But He said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..." 2 Corinthians 12:9a

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween 2009

Halloween day started with a birthday party at Artworks in Hernando. Maddy and Morgan Hanson had a joint birthday party. The kids got to paint a Christmas tree ornament of their choice. It was a lot of fun. Then The Lemonds' family came over that evening and we went trick or treating in our subdivision. The kids were so excited to get all of the candy!! Then, we went back to our house and let the kids hand out treats to the kids still trick or treating. I think they enjoyed this as much as going themselves. They each had their little jobs. We handed out flyers for Riverbend church. This was Mari Morgan's job. She made certain they got a flyer, even if they got no candy. It was priceless. We had a lot of fun. Thank you Karis and Brayden for trick or treating with us!!!



Mari Morgan painting her star at the party



Mari Morgan and Maddy, one of the birthday girls



Mari Morgan and Mackenzie



David Fields



MM and Karis



Karis, MM, and David



MM and Anna



The Lemonds Family- check out the cutest little ladybug EVER!!



Our family







MM and her pumpkin she painted



My babies- Little Mermaid and my MVP







It started getting a little chilly, but they didn't mind



The clan in their costumes; Nathan football player, MM Little Mermaid, Karis Memphis Tigers cheerleader, Brayden Memphis basketball player. Aren't they cute???




Afterwards, HOT CHOCOLATE, YUM!!!!


What a fun Halloween!!!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Praying with purpose!

"I have been doing a Bible study on my own called Lord Teach Me to Pray by Kay Arthur.  This has been an unbelievable study, teaching me things about prayer that I did not know. Tomorrow is my last day of study, but I wanted to write what I have learned.  The whole study is based on the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13.  I memorized this prayer as a child, but never knew the "real" impact it CAN have on your prayer life.  There have been so many times I have dove in to prayer with a meaningless approach to His throne.  Now, I start EVERY prayer with praise and adoration for who He is!!  Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name!  The very fact that you pray is to worship God!  

"Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  This means we anxiousy await the time when He physically rules on this earth.  We let His kingdom be done in us, that is, doing our part to bring people to Him until His coming.  This is a quote from Adrian Rogers.  "No matter how faithfully you attend church, how generously you give, how circumspectly you walk, how eloquently you teach, or how beautifully you sing, if you are not endeavoring to bring people to Jesus Christ, you are not right with God."

Romans 12:1-2;  "Therefore I urge you by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Kay says if God's will is good, acceptable, and perfect, don't you long to be right in the middle of it?  George Mueller applied biblical principals in his decision making .  When you seek God in this manner I believe He will bless.

1.  I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of it's own in a given matter.

2.  I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression.

3.  I seek the will of God through the Word of God.If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word I lay myself open to great delusions.

4.  Next, I take into account providential circumstances.  These plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word.

5.  I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright!

6.  Thus through prayer to God, the study of the Word,and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgement according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues after 3 petitions I proceed accordingly.  

"Give us this day our daily bread"- I love this one!!  It says give US our daily bread.  We are not only commanded to pray for our daily needs, but for the daily needs of others as well.   
It asked me to sit quietly before the Lord and think of one specific person to pray for. God laid someone on my heart, and I continually lift her and her family up in prayer.  


First we are to ask.
Second, know you and I are supposed to ask within the boundaries of God's Word.(Psalm 145:17-19)
Third, you must ask according to the will of God.
Fourth, you must ask until the answer comes.
Fifth, remember when you ask, ask for others!

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors".  God will deal justly with all who sin.  But that is God's business.  Yours is to forgive...period.  With this, God also commands us to confess the sins of the people.  This was very hard for me to do, and still is.  Let your heart be broken with the things that break His heart.  In the book of Daniel, Daniel always included himself in the shortcomings of Israel.  We have to ask God how to plead with Him on behalf of His church.  I still struggle with this.

"Do not lead us into temptation"- Can I tell you this part of the study changed my life?  Well, all of it did, really.  You see,  I struggle with anxiety.  So much, that I have to take medication(the lowest possible dose)to help control the symptoms.  I am somewhat embarrassed about that, but it has helped me so much.  I have been so confused about how to pray to God about how to control the anxiety.  This study opened my eyes to exactly what I needed to pray.  It is called preventative prayer.  This final topic of prayer is a cry for deliverance.  Grounded in Matthew 5: 3-8, it says spare me Father , from needless trials or testings in which I might find myself tempted.  When I have these attacks, I am tempted to lose control, and lose trust in my Father.  I now pray the preventative prayer of, Father, please remove any thoughts from my head that will trigger an anxiety attack.  Just do not even let them come into my head!!  

"...keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  We are telling God that we realize we cannot handle the Evil One alone.  We are willing to stand in righteousness, but God must do the delivering.

I am so thankful for this study and how it has made me better understand how to pray, both for others and myself.

     

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Coupon craziness

The past 2 weeks have been crazy!!  I wanted to update on my couponing that I started doing a little while ago.  Last night I spent over an hour clipping and organizing my coupons.  I went to Wal-Mart today to buy half of my list.  I went through the store in a huge hurry because I had to be back at the school to pick up the kids by 2:45.  I walked in the store at 2:05.  I frantically gathered all the things(those that I could find).  I'm not very acquainted with Southaven Wal-Mart.  When I got to the check out, I quickly placed all my things on the belt and swiped my card.  While I was sacking up the leftover things into the buggy, the lady handed me my receipt and said "have a good day".  I had laid all my coupons on the counter without telling her about them.  She said it was too late!!  I was SO mad at myself!!!  How dumb is that?????  I plan to go to 3 other stores tomorrow.  I sure hope I am more responsible with my coupons, and my wallet certainly hopes so.  

Friday, October 16, 2009

My AVON business

I first started praying about doing AVON  5 weeks ago.  As I prayed and asked God to show me if this was right for me,  I felt a peace.   But more than anything, these verses continued to come up in my time with Him.  Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily,as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ."  I then continued to feel a peace about it, so I signed up to do it.  After all, I do love make-up, and smell goods, and jewelry, and girly stuff.  Well, I have to write about my morning, THIS morning!!  I am trying to complete a Bible Study called, Lord, Teach me to Pray, by Kay Arthur.  It is a six week study that I have been doing for going on 2 months now.  I take my time.  On mornings that I don't work, I spend about 45 minutes in this study.  This morning I am not working, so I had planned to sit down and start on week 6.  But, I know now, that God wanted me to get my computer and look at the Daily Light scripture for the day.  Guess what it included..... Colossians 3:23-24.  God said Paige, use AVON for me.  I am about to make my labels for my brochures and fliers.  I am seeking His face about what to put on these materials.  How exciting!  When he tells me, I will post!  Glory to God!!

Monday, October 12, 2009

What About Nathan?

I realize I have posted a lot about Mari Morgan lately.  Nathan has been overwhelmed with school, but has really shocked us with how well he is adjusting.  We are so proud of him.  His absolute obsession right now is Football.  Neither one of us want him to play, but we have told him that we will let him try next year.  I really don't think he understands what it is really going to be like.  But, we promised he could try.  Nathan is so non-aggressive and frankly, just too sweet for the game if you ask me.  But, we will see.  Hopefully he will change his mind, but that looks very unlikely!!   

Friday, October 9, 2009

Mari Morgan's Farm Breakfast at School

If you have not read the post below this one, stop right now and read it first.  This is the best I could do to her on looking like a farmer.  It was a fun time.  We served all 24 of the kids for the breakfast.  Needless to say, they kept us busy!!  I want more juice, more bacon, more sausage, more muffins, well, you get the idea!!  They have been talking about the farm for the past 2 weeks, so they had a "farm breakfast" on Friday.   The kids were so well behaved and looked so cute in their farmer outfits, well except one.  I'll let you pick which one you think it is.  Mari Morgan, I love you so much, but sometimes you are way too stubborn and way too independent.  I bought you the cutest pink plaid shirt to wear with your jeans.  I wanted you to wear a pink bandanna in your hair.  You would not wear any of it!! Instead, you insisted on this "cat shirt" with painted overall straps on it.  Then, you wanted your hair braided.  I cannot braid, so Daddy was left with the job.  He did his best, but I must say, you were a pretty homely farmer.  Oh well, you had fun,  and I guess that is what matters.  Maybe next time we'll do better.   


Mari Morgan and Hannah



Maddy and Maddy



Mari Morgan at her table (gotta love the shirt).







Danica- Love the pink hat!






Maddy and MM with the cow- I mean what about her outfit says farmer????? She even has on flip-flops! Ha!



All the little farmers






Mrs. Lori and MM and Maddy
YEE-HAW!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Ridiculous!!

Ridiculous!  I use this word a lot with my kids.  I will tell them, "You are being ridiculous", or "That is so ridiculous".  Tonight I was the one being ridiculous.  Tomorrow is "Farm Day" in Mari Morgan's Kindergarten classroom.  Some of the parents are bringing breakfast food to the school and they are having a "Farm Breakfast".  They are supposed to dress like farmers.  Today Amber, a friend of mine, and me went to Wal-Mart to find her something to wear.  Of course the obvious would be to wear overalls with braids and bows, but not Mari Morgan.  She will NOT wear overalls and cries and pitches fits when I even mention a bow.  Amber found this cute little plaid shirt she could wear with her blue jeans, and we found some brown boots.  Mari Morgan opened the sack and said, "I am not wearing this shirt."  She quickly told me her feet would get way too hot in the boots. So, both get to return to Walmart.  She has a "cat" shirt that she adores that has a bluejean overall pocket on it with a cat peeking out.  This is what she wanted to wear.  She said, "Cats are on farms."  This is NOT one of my favorite shirts.  So, I blow up and say "No, you are not wearing that shirt."  I was mad that she did not like what we bought her and I DESPISE the "cat" shirt.  We got in a knock down drag out over a shirt.  Now, who was being ridiculous?  I acted SO ugly!!!  I also made this comment.  You will be the only one there without cute overalls or something like that on.  You will have on a "cat"shirt.  So ugly!!  She is crying at this point.  I put her in the tub, slinging things around, and realized how RIDICULOUS I was acting.  I apologized to her and we went calmly to find her something to wear to "Farm Day".  Guess what she is wearing?  Her "cat" shirt and jeans.  Do I like it? NO!  But, boy was I convicted!  Especially after I looked her in the eyes and said, "Mommy was acting ridiculous.  I'm sorry I said ugly things and got so upset."  Of course, I started crying.  She said, "Yes, I forgive you", and gave me a huge hug and was patting me on the back.   So sweet!  I didn't want to let her go.  Then I started thinking.  I didn't want her to look different from everyone else.  I wanted her to "fit in".  How careful I need to be with that.  To be honest, I don't want her to be like all the rest.  I want her to stand out.  I want her to be different.  I want her to be a godly young woman.  You better believe she will hear this sermon in the morning.  I'm feeling my Father's discipline, and it hurts, but he knows it will make me a better mom.         

Friday, October 2, 2009

Mari Morgan's Fall Field Trip

Mari Morgan had her very first school field trip today.  They went to Kidz Kountry in Southaven.  Mari Morgan was sooooo excited to get to ride the bus.  The parents met them there.  She was so taken away by it all.  I don't think she said a word until 15 minutes into the trip.  It was a beautiful day, and the whole class seemed to have a really good time.  I know Mari Morgan did.  


First arriving







Riding the train



She loves horses, so she is LOVING this!!







Waiting on the bench



Milking a goat



Mrs. Lori, MM, and Mrs. Stacie- her WONDERFUL teachers



Some of her buddies



Her favorite friend in her class- Maddy



Mari Morgan and Maddy feeding the horse







Feeding the goat



This is a lot of bacon!!



Petting the baby goat



Petting the duck



Mari Morgan and me on the hay ride



Hayride



Lunch time- eating beside Madison, another favorite friend



Hannah and MM with their pumpkins



All the class pumpkins



Mari Morgan and her punkin'



Searching for the perfect one



Kindergarten class



It was a blast!  Hope to go again soon!