"I slew him--this right hand struck the dagger to his heart. My deeds slew Christ. Alas! I slew my best beloved; I killed him who loved me with an everlasting love. Oh eyes, why do you refuse to weep when you see Jesus' body mangled and torn? Give vent to your sorrow, Christians, for you have good reason to do so." - adapted from "The Tomb of Jesus" by Charles Spurgeon
O Almighty God, who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: help us to love what you command, and desire what you promise. Among the world's many distractions, may our hearts be surely fixed where true joy is found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - adapted from the Book of Common Prayer
I am really being blessed by my Lent Devotions via Bible Gateway. The quotes above were from today' devotional. They speak so powerfully to my heart and really convict me. I am challenged to continue to be moved by Jesus' sacrifice long after Easter.
So, it's approaching the middle of April and my busy time is almost here. Ben's graduation (May 13), Ben's reception (May 15), Anna's wedding (May 28), summer school (June 1 - 30), Spain trip (July 12 - 22), and Forrest Summer Vacation (Aug 1 -8). Wow! Busy, busy, busy!! But I won't lie and say that I am not looking forward to any of it. It's all gonna be GREAT!!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
six months
http://www.lhj.com/recipes/easy/comfort-food/good-eggs-6-new-brunch-recipes/?page=1
This is what's for dinner. It is coming out so delicious so far (yes, I have sneaked a couple of nibbles as I have been cooking!). I can't wait for Bobby to come home to see this entrée! We have a Spain meeting at 6pm so I rushed home to make a quickie meal for supper. Back 2 weeks ago when Bobby had his procedure done at the hospital, one of the things I did to occupy my worried mind was look through magazines for new & yummy recipes. This was one of my favorite finds!
This past weekend was a great weekend. Breckyn had 2 soccer games in which he played magnificently. He has improved so much! I really think he has found his sport of choice. We then golfed with Bobby's brother Jeff and wife Carol. What fun! Despite the wind, we enjoyed ourselves. Bobby then decided we needed go catch our 2nd game of Indoor Arena Football in Amarillo. Sommer, Jeremy, Jordon, and Lane (Bobby's 2 daughters and spouses)joined us which proved so fun. We spent the night in Amarillo and went to visit my dad the next day. It was "Family Potluck Day" at my dad's nursing home so it was wonderful to spend the time with my sisters and their families. My dad was so tickled to see all of his family there. Sylvia even brought her 4 grandchildren which added such a special note to the day!
So, all in all, our 6 month anniversary of marriage was truly Super Stupendous!!!
This is what's for dinner. It is coming out so delicious so far (yes, I have sneaked a couple of nibbles as I have been cooking!). I can't wait for Bobby to come home to see this entrée! We have a Spain meeting at 6pm so I rushed home to make a quickie meal for supper. Back 2 weeks ago when Bobby had his procedure done at the hospital, one of the things I did to occupy my worried mind was look through magazines for new & yummy recipes. This was one of my favorite finds!
This past weekend was a great weekend. Breckyn had 2 soccer games in which he played magnificently. He has improved so much! I really think he has found his sport of choice. We then golfed with Bobby's brother Jeff and wife Carol. What fun! Despite the wind, we enjoyed ourselves. Bobby then decided we needed go catch our 2nd game of Indoor Arena Football in Amarillo. Sommer, Jeremy, Jordon, and Lane (Bobby's 2 daughters and spouses)joined us which proved so fun. We spent the night in Amarillo and went to visit my dad the next day. It was "Family Potluck Day" at my dad's nursing home so it was wonderful to spend the time with my sisters and their families. My dad was so tickled to see all of his family there. Sylvia even brought her 4 grandchildren which added such a special note to the day!
So, all in all, our 6 month anniversary of marriage was truly Super Stupendous!!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Gushy
"So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun." Ecclesiastes 8:15
I am so thankful for my husband. He is my perfect counterpart. He lightens my load especially in regards to the emotional and psychological aspects of my personality. I, naturally, lean towards being a workaholic and serious in nature so when he sent me the scripture above today it so blessed me. This last weekend, like every weekend, he challenged me to *have fun* and enjoy life. He took me golfing with him, to the Frank Phillips College baseball field to eat a hotdog and enjoy the game, and then to watch a great movie, Lincoln Lawyer. He is such a great husband whom I dearly love.
Gushy newlywed, I know but oh well…..life is too short not to gush! Lol!
I am so thankful for my husband. He is my perfect counterpart. He lightens my load especially in regards to the emotional and psychological aspects of my personality. I, naturally, lean towards being a workaholic and serious in nature so when he sent me the scripture above today it so blessed me. This last weekend, like every weekend, he challenged me to *have fun* and enjoy life. He took me golfing with him, to the Frank Phillips College baseball field to eat a hotdog and enjoy the game, and then to watch a great movie, Lincoln Lawyer. He is such a great husband whom I dearly love.
Gushy newlywed, I know but oh well…..life is too short not to gush! Lol!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Dove Chocolate
There is a commercial on TV about Dove Chocolate Bliss. Well, I experienced my own bliss today. Spent 3 1/2 glorious hours with my dad at his nursing home. The last few weeks, I have only been able to spend maybe one hour a week with him due to either time constraints, people that were with me, or just the time of day (my dad goes to sleep at 6pm!). I hate it but the truth is that Sunday mornings are the absolute best times (for me) to visit my dad. The nursing home is quiet, the nurses are available (and not stressed out), my dad is very alert and cheerful (as I am), and I get to be there when he gets his vitals taken as well as other medical procedures. It's just a perfect time
But when it's my month to teach Sunday School for the college students, then it's a totally DIFFERENT story. I have to try to SQUEEEEEZE time with my dad in between other stuff. Stuff like attending Breckyn's ballgames, time with Bobby's daughters, time with our new grandson: Kingston, our adopted college student Lizzet, etc. It's just regular life but now raised a couple of notches since I have gotten married. Bobby and I are working at blending our families and it can get stressful because I hate it makes me feel that time with my dad is last and comes after all the other commitments. It leaves me feeling so sad and bummed because time with my dad is one of the most precious things to my heart.
Therefore, March was my last month to teach Sunday School. That 'season' of my life is closed for now and this new 'season' is beginning. Time to devote to my dad and my new family. I have peace and I think God says that it's "okay". :-)
But when it's my month to teach Sunday School for the college students, then it's a totally DIFFERENT story. I have to try to SQUEEEEEZE time with my dad in between other stuff. Stuff like attending Breckyn's ballgames, time with Bobby's daughters, time with our new grandson: Kingston, our adopted college student Lizzet, etc. It's just regular life but now raised a couple of notches since I have gotten married. Bobby and I are working at blending our families and it can get stressful because I hate it makes me feel that time with my dad is last and comes after all the other commitments. It leaves me feeling so sad and bummed because time with my dad is one of the most precious things to my heart.
Therefore, March was my last month to teach Sunday School. That 'season' of my life is closed for now and this new 'season' is beginning. Time to devote to my dad and my new family. I have peace and I think God says that it's "okay". :-)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Achy Legs, John Calvin, and Love at 45
45 years old and being a newlywed has many highs, many challenges, and many joys. After being a single mom since 1997, I have to keep praying that Bobby continues to have unending patience with me. I have been on my own for sooooooo soooooo long and learning to trust, to lean, and to communicate my needs is extremely difficult. The union of 2 being made into 1....that is what I am learning.
Almighty God, we were lost from the beginning, when it pleased you to extend your hand and restore us to salvation for your Son's sake. Although we daily run headlong to our own ruin, we pray that our continual sin will not provoke you into withdrawing your mercy from us.... Through your Spirit, destroy the wickedness of our heart and restore us to a sound mind. -- John Calvin, adapted from his Commentary on Hosea
So aside from my newlywed comment. I am, today, suffering the after effects of minor stupidity on my part. So the background for this story is that I have been involved with TELPAS training and test administration for 3 days straight. It has been taxing and physically draining. So last night, I was ready to push the envelope on my daily run. I usually run 1.5 miles and I decided to challenge myself in order to peel off some of the tenseness and stress from the past week and a half. I ran. And ran. And then ran some more. 5 miles. I felt exilerated and high on adrenaline and so proud of myself! Unfortunately, during the evening my legs said otherwise! All night my legs throbbed. I slept very little as I tossed and turned with aches & pains. I arrived to school feeling every so groggy and dull minded as well as having throbbing leg muscles. I am so thankful I was not in the classroom because anyone who teaches knows that you have to be 100% on your toes when you teach!! Those students will hone in on whatever weakness you have in the first 5 second of class(especially high schoolers who will eat you up and spit you out)! I am so, so thankful that we had 1 hour free before beginning the TELPAS administration (for absentees). I was able to load up on coffee and sit blissfully in the library chairs. Ah bliss
Note to self. NEVER NEVER NEVER run for 5 miles straight!
Almighty God, we were lost from the beginning, when it pleased you to extend your hand and restore us to salvation for your Son's sake. Although we daily run headlong to our own ruin, we pray that our continual sin will not provoke you into withdrawing your mercy from us.... Through your Spirit, destroy the wickedness of our heart and restore us to a sound mind. -- John Calvin, adapted from his Commentary on Hosea
So aside from my newlywed comment. I am, today, suffering the after effects of minor stupidity on my part. So the background for this story is that I have been involved with TELPAS training and test administration for 3 days straight. It has been taxing and physically draining. So last night, I was ready to push the envelope on my daily run. I usually run 1.5 miles and I decided to challenge myself in order to peel off some of the tenseness and stress from the past week and a half. I ran. And ran. And then ran some more. 5 miles. I felt exilerated and high on adrenaline and so proud of myself! Unfortunately, during the evening my legs said otherwise! All night my legs throbbed. I slept very little as I tossed and turned with aches & pains. I arrived to school feeling every so groggy and dull minded as well as having throbbing leg muscles. I am so thankful I was not in the classroom because anyone who teaches knows that you have to be 100% on your toes when you teach!! Those students will hone in on whatever weakness you have in the first 5 second of class(especially high schoolers who will eat you up and spit you out)! I am so, so thankful that we had 1 hour free before beginning the TELPAS administration (for absentees). I was able to load up on coffee and sit blissfully in the library chairs. Ah bliss
Note to self. NEVER NEVER NEVER run for 5 miles straight!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Weariness
So exhausted. Physically. Emotionally. Psychologically. Bobby had a minor procedure done and had to fast for almost 48 hours. The last 48 hours have been tough. He couldn't sleep last night so I stayed up with him watching basketball and then got up early to go to Amarillo. I also was inwardly praying that this would just be a normal procedure but at the back of my mind was the fear of the possibility of something more. I prayed for strength. I prayed for trust. I prayed for fortitude.
Now, I feel like crying. Just the relief that all went well. Thank you Lord.
During Bobby's procedure, I studied and prepared to teach my Sunday School lesson. Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was against mighty opposition but he knew God was with him. This story encouraged me. Also knowing that the Jews had been in Babylon captivity for 70 years showed me that despite difficult years and difficult trials, God continues to walk with us. He holds our future in his hands....in the good times and in the bad times.
Romans 8:35 - 39
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:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Quote from Jonathan Edwards, 18th century preacher & missionary...
"When we go before God in prayer with a cold, dull heart, and in a lifeless and listless manner pray to him for eternal blessings... we should think of Christ's earnest prayers that he poured out to God, with tears and a bloody sweat. The consideration of it may well make us ashamed of our dull, lifeless prayers to God, [in which] we rather ask a denial than ask to be heard; for the language of such a manner of praying to God is that we do not look upon the benefit that we pray for as of any great importance, that we are indifferent whether God answers us or not. The example of Jacob in wrestling with God for the blessing should teach us earnestness in our prayers, but more especially the example of Jesus Christ, who wrestled with God in a bloody sweat."
Now, I feel like crying. Just the relief that all went well. Thank you Lord.
During Bobby's procedure, I studied and prepared to teach my Sunday School lesson. Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was against mighty opposition but he knew God was with him. This story encouraged me. Also knowing that the Jews had been in Babylon captivity for 70 years showed me that despite difficult years and difficult trials, God continues to walk with us. He holds our future in his hands....in the good times and in the bad times.
Romans 8:35 - 39
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:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Quote from Jonathan Edwards, 18th century preacher & missionary...
"When we go before God in prayer with a cold, dull heart, and in a lifeless and listless manner pray to him for eternal blessings... we should think of Christ's earnest prayers that he poured out to God, with tears and a bloody sweat. The consideration of it may well make us ashamed of our dull, lifeless prayers to God, [in which] we rather ask a denial than ask to be heard; for the language of such a manner of praying to God is that we do not look upon the benefit that we pray for as of any great importance, that we are indifferent whether God answers us or not. The example of Jacob in wrestling with God for the blessing should teach us earnestness in our prayers, but more especially the example of Jesus Christ, who wrestled with God in a bloody sweat."
Thursday, March 24, 2011
wow!
I was out of the classroom today in an all day meeting for TELPAS. When the meeting ended at 3:30, I got online and checked my email. I got this email from my husband...
From: Apple Store [mailto:order_acknowledgment@orders.apple.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 1:05 PM
To: Forrest, Robert L
Subject: Order Acknowledgment W298087099
Order Acknowledgment
Order Number: W298087099
Ordered on Mar 24, 2011
Bill to
Robert Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Ship to
Elizabeth Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Items in Your Order
IPAD WI-FI 3G 64GB WHITE - PRSN-USA
From: Apple Store [mailto:order_acknowledgment@orders.apple.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 1:05 PM
To: Forrest, Robert L
Subject: Order Acknowledgment W298087099
Order Acknowledgment
Order Number: W298087099
Ordered on Mar 24, 2011
Bill to
Robert Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Ship to
Elizabeth Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Items in Your Order
IPAD WI-FI 3G 64GB WHITE - PRSN-USA
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