Pumpkin Patch (Photo overload)

We decided to walk to the Pumpkin Patch this year. It is only 1.2 miles from our house and the weather has been beautiful! We are also borrowing a wagon from a friend which made it for a great adventure! We made sure to eat lunch before we left, but we made a mistake by forgoing nap time to go. Overall, it went well...we did have a few minor melt downs. However, they were resolved quickly. We started by feeding the animals which Abigail was not fond of.

Then we worked our way to the Tower Slides...I believe there are four different slides to choose from and luckily Abby and Luke decided to only try the two medium slides! They enjoyed the slides, but thank God Lloyd and I were both there because you really need one person inside the tower and one person outside to make sure the kids don't wonder off.




After the slides we decided to ride on the train! Both Luke and Abigail love trains, so they were very excited and had a lot of fun while the train took us around the Pumpkin patch. I love that they both really soak up their surroundings and enjoy looking at the scenery!

After our train ride we had to decide between a hayride or the corn maze. The corn maze won, once we told the little ones that their was a play area at the end. Luke was very excited through the whole corn maze; he pretty much ran through the whole thing. Abigail was enjoying it too! It was not really a maze though. It just sigzags. I am think we need to explire a real cornmaze next year!

Finally we did some facepainting and went and picked our pumpkin! Which funny enough we did not get a picture of. We also feed the animals the rest of our pet feed before we left. We got some Kettle Corn and water for the walk home and then called it a day! Well not really because later we went to a Trunk or Treat event that we attend every year! So, overall we had a very fun filled day!

Keep Your Friends Close, but your Enemies Closer?

I like to think that I do not have any enemies. I try to like everyone, but occasionally even my family members become my enemies. People I don't even know sometimes become my enemy. I get angry with the slow driver, the rude customer service representative, the incompetent fast food worker, etc. I don't even know these people yet I let them get the best of me (or I should say worse of me)!
Just this last Sunday my two little ones woke up on the wrong side of the bed and we just had a rough morning. The devil really used my children to get to me and I got to church thinking, "What the heck just happened?" I was confused, frustrated and overwhelmed. I was upset with myself because I knew the Devil got to me. This is why I have never understood the saying "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer!" This does not make since to me. I don't want to be anywhere near my enemies especially not the Devil. Unfortunately, the devil seems to like my company. He just barges in unannounced, lets himself in without knocking and often overstays his welcome! I am glad it was Sunday because I just gave it all to GOD. However, later in the day guess who showed up again! I was going through the drive thru and I snapped at the person taking the orders. Again I let the Devil get to me; I drove away feeling defeated yet again. I need to remember that God is there everyday, everywhere, anytime; not just on Sunday, not just at church. He is my best friend and I need to keep him closest of all!

Silent But Deadly

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night with a burning sensation in you nose and you start thinking; was that me? Maybe it was the husband or the dog? LOL! I am just kidding. I am not referring to that kind of silent but deadly chemical warfare. I am referring to Prayer and the spiritual warfare that I have faced for the past three weeks.

I have been fasting from Facebook since the 9th and I am suppose to be praying too, but I haven't. I am just having such a hard time getting into prayer. I pray silently all the time; in my head. I know that this kind of prayer is not as effective as praying out loud. Like the for mentioned chemical warfare; I have been facing some serious spiritual warfare. I know how to pray out loud and when I am in a group or at church I have no problem with this. Doing it on my own is hard; I can't figure out why it is so hard to just open up my mouth and talk to my heavenly father. I am a talker, anyone reading this should know that. I would talk to the walls if they would listen and talk back. I know God is listening and I know he would answer. So why can't I just talk to him? Fasting from something is so easy! I can give up just about anything that is taking my time away from God, but what I do with that time is the important thing. The whole point of a fast is to give up what is taking your time away from God and use the time to focus on God. I haven't been doing that. Yes, I have been off Facebook, but I still have my computer on my lap and I am still on the Internet! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME! Why am I so addicted? Yes, addicted!

I read an article recently about people saying they are addicted to things like working out, the internet and other non drug or alcohol related things. The person who wrote the article was saying that it is not addiction because when you don't do those things you do not go through the physical withdraws that you would when giving up drugs or alcohol. Physically shaking or sweating. The author of this article was saying that the need to do these activities is more of a compulsive obsession. So great now I have OCD! (Obsessive Computer using Disorder)! Just kidding, but not really.

Back to the praying subject. So, here I am struggling with this whole idea of prayer. Knowing how I am suppose to do it and knowing that I can do it at anytime, but I'm not. Is being silent deadly? I keep thinking is it so bad that I don't pray out loud. Maybe I just don't have the praying out loud relationship with God. Is that ok? Is my silent relationship good enough? With the occasional out loud prayers I speak in church or in groups sufficing for all the silent prayers I pray? What does the bible say about prayer? http://www.openbible.info/topics/praying_out_loud

I know we learned about it in church probably several times. Does the bible say we have to pray out loud all the time? My pastor, Pastor Christa, often refers to times when she would hide under the covers and pray. In this case we don’t have to be afraid to put our heads under the covers, but are we? Am I? No, I don’t!


It isn't a matter of what to pray either, trust me I have some issues to pray about (IE: the above mention of OCD, amongst other pressing issues). It's not that I don’t have anything to say to God, it is just that praying out loud does not come naturally to me. I know that if I don't know what to say I can just let the Holy Spirit guide me. There have actually been times when I prayed only in the Spirit! You see, I know the principles, I know that praying out loud is more effective, but I am not doing it!

I think I am just a person who needs accountability. I need a prayer partner. So, I am going to start journalling my prayers. I will probably do it on paper, but I might start a prayer blog? I am also recruiting prayer partners. Anyone who wants to pray out loud with me; in person or over the phone please let me know. You can comment here to let me know you are interested or email me at teacheroftwos@yahoo.com

I am ready to fight this spiritual war and stop being silent. I know if may not be physically killing me, but I know that spiritually I am dying on the inside!

Day 10: Going through the Motions

I had a talk with my teenage boys last night about Going through the motions. Something I think all of us do at times. I know I do far too often. I mean how many of us are actually giving it our all! We use phrases like "All or Nothing" or our family's recent motto of "Go Big or Go Home!" We may take these phrases to heart in some areas of our lives, but do we use them when it comes to our faith; when it comes to our relationship with Christ? Are we giving it our all or are we just going through the motions? Are we Going Big; No Limits? You see God has no limits, yet we put restraints on his abilities! We question his judgement. You see we pray and expect answers, but we don't always accept the answer given. God always gives us an answer those answers are yes, no or not right now. If we pray with an all or nothing attitude are we more likely to get a yes answer? I think we might! God wants us to pray with expectation. He wants the All or Nothing; He wants us to Go Big or Go Home! He is our father and we are his favorite children, so why are we going through the motions instead of running to our daddy whenever we are in need instead of just on Sunday or just when it is convenient for us? Why are we not giving him our all? The reason is because we let life get in the way and we think that going through the motions is going to be enough. Well, I am here to tell you that is not true. WE need to step up, set our expectations high and Go Big or Go Home! I know that I am preaching to the choir right now because I too have been going through the motions! I am going to work harder to step up though. I want to give HIM my all.

Lord, I come before you with humility that I have been going through the motions. I foresake you over and over again yet you have new mercy and grace for me each and everyday! I am so undeserving of your Love, but you still love me! I want to start giving you more of me and less o the world. I am here to say I am all in. I know I have said it before and I am sure I will be here again to say it at some point, but that is ok because you are my fortress when I am weak and my comforter! I know that I can come to you in my darkest hour and in my brightest moment and you will accept me just as I am! Thank you Lord, for loving me and accepting me. AMEN!

Day 4: Not so good

I am only 4 days into my fast and prayer time and it has not been going so well. You see giving up Facebook was the easy part. I have not been on FB at all, but my computer on the other hand is always in my lap. I feel guilty even writing this because I am on the computer. I am not praying the way I wanted to pray so I feel like I am not getting anywhere. If you read this and could please give me some encouragement I would really appreciate it. I need it! I am having a hard time giving up things that I need to give up. Mainly being on the computer for hours on end. Please all my loyal readers be praying for me and if you have any advice leave me a comment! LOVE YOU ALL!

40 Day Fast and Prayer

Today I start a journey that I need to take. I don't want to take it, but I need too! Iam going to be fasting and praying for 40days. From today until Easter Sunday. I think it might be more then 40days, but honestly I don't care. I am focused and ready for what God has planned. I am going to use this time to start reading my bible again and just listen to what He has to say to me. At the beginning of the year I fasted and prayed for 21 days. I read my bible everyday of that 21 days and I had planned on reading my bible in the year. Well that did not happen. As soon as the fast and prayer time was over I stopped reading. You see reading is really hard for me. Books that is! LOL! I can spend hours reading Facebook and peoples blogs, but to pick up a book or even read a story/ The Bible online it is hard, so I decided I would fast and pray again to focus on this task. I am believing that God is going to do great things in this 40 days. He is going to help me overcome my addiction to all things that are not of him. I am going to focus on him and my family! This was todays Daily Devotional and I think it really hit the nail on the head as to where I am going with this journey! I have some giants that I need to face and I am ready to defeat them in Jesus name!


Daily Devotional Written by Larry Stockstill


The plague of small thinking strikes again! Joshua was extremely concerned that someone other than Moses might be used of God to prophesy. Joshua did not comprehend that God can use whomever He wants in order to accomplish whatever He wants.

In Numbers 13 the ten spies had to make a decision regarding the grapes and the giants. Huge clusters of fruit should have captured the Israelites' attention, faith, and excitement. Instead, their eyes were on the giants who stood guard over the abundance.

The devil always tries to get our attention focused more on his resistance than on God's provision. A small, limited vision will make us feel "like grasshoppers" in comparison to the giants (Numbers 13:33), instead of feeling that "we can certainly conquer" (v. 30)!

Philip rehearsed to Jesus how impossible it was to feed five thousand men in the wilderness, but Andrew went and found five loaves and two fish. Small thinking involves meditating on negative, impossible thoughts that outweigh the truth of God's Word. Although Moses had told the spies to go into the land with boldness and bring back a sampling of the crops (Numbers 13:20), the spies' fearful thinking caused them to believe that they could never get to the grapes because the giants were too large.

Think large: Conquest . . . good report . . . well able!

Hungry for More

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” III John Verse 4

This verse was given to me by a wonderful lady from my church a few months back. I kept it dear to my heart and held onto it as a confession over my children. My two older boys have been coming to church with me for the past 4 years and I really have seen them growing, but it has been slow going. Until these past two weeks. It started with a trip to what is called Encounter Conference in Vacaville at the Father's House. They attended and really did encounter God. Then this weekend they attended what our church calls Impact Encounter Weekend. This is a time of really getting to know what God did for us by sacrificing his son on the cross to forgive us of our sins. It is a time of healing and renewing. A huge transformation has occurred in my boys that I cannot explain as anymore then a miracle. They are completely changed and I can only praise God for what he is doing in their lives. This Sunday (tomorrow) they are getting baptized and I know that this is only the beginning of what God has planned for them! God is moving so fast right now all I can to is hold on for the ride!



Along with this transformation in my boys the pieces to a puzzle are being put together. You see, by them getting baptized it brought their dad to church. He was saved before, but has not been to church in a long time. It is also a piece in the puzzle to getting my husband, their step dad to church. I hold onto to two visions that I have had in the past. One is my husband coming to church and accepting Jesus as his Lord and savior. The other is my husband attending Impact's Encounter Weekend. Actually it is of all of us as a family attending and becoming whole in Christ!

Seeing the changes that God is making makes me hungry for more. As we come close to the celebration of our Lord and Saviors resurrection I am planning to do a 40 fast and pray to really press into the plans that God has for my family. I know that he has plans for us beyond what I can even imagine! I am ready and willing Oh Lord!

Go Big or Go Home

This is going to be our new family motto. With Luke's recent injury we learned that our children like to do things big! You see he had a very rare fracture known as a lateral condylar fracture."This type of fracture occurs through one of the bony knobs (condyles) at the end of the upper arm bone. Most occur through the outer (lateral) knob. These fractures require careful treatment, because they can disrupt both the growth plate (physis) and the joint surface. (Luke's growth plate was not involved, but it was into his joint.) If the fracture forced the bones out of alignment, the doctor will have to manipulate them back into place. Sometimes, this can be done without surgery, but more often, surgery will be needed. Pins, screws, or wires are used to hold the bones in place." In Luke's case surgery was needed. His fracture was just to bad for the doctor to manipulate back into place without surgery. He now has two pins (temporarily) placed along with a dark blue cast.
I used this website:
to help with the medical mumbo jumbo! All in quotes were taken from this website: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00037
That is not all, Luke's elbow was not just fractured; it was dislocated too. We did not know this based on his xrays because it was not seen in the xray.
The doctor did not know how bad it really was until he was in the operating room. Good thing I requested that they take a better look.


When Alex broke his wrist he went big by breaking both of his wrist at one time. Luckily he did not require surgery, but one year later he broke his wrist again. Only one that time, but wow! Nathan has only had one serious injury in his lifetime, but it was a fairly big one requiring reattaching a part of his finger that was severed off in the door! Having three boys and one very strong willed girl, I think the motto: Go Big or Go Home is very appropriate!

My Journey

Well, my fasting and prayer is almost over and to be honest I did not do so great. Yes, I stayed off Facebook for the whole 21 days, but the praying part was really hard. I was signed up to pray from 11pm-Midnight every night. Well that did not work well for me, so I changed my time to 5am-6am; which I did for the most part. I think I missed a total of 5 days where I just choose not to pray. I slept instead or one morning I got up to pray and Luke and Abby decide to wake up early that morning. I did feel that when I was praying in the evening time my prayers were more powerful and heartfelt. When I switched to the morning something changed int he way I was praying. I felt distracted and was praying while doing other things (IE: showering, laundry, cleaning). When I was praying in the evening time, I was focused and determined. However, I did learn a lot through this time. I learned that I am still a work in progress. God is working on me and I am changing, but I never claimed to be perfect. That is what I love about my God. He is such a gentle Father. Always changing and correcting me, but allowing me to grow at my own pace. Never pushing me, just slight nudges along the way. His mercy and grace are far more then I could ever imagine.
God really showed up during this time and revealed some truths to me. He showed me where improvements need to be made and he lead me to where I can work on them. I am connected and planted where I need to be. So now I just resist the enemy and continue on my journey with my hear held high!

I AM GOD!

Did you know that Moses stuttered. (Exodus 6:30 And Moses answered, "Look at me. I stutter. Why would Pharaoh listen to me?") A man who freed God's people from Egypt had a stuttering problem. A man who stood before a King and brought God's word stuttered! God, used him anyway; through his brother Aaron. I love what God says to Moses here: Exodus 6:6-8 "I am GOD. I will bring you out from under the cruel hard labor of Egypt. I will rescue you from slavery. I will redeem you, intervening with great acts of judgment. I'll take you as my own people and I'll be God to you. You'll know that I am GOD, your God who brings you out from under the cruel hard labor of Egypt. I'll bring you into the land that I promised to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and give it to you as your own country. I AM GOD."

I AM GOD! What a powerful message. As I continue my journey through 21 days of fasting and prayer I am truely amazed by our God. He continues to stay true to his promises. He did not let Moses down, he did not let the Egyptians down, and I know he will not let me down. If he can use a man who stuttered to bring his word, then why couldn't he use me.

Lord, today I want to bring your word. I want to free my family from the grasp of the Devil and set them free. Use me Lord to save them. Use me to minister to them that "I AM GOD" is the master of our home. Thank you Lord for the changes that have already started and will continue. Lord, I pray that I can continue to have faith even as small as a mustard seed to endure the changes that you have set forth. Lord, I pray that my family has the strength to endure these changes as well. I love you Lord and I am ready to conquer! AMEN

Vulnerable

How is it that God knows exactly what you need to hear each day. Again I find myself in awe of his works. As I read my bible readings today; I learned about Vision and then I turned to my daily devotional for more and found this!:

"The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Command the sons of Israel and say to them, "When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, even the land of Canaan.'"" - Numbers 34:1-2 NASB

The Israelites didn't really know what to expect. They were about to enter the Promised Land, and they certainly had questions.
Today, we know that this land was a major crossroads of the ancient world, a land coveted by kings and kingdoms, the site of mighty battles. It constantly was crisscrossed by caravans and thieves. It was the highway for Hittites and Egyptians (and later, Assyrians and Babylonians, Greeks and Romans, Persians and Parthians).
Why would God put His people in a place where they would face so many possible enemies and problems? In fact, He placed them where they would be constantly vulnerable. Why? So they would need to depend on Him, because they could not succeed without Him.
This is an important picture for all of us to see. It can be easy to imagine how we might want to be freed from problems. Some, in fact, seek isolation from the world on remote islands. Others seek refuge in dense forests or high in the mountains. Some seek escape in places that seem far from turmoil and tension.
But God wants us to realize we never can find absolute security in this world. Full security can only be found in Him. Paul said we experience the greatest peace when we're in the center of God's will, trusting Him completely. It's when we are the weakest that we really are the strongest, for then we most trust in God (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Today, recognize that God is the key to everything in your life-your success, your peace, your relationships, and your security. Don't place your faith in governments or armies, money or jobs. Trust in Him and Him alone.


Prayer
Father, I recognize that I am nothing without You. I need You! Direct my steps. Guide me. Use me. I trust my life to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Extended Reading
Numbers 34


I just cannot get enough of what God is doing in my life right now. I spend an hour with him each day and it is just not enough. I find myself wanting and needing more! I am so thankful that he is with me all day long! But, what I need to work on is rememebering to put him first in all I do! Lord, help me to remain vulnerable throughout the day, so that I may hear your voice and know the steps you have planned for me. Thank you Lord, for guiding me and leading me in the right direction!

Your Best

This Devotional I found today was so fitting I couldn't help but share it. You see I have been fasting and praying for the past 8 days and one theme that keeps coming up is summarized in this devotional. I want to live by this devotional and give my best in all I do!


Your Best
1/17/2011

"Out of all your gifts you shall present every offering due to the LORD, from all the best of them, the sacred part from them." - Numbers 18:29 NASB

Offerings are important to God. Why? Because they represent the attitude of our hearts. They reveal our real priorities and prove what's really important to us. They are opportunities to recognize how much we owe Him and give to Him from what He's given us.
Offerings also are opportunities to demonstrate the degree to which we believe God and are willing to obey Him and do things His way.
The Bible describes various kinds of offerings. Each offering includes its own requirements and procedures, what it symbolized and was meant to achieve. However, in every situation, each person was to give God their best.
This is why the Law is filled with instructions to bring the best offering-and warnings about bringing anything substandard. The people were warned, "If there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy 15:21 NKJV). Again, God was trying to teach them this principle: He demands our very best.
We see this same commitment when Jesus turned water into wine: When the master tasted it, he remarked how unusual it was that this very best wine had been saved for last (John 2:10).
God is a God of the best! He gave us His best when He sent Jesus to die for us (Romans 8:32).
Today, remember to show God your commitment to Him by giving Him your best in the work you do and how you invest your time, talent, and treasure. Be faithful in what you do with the resources He's given you. Dedicate yourself to doing everything as unto Him. Serve Him with excellence, passion, and zeal. Always do your best. Always give Him your best.


Prayer
Father, You are more important to me than anything else in the world. I will give You my best. I make my life a living sacrifice. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Extended Reading
Numbers 18

New Year New You

I really want a makeover. A full makeover, mind, body and soul. To start, I am making a resolution to read my bible everyday. I am not going to stress about reading the whole bible in a year, I am just going to read a little bit each day. Iam also doing 21 days of fasting and prayer starting Jan. 10th. I am refocusing my direction in life onto my family. I am going to spend more time with my kids and my husband and less time on the computer. This is going to be very hard for me, because I hide behind my computer often! It is my escape from reality, but I have to stop that! I need to face reality and refocus myself. I am also hoping that around tax time I can get a drastic body makeover. I am ready for a new look. I am talking America's Top Model Makeover or Extreme Makeover. I want a complete new look, clothes, hair, makeup everything! I have lost so much weight that none of my clothes fit me right anymore. This was not an intentional weight loss; it was stress related. I cannot gain the weight back, so I need new clothes. Beside some of the clothes I still wear are maternity clothes and that is just not ok! So here is to a New Me! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!