God is always working

You have to watch this video. It brought tears to my eyes.

Copy & paste link below:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fDmp967UMds


GOD IS GOOD!
KB

More than Cookies

A friend sent this to me. It really touched my heart, and I hope it does yours as well. It is really geared toward "moms", but it could apply to anyone.


“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:42 (NIV)

Devotion:

While our youngest son was in high school he started a band that practiced in our basement twice a week for three years. I spent those late afternoons baking cookie dough from five pound tubs and pouring gallons of milk for hungry teenagers (are there any other kind?). Our home was quickly transformed into the gathering place, and I knew I needed to take this opportunity to offer these teens more than just a sugar high. Soon I became known as “the band mom” because if you offer food, they will come; and if you love them they will return.

At the end of practice a few band members and “fans” would often come upstairs for one more hot cookie. As I poured the milk, they’d pour out their problems or concerns over family or friends. Many days I felt like our home was an emergency room for broken hearts, broken dreams, and broken teens. As the Lord provided opportunities to pray for and with these hurting teenagers, I was amazed at His loving grace in these young lives.

One afternoon my son mentioned that the newest member of the band would be arriving for rehearsal and asked me to send him down to the basement. When the doorbell rang, I peeked out and saw all the tattoos and body piercings. They did give me pause before opening the door but I heard the Lord whisper to my heart, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The young man entered and politely introduced himself; he shook my hand, thanked me for hosting the rehearsal, and then made his way to the basement. When band practice ended and the teens began to scatter; our son and his “colorful” new band-mate came into the kitchen to polish off the remaining cookies.

When the last crumb had been consumed the young man made an interesting request. “Mrs. Elmore, could I have a hug before I leave today?” “Of course” I answered and granted his request. “That was wonderful.” he said. He took a breath and then quietly whispered, “My mom abandoned us several years ago and I haven’t been hugged by a mom in such a long time.” My heart sank and it was all I could do not to let this young man see my tears.

From that day forward I made sure I was available for hugs, and it wasn’t long before my husband Tom and I became a sounding board and a safe place for this young man to share his heart . There were times when he would pop in unannounced for cookies and conversation. Throughout the next two years there were opportunities to pray with him and to share the gospel. Although Tom and I never heard this young man profess a personal relationship with Christ, we know we fed more than his physical hunger as we offered him spiritual food from God’s word.

In thinking back on my tenure as “the band mom,” I’m reminded to pray for all those hungry teens that came and went from our home. I pray they would become or remain hungry for the spiritual truths held in God’s word. I pray for the Lord to put godly men and women in their pathways that would feed their spirits. And I pray that my heart would remain sensitive to the fact that I should offer everyone in our home spiritual as well as physical hospitality.

You may not be the parent of a teenage band member, but I’m guessing there are people in your life that you could be a “mom” to. I want to encourage you to be available for some cookies and conversation, and to offer them both physical and spiritual hospitality.

KB

Traditional Easter

I always bucked the trend of a traditional Easter. Yes, the kids are having an easter egg hunt later today. Yes, we left a note from the Easter Bunny saying that he (or she) drank the milk that they left him (her). Yes, we are getting together with Kelly's family (just an excuse to get together).

BUT, we also prayed together last night and tried to have an educational prayer (I don't think God minded) about what Easter really is, and that for a Christian, every day is Easter.

There in lies the problem for me. I hate how Easter is commercialized in America (maybe the world). I hate the fact that people dress differently for church on that day. I hate the fact that eggs (from a rabbit) are what symbolize Easter.

Then something clicked with me. I also hate the fact that Valentine's Day is supposed to be this huge day that I let my wife know that I love her. I love my wife EVERY DAY. I try to show her every day, but probably fail miserably.

In correlation with Valentine's Day, I STILL take my wife to dinner, or get her flowers or a gift that she really wants. I try to let her know that I love her every day, but still wanted to get her something for Valentine's just because of that love. It seems the same with Easter. Every day is Easter to me. But that doesn't mean that I have to be so cynical that I don't celebrate Jesus raising from the dead on that day.

SO - I celebrate Easter today.

It is just that I will celebrate Easter tomorrow too.....

BRB

Spring Break

Well, this week is spring break...and let me tell you, we're not lacking for things to do! It is really strange to be home on spring break, I think this is the first time since Brandon & Megan were little. And even then, I was thinking about playing catch-up when I returned to work. This is different - I am having so much fun with the kids. Trust me, they have had every second planned out for us - NO time to spare! haha

I'm finally getting to do what I always wanted to do when my children were small. As much as I enjoyed working, I think I may enjoy being with the kids just as much. If nothing else, this is a fun break until they are both in school all day.

"If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much"
~Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis~

KB

Arizona

I am sitting here in our room at the Starr Pass Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona. It is beautiful! I have attached the link below for you to see. We are here with Brett's company, it's their annual President's Club Trip to reward employees for making their goal. Last year was a cruise, and that was a blast. But this year is a Spa/Resort...which I love.

We have a patio with a table and chairs right outside our room. Just off the patio are rocks, cactus and wild flowers. It leads to a mountain that we can see from our room. It is so relaxing here. Brett is playing golf with the guys today, and I will probably go to the spa, or out to the pool. I am thinking about a facial, pedicure and maybe a massage...sorry, don't mean to rub it in :)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week. Next week is spring break and we have the little kids. As much fun as we're having here, I'm excited to get home and see them.

We'll try and post pictures later when we have more time. For now, off to the Spa!
KB

Starr Pass Resort

Friday

Funny how your life changes over time. I used to live my life for the weekends...just waiting for Friday to get here. Now, I dread them. With our week-on/week-off schedule with the kids, I don't look forward to Friday mornings. The kids are fine - I think they are actually getting used to the schedule. In fact, Pierce said to me the other day he likes that he has two different houses because he does different things at each house. Pretty mature for a 5 year old. It's me... I enjoy them so much, that it breaks my heart when they leave. Now, on the positive side, it allows Brett and I to spend 1:1 time - which we never really had marrying with four children combined. Once I can get past Friday morning, things are fine.

And then there is the next Friday when I pick them up from school. They come running with HUGE smiles and lots of kisses and hugs. Makes things ALL better!

On a funny note: Yesterday after I picked Pierce up from school, we met Brett for lunch. As we were eating, we asked Pierce what he wanted to be when he grew up. After thinking for a long time (and making lots of facial expressions), he said he really didn't know...but he knew he wanted to be a "son". He said one of his friends told him he couldn't, it was a LAW that you had to grow up and get a job. That really upset him because he wants to be a "son" when he grows up. haha Only Pierce! His daddy explained he would ALWAYS be our son and we would ALWAYS love him. But growing up means being independent, getting a job and having your own family. Not sure he fully grasped it, and I would love to hear his version as he repeats it to his friends :)

~Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body~
-Elizabeth Stone

Love Out Loud

I received a really good devotional today and wanted to share with everyone...

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

How would you describe your love for others? Are you a patient soul or do you drum your fingers and tap your toes while you stew and sigh not-so-patiently? Is it hard to bring you to a point of anger or does flying off the handle come much too naturally? Do you keep score with those who have wronged you, ready to dredge up the past and become “historical” to make your point? Do you boast? Got a case of the green envies? Ever been rude to someone? How will we ever learn to love the way this passage urges us to?

Here’s an idea to help to flesh this out in real life. Make a copy of the love chapter on your computer. However, wherever the word love is used (or its pronoun ‘it’) leave a blank. Then try over the next week or so to be able to write your name in the blank when you have a chance to exhibit this quality in real life. Were you patient at the doctor’s office today and, instead of grumbling while sitting in the waiting room, you quietly thanked God for the extra time and then used it to pray for others? Write your name on the “________ is patient” line. Did you and another family member get into a heated discussion and you were tempted to bring up a wrong from the past but, with great restraint, held your tongue? Bravo! Write your name on the “________ keeps no record of wrongs” line. Were you kind to the grumpy cashier instead of being rude right back? Get out that pen and write away!

Be assured that if you take this challenge, God will give you lots of opportunities to practice displaying these wonderful characteristics of love. And you can count on others noticing the change in you as you seek to love out loud.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22 (NIV)

~ The best way to predict the future is to create it ~

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."
~ Unknown ~