Ah..... Autumn

Oh how I love autumn in Kansas City. The sun glistens on the dewy grass in the morning and the air is crisp, cool, and refreshing. It's a wonderful reprieve from the sweltering days of summer.

About this time I get a hankerin' to put out my fall decorations. Pumpkins, scarecrows, and apple scented soap dispensers. It's all so fun. This time of the year lifts my spirit so much I even enjoyed poop scooping this morning!  

Here's a little of what I enjoy. (minus the poo)

Just bought this wagon wheel at Michael's.

I love my apple scented soap dispensers,

 but the soap is scarce as hen's teeth.  

You have to buy new pumpkins to get more soap.  

I figured there's more than one way to skin a cat, 

which I'd never do cause I love cats, 

so I bought Bath and Body's Christmas soap last year 

to put in my pumpkins this year.

Talk about planning ahead.

Here's a kitty/pumpkin night-light made from a gourd.

You can't see it but he has whiskers.

Enjoy the new season ladies.  Refresh your soul with the word of God as you breath in His sweet sweet Spirit. I love you all and pray for you each day. Some of you are going through difficult times, while others are struggling with a change of season. Both instances are difficult I know.  I've lived through many seasons and been stuck in some for a what seemed like a lifetime. Please know that God is at work wherever you are.  He's planting, watering, and cultivating His fruit in you. Enjoy your season and savor the moment for one day this too shall pass.

Also, please allow me to apologize for not being able to visit your blogs each week as I used to.  I am very busy writing, taping, and teaching, but here's the deal. My goal is to visit a few blogs one week and visit others the next, kind of like a rotating schedule type thing.  If by chance, however, you post something that you feel would be of particular interest to me, let me know and I'll visit right away.  I don't want to miss a thing.

Before I forget I have to tell you something that keeps happening to me. Whenever I'm out and about I will often pass a lady that makes me think of one of you. If she looks like the picture on your icon, it's all I can do to keep myself from grabbing her arm and saying "Hi!  I'm Nancy.  Your blog buddy!"  I've never done this. Instead, I smile as I think of you and say a prayer on your behalf.  You truly enrich my life.

Blessings!

The Counselor

Home Study Notes (Click Here)

Birthday Boys

There is 1 in 365 chances of your husband's birthday being the same day as your dog's. Slim odds but that's what happened in our family. Jimmy hit the big 5-0 and Ecclesiastes turned one today! Here's a few pictures of my two peas in a pod.

Ecclesiastes also participated in a new 2008 Summer Olympic event.  

Encouragement

Home Study Notes (Click Here)

Something's New

I got something new.

Can you find it?

Look close...

Hint: It holds hot stuff that wakes me up in the morning.

Yepper!  

There she is...my new mug!

Isn't she a beaut?

Cheers!

(Little things make me happy)

More Last Minute Summer Fun

Before school starts my niece and her children came over for a day of fun in the sun.

Calvin, Ecclesiastes, and Olivia

Dani and Olivia

Dani, Jeanna, Olivia, and Calvin

Olivia and Calvin

(A snack before they leave)

Ecclesi and our son Drew relaxing after a busy day.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

Home Study Notes (Click Here)

Our Date at the Fair

Two hours before we left it was raining cats and dogs.   

Arrived in Sedalia at 3pm dry as a bone.

I always wanted long legs.

Garganchuan Chair $595.00

A small price to make a woman feel petite.

Beautiful Award Winning Roosters.

Mule Award Show.

The Missouri State animal is the mule 

and here's the winner!

The sun comes out.

We left before the 8:30pm piggy race 

because these little piggies were pooped!

We had a great date at the Fair.  

Many of you have State Fairs coming up.  

I hope you get to go and enjoy your last bit of summer!

Love you all!

Last Bit of Summer Fun

Jimmy has been wanting to attend a Fair for a very long  time.  Our son Drew has offered to watch our daughter Danielle and dog Ecclesiastes so we can enjoy the day alone together.  

The Missouri State Fair is held in Sedalia, which is only one hour away from Kansas City.  Why we've never attended this before I'm not sure but we look forward to seeing all the Fair has to offer.  I promise to bring back some pictures for you.

I love you dear ladies and look forward to a quieter fall as the dust from a busy summer settles and we begin interacting with one another on a more regular basis.  

Stay cool and see you soon!

Anatomy of Worry

Home Study (click here)

To download this study you will need Adobe Reader. If you do not have this program you can download it for free at the Adobe Reader site. Enjoy!

Update on Judy!

Oh dear ladies I can hardly see the computer screen due to tears in my eyes. Judy just called and told me her white blood cell count is holding its own and her doctors are going to allow her to stay on her current medications.  She was in tears as she told me again how touching it was to read your comments on this blog. I can't thank you enough for all your prayers and I ask that you not stop. She is not in remission, she is simply holding her own as she floats on the prayers of the saints.

Just think, one day we'll all be able to meet in a corner of heaven and thank one another for the love, support, and encouragement we've given to one another while on earth.  We'll meet bloggers and prayer warriors we've never seen before, yet we won't be strangers.  We'll simply be sisters in Christ meeting each other for the first time and what a great day that will be. I have a sneaky feeling we won't be alone either. Without a doubt Jesus will be in the middle of it all soaking up every ounce of our joy. He loves a good party!


Thank you dear ladies for all you've done. May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Bloggy Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Olive Leaf Ministries' Bloggy Giveaway is sweetsue!  She is one blessed gal too because she's won several books recently.  I am so happy to contribute to her library by making her a proud owner of The Shack.

Congratulations "sweetsue"

Enjoy!

Accomplishing God's Will

Home Study (click here)

To download this study you will need Adobe Reader.  If you do not have this program you can download it for free at the Adobe Reader site.  Enjoy!

Enter to Win "The Shack" July 29 - Aug 1

SORRY, CONTEST CLOSED FOR DRAWING

I am pleased to give away The Shack, a book I absolutely love. (You'll win a new one of course.) 

For some individuals this book has proven to be controversial, and I suppose it would be for anyone attempting to keep God in a box.  The Trinity is not portrayed in the conventional way, but then again Jesus was not what the Jews expected when He walked the earth either.  Hence the controversy.  

Based on sound Biblical doctrine, the The Shack has done what few books ever do, it touched my heart deeply by making me laugh, cry, and ponder the things of God. What a refreshing balm for the wounded soul.  The only bad thing about it was the fact it had to end.

If your'e interested in the winning The Shack simply reply to this post (U.S. residents only please.)  If you do not have a blog please leave your email address so you can be notified should you win.  

Blessings to you all! 

Return to Bloggy Giveaways

Update on Judy

Well here she is! The one you've all been praying for, Judy my dear sister in Christ.

I went over to her home today and we had a wonderful time together visiting while I set up her medications. She is still very tired, so we drove thru Culver's for their delicious butter burgers, then brought them home and had a feast. It didn't take me four hours to do what I came to do, but the time flew by as we visited like a couple of hens.

Judy is deeply touched by all your prayers. You should have seen the warm smile on her face when I told her how many of you are faithfully lifting her to the Lord. She plans to visit this blog to read your comments.  I know it will be a double blessing for her.

Your love for her is truly amazing. What a reflection of Christ!

"And over all these virtues put on love, 

which binds them all together in perfect unity." 

Colossians 3:14

What Can I Say?

Here's the deal. 

I spent Tuesday with Dani at her workshop.  Wednesday I took my dad to the optical store then out to lunch, and today I went out with my best friend, Debbie, to have lunch and shop on the Country Club Plaza.  When I arrived home today I discovered Ecclesiastes had gotten a "tad" bored during his 3rd day in the crate and helped himself to a "bubble bath"(i.e. shredded pillow.)

What could I say to this sugar cookie face?

"...as far as the east is from the west, 

so far has He removed our transgressions from us." 

Psalm 103:12

"Above all, love each other deeply, 

because love covers over a multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

A Morning Dip

Ecclesiastes loves to start and end each day with a good swim.  He sounds like a little tug boat as he breathes through those flapping Labrador lips!   

God Answers Prayer

Update on Judy

Before moving on to the "last resort" medications that have terrible risks and side effects, Judy talked her doctors into allowing her to give her current medications one more try.  We both cried as I shared with her how many of you are praying for her.  We marveled at your faith to pray for a total stranger and it warmed our hearts like nothing else could have ever done. Thank you dear sweat wonderful ladies.  I am convinced God smiles a huge smile that spans horizon to horizon each time the sweet incense of your prayers reach His holy nose!

While speaking with Judy today I discovered several things that need to be streamlined to ease some of her burdens.  For instance, with nearly useless arthritic hands, this poor child of God struggles to open medicine bottles several times a day. Come to find out no one had ever told her about medicine dispensers available at any local drug store.   

WELL...girlie girls...this just happens to be my forte!  I am not only a nurse, but an organization freak. I can't tell what a thrill it is to have a talent someone else can benefit from. So, next week I get to go over to her home and set up her medications so they are ready and waiting for her each time they are due. What a privilege to serve this wonderful woman!

Thank you so much for your prayers.  Please continue to pray for healing and/or remission and her ability to stave off infection with such a low white blood cell count.  What a pleasure to know you all!

Please Pray for Judy

I personally know two women who are walking miracles.  Both were once dying in the Intensive Care Unit from system failure; one from Anorexia Nervosa and the other from Toxic Shock Syndrome. While medical personnel prepared their families for death, saints approach the throne room in prayer.  God heard those prayers and chose to heal both women. Today they testify to the healing power of God.

I have another friend, however, who is dying of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Though only in her mid-fifties, Judy has entered the end-stages of the disease and it's eating her alive. Devouring all the cartilage in her body, her joints are long gone. It is now consuming her heart, causing arrhythmias, and moved on to her blood as it lowers her white count to a deadly level. There is nothing more that can be done medically.

Please pray for Judy.  Luke 11:9 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. " Selfishly I am asking for her physical healing or at least complete remission.  Judy is a woman of God whom I absolutely adore.  She is a model of grace in the midst of great trials and I don't want to lose this great friend and teacher.  The thought of losing her breaks my heart. Then there is her sweet daughter, Ashley, who is a precious young college student. The two women are tight as ticks and their close relationship never ceases to warm my heart.  

God does heal.  I've seen it with my own eyes! I also know, as with the case of our daughter, He does not always choose to heal our physical ills. With all this in mind His word calls us to humbling ask and pray. Whatever He chooses to do with Judy we'll accept it as His sovereign will and continue to glorify His holy Name, for this is our ultimate call.

Many of you are powerful prayer warriors.  You love to pray for people and it doesn't intimidate you one iota to pray for someone you've never met.  You are special intercessors who will lift Judy and her family in prayer and prompt the moving of God's mighty hand.

Thank you dear ladies.  I love you all so very much!  May the Lord bless each of you in a special way today.