We had such a great time camping. I will elaborate more in a later post. For now, I am letting you all know that we decided to leave the tents up. We are about to head back up there, this time with the kids, and are going to spend one more night before tearing everything down. The kids are really excited and this is turning out to be a really great Labor Day weekend.
Also, two of the singers in the praise band were out of town this week so I was invited to sing with the praise band. I was excited and nervous. Our church has no shortage of musical talent. During prayer time this morning I specifically asked God to help me hear my part and to be confident in it. Through one of the other band members God said "Loose yourself in Me and you will find what you are seeking".
I don't think that what God said only relates to my singing. As we loose ourselves in Christ, as we give more and more of ourselves to Him, we find what we are seeking. My bible study this morning (I'm sorry some of you are getting tired of hearing that=)) said it like this: We are pleased with too little. God has so much more for us, yet we settle for so little of Him.
Let's loose ourselves in Christ, and in doing so find the abundance that He has to give.
More of You, Lord.
More of You.
Bridget
"How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose!...You drove them from me, You who are the true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and took their place, You who are sweeter than all pleasure." St. Augustine
"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go one making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." C.S. Lewis
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Camping with God
You might think I'm joking. But I'm not. A group of friends that God has brought together felt invited by God to go camping with Him August 29th.
This week we have done a partial fast for breakfast and lunch (beverages but no food) and have met together at lunch to pray. Wednesday morning Brenda (in second pic with me) and I went to the campsite to set up one of the tents. Because it is a holiday weekend we wanted to set up early. After setting up the tent we walked around the site and prayed. God was already there preparing for us while we were at home preparing for Him.
Then on Thursday we went back out there to set up the other tent and Becca (the one taking these pictures with her camera phone) was able to meet us there to help. Again, after we were done we walked around the site and prayed. Then we met up between the picnic tables and prayed together. You could feel God's presence and then He blessed us tremendously by baptizing Brenda in the Holy Spirit. We are all so excited to spend time with God in this different way. And to spend time with each other.
This tent is facing the river. It's back is to the road.
There's a slight chance of rain.
Our picnic area. It's surrounded by trees so it's kinda private.
The back of our tent. The front faces the picnic tables, the road is to the right, and the river is to the left.
This week we have done a partial fast for breakfast and lunch (beverages but no food) and have met together at lunch to pray. Wednesday morning Brenda (in second pic with me) and I went to the campsite to set up one of the tents. Because it is a holiday weekend we wanted to set up early. After setting up the tent we walked around the site and prayed. God was already there preparing for us while we were at home preparing for Him.
Then on Thursday we went back out there to set up the other tent and Becca (the one taking these pictures with her camera phone) was able to meet us there to help. Again, after we were done we walked around the site and prayed. Then we met up between the picnic tables and prayed together. You could feel God's presence and then He blessed us tremendously by baptizing Brenda in the Holy Spirit. We are all so excited to spend time with God in this different way. And to spend time with each other.
This tent is facing the river. It's back is to the road.
There's a slight chance of rain.Our picnic area. It's surrounded by trees so it's kinda private.
The back of our tent. The front faces the picnic tables, the road is to the right, and the river is to the left.Please pray for us, our children (who will not be camping), and the unknown campers that might experience the presence of God.
Bridget
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Decorating and Desserts
I LOVE TO DECORATE!!!
In the past this has caused me some grief because I wasn't sure of God's view of decorating. And I wasn't sure of my own motivation.
Well, not only has God shown me that He loves beautiful things (just look at His creations) but He reminded me that my desire to decorate and enjoyment of it started way before I ever knew HGTV or TLC existed. As far back as junior high I remember arranging and rearranging my bedroom. I loved planning what to hang where and how to display things on the shelves.
*correction 8-27-08 My Mema has informed me that when I was as small as 3yrs I would move my nursery furniture around and at Christmas I would move the nativity scene around.
Since this is such a joy of mine I have been thinking for awhile about adding the subject of decorating to the blog. This will be the first such post.
I just made two new, completely original pillows today. Walmart had green, beige, and orange pillows in pairs for $10.00. There was only one pair of orange left. I couldn't resist. Then I headed to the craft isles. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, I just wanted something to embellish the pillows. I found some small bows in the Martha Stewart scrapbooking stuff. Then I got a bottle of fabric glue and I was done with both pillows in, literally, 30 minutes.
This is not actually the chair they reside in, but the flash on MIL's camera doesn't work so I had to move one of them to in front of a window. My computer chair happened to be closest. The bows are striped in brown, green, blue, orange, and beige. Two colors per bow. I am quite pleased.
Also, lately I have been in a menu rut. I pretty much rotate the same 10 meals. BORING! So tonight I tried a cousin's Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe. It was very good and very easy. So it got me to thinking; maybe some of you wonderful, brilliant, bloggy people have some delicious and EASY recipes you would love to share. Here's the thing: I am serious about the EASY. Like five ingredients or less. With minimal chopping and pealing and stirring and anything else that would require that I actually stay in the kitchen while dinner is cooking.
I don't have a dinner recipe to share tonight, but I do have a dessert. I call it Ding Dong Surprise because. basically. when my kids asked me what it was I didn't want to have to explain. So you first buy a package of Hostess Ding Dongs. Now I recommend getting the real deal. No generic here because if they are stale or the chocolate coating isn't quality is basically can ruin the desert. (I'm just trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about. I've never actually tried the generic so it really might be just fine.) You will also need some chocolate chip ice cream, or your favorite kind, and some Hershey's chocolate syrup.
Put the Ding Dong in a bowl and microwave it for 10-12 seconds. Then put a scoop of ice cream on top and drizzle with syrup. How good does that sound? Well, it tastes even better.
Satisfied customer.
So, thanks for helping a girl out and, seriously, try the Ding Dong thing.
Bridget
In the past this has caused me some grief because I wasn't sure of God's view of decorating. And I wasn't sure of my own motivation.
Well, not only has God shown me that He loves beautiful things (just look at His creations) but He reminded me that my desire to decorate and enjoyment of it started way before I ever knew HGTV or TLC existed. As far back as junior high I remember arranging and rearranging my bedroom. I loved planning what to hang where and how to display things on the shelves.
*correction 8-27-08 My Mema has informed me that when I was as small as 3yrs I would move my nursery furniture around and at Christmas I would move the nativity scene around.
Since this is such a joy of mine I have been thinking for awhile about adding the subject of decorating to the blog. This will be the first such post.
I just made two new, completely original pillows today. Walmart had green, beige, and orange pillows in pairs for $10.00. There was only one pair of orange left. I couldn't resist. Then I headed to the craft isles. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, I just wanted something to embellish the pillows. I found some small bows in the Martha Stewart scrapbooking stuff. Then I got a bottle of fabric glue and I was done with both pillows in, literally, 30 minutes.
This is not actually the chair they reside in, but the flash on MIL's camera doesn't work so I had to move one of them to in front of a window. My computer chair happened to be closest. The bows are striped in brown, green, blue, orange, and beige. Two colors per bow. I am quite pleased.
Also, lately I have been in a menu rut. I pretty much rotate the same 10 meals. BORING! So tonight I tried a cousin's Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe. It was very good and very easy. So it got me to thinking; maybe some of you wonderful, brilliant, bloggy people have some delicious and EASY recipes you would love to share. Here's the thing: I am serious about the EASY. Like five ingredients or less. With minimal chopping and pealing and stirring and anything else that would require that I actually stay in the kitchen while dinner is cooking.
I don't have a dinner recipe to share tonight, but I do have a dessert. I call it Ding Dong Surprise because. basically. when my kids asked me what it was I didn't want to have to explain. So you first buy a package of Hostess Ding Dongs. Now I recommend getting the real deal. No generic here because if they are stale or the chocolate coating isn't quality is basically can ruin the desert. (I'm just trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about. I've never actually tried the generic so it really might be just fine.) You will also need some chocolate chip ice cream, or your favorite kind, and some Hershey's chocolate syrup.
Put the Ding Dong in a bowl and microwave it for 10-12 seconds. Then put a scoop of ice cream on top and drizzle with syrup. How good does that sound? Well, it tastes even better.
Satisfied customer.
So, thanks for helping a girl out and, seriously, try the Ding Dong thing.
Bridget
Warm Tile Floor
Last week RC asked me if I had noticed the tile floor in our bathroom being warm. I had not, so I went and checked it out. Sure enough, they were warm. Particularly in one spot.
The spot right next to our water heater.
Praise God, my FIL was able to find the leak and replace a small portion of the pipe without removing the water heater. This could have been so much worse. All it took was one afternoon spent next door watching movies while FIL did all the heavy lifting.=)
But now I miss my warm tile floor.
The spot right next to our water heater.
Praise God, my FIL was able to find the leak and replace a small portion of the pipe without removing the water heater. This could have been so much worse. All it took was one afternoon spent next door watching movies while FIL did all the heavy lifting.=)
But now I miss my warm tile floor. Bridget
Snaggletooth
*This happened before we went to Chicken Town for the horse rides. I found my MIL's camera happened to decide to work again so I snapped a quick pic and am just now downloading them to my computer.
RC had come home for lunch as he does most days. The boys were wrestling and Popeye asked dad to be on his team. So it was Popeye and Dad against Bobo and Bear. While Bear was trying to get up from the floor Dad tried to punch him (lightly) in the stomach. He missed. He didn't actually knock the tooth out. It just happened to be loose enough for Bear to pull out after the blow to the mouth. =)
That'll teach him.
Bridget
RC had come home for lunch as he does most days. The boys were wrestling and Popeye asked dad to be on his team. So it was Popeye and Dad against Bobo and Bear. While Bear was trying to get up from the floor Dad tried to punch him (lightly) in the stomach. He missed. He didn't actually knock the tooth out. It just happened to be loose enough for Bear to pull out after the blow to the mouth. =)That'll teach him.
Bridget
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Andre
Andre was my best friend in highschool. I had three. Two girls and Andre.We all sang in choir together and three of us went to church together. Every morning on our way to school my sophmore year, by mom and I would pick Andre up. Then one of my other best friends moved onto his street so she took him to school our junior year. Then he got a car.
Andre was an amazing singer and musician. He was an amazing friend. He was an amazing person.
If you ever watched 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' then you might have seen Carlton do the 'Carlton' dance. Andre could do the 'Carlton' and we loved it when he did.
Andre would let himself into our house via the keypad on our garage door, he had the code, would make himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and would sit at our coffee table watching tv, eating his sandwich, and drinking a big glass of milk. My dad would come home and find him there and it never crossed Andre's mind that this was weird.
Andre was the mascot for our highschool. Our mascot is the Fighting Chick. As in chicken. A big purple chicken with a gold head. Andre was great at it.
Andre could hang out with anyone and usually did.
And Andre loved Jesus.
Andre would be turning 30 today. However, God chose to take him home in October of 2002.
Andre began his battle with lung cancer in 1998. He was not a smoker and was documented as the youngest person ever with this type of lung cancer. And everytime the opportunity arose to speak with someone about his situation he used it to share the love of Christ.
Andre attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK and while there got to sing a duet with Nicole Nordeman when she came to do a concert.
Andre was an inspiration to us all. I miss him, but I know that I will see him again. That's a wonderful promise we have in Christ.
Bridget
Monday, August 18, 2008
Three Posts in One
First of, I need to apologize to my father-in-law. Ronny, I'm sorry.
His birthday was August 12th and that day I thought about posting a Happy Birthday for him, but realized I didn't have a picture of him on this computer. I didn't go to the other computer right away and then forgot.
I'm so grateful for my father-in-law, and am really sorry I didn't get things done. I love you, Ronny!
Happy 58th! You don't look a day older than 57!=)
Second, we had a really great weekend! Princess got to go to a Cheerleading Clinic for little girls. My mom coaches the cheerleaders at the highschool she teaches at so Princess got to go a couple years early. The perks of being the coaches granddaughter. She loved it! My sister took some pics, but hasn't sent them to me yet. So I'll post those later.
The boys and I went horseback riding with some family. It was a blast! The horses were great and the ride lasted a whole hour! Bobo and Bear had their own horse and Popeye rode with my dad. My aunt Abby took a few pics before we got on the horses then her battery ran out. Being without a camera is getting frustrating! Trusting God to provide, though.
Lastly, we started school today. I'm looking forward to getting into the groove. The first couple of weeks can be tough until everyone gets the new routine down. Especially mom. The kids were really excited and did great. I am crazy tired even with a nap and still have to fix dinner and go to the grocery store tonight.
With that being said...
later internet peeps,
Bridget
His birthday was August 12th and that day I thought about posting a Happy Birthday for him, but realized I didn't have a picture of him on this computer. I didn't go to the other computer right away and then forgot.
I'm so grateful for my father-in-law, and am really sorry I didn't get things done. I love you, Ronny!
Happy 58th! You don't look a day older than 57!=)
Second, we had a really great weekend! Princess got to go to a Cheerleading Clinic for little girls. My mom coaches the cheerleaders at the highschool she teaches at so Princess got to go a couple years early. The perks of being the coaches granddaughter. She loved it! My sister took some pics, but hasn't sent them to me yet. So I'll post those later.
The boys and I went horseback riding with some family. It was a blast! The horses were great and the ride lasted a whole hour! Bobo and Bear had their own horse and Popeye rode with my dad. My aunt Abby took a few pics before we got on the horses then her battery ran out. Being without a camera is getting frustrating! Trusting God to provide, though.
Lastly, we started school today. I'm looking forward to getting into the groove. The first couple of weeks can be tough until everyone gets the new routine down. Especially mom. The kids were really excited and did great. I am crazy tired even with a nap and still have to fix dinner and go to the grocery store tonight.
With that being said...
later internet peeps,
Bridget
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