Kids Say the Cutest Things

I don't know who wrote these things, but they are really funny!  There have been so many times that I have wondered, what does that song say?  Or what is that person saying?  The first of the "funnies" below made me think of that.  I will be listening to a Marshall's CD or something like that, and David will sing along, then I'll realize that I had been singing it wrong for quite a while.  

3-year-old Reese :
"Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen."

A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."

After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."

One particular four-year-old prayed,
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
"And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied,
"Because people are sleeping."

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
" Ryan , you be Jesus !"

A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"

A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

Great Prank

This is really funny.  It would only be fun on a large scale, I guess; but I can see doing something like this on a video scavenger hunt.  It's a much better use of time to spread the gospel rather than pull these silly stunts, but this is amusing.  I hope you enjoy it.  

My Day in a List

What I did today:

1. I slept in (zzzzz)
2. I exercised (yay! I am still doing well and have lost about 12 lbs. in the last month)
3. I spent time with my husband
4. I was fingerprinted (We are going to be volunteering in a juvenile delinquent facility)
5. I spent the afternoon with Kirby (a girl in our youth group)
6. I ate at Moe's (Welcome to Moe's!)
7. I went to a revival with David & the youth
8. I ate an IceDream cone at Chick-fil-A (Only 160 calories)

I had a very good day!  

P.S.  Check out this poem that Esther wrote.  

Youth Activity: Parents' Victory

This is from our last youth activity!  The parents & teens battled it out in a hymn scavenger hunt. The title of a hymn lead to different locations in the building.  For the last stop, each group had to sing "Hallelujah Tis Done."  This video shows the teams fighting for the finish.  The parents barely snagged the win.  This video probably isn't as interesting to those who weren't there, and for that, I am sorry!

Photo Ramblings

David & me on our way to Orlando 

to street preach

My brother, Christopher, & David (NO! He does not usually dress this way!)

Many were wearing black (or mostly black) in "honor"

of Brother James' 50th B-day!

my dad dressed as Santa

Bro. James with a colander on his head...  He once called it a co-lander (as in land).

Santa Mickey

These pictures are from recent happenings in David's and my life.  Most of these pictures were taken from our pastor's birthday bash.  It was a night of great fun, fellowship, and food.  Mr. M. served as a "videographer" for the event... if it ever ends up on YouTube, I will post it!  It is so wonderful to go to church with a group of people who love the Lord, truly desire to live for him, and know how to have good, clean fun!  

Must Haves

For some reason, today I have been thinking about things that I don't want to live without (excluding clothing items).  

Here are a few that I use on a daily basis, and hope that I never have to go without: 

 Bible

Toothbrush

Shampoo/Conditioner/Comb/Brush

Google (I LOVE googling things)

Flat Iron (for hair)

   Computer

Cell Phone

Car

I'm sure we all have items that we don't want to go without.  So often, I think we take these things for granted.  I always want to be certain that I'm thankful for all the blessings that I have, no matter how insignificant they seem.  Psalm 100:4 says, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."  (Also see Ps 106:1, 107:1)

I think the Lord must be dealing with me about being thankful because that is what keeps coming to my mind.  I know that I am blessed, and I'm sure you can examine your life and find areas of immense blessing.  I need to go beyond recognition to thanksgiving!  That's what I am working on.  

Happy 50th, Brother James!

Today was our pastor's (James Knox) 50th birthday celebration.  There was a party after church tonight, and we had a wonderful, wonderful time.  There was a skit (including the easter bunny, Santa, Mickey Mouse, etc.), videos from other churches wishing Bro. James a happy birthday, and plenty of dessert (I'm happy to announce that I ate more fruit than I did sweet stuff :o).  It was a great time of fellowship and fun.  I laughed SO hard! 

Our church services today were great!  This morning, Sunday school was about Manasseh and Josiah.  I love the way Manasseh ends his reign...  so much better than he started.  I think I'm going to use that on the streets sometime.  When people say something about being too bad for God to save them, I am going to turn to that passage and show them how God extended mercy towards Manasseh even after he had done such heinous acts.  

I was in the nursery during the morning service.  I always enjoy that.  Those kids are such a handful, but they are adorable and a blessing!  

Tonight's message was comparing the mind of God and the mind of man.  We have been going through all the references to thinking, thoughts, minds, etc. on Sunday and Thursday nights.  It has been AWESOME!  There are very few times when a man's thoughts are correct.  I'm thankful that the Bible does tell us to think on some particular things, though (Philip. 3).  

Well, this really has been a "rambling from our life..." I hope everyone had a wonderful day in the church house!  I will post pictures from the birthday bash later.  

Brown Paper Towels

Tonight, while we were at dinner with my parents before going street preaching in Orlando, I had to use the restroom (huge surprise there, right?).  Well, when I went for a paper towel after washing my hands, I noticed that they were brown.  You know what came to my mind?  "Oh, that's kind of like 'wheat paper towels.'"  What does that let me (and now you) know?  I have been thinking about nutrition entirely too much lately!  

Hope this makes you laugh.  It definitely gave David and me a chuckle!  

I'm A List Person...

Yep... I admit it... I LOVE lists.  I make to-do lists, grocery lists, lists of things I want to remember, lists of reasons that I love David, etc.  on a regular basis.  Are there any problems with lists?  Of course there are.  Sometimes I forget where I put them.  I used to be MUCH worse about this type of thing, but now I keep my lists in my day planner (a very cute Vera Bradley planner). Now I always know where my lists are.  If I don't have room in my planner, I simply put the list on a Post-it Note **I LOVE POST-IT NOTES**, and then put it on the correct page.  

I think I need to begin a new type of list.  I think every day, I should write down at least three ways that the Lord blessed me or things that I am thankful for.  So, here are three things I'm thankful for today:  

1. I'm born again and on my way to heaven
2. We have a cute house to call our own 
3. I have WONDERFUL family (David, the Riley/Clayton/Bauer/Blanchard-Hipp Family, my church family, and David's family)

A little disappointment turned into a wonderful day

Today, David and I were supposed to meet with his former pastor and good friend, Bro. Joel Logan.  David and I are not in AL very often, so we don't get to spend much time with the Logans, but we always enjoy it when we do! Well, today we were supposed to meet Bro. Joel and his daughter, Hannah, for lunch.  Bro. Joel called and let us know that he wouldn't be able to make it because there was something going on at the meeting where he is preaching.  We were very disappointed, but figured while we were out, we were going to do something together.  (Forgot to mention this earlier this week... we went to see him in Riverview, FL on Wednesday evening.)

So... what started out as a bummer turned into a wonderful day with my husband!  We looked for a Santa Clause hat (need it for a skit) and Mickey Mouse "ears" all over the place (to no avail), ate a wonderful lunch at Panera Bread in Altamonte, and had a great time walking through the mall and talking (we even purchased 2 "Bargain Books" at Barnes & Noble).  

The moral of the story:  When things don't go as planned, don't despair!  It might turn out okay, even wonderful.  Sure, you might still wish your original plans had worked out, but don't let it ruin your day!  

A Good Day

Five reasons today was a good day:

1. My flowers are blooming (pictured above)

2. I'm married to David (This should be #1)

3. I saw "my" old class (and one boy said "B has not been behaving since you left...")

4. I went to church (really good message, as always)

5. I didn't eat too much! :o) (I'm on my every-so-often low cal kick... this one is lasting longer than usual and I am seeing results!!! I'm thinking this is the time it's going to stick.)

Sugar Cookies

The other day, Esther and I had an interesting conversation.  It goes something like this:

Scene:  Lauren walking down the hall at church.  Esther and Carrie walking the other way.  

Lauren: Do either of you all want a cookie?  

Esther: I saw those cookies last night. They looked and smelled disgusting!  I don't want one.  

Lauren:  um, Esther... I made those cookies!

Esther:  They look and smell disgusting.  

Carrie:  I'll try one...  Yum!

Esther:  Fine, I'll try one, too...  they are good. I wish I had five more.  

Lauren: Are you lying?  

Thankfully for Esther's sake, I'm not easily offended when people call my yummy cookies disgusting.  

How to Be a Good Wife

I was reading a book today (Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl) and I came across this.  She says it is taken "word-for-word from a 1950s public high school home economics book."  I doubt they would let it sit in the trash can at a public school today!  

How to Be a Good Wife Today

• Have dinner ready.  Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time.  This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs.  Most men are hungry when they come home, and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.  
• Prepare yourself.  Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll be refreshed when he arrives.  Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.  He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.  Be a little gay and a little more interesting.  His boring day may need a lift.  
• Clear away the clutter.  Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up schoolbooks, toys, and papers.  Then, run a dust cloth over tables.  Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.  
• Prepare the children.  Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small).  Comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes.  They are little treasures, and he would like to see them playing the part. 
• Minimize the noise.  At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum.  Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him.  Greet him with a warm smile and a kiss (I added that).

Some Don'ts:  

• Don't greet him with problems or complaints.
• Don't complain if he's late for dinner.  Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.  Make him comfortable.  Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom.  Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.  Arrange his pillow, and offer to take off his shoes.  Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice.  Allow him to relax and unwind.  
• Listen to him.  You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival home is not the time.  Let him talk first.  **HARD ONE** :o)
• Make the evening his.  Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment.  Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.  

THE GOAL:  try to make your home a place of peace and order,

where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.  

Isn't it amazing how much has changed in the past fifty years?!?!  Like Debi Pearl says, each girl in public school was taught a conservative worldview that was more Biblical than most churches teach today!  I'm glad there are some things on this list that my husband doesn't mind (i.e., like the noise of the dishwasher or washing machine & not wanting to eat dinner right when he arrives home from work), but if we treated our husbands more like this, I'm sure they would be even more happy than they are right now.  I'm glad I found this today.  

MY PERSONAL GOAL:  I really want to work to make sure our home is a haven for my husband.  I want it to be "free of clutter" when he gets home, and have it be the place that he really wants to be.  

Saved!

On Friday nights, a group from BBC has been going out to street preach in downtown DeLand.  Believe it or not, we have had some really good conversations.  This past Friday night, a couple young guys were talking to Esther and me (I say young... they were David's and my age).  We invited them to church... really, they almost invited themselves.  David even got one of the guy's phone number.  Well...  he came and brought a friend to church, and while at church he trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior!  That's another story to add to the folder entitled:  "Why we witness on the streets!"  Praise the Lord!  

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines...

Here we are... we live in sunny, hot, and humid FL, right??  On an almost daily basis, those of us who reside here wish for cooler weather! Yet, there are thousands of Americans who CHOOSE to come here on vacation! Why, you might ask?  To go to Disney & see the Daytona 500.  

Those of us who live here and go to Bible Baptist Church, love the opportunities.  While the race fans are piling into the stadium in Daytona Beach, we line the streets with signs, tracts, and banners proclaiming the gospel to the Nascar fans.  

The funny thing?  People totally decked out in Nascar (I'm talking hat, shirt, pants, flip-flops, etc) gear walk by a group of people in red Jesus Saves shirts and yell out, "You guys are fanatics!"  LOL... talk about the pot calling the kettle black.  

Anyways... we were able to get out many tracts today and there were tons of people who saw Bible verses on signs.  We'll be back again tomorrow.  Pray that some souls will trust Christ as their Savior!  

The Tongue

Each week, David writes devotional e-mails for the young people at our church (as well as a few others).  He's doing a series on the tongue right now.  Today, one of the verses he used was this:  

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  (Proverbs 18:21)

It is evident from this verse that the tongue can be used in two ways (for evil or for good)... it depends on if we use that member of our bodies for righteousness or unrighteousness.  I believe that if we think and pray a little bit more before we speak, we will be much more likely to use our tongues to bring peace, life, and hope rather than destruction.  

"Only God Could Love You More"

This is a song that David sings to me on occasion.  It is such a blessing that the Lord brought someone so wonderful into my life!  

I asked the Lord for someone,

and I always knew that in God's time and in God's way 

it would be someone like you.

All my hopes and all my dreams

were suddenly fulfilled

It's almost unbelievable

our love is in his will.

Only God could love you more, 

for he gave me this love I have for you.

What a blessing to know he's your Lord,

For only God could love you more, than I do. 

I'm tempted to be saying, that we met by chance

BUt God was there at every turn, 

In every circumstance

To share this life God gave me

seems such a fearful task,

But every moment we have shared

is more than I could ask...

Only God could love you more, 

for he gave me this love I have for you.

What a blessing to know he's your Lord,

For only God could love you more, than I do.  

Valentine's Day 2008

Today, I went to volunteer in "my" old classroom (i.e., where I did my student teaching).  It is so much fun to be there when you don't have to be :o).  The FCAT is quickly approaching for 3rd grade, so I'm going to be helping them with reading, etc.  I certainly hope all of the students pass; I don't know if it's possible, though.  Some of the students have a long way to go before that happens.  

First Shot at "Blogging"

Here it is... my first attempt at a blog.  Until recently, I never wanted a blog.  However, I've really enjoyed reading some of my friends' posts, so I figured I would try it. So... here it is... my very first post.  Very short & not too sweet.