My Rewards

   Lately, I have taken on many roles in Life.  Mother, Wife, Sister, Daughter, Cousin, Niece.. 

okay those weren't lately.. But There is more.. Friend. 

I am not a confident person by any means. I am very careful where I make my steps. I am very careful who I trust and let in my heart. I am quiet at first and then you can't shut me up. If I talk to you openly then I am ready to give you my hand to help you across anything for the rest of my life. If you shut me out I worry I did something wrong. If you get rude to me or say something snarky I worry I did something wrong. My whole purpose in my life to help others and make them happy. If I give you my "GUARDED HEART" then I'm like a lost puppy, I will do whatever I can in my power and ability to make you happy, with me, for always. 

WHY LESLIE? WHY Are you saying this?  Because... Sometimes I can't be Strong.. Sometimes I can't be Courageous.. Because I don't believe in... MYSELF... Hubby just said this recently to someone and it broke my heart.. "She Lacks Self-confidence" but.. I know he wasn't trying to be mean.. (although it felt like it at that time) He was stating a fact.. I get hurt easily and then Its hard for me to get back up. But I do rely on Hubby Because he does hold me up Most of the time.. But I have taken sometime now and Pondered  this revelation... when I see this bible verse.. 

2 Chronicles 15:7
Be Strong and Courageous, for your work will be rewarded.

Now.. at church I have been somewhat active.. and Only letting few people into my heart and friend "zone." I have been trying harder to be more confident, although I'm continuously questioning myself inside. But I'm trying to be LESS ME and MORE NEW ME.. Less keeping to myself and More opening up Myself. I have kept to myself so much over the years that I have forgotten to let people in. It has been feeling great, but scary. I am afraid one mistep will ruin everything.
I Love my new church family with all my heart. Its wonderful getting to know them and Realizing they DO have many things in common with me and with my family. For Example: Due to my last surgery.. Sometimes I cry for a weird reason, And Hubby might see me and then run in the opposite direction... APPARENTLY... ALL MEN DO THIS and so I shouldn't take it so personal. LOL SO ALL MEN are buttheads LOL hehehe Ok just kidding :) But.. my point is.. I'm not alone. I was Strong and Courageous and opened my heart... I Let people in.. and I was REWARDED with a GREAT sense of Family and Friendship in my church.. I just need to work on the Needing to make everyone happy part. I don't want to do something wrong and lose a friendship.. yet I don't want to seem Clingy or anything.. There needs to be a happy medium.. Does anyone ever find that happy medium? Does anyone even worry about this stuff or is it just me? LOL I guess God will lead my path into what I should do day to day. I will pray for it :)
HUGS
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Please watch over all friendships, families, church families so that they can grow and become stronger. Let us look to you and your word for us to Strengthen relationships and count on each other for what we are lacking. Dear Lord, thank you for bringing people together so they can hold each other up to your light and wisdom and love. Let us be one under You, God. Let us be what you want us to be, so that your Will be done. Dear Lord, I ask that you show our children, your path and your light so that they will someday be what you guide them to be. Give courage to all of us and our children. You are an amazing God and we Thank you even tho we lose track of you. Help us to get back on Track, Dear Lord. In your Name we Pray. Amen.  

Its a Crazy, Crazy, Crazy World.

I have not been feeling very motivated as of late.. I know it has a lot to do with kids going to this and that, and doing this and that. Seems are schedules got busier as school got out. Now they will be going back to school soon and I'm not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Soon I will be babysitting again, getting kids ready for school again, helping with homework again, But now I will even be homeschooling my Middle one. So not sure when it will be calm again for anyone in  my house.. somewhere I guess I thought I would have more time for me this summer.. I was wrong. BUT... on that downer of a note.. I can't be unhappy at all. I spent time with friends. I got to know new people in our community. I got to learn more about myself and my boys. I got to help out people and make them smile. I got to show that I'm not just some old fat lady! I am not lazy. I love to work and I got to show that to people this year.. (yes I have gotten over the being fat thing.. but I am really embracing it too!) ANYWAY! It was a beautiful year.. Thanks be to God for giving us so many Blessings to share with each other and with Others.

NOW from one crazy world to the next.. a MUCH BIGGER WORLD... what is happening with Israel right now.. This makes me sad in so many ways... first.. This is Gods' CHOSEN people.. he cared from them from the beginning.. He helped them out of slavery.. he took care of them thru the deserts and they walked for 40 years.. when they finally got to their home.. God still took care of them.. even tho they may not have deserved it.. He LOVED them that much he took care of them.. and then some more.. He watched over them so that people wouldn't try eradicate his chosen people.. he didn't want influence from all the other bad worshiping and sinful things.. Which brings me to my point... GOD saw them thru everything... He will see them thru this.. Obama supporting the Bad Guys? Seriously? :( I was told he was Catholic or something a few years back.. but I bet the POPE would be IMMENSELY Upset about this whole thing.. Now... I dont want to get into politics.. I am not an Obama fan from the day he was voted in and I will just leave it at that..

My Next point is this.. I am upset.. and I think it has effected me, my motivation, and my heart... Well Lets just say I'm overwhelmed a bit.. First of all.. I keep seeing the news.. and the O.. guy i wont say his name anymore.. the Israel thing.. and then my kids... house cleaning.. New Puppies(kinda makes me happy but a lot of work too), My fish tank needs to be cleaned, My laundry is always needed done.. and mostly... the News thing.. Kinda gets ya down.. Even when you know that God has a plan and he will see us thru anything.. Even when you Believe and Trust that GOD will always be by our side.. the sadness in the News gets me down. I worry for my kids and for their futures. I worry for my grand-babies that I don't even have yet! I just worry that something big is going to happen... And it may effect our younger generations.. I Just worry.. that's what I do :) if I didn't worry.... My kids would prolly have their pants hanging to there knees and flashing gang signs :) Anyway.. I have said it before and I'll say it again.. I long for the Days of Little House on the Praire.. When you could get an actual education without having to meet a standard. When you didn't have the Government breathing down your neck. When a newspaper brought you all the news you needed to know. When you didn't go to jail for your kid getting a sunburn or because you let your kid walk to the park. When people could stand up for their families using a gun if someone was going to cause you harm or try and get in your house. Where people worked a hard days work. Where you took care of your family till they day they passed away. Where books were a rare commodity and going to school was a privilege not a demand. Where the US took care of itself and not the concern of the world. I think with the internet age we just have soOOO Much more information on everything that we feel like we have to take a side to everything... we should have 2 things.. get along with everyone.. and Always stand with Israel. :) End of story.

Last point I Promise... the Internet.. Yes that pesky ol' thing.. We do not allow our kids (13,10,9) to use the internet unless I give the OK... (middle one uses ONLY for home-school purposes) They get a treat when they go to Grandma and Grandpa Stormo's and they get to play on Grandpa's or Jake's computer. other than that.. Nope... I don't want them to know the news of the bad bad world... I don't want them to have to worry about Healthcare issues or who is spying on who or what nation is warring another nation. Or how bad Terrorist Groups are to others.. that is all VERY GRAPHIC! and I Just seen Decapitations on Facebook! HONESTLY! I will be having them blog when they have time.. I WILL be having them post on facebook.. but ONLY to show that they updated their blog to friends and family. that will be the extent of that. I love my kids dearly and I can not keep them from the world.. but.. I can protect them.. and let them know that the first thing they see in the world is HOPE.. and an AMAZING world.. I wont shelter them.. I haven't sheltered them.. I only let them see the parts they WANT to see first.. they don't need to have their childhood taken away from them worrying about Where are they going to get a job? Will that nation come blow us up? so and so forth.. I want them to be excited about the world.. not scared of it! The Internet... gah... things were so much simpler before we used it.. we used to play super Nintendo! Mario Brothers! and climb trees.. and Imaginations! Forts using Dad's tools that he didn't want you to play with... LOL but you snuck them out anyway. *SIGH* I know this was long im sorry.. its 11:00 at night and I'm tired and Ranty :)
I do bid you farewell for the night :)

HUGS AND LOVE :)
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Please watch over a Friends little Grandson. He is in alot of pain and was taken to Omaha. Give the Dr. the wisdom he needs to find the cause of his pain. Watch over them all and reach down your healing hand for this little man. He is definitely a Light in our lives. He makes you smile just buy listening to him talk and ask questions. Dear Lord, please Watch over all your little children of the world. My little cousin Addie needs loves and hugs from you Dear Lord, a healing hand for her as well. Dear Life Stone, Please Watch over Israel and let them know we are with them. Let them know we are praying even if the O guy isn't. We love you Heavenly Father. We are sorry we fall short everyday. We do repent our sins and want you to know we are Truly Thankful for your love for us. In your name we Pray. Amen.

One of My Favorite Parables

Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says,’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. 

 - Luke 15:8-10

Read more at Parables In The Bible

In bible study the other day, we studied One of my Favorite Parables. The Lost Coin. Now, You May have already learned this one. I think the key to this whole parable is Verse 10. "I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." This.... THIS! is one of my major epiphanies.. I realized when I first read it I did not understand it.. I read it again and I was understanding about this woman working so hard to find the coin.. then I realized.. I was missing the last sentence. THAT WAS IT! We are lost... Until we ask for forgiveness of our sins.. when we ask for forgiveness.. the Lord and the angels above are so VERY happy! He loves us for being honest with him. Of course we are forgiven everyday as long as we believe.. But He loves us to be humble and to ask his forgiveness because we often forget to be good.. or just aren't good.. as a matter of fact.. we sin everyday.. We gripe all the time, we put ourselves before someone else, we may have mean thoughts about that person that may have cut in the bathroom line in Walmart, or you skip the laundry when you know you should be doing it because your son needs his uniform washed and ironed.... What im saying.. is.. We do... even when we dont mean to. Jesus knew this was how we humans were going to be forever and ever. So that is why he died on the cross. For YOU and ME. 

I seemed to get off track.. a little. But! We are his lost lambs.. or in this case.. we are the lost Coins.. and the light that she needed to find us is the word of GOD, GOD, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The lady never gave up.. Like God would never give up on us.. and when we are found.. that coin is like our sin.. that was us repenting our sins.. what an AMAZING metaphor.. I love this story.. and I hope you do too..

Hugs and have a GLORIOUS Day!!! Love you all :)
Leslie

My Little Men

So a bit over a week ago I set the boys up with a blog and facebook. Not trying to get them connected with the world, but to prove a point to them.. That typing is not just a class in school, that may seem boring and mundane.. But its a type of communication.  It is our way of keeping in touch with family and friends. It ALSO is NOT a communication to air out your dirty Laundry and Drama. I said keep things simple. No need for over dramatics and Be respectful. Needless to say.. We have NOT up to this point aloud any of our children Free reign over the internet. We are aware of all the bad things out there and they are completely monitored in this process. Also our kids are not sheltered by any means and do know common sense.. I hope! Every parents nightmare I'm sure. When they are smarter than you hope they are in certain situations! WELL>> Let this journey begin! They will at least know keyboarding, grammar(maybe), how to organize thoughts and ideas, able to express themselves, able to run a computer and website, Will be able to communicate with others thru comments and socialize, and Just have fun.

I thought It would be a good learning tool for the kids and for the Homeschooling We will be starting. It will be fun for all of us. Well I thought baseball was over and its Not. LOL this is the week of the Tournaments so I am off to get the kids ready to go for the game. Have a blessed Day and Let God Guide you in all your paths today and forevermore. Bless you! HUGS! Leslie :)

Hmm Time does go QUICK!

Time flies as they would say.. YES baseball season is coming to an end here I hope.. except for tournaments I think after the 4th of July. I have been so busy with Baseball and the Hugs task of Trying to get a curriculum going, We decided I would homeschool Kyle this year.. He has fallen into some troublesome and lazy habits so I'm going to get him on the right track with one and one learning and Try and keep on task.. teach him some easy ways to keep information from going in one side and out of the other. Kyle is an Amazing kid! He just gets a little distracted when it comes to school and learning.. Of course he would rather be outside playing.. HEY, so would I! But we need to get the work done properly and efficiently so He can learn too!

Well of this reminds me a something our Pastor said in Bible Study.. Louise reminde me of this at a recent bible study as well..

If the Devil can't make you bad, He will make you Busy!

Yes I believe this to be true.. Because if you are busy, busy, busy... then you are not praying, reading the word, thinking of Our Lord or his teachings... if He is keeping you busy you can't go to that bible study that You would love to be at.

"The devil smiles when we make plans. ~ He laughs when we get too busy. ~ But he trembles when we pray - specially when we pray together." Corrie ten Boom

Just some thoughts for the summer.. I know everyone tries to get so much done because the kids are on school break. but.. please make it a point to stop and talk with God. He wants to hear from you and he wants to know You care as much for him as he does for you! :) I imagine him as a Hugger.. and Like I said before and I'll say again! First thing I'm gonna do is give that Ol' Softy up there a Giant Bear Hug! Just like My Grandpa used to give me!... I'll spread them all around when I get up there to home :) 

This is such a special learning Journey for My boys and myself. We are learning so much about our Savior. We Love to learn history!!! and This is our History of our Christian Faith. We are Learning it all as if it all just happend last year.. It is an amazing journey we are on.. I, personally, can't get enough learning. Its not enough to just look it up on the internet.. but its a bonding of people when you talk it all out together. You learn from others point of views and stories and it means so much more. I Love my church family. So Happy that the Lord opened my eyes and put me with such an amazing group of people. What a learning experience and how wonderful to feel so loved. :)

 

Prayer Warriors! I Have a cousin in Iowa. His Daughter has been sick.. she has neuroblastoma. She is so beautiful. You can see her and her story here. Team Addie  Please keep her in your prayers!

 

Also I want to shout out to the people of Pilger, Nebraska. WE Moved to Osceola from Pilger. Erin worked at the Coop there for years as the mechanic and a propane driver. Now the whole coop was wiped out. So many friends and some family lived there.. Keep your thoughts on them today if you could. Praise the Lord more people weren't killed. 

I wanted to link a few things at the end here.. I have been reading the bible with my fellow church go'ers.. but its hard for me to understand the bible just reading it myself.. so I have an online bible that reads its (Dramatically) and then I dont loose alot of meaning and I can hear it and understand it.. was going to link that here.. 

Online Bible Click Here. So I read along as they read it out loud. I can do dishes and listen this way too :)

Have an amazing and glorious Summer! Hope you all can make time in each day to speak to our Father! LOVE YOU ALL :) HUGS!

Prayer: Dear Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth, I want to thank you for waking me and my family up each day with your Light. With the Sunlight and your light of love. It is amazing to wake up and know that We are loved even when we are lonely and afraid. You protect us and love us thru Everything. We love you too! Dear Father, Please keep your healing hand on Addie Brenden. She such a young and beautiful life. Help her to fight off this disease. She is so young to be tested but she is so strong is doing such a great job to keep a smile on her face everyday, such a beautiful child. Please watch over Pilger and bless all the volunteers and townspeople. Also dear Lord please take special care of that little girl died and her mother whom was in the hospital in a coma. Praise you for keeping everyone in high spirits and watching over them. Dear Lord, Help us to put you first in all we do. We are all guilty of being busy. We Love you Dear Lord and we know you know that we are sometimes going to be busy.... This is why you allotted us Sundays for the Sabbath. WE thank you so much for this day to dedicate to you. We do want to spend time with you as much as you ARE with us. In your name we Pray AMEN!

Shrewd Manager

Hello everyone:) Happy Mothers Day to you whom it Does concern :) Love all the wonderful Mothers out there!

I attend our bible study called Mary's Circle, and we learned about the parable Shrewd Manager. Let me tell you.. I read that parable and I thought I can't believe this is the bible! They are teaching people to steal? okay let me back up here. Some of you may not know the parable let me link it for you here. (click the picture) --->


So I hope you read the parable. I HOPE you are as lost as I was when I read it. Why would that EX-Manager get away with doing something so "evil" or "deceitful." right?Well.
Lets just say it was bothering me alot. And At our Study Group we couldn't figure out how this was actually a parable. But You know.. we are a Warped Generation.. and I dont just mean MY generation. I mean.. Since the times of Jesus has past we are worshiper of money.. not that we sit and actually worship money.. We NEED money to live.. WE NEED MONEY to eat.. WE NEED money to buy that bed in our homes or the car we drive.. WE NEED MONEY. Right? Well I goggled this parable. Because I didn't understand it even after we left study group. So here is what I found...

Anne Robertson explained it this way on her blog.

Let's say that a man is convicted of murdering his wife and is sentenced to prison. Further, let's say that on his way to begin serving his sentence he goes past a burning house with a child left inside. Figuring that misery awaits him anyway and figuring that saving a baby can't hurt his reputation, he dashes into the building and saves the child. A pastor is watching and goes home to write a sermon. "Why is it," he says the next Sunday "that this murderer can figure out that saving a child is a good thing and the 16 churchgoers who were there watching the fire burn, did nothing? This convict is smarter than all of them. Use the opportunities life presents to you to enhance God's reputation. The one who risks his own life to save another is living out the Gospel.

That was put so understandably now I get it.. But in the parable we get stuck on the MONEY FACTOR we forget to see the ACTUAL Story. Because Money to us is our Life and Living! Without it we would be in a box or under a bridge. That is Serious I know and Im not trying to make controversy but IN the parable we Take the money factor and Rise that up above all else and so we think to ourselves that WHOA YOU ARE TAKING MY MONEY... instead of seeing the GOOD in the Parable. and with that excerpt that I listed above it makes it easier to understand and makes me realize how much Our world only depends on money.. Its true.

 I hope this helped this anyone understand that confusing parable. I hope You can see the actual meaning of it.

HUGS! Have a Magnificent Day!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, Maker of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for Giving us your word. Thank you for the blessings we receive daily, even If we do not see them right away. Dear Lord, We want to thank you for the lessons you teach to us everyday. So that we can better understand you and your will. Father, we just ask you to help us keep our minds open and our eyes open so that we can better serve you and Others. Please shine down your light on us and help us to keep our minds open to do good things for others and so that we are not serving ourselves. Dear Lord, Please watch over our wonderful Mothers you blessed us with. They are a GREAT creation of yours... Have mercy on us and and hear our prayers. In your name We pray. Amen.

Aspire and Inspire - All My blessings

  So many people are inspiring me. Maybe its because I have found a not so new concept.. But im just seeing the good in people. When I see someone and I look at them and I wish I was like that person. Not in a Jealous way but in a way that I ASPIRE to be like them. Examples:

• I went to my Dr. as I was leaving the Patient room she said "God Bless You" - Never realized that was such an inspiring phrase till I heard it being said TO ME! Kathy is a Blessing! I want to be able to Say that without feeling a little intimidated. I should be PROUD to say it!
• I had surgery and This Lady and her Husband helped me by making food for my family when I couldn't. Her Husband often Helps Erin out with Projects and Erin offers the same to help him. He also found a Car that Erin is hoping to buy that we can afford. -Never realized how much kindness there IS in the world. Corieen and Will are a Blessing!  I want to help Everyone I can without wearing myself out of course. And We ALL should be helping people without them having to ask. Some people (like me) are afraid to ask anything of anyone. SO We should help without having to be asked!
• Went to the kids' school program the pianist for the program came up and asked us to come to their church soup supper - didn't know that people from this town would talk to me Or even accept our family into a church and be considered equal or friends. This Lady is so great :) We have Prayer time together about once or twice a month:) Carolyn is a Blessing:) I will continue to Pray and to encourage my family to pray. God loves to talk with us through Prayer!
• A girl I grew up with (we were neighbors for a long while) posts religious things on facebook and doesn't care what anyone else. SHE LOVES JESUS. - didn't know you could love Jesus and Not have to hide it. She is a Blessing! I should not hide my Love for our Savior. He didn't hide his love for us. Thank you Kori for being someone I aspire to be like!! Hugs!
• A girl I grew up and worked with when I was a younger girl, working in the Nursing Home, Ida. She is an Amazing blessing. - She reminds me (not personally me) that I can have an opinion and I can stand by it. I dont usually have an opinion out loud because I dont want any confrontation. But I CAN HAVE an OPINION and I should be PROUD of my opinion. THANK YOU Sweet Ida for letting me know that I can be ME and I dont have to hide it from anyone. YOU ARE AMAZING and You Have showed me I can be too <3 THANK YOU SO MUCH!
• This Man and Lady in our town gave us a piece of land to make our garden and gives all of us some work to do- Did NOT realize there are people out there that can care about you without being family. They are SUCH A BLESSING! WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH! I aspire to be like Dean and Louise very much. They are selfless, kind, helping, caring, loving, inspiring, and there is just not enough kind words I can say about them. They are so deep in my heart right now I can not even begin to explain it. They are EVERYTHING I aspire to be like. They were an Amazing Gift from God to us and I can't tell you how much they mean to us without tearing up. (too late now, already happenin!) They are definitely the kind of people I want my kids to learn from. AMAZING Gift from GOD:)

Now..Of course.. You have to add in my Mom, Dad, Harlean, and My Grandma (Love you Grandma!! Really Really do!) and My Grandpa (Miss you Grandpa so much) Because You always want to be just like them growing up. Holding hands in the Car on the way to church. (Grandma and Grandpa) and My folks always loving each other and growing up with respect for everyone..Best Family and such a Blessing and LOVE YOU ALL! My family has been blessed to be from such a kind and supportive family. YOU all are in hearts and we couldn't ever HUGS and KISS any of you enough :)

Want to throw another Blessing shout out to Wren (Harlean) I call her Wren..(have forever now I think) She is another Blessing. Can't Say enough how Amazing you are to my family. You have always been a support weather you know it or not. I couldn't be where I am now.. If I didn't have you to talk things thru. You are a good listener. And even tho sometimes You just let me ramble on.. Thank you so much for listening :) You are Like the older Sister I never had :) Made growing up and getting older much easier to have a sister Like you to talk too :) Thank you! Love you so much! YOU ARE ALSO A BLESSING TO ME <3 HUGS! LOVE YOU!

A gift From God.. Are the Blessings that in my life. Everyday.. I can't believe how many more people I find to be thankful for.I always thought it was a little crazy when people said Count Your Blessings. I said.. yes I have 4. My 3 sons and my Husband. That was it.. just 4. But.. as I have been reading the bible.. I realize how much I do have.. and that I can find blessings all around me.. and find them in people that I know! And Now.. I can't count them anymore! There are so many things I am thankful for! THANK YOU DEAR JESUS for Opening my EYES! THANK YOU DEAR JESUS FOR All MY BLESSINGS!

Prayer: Dear Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for blessing us with so many Great things in our lives. Thank you for sending us in the paths that you want us to take. For us meeting people that change our lives. Thank you Dear Lord for opening our eyes to see all the wondrous things in people and the goodness of peoples hearts and continue to open our eyes and see the kindness they have and the goodness.. Bless all these people in our lives and continue to open our hearts and give thanks for them. We Ask that you Watch over these people and just continues to shine your love down on them for they are so special to us. Lord have Mercy and Hear our Prayer. In your name we Pray. Amen!

Who do I Trust?

 

Today I am a bit saddened... it is my OWN doing. First I want to say... I do Not Trust many people at all. I do Not believe that everyone I meet is a person worth Trusting.  I Try to be a person that OTHERS can trust.. But It takes alot of doing to have me trust someone else. That being said.. I am a very blessed person.

 Okay, so why am I saddened? Well I have wanted to get a new puppy.. I KNOW! Lets add that too the plate of busyness right? Well, My dog (Sassy is her name) is getting older now and I can ALREADY tell you if she were to pass today I think I would be wearing Black for a month. SO I have been thinking about this for awhile.. While mom got 2 new puppies this last year. That maybe I should think about getting Sassy a friend and maybe would ease the blow if she ever goes to Doggy Heaven.. 

ok ok ok the story about trust is beginning now... So I see an add for 2 Maltese AKC registered dogs one Male and one Female. So I email the owner and ask him how much and where are they located and all the Questions  you should ask.. and he emailed me back.. and let me tell I am not Grammar Police by any means but I can tell when English is not the persons first language.. Which doesn't mean they are bad! so I read the email and it got me excited of course! $180 per dog because the person was moving and they just wanted to make sure the dogs got a good home and if i took both it would be $300! OH THAT IS NOT BAD!! RIGHT??!! WELLLL.. I emailed them back and said I was interested and I needed to okay with hubby But wanted to make sure 300 was REALLY what it cost for 2 dogs to be shipped from Laplace Louisiana. Needless to say.. that sounds wierd to me... that far and still only 300 for 2 dogs that is MANY MANY MILES away.. so he emailed back and said yes 300 for both dogs and should be delivered to my door in a few hours... so HELLO? anyone else find that LAST STATEMENT FISHY??

I went online. I searched his name and where he was from... :( I found this:  

• Marshall zimmer scam has no pups asks fMoney is not the issue here. I am
  > Located in *LaPlace ,Louisiana*.If you can pick the puppy or puppies
  > up then i will send you my address now. My main reason for re homing them
  > is because i am moving and i can't take all with me. The re homing fee for
  > each puppy is $180 and both pups will cost you $300*{shipping inclusive if
  > necessary}.* Do you intend breeding? Or are you a pet lover? Where
  > precisely are you located? Do you want a male or female puppy? How soon?
  or 300 plus SHIPPING so scam scam scam 

SO...  Now.. I remember why I don't Trust many people. Many people aren't worth giving your trust too. Sometimes it takes a lesson like this to Remember that there is so much evil in the world. Yes It saddens me. As Im sure they have saddened many others.

This lesson I learned today... I can ALWAYS TRUST IN GOD.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we TRUST in the name of the Lord our God.

I know that God is always with me by my side. I know that the Holy Spirit was with me when I was inspired to do a search for the name and city. I needed to see if this was legit.. which it was not :(  I know now that Not EVERYONE is trustworthy. And I knew that before But when you are hurt by it, it is a realization that Life is not a Bowl Full of cherries sometimes you get Rotten Cherries too! I know how every other person feels by those that get hurt by fools. I hope you all never get hurt by them.

SO now I will go forward and Watch my step because I Trust in the Lord.. I will Watch for him showing me my paths and He will watch for me, that im safe from all hurt and harm.

HUGS! Leslie
Have a Magnificent and Wonderful day!

Prayer: Dear Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Our Most Holy. THANK YOU for an Amazing chance to Live this life you have given us all. Thank you for opening our eyes to the untrusted. Thank you for giving us wisdom enough to see those who set out to fool us. Thank you Dear Lord for ability to Trust in you to know our path. Dear Lord, Please Watch over others that are being hurt in such deceitful ways. Dear Lord also Watch over those evil doers because they have not seen the evil of their ways. IN your name I pray, Amen.

My Mother.

Hmm today I just had a very long conversation with my Mom. I can't tell you how much it makes me smile to talk about my Mom. It Just does. I miss her every day of my life. I do not live too far from her but... when you are a stay at home Mom you have to make some sacrifices in order to get by. Thus we don't get to travel up to Stanton and see the family as often as I like. ANYWAY... I talked to my Mom for a long while and it was so great. So today I found this verse this seems fitting.

Proverbs 31:25-30

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” 

So True and  I love my Mother Dearly!  And Often with my children I, of course, hope and wonder for their future but I hope I will be the one they call when they need to hear a loving and caring voice. I feel truely blessed to have such a loving and kind mother. She puts up with my constant talking and my asking questions that needs a Nurses touch. She puts up with my ranting and raving when the schools are being crazy. She tolerates my relearning of the bible when I know she has heard most of the stuff I have just learned.. I probably sound like a broken record. Where in the world can you ever find someone like Your mother? I Truely dont think you can. A Blood Related Best Friend.. will never hurt you or turn their back on you. Will never Leave you. Will tell you what you need to hear when you are down. 

We learned this today in Grace Girls.. and I think the Holy Spirit is like a Woman is to their child...

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

Like the Holy Spirit takes care of us.. A Mother Takes care of their child.

I Love you, Corey Stormo. You are My Mother. You have Saved me more times than you know. You have been a Rock I can lean on. You are the friend I call when I am sad, happy, excited, joyful, and confused. You make me smile. You are apart of many of my past and present memories. I love you.. Thank you for loving me.

 Hugs!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord in heaven, Look down from your amazing throne and hold up all the mothers of the world and give them full hearts so that they know they are loved by their children. Even when the children are far away or maybe too busy. Let the mothers know they are loved and we are thankful for all they do for us. Also Lord, THANK YOU for giving us each a mother and loving us enough to know we needed someone with such compassion and love to make sure we also stay on a straight path to lead us towards you and your word. Thank you for your compassion and love, Dear Lord. In your Mercy, Hear our Prayer. Amen.

Immanuel

This is so True. I snagged this from Facebook. the Link is www.godlywoman.co . Immanuel Means God is with US. I often wake up each day with aches and pains, trying to stand up straight.. I get the kids off to school and I just want to plop down on my computer chair and not move for the rest of the day. BELIEVE ME I HAVE BEFORE.. But then if I dont get back up right away then I might just sit there for the rest of the day. Now, I have to try and stand back up with all the aches and pains again. LOL Okay.. so my point is.. I was in this place in my life before.. where I was in the habit of doing the same thing over and over and over again and I wasn't in a good place. I was sad.. I felt alone.. I felt like the only way I did  not feel alone was sit at my computer and play games and talk to people on facebook or Pin things on Pintrest. But... I felt like I was alone and... well Like I have said before I (WE, My family) have begun the journey to find our Home with Jesus again. And I realized so many things.. and I repeat this to myself EVERY MORNING...

We Live to Serve God, Help Others, and NOT Ourselves.

and I not going to lie.. some days its really really hard to do this. to say this. to feel this.... BUT If I Just remember how much time I have wasted on the computer and NOT with my boys.. I get upset with myself and I RUN TO THE SHOWER and I Stop thinking about myself. I love my boys.. they are my everything, my breath, My heart. They are a HUGE motivation for me.

SOOO the Moral of the story is this.. God is always with us.. When we are in a bad place in our lives.. He is there even when we are feeling lonely.. He Knows whats best for us.. He is pushing us even when we dont realize it. He has been leading me back to his house and that is where He is teaching me all about his word.

He is our best friend, the one we share our hopes and dreams with, and he is always with us. He may not come up to your bed and wake you up in the morning.. he may not add you as a friend to Facebook. But He is there... maybe he helps a friend realize that you need someone to talk to.. maybe he has pushed you by letting you have memories of your kids when they were young and having to get up at 2am to make a bottle. NOOO you are right I do not miss that part.. but.. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world either! They are precious memories. God... IS with us. And He will not leave us... We are Forgiven.. And He loves us.. Just as we love our own children.. :):)

Have a Glorious Day! HUGS!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, Please be with the Louise and Carita's Families. I know there is many of them but I do not know all of them. Please watch over them as they go thru the process of grief. Although I have heard from many people their father was an amazing man and Im Positive he is in AMAZING place in heaven. Just grant them peace and Happiness. They are an inspiration and a beautiful family. Also Dear Lord, please watch over Curtis tonight as he volunteers to serve over 1500 people for the fish fry in Columbus. I KNOW he will be exhausted when he comes home. Just help him to not give up when the going gets tough. You are an amazing God. We love you and all that you do for us. In your name. Amen.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Let me Start off by saying.. HAPPY ST. Patrick's Day! Okay..

From Wikipedia: A cultural and religious holiday celebrated annually on 17 March, the death date of the most commonly-recognised patron saint of Ireland.  Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early seventeenth century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Lutheran Church. 
Much of what is known about St Patrick comes from the Declaration, which was allegedly written by Patrick himself. It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. According to the Declaration, at the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland.   It says that he spent six years there working as a shepherd and that during this time he "found God". The Declaration says that God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.

According to legend, Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans.

According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. The Declaration says that he spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted "thousands". Tradition holds that he died on 17 March and was buried at Downpatrick. Over the following centuries, many legends grew up around Patrick and he became Ireland's foremost saint.

Learned: After learning the REAL meaning about this amazing Holiday... It isn't just about Beer and Drinking and Drinking Games. Although, I never had the chance to partake in these festivities... I am undoubtedly thankful that I Never had. I am also thankful for my Pastors Wife for the Children's Sermon... Because She told the True Story of the Holiday. It made me want to research it and find out that it is Actually a Religious Holiday AND It was a Day an Amazing man died. He spread the word of God throughout Ireland. I Truly didn't put up all the history but You get the Jist of it.  It was so Inspiring to me that After being made a slave, He found God. Then went back and spread the word of the bible.. What an amazing person to have such a personal relationship with God.

Now.. it dismays me that.... Our culture. Our time. Our generation. Has turned this Religious Holiday into something that You have to drink Green beer and get drunk.. That you wear a shirt and get it wet for the best wet tshirt contest.. Somewhere along the lines someone stopped teaching people what this day was really about and let them think it was just about drinking.. I'M GUILTY too.. because I did NOT know there was anything about this holiday other than wearing green and Leprechauns... and well.. Drinking!

Well.. Now we know the real Story.. Thank you Marji for letting us know there is more to this day than Just the rituals our culture portrays.


Hugs and Love Leslie


Prayer:

Saul has no Patience

1 Samuel 13:8-14

He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter.  So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings. " And Saul offered up the burnt offering.  Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.  "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash,  I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."  "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.  But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

 

 

I really liked this excerpt from the bible. We read and studied it in one of my bible classes. So a little history on this story.. Saul was told to wait.. and Obviously He did not... He was in trouble, because he did NOT wait for Samuel or God before He reacted.. After I got to thinking about the passage.. It was very much like Saul was very selfish and Only acted for himself because he thought he was above the law.. Above the law of the Lord. He didn't need to wait for God to help him. HE Was BETTER than whatever God could do... 

 

Honestly, How could this be like us in our lives today? For me? I know I do alot of Reacting before thinking. Reacting before praying. I do alot of acting selfishly. Yes we are all sinners and so we "fall short of the glory of God" but.. Then I think shouldn't I or WE be doing as much as we can to be the best we can be to be like Jesus was? YES! ABSOLUTELY! I know I NEED to Stop reacting immediately to things and call on the lord for HIS guidance, for his knowledge, for his Mercy. I Need to have patience that God will see me thru all things and that He has whats best for me in his heart. He will Help all of us thru our "battles" and situations. We just need to call upon him, speak to him, and Praise him. 

 

 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know I fall short of your Glory. You have given me so many blessings in life and I had failed to recognize them all. You have provided so much to be thankful for and I thank you so much for that! You are amazing and I love you so much! Lord Grant me patience and understanding that you will always help me thru every battle that I come upon. Grant me the ability to wait and see your blessings you bring to me. I shall never forge ahead without consulting you first in any situation that may arise. Thank you so much Dear Lord for sticking with me when I need you and even more when I dont know I need you. You are always there. In your name. Amen!

Old and New!

I snagged this photo from a Google search. I think it is Extremely fitting for today. My 2 younger sons were baptized today. They did an amazing job. The whole ceremony was a small intimate  gathering of friends and family. It was so great to see the boys take part in something so much bigger than them. Its for the Love of Our God.

My father said this verse 2 Corinthians 5:17 was the first verse he had ever had to memorize. And as i sat and meditated on this verse and what it means to me. I realized to myself.. Us joining this new church and being on this familial Adventure of learning the Love of God.. That is our NEW. The Old of our family is now past and GONE. Our New family is the family US And GOD. And He Loves US. And We LOVE HIM. We didnt realize we loved him so much until we Actually sat down and started to pray to him.. We have a NEW relationship with  him and we are HAPPY.  We didn't know anything was missing before but now.... we found what we weren't Looking for  LOL.

So all this old and new.. Its an amazing adventure. I am so excited for what tommorrow may bring! Aren't you? Do you have any favorite verses that you have learned that you may hold dear? I'd like to read them so that I may also enjoy them!

Hugs and Blessings!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord Please keep all our Emergency responders and firemen safe as they battle the fires and the winds in Nebraska. Grant them the wisdom they need to do their job right so they don't get hurt. Please be with them and keep them from harm. In your name. Amen.

Old and New Testament Reading.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  

Philippians 4:13

I think many times through our lives and even our days.. we forget what we can do or forget to even Just Try. I think we often put things off for a better time, for when we have more time, or Just because we don't feel we have the ability to do something. But We can! If you Believe, and I do hate to sound cliche.. but if you Believe Hard enough... You can. Now.. BELIEVE... Believe in your goal Yes.. But Believe in the Word, Believe in God, Believe we are saved and you WILL have the Strength you need to do ANYTHING! You WILL have HIS STRENGTH to push you thru. 

Now.. today my oldest son Read the Old and New testament readings for today at church. Now he is amazing because when I ask him if he could do stuff like this He will say " Nah Ma. I dont think I would be good at that. I don't want to do it. " and I say "How will you EVER Know if you are good at something if you keep shutting it down before you even try it?" He said "Nah Ma, I will mix up the words and I will mess up while I'm up there." I said, "You speak VERY well for your age. People are there not to Judge you reading the word. But to hear the word." He said, "Okay Ma, Ill try it." SOOOoo he practiced and then Today came.. and HE DID AMAZING! He took a deep breath before starting like I told him he should do. And Read it without flaw! a little cough and a little throat clear.. but he nailed all the words and the LORD GAVE HIM THE STRENGTH to Make it all the way till the end and it Made sense. He was scared at first there was no doubt in my mind. As we were leaving the church I lost count of the number of people that came up to him and expressed how great he did. I'm so proud of my son, He took something he was nervous in.. He Believed IN the old and New testament he was reading and God gave him strength to do an amazing job. 

Hugs!

Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for letting us know that we carefully watched over.  It is amazing that in our most time of need you are always there when we need you. You are there to give us Strength so we can overcome any obstacle. You hold us and comfort us when think we are weak. You give us strength to keep going and finish our tasks. Lord, please look after all our children, family, and friends and Help them to realize that there are goals that can be achieved in everything we do as long as we know YOU. Thank you dear lord in your name we pray. Amen.

My Favorite Parable

Matthew 25:31-46

New International Version (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

This is my favorite parable. It was the first Bible Study I had when I joined my new church. it spoke to me and let me know how selfish I have been all my life. Instead of just living.. and Living for myself and my family.. I... err.. WE should be living for the Lord. To PROVE to him that we love HIM we should be being selfless. We should be thinking of Others, We should be sheep.. When someone needs clothes we should give them. Now this is  not saying run to Walmart and start buying everything they have so you can give it to the poor.. NO.. it means If you have extra clothes that you may have grown out of, or Your kids clothes they grew out of.. Give them to the Rescue Mission! IF someone is Hungry.. Make some food and take it to the Rescue Mission! They Will Never turn away some good food! If you See someone that needs Help Direct them to the Rescue Mission so they can be directed to where they CAN get help! Now.. with how dangerous the times are Don't just Invite people into your home unless you know you and your kids are safe. YOU get what I'm saying.. Every time you help someone.. You are helping a brother or sister of the Lord. YOU are PROVING to him that you Love him. Be Selfless. 

The Sheep are the people that selflessly Help one another without having to be told. You do it out of the kindness of your heart.

This Parable just speaks to me.. and tells me I should be helping others.. I want to help others because... I want them IN turn to become sheep.. Pay it forward.. I was helped by a few when I was recovering from surgery.. THEY were selfless and Cared about me and my family. Its my turn.

Hugs!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for Loving Us Unconditionally. Thank you for your Selflessness. You Watch over us and You know what is best for us. I Ask you watch us and Guide us as we Journey on our Paths You have laid out for us. Help each and everyone of us to loyally serve YOU. Help us to understand that Serving Others is the Way to God. Guide us to Be sheep and Not Goats. We Love you. In your name we Pray. Amen.

Forgivness

7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men^a 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6

We are forgiven. Isn't that amazing? No matter what we have done, we know Jesus died on the cross to save us, so that God could look at us and see Jesus his perfect son. I never felt as good as when I realized I had been forgiven. We all feel guilty for things we have done in our past. For things you look back at now and shake your head at. Yes we all HAVE! And isn't amazing to know that You are forgiven?

The last line in this passage is the best. My Pastor was explaining it to my husband and I our bible study class. You were Justified. So Pastor said You can remember this.. by saying.. "Just if fied" not sinned. (Just if I'd Not sinned) WE are forgiven Just if We'd Not sinned. Isn't that Forgiveness? IT IS! Simply put.

I guess this struck a cord in my heart.. That Jesus had to die such a horrific death.. with pain, misery, suffering.. so that I can be saved. He loved me even before he knew me to save me.. He loved me so much he wanted to see me in heaven when I get there!

I just wanted to share with you the power of forgiveness and how amazing the Lord is by dieing for our sins.  He is very always thinking about others before himself.. for that.. we can't help but feel loved.

HUGS! and have a Blessed Day!

Leslie


Prayer: Thank you Heavenly Father, for sending your Only son to live for us, die for us, and forgive us our sins. That way we can go to heaven and also be seen as sinless because he died to take away our sins. We love you too. We sing praises to you for such a wonderful life that we may all live. And give you thanks for sending us Your son, Our Lord. In your Holy name we pray. Amen.

Need a Prayer Please

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

James 5:14

 

I am asking everyone to lift my Pastors wife Marji up to God for healing. She fell yesterday and really did some damage to her arm. I pray to our Lord in Heaven so that Marji is looked after and pray that everything goes well in her upcoming surgeries. We ALL pray that your will be done to Marji as she is one of the most strongest women we have met. She is an amazing spirit that has touched everyone of our hearts. I ask you for to really watch over her as she is going thru this difficult time and Look after Pastor as well. I know he is there with her and just be his strength. and Please grant the doctors the wisdom they need to really help Marji. and most of all Dear Lord please don't let her be in pain. That is the worst way to exhaust a spirit, and Marji's Spirit is so beautiful. Let her be at ease and heart not be down. In your name I pray, Dear Lord.

 Amen

 

God Bless you and Hugs!

Leslie

 

Nothing Will Change

I found this picture on facebook. I read it and it spoke to me. If I don't hold myself accountable for today and what is happening... If I don't change anything. Nothing will change. It is so true. so Today... I'm making a change.. not for you. or you... or You.. and Not even for YOU.. I'm going to change for ME.. and I have to add.. for me and My kids. because the Change I make for myself... Will also make a change for my kids.

I sit or stand here and wait for things to happen. I wait for people to change and they dont. I can't make someone else change. Either they WANT to change.. Or they dont! I can't control the minds of others. I can only control ME. So today.. well its late today.. so TOMORROW! Things are changing. Positive Attitudes and One foot in front of the other... NO More procrastination! well... Maybe until my coffee is drank.. :)

Have a Blessed Day!

Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, Bless us all tonight as we sleep and help us to think about the next step we can take tomorrow. Let us Look into our hearts and find the courage and the strength to Change something for the better in our daily lives. Please Dear Lord, guide us and continue to be our strength we need to make changes in our lives so that we can positively effect others to Serve you and your spread your love. In  your name we pray. Amen.