One Month to Live

Now before you get too excited, this is the title of a book I'm reading by Kerry & Chris Shook, pastors of a church in the Woodlands. The reason I'm posting this blog is that the authors want you to be accountable to someone as you work on this process of creating a "No Regrets Life".

I've decided I want to make the dash worth something. I've always heard that it's the dash on your gravestone that matters, and I want to make my matter.

I know that's what God has been calling me to all year. I've just been trying to ignore Him. Well, on Pentecost Sunday, I went to a wonderful church service. The preacher was talking about how to get the Holy Spirit to move in our lives. He said that the Holy Spirit can't move in CHAOS. Well that's what my life has been of late. My life is chaos, my house is chaos, and I need to do something about it.

Several quotes have really made me think as I've begun reading this book.
1. Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives. -- Alan Sachs
2. Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. -- Anonymous
3. Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it, I say! Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows. --Pope Paul VI

I'm tired of living for Someday...."Someday, I'm going to do ...." "When I _______, I'll do ______" God has called us to live today. "SOMEDAY IS RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!"

Please be praying for me. I want to be all that God has created me to be. Also, please ask me in 30 days (well 28 now), on June 24th how my life has changed.

Love to you all!!!!

God is so Good!!!!!

You probably have already heard that my grandfather passed away Tuesday afternoon. I asked that you all be praying for a way for me to be able to go to the funeral. Yesterday, I tried finding flights out of Houston, and the cheapest flight from Houston to Gulfport, MS, was $1081 one way. Not exactly in my budget. The next closest flight would land in New Orleans and then I'd have to drive 1 1/2 hours to Gulfport, but this flight was $127 one way. Much better but still a little out of budget b/c now I would have to rent a car and drive to Gulfport. Needless to say I was VERY discouraged at this point, but I had talked to several WONDERFUL friends and all were so encouraging and said that if I was meant to go that God would make a way.

After going to the dr. for the 2nd time in 2 days (once for Charlie, who has the flu, and today for the girls who have matching ear infections), I was online with a friend of mine who works at our church. She tells me that someone from our church has donated a roundtrip ticket for me to go to the funeral. So now I just have to find a car to get me from NO to MS, and a hotel once I get to MS. I call my dad to let him know and after we talked for a while, they graciously decided to pay for my hotel.

After God got done with his miracles for today (not that there aren't more in store for tomorrow), the only expense I will have is for my rental car.

So, I am leaving tomorrow (Wednesday) and will be back on Friday. Please continue to pray for my family. My dad has taken this very hard. It also has fallen at the end of the month, which coincides with a lot of work and stress. Also, please pray for my safety as I travel (I have not flown since 9/11 and I'm a little nervous). I will be flying half way and then driving the rest of the way.

Thank you so much for your friendship. It means the world to me.

Prayer Update

Here is the latest email from my parents about my Grandfather. Thanks for your prayers. They are working. Please keep them coming!

Once again I am reminded, God is God and i AM NOT

The respirator was removed and the bull headed Irishman began breathing. We just got off the phone with Alice and she sounded giddy. When she left he was still in ICU but they were moving him into a regular room. He is heavily sedated but aware (moves his eyes, opens them occasionally and squeezes hands). He will remain heavily drugged for a while and his diet will be pure glucose.

I headed to bed an hour ago but had to get up when Honey called Alice. Thank you for your prayers and most of all for the faith that empowered Alice to trust today. I know there’s a lot more of that “training” ahead of us!!

With love
Mary

Update

I talked to Dad tonight. Grandpa is not doing well at all. He is unable to communicate and doesn't know who anyone is. This is causing great frustration and aggitation. As a result, I have decided not to go at this time. I will probably go with them on their next trip. Please continue to pray for his salvation and my dad. Also, please add my grandfather's wife. She is very ill as well (on dialysis 3 or 4 times a week). She is very overwhelmed with all that is going on and is having difficulty making decisions regarding his care. My parents will be on the road home tomorrow, so I will know more when they get back.

Love you and hope you all are doing well.

Please Pray

Sarah

I know only you read this. It's too late to call tonight, but whenever you read this please be praying. They've readmitted my grandfather (my dad's dad) to the hospital. He apparently had another stroke on Saturday and is severely dehydrated and disoriented. My dad wasn't going to go this weekend, but just called to say they are on their way to the hospital in Gulfport, MS. They've also never asked me to plan to come, but Mary asked if we had thought about coming out there. I'm not sure I really want to go, but then again I don't NOT want to go if I need to be there. I don't believe he's saved, but I'm not sure.

Here are my prayer requests:
1. My parents have a safe trip (they're both very tired).
2. My grandfather's salvation (an angel go to him, he's not real receptive from family).
3. My dad as he is having to face losing his dad so soon after losing his brother.
4. My decision as to whether or not I should go; whether or not we should go as a family.

I know this is a lot, but I also know our God is bigger than all of this and He will handle it.

Love you and I'll let you know more as I know more.

Happy New Year 2008

Well it's the start of another year. I know it's several days into the new year, but I've spent the last few days reflecting on 2007 and planning for 2008.

As for 2007, I've made some progress toward my goal to become a healthier woman, wife, and mom. Thanks to all the friends and family that have helped to get me where I am. I've not gotten as far as I would have liked, but that just leaves room for improvement this year. Right? I won't labor over the past. I saw a sign earlier that said, "The past is for thanksgiving, the future is for hope." I am so thankful for all the successes I had last year, and I have high hopes for the coming year.

I decided not to make resolutions for 2008; I'm really good at breaking them. Instead I've chosen to set goals for this year.

My goals for 2008:

1. Have a date day/night once a month with DH (even if it means getting a babysitter).
2. Have a date time with Stephanie (even if it means getting a babysitter).
3. Begin a more regular devotional time.
4. Go to the gym at least 2x a week; work out some other way the other days.
5. Cook at home 3 nights a week; eat at home 5-6 times a week.
6. Work on the house following Flylady each week; therefore keeping the house out of CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome).
7. Learn how to say NO!!!!!!!

I know that looks like a lot, but like I said they are goals. I know I can't do any of this on my own, but only through God's help.

Please pray for me as I embark on this journey towards health and sanity. I will be sharing some of my insights as I read throughout this year.

God Bless and I pray you have a wonderful and blessed 2008!

It's Been a While (Again)

I know it's been a while. Things are going okay here. I've been taking care of my MIL for the last few weeks. She is almost done with therapy, so I will be getting to blog more (hopefully). I am also hoping to get into a more regular routine soon with my bible study time.

I have been working on my Sunday School material and have been learing so much about being the wife God has called me to be. He has definitely been moving me out of my comfort zone. The thought that has ministered to me so much recently has been that "the Lord is responsible for the outcome. I have only to be obedient to Him, and He will handle waht concerns me." How powerful!!!!!! Lord Help me to be more obedient to you and depend on You to handle all that concerns me.

The girls had a great Halloween and enjoyed getting dressed up. We also just had their Christmas pictures made. It's just crazy that we are so quickly approaching the holiday season. Please be praying for our family that the girls will get healthy (NASTY ear infections) so they can enjoy the holiday season and all it brings, and that Charlie will stay healthy as he is working so many hours at work throughout the month of November.

Thanks to all who have been concerned for us. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.