So sweet!

Yesterday day my brother Dan came home after spending three days at the Cheeks house. Now usually when he's home he does the dishes in the morning when he wakes up. So I was desperately trying to get the dishes done before he got home- I was a little behind because this past Saturday we had a party at our house for Rachel's b-day. Try as I might I just could not get all the dishes done. I'm usually pretty busy trying to keep up with the dogs, garden and other things around the house that I just didn't have the time!

So this morning as I was making breakfast Dan was in his usual morning post of washing the dished-he had put the ones away that I had washed yesterday. I was apologizing to him and just saying: "Sorry, Dan I was trying to get them all done. I feel so bad that you have to do these." And all types of things like that.

He very graciously said, "It's okay, don't worry about it! Are you going to be in here (the kitchen) for a while (he wanted me to stay so we could talk about all the fun he had while he was away)?" He then proceeded to wash the dishes and just talk up a storm about what he did the last three days-we always talk when he's doing dishes and I'm making dinner...it's so much fun!

I thank God for such a great gift in Bro. Danny. He's always looking for ways to help me in the kitchen and he's not selfish about it at all. He's always looking for things he can learn as well about baking and cooking his favorite dishes. Most men make hot dog, boxed mac and cheese or pbj's. Dan makes-from scratch- pizza dough and sauce, and the best mac and cheese you could eat, he also makes other things but I can't think of them as those two things are his primary and best dishes he does! Bottom line is that he's always helping out in the kitchen with dishes and meals. I know I can count on him when I need the extra hands!

I tell him that someday he's going to make a girl very, very happy!

Now if I can just find a guy like him I'll be all set! :-)

Grumbling and complaining

The way I figure it is that there are three primary complainers:

1. People
2. Stomachs...I just made some apple muffins so my stomach is complaining quite loudly
3. Pudgie...our cat who always has something to meow and complain about...constantly.

What has brought this thought on is that I have been doing a study on Joseph. One of the points was quite an eye opener. All the while that Joseph wen through his trials the Bible never records a complaint or grumble from him. Now you all remember Joseph, right?

First, he was his brother's disliked him so much that they threw him into a pit and then after deliberating on what to do with him; sold him to the Ishmealites. He then was noticed by Potiphar who put him in charge of his household goods. Now things seemed to be looking up, but right when it all seemed to be going so well he was wrongly accused by Potiphar's wife (sounds like everyday life doesn't it?). Because he refused to sin and did the right thing by fleeing from sin, he was cast into prison. Now I don't know what prison was like back then, but I'm sure it was pretty bad. But once again Joseph worked to his best ability and was placed in a position of authority. Finally, he foretold what the dreams of the cupbearer and baker meant, and even though it did not free him right away, eventually it lead to his freedom. Joseph then became the highest ruler in Egypt and saved many people's lives, including his family, during a great famine that lasted seven long years.

Here are some of the points learned:

1. Joseph did not complain or grumble...why? Perhaps he realized that where he was, was where God wanted him, and in God's timing all would be made right. He then proceeded to work to the best of his ability and with a joyful heart (how else could he have attracted the attention of both Potiphar and the prison keeper...they had to have seen something in Joseph that really set him apart from the rest.)
   
2. Joseph did not sin even though it would have seemed a better way to go. Sometimes in life the temptation to do something that would not please God seems better than just waiting on god to show you an open door. Also, when we sin I believe that it takes God longer to work in your life as first you have to face the consequences of that sin. It does not mean that God won't work it just means that it will be a harder and perhaps longer road than staying faithful and true to what pleases God.
3. God's plan, timing and how He does it is not always the way we want it or had hoped for. When Joseph gave the interpretation of the dream to the cupbearer and butler I'm sure he thought that he might be released within the week. However, there was a period of time that passed. It wasn't until Pharoah had a dream that Joseph was released from the prison.

Finally, Joseph was reunited with his father and family. Someday after all these trials we will be reunited with our family and friends, but more importantly with our Heavenly Father! When that does happen these trails we face will be nothing. Just as a women who gives birth does not remember the pain of labour so we will not remember the pain and travail down here.

In closing 'd like to encourage you to keep moving forward in the trust, belief and faith that God is with you. Don't mumble, grumble and complain. Keep a joyful spirit. the best way to do that (it's often hard to do) is to consciously remind yourself of how the Lord will bring you through. How he never leaves your side. Sometimes it's easy to want to complain when doing chores and things others should or could be doing and it feeling like all you do is fill in for others who are just laying around- but one day the Lord showed me that work is pleasing to Him. So do it with a joyful attitude and to His honor and Glory.

In the mean time I intend to put my grumbling and complaining stomach to rest by eating one of those muffins!

July 4, 2009...finally!!

One of my favorite things to do is video photography...but I haven't had much of a chance to really get into it until recently! I had bought my camera in 2007 because I wanted to have videos of a new litter of puppies we had. But I just hadn't quite gotten into taking my camera with me until this year 2009. Now I just get so excited in wondering what kinds of great shots I can get to create a fun video for posterity sake.

I finally completed the video from the 4th of July picnic we had at the Barger's house!! I don't think I did too bad considering I had to wade through and edit over 40 minutes of footage! But let me know what you think...there is one part that I don't think really fits, but I just really wanted to finish the video.

We had so much fun and really enjoyed the fellowship. So here it is....

Ok...I should have added in the credits that the video photographers include my mom, Rachel and I. I'm so grateful for their help as what good is a video for posterity sake when you aren't in it?!?!

What's up?

Today I was reading a friends blog and she had written about overcoming being lazy. (Go To The Ant? Those Tiny Girls) It struck a chord as laziness is one of the biggest offenders of all! I always struggle with laziness in terms of writing friends and keeping up this blog! I think my biggest problem is consistency though. To be consistent however...means to not be lazy but diligent. So I am trying but I know that it is a continual, constant work in progress.

Now in all fairness, to not having kept up with my writing, I have been busier lately. For the last month I've been helping out at His Thousand Hills camp. A few days a week they've needed some help in the kitchen so since I love the kitchen I've been going there. I've been been able to help make the meals and even baked some desserts. I've had some nice complements on some of the dishes I've prepared, which is such an encouragement as I am still a newbie at preparing food for large crowds. Yes, I've done lots of prep and meals for big groups of people at church, family graduations, and after church fellowships at our house (what can you say, quite a few family's we know have quite a few children!) But I've never really done baking in pans bigger than 13X9 for cakes or brownies. Well, at camp you need to maximize not only your time as things take longer to cook than at home in your own oven, but you also need to make a lot of food as people get extra hungry running around all day. The children because they are young and growing and the adults because they are chasing the children!

Also, this Saturday my sister, Rachel, is having a volley ball bash at our house for her birthday. (Actually, saying that it's her b-day is just an excuse to have people over and have some fun with volley ball and water balloons...my personal favorite:)

I've been trying to get all the details together, but if you know Rachel she doesn't really plan things out like ABC. She just thinks that it just all come together...just like some children think that money magically arrives under the pillow when a tooth gets put there. So I've been trying to chase Rae down for details on who is coming when (we are having lunch and dinner as some people can't be there later in the day) what we should have for food, what our budget is, what games will we do, how should we set things up, will you help in cleaning the house? Of course it does not help that 1) I usually have a list and organized pattern for how I do things and, 2) I'm a worry wart...will be have enough food, will everyone have a place to sit, what if someone can't eat what we are serving....and on and on. Like I said I like to have things in order and Rach...well take a look at her room some day and you'll see what I mean (she doesn't even have sheets on her bed, she just throws blankets and pillows on...like what most people do except most people do it when they are tossing their laundry out to fold it...and she then proceeds to sleep however she falls down on the bed...sometimes shoes and all (what can I say she's a funny girl). All I usually do is smile though...some people are just different and how would the world be with out them??? Boring. :-)

So I'm trying to get a lot done for Saturday and then I plan to relax and have some fun.

In the mean time I remind myself of three simple things:

1) Don't be purposefully undiligent (is that a word? It sounds so much nicer than lazy!)

2) Just do your best in all that you do and remember for whom you are really doing your work (or anything) for...Our Lord

3) Do all that you do with a SMILE (even when and especially when you don't feel like it)...because once again, remember for whom you are really living your life for...to the honor and glory of our Saviour.