Heaven's Gates

God is so good.
This past weekend, I was involved with the drama Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames. I don't know if I can put into words what all is happening in my life but God is working miracles. For the first time, in quite a looong time, God showed me that I do still hear His voice. And He does still want to use me for His glory.
Practices began Fri. night. Saturday, I spent most of the day learning my lines and being overwhelmed emotionally by God' s love and sacrifice. every scene, every moment....I was moved...tears continually in my eyes. We practiced Sunday afternoon as well, I had talked so much and cried so much that I was beginning to lose my voice....not a good thing when you have a speaking part in a drama. The director asked during the prayer time before the service if anyone needed prayer...I lifted my hand. As I was being prayed for, I felt God speak into my spirit....."I am the air you breathe......breathe....take a deep breath of Me".....so I began just taking big, deep breaths of His presence. The director, not a couple minutes later, began singing the song "This is the Air I Breathe".... even now, I'm moved. Wow.....I DID hear His voice!!! What a beautiful confirmation. God totally restored my voice and gave me strength. The drama went well. And then the altar call.......WOW! About 45 people came forward. I've never been a part of something so wonderful! As we were working at the altar, an usher came up to me and told me these 2 ladies that were in wheelchairs, needed a pamphlet...., with none of the usual fear, I went immediately to them. It wasn't what I expected....it was very complicated. And I was feeling that I wasn't qualified to "counsel" this situation. When I woke up the next morning, God reminded me that the usher could of gone to any of the altar workers, but God chose ME! He chose me!!! He thought I was qualified - that's all that matters! It's been such a long time since I've felt like He's even wanted to use me.
There was a lot of spiritual warfare around this drama. And I was able to go to battle in prayer. My world has been opened up, my eyes opened to the truth.....people DO want to hear the gospel. Over 100 souls dedicated to Christ, most for the first time.....wow. So perhaps, all the "junk" I've been through, was to get me to this place, for such a time as this, to witness what God can do and be a part of it.
Thank you God for your grace, mercy, everlasting love, for miracles, for using me and most of all, for sending Your Son to die for my sins & infirmities so that I may be whole in Christ....here and for eternity!
I'M GOING TO HEAVEN!!!! I'M GOING TO HEAVEN!!!! I'M GOING TO HEAVEN!!!!! My name is written in the Book of Life!!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!
I will remember His sacrifice, death and resurrection! HAVE A BLESSED EASTER!

Love Above All

The question was posed.....what was I doing when I was 28 years old. It made me start thinking about the past. There were lots of good times but also lots of bad times. Although many good things came out of the bad times, the truth is....I would not want to go back. I'm actually enjoying where I'm at right now. I'm not wishing my time away - I know how fleeting it is anyway. I love homeschooling, spending as much time with family as possible and growing in faith and knowledge of Christ.
I don't feel as old as my age says I am - but I'm lovin' it. Make the most of everyday - no regrets. I may never get to "ski/fall" in the Alps - but I sure enjoy the stories and a piece of me is living through those stories.
My advice? Keep living....keep experiencing.....keep sharing and KEEP LOVING ABOVE ALL!

(oh yeah.....keep safe too!) :-)

Long winter days

I know, I know.....I only post about once a quarter.
Well, obviously, I made it over the ocean 2 times!!! Christmas in Germany was amazing! Christmas in Bellbrook was fun too!
Now I'm back to schooling. Schooling is actually going quite well this year. Perhaps because I'm not trying to "do" so many other things. My new desk/school area is actually working out very well also - now that I know how to remote to my other computer and do all things in one spot! Abby is working very hard on her speech therapy....her "r" sounds are getting better, she still over emphasizes them but at least they're sounding better. I believe she is gaining confidence in school also. It was a good decision to slow down a bit for her. She doesn't seem to notice or care that Stephan is ahead now.
So now that we are at Kettering Assembly, a question arises. Sunday school goes by grades.....so should Stephan be in the 5th grader class there and be with older kids??? Where does it end? Does he end up in Youth Group at the age of 11? It's confusing. How to encourage him in moving ahead in school but yet hold him back in social settings??? Thoughts?
Belle, the puppy, is doing great. She is so beautiful and smart. She eats alot though!!!! Costing me a fortune in food. She graduates tonight from Puppy Training Class. We're supposed to show off what we've learned. I must confess I haven't kept up on teaching all that we've learned. She's shown lots of improvement but I hope we're not embarrassed tonight. The trainer said it's going to be a fun class tonight so we'll see! I have learned lots of valuable information and am implementing it with Ginger as well. I will eventually get them trained completely. My goal is for Belle to be very polite and well-mannered to guests, greet strangers & dogs nicely, and enjoy walks and sitting at my feet! We're working on Ginger on jumping on guests and sitting at our feet until we pick her up to sit on the couch so that she just doesn't just jump up on us all the time! Belle has outgrown the 2nd kennel, however, whenever we put her in the larger kennel- she has an accident within 10 minutes!!! So, until she stops that, she has to be crunched into the smaller kennel. I'm not sure why she does that...it's not too big of a kennel, we've cleaned it completely numerous times. UGH
Well, a new year leads to new budgets.....I must say I love the fresh start, but it is always eye-opening to the laziness we acquire over the year. I'm more determined to stick to the budget this year! So far so good, living within our means.....what a concept!
The long winter days are showing signs of getting shorter....which means.....Spring is on the way!
Well, until spring......be blessed!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

It's snowing, it's snowing!!!! It certainly gets you in the mood for the whole Christmas season.
However, I'm watching the news where a news reporter is in the median on I-75 reporting on the road conditions - how stupid is that!!! The snow is the top story on the news....you'd think we never have seen snow before!
Our challenge is teaching Andrew to drive in these conditions.....yikes! Yes, that's right, Andrew is in the midst of Driver's Ed classes.
Friday night, we pick up our new puppy, Belle! I am so excited!
I'm also in countdown mode, 18 days until I hop on a plane, conquer my fear and cross the Atlantic Ocean to have Christmas in Germany with the Noel family! Christmas starts early this year! YAY!!!
I love this time of year

Happy November

I've been told by a few people that my blog needs a little uplift to it. So, here's my facelift for my blog........Happy November. The frost has come, yay, now my allergies have been abated for yet another 9 months. November & December are my favorite "cool" months. I love Christmas and preparing for it. Of course, any projects must be done by the Katie imposed deadline of Thanksgiving!!!! Too many stressed out Christmas eve's handmaking gifts at the last minute. It has been a very good rule... I must admit. However, since the gift making police is currently in Germany, the threat may not be as effective - we'll see! So with November, I'm closer to my trip to Germany. I'm trying to be brave about the whole "conquering my fear" of flying over the ocean, however, the closer I get the harder it seems. The stubborn side of me will win out, that's for sure. And the prize will be more than worth it!
Indian Summer seems to be here, so I broke out more steaks to grill - mmmmm. Tomorrow, grilled hamburgers - ahhhhh. These 70 degree days are wonderful.
Gotta go watch Dancing with the Stars!

23 Years Ago

Ah.....yes.....23 years ago, I had NO clue....totally clueless, absolutely & totally clueless to the wonderful journey that lay ahead. I was so sick, I had to stay home from school except for my mother drove me to my Economics class to take a test.....whole other story. I spent the whole day on the couch, sick. That night, I woke up feeling a little strange so I went to sit on the couch. My mother woke up and found me awake and she literally freaked out!!! Anyone who has ever seen my mother freak out knows that this is not a pretty picture!!!! She frantically called the dr., got my bags packed (I was not prepared at all), called my sister and off we went to pick my sister up and head for the hospital. My sister Gwen, was my labor couch. She did such a good job except for trying to kill my back when all I wanted was a light back rub. The nurses thought I was in false labor, I was young, refused the wheelchair and walked to the room. They were actually blown away to discover I was already into the transition part of labor. Labor was extremely easy and literally a couple of hours later I was ready to deliver. At 5:56 a.m. a beautiful brown eyed baby girl blessed my life. A true gift from God, she taught me more about love....more about God's love...than anyone on this earth. I am so very, very proud of her . She is a Godly woman, what more could a momma ask for. ok.....maybe grandbabies eventually!!! :-) I'm blessed and very proud to be called Katie's mom.
I love you honey......HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Merciful God

Is God truly a merciful God??? I cry out in the night, I cry out in the day.....please show mercy, I'm at the end....I can not stand any more pain, but the pain persists and the tears continue to come. How much is too much? I cry out for mercy..... please God end the pain! And now I wait....
Isaiah 40:31 (New King James Version)
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.