Michael's unit overseas...Michael is third from the left in the second row. How very proud I am of him!  

New attitude about Scripture

I have noticed over the past couple weeks that my desire to read scripture has grown. I am more than ever finding it my life line to daily life. Not that I didn't read it before to gain insight, in my quiet time with God, and to hear wht the Father has to say, but I don't remember ever having the feeling of being starved if I haven't read SOMETHING from the Word. I pick up my Bible, it seems, every hour or two needing to read something out of it, always asking God to speak to me when I open it up, like I am going to pick up the phone to talk to my sister or something. I love the thought that all I have to do is open up this worn book on my desk and I will hear the voice of my God on the pages! I know this all sounds very elementary to those of you who believe, and very immature to those of you who have been walking with God for a long time; I don't care, I am just grateful and thankful that God rekindled a passion and desire for His written word in my heart that hasn't been there in a long time!

So, I was very frustrated when I ran across this article on a website that my mom forwarded to me. http://www.worthynews.com/zone.cgi?http://news.telegraph.co.uk/core/Content/displayPrintable.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/09/22/nbible22.xml&site=5 Sorry it is not all nice and pretty and compact into a one word link, I can't figure out how to do that yet! So if anyone can educate me on that please feel free to do so! I cannot imagine eliminating anything from the Word of God! Even in the name of convenience!

Back to a normal life for me

Well, I did it, I quit Kroger. I no longer work odd hours, miss seeing my girls, make minimum wage, have to wear a uniform, or be in a union. I am FREE!!! Thank you God, for the experience, the teaching, and the grace that you gave to my family while I went through this!

The bittersweetness of Grandchildren

Jamie and the baby stopped to spend the night last night before heading down to Ft Campbell. Before they got here I was frustrated and hurt that she just spent two and a half weeks at her moms and couldn't find the time or effort to spend more than 24 hours with us. As my own mother-in-law's words echo in my ear: "Welcome to life as a Mother-in-Law" I sit trying to reconcile the fact that I may not get the chance to be a big part of Ashlyn's little life. That is hard. I totally fell in love with her. I would give my life for her. I do know this, no matter what, she will ALWAYS know that I love her and she is safe and welcome in my home at all times!

So, Jamie left this morning; we offered to keep Sadie for her. Not really an even trade in my book, but it will be fine. I am just praying I don't become resentful!

So, I finally have a day off at the place of business that is work, but am at the place of business that is work but doesn't feel like work. It's funny, the contrast between the two jobs that I work is extreme. I will do a list for you:

Kroger

1. time clock
2. standing all the time
3. face to face contact with different people all the time
4. big unionized corporation
5. uniform
6. several different bosses
7. low paying, weekly paycheck
8. exhausting
9. fast paced
10. varied hours

Legacy

1. free to set my own hours
2. sitting @ desk all day
3. telephone contact w/people mostly
4. small family owned company
5. casual office attire
6. one big cheese
7. big paychecks, when I get them
8. relaxing work (yeah, it's true!)
9. slow going
10. 9-5 relatively all the time

The one thing I hate about large corporations is the feeling of having smoke blowed up your *ss about the things they promised you at time of hiring. I told them I could only work 25-30 hours a week and they assured me this was a part time position, I have yet to work a week that was less than 35 hours. Was hired for upfront customer service/office; still, for the most part cashiering. I know those things sound small and maybe insignificante, but they are huge to me. I had a conversation with the mgr. that does the scheduling yesterday that went like this:

Betty: "Christa, do you want to be trained up here? (meaning customer service/office)"

Me: "Yes, yes I do, I was hired for that."

Betty: "YOu don't mind the 4-midnight shift?"

Christa: "No, as long as I am not working more than 25-30 hours a week. I have another job, family and church stuff that I am responsible for."

Betty: "But what if it is a dire emergency that you work 40 hours a week?"

Christa: "Well, I guess if it is a dire emergency I would do it. But I am already burning the candle at both ends, so would prefer not to."

Betty: "But you would if it was an emergency right?"

Christa: "Yeah, I guess so."

It ended like that, I guess I need to go in tonight and see if I can look at the projected schedule to see what she scheduled me for. I am debating as to what to do if I am scheduled another 35-40 hours this coming week. If I am, I am half tempted to give them notice.

I am excited, Jamie and Ashlyn will be coming down on Saturday. I can't wait to see Ashlyn! I determined today that I don't see them enough, now I just have to figure out how to change that situation! I haven't heard from Michael in awhile, although I am sure Jamie has. No news is good news in my book!

Big hunk of "jerky" to chew on for awhile

I was spending a little quiet time this morning before I left, had asked God to speak to me...so He directs me to 1 Peter 4. Don't ask me how He directed me to this, He just always does it the same way. A scripture address, such as 1 Peter 4, pops into my head and I go there, end of story. It's always from Him, so I have learned to trust when I hear. So, anyway, I am reading this passage and this is what it says:

1 Peter 4:1-11 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
1 Peter 4
Living for God 1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

So I am sitting there stunned by just the first verse. "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, ARM YOURSELVES ALSO with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is DONE WITH SIN." I go on to read the rest of the passage and I am beginning to realize there is more information there than I can handle right now so I am left to chew on it like a cow chews her cudd. I feel as though I have been run over by a freight train! There are MANY nuggets of gold to pull out of this scripture, I am going to have fun with this!

By the way, regarding the post of yesterday, I have to, I must give all of the credit and glory to God for my children. He is the only one who fixed those things that I screwed up in my kids lives and made them all who they are today. So, I give you God all of the praise and glory and pride for my children!

Teens are not as bad as everyone thinks they are

I just wanted to let everyone know just how great my kids are! Starting with the youngest, I will just share with you why I think they are wonderful.

Chesiney (to your left) a.ka. Chesinita, Chester, Chessie, Chester Copperpot, Chester Cheetah, is kind and loving, does the dishes without being asked, a most talented volleyball, basketball, softball, well any sport for that matter, player, is an all around good kid, beautiful young lady, but most of all, makes me laugh so hard I wet my pants, funny! I couldn't have asked for a better daughter!

Kyrie (row 1, 1st one on the left), a.k.a. Audge, Audrey, Kyrie Andrea Nicole St.Peter, Puck :). Kyrie is awesome because she will do anything that you ask her to do! (Well, except go fishing!) She is a prayer warrior, an excellent student, she works hard and ALWAYS thinks of others before herself. She is kind and gentle, is wonderful with little kids, VERY patient with them, commited to purity and is a wonderful big sister to Chesiney! She has a great sense of humor too, she tries to make me wet my pants and succeeds sometimes!

Ashley, a.ka. Jellybean. Ashley is a wonderful daughter because she is strong and determined to make something of herself. She is caring and kind, beautiful and gracious. She loves to text message and can do it much faster than I can! She loves people and even likes to hang out with me! :0) She means more to mean than she will ever know, until she has a child of her own! She is awesome at plucking eyebrows....mine and Chessies are bushy now that she is gone! She too will do anything that you ask her to!

Steven, whom I don't have a picture of that I can post here, a.k.a. Steve, is a wonderful young man who loves God and people! He puts peoples needs before his own, is willing to try anything...even rides at Kings Island he never rode before! Steven is very outgoing, will talk to anyone, make friends with anyone and is a very loyal friend. He has a great sense of humor, I love to hear him tell jokes and love it when he makes me laugh. He too will do anything you ask him to do, no questions asked!

Cricket, a.k.a. Shorty, Her Royal Shortness, Brandalin, Cracker is a wonderful young lady because she is independent and strong. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. She has strong opinions and is not affraid to voice them. She is beautiful and has perfect teeth! Even without years of braces! she has a phenominal smile that just forces you to smile when you see it! She is Quick to forgive, loves the Lord. She loves even when she doesnt' really want to! She will ride any ride with me at Kings Island and scream at the top of her lungs!



Michael, a.k.a. Mike, is my first born. He is no longer a teen, but I had to tell just how proud and awesome he is. He is the first of my children to give me a beautiful grand daughter! He proudly serves our country in the Army, is in Iraq for the second time now, he is an honorable young man who loves his wife and child with all that is in him. He is caring and considerate, would do anything for anyone. He is responsible and full of integrity. He is a great hunter, he just doesn't get to do it that often! He has turned into a man that I am proud to call my son!


I am proud of all my children and count myself EXTREMELY blessed to have been choosen to be "mom" to these six people. I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of kids!

One week down, many more to go

I survived my first week of working two jobs. I know I full filled my commitment to my hourly job, from my observations I didn't short change my commission job. I never anticipated it to be difficult to manage both and it's not. I just found myself second guessing the job at Kroger mainly because I wasn't doing what I wanted to do. I had to miss Youth prayer last night which is something that I truely enjoy, because I had to work at Kroger. But in the midst of my shift at Kroger I knew that I was where I was supposed to be. Nothing major happened...no one got saved in aisle 4, I didn't get to pray with someone for healing at register 8, I didn't even get to share my faith with a co-worker, I didn't even get a solid chance to pray over the store at any time last night; but I KNOW that I KNOW I was supposed to be there last night. I don't understand the reasoning, I certainly could find another part time job that pays more, but that is not what God has planned. So here I sit, splitting my time between Legacy, Kroger, my family and church. I no longer have any days off per se, but am finding it very satisfying to be doing what my Father wishes me to do.

On a more intense note...Michael is leaving his wife and new baby girl this coming weekend. Not by choice but by orders from the DoD. His unit is being deployed for a second time to Iraq. I am sad that he will miss most of his daughters "first's". Although he did get to see her first 2 teeth! I am sad that he has to leave Jamie to fend for herself at Ft Campbell, this is where I struggle with his decision to buy a house down there. I wish she had the freedom to go back home to Ft Wayne and live with her mom until he came back. But all I can do is pray that she endures and God surrounds her with people that love Him and that she comes home often! :)

Tim, the girls (I think) and I are going down to Ft Campbell on Saturday morning. we will be back on Tuesday.

Well, back to work!

Super Niece to the Rescue

If you check out this link http://kaylassinglemom.blogspot.com you will find the cutest story about my niece! You may read the blog and think that Kayla's mom is just bragging about her little girl, but I am here to tell you that EVERYTHING that Jenn says Kayla does, she does. She truely is a smart child! So much so that I have encouraged Jenn to look into a school for the gifted!

So, I start work at Kroger's tomorrow! Yea! I have to do some training and then work on the register for awhile, because you know everyone has to know how to run a register. I am looking forward to doing this...I know most people would say "Why are you looking forward to a 2nd job?" I am looking forward to it for 2 reasons: First, I believe it is a God job, meaning that God has a plan for me there. My jobs, routinely have been born out of a prayer assignment from God, so I count it an honor to do this for Him! Second, it will be extra $$ to help pay off the credit card debt that we have racked up over the last couple years. I began the snowball effect into credit card debt by rationalizing in my head that I needed to establish my credit in case anything ever happened to Tim. Yeah, that was a stupid move...started out with one card...then two...then another which paid off the original two...then another one...then convinced Tim to get one for some reason I can't remember...then convinced Tim to get another one for another unknown reason. Yes, I am the instigator in these bad choices I admit. I suck at handling credit wisely...it is like giving a package of disinfectant wipes to a person with OCD, they can't help but wipe everything down.....I can't help but rack up credit cards.

Ok, I got a little personal there...more so than I think I really want out there for everyone to see. But I will be brave and post it anyway. If you pretend that a problem isn't there or you try to hide it, it just gets bigger and bigger. So I ask you, plead with you, if you see me out there in the big world buying stuff...ask me if I have permission to buy and is it really neccesary. Help a sister to stay accountable!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

The slaughtering of 3 chickens happened today, they are now in a large pot on my stove boiling their little hearts out! Two of them were skinny minnies and the other hen was just chock full of fat deposits everywhere! I plan to pull the meat off the bones and freeze it to use for chicken and dumplings, soup, and chicken salad. Tim had some help from a guy that goes to our church that had never slaughtered anything before, I quote "Man, I have to admit, this is the most disgusting thing I have ever done in my ENTIRE life! Don't get me wrong, I wanted to do it because I have never done this before, but it sure is disgusting!" So there you have it, the opinion of a first timer! (disclaimer: I did NOT participate in the butchering, I CONVENIENTLY stayed at work!)

As I write this post I can't decide which word is more graphic...."slaughter" or "butcher"....what do you think? Now all I can think of is Texas Chainsaw Massacre!

Got to go

What I like about Mondays

I have a question....Why would Blogger make Webdings one of the fonts to choose from when writing a post?? I mean could you really understand Nything that was written if you used that font? Translation: Could you really understand anything that you wrote using that font?

So today is Monday...above I said that I would share what I like about Mondays. Well, I like the fact that God's mercies are new this morning. (although, I don't hink that counts because they are new EVERY morning) I like Mondays because when you have a good Sunday full of worship, fellowship, laughter, friends, teachings, prayer and baptisms, I am still prising God for the things He did yesterday! I also like Mondays because they are my hubbys day off! (he is then home to do those things that are important and have value to him!) Monday's are great because I feel like I can always start over.

The sound of lightning

Have you ever really listened to lightning? When it is far off it sounds strong and solid, when it is right over your head and all around you, to me it sounds hollow. Deafening and scary, but hollow.

My office building just got hit by lightning; there was no damage, a co-workers computer just shut down but didn't fry it. Thank God for surge protectors.

I have alot to write about, just not sure what to write about on here. I think I will leave it at that right now. I am going to go check out Ebay for a digital camera...maybe I will get lucky, we need one!

Elephants, chickens and dogs, OH MY!

Elephants: Ever had a relationship with someone that ALWAYS had an elephant in the livingroom? Sometime's the elephant can be quiet and calm and other times it can be loud and breaking everything in the room. God, please quiet the elephant in the livingroom!!

Chickens: Will have the wonderful first experience of butchering a few chickens in the next couple days. I am looking forward to making fresh chicken and dumplins!

Dogs: Did you know that someone in Korea has cloned man's best friend? Check it out! http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2005-08-03-dog-clone_x.htm
Chesiney, don't get no ideas about Bailey!!

Ok....so I will have to admit that I have THE most beautiful granddaughter in the whole wide world! 

Introducing my grand daughter. Ashlyn Marie St John. Born 7/30/2005 @ 1:18pm, 6lbs, 14oz, 20 inches long 

OK, so it HAS been that long since I posted last!

Well, I will update you all on what has happened since I last wrote in this thingy. Remodel project at house is somewhat done....just the things that we decided to do ourselves are left...they probably will never get done until we hire someone else to do them.

My grand daughter is still not here yet....due August 4th, but hoping she will come this weekend. She will no longer be known as Nevessa Marie, but Ashlyn Marie! I liked Nevessa, but Michael did not, so they settled on a form of his sisters name, Ashley. Who, by the way was tremendously touched that they did that!

Goats are gone...chickens are replenished with new Silkies....dogs are still old and getting stiff. I think Stormy has cataracts...haven't taken her to the vet yet.

Girls are anxious to go back to school, Cricket has an interview today...good thing, she needs a job!

Tim is still on third shift...but loving it. I think i got a part time job at Kroger, that is a good thing! I will work both for awhile, we have discovered that we cannot make it on his income alone and my ability to keep my pipline full her at Legacy leaves much to be desired, so I enquired of the Lord as to getting a second job to supplement and He confirmed YES to Kroger.

I believe that the Kroger job is more than a supplement for me, I think it is another prayer assignment from God. I feel wonderful about the thought of working there also! I am excited!

Well, got to go get back to work...

Later!

Has it really been that long since I posted last?

remodeling part of our kitchen

Wow, I had no idea that drywall dust could get into so many things! I will be cleaning it up for days and weeks, maybe even months! The stairs are in, they look wonderful, not sure how much longer it will take to get it all done. We still have some tiling to do. Thought we would just let the contractors do it, but it's getting a little expensive, so maybe we will do it.

Check out my new link to the right (or would that be to the left?) It's a great daily thingy to get, helps keep things in perspective for me.

That's all for now!

Isn't she the most beautiful little girl in the world? OK...so grandma's a little bias!!