I am pretty excited to have a try that doesn't involve needles. Michael and I are saying very specific prayers... that there will be an egg, the sperm will meet it, and a healthy full term baby will be born-9 months later!

We read!!!

I am not one for bragging on myself. But the best thing happened yesterday and I just have to share. My job is very hard and I don't always see fruit from what I do daily. However, yesterday two of my students began to read. We have been working on flashcards for sight words daily since the beginning of the year. We practiced and I wanted to know if they had memorized the words or could read them. So, I wrote them on the board in a sentence form...and they could read it!!!! I was so excited-I teared up a little. You have to realize #1 My previous 6 years of teaching have been older kids-junior high kiddos or 4th graders...so I didn't have the opportunity to teach reading.#2 Frankly, I was scared to death to teach younger grades because teaching reading is a complex strategy...and with kiddos with special needs, it is even more so. #3 It is sad to say, but I truly didn't think they were soaking it up

They are not ready to go on to more complex books because the phonics part isn't there...but oh my mercy am I excited!!! It gives me renewed hope!

Simply Shutter’s Mosiac Monday Theme: YOU!

Simply Shutter’s Mosiac Monday Theme: YOU! Check out the links!

This is my attempt at a mosaic of me. I am slightly disappointed at the blurriness of some!

#1 This is me!! I am not a fan of pictures of just myself- this is one is actually of the whole family because I didn’t want to edit it out. Me, my hubby and daughter Evy. I look better with my loves next to me. Thanks to Stacy Lee, we had some great pictures taken and all the proceeds benefited our family’s cancer foundation.

Beginning at top left side of square:

#2: I rarely listen to music other than Christian music. I am the type of person who gets stuck on one CD for a period of time. Currently that CD is Watermark’s “ A Grateful People” This is a picture of Christy Nockels. She is a Christian artist who is getting ready to go on her own. In fact she starts recording today!

#3: I am a sweets lover….although I am not really suppose to have them for all the problems with my fertility issues… and I am cutting it out rather successfully considering how much of an addict I was. But, my 30th birthday is just around the corner and this cake looked lovely.

#4: I am not much of an adult book reader. I love to read magazines- a long list. I am also a big children’s book reader. I spent most of my college days reading children’s books. However, I am currently reading Hannah’s Hope by Jennifer Saake – co founder of Hannah’s Prayer- a ministry for Christian women with fertility issues. Also reading Girl Meets God by Laura Winner. It is about a Jewish girl who believes in Jesus and the issues of melding those two belief systems. I will be starting Ester: It is tough being a woman in a couple weeks! Can’t wait!

#5: We have been to Las Vegas several times. I love it! I just don’t want to give up the closeness of my family to buy property there. This is outside of the Bellaigo looking toward Paris Hotel. Paris, France is also a place I would love to visit!

#6 My favorite movie is You’ve Got Mail- a 90’s flick with my favorite actress Meg Ryan. I love her hair. This is my favorite scene. She has spent several days with Joe Fox- who has put her little bookstore out of business, all the while talking online to NYC152- in this scene Catherine tells Joe that she was hoping NYC152 was him!

#7: I like crafting. This is a picture of my latest creations. I have admired the boutique tutu’s for quite some time but didn’t want to pay $30+ for them. I recently figured out how fun, easy and cheep they are to make! And my little princess loves to wear them- but then again, she is a girly girl.

#8: My favorite colors: green and gray. I have lots of green and gray things. My favorite is a scarf that my hubby croqueted for me and the green wall in the dining room. My favorite shade of green is the new wheat glissening in the sun.

#9: I like comfort. I am into t-shirts that are soft and cuddly. My new favorite is the GAP. I am also shoe girl. I like shoes, but as I began working in the special education preschool and kindergarten classes, I have learned that comfort overshadows cuteness. I find myself in comfortable and practical clothes.

#10: Vera Bradley’s Hope Garden- Spring 2009 collection tote. Ah…more Vera. I gotta have this! I already have several pieces. For those of you who caught the Rose Bowl Parade, you may have seen the spring collection in flowers (another favorite of mine)—what is better than Bradley purse made out of flowers?

#11: Favorite place to surf? Oh… my-this-is-hard! I guess my new favorite (besides my blog roll) is Etsy. A collection of handmade items that you can buy. I love that you can search by type, color, etc. This is an example of the work…a festive calendar for 2009. I am in love with all the paper crafting that people do. I buy all the paper, but can NEVER get it to look THAT good.

#12: i am ashamed to admit it but, I am a tv lover. We have *several* DVRs and use them. One of my favorites is House. I am not in love with his character flaws and learn a lot of how not to live my life…but I love the idea of solving those complex mysteries. Last year, I wished we had out own Dr. House to solve my father-in-laws medical issues. But, the Lord blessed us with a team of doctors that have put him on the road to recover. Just so you know, I am feeling some conviction in the area of tv watching...so I have cut way back.

#13: I love creamy coffee, tea and fancy cups… need I say more?

My Word for the Year...

Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. The Message Matt. 5:14

Melissa @ The Inspired Room (http://theinspiredroom.net/) set some montly goals for her "A beautiful Life" Friday linkie thing! I was inspired, so in true "theifing" fashion, I stole her idea and changed them up a bit. I set 12 monthly goals to focus on each month to SHINE.

January: Organization
February: Solitude (regular quiet times)
March: Heathly Living
April: Financial Freedom

May: Family
June: Balanced Living
July: Missions
August: Contentment
September: Routines
October: Hospitality
November: Gratitude
December: Giving
Looking forward to sharing 2009 with you all!

Memorizing God's Word...

So I decided after reading Beth Moore's LPM blog that I would memorize scriptures. Each month on the 1st and 15th we will pick a scripture to memorize. If you would like to join, she has a couple blogs about it. Click here!

So this is my scripture.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now,

and don’t get worked up about what may

or may not happen tomorrow” (Matthew 6:33, The Message)

I got The Message translation from my dear BIL for Christmas and found my old Rainbow Study Bible so I have been having lots of fun comparing. Weird how that is considered fun for me...studying the Word of God, isn't fun for some!?!

Okay...so I best get back to cleaning out and rearranging. Less than 24 hours left before I go back to work!