Balloon Montage

Ok, I have a few videos I took this summer that I just haven't had time to edit and get posted...but...I finally completed one!! The Balloon Montage. This year we had so much fun with water balloons that I wanted to make one video of all the balloon splashes! So here it is....

Videos

I've been having problems with windows movie maker lately. It has been so tempermental that it wouldn't allow me to upload videos from my camcorder! Today it suddenely started working, so I was uploading as many of the tapes I could! Here is one video from our church song service on
July 26, 2009.

Brother Weaver loves his King James Bible...so he sang this special:

My brother and I sang this song that he wrote part of and mixed it with: "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus"

Birthday!

Today is my youngest brother's 18th birthday. I can't believe that Dan is that old already! I remember 18 years ago travel on a dark night to a family's house. They were going to watch Mike, Rach and I while my mom had the baby.

On that evening I was sharing a room with my friend and we decided we wanted to see if the baby was born and what it was (boy or girl). So we cooked up a scheme to go downstairs and get some water...maybe, just maybe they would tell us that the baby was born. No such luck. Not even a peep about the baby. Now that I'm older I guess that he hadn't been born yet...we were a little too early in coming downstairs!

The next thing I remember is getting in the car. I felt so privileged that I could sit in the back seat with my mom and the baby between us. I just stared and stared at the baby with the chubby, big cheeks. Daniel Phillip was born on August 11, 1991 at 11:30 PM. He weighed over 8 pounds- biggest of us four!

I also remember that my mom had a red rose that I think my dad had gotten for her. I just recall that it was so pretty! When we got home my mom and dad took the baby to the living room and the three of us older children gathered around and just gazed at the new baby we had waited for so long so see. I remember that when mom was pregnant we would hug her belly at night and say, "Goodnight baby!"

Such good times and it still only feels like yesterday. So I say happy birthday to Bro Danny! May God bless you with many more to come!

What is Christianity?

Tonight I was planning on going to church, but was so tired that I fell asleep! The next thing I heard was my mom and brother saying they were leaving. So I missed it! I felt really bad, but I also know that I was really tired and needed to rest (I have one more day at camp tomorrow, so I'll need an extra push:-).

I was feeling so tired and dragged out that I decided to take a shower to clear my head and hopefully wake me up to get something more done. As I was getting ready I was thinking...you know sometimes we as Christians focus so much on ceremony that we forget that being a Christian is all about a personal relationship with God! How many times do we get busy with Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday night church. Nursing homes, Bible studies, mission trips, soul winning and all the things that get us out there and we then don't have a one on one with the Lord. There is nothing wrong with any of those things, it just bothers me when they seem to get more important than walking personally with the Lord.

Maybe I'm finicky, but I do so cherish that time I get with the Lord. My dad used to tell of a man, I think it was Martin Luther. If he had a busy day he would just get up an hour earlier so he could spend time with the Lord. I try to remember that and do that, but sometimes I get so tired. I'm glad we live in the age of grace and that God is so merciful. We can not live today without Him. So get close and stay close. That is when the other things...church, missions, nursing homes, singing, etc....will be more meaningful and you can have a bigger impact for the Lord. After all, it's all about Him who died for us little pieces of dust.

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.

The girl who cried bear!!

Okay...the last two weeks have been for the black bears. For those of you who do not know, we have black bears here in PA. The first time I saw one in the wild was a few years ago when Dan and I were driving to our Pastors house to get our dogs and bring them home. It was right by the road and just bounding up the hill. It was huge (maybe some of the size could have been that it was getting dark out already and well, black bears are black...but still it was pretty big)!!

Since that time I've seen two at our local Animal land...in a very, very small cage.

I took my mom to animal land for her b-day 2 years ago and these were the bears.

Then two weeks ago Michael told me how at camp (he was a counselor) he took a bears temperature (I'm waiting to see if someone took a picture of that). I guess the forest ranger brought a bear to do s presentation for the teens...they only do it if they capture one. There is a mange infection going around and they want to treat the bears before it gets too bad. The ranger asked for a volunteer and Mike, not knowing what he was getting into, volunteered. Afterwards, we found out that they had captured the bear in the area where we live (they check the bear and tag it then let it go free back where they caught it). So everyone was joking about how now that bear will be gunning for Mike!

Last week they captured another bear, who apparently was not afraid of humans, and therefore going right up to homes and camps...not a good thing as this is a wild animal. So, by capturing it and tagging it they hope it will now fear humans. The ranger once again brought the bear to camp (by the way the bears are knocked out cold when they are there). This time my mom was able to hear the presenation...she was so excited! Mike was also a conselor last week for the junior camp...but no this time they didn't have to take a temperature, just tag it.

Okay...then yesterday at church the Pastor's wife was showing us pictures of a bear and her two cubs who is on their mountain (we live in a little valley and they live on the hill directly in front of us). We were all oohing and aahhing at the photos. On the way home as we were rounding a curve I saw a bear in the weeds. I called out, "Mom! A bear!" She slowed down and as we rounded the corner and the weeds parted the bear was right there!!! Less then 5-6 feet away...boy was I glad to have the car as protection! It stood on it's hind legs all the way up to it's full height! That was quite an awesome sight! (I'm not very good at estimating, but my mom said it looked like it could have been over 5 feet and at least 500-600 pounds.) It then turned and ran. As we slowly started to drive again I looked into the woods and saw two little cubs running. I assume that these are the same bears that were in the pictures from church. Unfortunately, we did not a have a camera, but it was amazing how close we were to see the bears.

Every Sunday my brothers run home from church (we are only 2 miles from church) well, we had just talked about how a mother bear will protect her cubs and not knowing what way the bears ran, my mom and I were nervous about the boys running home and wondering if they would meet the bears. So we drove out...with camera in hand...to pick them up (we had the Barger's over for lunch after church and Vance was running with my bro's as well).

We did not see the bears again...but I'm keeping a lookout and a close watch on the dogs...don't want to stumble on that mother bear!

What's in a Name

The URL for this blog is "A Song of Deliverance". I wanted to explain why I chose that.

First of all, I love music (I've been writing songs since I was a little girl) and the Lord has really used music in my life to lift me up and encourage me. Thus, it has been my goal to use the music the Lord gives me to encourage others. As of yet I have not had an opportunity to really get the music out there...but all in the Lord's time.

Anyway, one of the songs I started working on is called, "A Song Of Deliverance". It came about as a few months ago I was reading my Bible and saw Psalms 32:7- 'Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.' When I read that verse I began to feel encouraged knowing that it didn't say maybe God would preserve me from trouble or be my hiding place. If God feels like it He'll be there for you, but it said 'Thou shalt'.

It made me feel so encouraged and I also, was looking for a way to get out and share some things that the Lord had shown me, so I could encourage others. I was desperately trying to think of a name for this blog and realized that A Song of Deliverance should be it.

Every time in the last few years that I've felt: down, discouraged, distraught, frustrated, fearful or any feelings that one tends to have during those harder times- God had always given me a song of deliverance. It's actually during those times that I've written most of the songs that the Lord has given me. I feel so strongly that if you are in a trail the Lord will compass you about with some form of comfort that will assist you as you move to the deliverance He is bringing about for that situation.

Thus...my blog URL and the Psalms 32:7 title. I hope and pray that the Lord will use this blog to not only encourage others, but to be a song of deliverance for someone at some point and time...and maybe someday you'll hear the completed music for...A Song of Deliverance.

Birthday Surprise!

This past Friday my family and I did a surprise birthday party for Michael (my brother)! We invited the Barger family over and tried to do as much as possible to be ready without Mike suspecting it. A few times we almost slipped...but thankfully he didn't catch that anything was unawares until the time was right. He was very surprised and we all had a super time!

First, we had some good food and then we went and played our two favorite games....volley ball and water balloons. I must admit that it's a lot of work getting the balloons ready, but it is all worth it when you get to to fun of the game. What is the game? Try and get everyone as wet as possible!!

Volley ball was, I'm a terrible player, but I'm trying to get better. Actually, that evening was the most I've played volleyball than in anytime prior to that combined! Hopefully, we'll have some more of all that fun throughout the summer!!

Happy Birthday Mike!

Sometimes you just have to smile

This past Sunday we sang at a church that we have been going to for the last few weeks. We had tried to practice through the week (we only had one practice session), but couldn't seem to get settled on a song. Sunday morning we woke up and had to quickly confirm what we were going to sing. Well, sometimes things don't always go the way you planned. We had one song ready and another that was about 98% of the way there. We were just trying to figure out who was going to sing which verse.

When we got to church I turned to Mike and said, "Just sing the song through and we'll join in with you wherever we can." He nodded and church started. We got up to sing and the first song went great. The second song.....at home we were talking about me singing the second verse as a solo, but I thought that when I told Mike to just sing and we'll join in that we had changed that. Well, he may have nodded, but he still thought I was supposed to sing.

So Mike was strumming his guitar.....and strumming his guitar....and I turned and looked at him waiting for him to start singing, but there was just the guitar strumming. Then I thought...."HHHmmmm. Maybe I'm supposed to sing?" But unfortunately now I did know if it was safe to jump in and start singing or if I should just wait or what....by this time Mike was pretending that he was playing an interlude to the next verse.

Well, as it turns out he finished playing through the verse in the guitar as best he could and we all started singing again. Sometimes you can't change it so just smile and go along with the flow.......

Welcome!

Welcome to my new site! In the past the most I've done online is check my emails, write people back, and put articles I'd written on my writing sites that I use. But my sister has been after me to get out there and start a blog. So (drum roll please...) today I not only started this blog (after about two weeks of trying to think of a url) but I also started a facebook profile (she's also been after me for a few months on that one)! So, Rach....here it is!!!

Till next time!
Reb