CROCK POT LESSONS

"Something's still cooking." "God still has something in the oven". "A church is being prepared SOMEWHERE." Why is it that God always has to use things that are so tempting to me...like food? I suppose that He wants to use the things in my life to which I can relate! I need to remind myself that I am like a frozen piece of meat, wondering how it could ever be of use to anyone. It is hard and cold, wrapped up and often not even obvious to others what it really represents. If it were placed in a microwave for quick preparation, it would be cooked, most likely. Yet, the difference in the end result would be very obvious to those who tried to enjoy it. There would probably be parts that were finished cooking, while some areas were still frozen. Some parts would appear to be overdone, yet not even edible. The joy of the crock-pot lesson is taking a frozen object, hard, completely useless and just sitting back and waiting. At the end of the day, you can remove the lid and possibly never even realize it was the same thing with which you initially started. The aroma is enticing beyond the area where it sits...often penetrating through the neighborhood.

At the times I feel impatient, help me to remember that I want to be aromatic and useful to those who may choose to lift the lid of my life and peek in my crock-pot!

I read tonite from HUGS for Friends:

Crisis breeds camaraderie.
It turns total strangers into cherished confidants.
We're relieved to discover someone whose experience bears
a striking resemblance to our own.
It gladdens us to know we're not alone!

This is Soooo very true. I believe that God allows things to occur in our life so that when all is said and down, we will be able to be a warrior for someone else. A prayer warrior, a giving warrior, a listening warrior. I hope that I will be one who represents strength and character and shines forth as a mighty, winning warrior.

Today Tom met with a pastor of a church. It is a small church but in need of someone. Tom will help as an Interim through the month of January. We had so many people tell us last night that

"God is preparing a place for you"
"God is preparing you for a place"
"It is still 'cooking'"

WE BELIEVE , WAIT and HOPE!

I will be a warrior in the battle that I fight
A hand to hold, a prayer to say, to help you through the night
I pray for wisdom to see and feel
On your behalf to Him I kneel
The same I know, you'd do for me
That you would pray "God's Will To be"
Our friendship strengthened though all is hard
We have no doubts our lives HE'LL guard

As I've said so much before
You alone knows what's in store
I try to think how it will be
To look for you, your hand to see
I know that all I have is yours
That you will open all the doors
Give me strength to trust your grace
To know your heart and seek your face
You will meet our needs each day
When we seek to see Your way.

Today was a beautiful day! I must admit I felt like I needed roller skates for all that I was involved in this morning. We started out playing handbells, joined the choir for the procession, went to the orchestra to play flute, sang with the choir and returned to handbells (did I indicate that we played from the BALCONY!!!) At any rate, it was alot of running around! We went out after church to a mexican restaurant with some friends and also our daughter. We made it back to the church just in time for the children's musical, which was done in 'dessert theatre' style! After the musical, there was a reception for Tom and me. It was sooooooo nice! There were lots of hugs and tears! It was so evident that the people love us. The choir gave us a monetary gift, as did the church as a whole. GOD IS SO GOOD!! He knows our needs and has already gone above and beyond our expectations!

.

Has it been a week since I blogged :-(?? I hate that! I so often feel like Paul in that the things a I want to do I don't do and the things I don't want to do, I DO!
I will say that I was EXTREMELY grateful, thankful and appreciative for TWO contracts that I recceived today. I know that I have said it before, but it completely amazes me that anyone finds my writings of any interest. But I am glad that someone is touch occasionally. Thank you Matt, for your confidence and trust in me! YOU KNOW that it does my heart good...as well as our wallets!

We are headed now to our Sunday School Christmas party. I have baked cookies and other goodies and broccoli cheese casserole! We are actually running late! =-duh! so by the time we get there we'll probably on dessert!! Oh well!

well, once again, I'm on a resolution...pre-New Year that I will be a better blogger...TIME WILL TELL!

Its Saturday and has been a nice day. Ive been keeping Madison, Chase's sister. She is 2 and reminds me so much of the days when I used to keep Catherine. I think its times like this when I am reminded of some of the joys of motherhood that I had to miss because of work obligations. Then I got a 'second wind' of that when I kept Catherine. That experience with her convinced me that 2 children were all God meant for me! Now, I suppose with Madison, I have the chance to think about what Grandparenting will be like! WOW, now that in itself is a scary thought!! I feel like physically and most of the time mentally that I could actually have another baby...but fortunately for all involved, GOD does not see me as a Sarah!

We will have our Christmas Musical tomorrow. It will be really good. Tom has a solo in it that literally brings me (and several others for that matter) to tears!! The words are sooooooo fitting for our situation. Here's the text:

THE PROMISE
by: Dave Clark and Mark Harris

I've been watching you
Holding on for me
Through the waiting and the wonder,
somehow you still believe if your faith is strong,
someday you will find,
it may not be like you expect it,
but I will come to you in a perfect time.
You may be waiting for the fire
when I'm calling through the rain.
You may be listening for thunder
while I'm whispering your name.
You may be searching for a sign
to let you know that it's ok
HOLD ON, Cause I'm on my way.

Isn't that incredible! THAT really is our prayer and our testimony! I DO believe and trust and we ARE HOLDING ON --because GOD IS on his way to do something spectacular in our life!

Well, I'm back here, I just couldn't quite get the hang of the Squarespace Blog area. Perhaps if I had more time to really look it over I would feel differently...And who knows, perhaps I will continue to investigate it or something else, but for now, at least I am blogging!
I am watching Josh Groban perform right now...He is such an amazing guy. What a beautiful voice. Another artist that I have just been turned on to is Gavin Degraw...you all should check out his website (www.gavindegraw.com)...he is so mellow and smooth. I can't wait to get his CD. It's bed time for me ... I will blog more tomorrow.

http://dianebarden.squarespace.com/

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