Laurel Wreath’s Reflections

I need a break.

I am going on vacation Tuesday, I am going back home (Phoenix) to get some R&R. I am going to love on my nieces, visit with Mom and Dad, and see my sister and meet one of my favorite bloggers. I am going to forget about cleaning my house each and everyday because it is on the market, I am going to forget about the tons of errands I do each day, I am going to forget about everyday stresses. I am going to put my feet up, laugh, get some one on one time with my sister and my Mom (my two favorite gals in the world), and enjoy spoiling my middle son who is traveling with me.

I need to take a mental break. I most likely won’t be posting until I return May 8th. I hope to have stored up many stories and posts. And to tell you all about my wonderful visit with Iris. Feel free to email me and check in, I would love that, but I just won’t be blogging =)

I have done my Laced With Grace devotionals ahead of time, so you can visit me on Saturday’s there. And then on Saturday the 5th I will be at the Internet Cafe.

I’m outta here until then…(love you guys and behave while I am away)

My sweet friend over at Nspired By Faith tagged my handbag. Now you see if you tagged me about my Mom’s handbag you would be here allllll day, for she changes purses like I change shoes. Sorry just had to tease you Mom.

Also another note, there is NO way in the world I bought this purse. I was given this purse by my sweet sister in law for Christmas. She is now serving our country (hi honey if you are lurking). I have ALWAYS wanted a purse like this, and I am sure I will use this purse until it is in threads. Anyways here it goes:

I guess I have officially arrived, since I did not find half eating cheerios, a binky, or a baby wipe. Sigh… mixed feelings. =)

Oh I have to tag someone…I really don’t know who has done it or not. If you have done this let me know in my comments. I am not going to tag anyone specific but if you do this let me know.

I am over here: Click here ….

I GOT MY LAPTOP BACK….the geek guys fixed it. And tonight I will be installing and rearranging everything.

Doing a happy dance!!!!

Discussion Questions:

1. It was stated in the Lesson that God has made you “once, twice, three times a lady.” Where are you in this progression? Obviously we have all been physically born, but are you ‘twice a lady’? Have you been born again spiritually? This may be a private matter you’d like to discuss confidentially. If so,

email me. If you have already received this gift, write a brief prayer of thanksgiving or testimony.

Oh yes, I am born again. Was born again in third grade by a teacher named Mrs. Heart. But the Lord let me coast with my salvation, until later on in life. You can read the rest of my testimony here.

2. Are you three times a lady? Has God given you a stirring deep within your Spirit to be a ‘deliverer’? Do you have a desire or are you already meeting a need in the life of the church, a particular ministry (such as jail ministry, food ministry, etc.) or perhaps individuals who share common issues?

The Lord has given me a stirring desire to make a difference. Where that is I have do not know yet, I know I make a difference with my family. But I am thinking in a more broader sense. I think God still has me in training, learning, and purging. I look forward to the future to see what God does.

3. Do you ever get tired of waiting for that opportunity to do something
worthwhile for God? Do you ever feel God is using someone else instead of you?

In one word, yes. In the past I have struggled with being jealous of other’s Spiritual gifts or talents. Now I am not so much, but the “be still” period sometimes is difficult. But when you are in the midst of it, it can be difficult also. So the grass is always greener =)

4. What do you consider ‘worthwhile ministry’? Are you like me and sometimes find yourself mistakenly thinking it has to be Big to be Important?

Right now my worthwhile minstry is my sons. They will be leaders of their household one day, and I pray when I die I can say I did everything to the best of my ability.

5. Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts test? If yes, what are yours? If no, here’s a good one from Ephesians 4 Ministry. Will you take it and come back with a response? Knowing some of you like I already do, I can almost pick out what your gift is before you say it. I can’t wait to see if I’m right!

I took a test awhile back, the results are here. Then I took the test you listed Lisa, and my results were:

Showing mercy as number one, then Pastor/shepard and third evangelism. There were generally consistent.

Anyone interested, they can join this study at any time. Lisa at The Preacher’s Wife is doing a great job in authoring and hosting this study.

TGIF!! I am so happy today is Friday, and I am so happy today is the last soccer game of the season for my boys. We now take a sports break until August. August is when football begins, and my life becomes consumed with all things related to football (whether I like it or not). The good news is they moved where they practice closer to my house, so I don’t have to drive far each day.

I am getting excited to head to Phoenix on Tuesday. I will not be blogging next week. I will be having too much fun, loving on my niece. Staying at my brother’s house while they are touring Italy, eating their food, and feeling like I am living it up! I will also be having too much fun meeting Iris!! I will let Iris blog about our meeting, I will blog about it when I return home =)

You know some days it is just hard to parent. I have an official teenager in the home; things are happening that I am not ready for. Teenage hormone changes and curiosity of the opposite sex. Why can’t my children just stay innocent? It still shocks me that one of my sons has full under arm hair. Wasn’t it yesterday I was just changing his diaper? I am not saying I don’t enjoy this stage, I do. But along with it come more challenges, and more problems that arise that honestly as parents you don’t have all the answers. When they were little you could look up in a books and say, “oh ok this is what works, let me try this…” but with teenagers, there is more “grey” areas (just like life I guess). Here you need to go to your knees and beg “don’t let me mess this up.” And then you second guess yourself, “was I too lenient?”, “was I too harsh?”, oh Father don’t let me mess them up. For when they were younger, I could ask forgiveness and they forgot my mistakes. As teenagers, it will come back to haunt you later in life! I have to say, maybe it is just me, and maybe it is mothers with just boys. But my greatest fear in life is they all move away, and they are closer to their Mother in laws, then us. Because lets face it, girls are closest to their mothers. Sorry I am rambling today.

Things were moving on the sale of my house, we had people viewing the house. Now things have come to a sudden stand still. I am still cleaning my house every day like a mad woman, but I am praying the Lord is preparing the heart of the people who will be buying the house. It is fine to wait a long time while there is “movement.” But when it comes to a complete standstill, it is difficult on the encouragement level. I know God is in control of everything, and everything will happen in his timeline. I am just feeling a bit “discouraged” about it, but trying not to think about it.

Well I think I have rambled enough for one day =) I hope you have a wonderful weekend, don’t forget to visit me at Laced With Grace on Saturday.

Blessings!

Female visitors to Justice, Illinois, are being quietly murdered in their sleep. Rae, the towns new Private Investigator, staying in the same hotel as one of the victims—could she be targeted next?

What can I say about this book, Dee Henderson is one of my favorite authors. She had me fall in love with the O’Malley’s with the O’Malley Series. This book is good, almost better than good, but it is hard to read new books from the same author when you compare it to GREAT (like the O’Malley series).

I do recommend this book. It is the perfect summer time novel. The book attempts to answer the question, “Why does God allow things to happen when He knows innocent people are going to get hurt.”

It is an easy read, I did guess the outcome about 40 pages before they revealed it so that was kind of frustrating. But really you can not go wrong with Dee Henderson. This book is the first in a new series from Dee Henderson, I do look forward to seeing what happens to Rae, and who she falls in love with. (Looking at the book’s cover, I too would have a tough time, heheh)

1. I GOT MY BRACES OFF. I am so excited. I am now the proud owner of a retainer. Still trying to get use to it, but I am happy with my new smile.

2. I praise God that he is in control of everything, and I know I can trust in his leading.

3. I am thankful my parents are having a blast in Durango Colorado. They are enjoying themselves, and enjoying the cool weather.

4. I am so excited that this time next week I will be in Phoenix loving on my niece and visiting family.

5. I praise God that no matter if we mess up big time, the Lord is there to forgive.

I pray you have a wonderful Thursday.

For more Thankful Thrusdays, head on over to Sting My Heart.