Today is the day that my grandson, Liam, is going to be born! Well, as long as God wills it and the induction works. :)
It is really funny, but every time I see Kaytlin and her cute bulging belly I do a double-take. I can't imagine her being pregnant! Yet, here she is, having a baby today! I can't fathom her being a mother yet.
She isn't a baby-person, and we all, including her, imagined her not getting married until after college at least, and having babies later, like after 25 maybe. Yet, God had other plans. She found the man for her while still in high school, married a couple years later and even though they PLANNED to wait a couple of years to have a baby, God gave her one right away. His plans are always better!
We are all so excited right now!
I have a few hours to get some work done and then off to the hospital! I have to see this with my own eyes. :)
April 16, 2012
April 15, 2012
Loving Life!
April is beyond busy for me, but it is so much fun!
My business is booming, which I love! Pure Romance has a Prize Patrol that is randomly showing up at parties and spoiling the hostess and guests with prizes, AND all the April Hostesses are being submitted in a drawing to win one of 10 cruises, if the hostess wins, so does the consultant......... so........ I'm doing a lot more shows than usual! Loving it! It is a fun job, but hearing from customers that I helped them solve a problem gives me such satisfaction. :) Just loving what I do!
I am also loving having Drew and his family home for so long, it will end up being about 6 weeks with them! My little granddaughter is just adorable! Of course I am prejudiced about it, but really, she is adorable! She smiles ALL the time, at everyone, and heaven help you if you are a guy, because she will flirt like crazy! haha This morning she was fussy with her daddy, but when I got up she saw me and said what sounded like an attempt at Grandma "Waahwaw." And she got happy when I held her. I'll take it, haha.
Devon is a couple of weeks into boot camp now and he writes about a page a day to us. It is so much fun getting his letters! He is thriving on the discipline, like I thought he would, so I am very happy for him. The kids are enjoying his letters, too, because he doesn't have very neat handwriting and his lower case t's look like b's. So they giggle when they read how he is at Boob camp and has to go polish his boobs. Very silly, but it gets us all laughing!
Yesterday Jannessa, my mom and I threw a shower for Kaytlin and baby Liam. It was just so touching! Over 25 people came to celebrate our little guy and bless Kaytlin and Peter. They have been so blessed that they haven't bought him anything yet. Everything has been given to them so far. I think they just need the crib bedding now, but he won't be in a crib for a couple of months. The shower was just so much fun, I want to do it again! Jannessa and I, with the help of my friend Sarah, made a tricycle diaper cake on top of a round diaper cake base. The cake was just so cute and so much fun to make!
It was also our 23rd wedding anniversary yesterday. Just........ WOW! Not only does it not seem possible the a quarter of a century of marriage is almost here, but that we MADE it at all! It has been rough many times, but when it comes down to it, there just isn't anything that we can do to each other that is worse than what we have done to Christ. Every sin I have done has caused the same blood to be shed as what my husband has done. Not one drop was more precious than another, and we just have to forgive.
Today Drew and Jannessa had Faith dedicated and it was lovely! She is such a happy baby, and heaven help us, the pastor is a guy, so she was trying to get him to hold her the whole time, lol. Such a little flirt! We had a nice lunch afterwards and my friend Jeannie brought over a beautiful cake for her.
Tomorrow is baby day! Little Liam will, or should, make his appearance! Kaytlin is being induced because Peter works for the railroad and is 13 hours away. It is a new job, but they are giving him some time at home to be with her. We are all very excited to see him! I imagine him having black hair like Kaytlin had, and big brown eyes like his daddy! But he could very well be blond haired and blue eyed!
Not everything in my life it awesome, it isn't about being perfect, I am just so happy in spite of the bad things. I really think that going through some really dark times changes your outlook on life. We've had a couple of sad and frustrating things happen in the last week, but it isn't putting a damper on my joy!
My business is booming, which I love! Pure Romance has a Prize Patrol that is randomly showing up at parties and spoiling the hostess and guests with prizes, AND all the April Hostesses are being submitted in a drawing to win one of 10 cruises, if the hostess wins, so does the consultant......... so........ I'm doing a lot more shows than usual! Loving it! It is a fun job, but hearing from customers that I helped them solve a problem gives me such satisfaction. :) Just loving what I do!
I am also loving having Drew and his family home for so long, it will end up being about 6 weeks with them! My little granddaughter is just adorable! Of course I am prejudiced about it, but really, she is adorable! She smiles ALL the time, at everyone, and heaven help you if you are a guy, because she will flirt like crazy! haha This morning she was fussy with her daddy, but when I got up she saw me and said what sounded like an attempt at Grandma "Waahwaw." And she got happy when I held her. I'll take it, haha.
Devon is a couple of weeks into boot camp now and he writes about a page a day to us. It is so much fun getting his letters! He is thriving on the discipline, like I thought he would, so I am very happy for him. The kids are enjoying his letters, too, because he doesn't have very neat handwriting and his lower case t's look like b's. So they giggle when they read how he is at Boob camp and has to go polish his boobs. Very silly, but it gets us all laughing!
Yesterday Jannessa, my mom and I threw a shower for Kaytlin and baby Liam. It was just so touching! Over 25 people came to celebrate our little guy and bless Kaytlin and Peter. They have been so blessed that they haven't bought him anything yet. Everything has been given to them so far. I think they just need the crib bedding now, but he won't be in a crib for a couple of months. The shower was just so much fun, I want to do it again! Jannessa and I, with the help of my friend Sarah, made a tricycle diaper cake on top of a round diaper cake base. The cake was just so cute and so much fun to make!
It was also our 23rd wedding anniversary yesterday. Just........ WOW! Not only does it not seem possible the a quarter of a century of marriage is almost here, but that we MADE it at all! It has been rough many times, but when it comes down to it, there just isn't anything that we can do to each other that is worse than what we have done to Christ. Every sin I have done has caused the same blood to be shed as what my husband has done. Not one drop was more precious than another, and we just have to forgive.
Today Drew and Jannessa had Faith dedicated and it was lovely! She is such a happy baby, and heaven help us, the pastor is a guy, so she was trying to get him to hold her the whole time, lol. Such a little flirt! We had a nice lunch afterwards and my friend Jeannie brought over a beautiful cake for her.
Tomorrow is baby day! Little Liam will, or should, make his appearance! Kaytlin is being induced because Peter works for the railroad and is 13 hours away. It is a new job, but they are giving him some time at home to be with her. We are all very excited to see him! I imagine him having black hair like Kaytlin had, and big brown eyes like his daddy! But he could very well be blond haired and blue eyed!
Not everything in my life it awesome, it isn't about being perfect, I am just so happy in spite of the bad things. I really think that going through some really dark times changes your outlook on life. We've had a couple of sad and frustrating things happen in the last week, but it isn't putting a damper on my joy!
April 04, 2012
Am I still a blogger?
I barely blog anymore! But I am so glad that I blogged what I have. I really want to get back on it.
I stopped blogging because I was in a pit of darkness and just couldn't see past it and I didn't want to spread that out there. I want to remember the good times and bad, but I couldn't share some of it.
But the darkness is gone and I am so joyful! Even with dealing with a lower income and high house payments, I just couldn't see it as bad after what I had been through! God is good, though and we're not losing our house. I am just so surprised that I was able to look at losing the house and not freak out, because security was so important to me in the past, and now............ well now I know that every single thing works for my good because I choose to follow God. I can take joy in everything!
I think I would actually have to dig to find something bad in my life if asked. My family is doing great! Drew and Jannessa have an adorable, healthy little girl that brings joy to everyone she sees. (not even kidding! She smiles at everyone like they are the most important person in the world to her)
Kaytlin and Peter are going to be having a son in the next 2 weeks.
Devon joined the Navy and is off to boot camp beginning his adult life.
Cody is finally doing great with his anxiety issues, no more emotional issues! Hope is the most amazing artist, and she is just so passionate about it! Trinity and Sam are just happy go lucky kids who get to play and enjoy life with a billion people who love them and watch out for them! Then our church............ wow! It has been through a lot of attacks, but God is blessing it like crazy! I guess it is true that people will attack you if you are truly following God. Then my business...... well, I just can't say enough there. I've had a couple of promotions and I am working toward the next. God has used this business to grow me in so many ways and I now see why I am doing it. The people I am meeting, both to work with and serve, are just blessing my socks off!
Anyway, my life is going great! Yes, there are some things that are not great, like losing friends for reasons I just can't comprehend. It hurts me to my core to be away from them, but I can't really do any more than I did. I know that we all love the Lord and we will be rejoicing together in Heaven one day, so I take joy in that! And girls, if you read this, I miss you so much, my heart aches for you both. I love you!
Hopefully I will keep up with some blogging now, but don't hold your breath, haha. I will for sure try to remember to update when baby Liam is born! I will for sure post a picture of Liam and Faith together in their "Grandma's Qtpie" shirts I had made for them!
I stopped blogging because I was in a pit of darkness and just couldn't see past it and I didn't want to spread that out there. I want to remember the good times and bad, but I couldn't share some of it.
But the darkness is gone and I am so joyful! Even with dealing with a lower income and high house payments, I just couldn't see it as bad after what I had been through! God is good, though and we're not losing our house. I am just so surprised that I was able to look at losing the house and not freak out, because security was so important to me in the past, and now............ well now I know that every single thing works for my good because I choose to follow God. I can take joy in everything!
I think I would actually have to dig to find something bad in my life if asked. My family is doing great! Drew and Jannessa have an adorable, healthy little girl that brings joy to everyone she sees. (not even kidding! She smiles at everyone like they are the most important person in the world to her)
Kaytlin and Peter are going to be having a son in the next 2 weeks.
Devon joined the Navy and is off to boot camp beginning his adult life.
Cody is finally doing great with his anxiety issues, no more emotional issues! Hope is the most amazing artist, and she is just so passionate about it! Trinity and Sam are just happy go lucky kids who get to play and enjoy life with a billion people who love them and watch out for them! Then our church............ wow! It has been through a lot of attacks, but God is blessing it like crazy! I guess it is true that people will attack you if you are truly following God. Then my business...... well, I just can't say enough there. I've had a couple of promotions and I am working toward the next. God has used this business to grow me in so many ways and I now see why I am doing it. The people I am meeting, both to work with and serve, are just blessing my socks off!
Anyway, my life is going great! Yes, there are some things that are not great, like losing friends for reasons I just can't comprehend. It hurts me to my core to be away from them, but I can't really do any more than I did. I know that we all love the Lord and we will be rejoicing together in Heaven one day, so I take joy in that! And girls, if you read this, I miss you so much, my heart aches for you both. I love you!
Hopefully I will keep up with some blogging now, but don't hold your breath, haha. I will for sure try to remember to update when baby Liam is born! I will for sure post a picture of Liam and Faith together in their "Grandma's Qtpie" shirts I had made for them!
February 17, 2012
My Faith!
My little granddaughter Faith is now 5 months old! Time flies so fast! I wish we could see her more often, but Drew is in the military learning a trade so he can take care of his family. (I'm so proud of him!)
This is Faith a month or so ago enjoying her bath. I just love her smile!
This is Faith recently, eating some food. She'll be sitting on her own before I know it!
Faith got a new bouncy toy this week and she just loves it! She is just fascinated with the music and lights, and loves bouncing!
Nothing more adorable than a sleeping baby, huh?
This is Faith a month or so ago enjoying her bath. I just love her smile!
This is Faith recently, eating some food. She'll be sitting on her own before I know it!
Faith got a new bouncy toy this week and she just loves it! She is just fascinated with the music and lights, and loves bouncing!
Nothing more adorable than a sleeping baby, huh?
Cold Front Moving In
When we first got married I was always cold and the heat in the house drove Donnie bonkers. He hates being too hot. He doesn't care that our electric bill is $500 in the summer, he is going to have the AC running constantly so he remains cool. Cold enough that I sleep under a quilt. In the summer.
But lately, (and I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with me being 40) things have changed. He is always turning up the heat in the house. Our bedroom has become a sauna at night! I hate it! I like to sleep under a bunch of blankets, but now the room is so hot I can't even breath if I have a sheet on me.
Last week I developed a cough, and accidentally discovered that cold air makes it stop. In addition, HOT air makes it really, really bad. So sleeping doesn't happen in our hot room. I cough until I could throw up from it. So I asked Donnie to let me try sleeping with the window open. He wasn't too keen on that but we tried it. I slept GREAT! But the cold makes Donnie hack up a lung. Great! Plus it is hard to get out of bed in the cold.
I took pity on him the other night and decided to try the window shut again. I hacked until 2:30 when Donnie couldn't stand it anymore and opened the window for me. lol Then he woke up in the morning and hacked until I couldn't sleep anymore.
Even without the coughing, I sleep so much better with the window open! What is up with that? I hate being cold, HATE it. And yet I suddenly love the cold room! I don't feel cold at all under the covers and Donnie says it is really, really cold in the room. It was so cold we froze Sam out of our room, and he LOVES being cold, even having blue fingers and lips!
I don't have hot flashes, but could this be the beginning of something not so wonderful coming my way? Pre-menopause? Not sure our marriage will survive the Cold Front that is moving in! We are thinking of getting separate rooms! haha
But lately, (and I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with me being 40) things have changed. He is always turning up the heat in the house. Our bedroom has become a sauna at night! I hate it! I like to sleep under a bunch of blankets, but now the room is so hot I can't even breath if I have a sheet on me.
Last week I developed a cough, and accidentally discovered that cold air makes it stop. In addition, HOT air makes it really, really bad. So sleeping doesn't happen in our hot room. I cough until I could throw up from it. So I asked Donnie to let me try sleeping with the window open. He wasn't too keen on that but we tried it. I slept GREAT! But the cold makes Donnie hack up a lung. Great! Plus it is hard to get out of bed in the cold.
I took pity on him the other night and decided to try the window shut again. I hacked until 2:30 when Donnie couldn't stand it anymore and opened the window for me. lol Then he woke up in the morning and hacked until I couldn't sleep anymore.
Even without the coughing, I sleep so much better with the window open! What is up with that? I hate being cold, HATE it. And yet I suddenly love the cold room! I don't feel cold at all under the covers and Donnie says it is really, really cold in the room. It was so cold we froze Sam out of our room, and he LOVES being cold, even having blue fingers and lips!
I don't have hot flashes, but could this be the beginning of something not so wonderful coming my way? Pre-menopause? Not sure our marriage will survive the Cold Front that is moving in! We are thinking of getting separate rooms! haha
January 16, 2012
Long-overdue update on the Qtpies!
My computer was hijacked by some some sort of virus that attacks google stuff, and I can't log into my blog! So, it's been a LONG time since I blogged something.
So, we have 9 people living here now. My mom and Donnie's dad both live here, as well as our last 5 kids. Devon is graduated and looking for where to go in life. Cody is adventuring into online school, and I am not looking forward to it, but it is something that needs to be done. Hope has taken tremendous leaps in her artistic abilities! Trinity is also excellent at drawing, and learning her math facts faster than ever. Sam is............ well, SAM. A terror who plays a mean video game at age 5. lol My mom recently moved in with her dog, and she is an amazing help to me. I have some weird back issues, and folding clothes is debilitating for me. So she has taken over the laundry, and I feel SO MUCH BETTER!
Hope just decided "Hey, I think I'll draw Marilyn Monroe." and this is what she did in about an hour! Amazing! Her art teacher is so proud of her and is encouraging her a ton. Plus my mom is an artist, so she is helping her with materials and encouragement, not to mention buying this picture.
We also received some rather exciting news from our newlyweds, Kaytlin and Peter. They are giving us a grandchild in the spring! Not planned, but so very, very much a blessing!
This is a rather early ultrasound, but as you can see, he is very much a boy! They will soon be getting another ultrasound, so it will hopefully be confirmed. Not that I need more proof!
For fun, here is a picture of Sam, being Sam. lol
I love that kid! His middle name means laughter, and he is a never-ending source of laughter!
In other news, I started selling Pure Romance. I LOVE it! Some people really wonder how I can do it, and I am pretty sure some friends have backed away because they really don't see how it could be Christian or Glorify God. And no, not all of the aspects of the business, or the customers, do. However, God created our bodies and meant them for extreme pleasure between a husband and wife, and it DOES glorify God when a married couple makes the effort to learn all that they can about each other in this area and strive to make it fun, pleasing and a JOY. The more pleasurable the intimate life is, the more wonderful the emotional life is! This business for sure has helped many Christian marriages reach new levels of intimacy and joy. I have been majorly blessed through Pure Romance, and I am so excited at the new levels of training I have been offered and the growth I have seen in the short time I have been doing this.
I was recently authorized to start a ladies small group in our church where we meet once a month and play games and eat and just get to know each other so we have new friends and someone to go to when we need to talk or need Godly advice. It was an almost instant hit! Our slow months are about 14 women now! Praise God! I am just blown away by the reach that this ministry is gaining. Women from all walks of life, all levels of hurt and self-destruction coming together to lift and be lifted! It is truly a marvel to see the love between everyone, no matter the life circumstance! I have not experienced that in any other church. It is truly humbling.
My life is drastically different that it was 2 years ago when everything in my perfect life fell apart. This path is so painful, and so wonderful at the same time! I am getting past the pain and living in joy about 99% of the time now. I don't think I ever saw myself where I am, but God sure knew, and I am ever thankful that He directs my paths!
MAM baby products are awesome!
Donnie and I seem to be past the baby phase ourselves, but we are stepping into even better territory of being grandparents! It is funny how much more fun this is! We have one baby granddaughter and will soon be welcoming a new grandson to the mix!
Recently I was sent some really great MAM baby products to check out. It is just amazing how much better things are since I started buying for my first child 22 years ago!
This great pacifier is a MAM Perfect pacifier.
This pacifier is 60% thinner and softer to help prevent dental misalignment, superior comfort and it is better for the skin with the extra holes for air flow.
They have so many great pacifiers to choose from! You can even get them personalized now!
The Anti-Colic bottle is just one of the innovative developments from the MAM design studio. Its vented base has small air holes and a silicone seal that allows for maximum air flow in while still preventing milk from leaking out. The vented base ensures controlled milk flow by balancing air pressure inside the bottle. Liquid is also pushed towards the nipple allowing it to retain its shape and preventing it from collapsing. All Anti-Colic bottles use MAM’s patented ultra soft silicone nipple. Transitioning from breast to bottle is simple because MAM ultra soft silicone nipples feel most like mom's breast.
Our Anti- Colic bottles also have a self- sterilization feature!
The Oral Care Rabbit is a fantastic way to introduce baby to daily oral care. It is a BPA-free product. You can use this to rub on baby's tender gums and also reach the harder to reach areas in the back of baby's mouth. Bonus, baby will love chewing on your fingers!
This starter teething ring and clip are great! It is lightweight for baby to be able to hold and with the attached clip, it will stay cleaner and always close by! I know that when I am looking for a teething ring I look for something light weight because even young babies who are just gaining muscles in their arms need something to chew on, and they drop it less when it isn't too heavy for them.
Finally, I think this is a top notch product! I love the innovative design with the little fingers on the teething part, that is shaped perfectly for little mouths!
This is called the Bite and Brush. It soothes baby's gums as well as cleaning those first teeth. Those silicone nubs clean the teeth when baby chews on it, and you can also use it with teething gel for ultimate soothing.
MAM, you are continually amazing us moms with your products that help us make our baby's life easier and more comfortable! I've been a customer for 22 years, and will continue to buy your products with my grandchildren!
disclaimer:
I received several MAM products from MAM through Child's Play in order to facilitate a review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions.
Marina Games Take Out review
Take-Out is a really fun learning game from Marina Games! I received Take-Out to review recently and play it with Trinity, my 8 year old. She enjoys it so much that she tries to get everyone to play it with her! Take-Out has 10 orange dice that you roll, then you roll the 2 white dice. The white dice tell you what number you need to remove from the orange dice. If you roll a combination of 6, then you have to remove any combination of orange dice that equals 6. You do that until all your orange dice are gone, so you have a total of zero.
This is fun AND educational! Trinity had to learn her math facts much faster in order to play against older kids and adults!
I highly recommend this game for anyone who wants to help their children learn their math facts without fighting with them. They do have a good chance of kicking your butt at this game!
Disclaimer:
I received this game from Marina Games and Family Review Networks in order to facilitate a review. I was not compensated for my opinion.
October 20, 2011
Beautiful Feet!
On Monday I wrote a post about my struggle with staying in God's will and how He led me through that decision. Part of it was a verse about having beautiful feet. Beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News! Yes! I am being stretched and taught so much where I am right now, and that stretching is in reaching the lost and hurting where they are and loving them with the love of Christ.
In the mention of that verse I mentioned that our church had asked people to donate the shoes on their feet to Soles for Souls. The post wasn't about this event, so I didn't elaborate it other than to be proud of our church for donating over 1800 pairs of shoes. Someone kind of freaked out about this, so I will elaborate on it.
We live in America, such a rich nation! Even the poorest of the poor are pretty rich in comparison to some other nations. There are people who have no access to shoes, like EVER, and the price is that they get sick or die. They walk around and grow tough soles, but that causes cracking in the skin which allows parasites and infections to take hold. Because they are so poor, they are most likely scavengers in dumps which poses an even greater danger of punctures and cuts, which leads to more infections and loss of limbs and death.
Even if I am poor, I probably can afford to go to the thrift store or yard sale and get another pair of shoes for pretty cheap. These people do not have that option.
So, our pastor and staff arranged a donation but didn't tell us. He gave us the opportunity to LOVE these people with our BEST and donate our shoes off our feet and to go barefoot and spread awareness of this issue. If we just go tell these people about Jesus, they won't care. But if we go LOVE them because Jesus loves them, then they WILL care about why we would do such a thing for them. They deserve to have shoes, and if we are honest, we will admit to having more than we need in the shoe department. Who can't share their shoes?
The church did not force anyone to donate their shoes. :) Really. I did not donate my shoes. MANY people did not. Some of my kids did, and my husband did. He gave up his favorite pair of boots. He can live without them to save someone's life. I kept my favorite pair of heels, which really wouldn't be a help for them. But we went home and packed up 4 bags of shoes and brought them up to donate. And we still have shoes we never wear.
It is not illegal to drive without shoes. It is a myth. So, no, our church did not call cabs and tow trucks for our congregation or send them out to break the laws of the land.
What about the families? Is it thinking about the families to take their shoes when they might have to go to the store after church? Really, it is Sunday, is it thinking about families to patron a store so people have to work and can't be with THEIR family on a Sunday? So you are inconvenienced, it won't kill you like the parasites and tetanus will in Africa. Small price to pay to serve and love someone. Though I actually saw the some of the congregation went out to eat barefoot and other places, wondering if they would be kicked out. I didn't hear of anyone having to leave because of it. My guess is that most people went home to get one of their 5-20 other pairs of shoes on and then went about their day.
The other big criticism was about what good our heels and dress shoes would do over there. Well, obviously the heels wouldn't be so good, but really, mens dress shoes are pretty much safe and good for feet. However, the amount of dress shoes and heels worn to our church by the 2-4,000 people who attend all of our services is pretty much about 1% if you were being generous, lol. Maybe 2 men wear dress shoes, and maybe 3-4 women wear heels. We don't cater to "churchy" people, we aim for the people who NEED Jesus in their life, and they are often not what churchy people want to see in their church. They wear jeans and t-shirts, ripped up clothes, some are even smelly and drunk. But they see HOPE, hope that will get them out of their addictions and poor choices and bring them to joy and peace.
I realize that this is going to bring out the vultures to try to destroy our church. You have a heart problem if you think that God wouldn't want these people ministered to. The Bible tells us that it is HIS job to judge those who have not chosen Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13. The Bible tells us that we should be wise in the way we act to them, we should be FULL of Grace and only use Salt for seasoning. We don't smash people with SALT, accusing them of their sins, we are to be full of GRACE toward them and then give them salt and let God work on them. Colossians 4:5-6.
Do you who are religious know who Jesus spent his time with? He spent intimate time with his friends and believers, yes. He had his weekends with church, but where did he spend his time outside of being refreshed? With the worst of the worst of the sinners. The tax collectors, the prostitutes, the DRUNKS. He spent so much time with them that he got a reputation for being a glutton and a drunk. Matthew 11:19 "I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst kind of sinners!'" He was out there, going and making disciples! He was out there with the LOST, not the religious. And the religious hated him. Matthew 9:10-11. He hung out with NOTORIOUS sinners and the Pharisees were INDIGNANT.
If you love Jesus so much that you are very religious, then you should be asking yourself if you spend time with unbelievers. Do you? Are they a big part of your life? Do you surround yourself with other believers and insulate yourself? I insulated myself. I didn't even know how to FIND friendships with unbelievers! "Invite someone to church who doesn't know Christ? How? I don't know anyone who doesn't believe!" Not practicing my faith right there. I am changing that! I, and so many of my friends and church acquaintances over the years have all taken pride in making ourselves to be more like Jesus. Yet we missed this important part of who Jesus was on Earth! I still don't have it all together here, I am learning who Jesus was, what He did, and how to be like Him.
The religious people crucified Christ. The notorious sinners mourned his death. Because they had a relationship with him. They became His early church, and they paid dearly for it by the religious people. They were called a cult, Acts 24:14 I admit that I follow THE WAY, which they call a cult. Well, I guess I am honored to join them and be called a cult. And to walk barefoot for someone else.
(I am not going to allow attacking and vicious comments on my blog. If you have an honest question and are willing to hear an answer, I will participate. Haters will be deleted.)
In the mention of that verse I mentioned that our church had asked people to donate the shoes on their feet to Soles for Souls. The post wasn't about this event, so I didn't elaborate it other than to be proud of our church for donating over 1800 pairs of shoes. Someone kind of freaked out about this, so I will elaborate on it.
We live in America, such a rich nation! Even the poorest of the poor are pretty rich in comparison to some other nations. There are people who have no access to shoes, like EVER, and the price is that they get sick or die. They walk around and grow tough soles, but that causes cracking in the skin which allows parasites and infections to take hold. Because they are so poor, they are most likely scavengers in dumps which poses an even greater danger of punctures and cuts, which leads to more infections and loss of limbs and death.
Even if I am poor, I probably can afford to go to the thrift store or yard sale and get another pair of shoes for pretty cheap. These people do not have that option.
So, our pastor and staff arranged a donation but didn't tell us. He gave us the opportunity to LOVE these people with our BEST and donate our shoes off our feet and to go barefoot and spread awareness of this issue. If we just go tell these people about Jesus, they won't care. But if we go LOVE them because Jesus loves them, then they WILL care about why we would do such a thing for them. They deserve to have shoes, and if we are honest, we will admit to having more than we need in the shoe department. Who can't share their shoes?
The church did not force anyone to donate their shoes. :) Really. I did not donate my shoes. MANY people did not. Some of my kids did, and my husband did. He gave up his favorite pair of boots. He can live without them to save someone's life. I kept my favorite pair of heels, which really wouldn't be a help for them. But we went home and packed up 4 bags of shoes and brought them up to donate. And we still have shoes we never wear.
It is not illegal to drive without shoes. It is a myth. So, no, our church did not call cabs and tow trucks for our congregation or send them out to break the laws of the land.
What about the families? Is it thinking about the families to take their shoes when they might have to go to the store after church? Really, it is Sunday, is it thinking about families to patron a store so people have to work and can't be with THEIR family on a Sunday? So you are inconvenienced, it won't kill you like the parasites and tetanus will in Africa. Small price to pay to serve and love someone. Though I actually saw the some of the congregation went out to eat barefoot and other places, wondering if they would be kicked out. I didn't hear of anyone having to leave because of it. My guess is that most people went home to get one of their 5-20 other pairs of shoes on and then went about their day.
The other big criticism was about what good our heels and dress shoes would do over there. Well, obviously the heels wouldn't be so good, but really, mens dress shoes are pretty much safe and good for feet. However, the amount of dress shoes and heels worn to our church by the 2-4,000 people who attend all of our services is pretty much about 1% if you were being generous, lol. Maybe 2 men wear dress shoes, and maybe 3-4 women wear heels. We don't cater to "churchy" people, we aim for the people who NEED Jesus in their life, and they are often not what churchy people want to see in their church. They wear jeans and t-shirts, ripped up clothes, some are even smelly and drunk. But they see HOPE, hope that will get them out of their addictions and poor choices and bring them to joy and peace.
I realize that this is going to bring out the vultures to try to destroy our church. You have a heart problem if you think that God wouldn't want these people ministered to. The Bible tells us that it is HIS job to judge those who have not chosen Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13. The Bible tells us that we should be wise in the way we act to them, we should be FULL of Grace and only use Salt for seasoning. We don't smash people with SALT, accusing them of their sins, we are to be full of GRACE toward them and then give them salt and let God work on them. Colossians 4:5-6.
Do you who are religious know who Jesus spent his time with? He spent intimate time with his friends and believers, yes. He had his weekends with church, but where did he spend his time outside of being refreshed? With the worst of the worst of the sinners. The tax collectors, the prostitutes, the DRUNKS. He spent so much time with them that he got a reputation for being a glutton and a drunk. Matthew 11:19 "I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst kind of sinners!'" He was out there, going and making disciples! He was out there with the LOST, not the religious. And the religious hated him. Matthew 9:10-11. He hung out with NOTORIOUS sinners and the Pharisees were INDIGNANT.
If you love Jesus so much that you are very religious, then you should be asking yourself if you spend time with unbelievers. Do you? Are they a big part of your life? Do you surround yourself with other believers and insulate yourself? I insulated myself. I didn't even know how to FIND friendships with unbelievers! "Invite someone to church who doesn't know Christ? How? I don't know anyone who doesn't believe!" Not practicing my faith right there. I am changing that! I, and so many of my friends and church acquaintances over the years have all taken pride in making ourselves to be more like Jesus. Yet we missed this important part of who Jesus was on Earth! I still don't have it all together here, I am learning who Jesus was, what He did, and how to be like Him.
The religious people crucified Christ. The notorious sinners mourned his death. Because they had a relationship with him. They became His early church, and they paid dearly for it by the religious people. They were called a cult, Acts 24:14 I admit that I follow THE WAY, which they call a cult. Well, I guess I am honored to join them and be called a cult. And to walk barefoot for someone else.
(I am not going to allow attacking and vicious comments on my blog. If you have an honest question and are willing to hear an answer, I will participate. Haters will be deleted.)
October 17, 2011
Weigh the Cost
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" ( Romans 10:14-15 )
Yesterday in church we were called to walk out of the church leaving our shoes behind. No one knew that they would be asked to leave their shoes. People wore their good shoes, their favorite shoes, their comfy shoes, their new shoes. Over 1800 pairs of shoes were left in the church to be donated to a cause that will show third world country people that we LOVE them. So that they can hear the Good news.
I want to have beautiful feet! One day I will stand before Christ and I want Him to think my feet were beautiful. I am called to serve in a controversial way, and it is hard. I don't mind the hardships, I try not to worry about the gossip or let it hurt me. I pray and seek where God would put me and then I do it. If I hadn't gone through the desert recently I may not be able to remain where God has me, but He made me strong for this day.
There is a price for following Christ. From being ignored to ridiculed, from being beaten to being killed. If we can't bear the ridicule and the loss of relationships, how will we bear the cost of death? Will we lay down our very lives if we walk away when we are gossiped about?
I debated walking away last week. Not away from Christ, but away from where He has me. I felt that maybe I could just serve Him anywhere, why did it have to be here? Was it worth what I was losing to stay here? But the truth of the matter was more was the cost of relationships worth staying in God's WILL? Could I step out of God's will for relationships and still be blessed?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
I look at this and I know that if I can't stand firm with losing people I love deeply over Christ, I would not be able to hold firm to my faith when facing death. I don't choose to lose relationships, but I can't disobey God to save them.
I want beautiful feet. I am so thankful that my God always loves, always protects, always guides, and always comforts.
September 15, 2011
I'm a grandma!
My darling little Faith Ann was born on August 29th! Isn't she precious!? This is her looking at me about an hour or so after she was born.
I was so blessed to be able to be there when she was born. I loved being able to help Drew and Jannessa with things and just be there. We enjoyed almost a week at their house and then we drove back home. They came with us home to show the baby to the rest of the family.
Faith has the softest, thickest head of hair I think I have ever felt on a baby! I am pretty sure it is going to turn blond one day.
Faith was 8lbs 2oz when she was born and is just growing and plumping up more every day!
More great news: We have a grandchild coming in April, too! Kaytlin and Peter are expecting! I wonder how long it will be before "Our Seven Qtpies" is about our 7 grandchildren!
I was so blessed to be able to be there when she was born. I loved being able to help Drew and Jannessa with things and just be there. We enjoyed almost a week at their house and then we drove back home. They came with us home to show the baby to the rest of the family.Faith has the softest, thickest head of hair I think I have ever felt on a baby! I am pretty sure it is going to turn blond one day.
Faith was 8lbs 2oz when she was born and is just growing and plumping up more every day!
More great news: We have a grandchild coming in April, too! Kaytlin and Peter are expecting! I wonder how long it will be before "Our Seven Qtpies" is about our 7 grandchildren!
September 10, 2011
Fall is here!
Fall is here!
Fall means that kids go back to school AND people start going to church again! Yeah! I love seeing new faces at church and watching people learn about God and come closer and closer until they finally see that Jesus is the only way to having eternal life in Heaven! Watching lives change from depressed and messed up to joy and peace and freedom is just priceless!
Ok, so that happens in the summer, too, but when fall comes, it happens MORE.
Tomorrow is Fall Launch for our church AND our first Sunday having two services at our campus! The new series is about having better relationships. Dating relationships, marriages, and even parenting.
We've worked hard to decorate for the new series, and we are excited for morning!
Don't you just love fall! (I would go all "pretty fall colors" and all, but anyone who knows me would know I was off my rocker because I do not do outside, lol)
Fall means that kids go back to school AND people start going to church again! Yeah! I love seeing new faces at church and watching people learn about God and come closer and closer until they finally see that Jesus is the only way to having eternal life in Heaven! Watching lives change from depressed and messed up to joy and peace and freedom is just priceless!
Ok, so that happens in the summer, too, but when fall comes, it happens MORE.
Tomorrow is Fall Launch for our church AND our first Sunday having two services at our campus! The new series is about having better relationships. Dating relationships, marriages, and even parenting.
We've worked hard to decorate for the new series, and we are excited for morning!
Don't you just love fall! (I would go all "pretty fall colors" and all, but anyone who knows me would know I was off my rocker because I do not do outside, lol)
September 08, 2011
Life lessons
I recently went through a pretty horrific experience with church leadership. It devastated me. I love that church, but I can say, that even after apologies and admissions and truly seeing where things were misunderstandings and not intentional, I would not go back while those leaders are still in leadership positions. I am not saying everyone should leave, I just can't be under their leadership after the major failure and hurt. They are not bad people. It was a bad situation.
God taught me lots of things during that really long year and half of trying to figure out how those men who seemed to be wise had seemed to have lost their minds.
One of those things was that things are NOT what you think they are. Even when things really look one way, and you can't see any way that it could be something other than what it appears, it certainly can be something else. (in both directions!) Rarely are we blessed enough to see a meeting of the two sides and get to the real truth.
Therefore, I learned that we shouldn't spread the news, even if we think it is probably true and is shocking. We really think everyone should know. But when is one side the whole truth? If you only hear one side you have an absolute obligation to find out the other before you take action and spread gossip. Otherwise you are a perverse person.
Sometimes we react out of hurt and truth gets distorted, and a small misunderstanding can become a HUGE offense before we know what hit us. The enemy wants to make Christians fight and cause dissension in the house of God. I've seen this a lot. I would tell my story, but we signed an agreement not to talk about it, even though I think hiding the truth is worse than telling the truth.
So, here is a little story:
A mom's side: My son is 18 and is going to this great church, playing in the worship band, and I check it out and all seems great! Scriptural teachings, great life-change in people! But then one day my son wants to stop going to college and serve God. I think he should finish school, so I say finish or move out. The church HELPED him move out! Then he wants to get married to a woman older than he is! He is only 18! The pastor told him to marry her, to quit college, They are a CULT!
A son's side: I am serving God, love what I do, and I am in God's will. But I am too stressed with school and my mission. I plan to keep serving where I am, and my pastors said they would hire me without a degree, because I have the skills. So I quit, but my parents didn't like it and said I had to move out if that was my choice. I get it, so I asked the church to help me find a place to live to honor my parent's wishes. When I fell in love my parents were furious! They wanted me to wait and got my pastor to tell me to wait. But we prayed and prayed and we really believe that God told us to get married, and we prayed with a mentor (who is not the pastor) and she agreed with us that is was God. I ignored my parents and my pastor's advice, and now I am happily married and serving God where I am supposed to be!
Who is right? His mom raised him to follow God and when he decided to follow God instead of her, she decided he was in a cult. isn't he an adult? Why would we get caught up in the mom's story? People only want to grasp onto the bad "cult" theory and tear apart a group of people who want to serve Christ. The truth doesn't matter. They don't care that they are hurting people, they just blindly and enthusiastically spread the word about this "cult."
Aren't they responsible to God for what they spread around?
This is the point where the internet becomes a frightful thing. Anyone can say anything and anyone will believe it and tear lives apart with no remorse.
1 Peter 2:15
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
God tells us to be fishers of men. I will keep fishing.
God taught me lots of things during that really long year and half of trying to figure out how those men who seemed to be wise had seemed to have lost their minds.
One of those things was that things are NOT what you think they are. Even when things really look one way, and you can't see any way that it could be something other than what it appears, it certainly can be something else. (in both directions!) Rarely are we blessed enough to see a meeting of the two sides and get to the real truth.
17The first to state his case seems rightProverbs 18:17
until his neighbor comes to cross-examine him.
Therefore, I learned that we shouldn't spread the news, even if we think it is probably true and is shocking. We really think everyone should know. But when is one side the whole truth? If you only hear one side you have an absolute obligation to find out the other before you take action and spread gossip. Otherwise you are a perverse person.
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:27-29
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8People want to hear gossip, especially gossip that tears people apart. If that is how it feels, you should sit back and take notice of WHY you feel the need to spread that rumor.
Sometimes we react out of hurt and truth gets distorted, and a small misunderstanding can become a HUGE offense before we know what hit us. The enemy wants to make Christians fight and cause dissension in the house of God. I've seen this a lot. I would tell my story, but we signed an agreement not to talk about it, even though I think hiding the truth is worse than telling the truth.
So, here is a little story:
A mom's side: My son is 18 and is going to this great church, playing in the worship band, and I check it out and all seems great! Scriptural teachings, great life-change in people! But then one day my son wants to stop going to college and serve God. I think he should finish school, so I say finish or move out. The church HELPED him move out! Then he wants to get married to a woman older than he is! He is only 18! The pastor told him to marry her, to quit college, They are a CULT!
A son's side: I am serving God, love what I do, and I am in God's will. But I am too stressed with school and my mission. I plan to keep serving where I am, and my pastors said they would hire me without a degree, because I have the skills. So I quit, but my parents didn't like it and said I had to move out if that was my choice. I get it, so I asked the church to help me find a place to live to honor my parent's wishes. When I fell in love my parents were furious! They wanted me to wait and got my pastor to tell me to wait. But we prayed and prayed and we really believe that God told us to get married, and we prayed with a mentor (who is not the pastor) and she agreed with us that is was God. I ignored my parents and my pastor's advice, and now I am happily married and serving God where I am supposed to be!
Who is right? His mom raised him to follow God and when he decided to follow God instead of her, she decided he was in a cult. isn't he an adult? Why would we get caught up in the mom's story? People only want to grasp onto the bad "cult" theory and tear apart a group of people who want to serve Christ. The truth doesn't matter. They don't care that they are hurting people, they just blindly and enthusiastically spread the word about this "cult."
Aren't they responsible to God for what they spread around?
This is the point where the internet becomes a frightful thing. Anyone can say anything and anyone will believe it and tear lives apart with no remorse.
1 Peter 2:15
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
God tells us to be fishers of men. I will keep fishing.
August 11, 2011
Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension
This year on my birthday, my 40th birthday, I got to celebrate by having a Phineas and Ferb party! Child's Play Party sent me a sweet party pack for 20 kids and we watched the new movie Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension! It may not seem all that exciting of a party to you, but Phineas and Ferb are amazing! My entire family, from hubby to 4 year old, watches it and LOVE it! I was thrilled!
I invited a bunch of moms and their kids from age 6 to 14 and they came over and watched the movie on the Disney Channel.
Then we took a break for some fun food! This is Perry the Platypus, who doubles as a suave secret agent, Agent P, though his owners are clueless until this new movie!
My friend decided I should not be making my own birthday cake, so she made me the most awesome surprise Phineas and Ferb birthday cake! The kids loved it almost as much as I did!
Us moms hung out on the couch while the kids took over the floor and watched the movie. (ok, so we talked a lot)
This party was so much fun! I loved the great food ideas and the wonderful gifts that were provided for the kids! The kids loved the movie and were thrilled with their swag!
I invited a bunch of moms and their kids from age 6 to 14 and they came over and watched the movie on the Disney Channel.
Then we took a break for some fun food! This is Perry the Platypus, who doubles as a suave secret agent, Agent P, though his owners are clueless until this new movie!
My friend decided I should not be making my own birthday cake, so she made me the most awesome surprise Phineas and Ferb birthday cake! The kids loved it almost as much as I did!
Us moms hung out on the couch while the kids took over the floor and watched the movie. (ok, so we talked a lot)
After watching Phineas and Ferb travel to another dimension, only to discover the secret about their pet, and watching Candace trying to catch them in the act of making the 104 days of summer vacation the best ever, I was able to give the kids some fantastic gifts!
They started with some Phineas and Ferb masks while watching the movie, and then they got tattoo sheets, a back pack, pins, and a sticker sheet to take home with them! We had to give out tickets and draw to see who got which back pack because most of them wanted an Agent P.
This party was so much fun! I loved the great food ideas and the wonderful gifts that were provided for the kids! The kids loved the movie and were thrilled with their swag! I highly recommend Phineas and Ferb: The 2nd Dimension to everyone. The show is not only fun, it has decent values! The boys listen to their parents, evil never wins, and there are no crude references in it. Just good, clean fun and great imagination!
July 19, 2011
Life goes on.
I can't believe how little blogging I've been doing over the past year! I love blogging! My life has changed a lot, and it has changed so much that blogging doesn't feel the same. I don't have as many crazy disasters as I had when Sam and Trinity were little. Sam is still crazy, but he doesn't do that much in the way of blog fodder. He cracks us up every day, but I can't imagine everyone finding it funny, and it is usually a one-liner.
My new job is awesome! I doubt most people want to hear about it that often, though. :) I am selling Pure Romance, and while it surprised me that I wanted to do it, and that I have total peace about it all from God, I am really able to help women. And that feels so good! Not to mention that it is entertaining, too! I love making people laugh!
This fall will be a big milestone in my life: My first grandchild! I am so excited that it is a girl! I have been telling Drew for YEARS that I am praying for God to give him 7 daughters, you know, to get him back for all the crud he dished out as a teen, lol. First child being a girl= glees for me!
My mom and I found this wine called Seven Daughters and bought it for him for their first baby shower, lol. I thought he'd be annoyed, but he actually thought it was great! He'll be getting one of these every time he has a daughter!
My new job is awesome! I doubt most people want to hear about it that often, though. :) I am selling Pure Romance, and while it surprised me that I wanted to do it, and that I have total peace about it all from God, I am really able to help women. And that feels so good! Not to mention that it is entertaining, too! I love making people laugh!
This fall will be a big milestone in my life: My first grandchild! I am so excited that it is a girl! I have been telling Drew for YEARS that I am praying for God to give him 7 daughters, you know, to get him back for all the crud he dished out as a teen, lol. First child being a girl= glees for me!
My mom and I found this wine called Seven Daughters and bought it for him for their first baby shower, lol. I thought he'd be annoyed, but he actually thought it was great! He'll be getting one of these every time he has a daughter!
June 16, 2011
Master Lock and Breast Cancer Awareness
I have 3 aunts who are all breast cancer survivors. Two on my mom's side and one on my dad's side. Since it is a topic that has hit so close to home, I am honored to be able to tell you all about Master Lock's campaign to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.Master Lock is running a new pink line of locks to help promote breast cancer awareness. I just love the super cute pink locks! I'm pretty sure the boys wouldn't be too enthused about pink locks, but I love them and I know my girls will like using them for their bikes.
In addition to the pink locks, Master Lock is utilizing Facebook and gaming technology in order to allow people to help raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They have a game where you can help "unlock a cure." Go to http://www.facebook.com/masterlock and play their memory game and they will donate a penny for every level you complete. The game will be running through October, so lots of time to spread the word and rack up some serious funding!
I enjoy playing games on Facebook, but I think it is even better when you are playing for a good cause. So, go play a Facebook game with a clear conscience!
I love being happy again!
For the last year and a half my life has been constantly over shadowed by emotional pain. I enjoyed things that were happy and fun, but the joy was smooshed in my life.
Finally, finally! Finally I am happy again. I've gotten through the heartaches and pain and betrayals. Enough time has passed to be able to not dwell on them.
I am planning on blogging again now! And hopefully soon I will have the gorgeous wedding pictures to post from Kaytlin's wedding. And maybe I can find Devon's graduation pictures, someone downloaded them but I don't know where, lol.
And today is Kaytlin's birthday. She is done being a teenager! She is a beautiful married woman! Happy 20th Birthday, Kaytlin! I am so proud of you and the choices you have made in your life. (we won't talk about the shoes)
Finally, finally! Finally I am happy again. I've gotten through the heartaches and pain and betrayals. Enough time has passed to be able to not dwell on them.
I am planning on blogging again now! And hopefully soon I will have the gorgeous wedding pictures to post from Kaytlin's wedding. And maybe I can find Devon's graduation pictures, someone downloaded them but I don't know where, lol.
And today is Kaytlin's birthday. She is done being a teenager! She is a beautiful married woman! Happy 20th Birthday, Kaytlin! I am so proud of you and the choices you have made in your life. (we won't talk about the shoes)
June 15, 2011
Free Husband......... on Craig's List
Donnie sent me a link to a Craigslist posting hoping I would see it before it got removed. It is removed, but here is what it said!
st cloud craigslist > for sale / wanted > free stuff
Date: 2011-06-15, 2:47PM CDT
Reply to: sale-2jqde-2442526935@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
st cloud craigslist > for sale / wanted > free stuff
Free Husband (MN)
Date: 2011-06-15, 2:47PM CDT
Reply to: sale-2jqde-2442526935@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Free husband, 30 years old, good with kids and animals, totally house-trained (though he will leave dirty laundry all over the house)...he will lie to you and call you names and put you down and threaten to leave you, usually on a daily basis but at least he doesn't hit you right? He can be lazy but when he gets going, he is good at yard work...has fun with kids but don't expect him to help at night when the baby cries. Nice and strong to move stuff around. Come and get him so I can have a bit of a break!
- Location: MN
June 13, 2011
Another one down........
Devon graduated high school! That is 3 out of 7 making it through! This past 12 months have been the busiest ever! One year ago yesterday, Drew and Jannessa got married! Then Kaytlin gave up her princess crown and got engaged. She then moved out and into a dorm, and exciting new adventure for our family. We found out that Drew and Jannessa are giving us a granddaughter! Next came wedding planning AGAIN. Kaytlin got married in May, and then Devon graduated in June. We finally resolved the painful issue with our former church. I started my own business selling Pure Romance. Finally Cody turned 16 today.
And those are just the highlights.
And those are just the highlights.
New Venture (long)
Almost 2 years ago Donnie was laid off from his pretty good job. We've managed to muddle along, but the pay cut is huge, and muddling along just isn't going to cut it much longer.
I decided I just need to bring in some money, too. But working a 9-5 isn't an option. We are committed to having a parent home with our kids. We would sell and move to a cheaper place, but we are under water on our house and owe more than it is worth at this point. Funny how that happens, huh? We are stuck.
So, after thinking and praying for options we came to the conclusion I needed to go into home party sales again. I loved selling Tupperware and I was a manager years ago. I ran through all the typical businesses and I just don't see making good income with them. You can buy much less expensive plastic than Tupperware, and once you have it, you don't need more. Pampered Chef is great, but you know, I found a much cheaper stone casserole dish by Paula Deen that can go in the dishwasher! Hello, why would I buy Pampered chef? Yeah, so that is out. Makeup? Not my thing. Yes I wear make-up, but I am not into the high priced stuff, even though it IS better, I just can't do it, so how could I sell it?
Then it hit me..... What do I buy and repeatedly buy? What does my husband encourage me to buy? What is important in my life consistently? My marriage is very important and I am willing to spend money to make it fun, exciting and to help us stay emotionally close. I buy Pure Romance products, and have for years. Most of my friends buy it, too. Most married couples are interested in having a good intimate life together.
I struggled with this. I am a Christian, that defines me. How can I do this? The person I have been buying from is a Christian, so I went to her and asked her how she balances it. She gave me some great advice. She always talks about God, and how He wants married couples to have a great sex life. And He does! I have no issues there, I totally believe that! Just read Song of Solomon, it is quite clear that God means for husbands and wives to take joy and have fun in their desire for each other. "Love’s flames are flames of fire,
flames that come from the Lord. (Song of Solomon 8:6b) " She also told me that through her parties she has been able to invite women to church and they have gone! Many women have issues that they don't know how to resolve and they don't know who to ask for advice. Being able to talk about sex freely is a gift. She has it, I have it. I can help women who do not enjoy sex, but just get through for their husband. I don't think that is good. You can enjoy it, and if you don't then you are not going to get the emotional closeness that God intends for your marriage. The effects of that will ripple through all of your marriage.
What about people who are not married? How can I sell to them? I believe sex before marriage is wrong. I do, however, we are not to hold unbelievers to our standards. Here is what the Bible has to say:
I prayed about it, and God opened the doors and even made it possible to start. I am very excited to start this venture! If you want Pure Romance products you can check out my website, or if you would like to help me out (and get free products!) and have a party, I would be very honored. Privately email me if you have issues that I may be able to help you with. (qtpies5 at msn.com)
I decided I just need to bring in some money, too. But working a 9-5 isn't an option. We are committed to having a parent home with our kids. We would sell and move to a cheaper place, but we are under water on our house and owe more than it is worth at this point. Funny how that happens, huh? We are stuck.
So, after thinking and praying for options we came to the conclusion I needed to go into home party sales again. I loved selling Tupperware and I was a manager years ago. I ran through all the typical businesses and I just don't see making good income with them. You can buy much less expensive plastic than Tupperware, and once you have it, you don't need more. Pampered Chef is great, but you know, I found a much cheaper stone casserole dish by Paula Deen that can go in the dishwasher! Hello, why would I buy Pampered chef? Yeah, so that is out. Makeup? Not my thing. Yes I wear make-up, but I am not into the high priced stuff, even though it IS better, I just can't do it, so how could I sell it?
Then it hit me..... What do I buy and repeatedly buy? What does my husband encourage me to buy? What is important in my life consistently? My marriage is very important and I am willing to spend money to make it fun, exciting and to help us stay emotionally close. I buy Pure Romance products, and have for years. Most of my friends buy it, too. Most married couples are interested in having a good intimate life together.
I struggled with this. I am a Christian, that defines me. How can I do this? The person I have been buying from is a Christian, so I went to her and asked her how she balances it. She gave me some great advice. She always talks about God, and how He wants married couples to have a great sex life. And He does! I have no issues there, I totally believe that! Just read Song of Solomon, it is quite clear that God means for husbands and wives to take joy and have fun in their desire for each other. "Love’s flames are flames of fire,
flames that come from the Lord. (Song of Solomon 8:6b) " She also told me that through her parties she has been able to invite women to church and they have gone! Many women have issues that they don't know how to resolve and they don't know who to ask for advice. Being able to talk about sex freely is a gift. She has it, I have it. I can help women who do not enjoy sex, but just get through for their husband. I don't think that is good. You can enjoy it, and if you don't then you are not going to get the emotional closeness that God intends for your marriage. The effects of that will ripple through all of your marriage.
What about people who are not married? How can I sell to them? I believe sex before marriage is wrong. I do, however, we are not to hold unbelievers to our standards. Here is what the Bible has to say:
1 Corinthians 5
9In my letter to you I told you not to associate with people who continue to commit sexual sins. 10I didn’t tell you that you could not have any contact with unbelievers who commit sexual sins, are greedy, are dishonest, or worship false gods. If that were the case, you would have to leave this world. 11Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don’t eat with such people.12After all, do I have any business judging those who are outside the Christian faith? Isn’t it your business to judge those who are inside? 13God will judge those who are outside.
So, I came to the conclusion that I could do this business and maintain my belief system. I want to make money, yes, and this is a business that people will keep buying. But I also get to HELP women, and that is good! I may also get chances to reach people for Christ, and that is even better!
My biggest problem after all that was what people would think about me selling "sex toys." I am not all about toys, yes, there ARE toys, but that is not the main focus, and not why I am selling. I had to decide that what a few people think are not what matters. What matters is what God thinks, and am I allowed to do this? And my answer was YES. Now when I've been telling people I have had amazing reactions! People are happy for me and not judgmental. There will be times when people are (like when some people from our former church find out, lol) but I know why I am doing it, and that God is blessing my effort. Here is a little verse for the people who want to judge :I prayed about it, and God opened the doors and even made it possible to start. I am very excited to start this venture! If you want Pure Romance products you can check out my website, or if you would like to help me out (and get free products!) and have a party, I would be very honored. Privately email me if you have issues that I may be able to help you with. (qtpies5 at msn.com)
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