I painted this yesterday. It was going to be a puzzle, but my eldest daughter objected strongly. It is Precious Bunny in a Happy Place
JAMSGems4U My name is Sharron Long. I'm an author with 3 published cookbooks, a home schooling mom and a house parent at a Christian youth ranch. I'm interested in health and family related things. I write mostly recipes for folks with allergies. We've gone through various stages, so you'll have to check the individual recipe for what it covers. Check back often because I'm constantly adding to my recipes here! All recipes are cSharron Long and Adams Media.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
God Gas!! (Miraculous Provision)
Last week we had 2 incedences of God Gas. My kids have been hanging door flyers for our Youth Pastor's new biz of carpet cleaning. He had given me $5 for gas and that was all I had in the car. Way up in the hills above our neighborhood I realized I was flat on E and the "check guage" (Dummy light!) was on!! I called my best friend and she prayed with me. I turned the car back on and it was right back up to where it was when I put the $5 into it! We went down to another neighborhood, in order to finish the flyers and I was back on E! I prayed again and was given the same amount as before. It was enough to finish passing out all the flyers we had and just enough to get us to the gas station where I put in another $5 -- which, of course, brought us right back to the same mark :)
Blessings,
Sharron
Blessings,
Sharron
Monday, September 17, 2007
A fun date with hubby and a new friend on the phone!
Dan and I had a total blast last night, and how it started out was a total "fluke."
See, he was supposed to be home by around 4 or 4:30, but when I called him, he said he was going to be longer. That left me with time on my hands, and my inkling was to research restaurants!
I had read that afternoon in a health-oriented magazine that pasta is actually low-glycemic, and I've been doing fine since adding it back into our diets (on a limited basis); so I looked up Italian restaurants in the area. I looked at The Old Spaghetti Factory, but the reviews said it was more family oriented, kid oriented and noisy. They had the clam pasta I was wanting, but I didn't want that sort of atmosphere for my date night with my hubby! I kept looking, and I found Little Italy's Trattoria. They have two locations, but the downtown Vancouver, WA location seemed a lot more like what I wanted.
It was a bit difficult to find because of the one way streets in Vancouver, but we did do so. The restaurant was cozy in the front dining room where we were seated. It wouldn't accommodate a wheel chair in that area, but the back dining area looked more open. I also understand their other location is more roomy.
The menu was fun! It was full of all sorts of items I couldn't pronounce, fortunately, they were all well described in English :) There were a number of entrees that looked really appealing to me, even with my nightshade allergy (tomatoes), but I settled on the clam linguine -- after all, that was what had pretty much set me on my search for Italian food in the first place! Hubby ordered the shrimp linguine. We were served yummy salads with the House dressing -- a balsamic vinaigrette -- then our dinner was served. Mine came with about 8 whole fresh steamer clams on top, for decoration, I guess! The sauce was loaded with fresh clams and garlic -- it was wonderful! Hubby's was great, too. He didn't have as much seafood as mine did, but the prawns were huge and he said it was yummy. We finished with Spumoni ice cream to share. Yum!!
At one point I was just sitting and enjoying the ambiance -- listening to the Italian music playing in the background. I couldn't understand anything that was being said, nor did I recognize any of the music. Then, all of the sudden I realized I actually DID recognize the piece being played -- it was a piece that the makers of Veggie Tales had turned into a "Silly Song with Larry!" I don't know what it is in Italian, but the VeggieTales version of it is "A Great Big Squash Just Sat Upon My Hat!" When our server came by a few moments later, I asked her if she was familiar with VeggieTales. She said she was and I mentioned the Great Big Squash song and she chuckled. She said she goes home all the time with random Italian music running through her head!
Hubby had never had spumoni ice cream before. I knew there were bits of fruit in it and had already gotten several pieces. All of the sudden, while eating our ice cream, hubby sticks his tongue out at me, and with tongue out says something unintelligible. Then he pulls his tongue back in and says, "I got a raisin!!" Big grin in place. Very cute :)
If someone was wanting a place with quick service -- just to get in and out for a easy meal -- I wouldn't recommend this restaurant. When we were there, the house was packed, every seat taken. However, for good food, reasonable prices, a pleasant atmosphere and friendly service, this is an excellent choice!
**********
This afternoon I was looking at my Melaleuca biz report -- I haven't actually "worked" the biz in about 2 years, but I noticed there was someone who was a regular customer that I had never even spoken to that had gotten 19 back orders! I figured she'd never been taught how to place an order, and really felt like I was supposed to give her a call. I felt really awkward, but explained who I was and why I was calling. She responded with what I can only describe as near-glee! Apparently, learning how to place an order and do something with all this excess product she was accumulating was on her "to do list." I showed her what to do and she was very thankful. We then started talking and ended up talking for about 1.5 hours!! Turns out we have a LOT in common... I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. She's currently studying to become a naturopathic physician and she told me about PH levels in relation to healing. I really think she's got something there. I'm looking forward to learning more!
***********
Oh, and if you are following the wedding dress story, it has about 14 hours left and bidding is over $50. I'm thrilled! Since 20% goes to the youth fund, this has the potential to be a big blessing!
Gotta go!
Blessings,
Sharron
See, he was supposed to be home by around 4 or 4:30, but when I called him, he said he was going to be longer. That left me with time on my hands, and my inkling was to research restaurants!
I had read that afternoon in a health-oriented magazine that pasta is actually low-glycemic, and I've been doing fine since adding it back into our diets (on a limited basis); so I looked up Italian restaurants in the area. I looked at The Old Spaghetti Factory, but the reviews said it was more family oriented, kid oriented and noisy. They had the clam pasta I was wanting, but I didn't want that sort of atmosphere for my date night with my hubby! I kept looking, and I found Little Italy's Trattoria. They have two locations, but the downtown Vancouver, WA location seemed a lot more like what I wanted.
It was a bit difficult to find because of the one way streets in Vancouver, but we did do so. The restaurant was cozy in the front dining room where we were seated. It wouldn't accommodate a wheel chair in that area, but the back dining area looked more open. I also understand their other location is more roomy.
The menu was fun! It was full of all sorts of items I couldn't pronounce, fortunately, they were all well described in English :) There were a number of entrees that looked really appealing to me, even with my nightshade allergy (tomatoes), but I settled on the clam linguine -- after all, that was what had pretty much set me on my search for Italian food in the first place! Hubby ordered the shrimp linguine. We were served yummy salads with the House dressing -- a balsamic vinaigrette -- then our dinner was served. Mine came with about 8 whole fresh steamer clams on top, for decoration, I guess! The sauce was loaded with fresh clams and garlic -- it was wonderful! Hubby's was great, too. He didn't have as much seafood as mine did, but the prawns were huge and he said it was yummy. We finished with Spumoni ice cream to share. Yum!!
At one point I was just sitting and enjoying the ambiance -- listening to the Italian music playing in the background. I couldn't understand anything that was being said, nor did I recognize any of the music. Then, all of the sudden I realized I actually DID recognize the piece being played -- it was a piece that the makers of Veggie Tales had turned into a "Silly Song with Larry!" I don't know what it is in Italian, but the VeggieTales version of it is "A Great Big Squash Just Sat Upon My Hat!" When our server came by a few moments later, I asked her if she was familiar with VeggieTales. She said she was and I mentioned the Great Big Squash song and she chuckled. She said she goes home all the time with random Italian music running through her head!
Hubby had never had spumoni ice cream before. I knew there were bits of fruit in it and had already gotten several pieces. All of the sudden, while eating our ice cream, hubby sticks his tongue out at me, and with tongue out says something unintelligible. Then he pulls his tongue back in and says, "I got a raisin!!" Big grin in place. Very cute :)
If someone was wanting a place with quick service -- just to get in and out for a easy meal -- I wouldn't recommend this restaurant. When we were there, the house was packed, every seat taken. However, for good food, reasonable prices, a pleasant atmosphere and friendly service, this is an excellent choice!
**********
This afternoon I was looking at my Melaleuca biz report -- I haven't actually "worked" the biz in about 2 years, but I noticed there was someone who was a regular customer that I had never even spoken to that had gotten 19 back orders! I figured she'd never been taught how to place an order, and really felt like I was supposed to give her a call. I felt really awkward, but explained who I was and why I was calling. She responded with what I can only describe as near-glee! Apparently, learning how to place an order and do something with all this excess product she was accumulating was on her "to do list." I showed her what to do and she was very thankful. We then started talking and ended up talking for about 1.5 hours!! Turns out we have a LOT in common... I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. She's currently studying to become a naturopathic physician and she told me about PH levels in relation to healing. I really think she's got something there. I'm looking forward to learning more!
***********
Oh, and if you are following the wedding dress story, it has about 14 hours left and bidding is over $50. I'm thrilled! Since 20% goes to the youth fund, this has the potential to be a big blessing!
Gotta go!
Blessings,
Sharron
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Been a long time!
It has been a very long time -- since everyone arrived at my house, pretty much. Long story short, it was great, generally, with my sis and her hubby, but things were pretty stinky with my N and GN. Ended up asking them to leave because of disrespect and lack of gratitude. Yucky story, but N took off to P for 3 days without even telling us she was going!! Left us to care for her puppies and daughter without asking if we were willing. We invited her to go live with her Dad -- as I understand, things are just fine for them now. Enough of that!!
Thoroughly enjoying having D's neice, P, with us. She likes to help and is really getting into her college courses we are doing here at home. She's doing an internship at church under D's and my guidance. Don't know if it will count as credit or not, but she needs the time to center on God and becoming a godly woman.
Thoroughly enjoying having D's neice, P, with us. She likes to help and is really getting into her college courses we are doing here at home. She's doing an internship at church under D's and my guidance. Don't know if it will count as credit or not, but she needs the time to center on God and becoming a godly woman.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Update on my 10+
Don't know how long I'll have, but I need to do an update, so here goes...
My neice and her daughter arrived after 4 days of driving from FL. She would have gotten here sooner, except she took a wrong turn in MT and ended up in Yellowstone National Park! Took her a full day out of her way getting here, but nice scenery :) She and her dd are doing well over all -- very little problems adjusting. They also have 2 chiuaua puppies who are very busy and terrorize my cat, but he'll be ok. We've figured out a way to keep them apart, and it's working. They've been here about 2 weeks.
D's neice, P, came to live with us last weekend and she's also adjusted very well.
My sis and her hubby came about 10 days ago for trucking school and that is fine as well. They have their own living space in their tent-trailer in the back yard, so that really helps. The guys are doing well in school.
Concerns:
1. B is still waiting to hear back from a special program that specifically works with disabled individuals doing janitorial work. The job is worth waiting for (they've verbally committed to hiring him, but are waiting on med records.) He needs to work SOON or won't be able to pay his bills next month.
2. D has to have "emergency" carpal tunnel surgery Very Soon. They are afraid she might have irreparable damage and could even end up paralyzed because she's waited so long. She's a music teacher... please pray.
3. Sh (my niece) needs a job.
4. That the guys will get really good jobs at the end of school so we can repay the debt we're incurring from having everyone living here! I'm trusting the Lord that we'll be able to pay off this 2nd mortgage and actually start paying down the first as well once hubby starts his new career.
5. That my ankle will continue to progress well. My docs and PTs are very pleased with my progress. They say I'm doing it just right. I'm done with pool therapy and start on land next week. I've been released to use one crutch in "secure" environments, but still have to use 2 any time I'm outside the house. I also have a new brace that I really like -- so much better than that boot cast!! It is a lace-up and has support for my arch.
OK, out of time. Thanks for praying!!
Blessings,
Sharron
My neice and her daughter arrived after 4 days of driving from FL. She would have gotten here sooner, except she took a wrong turn in MT and ended up in Yellowstone National Park! Took her a full day out of her way getting here, but nice scenery :) She and her dd are doing well over all -- very little problems adjusting. They also have 2 chiuaua puppies who are very busy and terrorize my cat, but he'll be ok. We've figured out a way to keep them apart, and it's working. They've been here about 2 weeks.
D's neice, P, came to live with us last weekend and she's also adjusted very well.
My sis and her hubby came about 10 days ago for trucking school and that is fine as well. They have their own living space in their tent-trailer in the back yard, so that really helps. The guys are doing well in school.
Concerns:
1. B is still waiting to hear back from a special program that specifically works with disabled individuals doing janitorial work. The job is worth waiting for (they've verbally committed to hiring him, but are waiting on med records.) He needs to work SOON or won't be able to pay his bills next month.
2. D has to have "emergency" carpal tunnel surgery Very Soon. They are afraid she might have irreparable damage and could even end up paralyzed because she's waited so long. She's a music teacher... please pray.
3. Sh (my niece) needs a job.
4. That the guys will get really good jobs at the end of school so we can repay the debt we're incurring from having everyone living here! I'm trusting the Lord that we'll be able to pay off this 2nd mortgage and actually start paying down the first as well once hubby starts his new career.
5. That my ankle will continue to progress well. My docs and PTs are very pleased with my progress. They say I'm doing it just right. I'm done with pool therapy and start on land next week. I've been released to use one crutch in "secure" environments, but still have to use 2 any time I'm outside the house. I also have a new brace that I really like -- so much better than that boot cast!! It is a lace-up and has support for my arch.
OK, out of time. Thanks for praying!!
Blessings,
Sharron
Friday, June 08, 2007
Hardly know where to start!
I'm going to start with the dream(s) I had last week. I had a series of basically the same dream over and over one night. I had gone to bed wondering if I should ask for financial help because of Dan going to trucking school and quitting his job on the 15th. I hadn't felt like I was supposed to do that up till that point, but like I said, I went to bed wondering. All night long I dreamed variations on the same dream. In one I remember there was a raging storm and flood all around us, but our house was high enough and several families gathered together inside our home for safety. Within the walls of the house we discoverd a bunch of precious gems that were valuable enough to provide all we would need, plus leave extra leftover. In another dream there was a terrible blizzard and ice storm going on outside, but again, our house was above the worst of the storm. Again, several families gathered together inside our home for safety. This time we discovered valuable hand-made Eskimo fur coats that were enough to protect all of us and enough to sell to get supplies with plenty leftover.
I woke realizing the equity in our house will be sufficient and with the strong impression that God will take care of repaying the debt (the "leftovers" in each dream.) The families I figured were my sis and bro-in-law who are also coming to go to trucking school next week and my best friend and her nephew, B...
Then, my best friend's brother fnally accepted our standing offer of an alternate living situation for his daughter. So, P will be coming to live with us in about a week and a half. She's, also, got some emotional/mental disabilities. She looks normal in every way, but was born with fetal alchol syndrome and some other issues. Emotionally & reasoning ability she's about 12, and is very easily influenced. She's gotten herself mixed in with a really bad crowd of characters, and we are hoping to get her back on track for Jesus and teach her how to STAY pure and holy before the Lord -- not just when she's here!
On Wednesday at prayer meeting, (we have prayer night at our church the 1st Wednesday of every month), I asked for prayer for all this -- it certainly seemed like a lot to me at the time! I was sitting at the front of the church and my husband was in the sound booth, so pastor had a group gather around my husband and another around me. When they got done, our worship leader said (and elaborated more to me yesterday) she saw our house as a lighthouse with a sure, steady beam -- the beam proclaiming the gospel -- and that inside our home was a place of safety, refuge and healing for many. Pastor, as soon as she was done speaking, said, "Yes! I was going to say the same thing -- that their home is a place of security and refuge for the hurting and a great place for healing for many!"
I thought that was pretty cool, and a confirmation that we were doing what God wanted us to do. Little did I know what was to happen yesterday...
I had planned to sleep a little extra because we'd had a very intense day the day before and had also ended up staying up late. However, I woke at about 6:30 feeling I was supposed to get right up. About 15 minutes later, my neice, S, called. She was distraught and was asking if I had an alternate phone number for her dad. She ended up finding the number herself, but I did get her to tell me that she was going to call and ask him for money so she could drive across the country and come here, leaving her husband and children in Florida!
The last I'd heard from her was that things were going well with their family. She had decided to put her children in public school, (at the time I hadn't understood her reasoning), but she was confident it was the right decision. They were attending a new church, and she had finally received the settlement from the grocery store from when she slipped in their store and destroyed her knee. It had been a year since I'd heard from her, and in my spirit I was concerned, but had never been prompted to do anything. Quite honestly, I just thought she was busy with her new job and church and school activities.
This news left me reeling and in shock. A few minutes later, her father called me. He was very concerned that she was just running away from her problem as she has sometimes done in the past. I thought it really odd, too, because I'd seen so much spiritual growth in her in the last 10 years or so. Even though she'd been distant the past year, we've always been very close before that -- it didn't seem consistent with how I know her to be. He, also, said that he didn't really have any money to help her (it's all tied up in a real estate deal), and he felt if she were to come here, she should be with us, not him. (He and his family have a different type of Christianity) He asked me to call her and try to get more information and get a better feeling for the whole situation because she and I have always been so close.
I called her back and discovered her to be completely in her right mind. The situation, as it turned out, is very, very sad. She had caught her husband being unfaithful, (he has been in the past, but we thought it was all over and done with), confronted him and he refused to change. Then he told her he wanted her to leave because he was tired of living with a godly woman! Her two eldest agreed with him -- they were tired of her influence cramping their style!
Once I found out he'd been unfaithful again, I agreed, she needed to leave. At first, she was planning to come alone, but then her youngest found out the details of what had happened, and she asked to come, too.
So began my day yesterday. If it hadn't been for the dreams and the specific Word we'd gotten from both our worship leader and pastor, I'm not sure how I would have reacted. I'm fairly certain the same outcome would have been reached, but I wouldn't have had the certainty about it that I do now. The rest of the day consisted of many phone calls, a fairly large debit on our home equity line of credit and a wire transfer to Florida.
My husband's and my 21st wedding anniversary was yesterday, too. We went out to eat and on the way home heard from S that they were in GA staying in a motel for the night.
At that time, I realized I have a very dear friend who would have probably put them up for the night, but it was too late for that. Oh well.
Anyway, she's headed across the country and should be here in a few days. That will put and additional 5 people and 2 dogs (tiny ones, thankfully!) into our home. My best friend and B stay at their own home, but take most meals here. My sis and bro-in-law have a travel trailer they will bring, so they'll have their own living space. We just need to figure out exactly how to divide up the space in the basement. We've got several ideas -- the space is about 1400sf and is currently divided into 3 sleeping areas and a living area, plus 1/2 bath and laundry -- but we're going to wait till folks get here to decide how we want to place everyone.
Thank the Lord for our big home and that we didn't move last year!!!
I'm completely confident that we are doing what the Lord wants us to do, and I'm also confident the mix will be very good. See, my sister went through very much the same thing -- her former husband left her because he was unfaithful and because she was a Christian and he didn't want any part of it anymore! (In the end, he gave his life to Jesus, and hadn't he been terminally ill with only a few weeks left to live, they would have remarried.) She will be able to minister to S in a way I never could. S will be able to minister to P in a way I never could because she came from a alcoholic home (her mom), and I'm hoping that P will immediately come around and be able to comfort little J because of what she's gone through!
You know, it has been prophesized by many, many people that we were going to have a very powerful ministry, and that it was going to be different than anything we'd ever done before. Well, this sure is different!!
Please, be in prayer for S and J's safety and that P will not change her mind because of the change in our circumstances. I still very much feel she is supposed to be here!
Oh, and spiritually, B's doing great -- but he needs a job. Please pray about that, also.
And, finally that the tranistion with my husband's schooling will go smoothly and my ankle will complete the healing process! I'm still on crutches...
Blessings,
Sharron
I woke realizing the equity in our house will be sufficient and with the strong impression that God will take care of repaying the debt (the "leftovers" in each dream.) The families I figured were my sis and bro-in-law who are also coming to go to trucking school next week and my best friend and her nephew, B...
Then, my best friend's brother fnally accepted our standing offer of an alternate living situation for his daughter. So, P will be coming to live with us in about a week and a half. She's, also, got some emotional/mental disabilities. She looks normal in every way, but was born with fetal alchol syndrome and some other issues. Emotionally & reasoning ability she's about 12, and is very easily influenced. She's gotten herself mixed in with a really bad crowd of characters, and we are hoping to get her back on track for Jesus and teach her how to STAY pure and holy before the Lord -- not just when she's here!
On Wednesday at prayer meeting, (we have prayer night at our church the 1st Wednesday of every month), I asked for prayer for all this -- it certainly seemed like a lot to me at the time! I was sitting at the front of the church and my husband was in the sound booth, so pastor had a group gather around my husband and another around me. When they got done, our worship leader said (and elaborated more to me yesterday) she saw our house as a lighthouse with a sure, steady beam -- the beam proclaiming the gospel -- and that inside our home was a place of safety, refuge and healing for many. Pastor, as soon as she was done speaking, said, "Yes! I was going to say the same thing -- that their home is a place of security and refuge for the hurting and a great place for healing for many!"
I thought that was pretty cool, and a confirmation that we were doing what God wanted us to do. Little did I know what was to happen yesterday...
I had planned to sleep a little extra because we'd had a very intense day the day before and had also ended up staying up late. However, I woke at about 6:30 feeling I was supposed to get right up. About 15 minutes later, my neice, S, called. She was distraught and was asking if I had an alternate phone number for her dad. She ended up finding the number herself, but I did get her to tell me that she was going to call and ask him for money so she could drive across the country and come here, leaving her husband and children in Florida!
The last I'd heard from her was that things were going well with their family. She had decided to put her children in public school, (at the time I hadn't understood her reasoning), but she was confident it was the right decision. They were attending a new church, and she had finally received the settlement from the grocery store from when she slipped in their store and destroyed her knee. It had been a year since I'd heard from her, and in my spirit I was concerned, but had never been prompted to do anything. Quite honestly, I just thought she was busy with her new job and church and school activities.
This news left me reeling and in shock. A few minutes later, her father called me. He was very concerned that she was just running away from her problem as she has sometimes done in the past. I thought it really odd, too, because I'd seen so much spiritual growth in her in the last 10 years or so. Even though she'd been distant the past year, we've always been very close before that -- it didn't seem consistent with how I know her to be. He, also, said that he didn't really have any money to help her (it's all tied up in a real estate deal), and he felt if she were to come here, she should be with us, not him. (He and his family have a different type of Christianity) He asked me to call her and try to get more information and get a better feeling for the whole situation because she and I have always been so close.
I called her back and discovered her to be completely in her right mind. The situation, as it turned out, is very, very sad. She had caught her husband being unfaithful, (he has been in the past, but we thought it was all over and done with), confronted him and he refused to change. Then he told her he wanted her to leave because he was tired of living with a godly woman! Her two eldest agreed with him -- they were tired of her influence cramping their style!
Once I found out he'd been unfaithful again, I agreed, she needed to leave. At first, she was planning to come alone, but then her youngest found out the details of what had happened, and she asked to come, too.
So began my day yesterday. If it hadn't been for the dreams and the specific Word we'd gotten from both our worship leader and pastor, I'm not sure how I would have reacted. I'm fairly certain the same outcome would have been reached, but I wouldn't have had the certainty about it that I do now. The rest of the day consisted of many phone calls, a fairly large debit on our home equity line of credit and a wire transfer to Florida.
My husband's and my 21st wedding anniversary was yesterday, too. We went out to eat and on the way home heard from S that they were in GA staying in a motel for the night.
At that time, I realized I have a very dear friend who would have probably put them up for the night, but it was too late for that. Oh well.
Anyway, she's headed across the country and should be here in a few days. That will put and additional 5 people and 2 dogs (tiny ones, thankfully!) into our home. My best friend and B stay at their own home, but take most meals here. My sis and bro-in-law have a travel trailer they will bring, so they'll have their own living space. We just need to figure out exactly how to divide up the space in the basement. We've got several ideas -- the space is about 1400sf and is currently divided into 3 sleeping areas and a living area, plus 1/2 bath and laundry -- but we're going to wait till folks get here to decide how we want to place everyone.
Thank the Lord for our big home and that we didn't move last year!!!
I'm completely confident that we are doing what the Lord wants us to do, and I'm also confident the mix will be very good. See, my sister went through very much the same thing -- her former husband left her because he was unfaithful and because she was a Christian and he didn't want any part of it anymore! (In the end, he gave his life to Jesus, and hadn't he been terminally ill with only a few weeks left to live, they would have remarried.) She will be able to minister to S in a way I never could. S will be able to minister to P in a way I never could because she came from a alcoholic home (her mom), and I'm hoping that P will immediately come around and be able to comfort little J because of what she's gone through!
You know, it has been prophesized by many, many people that we were going to have a very powerful ministry, and that it was going to be different than anything we'd ever done before. Well, this sure is different!!
Please, be in prayer for S and J's safety and that P will not change her mind because of the change in our circumstances. I still very much feel she is supposed to be here!
Oh, and spiritually, B's doing great -- but he needs a job. Please pray about that, also.
And, finally that the tranistion with my husband's schooling will go smoothly and my ankle will complete the healing process! I'm still on crutches...
Blessings,
Sharron
Saturday, May 26, 2007
It has been a while!
Wow, it has been a while since I've posted! We've been so busy with my physical therapy, trying to get B settled in at my friends' house, my hubby having is 4th hernia repair surgery...
That last bit has been the most eventful and life changing. D had surgery ~2 weeks ago. All went well, but it really got us thinking hard. He just can't keep doing the heavy lifting as a cabinetmaker. He's thought a long time about doing truck driving.
At the same time, my bro-in-law has decided he wanted to look into a career in trucking cuz' he's not getting any younger either!
So, they have both enrolled in IITR truck school in Portland. Their course starts June 18. We are all very excited because this mean my sis & bro-in-law will be staying with us for the course and the training after the course. We'll have them for at least a month :)
I'll try to update as things progress.
Business-wise, I'd totally forgotten I had a Blujay store, until I had a sale from it last week! This is the link http://www.blujay.com/JAMSGems This is where I have most of my jewelry pieces. I've discounted all the prices as low as I can reasonably go -- meaning everything is anywhere from 50% to 90% off. We've got to move some inventory to make room for new!
On my EBay store www.stores.ebay.com/jamsgems4u I've had some really good pearl sales lately. Folks are starting to find my good deals! Also, I'll be adding some new gift items, like Bible covers, CDs and Veggie Tales stuff soon.
That's all for now!
Blessings,
Sharron
That last bit has been the most eventful and life changing. D had surgery ~2 weeks ago. All went well, but it really got us thinking hard. He just can't keep doing the heavy lifting as a cabinetmaker. He's thought a long time about doing truck driving.
At the same time, my bro-in-law has decided he wanted to look into a career in trucking cuz' he's not getting any younger either!
So, they have both enrolled in IITR truck school in Portland. Their course starts June 18. We are all very excited because this mean my sis & bro-in-law will be staying with us for the course and the training after the course. We'll have them for at least a month :)
I'll try to update as things progress.
Business-wise, I'd totally forgotten I had a Blujay store, until I had a sale from it last week! This is the link http://www.blujay.com/JAMSGems This is where I have most of my jewelry pieces. I've discounted all the prices as low as I can reasonably go -- meaning everything is anywhere from 50% to 90% off. We've got to move some inventory to make room for new!
On my EBay store www.stores.ebay.com/jamsgems4u I've had some really good pearl sales lately. Folks are starting to find my good deals! Also, I'll be adding some new gift items, like Bible covers, CDs and Veggie Tales stuff soon.
That's all for now!
Blessings,
Sharron
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
More Praises!!
The Lord really gave us some annointed worship last night. See, I'm a soprano on the worship team -- been "off duty" since October when I got re-injured and just started back up about 5 weeks ago -- but I don't normally have a very strong voice. Usually, I just blend with the other soprano(s). However, last night I was the main soprano (have been quite a lot lately). Worship leader is an Alto, can falsetto soprano, but not lots of volume. Last night, again, I asked for prayer for my sining voice -- we were so exhausted from working through D's storage all day right up till time for showers and church! God annointed! It was cool!!
God blessed so much yesterday, even while doing storage. I was thinking, "oh I don't want to type it all," but I need to praise the Lord for what He did, so here goes:
1. My kids were done with their schoolwork by 10:30 am!
2. D had kids she was supposed to babysit at 1:00. One has a broken leg, so we would not have been able to continue working on storage. Those kids cancelled, but another family called. The other family loves helping with cleaning, etc. The dad dropped them right at the storage units for us, and they were a super help!
3. Another friend "just happened to be down in town" and called and offered her help because she "figured we would be at storage." (Is that God or what?) She didn't do much but keep me company, but I certainly appreciated that (I'm not much use at storage cuz' of my leg) -- however, she brought her 16 year old daughter (one of my daughter's closest friends) who is a HUGE helper!
4. I was Actually Able to Help!! Both riding cart and electric wheel chair were in the van. They were unloaded to be able to load the van fully. My littlest one, who is also not much use at storage generally, and I went to a nearby restaurant and picked up food for our crew -- me driving the cart and her walking. I tried to go through drive-through, but they wouldn't let me (Ha! Ha!) But I hadn't brought my crutches!! They were very accomodating, though. They held the doors, etc. and even the patrons were very helpful. One fellow gave up his seat, so that I could gain access to the only easily-accessable plug in. The cook even gave us extra food because he messed up part of the order.
5. My eldest spied loose rubber on D's tire, thus preventing a probable very serious accident. This is actually two praises -- one that Dustie hadn't been in an accident already with the amount of driving she does, and two that she knew about it, so she didn't go up the River Road last night to church and probably end up in the River!!!
6. Because of all the help, the storage unit probably only has 2 loads left in it. She should be able to be out well-within the time-frame, thus saving her $85+ a month! (Prayer issue: Her house and van are full. She has to do some major sorting & tossing before we can get anything into either!)
Phew! I think that's it!! Sorry about all the "!!!" but it was that kind of day!!! :)
Blessings,
Sharron
God blessed so much yesterday, even while doing storage. I was thinking, "oh I don't want to type it all," but I need to praise the Lord for what He did, so here goes:
1. My kids were done with their schoolwork by 10:30 am!
2. D had kids she was supposed to babysit at 1:00. One has a broken leg, so we would not have been able to continue working on storage. Those kids cancelled, but another family called. The other family loves helping with cleaning, etc. The dad dropped them right at the storage units for us, and they were a super help!
3. Another friend "just happened to be down in town" and called and offered her help because she "figured we would be at storage." (Is that God or what?) She didn't do much but keep me company, but I certainly appreciated that (I'm not much use at storage cuz' of my leg) -- however, she brought her 16 year old daughter (one of my daughter's closest friends) who is a HUGE helper!
4. I was Actually Able to Help!! Both riding cart and electric wheel chair were in the van. They were unloaded to be able to load the van fully. My littlest one, who is also not much use at storage generally, and I went to a nearby restaurant and picked up food for our crew -- me driving the cart and her walking. I tried to go through drive-through, but they wouldn't let me (Ha! Ha!) But I hadn't brought my crutches!! They were very accomodating, though. They held the doors, etc. and even the patrons were very helpful. One fellow gave up his seat, so that I could gain access to the only easily-accessable plug in. The cook even gave us extra food because he messed up part of the order.
5. My eldest spied loose rubber on D's tire, thus preventing a probable very serious accident. This is actually two praises -- one that Dustie hadn't been in an accident already with the amount of driving she does, and two that she knew about it, so she didn't go up the River Road last night to church and probably end up in the River!!!
6. Because of all the help, the storage unit probably only has 2 loads left in it. She should be able to be out well-within the time-frame, thus saving her $85+ a month! (Prayer issue: Her house and van are full. She has to do some major sorting & tossing before we can get anything into either!)
Phew! I think that's it!! Sorry about all the "!!!" but it was that kind of day!!! :)
Blessings,
Sharron
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Praise Report!!
I have a praise report! :)
Let's see, first I tithed and gave our missions offerings. Then I roughed out our budget, and I wrote an email to my prayer group about our need $$. Then, I called SSA and found out the REAL reason I was denied was because we make too much $$ (by -$400 a month) and I didn't work the right amount during the right timeframe.
While I was sitting there listening to her tell me the real reason, I doodled a picture. I figured it would be easier to attach than describe. See how the first one is all shakey & wobbly and even a bit broken? When I got off the phone, I saw that and decided to draw a more "victorious" picture. I drew the 2nd. If you can't make it out, the word the big, muscular cross is smashing is "bills" -- this time it's the bills that are shakey and wobbly and Smashed! ("Denise" is the lady from SSA, fyi.)
So, nothing had really been accomplished, except, I think, a change in my mindset because of the doodle!
I hopped (remember, I'm on crutches) out to the living room because I'd been called for lunch. I ate my food and the phone rang. It was the finance lady from the hospital. See, we'd qualified for a reduction in payments, but we still owed well over $1000++ from my ER visits before I got insurance in January and continuing co-insurances. We've been paying $128.96 each month. She called to let me know she'd caught some more of my bills coming through the system, and that I'd sure been in there a lot lately. While we were talking, I told her that Dan is having surgery next month, & I don't qualify for SSA because we made too much by -$400. I asked if we could combine the accounts. She started talking then stopped short. She kind of sucked in her breath and asked, "How many people are there in your family? And how much is your gross income?"
She then told me they'd had a revision of their income guidelines and that we now qualify for a FULL WRITE-OFF!!! She's sending me the paperwork, so we will no longer have that bill! We won't get anything back that I've already paid (pooh), but I don't have to pay it this month!!
Talk about immediate answer to prayer :) :) :)
And, Jess' first orthodontist appt went just fine. The bill is paid-in-full -- ended up saving 25%. We have about $150 left from the $$ Dad gave us. Dan has a broken tooth, and with our discount card, I'm hopeful that will cover fixing it.
We also spoke to B last night and can really tell God is moving on his family!! Now, his maternal grandmother has been "on board" with the plan to move him here since she learned of it. She's even willing to help him financially to do so. She's a lovely Christian lady and is excited about him having the opportunity to get a fresh start and a ministry. His mother, sister and father have been giving him grief, though.
Well, yesterday, he spoke with his mom again. Apparently, Grandma had given her a call and explained it all to her. Now, she's on board and gave B her blessing! Woo Hoo! His dad even backed off yesterday. He's still unhappy, but resigned to the fact it is going to happen.
Thank you, God!! Prayer changes things and people!!
Poor B had to work from 1am till nearly mid-night last night. He called me about 9:15 almost in full-meltdown. He was so exhausted and frustrated, but I prayed with him. He felt better immediately and was able to quickly finish his work and head home. However, he is fully ready for us to come get him "tomorrow!"
Also, there is the problem of $$ for gas for the trip to get him. My friends's wheelchair van is a large consumer, so it will cost about $150 for the gas. God has provided that as well. I expect them to go Friday afternoon and come back either Saturday or Sunday. Please keep praying, as she'll be taking my children to help B pack up his stuff and load it. The little ones will go to keep B company while he drives in his car. J will be the muscles to help my friend with the packing and keep her company on the ride home!
Thanks again for praying!!
Blessings,
Sharron
Let's see, first I tithed and gave our missions offerings. Then I roughed out our budget, and I wrote an email to my prayer group about our need $$. Then, I called SSA and found out the REAL reason I was denied was because we make too much $$ (by -$400 a month) and I didn't work the right amount during the right timeframe.
While I was sitting there listening to her tell me the real reason, I doodled a picture. I figured it would be easier to attach than describe. See how the first one is all shakey & wobbly and even a bit broken? When I got off the phone, I saw that and decided to draw a more "victorious" picture. I drew the 2nd. If you can't make it out, the word the big, muscular cross is smashing is "bills" -- this time it's the bills that are shakey and wobbly and Smashed! ("Denise" is the lady from SSA, fyi.)
So, nothing had really been accomplished, except, I think, a change in my mindset because of the doodle!
I hopped (remember, I'm on crutches) out to the living room because I'd been called for lunch. I ate my food and the phone rang. It was the finance lady from the hospital. See, we'd qualified for a reduction in payments, but we still owed well over $1000++ from my ER visits before I got insurance in January and continuing co-insurances. We've been paying $128.96 each month. She called to let me know she'd caught some more of my bills coming through the system, and that I'd sure been in there a lot lately. While we were talking, I told her that Dan is having surgery next month, & I don't qualify for SSA because we made too much by -$400. I asked if we could combine the accounts. She started talking then stopped short. She kind of sucked in her breath and asked, "How many people are there in your family? And how much is your gross income?"
She then told me they'd had a revision of their income guidelines and that we now qualify for a FULL WRITE-OFF!!! She's sending me the paperwork, so we will no longer have that bill! We won't get anything back that I've already paid (pooh), but I don't have to pay it this month!!
Talk about immediate answer to prayer :) :) :)
And, Jess' first orthodontist appt went just fine. The bill is paid-in-full -- ended up saving 25%. We have about $150 left from the $$ Dad gave us. Dan has a broken tooth, and with our discount card, I'm hopeful that will cover fixing it.
We also spoke to B last night and can really tell God is moving on his family!! Now, his maternal grandmother has been "on board" with the plan to move him here since she learned of it. She's even willing to help him financially to do so. She's a lovely Christian lady and is excited about him having the opportunity to get a fresh start and a ministry. His mother, sister and father have been giving him grief, though.
Well, yesterday, he spoke with his mom again. Apparently, Grandma had given her a call and explained it all to her. Now, she's on board and gave B her blessing! Woo Hoo! His dad even backed off yesterday. He's still unhappy, but resigned to the fact it is going to happen.
Thank you, God!! Prayer changes things and people!!
Poor B had to work from 1am till nearly mid-night last night. He called me about 9:15 almost in full-meltdown. He was so exhausted and frustrated, but I prayed with him. He felt better immediately and was able to quickly finish his work and head home. However, he is fully ready for us to come get him "tomorrow!"
Also, there is the problem of $$ for gas for the trip to get him. My friends's wheelchair van is a large consumer, so it will cost about $150 for the gas. God has provided that as well. I expect them to go Friday afternoon and come back either Saturday or Sunday. Please keep praying, as she'll be taking my children to help B pack up his stuff and load it. The little ones will go to keep B company while he drives in his car. J will be the muscles to help my friend with the packing and keep her company on the ride home!
Thanks again for praying!!
Blessings,
Sharron
Update on B and hubby 4-24
Hi there,
I realized it has been several days since I've done an update on my friends's nephew, B. Remember, the essence of his disability is that he's extremely easily swayed by "whomever is in his face!"
Well, he told his dad that he's moving here to get a fresh start, and his dad started "playing the martyr" and got B very upset. He was telling him things like "oh if you leave, I'll just die" and blubbering and crying and getting his cronies to do the same. Then told him more lies about his aunts. Very manipulative :(
B was so upset when he called us last evening. But we reminded him WWJD -- I actually had him write it on his wrist so that he could look at it when he's being verbally accosted!! We prayed with him a couple of times, and had him work this thing through in his own mind with us just using guiding questions. We discussed what it would be like for him if he stays where he is vs. coming to live here. We pointed out that Jesus said that he will reward those who leave friends, home and family for his sake will be rewarded 10 fold. In reality, that is what he would be doing.
He was much more at peace when we finished talking and praying with him. We intend to go get him very soon, but I wanted to know what his feeling was. I asked him, "B, when would you like to leave there and come here?" I told him to answer as if this were a perfect world and there were no obligations, etc. I wanted to know his heart... He said, "Tomorrow!" Please continue to pray for him to be stong. It just breaks my heart that so many people who "love him" are just using him and manipulating him for their own ends...
Next topic:
I think I mentioned that hubby's hernia has popped through AGAIN! This will be the 3rd time this one has been repaired. He saw a surgeon yesterday and surgery is scheduled for May 11. Guess he's going to have to have a pretty large incision this time...
Also, my eldest goes for her first orthodontics appointment today. Praise God we have the $$ for it! Please pray for our finances, though, as we've used all the rest of our savings on my medical bills and related expenses. I haven't even started PT yet and that is going to be pretty expensive plus D's surgery. Our current expenses exceed our current income by around $1500 a month. Even if I "could" work, I've been forbidden by my doc and also was denied by social security. Trusting the Lord for an answer!
Blessings,
Sharron
I realized it has been several days since I've done an update on my friends's nephew, B. Remember, the essence of his disability is that he's extremely easily swayed by "whomever is in his face!"
Well, he told his dad that he's moving here to get a fresh start, and his dad started "playing the martyr" and got B very upset. He was telling him things like "oh if you leave, I'll just die" and blubbering and crying and getting his cronies to do the same. Then told him more lies about his aunts. Very manipulative :(
B was so upset when he called us last evening. But we reminded him WWJD -- I actually had him write it on his wrist so that he could look at it when he's being verbally accosted!! We prayed with him a couple of times, and had him work this thing through in his own mind with us just using guiding questions. We discussed what it would be like for him if he stays where he is vs. coming to live here. We pointed out that Jesus said that he will reward those who leave friends, home and family for his sake will be rewarded 10 fold. In reality, that is what he would be doing.
He was much more at peace when we finished talking and praying with him. We intend to go get him very soon, but I wanted to know what his feeling was. I asked him, "B, when would you like to leave there and come here?" I told him to answer as if this were a perfect world and there were no obligations, etc. I wanted to know his heart... He said, "Tomorrow!" Please continue to pray for him to be stong. It just breaks my heart that so many people who "love him" are just using him and manipulating him for their own ends...
Next topic:
I think I mentioned that hubby's hernia has popped through AGAIN! This will be the 3rd time this one has been repaired. He saw a surgeon yesterday and surgery is scheduled for May 11. Guess he's going to have to have a pretty large incision this time...
Also, my eldest goes for her first orthodontics appointment today. Praise God we have the $$ for it! Please pray for our finances, though, as we've used all the rest of our savings on my medical bills and related expenses. I haven't even started PT yet and that is going to be pretty expensive plus D's surgery. Our current expenses exceed our current income by around $1500 a month. Even if I "could" work, I've been forbidden by my doc and also was denied by social security. Trusting the Lord for an answer!
Blessings,
Sharron
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Had an opportunity to speak with my friend's nephew...
I was able to speak with B a couple of times yesterday over the phone. The 2nd conversation we had quite a bit of time together (about an hour?) and I was able to share with him about the Armor of God (Eph. 6:9-18) and how important I've found it to be to actively put it on DAILY! We went through the scripture line by line and discussed it thoroughly, then we had a really good prayer time together. He shared with me that he'd been told by a pastor when he was in Bible College (I didn't know he'd been!) that he was called to Youth Ministry. Then he remarked that the calling was probably gone. Then I was able to share with him Romans 11:29. I like how the message puts it:
"God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded."
He said, "but we can walk away from God and negate that call." I then asked him what would happen when we come back to God in light of that scripture. "The call would come back!"
I really feel like, if nothing else, B is going to be more detrermined to live his life for Jesus, not just for a paycheck. I did share with him about my father. He was called into ministry, but never fulfilled that calling. He was a nice guy, had friends and lived paycheck to paycheck his whole life. He didn't ever get serious about Jesus until 2 weeks before he passed on. I told B that I didn't want that for him, to which he agreed.
I, also, shared with him, just before we hung up, that whether or not we are serving Jesus, God is going to use us. At that point he got this "oh maybe I can get out of this!" attitude in his voice because he hadn't properly heard how I'd finished my sentence... I had said, "Yea, he can use you like he did Peter or like he did Judas!" When he caught what I said, he said, "Oh, I want to be used like Peter or John, not like Judas Iscariot!!" And we talked about it just a bit to make sure it went past his short term memory (his primary disability is short-term memory loss.)
Please keep praying. We are going to try to get him to come do a job search here -- I think my friend is going to talk to him about it today.
Blessings,
Sharron
"God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded."
He said, "but we can walk away from God and negate that call." I then asked him what would happen when we come back to God in light of that scripture. "The call would come back!"
I really feel like, if nothing else, B is going to be more detrermined to live his life for Jesus, not just for a paycheck. I did share with him about my father. He was called into ministry, but never fulfilled that calling. He was a nice guy, had friends and lived paycheck to paycheck his whole life. He didn't ever get serious about Jesus until 2 weeks before he passed on. I told B that I didn't want that for him, to which he agreed.
I, also, shared with him, just before we hung up, that whether or not we are serving Jesus, God is going to use us. At that point he got this "oh maybe I can get out of this!" attitude in his voice because he hadn't properly heard how I'd finished my sentence... I had said, "Yea, he can use you like he did Peter or like he did Judas!" When he caught what I said, he said, "Oh, I want to be used like Peter or John, not like Judas Iscariot!!" And we talked about it just a bit to make sure it went past his short term memory (his primary disability is short-term memory loss.)
Please keep praying. We are going to try to get him to come do a job search here -- I think my friend is going to talk to him about it today.
Blessings,
Sharron
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