Getting to know you, (pertinent facts about myself).

As you can probably tell I like to read my bible and talk about it/or write about it. I love sharing what I have learned about God's word with others. I also especially love to pray for others. I find that when I focus my thoughts and concerns on others mine own situations are less of a worry to me. I am also able to find the peace about my own problems when I consider the problems others are facing. It helps me to see what true struggles are all about. I may consider my struggles as being real b/c they are happening to me. All around the world others are struggling with health issues, poverty, lack of food, even persecuted for their faith. Praying for others is blessing to me in my walk and relationship w/ the Lord. The bible does mention in several places that thinking of others is better than thinking of our selves.

Of course I am a mother and a wife. I enjoy the rewards and perks of being both. My days are busy from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. Some days seem more restful than others but I am also learning to relax more. I appreciate my family more when I take the time and consider how blessed I truly am.

Here are some pertinent facts about me:
I like making things for others, ie..quilts, food/dinners, blankets, afgans, clothes for my children, cinnamon rolls, and homemade goodies.
Unclean floors and counter tops are my petpeves.
I love playing word games, like boggle or scrabble.
I am a night owl.
I am a chocoholic, anything chocolate even ice cream, although I am lactose intolerant.
I love fabric, all kinds, especially corduroy and flannel.
I know how to crochet, quilt, cross stitch, needle punch, stencile, caligriaphy, scrap book, sew, bake and cook.
I procrastinate at putting laundry away.
My favorite food is Chinese.
I was not nursed as a child, but have nursed all of my children.
My family traveled a lot due to my father being in the military.
I have lived in Alaska off and on for 28 yrs +.
I met my husband at a college Inner Varsity Bible Study group.
My children all have Hebrew names from the Bible for two reasons, I like the originality of the names and our last name is so common, (Smith).
I laugh at my own jokes.
I was delighted when I realized two months into my marriage that one day I will be my favorite apple, a Granny Smith.
I was born on Memorial day in 1972, but memorial day is not the same date every year.
Before I had children, I had the memory of an elephant.

Somethings I have realized to be a truth about G0d through the years. He never ceases to amaze me. His complete knowledge of what we need before we even pray is astounding. Even though I may know a lot about the Bible, (I am married to a minister) there is still plenty for me to learn. My faith has grown exceedingly more since I have become a mother. Especially with each one of my pregnancies. God always seems to show me more about Himself through the nine months of pregnancy. Some of my favorite passages are : John 14 and 15, the whole book of James, Malachi, Psalms and Proverbs. Reading the Bible always puts my heart and spirit at peace.

My sole desire for this blog was to share my life and testimony through God's word to help encourage and edify others. I know through prayer and faith in God anything is possible.

John 15 :1-23 1. "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3. "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
11. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
12. "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
14. "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
15. "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
16. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
17. "These things I command you, that you love one another.
18. "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19. "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20. "Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21. "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
22. "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23. "He who hates Me hates My Father also.

My favorite hymnal song is : What a friend we have in Jesus.

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All b/c we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge Take it to the Lord in prayer. do they friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He'll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

Praying that we all learn to lay our burdens down and carry His yoke instead.