Oh my poor little neglected blog... I can't believe I haven't been on here since January! I tried so hard to get into blogging. I really wanted to, I just haven't caught on yet!
It seems I am always reading someone else's blog...hmmm
Well I have been thinking a lot lately about publishing an e book but I wonder if I should even attempt it if I can't even keep a blog flowing!
This has been without a doubt the hardest year of my life and I've got a lot to say about it. Well, enough for an e book anyway. Just wanted to get at least the thought out...
Friday, September 7, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Israel Connection: SIGNS OF THE TIME
I loved this so much I had to share!
Friday, January 27, 2012:
The Israel Connection: SIGNS OF THE TIME: Many would ask, “Signs of the time? Just what signs and what time are you referring to here?” Well, the signs are warning signals or a “h...Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Miss Me?
Well, since I don't have very many followers yet, that's probably a no. I admit it has been a long time since I've even read a blog.
So I get on here today and I find so many changes! Took me a while to figure out a new template but I think I've got it down.
I wanted to share with you the lessons I learned in 2011. God had to stop me dead in my tracks because I was not listening when He asked me to slow down.
I hope my lessons will help someone out there.
1. You are replaceable to everyone except your family.
2. Being a control freak is a form of pride. You are not in control, God is. It is not your job to take care of everyone and everything, it's His. No matter how much you worry about your plans, He can always change them so why stress?
3. God is all you need even before He is all you have.
4. God is ALWAYS faithful!
And finally, Satan uses the spirit of lack, your fear of not having enough money against you. God has not only promised to take care of you, He has proven faithful OVER and OVER so get over that fear already!!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Looking for the open doors
so I am officially "unemployed" and I am loving it! I still don't know where the time is going and how I can still be so darn busy. I am getting some books read and getting back in touch with some people I met in the writing world. I am so excited to be part of some new ventures I am finding to help me with my new business. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me. I am looking for the open doors and I just can't wait to get to know the new people that will be behind them all.
Thank you all who are part of my life and who are so willing to share your knowledge with me.
"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25
Thursday, May 19, 2011
My New Business
I did it! I successfully added a badge to the face book page I made for my new business!
Check out my new business venture! Venus Has It!
This is one of the best business opportunity I have seen in a very long time.
You shop anyway, why not shop from yourself? Everything about it makes so much sense. Also they have the top selling brands in the world! Plus this gives me the time I want to get back to my writing!
I am so excited.
Check out my new business venture! Venus Has It!
This is one of the best business opportunity I have seen in a very long time.
You shop anyway, why not shop from yourself? Everything about it makes so much sense. Also they have the top selling brands in the world! Plus this gives me the time I want to get back to my writing!
I am so excited.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Well hellllooooo!
It is so great to have a minute to get back on here. I just wanted to tell you all about the most amazing book I have read to date. Its called Always True Gods 5 promises when life is hard by James MacDonald.
I highly recommend this book! I just can't tell you how great it is, you have to check it our for yourself.
http://search.barnesandnoble.c
I highly recommend this book! I just can't tell you how great it is, you have to check it our for yourself.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Always-True/James-MacDonald/e/9780802458698/?itm=2&USRI=always+true+by+james+macdonald
Friday, March 4, 2011
Tyler Perry
I just had to jump on here (yes I know its been forever) but I wanted to share how wonderful I think Tyler Perry is. I just read his interview on Oprah and after watching his interview then finding out he supports his father and gave him a mansion to live in after all he did to him....I picked my jaw up off the floor and I thought, if that's not Jesus on earth I don't know what is.
I pray Tyler finds 100% total healing and God continues to use him.
His mama gave him Jesus....I love it!
I pray Tyler finds 100% total healing and God continues to use him.
His mama gave him Jesus....I love it!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
In the blink of an eye~
It has been almost 2 months since I have been back here to write. Where in the world did that time go?! Every time I turn around its another month! Happy September to you all. I really need to finish up all these classes I am taking and get back to writing!
Here is something I read yesterday and I loved it so much I just wanted to share. Enjoy!
“If you’ve ever known the love of God, you know it’s nothing but reckless and it’s nothing but raging. Sometimes it hurts to be loved, and if it doesn’t hurt it’s probably not love, may be infatuation. I think a lot of American people are infatuated with God, but we don’t really love Him, and they don’t really let Him love them. Being loved by God is one of the most painful things in the world, it’s also the only thing that can bring us salvation and it’s like everything else that is really wonderful, there’s a little bit of pain in it, little bit of hurt.”
“So go out and live real good and I promise you’ll get beat up real bad. But, in a little while after you’re dead, you’ll be rotted away anyway. It’s not gonna matter if you have a few scars. It will matter if you didn’t live.”
“We do not find happiness by being assertive. We don’t find happiness by running over people because we see what we want and they are in the way of that happiness so we either abandon them or we smash them. The Scriptures don’t teach us to be assertive. The Scriptures teach us – and this is remarkable – the Scriptures teach us to be submissive. This is not a popular idea.”
“Never forget what Jesus did for you. Never take lightly what it cost Him. And never assume that if it cost Him His very life, that it won’t also cost you yours.”
‘The Bible is not a book for the faint of heart–it is a book full of all the greed and glory and violence and tenderness and sex and betrayal that befits mankind. It is not the collection of pretty little anecdotes mouthed by pious little church mice–it does not so much nibble at our shoe leather as it cuts to the heart and splits the marrow from the bone. It does not give us answers fitted to our small-minded questions, but truth that goes beyond what we even know to ask.”
“We were given the Scriptures to humble us into realizing that God is right, and the rest of us are just guessing.”
“It’s so funny being a Christian musician. It always scares me when people think so highly of Christian music, Contemporary Christian music especially. Because I kinda go, I know a lot of us, and we don’t know jack about anything. Not that I don’t want you to buy our records and come to our concerts. I sure do. But you should come for entertainment. If you really want spiritual nourishment, you should go to church…you should read the Scriptures.”
“Bear in mind, children, that they listen to you because you are kids—not because you are right. That’s how our Father listens to us.”
“Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in your beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken.”
“I am a Christian, not because someone explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity, but because there were people willing to be nuts and bolts.”
“I had a professor one time… He said, ‘Class, you will forget almost everything I will teach you in here, so please remember this: that God spoke to Balaam through his ass, and He has been speaking through asses ever since. So, if God should choose to speak through you, you need not think too highly of yourself. And, if on meeting someone, right away you recognize what they are, listen to them anyway’.”
“It never fails. God will put people in your path that irritate you, especially if you’re prone to be irritated.”
“We never understand what we’re praying, and God, in His mercy, does not answer our prayers according to our understanding, but according to His wisdom.”
“Yes, it’s embarrassing to be born again, but imagine how embarrassing it must have been to be born the first time. At least this time you get to wear clothes!”
“It’s just that for so many people that I know, Christianity’s this matter of … it has everything to do with morals. Christianity is a religion about morals. And they will even talk about Jesus. And they will say kids need to know about Jesus so they won’t smoke, drink, or dance, or go with girls that do, and all that kind of thing. And I kinda go, ‘That’s not why people need to know about Jesus. The only reason–The only possible excuse for talking about Jesus is because we need a Savior.’”
“Whatever church you are in you should just stay there. They are all equally messed up.”
“I hear people say, “Why do you want to go to church? They are all just hypocrites.” I never understood why going to church made you a hypocrite because nobody goes to church because they’re perfect. If you’ve got it all together, you don’t need to go. You can go jogging with all the other perfect people on Sunday morning.”
“God did not give Joseph any special information about how to get from being the son of a nomad in Palestine to being Pharoah’s right hand man in Egypt. What he did give Joseph was eleven jealous brothers, the attention of a loose and vengeful woman, the ability to do the service of interpreting dreams and managing people’s affairs, and the grace to do that faithfully wherever he was.”
“[Speaking of legalism] I think it would be really easy to say, “I think what would really please God is if I don’t dance, I don’t chew, and I don’t go with girls who do.” It would be easy to say, “Oh gee I think what will really please God is if I become and evangelist and convert a thousand people.” It’s much more difficult I think for me to become who I am and who He created me to be.”
“Many people believe that if you give a tithe to the church, then God will make you rich. Why? If you tithe, you get rid of ten percent of the root of all evil! You should be giving ninety percent because God can handle money better than we can.”
“Growing up protestant, I always thought of a monastery as a place where cowards went, people who can’t deal with the world. When you really begin to research some of this stuff, you find that these are some of the bravest people. Anyone who decides to face themselves head-on is a very brave person.”
“We begin to see the wisdom of God, who gave us commandments not as a way of punishing us, or even testing us, but for our own good. God gives us His commandments because he wants to save us from being damaged.”
“[To a group of Christian writers] Stop thinking of what you’re doing as a ministry. Start realizing that your ministry is how much of a tip you leave when you eat in a restaurant; when you leave a hotel room whether you leave it messed up or not; whether you flush your toilet or not. Your ministry is the way you love people. You love people when you call your wife and say, “I’m going to be late for dinner,” instead of letting her burn the meal. You love people when maybe you cook a meal for your wife when you know she’s really tired. If you are a Christian, ministry is just an accident of being alive. I don’t know that you can divide up your life and say, “This is my ministry,” and “This is my other thing,” because the fruits of Christianity affect everybody around us.”
“Christianity is about a daily walk with this person, Jesus. The heart of Christian faith is a radical and reasonable trust and focus on Jesus, but for many of us our focus has shifted very subtly from love for Jesus and faithfulness to Him and obedience to Him to a set of doctrines. Life and living come from God – it comes from Jesus – not from doctrine or good morals. You can be an utterly moral person and not be alive. Jesus came that we might have life, not good morals. It’s not that I’m opposed to good morals at all; it’s just that sometimes I think we put the cart before the horse.”
“There is only one thing I know I am going to do in my life. I don’t know if I’ll be a success, a failure, married, single – but I do know that sooner or later, I’m going to die. The finality of that is kind of like God’s little joke. No matter how cool you think you are, you will decompose. Most people live most of their lives ignoring death. Anything that will remind us, we remove from sight. This obsession with immortality is a bizarre thing. What that tells me, though, is we must be immortal.”
Rich Mullins
Here is something I read yesterday and I loved it so much I just wanted to share. Enjoy!
“If you’ve ever known the love of God, you know it’s nothing but reckless and it’s nothing but raging. Sometimes it hurts to be loved, and if it doesn’t hurt it’s probably not love, may be infatuation. I think a lot of American people are infatuated with God, but we don’t really love Him, and they don’t really let Him love them. Being loved by God is one of the most painful things in the world, it’s also the only thing that can bring us salvation and it’s like everything else that is really wonderful, there’s a little bit of pain in it, little bit of hurt.”
“So go out and live real good and I promise you’ll get beat up real bad. But, in a little while after you’re dead, you’ll be rotted away anyway. It’s not gonna matter if you have a few scars. It will matter if you didn’t live.”
“We do not find happiness by being assertive. We don’t find happiness by running over people because we see what we want and they are in the way of that happiness so we either abandon them or we smash them. The Scriptures don’t teach us to be assertive. The Scriptures teach us – and this is remarkable – the Scriptures teach us to be submissive. This is not a popular idea.”
“Never forget what Jesus did for you. Never take lightly what it cost Him. And never assume that if it cost Him His very life, that it won’t also cost you yours.”
‘The Bible is not a book for the faint of heart–it is a book full of all the greed and glory and violence and tenderness and sex and betrayal that befits mankind. It is not the collection of pretty little anecdotes mouthed by pious little church mice–it does not so much nibble at our shoe leather as it cuts to the heart and splits the marrow from the bone. It does not give us answers fitted to our small-minded questions, but truth that goes beyond what we even know to ask.”
“We were given the Scriptures to humble us into realizing that God is right, and the rest of us are just guessing.”
“It’s so funny being a Christian musician. It always scares me when people think so highly of Christian music, Contemporary Christian music especially. Because I kinda go, I know a lot of us, and we don’t know jack about anything. Not that I don’t want you to buy our records and come to our concerts. I sure do. But you should come for entertainment. If you really want spiritual nourishment, you should go to church…you should read the Scriptures.”
“Bear in mind, children, that they listen to you because you are kids—not because you are right. That’s how our Father listens to us.”
“Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in your beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken.”
“I am a Christian, not because someone explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity, but because there were people willing to be nuts and bolts.”
“I had a professor one time… He said, ‘Class, you will forget almost everything I will teach you in here, so please remember this: that God spoke to Balaam through his ass, and He has been speaking through asses ever since. So, if God should choose to speak through you, you need not think too highly of yourself. And, if on meeting someone, right away you recognize what they are, listen to them anyway’.”
“It never fails. God will put people in your path that irritate you, especially if you’re prone to be irritated.”
“We never understand what we’re praying, and God, in His mercy, does not answer our prayers according to our understanding, but according to His wisdom.”
“Yes, it’s embarrassing to be born again, but imagine how embarrassing it must have been to be born the first time. At least this time you get to wear clothes!”
“It’s just that for so many people that I know, Christianity’s this matter of … it has everything to do with morals. Christianity is a religion about morals. And they will even talk about Jesus. And they will say kids need to know about Jesus so they won’t smoke, drink, or dance, or go with girls that do, and all that kind of thing. And I kinda go, ‘That’s not why people need to know about Jesus. The only reason–The only possible excuse for talking about Jesus is because we need a Savior.’”
“Whatever church you are in you should just stay there. They are all equally messed up.”
“I hear people say, “Why do you want to go to church? They are all just hypocrites.” I never understood why going to church made you a hypocrite because nobody goes to church because they’re perfect. If you’ve got it all together, you don’t need to go. You can go jogging with all the other perfect people on Sunday morning.”
“God did not give Joseph any special information about how to get from being the son of a nomad in Palestine to being Pharoah’s right hand man in Egypt. What he did give Joseph was eleven jealous brothers, the attention of a loose and vengeful woman, the ability to do the service of interpreting dreams and managing people’s affairs, and the grace to do that faithfully wherever he was.”
“[Speaking of legalism] I think it would be really easy to say, “I think what would really please God is if I don’t dance, I don’t chew, and I don’t go with girls who do.” It would be easy to say, “Oh gee I think what will really please God is if I become and evangelist and convert a thousand people.” It’s much more difficult I think for me to become who I am and who He created me to be.”
“Many people believe that if you give a tithe to the church, then God will make you rich. Why? If you tithe, you get rid of ten percent of the root of all evil! You should be giving ninety percent because God can handle money better than we can.”
“Growing up protestant, I always thought of a monastery as a place where cowards went, people who can’t deal with the world. When you really begin to research some of this stuff, you find that these are some of the bravest people. Anyone who decides to face themselves head-on is a very brave person.”
“We begin to see the wisdom of God, who gave us commandments not as a way of punishing us, or even testing us, but for our own good. God gives us His commandments because he wants to save us from being damaged.”
“[To a group of Christian writers] Stop thinking of what you’re doing as a ministry. Start realizing that your ministry is how much of a tip you leave when you eat in a restaurant; when you leave a hotel room whether you leave it messed up or not; whether you flush your toilet or not. Your ministry is the way you love people. You love people when you call your wife and say, “I’m going to be late for dinner,” instead of letting her burn the meal. You love people when maybe you cook a meal for your wife when you know she’s really tired. If you are a Christian, ministry is just an accident of being alive. I don’t know that you can divide up your life and say, “This is my ministry,” and “This is my other thing,” because the fruits of Christianity affect everybody around us.”
“Christianity is about a daily walk with this person, Jesus. The heart of Christian faith is a radical and reasonable trust and focus on Jesus, but for many of us our focus has shifted very subtly from love for Jesus and faithfulness to Him and obedience to Him to a set of doctrines. Life and living come from God – it comes from Jesus – not from doctrine or good morals. You can be an utterly moral person and not be alive. Jesus came that we might have life, not good morals. It’s not that I’m opposed to good morals at all; it’s just that sometimes I think we put the cart before the horse.”
“There is only one thing I know I am going to do in my life. I don’t know if I’ll be a success, a failure, married, single – but I do know that sooner or later, I’m going to die. The finality of that is kind of like God’s little joke. No matter how cool you think you are, you will decompose. Most people live most of their lives ignoring death. Anything that will remind us, we remove from sight. This obsession with immortality is a bizarre thing. What that tells me, though, is we must be immortal.”
Rich Mullins
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Truth Project
I am currently taking The Truth Project at my church. I don't know if you have ever heard of it, but if you haven't you need to check it out!
It is a 12 week conference from Focus On The Family that asks the question: "Do you believe that what you believe is really real? And if so, why aren't we changing the world?"
It's amazing! It's all about how the world sees Christianity. Today's believers live very similarly to non-believers. A personal sense of significance is rarely experienced, we spend our money and time on things that fail to satisfy and we begin to wonder what life's ultimate purpose really is. We are, in short, losing our bearings as a people and a nation.
Dr. Del Tackett (your teacher in the videos) is former president of the Focus on the Family Institute and a former Senior Vice President of Focus on the Family.
I encourage you to take this class. If there is not one near you or at your church, start one!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Dream Center
Last night our guest speaker was Pastor Tommy Barnett founder of The Dream Center.
This is such an amazing place and all that they do is just inspiring. They take in runaways who come to L.A. and fall into either gangs,drugs, or prostitution and show them the love of Jesus Christ. They also help the many stricken by poverty there. You just have to visit their site to see all that they do! Pastor Barnett's son Matthew is the senior pastor there as Pastor Barnett is the senior pastor of Phoenix First Assembly of God, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Here is a piece of their mission statement to tell you a little about them. Check out their site!
The Dream Center is a non-profit outreach dedicated to helping inner-cities. Our ministry provides hope by meeting both tangible and spiritual needs.
We provide food, clothing, shelter, life rehabilitation, education and job training, Biblical training and much more through our 273 ministries and outreaches. We reach thousands of hurting and needy children, families and adults across all races and cultures each week.
The Dream Center strives to help solve moral decay, crime, drugs, gangs, homelessness and poverty epidemics that exist in our nation’s inner-cities. The vision of the Dream Center is to see thousands of hurting people come to know a new life through the efforts of our staff, volunteers, and recently rehabilitated individuals whose lives have been dramatically changed.
I am so proud to be part of a church who supports something as wonderful as this.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Grateful
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18 (nlt)
I have a sad heart today. I shouldn't but I do. You know when you feel bad for feeling bad? That's me. I am so blessed and there are people in the world who have real problems compared to mine.
My children are healthy. We are fed and warm. I have a job when many do not. I am so grateful for my life. Sometimes I guess you have to count your blessings in order to see how they truly overpower your trials.
"Father thank you for your blessings beyond my worth. Please forgive me when I seem ungrateful. In Jesus Name Amen."
God Works All Things Together. And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Romans 8:28 (nlt)
I have a sad heart today. I shouldn't but I do. You know when you feel bad for feeling bad? That's me. I am so blessed and there are people in the world who have real problems compared to mine.
My children are healthy. We are fed and warm. I have a job when many do not. I am so grateful for my life. Sometimes I guess you have to count your blessings in order to see how they truly overpower your trials.
"Father thank you for your blessings beyond my worth. Please forgive me when I seem ungrateful. In Jesus Name Amen."
God Works All Things Together. And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Romans 8:28 (nlt)
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday May 27th 2010
Yesterday was such an emotional day! Anyone who knows me already knows I am a crier but all Lifetime movies aside- yesterday was a kicker.
The day started with Sierra's graduation from 5th grade. I personally think these are crazy because the kids are not done with school yet and aren't they expected to pass 5th grade in the first place? It's not like they are old enough to drop out so yes while we are proud they passed another grade we can't be acting like they are done. Ok, whatever it was my baby's last year of elementary so that in itself was a little sad. I told myself I was not going to cry. I did really well during the speeches and only teared up a little. Then when it was all over I went to find her and she was crying!! She is not a crier, so that made me cry!
Then later on in the day, I got a verbal confirmation of something I already knew but still to be told took my breath away for a moment. Don't worry it was a good thing....
Then, they called and said they wanted to close on the house I just bought yesterday instead of today and asked if I could come in. I was nervous because I am buying this house all on my own etc etc but God blessed me with it so I know he will help me with it as well so WHY was I nervous??? Anyway then God came through for me AGAIN... I was expecting to have to write a check for almost $300 for last minute inspection things etc etc but not only did I NOT have to pay anything, but I am getting money back!! Praise God! Here came the tears again.
So just when I think the end of the day has come, my 15 year old son writes in his sisters yearbook. Of course I read it. I was so happily surprised the tears flowed AGAIN!! As they are now just thinking about it.... He told her how proud we are of her and we are both always here for her!!
Aww what a blessed day!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
COURAGE
So I wrote about fear and now I want to share a little about courage.
So I found myself in an unexpected situation. By the time I realized what was going on I was already right in the middle. No quick turn around happening now. Either I can turn around and walk right back where I came from or I can keep going forward and see where I come out. Either way, I have to walk through something. Either way I will be changed. Once the realization hits, the panic starts. White-hot-panic.
I cried out to God for wisdom and guidance. He gave it to me. "For the LORD giveth wisdom; out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV) I knew what I had to do, but then I froze. I didn't think I could do it. I knew I had to but a selfish little part of me didn't want to. What if the outcome wasn't what I wanted? Then where would I be? Did it really matter? No, because God will still be with me.
So this morning, it just happened. No planning, no thinking, I just did it. And it turned out ok! In fact better than ok. Then I came in to read my sweet friends blog and this was her quote today:
"The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin
WOW!! What powerful words. What a powerful realization. That is where I was without even knowing it. However God has given me the courage to blossom, and that's just what I'm gonna do.
So I found myself in an unexpected situation. By the time I realized what was going on I was already right in the middle. No quick turn around happening now. Either I can turn around and walk right back where I came from or I can keep going forward and see where I come out. Either way, I have to walk through something. Either way I will be changed. Once the realization hits, the panic starts. White-hot-panic.
I cried out to God for wisdom and guidance. He gave it to me. "For the LORD giveth wisdom; out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV) I knew what I had to do, but then I froze. I didn't think I could do it. I knew I had to but a selfish little part of me didn't want to. What if the outcome wasn't what I wanted? Then where would I be? Did it really matter? No, because God will still be with me.
So this morning, it just happened. No planning, no thinking, I just did it. And it turned out ok! In fact better than ok. Then I came in to read my sweet friends blog and this was her quote today:
"The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin
WOW!! What powerful words. What a powerful realization. That is where I was without even knowing it. However God has given me the courage to blossom, and that's just what I'm gonna do.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
*fear*
~Diary type entry for the purpose of venting~
When I wrote for Take Root and Write, Shona, editor extraordinaire, would get so flustered with me because I don't like to capitalize satan. Bless her heart :) I know it is proper and all but I just don't like to do it. I don't think he deserves it. Another word I don't like to capitalize is fear.
Boy when God wants you to deal with something, it pops up all over the place doesn't it? This foul FOUR LETTER WORD fear keeps coming around. It seems everything I read about lately or hear about is telling my to face my fears. It is such a tiny little word but it is so huge in our lives. God told us time and time again "fear NOT!" in His word so why is this still so hard for us to obey? I tried to blame my latest fear on confusion but God was having none of that. He told me, "You are not confused. You know exactly what you want." I don't have to tell you He was right- you already know He was. I just had to admit it.
Ok so why is this so darn hard? Why am I holding on to something that is gut wrenching? Why...why...why???? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. RRRR It's not like I haven't done this before, it's not like I haven't already ended up on both sides of the situation, and look I'm still here! It will not kill me. So again, what's the problem??
On the other side of the FOUR LETTER WORD coin there is Love. Love is on the other side of every four letter word. If we flip the coin over we will see love. God is love. God is on the flipside of every situation. Which side are you going to look at today?
When I wrote for Take Root and Write, Shona, editor extraordinaire, would get so flustered with me because I don't like to capitalize satan. Bless her heart :) I know it is proper and all but I just don't like to do it. I don't think he deserves it. Another word I don't like to capitalize is fear.
Boy when God wants you to deal with something, it pops up all over the place doesn't it? This foul FOUR LETTER WORD fear keeps coming around. It seems everything I read about lately or hear about is telling my to face my fears. It is such a tiny little word but it is so huge in our lives. God told us time and time again "fear NOT!" in His word so why is this still so hard for us to obey? I tried to blame my latest fear on confusion but God was having none of that. He told me, "You are not confused. You know exactly what you want." I don't have to tell you He was right- you already know He was. I just had to admit it.
Ok so why is this so darn hard? Why am I holding on to something that is gut wrenching? Why...why...why???? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. RRRR It's not like I haven't done this before, it's not like I haven't already ended up on both sides of the situation, and look I'm still here! It will not kill me. So again, what's the problem??
On the other side of the FOUR LETTER WORD coin there is Love. Love is on the other side of every four letter word. If we flip the coin over we will see love. God is love. God is on the flipside of every situation. Which side are you going to look at today?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Just A Mom
I was blessed by an email devotional today (thank you Jaime)
I just had to share bits and pieces! Enjoy~
Mom:
to create order out of chaos, ensure the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of her children, and shape the individuals who will contribute to what we are as a community and a nation
What exactly is her job description? She's a wife, mother, friend, housekeeper, interior decorator, laundress, gourmet chef, short order cook, chauffeur, painter, wallpaper hanger, seamstress, nurse, guidance counselor, internal affairs CEO, financial planner, travel agent, administrative assistant, disciplinarian, preacher, teacher, tutor, spiritual advisor, dietitian, lecturer, librarian, fashion coordinator, private investigator, cheerleader, manicurist, pedicurist, landscaper, hair stylist, psychologist, plumber, computer programmer, automobile maintenance expert, referee, and gift purchasing agent for both sides of the family. She may not get a salary, but the fringe benefits are invaluable: hugs, kisses, and buckets of love. And hopefully, one day a child who will call her blessed. A mother whose children rise up and call her blessed is much like lighthouses. She has a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. Her walls of faith are constructed to withstand the storms of life, and her primary function is to house the light of Christ. This mother is an immovable constant in her child's life, a landmark along life's journey and a guiding light that points her children to the safe harbor of home and eventually out to sea.
"Her children arise and call her blessed;" (Proverbs 31:28 NIV).
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me the privilege of being a mom. I pray that you will help me be a beacon that shines the light of Christ to my children as well as the children that I come in contact with through the course of a day. You are the Light of the World and I pray that I will be a shining reflection of that light today.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
I just had to share bits and pieces! Enjoy~
Mom:
to create order out of chaos, ensure the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of her children, and shape the individuals who will contribute to what we are as a community and a nation
What exactly is her job description? She's a wife, mother, friend, housekeeper, interior decorator, laundress, gourmet chef, short order cook, chauffeur, painter, wallpaper hanger, seamstress, nurse, guidance counselor, internal affairs CEO, financial planner, travel agent, administrative assistant, disciplinarian, preacher, teacher, tutor, spiritual advisor, dietitian, lecturer, librarian, fashion coordinator, private investigator, cheerleader, manicurist, pedicurist, landscaper, hair stylist, psychologist, plumber, computer programmer, automobile maintenance expert, referee, and gift purchasing agent for both sides of the family. She may not get a salary, but the fringe benefits are invaluable: hugs, kisses, and buckets of love. And hopefully, one day a child who will call her blessed. A mother whose children rise up and call her blessed is much like lighthouses. She has a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. Her walls of faith are constructed to withstand the storms of life, and her primary function is to house the light of Christ. This mother is an immovable constant in her child's life, a landmark along life's journey and a guiding light that points her children to the safe harbor of home and eventually out to sea.
"Her children arise and call her blessed;" (Proverbs 31:28 NIV).
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me the privilege of being a mom. I pray that you will help me be a beacon that shines the light of Christ to my children as well as the children that I come in contact with through the course of a day. You are the Light of the World and I pray that I will be a shining reflection of that light today.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Thursday, May 6, 2010
National Day of Prayer
May 6th 2010:
I wish I had something profound to say on this national day of prayer, but I don't.
I was browsing the news stories this morning while drinking my coffee and trying to wake up, and can I say news is not the way to start your morning. There is so much sadness and evil going on out there it is hard to comprehend. I know in my head the Bible said all these things would be in the last days, but it just breaks my heart to hear about them. All these stories of death and murder OVER NOTHING!! All the stories of abuse and rape, it's enough to bring anyone to tears.
“We ought to see the face of God every morning before we see the face of man.”
- Dwight L. Moody
Praise God for protecting my family from the evils they encounter. Praise God for giving us the good news and hope. Without it I can't even imagine the depression and hopelessness that would overcome the world. Thank God for Jesus and the light He shines through those who love Him. Without the love, kindness, thoughtfulness, friendship, and leadership, this home away from home would be unbearable.
Please pray for our country. Pray that God will intervene, heal our land and save us from ourselves. I pray that you all are healthy, safe, and full of peace.
“Prayer is not designed to inform God, but… to humble man’s heart, to excite his desire, to inflame his faith, to animate his hope, and to raise his soul from earth to heaven.”
- Adam Clarke
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I'm back! Well kind of....
Not only did I quit my column I forgot about my poor little blog! If I didn't have face book on my phone I would really feel out of the loop! I hope you all are well. I just have the most amazing praise report I want to share.
I have been wanting to buy a house for about a year now but the timing was never right. Well I met some wonderful agents through my church and after talking to them about it decided I should start looking. Well easier said than done when you have two or three income taste on a one income budget.
I looked for what seemed like FOREVER. Of course everything that had 1. what I wanted and 2. what I could afford was either a short sale or bank owned. This meant if they did not have a bank negotiator in place the houses are sitting on the market for months some even a year. Well I had to get this done by April 30Th to get the rebate so I didn't have that kind of time!
Making a long story short, I wanted at least 4 bedrooms because I would much rather have an office than my mail all over the kitchen table. And I wanted at least 2.5 bathrooms so if I have company over they don't see Dominic's clothes all over the floor! Fast forward to April. Not finding anything within my price range with all the things I wanted. OH! And I REALLY wanted a laundry room because now the washer/dryer are in the garage and it drives me crazy!
Anyway, so for times sake, I started settling. I started putting in offers on 3 bedroom, two bath homes. Not really what I wanted. My prayer always was this:
"God, if this is not where you want us, if the kids won't be safe here alone, or if we won't be safe at night while we sleep, please stop this offer." Well He stopped 5 offers! I know God always comes through, in His time. So I was getting ok with the idea we might not move after all.
Until two weeks ago. A house bigger and better than anything I would have thought for us came on the market. A FIVE bedroom, THREE bath, foreclosure in my price range became available. AND there is nothing wrong with it! AND it has refrigerated air which is something I have always wanted. Not only did God say "No, you don't have to settle." but He blessed us not only with everything I wanted, but everything my little Sierra wanted too. She wanted stairs and a kitchen island (no idea why).
Delayed is not denied. God is so good it takes your breath away!
I have been wanting to buy a house for about a year now but the timing was never right. Well I met some wonderful agents through my church and after talking to them about it decided I should start looking. Well easier said than done when you have two or three income taste on a one income budget.
I looked for what seemed like FOREVER. Of course everything that had 1. what I wanted and 2. what I could afford was either a short sale or bank owned. This meant if they did not have a bank negotiator in place the houses are sitting on the market for months some even a year. Well I had to get this done by April 30Th to get the rebate so I didn't have that kind of time!
Making a long story short, I wanted at least 4 bedrooms because I would much rather have an office than my mail all over the kitchen table. And I wanted at least 2.5 bathrooms so if I have company over they don't see Dominic's clothes all over the floor! Fast forward to April. Not finding anything within my price range with all the things I wanted. OH! And I REALLY wanted a laundry room because now the washer/dryer are in the garage and it drives me crazy!
Anyway, so for times sake, I started settling. I started putting in offers on 3 bedroom, two bath homes. Not really what I wanted. My prayer always was this:
"God, if this is not where you want us, if the kids won't be safe here alone, or if we won't be safe at night while we sleep, please stop this offer." Well He stopped 5 offers! I know God always comes through, in His time. So I was getting ok with the idea we might not move after all.
Until two weeks ago. A house bigger and better than anything I would have thought for us came on the market. A FIVE bedroom, THREE bath, foreclosure in my price range became available. AND there is nothing wrong with it! AND it has refrigerated air which is something I have always wanted. Not only did God say "No, you don't have to settle." but He blessed us not only with everything I wanted, but everything my little Sierra wanted too. She wanted stairs and a kitchen island (no idea why).
Delayed is not denied. God is so good it takes your breath away!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Necessary Changes
My pastor is the best!:
Do you know what is interesting? In today’s society, it’s harder for people to make changes than to stay in a terrible situation. Instead of working through change, some people would rather endure, put up with bad situations and settle for less than to work through change. The one constant in life is change and we have to prepare for it. Anybody who has been through change in their life, their habits or any other kind knows that it can be quite nerve-racking. In fact, what is important to note is that when under stress, we will go to whatever is familiar to us. That’s why some people will say, “I don’t know why I called this person,” or “Why did I go out and do this?” The reason? The thing that they did is more familiar than what they should’ve done to begin with.
Change is something we have to be dedicated to and we work at making the alterations until they become permanent in our lives. I ask you, what changes do you need to make so you won’t have to settle or live beneath what is possible for you? Whatever they are, I encourage you to begin to make them so you can realize your full potential.
Just a thought, God bless.
Do you know what is interesting? In today’s society, it’s harder for people to make changes than to stay in a terrible situation. Instead of working through change, some people would rather endure, put up with bad situations and settle for less than to work through change. The one constant in life is change and we have to prepare for it. Anybody who has been through change in their life, their habits or any other kind knows that it can be quite nerve-racking. In fact, what is important to note is that when under stress, we will go to whatever is familiar to us. That’s why some people will say, “I don’t know why I called this person,” or “Why did I go out and do this?” The reason? The thing that they did is more familiar than what they should’ve done to begin with.
Change is something we have to be dedicated to and we work at making the alterations until they become permanent in our lives. I ask you, what changes do you need to make so you won’t have to settle or live beneath what is possible for you? Whatever they are, I encourage you to begin to make them so you can realize your full potential.
Just a thought, God bless.
Monday, December 28, 2009
I have a blog!
Oh my poor little neglected blog... I will come back to you soon I promise! I hope you all had a very blessed Christmas!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A Time to Move On
"To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away. A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 AMP).
When I first heard those words I think it was on a commercial, then I became familiar with the song by Pete Seeger, Turn Turn Turn. I had no idea that he was singing scripture. I think this is one of the most comforting love letters God gives us in the Bible. He is telling us we will feel all these emotions even when we don't want to like hatred. We will mourn, but after a time we will dance. There will be times we will need to hold on to something or someone tight, and there will be times we need to let go even if we do not want to. I am at one of those times in my life. Lately I have suffered from Can't Say No Syndrome and have overloaded my life. It has come to the point where I am spending less time with God and that is just not acceptable.
I have decided I need to wipe the slate clean and re-prioritize even if it means cutting things I love. So, after much prayer I have decided this will be my last article for Single Moms. Writing for Take Root and Write has been one of the most fun and exciting experiences of my life. When I prayed for a way to become useful, God sent me a wonderful visionary Noelle Mena. She gave me this opportunity a little over a year ago, and it has been such a blessing. Lately I just have not had the time to give this column my best, which also is just not acceptable. I still can not wait to meet her in person!
When I prayed for Godly women to come into my life, He sent me the fabulous Shona Neff, who became the editor of this powerhouse magazine you are enjoying today. I have been fortunate to have lunch or dinner with her every now and then when she makes it to town. She truly is a gem and I love keeping in touch with her on Face-book! She always has something nice or funny to say. If you are not her friend yet, I highly recommend it!
"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NLT). This is such an important commandment. It is so easy to get caught up doing what we think is the right thing or what we think will be a blessing. If we get too busy to hear His voice, how will we truly know? I started a blog last year as well just to connect with other Christian women. I have found so many amazing sites and have learned so much, but that too has gone by the wayside. I can't tell you how long it has been since I have visited my page on Christian Women Take Root! I miss going in there and praying with you all.
If we allow ourselves to get burned out, we are not giving our best to the ones we love the most, God and our family. Yes we may be at all the church events but are we there mentally and emotionally or just physically? Are we too exhausted to be friendly and caring? Are we really fulfilling God's purpose for our lives? Don't lose touch with the director of your steps, who keeps you from falling.
This is especially tricky for single moms who already do the full time parenting of two people. Remember that your kids are your first full time job. You are to train them up and guide them, leading by example. Every minute that you are too busy to spend with them is a minute you will never get back. "Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans," John Lennon. If you have let this happen to you, take your life back.
I have been asking God what I need to do and He always tells me the same thing. "Read the word." I scold myself for trying to walk in front of Him, looking back for an occasional "Which way"? Walking beside Him and sometimes letting Him carry you, is really the only way to go! So while I will miss sharing with you all on a bi-weekly basis, I feel this is my time to step back. I hope to still hear from you all, and I will still enjoy reading all you have to share. Who knows, maybe one day I will be able to come back and write for this amazing ministry again. Only God knows His plans for me.
So this was my last article for Take Root and Write...for now.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Halloween
Here are the origins of Halloween that I never knew before, and the reasons Christians should not celebrate this day shared by Ms Charlene:
http://a-voice-in-wilderness.blogspot.com/2009/10/hell-oween.html
SCARY!!! The only thing I did know are that little kids and animals get kidnapped more around this time for sacrifices. Please keep the kiddos in sight and the pets indoors!
And here is NON CHRISTIAN origins from Wikipedia shared by Ms. Martha:
http://flyawaybirdie.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween.html
http://a-voice-in-wilderness.blogspot.com/2009/10/hell-oween.html
SCARY!!! The only thing I did know are that little kids and animals get kidnapped more around this time for sacrifices. Please keep the kiddos in sight and the pets indoors!
And here is NON CHRISTIAN origins from Wikipedia shared by Ms. Martha:
http://flyawaybirdie.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween.html
Friday, October 16, 2009
Gossip
I am almost a week behind posting this. Those of you who subscribe to the amazing digital magazine from Take Root and Write have already seen this ;)
I sometimes wonder if married moms get as wrapped up in their kids lives as some single moms do. Don't get me wrong, ALL moms need to be active participants in their children's lives and know what is going on at all times. ALL moms need to know who the friends are, where they are going, what the grades are, what they read, what they listen to, etc. I just wonder if married moms want to jump in and fix everything as much as single moms to.
My memory is terrible but I can vaguely remember my ex-husband telling me what normal boy behavior was every now and then and just to let some things go. I don't really have a male whose opinion I value, to bounce things off of; so I get more female opinions which almost always mirror my own. Yes, I have a job, and friends, and my own life, but since I don't have a spouse to tend to per say, my kids are next in line right under God. I find myself wanting to fix everything that goes on in their daily lives. Even more so now that the older they get, the bigger their problems have become.
My daughter has always come home with stories of mean girls ever since kindergarten. Being a girl, I could relate and knew exactly what she was talking about. In my school days, those things did not happen until Junior High so I was not really expecting the intensity in elementary school, but I still knew what she was going through. It was easy to tell her to play with other friends, and not to worry who was going to be her friend the next day. Making sure she labeled all her stuff so no one would "mistake" it for theirs was really no big deal. Oh those were the days! Now, the kids are so vindictive!
Now that my son is in high school, also known as the rumor mill, I am hearing things from him too. Yes there were three years in there when he didn't want to talk to me at all let alone share what was going on in his life, but high school is a whole new ball game. Kids deal with so much these days. It just amazes me how eager and willing they are to destroy another persons life, out of misunderstanding, or even just for fun! They seem to take pleasure in it. Even the Christian kids at church jump on the bandwagon! What I am talking about here is gossip, or the sport of spreading rumors.
The thing about gossip, is no one is immune to it, and everyone can participate. You don't have to try out for anything, be talented, or play an instrument. You don't have to be cool or popular. You don't even have to know the person you are talking about. All you need is the desire to participate. The thrill of being in on something, even if you don't know the truth behind it, is a strong temptation for kids.
Even though the Bible warns us about spreading gossip, it's still very easy to get sucked in. "Don't spread gossip and rumors. Don't just stand by when your neighbor's life is in danger" (Leviticus 19:16 MSG). Young people don't necessarily understand the consequences of their words until it is too late. Sometimes the damage rumors can create can not be undone. "It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell (James 3:6 MSG).
Our news is sometimes only unverified gossip. Tabloids make millions on rumors. As a society we buy into it. There is no wonder our children struggle with this. My kids have both been victims of rumors and gossip. I just want to swoop in and make it all better but I can't. I have to arm them with the wisdom and tools to deal with situations as they arise. Sometimes I think it is harder on me when I just want to jump in for them. That is when God equips me with patience and peace so I too can get through the situation without ending up on the six o'clock news.
I thought it was very timely that I just watched a movie called Gossip. I think it is from 2000 or 2001. It stars Kate Hudson. It is not a family friendly movie but it was fascinating. It was all about three college students who decided to start a rumor for an assignment to see how it would grow and change. The end story was not what it started out to be. It was very clear about how quickly lives can be ruined by gossip and lies. Not only can rumors ruin friendships, they can ruin an individual's personal relationship with God. It is easy for us to blame our circumstances, or what's wrong in our lives on God. This is exactly what the enemy wants. And that's no lie.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
State to mom: Stop baby-sitting neighbors' kids
Some people have way too much time on their hands. Why would a neighbor want to stir up problems? This kind of stuff drives me nuts!:
AP – Lisa Snyder, left, watches kids play at their bus stop, which is also her driveway, Friday, Sept. 25, …
By JAMES PRICHARD, Associated Press Writer James Prichard, Associated Press Writer – Tue Sep 29, 7:23 pm ET
IRVING TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Each day before the school bus comes to pick up the neighborhood's children, Lisa Snyder did a favor for three of her fellow moms, welcoming their children into her home for about an hour before they left for school.
Regulators who oversee child care, however, don't see it as charity. Days after the start of the new school year, Snyder received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services warning her that if she continued, she'd be violating a law aimed at the operators of unlicensed day care centers.
"I was freaked out. I was blown away," she said. "I got on the phone immediately, called my husband, then I called all the girls" — that is, the mothers whose kids she watches — "every one of them."
Snyder's predicament has led to a debate in Michigan about whether a law that says no one may care for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers needs to be changed. It also has irked parents who say they depend on such friendly offers to help them balance work and family.
On Tuesday, agency Director Ismael Ahmed said good neighbors should be allowed to help each other ensure their children are safe. Gov. Jennifer Granholm instructed Ahmed to work with the state Legislature to change the law, he said.
"Being a good neighbor means helping your neighbors who are in need," Ahmed said in a written statement. "This could be as simple as providing a cup of sugar, monitoring their house while they're on vacation or making sure their children are safe while they wait for the school bus."
Snyder learned that the agency was responding to a neighbor's complaint.
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the agency was following standard procedure in its response. "But we feel this (law) really gets in the way of common sense," Boyd said.
"We want to protect kids, but the law needs to be reasonable," she said. "When the governor learned of this, she acted quickly and called the director personally to ask him to intervene."
State Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland, said he was working to draft legislation that would exempt situations like Snyder's from coverage under Michigan's current day care regulations.
The bill will make it clear that people who aren't in business as day care providers don't need to be licensed, Calley said.
"These are just kids that wait for the bus every morning," he said. "This is not a day care."
Snyder, 35, lives in a rural subdivision in Barry County's Irving Township about 25 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. Her tidy, comfortable three-bedroom home is a designated school bus stop. The three neighbor children she watched — plus Snyder's first-grader, Grace — attend school about six miles away in Middleville.
Snyder said she started watching the other children this school year to help her friends; they often baby-sit for each other during evenings and weekends.
After receiving the state agency's letter, she said she called the agency and tried to explain that she wasn't running a day care center or accepting money from her friends.
Under state law, no one may care for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers. Snyder said she stopped watching the other children immediately after receiving the letter, which was well within the four-week period.
"I've lived in this community for 35 years and everyone I know has done some form of this," said Francie Brummel, 42, who would drop off her second-grade son, Colson, before heading to her job as deputy treasurer of the nearby city of Hastings.
Other moms say they regularly deal with similar situations.
Amy Cowan, 34, of Grosse Pointe Farms, a Detroit suburb, said she often takes turns with her sister, neighbor and friend watching each other's children.
"The worst part of this whole thing, with the state of the economy ... two parents have to work," said Cowan, a corporate sales representative with a 5-year-old son and 11-month-old daughter. "When you throw in the fact that the state is getting involved, it gives women a hard time for going back to work.
"I applaud the lady who takes in her neighbors' kids while they're waiting for the bus. She's enabling her peers to go to work and get a paycheck. The state should be thankful for that."
Amy Maciaszek, 42, of McHenry, Ill., who works in direct sales, said she believes the state agency was "trying to be overprotective."
"I think it does take a village and that's the best way," said Maciaszek, who has a 6-year-old boy and twin 3-year-old daughters. "Unfortunately you do have to be careful about that. These mothers are trying to do the right thing."
AP – Lisa Snyder, left, watches kids play at their bus stop, which is also her driveway, Friday, Sept. 25, …
By JAMES PRICHARD, Associated Press Writer James Prichard, Associated Press Writer – Tue Sep 29, 7:23 pm ET
IRVING TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Each day before the school bus comes to pick up the neighborhood's children, Lisa Snyder did a favor for three of her fellow moms, welcoming their children into her home for about an hour before they left for school.
Regulators who oversee child care, however, don't see it as charity. Days after the start of the new school year, Snyder received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services warning her that if she continued, she'd be violating a law aimed at the operators of unlicensed day care centers.
"I was freaked out. I was blown away," she said. "I got on the phone immediately, called my husband, then I called all the girls" — that is, the mothers whose kids she watches — "every one of them."
Snyder's predicament has led to a debate in Michigan about whether a law that says no one may care for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers needs to be changed. It also has irked parents who say they depend on such friendly offers to help them balance work and family.
On Tuesday, agency Director Ismael Ahmed said good neighbors should be allowed to help each other ensure their children are safe. Gov. Jennifer Granholm instructed Ahmed to work with the state Legislature to change the law, he said.
"Being a good neighbor means helping your neighbors who are in need," Ahmed said in a written statement. "This could be as simple as providing a cup of sugar, monitoring their house while they're on vacation or making sure their children are safe while they wait for the school bus."
Snyder learned that the agency was responding to a neighbor's complaint.
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the agency was following standard procedure in its response. "But we feel this (law) really gets in the way of common sense," Boyd said.
"We want to protect kids, but the law needs to be reasonable," she said. "When the governor learned of this, she acted quickly and called the director personally to ask him to intervene."
State Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland, said he was working to draft legislation that would exempt situations like Snyder's from coverage under Michigan's current day care regulations.
The bill will make it clear that people who aren't in business as day care providers don't need to be licensed, Calley said.
"These are just kids that wait for the bus every morning," he said. "This is not a day care."
Snyder, 35, lives in a rural subdivision in Barry County's Irving Township about 25 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. Her tidy, comfortable three-bedroom home is a designated school bus stop. The three neighbor children she watched — plus Snyder's first-grader, Grace — attend school about six miles away in Middleville.
Snyder said she started watching the other children this school year to help her friends; they often baby-sit for each other during evenings and weekends.
After receiving the state agency's letter, she said she called the agency and tried to explain that she wasn't running a day care center or accepting money from her friends.
Under state law, no one may care for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers. Snyder said she stopped watching the other children immediately after receiving the letter, which was well within the four-week period.
"I've lived in this community for 35 years and everyone I know has done some form of this," said Francie Brummel, 42, who would drop off her second-grade son, Colson, before heading to her job as deputy treasurer of the nearby city of Hastings.
Other moms say they regularly deal with similar situations.
Amy Cowan, 34, of Grosse Pointe Farms, a Detroit suburb, said she often takes turns with her sister, neighbor and friend watching each other's children.
"The worst part of this whole thing, with the state of the economy ... two parents have to work," said Cowan, a corporate sales representative with a 5-year-old son and 11-month-old daughter. "When you throw in the fact that the state is getting involved, it gives women a hard time for going back to work.
"I applaud the lady who takes in her neighbors' kids while they're waiting for the bus. She's enabling her peers to go to work and get a paycheck. The state should be thankful for that."
Amy Maciaszek, 42, of McHenry, Ill., who works in direct sales, said she believes the state agency was "trying to be overprotective."
"I think it does take a village and that's the best way," said Maciaszek, who has a 6-year-old boy and twin 3-year-old daughters. "Unfortunately you do have to be careful about that. These mothers are trying to do the right thing."
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Seriously???!!!
Yes even I can be rendered speechless:
75 Percent of Oklahoma High School Students Can't Name the First President of the U.S.
Only one in four Oklahoma public high school students can name the first President of the United States, according to a survey released today.
A thousand students were given 10 questions drawn from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services item bank. Candidates for U.S. citizenship must answer six questions correctly in order to become citizens. "They're questions taken from the actual exam that you have to take to become a U.S. citizen," About 92 percent of the people who take the citizenship test pass on their first try, according to immigration service data. However, Oklahoma students did not fare as well. Only about 3 percent of the students surveyed would have passed the citizenship test.
Dutcher said this is not just a problem in Oklahoma. He said Arizona had similar results, which left him concerned for the entire country.
http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=11141949
75 Percent of Oklahoma High School Students Can't Name the First President of the U.S.
Only one in four Oklahoma public high school students can name the first President of the United States, according to a survey released today.
A thousand students were given 10 questions drawn from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services item bank. Candidates for U.S. citizenship must answer six questions correctly in order to become citizens. "They're questions taken from the actual exam that you have to take to become a U.S. citizen," About 92 percent of the people who take the citizenship test pass on their first try, according to immigration service data. However, Oklahoma students did not fare as well. Only about 3 percent of the students surveyed would have passed the citizenship test.
Dutcher said this is not just a problem in Oklahoma. He said Arizona had similar results, which left him concerned for the entire country.
http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=11141949
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