Been awhile and may be even longer.

Taking a blogging break.  I have felt like my blog posts have been rather forced of late.  I am taking an indefinite break unless I find I have something really worthwhile to blog about.  I will still read other blogs just not going to post right now.

Prayer Monday, September 26, 2011

So I skipped out on Prayer Monday last week because I was trying to be still and do some listening. It's amazing what that will do for your prayer time.  A lot happened in the two weeks since I didn't Prayer Monday but let's just say it has been rather trying.

I have few things that I am praying about this week.  I am praying for our Fall Retreat which is this coming Thursday through Saturday.  I am really looking forward to it.  I am specifically praying that all of our hearts will be open to hearing from God.  It's going to be a great time!

My husband has an interview on Oct 3 for a job that would be really great if he can get it.  I am praying God's will be done.  I feel like we have been through this cycle a couple of times now with interviews and rejection letters so I am just not going to stress it and rest in the fact God is our provider.

Continue to pray for me that I will be a little less Chatty Cathy with God and do more listening. I don't really feel like I have been hearing Him much lately. I just feel like I have been talking, asking, pleading etc  too much and not being still to hear what He has to say.

Overused....

I have come to the realization that I have a word I overuse.  That word is Awesome.  Especially when replying to text messages.  It has become quite ridiculous actually. I have had to break out my mental thesaurus to intentionally find words to express the same thing.  It has become such a habit though that I automatically respond with Awesome before I have a chance to think of a different word.  I've even started noticing it in regular conversation.  I'm not sure why I do it.

Is there a word you overuse?  Have you tried to break yourself of the habit?

Prayer Monday, September 12, 2011

God has been good over the last couple of weeks.  My dad's surgery went very well and he is feeling so well that he not caring much for his restrictions.  That's my dad stubborn as he can be.  Thank you so much for your prayers.

My knee is also improving.  Big J was a little nicer today even though I gave him a hard time about last week :).

My sister and BIL are making some big decisions regarding possible relocation of their business to the town they are currently living in.  There is more to it than that but that is the short version.  Please pray that God has their hand in this and they are able to hear Him clearly.

My church is having their Fall Retreat at the end of this month (I know it seems like we have a lot of retreats but this one is just our church not the whole network :) ).  Please pray that God will prepare the hearts of those going and they will be open to what He will show them during that time.  I am hoping to get to go myself but am trying to figure out childcare for my son.  Please pray that God is able to work that out.

Also, pray for me that I get my energy back.  I have just been so tired lately no matter how much I sleep.  I am trying to exercise more because I am sure my lack of exercise is not helping. Ironically my knee injury has kicked that into gear because I have to do exercises for that daily.  

Therapists and Watermelon

Normally therapists and watermelon would not be connected but I will get to that in a minute.

I have been going to therapy for about three weeks now.  I have a PT and a PTA I generally see when I go.  I do a series of exercises and then they do stretching and deep tissue massages on my leg and knee.

Now most people when they think massage they think of this nice relaxing experience.  Let me set you straight. When you combine the words massage, therapy and deep tissue you get anything but relaxing.

I generally work with the PTA when I am there, we'll call him Big J.  Big J is a big guy and good at his job.  When he does a deep tissue massage he means business.  I am sure he doesn't mean to torture because the object is to find the tight muscle and get it to loosen up.  Fact is I am fairly certain Big J could get some secrets out of some very tough people if he ever needed to; granted he's a really nice guy so I doubt he would ever do that.  Though he may have said something along the line of giving me something to remember them by; I am assuming the pain I now feel.  Today I felt like he was going to put his thumb through my muscle all the way to the bone.  I know from previous experience that this will be a good thing in the long run.  Tonight, however, I feel like he beat my leg with a metal rod.  No hard feelings though...... I will let him know about it at my next appointment.  Enough about Big J and me whining.  On to the watermelon!

The place I go to for therapy also has a little room where they have produce for sale.  This really isn't that odd if you know all the pieces of the story.  See Big J's sister owns the therapy place and their family farms. Big J brings it to work.  Hence the produce sold out of the little room.

Last week I got a watermelon from there.  It sat on my counter for a week and today I decided to cut it open.  MY GOSH it is the sweetest watermelon I have had in awhile.  My 23 month old ate two big pieces at lunch.  Thankfully I had the foresight to undress him down to his diaper before lunch.  The watermelon was so juicy he had it running down his chest and a smile from ear to ear.  I wish I would have cut it up sooner!

Well that was about all the excitement in my day.  How about yours?

Prayer Monday, August 29, 2011

This week was fairly decent.  God has answered some prayers.  All those weeks that we prayed for new members in our small group are paying off.  If everyone comes this Thursday we should have around 18 people!  Folks that is a lot.  We are going to be bursting at the seams.  Pray that my husband and I are able to minister to them all.

My dad's surgery on his neck is scheduled for this Wednesday.  These people don't mess around and get you in quick.  My dad is nervous about having is neck cut open.  With the risk of giving you too much info they go through the front of the neck to do surgery on the discs in your neck.  So there will be some stress to his vocal cords.  My dad is a talker and a pastor so this is really bothering him that a potential risk is to lose his voice or have some damage there.  Pray that he will have peace about that.  That in general he will have peace, comfort and a quick recovery through the whole process.  Pray that God will guide the surgeons hands.

God is the ultimate Healer so I know He has it all under control.  So I need to let Him do His job :)

Prayer Monday, August 22, 2011

This past week has been a little hectic.  You know how it seems like sometimes you don't have much to pray for and then other times it's like the sky has opened up?  Well this has been one of those sky has opened up weeks.  I have to remind myself God is in control and He has a plan.  One much better than mine I might add.

A couple of things I mentioned in a post on Thursday but I am going to mention them again.  My HS Chemistry teacher was killed in a car accident Thursday morning. Please pray for her family.  Also, I have to start physical therapy for my knee on Tuesday and get an MRI.  My doctor is afraid I may have a tear.  Surgery would be a last resort if I do and I would like to avoid it as long as possible.

Speaking of surgery, my dad will be scheduling surgery for his neck very soon.  He has a pinched nerve and some other damage and the doctor told him if he waited too long he could have lasting damage.  He is in so much pain right now.  Please pray that his pain will be tolerable until the surgery.  I will keep you posted on the surgery but please be praying about it as there are some minor risks involved.  He has worked so hard all of his life and his body has taken a beating.  This will be his second surgery in the last two years (the last one was for his back).

I am so thankful to know that I have you all praying for these things.  Sometimes just knowing there is someone else besides me praying makes me feel so much better.

Prayers needed

I didn't do a Prayer Monday this week but I find I am needing a little prayer mid-week here.

First a prayer not for myself.  This morning my high school chemistry teacher was killed in a bad car accident.  She had three children and several grandchildren as well as a husband.  She was one of those full of life people and a firm but fair teacher.  I can't possibly even imagine what that family is going through right now.  Pray for their peace and comfort please.

A few weeks ago I asked for prayer about my knee and the X-Ray came back great but there has been no marked improvement so I likely have a tear of some sort that the X-Ray couldn't show.  I am going to be doing therapy for the next month and then will have an MRI.  I am praying that God will heal this.  If it is a tear and continues to get worse I would rather not have to have surgery.  I don't want to even think about recovering from knee surgery with a two year old running around.  So please pray with me that God heals me.

I'm going to miss her

Today my heart is breaking.  My boxer,Achaia, passed away this morning.  I'm not really sure why.  She had been acting like she wasn't feeling well for a couple of days but I just assumed she had a cold.  Most likely it was just old age.  She just turned 10 years old on the 8th.  I know she was old and I should have eventually expected but she didn't act old.  She had a lot of spunk.  The only time I thought about her age is when she didn't want to be bothered by my son and would look at me with pleading eyes to let her in the kitchen so he couldn't get to her.

She was such a good dog and she and I had been so many places together.  She lived with me in Tennessee and Indiana.  I watched her be born.  I'm still having a hard time remembering she is gone.

We chose not to bury her here but instead I asked my parents if we could bury her by her momma.  Of course they said yes because they loved her too.  I know it may be silly to be this worked up over a dog but she was family and it hurts.

Here are a could pictures of my sweet girl.

Lovin' It

Last weekend, as I mentioned in a Prayer Monday post, we went to our church's marriage retreat in St Louis.  I can't remember the exact title of it but it had the word Extreme in it and was workout themed because we have to work at our marriages.  It was an amazing time and we got a lot out of it.

You know sometimes after you go to a retreat the effects start to ebb away?  Well in anticipation of this our speaker had a sign up if we wanted to for six weeks of an Extreme Marriage Challenge.  Each week we get an email outlining our challenges for the week.  There are verses and questions you ask each other for five days of the week plus he adds at the bottom some actions to do each week.  For example:  Write a love note for your spouse.  Different things like that.  I am LOVING these challenges.  Some of the questions you and your spouse ask each other stretch you to really communicate and talk about some tough stuff.  One of the days though the questions were goal and dream based.  At the retreat he encouraged to dream together.  Even if those dreams might not happen.  I loved this idea and am glad this was incorporated into the 6 week challenge.  It is nice to talk about the fun things and not just the serious stuff!

This has been good for us because it has made us make time to spend together without our son.  Not that we don't love our son but we rarely have time just the two of us. We are going to work harder at time for just the two of us.  Date nights once a month are going to be a good start :)

PS Any married couple could do these weeks of Extreme Marriage Challenges even if you didn't go to our marriage retreat.  There are only a couple of questions that say anything about the retreat in the first week so you could just skip those.  If you are interested let me know and I can email them to you.  My email is a.miller051708@gmail.com

Prayer Monday, August 1, 2011

Well I had an awesome weekend at the Marriage Retreat!  We had an awesome speaker, good times with friends and time alone with each other.  Though Satan did everything he could during the week to try to make it be a bad time.  Tuesday evening my dog went missing.  He's still missing but people  all around town have seen him, except me.  My husband's boss resigned the company and the man replacing him my husband doesn't really care for the way he does things.

So I guess this week pray that my husband has the strength and endurance to deal with the situation at work.  Please pray that he doesn't get discouraged.  His job was already a sore spot for him but this just adds to it.

Also, please pray I find my dog or that he comes home.  I am so worried about him.  

Other than that I want to thank you so much for your prayers.

Prayer Monday, June 25, 2011

I am thankful! God has been good this past week.  Nothing spectacular has happened and my son did have a minor accident but God has still been good.  We have a roof over our heads, food to eat and clothes to wear.  I am trying to be more thankful for the things God has given me instead of bemoaning the things I do not have.  

That being said I don't have a lot this week that I need prayer about.  Our church is having a marriage retreat this weekend so my husband and I will be spending the weekend in St Louis.  This will be the first weekend since my son was born that we will have an overnight trip alone!  I am excited about this time we are getting but also this will be my son's first overnight with someone else other than my husband or me.  It is my parents and they will be staying at our house to make it easier on everyone and I trust them but I'm his momma and he's my baby.

Pray that the marriage retreat is an awesome time for all couples attending.  That we will be able to shut out the world and all worries for the weekend and focus on our spouses!  

He does it again!

I am not quite sure I will ever stop having the emotions of near panic when my darling son injures himself.  I actually thought today's incident was going to warrant a trip in the ER but we only ended up having to go to the doctor.

My sweet boy was spinning in circles which is something he does on a regular basis.  This time he trip and hit his face on the corner of the coffee table.  He immediately started crying which for him means it is serious because he normally doesn't cry when he bumps something.  He buried his face in my shoulder and it took me a couple minutes to get him to let me look.  When I did he had a mouthful of blood!  I am thinking a bunch of thoughts simultaneously, "where's it coming from?", "Oh my gosh did he knock out a tooth".  Once I started cleaning him up I saw he had a gash toward the inside of his lower lip but I couldn't tell how bad it was.  I called my husband and rambled incoherently to him (he texted me later and said I'm not sure what is going on but I'm praying for the boys) all he heard was ER and blood.  Then I called my sister at work (she's an RN) and she said call the doctor before going to ER.  I called the doctor and they were so good about getting me an immediate appointment.

By the time we got to the doctor he wasn't crying, blood had stopped he was smiling and then I noticed he had something really dark purple almost black on his tooth.  I lifted his upper lip and he had managed to hit his gums on the table to and it looked worse than the lip.  By now I wasn't near the mess I had been so I took it in stride.  The doctor pretty much said mouth wounds bleed A LOT and also heal quickly.  Fortunately the gash wasn't big enough for stitches WHEW!

Oh and did I mention I was babysitting my 7 1/2 month old nephew too and he was there the whole time so I had to drag both boys to the doctor?  I didn't?  Well it was quite the adventure and both boys were so good. Pray for my son that his mouth will stop hurting and the swelling will go down please.  He's a trooper and I know God's hand is on him.

Here is to an uneventful rest of the week!

Prayer Monday, July 18, 2011

Yesterday our teaching at church was titled Powerful Prayer.  I have been thinking about it a lot.  The pastor was talking about how his mother prays for the impossible and expects it to happen.  Like for people you would never expect to become Christians.  That really hit me.  I have a friend, well he is actually my husband's friend, that is pretty much a self-proclaimed agnostic.  I am ashamed to say I have had doubts that he would ever become a Christian.  I have lacked faith that God can do the impossible.  I am going to be praying more fervently about this.  I ask that you pray about this also.

I am going to do that more often.  Pray for the impossible.  I think many times we don't get past looking at a situation with our own eyes.  I am going to ask God to open my eyes to see things more like He does.  Instead of seeing an impossible situation I am going to pray believing God will do the impossible.  I am not saying I am not still going to struggle.  I was just so inspired by the teaching last night.  My heart ached after listening.  Pray that God will continue to open my eyes.

Flashback

So during worship at church today.  I had a total flashback to my community college days.  For the most part we sing contemporary worship songs but we are trying to incorporate the occasional gospel song to attract a more diverse variety of people.

The first song we sang was a gospel type song.  It made me think of my choir in community college and a gospel cantata we did.  Actually the majority of my readers were in that choir :).  The song was just so energizing and powerful.  I loved it.  Not that the other songs weren't wonderful but I just connected with that first song tonight.  I was able to just focus on God and was so pumped.   I actually felt like they should have switched the song order around and ended worship with that song.  Do you ever have a song that just takes you back to another time in your life?  I have this happen often; fortunately this took me back to a wonderful time.

The Escapee

So I am not sure but we MAY transition my son to a toddler bed soon.  The reason is quite fun.  He has been throwing his leg over the top of the crib for awhile now but the other night while my husband was putting him to sleep (which consists of sitting in the rocker while he falls asleep in his crib) he escaped.  My husband was sitting right there and watched the whole thing.  When I asked him why he didn't stop our son, he said he was just in shock watching it. He didn't just go over the edge an fall.  Apparently he put one leg over and then the other and lowered himself slowly to the floor.  That kid has some upper body strength.

I say MAY transition because I am not sure he would stay in the toddler bed to fall asleep.  I am certain that if he woke up in the middle of the night he would leave his room.  We would have to put up a baby gate in his doorway because he has no qualms about wandering around in the dark.  Though I am sure he would come straight to our bedroom.  I am just not sure if I am ready to go through all of that.  I mean I think he would come to our room but the idea of him just roaming the house terrifies me!   I think that when he wakes up in the middle of the night he is still half asleep and doesn't even think about climbing out of his crib.  He hollers for us instead.  So I am probably just borrowing trouble here.

He does make me laugh in amazement though at the things he does like lowering himself out of the crib instead of just falling out haphazardly.  He keeps us on our toes.

Prayer Monday, July 11, 2011

Wow, I typed in the date in the title and realized we are already nearly halfway through July!  July has been a good month though.  God has been really speaking to me.  Part of that may be because I am trying to be better at listening to Him instead of just talking to Him.  Isn't it funny how many times we complain because we don't think He is speaking to us only to look back and realize we haven't given Him a chance to get in a word or two.  I am so guilty of this on a regular basis.

Please pray for me this week that I continue to listen to what God has to say to me instead of doing all the talking.  I have found our relationship is so much sweeter this way.  Also, while you are at it if you could pray for my knee.  I am having pain when I kneel or pressure is put on it.  It's been going on for nearly 3 months and I finally went to the doctor.  The X-Ray came back fine so she said if it doesn't improve in the next six weeks she wants to order an MRI.  Please pray for healing so I don't have to have the MRI.

God has been so good to me the past couple of weeks that I don't have a lot for you to pray about.  I am definitely not complaining.  Normally I feel like my list goes on forever.  I am so thankful all of you who do pray for me because I know it makes a difference!

Have you ever?

Have you ever blogged in your head at the most inappropriate times?  I know you are probably thinking, "Armanda you don't blog with much frequency".  You're right I barely blog once a week.  I would do it more if I didn't create my posts at the wrong time.

I have found myself on more than one occasion blogging in my head during a church service!  The pastor will say something and my mind will start wandering on that certain topic.  Then I will think ooh that would make a good post and then I start composing in my head.  I end up not posting it because I feel guilty because I have been disrespectful to my time with God.  He has forgiven me and I am trying to be better!

So here is to creating blog posts at a more appropriate time.  For example, when the service is over and hopefully I remember the topic :)

Prayer Monday, June 27, 2011

What an AMAZING week I had last week.  We had our Summer network conference which our church hosts. God definitely showed up!  Tears come to my eyes just thinking about how awesome and good He was and still is.  Thank you so much for praying over this for us!

With every good there comes a bad it seems.  The enemy is trying to rain on my spiritual high!  Today I watched my uncle's son, who is a couple months younger than my son, because his wife's mom had a medical procedure last week and is on restriction.  Please be praying for her.  To top that off while I was watching him , his mom calls and says they are taking my grandpa (my mom's dad) to the hospital because he is having a heart attack so she was coming home.  Good news, they don't think it was a heart attack but possibly a blood clot in his lung.  They are keeping him overnight and running tests.  So please pray for his healing.  I am praising God because it could have been so much worse.

Please pray for me also as God continues to draw me to Him.  He has been so good to me and I want to praise Him for His continued blessings.  Even when they don't turn out exactly as I want; He knows best.  That is a hard pill to swallow sometimes.  I am learning to press through with His help.  When I put it into perspective I really don't have too much I should be complaining about.  He has provided so much for me.  I am trying to get out of my valley here where I am whining and complaining all the time.  Pray that I don't lose sight of what God has done for me when I am going through my low and lonely times.

That is something I have been struggling with too.  Loneliness.  I shouldn't be, I have a God who loves me, a husband who is amazing, a beautiful son and an awesome family.   But I don't have that BFF.  That close Christian woman friend that I spend time with sharing life.  I've been having a pity party about that lately.  Pray for me that I get over it :)

Prayer Monday June 20, 2011

Hey ladies!  I have been out of town since last night so this is a little late getting to you so I am going to make this quick.

The big big thing I would like to ask your prayers for is our church network's Summer Conference.  There will be 840 people approximately attending from all of the churches in our network.  I am asking that you pray that God show up in a big way.  That people go to the conference EXPECTING God's presence.  I am so looking forward to this and I know that Satan will try to steal the joy from many people with attack as we start attending.  Please pray for protection against this.  

Thank you so much for the prayers you give on my behalf.  I am so thankful for them!

Prayer Monday, June 13, 2011

I come this week praising God.  My son was sick most of the past week.  I posted about a few days ago.  He had me really worried because he was running a fever all the way into Friday.  I feel like God heard my prayers and healed him.  The little guy certainly has his energy back.

I also got to spend time with my husband and son at an unplanned trip to the zoo yesterday.  We don't often get away and just have a spontaneous day like that.  It was good for us.

I can feel the prayers from all of you.  My attitude has vastly improved over last week and I have started my prayer journal.  I have enjoyed the time spent writing in it.

I do have a few requests this week.  I have one unspoken request that I am not at liberty to discuss because they aren't telling people about it.  So please pray for God's hand and healing in the situation.  I am continuing to pray that God give us guidance for the future.  My husband has been searching for a new job but so far it hasn't been a successful venture.  We are very thankful that he has a job unlike many people but I want him to be happy where he is working.

I also have a personal prayer request for myself. I ask that you pray for me for peace and comfort.  I am sure I will eventually discuss it in a post but right now I am sorting out all of emotions of it.  Right now I don't believe I could eloquently phrase it without sounding like I am not trusting God with this area in my life.

Don't tell me that!

Words you don't want to hear when you take your son to the doctor, " It's most likely just a virus that will have to run its course.  Keep doing what you are doing."

My son has been running a temp. since early Monday morning.  Kids generally have high temps but he really hasn't had one this high before.  Tylenol was keeping it down but it just hasn't been going away.  Then last night I find a lump on the back of his head towards the base of his skull that was squishy and moved.  So I decided we were going to the doctor.  I figured it was a lymph node but wanted medical professionals to confirm it.

Sure enough swollen lymph node which I was told can get larger in children than adults and he has a virus.  Don't get me wrong I think it was $20 well spent.  I would much rather be the over paranoid mom than overlook something very serious.  I would just rather he not be sick at all.  So here's to praying he gets better soon or I have to take him back Friday if he is still running a fever.

My Saturday Evening Attitude Adjustment

I have been suffering from a bad attitude the last few days.  I have had sinus issues as I mentioned in a previous post.  I just don't feel well so I haven't wanted to do much of anything.

Saturday evening was the monthly Team Vine at our church.  This is basically when our lead pastor lets us know what has been going on the last month and other important topics.  Group Leaders have to go early for a group leader portion.  Basically unless we are dying in the hospital or have a really good excuse we should be there.

My husband had to work Saturday.  One of those fun 12 hour shifts.  So this meant I had to go by myself.  I decided I had to go at least to the group leader portion and then I would leave after that.  Well I ended up praying for a fellow group leader after it was over and she walked all the way to the lobby with me to get food.  Then I ran into one of our group members and talked to her for a bit.  Thinking all the while I'll just slip out here in a minute.  Then she says, It's almost time to start we better go get our seats.  UGH!  So I walk in a little ahead of them and chose a seat on the end of a row.  She and her husband decided to sit in the row in front of me.  I was thinking YES  I can slip out sometime in the middle.  As you can tell I was totally not having the attitude I should have been.   Then another friend saw me sitting there without my husband and came to sit by me.  She said her husband wasn't able to make it either so she would just sit with me. NO! I was locked in for the duration.  I felt like God must have really wanted me there because he got really creative with ways to make me stay.  In the end I was glad I did.  I really enjoyed worship and was able to pray for another person.

Honestly, you probably had to be in my shoes to get the comical side of it.  I told my husband the series of events and he thought it was funny that I was trying so hard not to stay and  it seemed God was trying equally as hard to get me to stay.

I love that the Father pursues us like that.  It helped my attitude to start moving in the right direction.  I mean I had to laugh about it or I probably would have cried!

Prayer Monday, June 6, 2011

Ladies I have just been plain weary and exhausted this week.  I have had a sinus issue since last Saturday and to be quite frank it is affecting my attitude.   I am a little less than engaged with God right at the moment.  It's getting a little better and that is due in part because He made me straighten up.  He tugged on me a lot at church on Saturday.  I really didn't want to go to our Team Vine meeting.  I had to go alone because the hubby was working and quite frankly my attitude stunk.  Let's just say by sheer force of will I went and God got creative in the ways He made me stay.  But that is good for another post.

I still need lots of prayer it seems.  Pray that I feel better for one and I am sure that will help tremendously.  Also, right now I am praying my husband is able to find a job God wants him in.  He is so miserable right now and during the summer he works some 12 hr days and sometimes six days a week.  Right now my prayers requests are a little selfish due to lack of focus. I get so caught up in the busy-ness of life.

That being said I have decided to start a prayer journal. I have learned that posting on Prayer Monday makes me sit down and focus more and be more intentional. So I am going to start a prayer journal that I plan on doing daily.  The reality of that is it may happen 3-4 times a week but I am going to call that successful!

Ladies thank you so much for your prayers.  I am going to do like Crystal suggested and praise God more.  I think there are times that if we praise Him even when we don't feel like it that it will be uplifting to our moods.