Bon Voyage

Since I am basically going to be running around all day like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to finish cleaning and packing for our trip, I wanted to take a few minutes to say farewell to you, my dear sweet bloggin' Sistas!!

I would also like to ask for your prayers. Please pray for traveling mercies, and for safety and health while we are on vacation. I would like to ask you to also pray that this will be a time of renewal and refreshment for me and my family. Life has been so crazy lately, and I seem to lose "focus" way too easily these days.

There is a lot that I would like to accomplish this summer in the way of organizing my home and growing my MK business. I desperately need time to reflect and rest. One of my favorite verses of scripture is "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). I am hoping for quite a lot of that next week.

You girls take care of yourselves now, and don't miss me too much. I'll be back on June 11, and I am sure I will have much to tell! ;-) In the meantime feel free to browse around, and if you haven't signed my guestbook on the Road Trip post, please do so!! Have a beautiful week in Jesus!!

This Made My Day!!!

Oh Girls! (and guys,too...if you feel froggy...) You've just GOT to jump on over to the LPM Blog and read this post! It made my Thankful Thursday even more so...and caused me to spew Diet Coke all over the laptop! (Sorry, Honey!!)

Thank you Jesus that I am NOT the only one...that even my dear "Miss Beth" has her very own Gorilla!!!

Thankful Thursday - God's Word

My determined purpose is that I may know Him. That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him - perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person. --Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)

God has been teaching me so much lately!! Back in January I began praying for a genuine hunger and thirst for his word. On this particular Thankful Thursday, I would like to lift up a song of thanksgiving for the sweet morsels He has provided. They are so completely and scrumptiously satisfying...yet, I can't seem to get enough!!! Here are some examples:

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth. A hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord". --Psalm 40:1-3

"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." --Isaiah 40:25-29

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." --James 1:2-8

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." --James 1:12

I have learned so much from these verses, and through other bible studies and quiet moments with Jesus. I am learning not just to know scripture in my head, but to allow it to pierce my heart and transform my life. Beth Moore says that God's word not only speaks to us, but speaks in us to accomplish its purpose in our lives. That is my prayer...my DETERMINED PURPOSE!!

I would also like to thank God for Beth, and for her ministry. I was able to go to one of her Living Proof Lives back in March, and it totally rocked my world!! Before that experience I had read a couple of her books, and learned a lot from them. But to actually see, live and in person, how God can totally fill up a precious vessel so beautifully with his presence so that she overflows and touches a giant auditorium filled with 17,000 people, well...that is just flat ASTOUNDING!!! I am currently reading another of her books, and each week I listen to her 30 Minute Bible Study online. God has used her so valiantly to touch my life and, from what I am seeing in many of your posts, the lives of others. She truly is a precious jewel, a royal diadem in the hand of her God!

There are a few others that I would like to thank God for here. Others who faithfully minister to others through this PRECIOUS GIFT of God's Holy Word...

• My Pastor, Howard Allen. I love you so very much!! You are always faithful to preach the TRUE word of GOD and never water it down, or "gussie" it up to fit what others may want to hear. Because of your love of God and unabashed preaching His Word, hearts are pricked and lives are changed. Every. Sunday.
• The Preacher's Wife, Lisa. The I AM Bible Study that she wrote and hosts at her blog each week, has been a wonderful blessing to my life. I am learning more each week about what the song on my profile so beautifully speaks of...He is I AM...so I don't have to be!!
• Perry Noble, and Newspring Church. Because of your Internet ministry, I can get a heaping helping of God's word right here at my laptop. I have followed your sermon series' for about three months now, and I have to say I have never been disappointed. God has used you abundantly to speak truth into my life, and guide me in sharing that same truth with others. Because of your ministry, my husband and I have given up the fight, and totally surrendered to God's call on our lives. I love you guys!!

Sorry for being a little too long-winded. I just had SO MUCH to be thankful for!! If you would like to see the postings of other Thankful Hearts, or post one of your own, be sure to visit our lovely hostess, Iris at Sting My Heart.

Road Trip!!

This is too cool!! I found it on Alycia's blog, and decided to put it on mine. I would love to see where all my visitors are from!! We'll call it a "Summer Road Trip through Bloggityville"!! Yay! I'm all packed and ready to go! (Speaking of packing, I need to get back to my Vacation Checklist!) Have a great day, Sweet Ones!!

I AM - Lesson Six: The West Side of the Wilderness

Girls, I cannot begin to describe how God is blessing me, and molding me through this Bible Study.  I am so thankful that God allowed me to find this study, and its author.  (Thanks again, Lisa!)

I learned so much today about "I was" meeting "I am" in the wilderness in a blaze of Glory!  Hallelujah!!  I may have been a lot of things, but I am now a daughter of the king, and am called for his purpose!! Thank you Jesus for revealing these truths to me today.

Here are my answers to the discussion questions:

1. How current is your God? Is he up to date on all your issues or do you have old hurts you still hold behind your back?  I am learning to release those old wounds to Jesus and allow for his healing touch.  I think that it has taken me this long to do so because I felt I was unworthy of that healing...of that cleansing. As a victim of poor choices in my past, (some mine, and some others') I have worn the cloak of shame for far too long.  God is showing me that He IS the author and finisher of my faith, and that His Word IS alive and active in me...right now.  AMEN!!

2. Has the enemy ever told you there are situations that are 'old news' that are better left stuffed down? Or perhaps because they were so long ago they can't possibly be affecting you now?  I can't really relate to this one, because it is usually my past that Satan uses to stifle me.  He haunts me with it, and constantly tries to sell me the lie that because of my past, I cannot possibly have the future I have envisioned through Christ.  I recently heard a pastor say something that has totally rocked my world. "If you don't let your past die, it won't let you live".  (It's a wonderful sermon, I highly recommend it!)

3. In the matter of established authority, does God truly reign in your life? Where are you when He calls your name?  It is my fervent prayer for God to REIGN IN ME.  As the song goes, "You are the Lord, of all I am"...He knows me better than anyone, He created me, and is Lord over my being.  Even though I know this, I would be lying if I said I didn't struggle at times with wanting to do things MY WAY...but I am learning to give God NO LIP, and submit myself to him DAILY...hourly...minutely(??)... 

4. Do you ever feel God has forgotten you in your 'west side of the wilderness'?  I know that God will never leave me or forsake me, much less forget me.  What I struggle with is the belief that I am not worthy of the plans that God has for me. (Do I sound like a broken record??) I am reading the book GET OUT OF THAT PIT by Beth Moore, and I have discovered that not only am I an habitual pit dweller, but I have had my various pits professionally decorated so that I feel more at home!! Can I get a witness??? If anything, I can relate to Moses being "decidedly content" because of the feeling that don't deserve anything better than what I have right now.  That is a lie from the (ultimate) pit of hell, and I am NOT (Declaration of Independence here, girls...wish I had Martina McBride playing in the background!) going to allow it to take hold of me ANY LONGER!! Whooooo!!! That felt so good!!

5. Have you ever experienced a time of cleansing where God  has illuminated and rejuvenated you? If not, do you find you are in need of this now?  I can honestly say that I am there RIGHT NOW!!  Every day I feel a little cleaner and a little more refreshed.  I know that others can see His Glory being revealed in me, because they say that I am "glowing". (My husband said that if he didn't know any better he would think I am pregnant! Trust me...he knows better!!) That is my prayer. To ultimately shine like Moses did coming down from the mountain after gazing on the presence of the Lord.  I am not saying that I have completely mastered these issues as of yet, but I  can feel myself being lifted out of the pit by My Deliverer.  As I write these words, the shackles and chains are falling off of me , so that I can be free to sing and dance and lift my hands before my Lord!!

My (Early) Anniversary Gift

My loving husband opted for roses that will never die!! Thanks to Dawn at Barefoot Blogs, I got a NEW LOOK!!   Our anniversary isn't until June 20, but he got a head start this year.  I am so excited, and I hope you all will enjoy it as much as I do!! Have a GREAT DAY!!

May Day!!!

Girls, I am UP a pound this week!!! To say I am discouraged would be an understatement.  But I do realize that "hormonal changes" are on the way, so I am trying not to be too hard on myself. 

Please pray that I will do well this week, because next week I will be on vacation with my entire family.  There will be junk food galore, and we each take turns cooking (one night per family/couple) which means we are all trying to out-do each other with awesome (not necessarily low calorie) meals!! 

Still struggling with the exercise bit.  Got in two walking workouts last week, and I played (swam) in Mom and Dad's pool all day yesterday. My goal is to do SOME TYPE of aerobic activity at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week.

Hopefully this is gain will just be a minor setback for me, and I will be back on track by next week. 

Love and Prayers,

Susanne

Heroes, Dreams, and Miss Universe!!

Hey y'all!!! I was out of town over the weekend, so this is my first entry of the week. Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!
We got home from my parent's house around 9pm, and since the kiddies slept the entire 1.5 hour ride home, they were wide awake! We ended up watching the Miss Universe Pagent last night. (Not something I had planned, but The Princess got caught up in it, so I decided to go along...I was pulling for Miss Venezuela!!--she picked the winner...Miss Japan!)
During the final round of questions to the Top 5 Contestants, one of the judges (actor who plays Ando on Heroes) asked Miss Korea, "If you could have any kind of super hero powers, what would they be and why"? I thought that was a cool question (my husband and I love the show) so I wanted to put in my "two cents worth" here.
If I could have a "super power", I would love to be able to "think" something (task oriented) and have it be instantly accomplished. That way I could clean house, run my business, be a great wife, mother, and friend, and still have time for ME! Wouldn't that just be the greatest???
What kind of "powers" would you manifest if you could??? (This is strictly for fun...I know that we have been imbued with POWER from the ULTIMATE SUPER HERO and MOST HIGH GOD if we are his children, but I love to play and dream...)

Speaking of dreams, I was tagged for this one by 'Nise yesterday...

"Leigh from Speaking Thru Me got to thinking about a sermon her Pastor recently gave about promises and speaking the Word and Believing!! And came up with this meme: What are your dreams? Not things that God has promised you, but things you dream about or things that you whisper in His ear. What are you believing God for? Be bold, Be Honest, Be courageous!"

• I dream of all three of my children coming to know Jesus at an early age, so that their lives may be spent loving, praising, and serving Him.
• I dream of being the best wife I can be to my KISA; the most awesome (future) Preacher on the planet!!
• I dream of having a successful MK business to help support my family, and some day (soon???) driving a Vibe! (Eventually a Cadillac? I don't know...I am a little scared to dream that big!)
• I dream of continuing to fall madly, deeply, and passionately in love with my Jesus so that I can be completely free of past (and present) strongholds, and live a life that ushers others into His presence.
• I dream of losing 30-35 pounds and keeping it off for the rest of my life. (That's right...you guessed it! That would be one of those strongholds!!) Let's say it together...FREEDOM!!!
• I dream of one day "retiring" to several acres of land on a lake somewhere, in a big farmhouse with sprawling porches, rolling hills, and plenty of room to watch my grand-babies roam!!

I would love to hear what Alycia, Karen, Susanne, Laurel, and Deborah have to say about their dreams!!! Have a great day!!

Just for Kicks...A Couple More

Found this cool quiz at Karen's site, and just had to know what color I am...

BLUE

You give your love and friendship unconditionally. You enjoy long, thoughtful conversations rich in philosophy and spirituality. You are very loyal and intuitive.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

And my K.I.S.A. featured this one on his blog, so I couldn't resist...

(Notes: K.I.S.A. = Knight in Shining Armor, and "Gorilla" refers back to this post...and this webcast.)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

For Fun Friday - 2 For the Price of One!

Denise and 'Nise have both tagged me for two different book memes.  Both looked really cool, so I thought I would indulge.  See each entry below for contest rules/details.  Have a great weekend, and don't forget to pray for our troops!!

(Denise's Tag) 

 Here's how the literary meme works:

1. Grab the book closest to you

2. Open it to page 161

3. Find the fifth full sentence

4. Post the text of the sentence to your blog

5. Don't search around for the coolest book you have, use the one   that is really next to you.

6. Tag five people to do this meme.

The book that was closest to me is Captivating - A Guided Journal. I had it out looking for a quote the other day. The fifth full sentence is highlighted below. (Had to keep it in context of the paragraph.)

"Beauty offers mercy.  A kind word.  A gentle response.  A woman who is full of tender and soft vulnerability is a powerful and lovely woman.  I struggle with offering mercy to my children when they are irritating me.  And that irritation can have absolutely nothing to do with their behavior.  Do you struggle with offering kindness and patience to anyone? Who?"

 

(Nise's Tag)

"Countdown To Reading" Meme

The Rules Are:

1.  Post your responses.
2.  Tag anywhere from 1-5 friends.
3.  Leave comments to let them know they've been tagged.
4.  Come back and leave a comment when your post is up.

Next 5 books on your to be read shelf:
Get Out of That Pit - Beth Moore (currently reading)

Do You Think I'm Beautiful - Angela Thomas

Praise Habit - David Crowder

Miracles Happen - Mary Kay Ash (reading excerpts now)

Kingdom Come - LaHaye/Jenkins

Last 4 books you've read:
Breaking Free - Beth Moore

I'm Not Wonder Woman - Shelia Walsh

Facing Your Giants - Max Lucado

Slaying the Giants in Your Life - David Jeremiah

Last 3 books you've borrowed (library or friend)
I'm Not Wonderwoman - Sheila Walsh (Cheryl from Church)

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger - David Gregory (Robbie from Church)

Glorious Appearing - LaHaye/Jenkins (Mom)

Last 2 non-fiction books you've read:
Breaking Free - Beth Moore

Facing Your Giants - Max Lucado

The 1 book you wish everyone would read
(Women) - Captivating - John and Staci Eldredge

(Men) - Wild at Heart - John Eldredge

Since I just tagged a few of you for the "8 Things" meme, I will leave this one these two open to anyone who wishes to participate. 

Love to all!

Susanne

Thankful Thursday - Friendship

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
       and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel".  (Proverbs 27:9)

What wonderful gifts I have in my friends...my beautiful Sisters in Christ.  These will be the focus of my thankfulness today...

• I am thankful for Jennifer, my precious friend who speaks truth into my life almost daily.  She came into my life almost 4 years ago, and I can honestly say that I have never had a friendship so sweet or so true.  She has grown into such a wonderful woman of faith, and one of the godliest mothers I know.  Her recent battle with breast cancer has only strengthened her faith and her resolve to live in passionate pursuit of The Savior.  She knows me as well, if not better, than anyone I know.  She knows that I am a recovering "pit dweller" and she is not afraid to boldly, yet ever so lovingly, confront me in my habits.  She also celebrates with me in my accomplishments...no matter how large or small.  The thing I love the most about her is that she is a woman of prayer.  When she says she's praying for you, she means it.  She rarely lets a day pass that she hasn't gone to her knees before the Father with her petitions. I  love her so dearly... she is my hero,  and I thank God for allowing us to share this time in our lives together.
• I am thankful for Paula.  Talk about a cheerleader!! She is such a powerhouse of energy, and purpose.  She lives her life to that end, willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill God's purpose and plan for her life.  She is so taken with our Jesus that she never fails to present the opportunity to come to know him as Savior and Lord to others in her sphere of influence.  She is a natural motivator, and is gifted at "spurring me on" in my faith and in my business.  God truly sent her into my life "for such a time as this", and I will be forever grateful.
• I am thankful for Donna.  She is so precious to me, and is always such an encouragement.  Her faithfulness to serve our God and honor His name are inspirational.  I love to see her smiling face each Sunday.
• I am thankful for Dori, and Karian, and Priscilla, and all my other "Mary Hearts" girls. This group of women has become an awesome support group, and wonderful sisterhood in the faith.
• I am thankful for new blogging friends such as 'Nise and Alycia, and Iris and Lisa, as well as all the others who stop by my blog to offer encouragement and love.  I am so thankful to have met you and been graced by your presence in my life. 
• A post about "sisterhood" would be remiss if I did not take time to thank Jesus for my own two precious "flesh and blood" sisters...Betsy and Karen.  I thank God for all of the years we have had together.  They know all of my history, and they love me anyway.  We don't currently live in the same towns, but I know if I am ever in need, all I have to do is call them, and they will be by my side.  They were my first friends, and are two of my best friends.  We have a saying that we use to sign off on emails and myspace comments "Always Sisters & Forever Friends".  They are, and will always be, so precious to me.

For more Thankful Thursday entries, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Have a wonderful day!!

Love,

Susanne

Bitter-Sweet Beginning of Summer

School is officially out for the summer!! Yahoooooo-JAH!!!  I actually laid in bed until after 8 this morning!!  Unfortunately the kids are already a little stir crazy, but I am so happy to be able to breathe a little!  

Our last few weeks have been filled with baseball games, piano recitals, and gymnastics exhibitions.  And now it's all over...at least for the next three months.  (I know...I know...after about two weeks, when we come back from our vacation at Sunset Beach, I will be searching for things for us to do...but for now, ahhhhhh!  Sweet relief!)

I'm still going to try to stick to some semblance of a schedule just for "law and order" purposes.  Proverbs 29:18 says "Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint".  We've got to keep some focus or we will all lose our heads!! 

Speaking of which, I already did a little of that yesterday when I shooed all of the neighbors' kids out of my backyard and made my children come inside. (I was trying to get some work done, and was a little overwhelmed...then got a call that one of the young ladies who used to be in our Sunday School (youth) class had passed away suddenly. In my emotional shock, I am afraid I let the "gorilla get out of the cage".) One of the Mamas is none too happy with me, and even though I apologized for my harshness, she did not respond with anything but a refusal to allow her kids to play with mine again.  What a way to start the summer off, huh?

I've replayed the event several times in my head, wishing I could change the outcome.  The reality is that I have done all I can do, and now I lay it at the Savior's feet.  After all, He is my only defense, and He is the ultimate healer of all things. 

Would you do me a favor and remember Anna Katherine's family in your prayers?  She is in heaven with Jesus now, and is in no more pain, but I can't even begin to imagine what her parents (Leigh and Suzanne) are going through.  I know that Jesus will comfort and keep them in His sweet embrace, but they could use all the support we can muster.

Sorry for the rambling...enjoy the pics, and have a blessed Wednesday!!!

In His Love,

Susanne

Settling the Issue of My Worth

Until you settle the issue of your own worth, it’s impossible to bring holiness into anyone else’s life. Until you understand that your worth is already determined by the fact of your birth, everything else is an exercise in propping up a dying tree.”
~ Carol Brazo

I'm struggling pretty hard with my commentary on this quote.  Maybe it's because I still struggle pretty hard with the issue at hand. 

"Until you understand that your worth is already determined by the fact of your birth"...

The fact that God knew me "when I was knit together in my mother's womb"...the fact that He knew "all the days ordained for me before even one was written in his book"...the fact that he knew me in my sin, yet still sent his ONLY son to a cruel cross to pay for it...all of this proves my worth.  I am a PRINCESS.. a DAUGHTER OF THE KING!!!

This quote from this blog reinforced this matter today for me...

Dearly loved one
You’ve been called by God
To shine like a star
In a dark, depraved world
Don’t blend in
Refuse the daily temptation
To be absorbed in yourself
Take interest in others
Deliberately humble yourself
And live the life of a servant
As you live in the crisis
Of “continue to”
Keep working out
What God is working in
Watch your mouth
Choose words of life
And one glorious day
You will see the face of Christ
And He will show you
Every good purpose
He fulfilled through you
And there will be delight
Even if you are despised or ignored
You are Christ’s star
Go forth and shine

Heavenly Father,

So many times I still act as if I don't believe this, and struggle with speaking truth into other's lives, or even being a valid example of a Child of the King. Help me Jesus when I am tempted to get wrapped up in my circumstances, and forget WHO you ARE and WHOSE I AM!!  Lord forgive me for my doubts.  Help me to settle this once and for all so that I can SHINE for you!!!  Thank you Jesus for hearing and answering my prayer. In Your Name I pray...AMEN!!!

(For more insight on this IOW quote, please visit Christine at Fruit in Season.  Have a blessed day!!)

The Results for Week 2...

...AFTER THE BREAK!!!!

 

Just kidding!!! (What am I gonna do when "Idol" is over???)

Well, once again I wasn't expecting the results to be good...

I only exercised once last week (I did manage to get a workout in this morning though, and it feels SO GOOD!!!), and I failed to stick to the plan once again. There were several times when I veered towards the ice cream tub (at least it was 1/2 fat).  But over all, I ate my veggies and drank my water, so still doing a few things right.

I lost 1.5 pounds last week!!! That puts me up to FIVE total!! YAY!!!

I *SO* needed this, y'all!!!  Praise the Lord!!!  He is ALIVE and ACTIVE in me!!  Please pray for continued commitment to my exercise routine, and to do better holding out on the "sweet tooth".  So glad to be on this journey with you.

Here's to another great week!!

In His Love,

Susanne

I Am - Lesson Five - "I Was"

What a wonderful lesson!! Once again...it was JUST what I needed, RIGHT when I needed it!!  As you read my answers you can tell that I am struggling this week.  I covet your prayers my Sweet Sisters!! Thank you for allowing me to be on this journey with you, and share my heart so candidly. 

1. Have you ever found yourself 'in faith' yet bewildered or demoralized?  I am there right now...I know that God has awesome plans for me, yet I can't help but feel like a failure at times...I stumble...I fall...I believe, but I need to refocus.  I need to remember that Jesus is my only Source.  No one else but He has the power to heal and transform me into the woman I so desperately want to become.

2. Do you consider yourself content? Not at this present moment.  I want more, so much more!!  I am  not content to dwell in the pit any longer...I want to know and achieve life at a higher level.  I want to truly trust Jesus with my whole life!! No more lip service...I want to LIVE out my faith in Victory, for He has already Won!!!  I need to put feet to my faith, and show that I know these things by living them, and enjoying the abundant life that He promises.

3. If you are not content, are there circumstances that keep you from this feeling? Yes, but as I heard Carman say years ago when I was a teenager, I know I need to "get OUT FROM UNDER the circumstances"!!  I have given Satan credit for far too long.  The irony is that he has NO POWER over me, but has deceived me into allowing him to think he does.  Jesus has ALL THE POWER, and I want him to REIGN IN ME AGAIN!!!

Over all the Earth
You reign on high
Every mountain stream every sunset sky
But my one request Lord my only aim
Is that you reign in me again
Lord reign in me
Reign in your power
Over all my dreams
In my darkest hour
You are the Lord of all I am
So won't you reign in me again
Over every thought
Over every word
May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord
'Cause you mean more to me than any Earthly thing
So won't you reign in me again

("Lord Reign In Me" - Brenton Brown)

4. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you looked back on a period of your Christian walk and believed a great opportunity passed you by?   This is hard to admit, but yes.  There have been too many times that I have gotten all wrapped up in myself and my circumstances, that I have allowed opportunities to minister to others' needs pass me by.  I always regret those missed chances to share the love of Jesus.

5. Do you ever believe your faith was stronger in an earlier time in your Christianity and find yourself floundering now? No, I know that my faith is stronger now that it has ever been.  I thank God for allowing me to grow in his Grace and Truth. You  may not believe this based on the answers to the previous four questions, but I just told my husband the other day how much I love "where we are now" in our lives.  God is so gracious, so loving, and so good!!  There are, however, times that I wonder why I am having such a difficult time surrendering certain things to Jesus, because I have numerous testimonies of how he has healed me, and come to my rescue in the past.  Why do I forget?  Again, it's about claiming the victory and living it out DAILY.

6. Can you recognize that this season may be one of great preparation instead of a period of "I Was"?  Yes, I can see even now, that God is preparing me for the things he has called me to do and the woman he has called me to be.  Beth Moore said on "The Lord God Made a Woman" podcast last week that "God often follows a calling with a killing".  By this she meant that there are certain things in our lives that God must completely do away with before we can move on to the next level.  I believe I am in that stage right now.  It's not an easy place to be, but I know that the hotter the water boils, the more impurities will come to the surface.  I truly want to be cleansed and consecrated for his use, for his purpose.  I know too that the metal has to be heated greatly in order to shine more brightly.  The great thing is that while I am being held over the flame, I am still being held...I am still in His hands...He has never let me go...and He never will!!

Thank you Jesus, for loving me just the way I am...but too much to let me stay this way!! I give you all the praise and all the glory for the ultimate healing that is going to come of this refining process.  Like Moses, it will not happen on my terms, but in your time.  Rule and reign in my life dear Jesus!! I pour my "self" out so that you can fill me with your precious Holy Spirit.  What I want more than anything...what I need so very desperately...is MORE OF YOU!!  I love you, Lord...my Adonai...my Precious Savior...My Redeemer...My Best Friend!!!  In your Holy Name I pray...Amen.

8 Things...

I am so excited!! This is my first tag for a blog meme!  Serving Him tagged me with the "8 Things You May Not Know About Me" game.  So here they are, in no particular order...

1)  I love to swim!!!  Ever since I was a little kid, I have been likened to a "fish".  My Daddy taught me to swim in the Olympic sized pool at Pirate Land Family Campground when I was about six years old.  After only a few lessons I was jumping off the diving board! Believe it or not, I was a lifeguard in high school and college!  Even now, I can't resist being on or in a body of water.  I guess that is one of the reasons we live on a lake!

2)  I was born in Birmingham, AL (but not with a "banjo on my knee").  I love to hear the story of my birth.  Apparently I was scheduled to be born at the Baptist Hospital, but when my mom went into labor her doctor was at the Catholic Hospital (how dare he??), and my parents had no clue how to get there.  They had to call a friend who lived in the same apartment complex to drive them.  It was the middle of the night, and the story goes that as Daddy was helping Mom into the backseat of the car, their friend Dale came through the hedges pulling up his pants!!  Thankfully they made it to the hospital in time, and I wasn't born right there in the backseat!

3)   I was named after the actress Suzanne Pleschette (who starred on the Bob Newhart show).  My mom wanted me to be "different" so she chose to spell my name with an "S" in the middle instead of a "Z".  I've been told it's the "Italian" spelling, which is cool because I love Italian food and would LOVE LOVE LOVE to someday visit Italy. 

4)   This may surprise a few of you, but while I absolutely love to sing, I never dreamed of being a big-time recording artist.  Not really, anyway.  When I was younger I would stand in front of the mirror and sing into my bed post topper (make-shift microphone) to the radio, but I never saw myself doing that as a career.  I absolutely love being a stay-at-home mom, and I could never dream of being anything else.  Even when I was in college earning my degree, I always knew that teaching would be "temporary" as long as I could find a "rich, handsome, prince to sweep me off my feet" and let me stay home and raise our family.  (Well, I got the handsome prince part anyway!!)

Don't get me wrong, I love to sing...I feel so close to God and, as my friend Priscilla would say "in my element", when I am ministering in song, but I would never want to give up being a "Mommy" to do anything else. 

(Aside - I have, however, always wondered what it would be like to be part of a touring singing group.  My sisters and I used to sing together a lot, and I miss that. Maybe some day Chris and I can form the Reeder version of the "Von Trapp Family Singers" and tour the country singing four part harmony! --notice I said four and not five...Daddy will have to be the agent/manager!)

5) Chris and I recently surrendered to the ministry.  He has been feeling a tug for quite a while, and at Newspring Church's first Leadership Conference, we could hold out no longer.  So now we are in the process of waiting for God to open the doors he wants us to step through, but at the same time we want to put "feet" to our faith and move forward in fulfilling the vision that God has given.  Please keep us, and our family in your prayers!!

6) I have recently become absolutely taken by Beth Moore's teachings. (But you probably already knew that because I post about her all the time...she and Perry Noble are tied for most references in my blog! Ha ha!!)  I cannot get enough!!!  She is my hero!!

7) I am OCD!  Well, maybe not that bad, but I am definitely a neat freak.  I can usually serve supper right on the kitchen floor!!  But now, don't go poking around in drawers and closets!! You might just cause an avalanche!!! I say all the time that my house is a metaphor for my life, the surface is immaculate, but if you choose to "dig" you're just gonna find a big ole mess!!! I am so grateful that Jesus can take my big ole mess and make it into something beautiful for his kingdom!!

8) I named this blog Truly Captivating because of a book I read a couple of years ago, CAPTIVATING - Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul, by John and Staci Eldredge.  As I mentioned in a previous post, my Mom gave it to me for Mother's Day that year.  It totally changed the way I see myself, because now I look through Jesus' eyes.  He is the most captivating presence of all, and I want spend the rest of my life bearing his image to the world!!

So here's who I am tagging...YOU'RE IT!!!

1) Nspired By Faith

2) Karen's Personal Space

3) Voice of Truth

4) I'm Thinking....

5) Ducks & Books

6) 'Nise

7) Alycia

8) Marlise

One Thing

I came across this post while looking through my old blog today. I thought I would repost it here because it really spoke to me...AGAIN, and maybe it will touch someone else as well...

Have you ever seen the movie City Slickers? It's a wonderful comedy starring Billy Crystal and Jack Palance. Toward the end of the movie Billy Crystal's character asks the hardened cowboy about the meaning of life. Jack Palance simply holds up one finger and says, "You've got to find the one thing". By this, he means that everybody has one thing that motivates them, and inspires them above all else. He goes on to say that nobody can tell you what that is, you have to find it for yourself. Well, that is only partly true. You do have to find it for yourself, but I can tell you what the ONE THING is with absolute certainty....JESUS CHRIST.
Last night at our Mary Hearts Club meeting, we continued studying the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. This chapter of the book begins with this scripture...

“You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is
needed.” - Luke 10: 41-42

I want to share an excerpt from the book that is entitled The Practical Power of One Thing as today's pearl...

Here are some practical ways to practice “one thing” thinking when your wagon is
overloaded:

1) Invite Jesus to rule and reign. Each morning before you get out of bed invite the Lord to come take the throne of your life, to be your “one thing”. Present your day to him and ask him for wisdom and guidance.

2) Ask God to reveal the next step. As you go through your day keep asking the
Lord, “What is the one thing I need to do next”? Don’t let the big picture
overwhelm you. Just take the next step as he reveals it –wash one dish, make one
phone call, put on your jogging clothes. Then take the next step…and the
next.

3) Have faith that what needs to get done will get done. Since you have dedicated your day to the Lord, trust that He will show you the one thing or many things that need to be done. Do what you can do in the time allotted. Then trust that what wasn’t accomplished was either unnecessary or is being taken care of by God.

4) Be open to the Spirit’s leading. You may find your day interrupted by divine appointments. Instead of resisting the interruptions, flow with the one thing as God brings it across your path. You’ll be amazed at the joy and freedom that comes from surrendering your agenda and cooperating with His.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”(Proverbs 16:3)

Thankful Thursday

Before I get to my list for today, I just want to take a moment to thank Iris from the bottom of my heart for hosting Thankful Thursday.  If you are like me, you begin the week hopeful, energetic, and full of promise.  By Thursday however, I am tired, cranky, and not so nice to be around.  Then I do my Thankful Thursday post and it totally turns my mood/attitude around.  (The Gorilla goes back into her cage!!!...to really get that one you need to listen to this.)

So THANK YOU, IRIS...you'll never know how much this little retreat means to me!!!

Now...on to other things...

1) I am thankful to Folger's for Hazelnut Creme...I am indulging my crankiness this morning (trying to limit caffeine for weight loss purposes) and it's SOOOO good!

2) I am thankful for a husband that loves me enough to have tough conversations with me.  (I knew I was going to be put to the test for that "submission" speech I gave a few weeks ago! ha ha!!)  I've made a couple of poor spending choices lately (we are working towards Financial Freedom...thanks Joe!!), and last night he called me on the carpet.  While my flesh wanted to spit and spew and defend myself, the Spirit within me reminded me of this fact, and I surrendered.  I love my husband very much, and I am sorry to have disappointed him, but I am also thankful that once it's said, it's over...and he forgives me for my mistakes. He's so precious!

3) I am thankful for two boys that wrestle all over the living room in their pajamas, laughing all the while.  (Going on right now as I write).   This means that they are "bonding" as brothers, and I can't tell you how much that thrills my soul!

4) I am thankful for a Princess who, at school today, will receive her reward for reaching her 100 Point Accelerated Reader goal.  She was so excited to have reached this milestone, and I am SO proud of her!

5) I am thankful for the rain that fell last night while we were sleeping; it was much needed.

6) I am thankful for the pile of laundry that is waiting on me, the bathrooms that I will be cleaning today, and the floors that I will be mopping.  This reminds me that I have clothes to wear and a lovely home to live in.  I am also thankful for the sheets that I will be changing, because that means I will have a warm, cozy, freshly made bed to sleep in tonight! Yay!!

7) I am thankful that each day, each morning, means a new beginning.  God is so gracious to go on giving us chance after chance to make things right, and live life His way. What a wonderful Savior!!!

If you would like to check out other Thankful Thursday posts, check out the Sting My Heart blog.  Have a great day!!!

In His Love,

Susanne

The Results are In...

Drum roll please..."And the Scale says"...3.5 pounds!!!

YAY!!! I have no idea how I did it, well...yes I do...THANK YOU JESUS!!...I lost three and one half pounds the first week!!!  (It's probably mostly water weight, but hey! I'll take it!!)

I didn't stick to program (WW Core Plan) as well as I would have liked, but I did limit my caffeine intake, drink at least 6 glasses of water, and limit my "bad carbs". 

This week I am striving for more.  I am going to try to stick to my list of approved foods, and get my exercise groove on.  My new praise CD should help to motivate me as I trek around the neighborhood. (Maybe the neighbors won't mind the serenade!!!)

You all continue to be in my prayers!! Here's to another successful week!

In Him,

Susanne

In Other Words...

"What makes life on this frightful sod so exquisite is God's merciful propensity to perform divine tasks amid deeply flawed people."
~ Beth Moore, LPM Blog ~

If you think about it, the Bible is full of examples of this.  I'll just name a few...

Abraham  (took matters into his own hands with Hagar)

Jacob (a liar and a thief)

Moses  (killed an Egyptian, disobeyed God when he struck the rock)

Rahab (a harlot)

Esther (beauty queen in denial)

David (that whole Bathsheba mess)

Peter (denied Christ)

Paul  (slaughtered Christians for a living)

Yet when each of these men and women yielded their hearts and lives to God's leadership, awesome things were accomplished!! (Don't believe me??? Look 'em up!!!) 

This gives me such hope!!  There are so many times when I feel like I have let Him down, and I don't deserve another chance.  But God is so awesome in that his word is still relevant today, for weak and frail souls like mine. The same God that used Abraham, and Rahab, and Peter wants to use me, too!!  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  It's we that are the problem!  Yet even through our thick-headedness he speaks...that still small voice beckons...

We may be a total mess right now, but what we need to understand is that we are his MASTERPIECE, and we will be completed the very moment that we cross over into his presence. He is working toward that perfection every day!!!  What I struggle with on a daily basis is yielding to that end.  I am such a "control freak" and it's only when I have totally messed things up beyond recognition that I say "Okay God, it's yours...take over."  How much grief could I save myself (and Him, ultimately) if I would just give him the reigns (or as Carrie Underwood sings, "the wheel") to begin with????

At the Living Proof Live conference I attended last month, Beth Moore put it something like this (paraphrasing here)..."As Christ's masterpieces (poeima), we are assigned many kinds of trials (poikilos) to bring color to our portrait, and give us what we lack. In the end, we will  be staggeringly gorgeous!".

WOW!!! I can't wait!! Can you???

Thanks to Laurel Wreath for hosting this week's In Other Words...check out her blog for more on this wonderful quote!

Monday Musings:

Mother's Day was wonderful!!  I just had to take time to share the wonderful moments God gave me yesterday...

The kids came in first thing and said "Happy Mother's Day Mommy"...then they all crawled in bed with me for a brief snuggle session before we had to get ready for church.  It was so sweet!!

When I got to Sunday School, one of the teenage girls in our class had written me a "Mother's Day" card.  She handed it to me, and as I read it, the tears began to fall.  Sometimes I wonder if I am really making a difference in the lives of these precious souls, and while I know that my rewards in this work are of an eternal nature, it so nice to be able to get a glimpse in the here and now!  Thank you so much Lindsay, I love you!!!

I was scheduled to sing the special music for our Mother's Day Service.  I wrestled for three days over which song to sing.  I kept thinking I needed to sing "Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman, or something else with a more "motherly" theme.  But the Holy Spirit kept whispering "Alabaster Box...you need to sing Alabaster Box".  I finally quit wrestling, and obeyed the Spirit's leading.  And out of that obedience, came something pretty darn awesome!!!  This song, originally recorded by CeCe Winans, is a beautiful ballad about pouring out our love for Jesus.

"I've come to pour my praise on Him

 like oil from Mary's Alabaster Box

Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears

and dry them with my hair...

You weren't there, the night He found me

and you didn't feel what I felt

when He wrapped His loving arms around me, and

You don't know the cost of the oil

in my Alabaster Box"

Isn't this the only way to truly be the  MOM he wants me to be??? To offer him EVERYTHING I have??  As I began to sing the first chorus, ladies all over the room began coming out of their pews and walking toward the altar.  It was AMAZING!!!  I cried!!! I have no idea how I was able to finish the song!!! ...but I did, and women prayed, and GOD SHOWED UP!!!!  He rocked my world and blessed my heart all at the same time!!

We spent the afternoon at my Mammy's house (Dad's mom) with the rest of my family.  We had a wonderful meal, and a wonderful time together.  It's very rare that all of my siblings and I are able to be together all at once with my parents, but when it does happen, it's precious!!

To round out this post, I wanted to share my Mother's Day gifts with you.  I actually got to open them on Saturday night because we knew that Sunday was going to be busy, and after all...like Miss Em said, it was "Mother's Eve"!!!  I got three books (Get out of that Pit  and He Speaks to Me were special requests!! )  But my most favorite so far was the Living Proof Live 3 Praise CD - The Lamb Has Overcome.  I have been praising my socks off ever since I opened it!!! 

Have a truly blessed week everyone!!!

Love,

Susanne

Fantastic Friday - Five Random Thoughts

1.  Today has been a BUSY day!!!  I had to put myself on blog/email  restriction until now , so I could finally get my house clean!!  Can I get a witness???  (I hear ya, Miss "I Should Be Folding Laundry!!!)

2.  Jake hit a HOME RUN (his first ever) at his baseball game last night, and I missed it!! (I kept Em and Sam home with me...we've had a long week and needed some "down time".)  You would know since I wasn't there he had his BEST GAME yet!! (I won't be making that mistake again!!) You can see the details at Chris' post here.

3.  I want to give a shout-out to  Boo Mama for the awesome recipes!! They all look absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS!! I may just try one out tomorrow for a self-proclaimed Mother's Day Brunch!! Oh wait (or should I say "weight"??)...I'm on the Challenge...maybe someday soon!

4.  Doing my first ever MK Mother Daughter Makeover Party  tomorrow.  I am SO excited!!!

5.  Listened to another Beth Moore podcast today.  Actually, I listened to two.  The first two installments of "The Lord God Made a Woman".  (I posted about the third on Tues.)  You bet, they were AWESOME!!! Isn't it amazing how the Lord can just (as our precious friend Iris says) Sting My Heart right in the middle of furniture dusting???  (I had to get my motivation from somewhere!! ha ha!!)

 Well, that's about it!! Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend.  And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you Bloggin' Mamas out there!!!

In His Love,

Susanne

I Am - Lesson Four - NLIP Part Two

I know...this is two "I Am" entries in one week. But when I saw Lisa's recent post featuring "No Lip"...I just couldn't resist going on..Here are my answers to the discussion questions:

1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?)

I spoke a little of this in my last post. We were very much enjoying our "comfortable" life, before Chris felt the call to preach. Now everything is up for grabs. We are not sure when, where, or how this is all going to happen. While that is exciting, it's also very difficult for a "planner" (that's my nice way of saying CONTROL FREAK) like me.

2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain.

My initial reaction to all of this was (and still is) one of joy and relief. It felt so good to finally surrender to something that God placed on our hearts years ago. I have to say though, that I am beginning to wonder...not doubt, but get anxious (trying not to worry) about how it is all going to take place.

3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling?

I tell you what...this study could NOT have come along at a better time!!! Thanks so much Lisa for doing this!! For the most part people have been extremely supportive, but there are those "naysayers" out there. And while I try not to give them much audience, it is really hard. I have always been a people-pleaser. I want everyone to love me, and I want everyone to get along. So far though, I have not begun to doubt the call.

4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans?

Not at all...for the most part I hurt, I cry, I may even wallow for a few days, but eventually I move on! (I learned that the hard way!)

5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free.

As I said before, I tend to "wallow"...and occasionally (well, more often than I want to admit) throw "pity-parties". But God has been cleaning my clock about that lately, and I am doing much better. For the most part, when I let him, God uses these trials to strengthen my faith. His strength is perfect! While I may seem weak at first, by trusting in Him, I become better...refined, if you will. The great thing about knowing that I am in the Refiner's fire, no matter how painful, is the knowledge that I am IN HIS HANDS the whole time!

6. Based on Moses' response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself?

Moses has always encouraged me...I thank God for his word, and for all of the beautiful examples of faith in the book of Hebrews. By studying these lives we can gain a Holy perspective of the plans that God has for our lives. "I know the plans I have for you says the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE" (Jeremiah 29:11).

(P.S. I am a CIRCLE and a SQUIGGLE. I have also been known to throw a "hissy fit" instead of a "pity-party"...sometimes I throw hissy-fits because people mess up a perfectly good pity-party!!! Ha ha!!! Isn't it good to know that God ain't finished with me yet??? Blessings to you all my sisters --and brothers!)

Thankful Thursday (Mother's Day Edition)

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:28-30)

First and foremost I want to give thanks for my own precious Mother. (Talk about your Proverbs 31 Gal!!!) She has taught me so much about life and love, and following hard after Jesus with a Holy Passion. In fact, it was she who gave me the book Captivating for Mother's Day three years ago. She is also the one that purchased the tickets for the Beth Moore conference I attended last month. She is still discipling me...as she has all of my life. She has been there for me always. She was with me at the birth of each one of my children, and has inspired me in so many ways. We have shared so many precious memories. I truly love her with all my heart, and my fervent prayer is that I can be the same kind of mother to my little darlings that she is to me.

Secondly, I would like to thank the Lord for my dear Mama-in-law. If it were not for her, I would not have the most awesome husband on the face of the planet. She n