A Saturating Thought for the Day!

Think with me back to an old back-and-white television movie. Are you with me? Hear the bang bang of the guns? The bad guy jumps onto his horse and rides out of town with the good guy on his tail, shooting as he goes. Can you see it? Because good guys ALWAYS win, thank goodness quicksand just happens to be in the bad guy's path. He turns around to take some shots at the good guy and the horse stops suddenly and the bad guy flips off and lands into the puddle.

He flails around, begging for help. We all know that the end is near. What should the good guy do? Of course, the good guy looks at him, makes him squirm, and then helps him out. He binds him to his horse and off they go, back to into the town where he will get a joyous welcome. The bad guy is saved from a horrendous death from drowning in quicksand only to be found hanging from a tree at dusk.

Ah, there is just nothing like an old back-and-white movie to get your spirit stirred!

Okay now -- when I was in summer school with a bunch of soon-to-be fifth graders -- I learned something really important. Want to hear it?

I learned these very important facts about quicksand:

• quicksand is only a few feet deep, not a bottomless pit like we are led to believe from those old movies;)
• quicksand is just oversaturated sand, that's it, nothing more
• people can float in quicksand

I am so sorry to ruin every old western you will ever see again. So if you happen to find yourself in a puddle of quicksand, here is what you do. Well, you never know. Don't laugh:)

• Relax. Don't panic. It is possible to drown in it if you panic. Don't flail around. Be calm.
• Pray.
• Try to float on your back.
• If floating doesn't work, make slow, easy steps out of the puddle. Take it s-l-o-w.
• Paddle calmly until you get to the edge.
• Free yourself from the wet sand.

Now you know what to do if you get in quicksand. Quit laughing, you never know when that knowledge will come in handy! The thing to remember is that it is only a few feet deep. That's it.
Its just like when we run into problems in our lives, isn't it? We fall hard. We begin to flail around. We fight God. We think there is no way out. We believe all is lost. The truth is exactly the opposite. When we settle down, we soon realize that hope is still there. We always have hope when we have a relationship with our Lord.

If you're flailing around in quicksand now, I'm not trivializing your predicament. No way. I've been there. In fact, I'm still there but right now, I'm floating on my back. I'm not out of it yet, not yet but floating is good. Tomorrow or maybe even five minutes from now, I might be trudging through the thick wet sand again. A week from now or maybe even a day from now, I might be feeling that I am drowning again BUT I know that I won't. God is my life-preserver. No matter what my situation looks like, I know KNOW that He is in charge. He knows the outcome. He is with me. I KNOW THIS WITHOUT A DOUBT but sometimes I do forget.

Let's keep reminding each other that the quicksand isn't forever deep, its just a few feet. Okay? I need that reminder, many times throughout the day.

8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:8,9&16-18 NIV)

Whether you are floating or trudging, know that God is your ever-present help in times of trouble. Watch for the good guy riding in on the white horse!

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Hally Fluffernutter - yup, that's me!

Your Elf Name Is...

Holly Fluffernutter

What's Your Elf Name?

How about Hally Fluffernutter? LOL!

Thanks to my blogging buddy, Kristen, over at Taste Buds, I now have an elf name. Wow! Been waiting my whole life for an elfish name:)

Today is the day that God has made. I will rejoice and be so very very glad in it! Saturdays are truly a gift from the Lord and so very easy to rejoice about!

So even though my best friend is on the road, I will rejoice! We still have gotten to talk quite a bit and we are reading a book together, Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. This is my favorite book of all time and am so happy that Mari is reading it with me.

Even though another friend is far away, in another country even, and has no home of her own, I know we will have some contact soon, am waiting patiently for that to happen. Her son Braden has been pretty sick with a high fever. Praying that he is better by now and that Shirley has been able to catch up on her rest.

I will rejoice in dirty dishes and hampers of dirty clothes. Ummm... yes, I said rejoice. Well, maybe I better do something about it, too, you think? Wishing Hally Fluffernutter was real -- I would get her to do all the housework while I played on the computer.

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be so very very glad in it!

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Sad Little Tale:)

It is with a scared look on my face that I say -- "I have to go to the dentist soon." Now the scared face is replaced by a scowl. ugh.

And my best friend has left to go to family camp where they will minister. We won't have many opportunties to connect while she's gone. But the times we do, we will thank God for.

Another friend has moved to a different city, a place that she really doesn't want to be and has no home of her own yet. She's living in a basement with her 3 kids and husband. She's without an internet connection that she can freely use so our time is severely limited. Praying for her right now that she knows that I haven't forgotten about her. I think and pray for her all the time.

And its Friday and I got very little done this week, my first week after summer school. I'll have to do better next week. I have to work really hard so that I'll be ready for my trip!

So I will leave this sad little tale alone until I come back where it will probably only get sadder as I will have a sore, numb mouth. A sad little ditty for a Friday afternoon indeed

BUT

I know things will look up soon as I look up to my God and remember His love for me.

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Jesus, I B'lieve

Jesus, I B'lieve

Grandfather and grandson sat beside each other and fished off the rickety old dock of the small lake. The sound of their voices drifted up the hill where Ruth stood and watched the morning sun rise in brilliant color. She smiled as she heard the little soprano voice of Payton compared to the bass voice of her husband. Without even being there she knew the rods were between their legs. Ralph would be drinking his thermos of coffee; Payton, his hot chocolate. Hats a little askew and jackets shrugged off long ago, the two were mirror images of each other, one a little old and the other a little young.

*****************

“Grandpa, do you love Jesus?”

“Of course I love Jesus. Why do you ask?”

Payton looked up at the sky. “I dunno. Just thinkin’.”

Grandpa’s rod wiggled a little and both got excited and jumped to their feet. “Don’t let ‘em get away. Betcha it’s a big one! Wait ‘til Grandma sees this!”

Grandpa pulled and tugged and held the rod high as he proudly displayed – a shoe. “Payton, how about let’s not tell grandma about this one?”

“Yeah.” Payton settled back into his chair, his rod forgotten, as he scrunched his face up as if deep in thought and scratched an itchy spot on his nose. “Grandpa?”

“Yes, Payton.”

“I wanna get baptized.”

Grandpa laid his rod down and threw the soppy old shoe off to the side. He looked at Payton, surprised and a little teary-eyed. “Buddy, you’re so young. What? Second grade now?”

“Been thinkin’ a long time.”

“We’ll have to talk to your mom and dad.”

“Grandpa, there’s sumpin’ else.”

Ralph wasn’t at all sure his heart could take another surprise. He wished Ruth would walk on down the hill and help him out of this. “What else, Payton?”

“I want you to do it.”

“Do what?”

“Baptize me, Grandpa; in this lake like Jesus was baptized.”

This definitely was too much on the old ticker. He moved his chair closer to his grandson, wrapped his arm around his small shoulders and they sat: both quiet, both deep in thought.

“Welp, guess it’s time to talk to the family.”

Payton helped his grandpa out of the chair. They gathered their things, hid the shoe behind a rock, and trudged up the hill to where Ruth waited; breakfast smells in the air encouraged them along.

Payton was a determined little boy. Between the two of them presenting his case, it was finally agreed that he would get his wish. A couple of days later everyone was invited to the lake for a baptism.

Family and friends stood on the shore and watched as two generations made their way through the water. Payton stood proudly in a t-shirt and swimming trunks and all grew quiet when he began to speak.

“I asked Jesus in my heart. You might think I’m too young but Jesus told me I was just right. Grandpa said I have to say these words to you even though I already went through all this with Jesus, so here goes.”

The crowd laughed and scooted in closer so they could hear more clearly. Camcorders zoomed in and the click of cameras sounded.

Payton bowed his head and in a loud, clear voice he prayed. “Jesus, I b’lieve You are Christ, Son of God. Come into my heart and live there forever, ‘kay? Amen.” He raised his head and tugged on his grandpa’s shirt. He waited for as long as he could and now all patience drained from his body. “Grandpa, can you baptize me now?”

Again the crowd stirred, stifled giggles and wiped runny noses and tears from their eyes. Ralph looked down at his small charge. “Payton, as your grandfather and your preacher, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” He then pushed his grandson backwards into the cool, murky water.

This act of obedience complete, Ralph picked up his grandson and lifted him out of the water into his arms. The slightly graying mop of curly hair touched the dark curly mop of drippy wetness, and both flashed the same funny lopsided grin. “I would like to introduce you all to the newest member of the family of God – Payton, my grandson.”

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The Dark Side...

Okay now -- here's the deal:

For some odd reason, I am being sucked into the latte love club. I've never had one, remember. I hate coffee. At least I think I do. I'm not sure if I've ever tasted it (isn't that funny?) I used to make it lots for my mom and dad, though. Hmmm...

I feel an unknown force drawing me. I'm hearing voices... Let's see. One voice is a young one. "Come to the dark side, the dark brown delish side." That would be my friend Kristen with her bedhead:)

"Feel the latte love, Laury. Can you feel it?" That's Mari.

And Laura's voice! Just wait til you hear this one! "Sushi, you must try sushi." (Giggling) Well, she can't believe I don't like latte's either but I can't think of what she told me but the sushi conversation stands out REALLY GOOD! Read my lips: I WILL NEVER EVER NEVER BE DRAWN TO SUSHI! NEVER! (Sorry Laura;)

I feel it. Yesterday I was at McDonalds with Nik and they now sell latte's. I was sorely tempted. But I promised to save my first latte for Mari and that, my friends, is happening in twelve days! woohoo!!! Maybe we will even get the first taste on the camera and post it. I'm sure it will be most interesting.

And you know what else?

I am going to be sooo very disappointed if I end up not liking them. I'll have to go back to my sweet Tea at McDonalds.

Well, I do have a point to all this madness. Really, truly.

The people I hang around with are influencing me. They are drawing me into their interests. This is a very good reminder to be wary of what we listen to on TV and to be careful of who we spend time with. In my case, I have truly wonderful, great, marvelous friends who woo me into right living for the Lord. One woos me into getting a routine for house cleaning. Others woo me into submitting articles that I've written. I have influences in my life and I am drawn to them because of my deep love for them.

I am drawn to my Lord, too. I hear Him wooing me. He is whispering in my ear. This morning I woke up singing, "Give God the glory." And I am. I give God the glory. Everything in my life I give to Him and I give Him glory.

I feel God's love surrounding me. He's holding me in the palm of His hand and it is so very comforting. Anyone want to come sit with me there? We can giggle and sip latte's and feel the ultimate peace and love -- right here in God's palm. Come meet me, okay? I'll be waiting....

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Bandaged up, A Okay Now

Sorry for any confusion about the last entry. My heart got banged up, not my fingers. If only it were my fingers, though. They can get bandaged up. The bleeding can stop. The heart is a much harder thing to fix. BUT it can happen.

I talked to Mari on webcam, after she encouraged me to turn it on. Its hard for me to let someone see me upset. Writing about it is one thing, seeing is totally different. Poor girl. She wanted to see my bloody fingers. She told me to fix my blog so I am. Don't want to scare my dad, either:) I would be getting a frantic phone call.

But anyway...

Mari and I had a talk. She knows me like no one else. I'm not sure why. God certainly knew what He was doing when He put the two of us together. I have fantastic friends -- I have friends that circle around me and pray, both online and my "home" friends. They all are extremely special to me. I don't know what I would do without them.

But Mari -- wow. I don't know how to explain it. God gave me someone that can relate to me. That knows me like no one else will or would ever want to. She shared a video with me that I'm going to attempt to put on here. As I watched it, as she watched me watch it through webcam, the tears flowed.

Mentoring is something that is heavy on my heart. It has been for a long time and God has shown me how it works through my many friends who reach out to me. If you are reading this and don't have a Godly friend, pray for one. And if you are one that can reach out to someone who is lonely -- please do it.

Here is the video. I hope it ministers to you like it did to me. Me and Jesus:

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Bloody fingers

I was looking outside the window today, enjoying the view. Great promises wanting to be fulfilled was what I saw. Last night I began to perk up and feel a bit better and this morning I woke up to hope of a better day.

I created a list of goals for my summer. I spent a bit of time with my son while he waited for his ride. I did a few things around the house.

Just as I took my last excited look out the window before I began to plunge into my day, the window was slammed shut. It wouldn't be so bad but my fingers were still there. All hope was dashed like a bucket of cold water thrown at me. It certainly brought me back to the reality of my situation.

Now I am in bed once again, nursing a little grudge against God, wondering why I would have a peek of better times and then have it taken away so quickly. I'll be okay. I always bounce back. Soon I'll get up. Wrap up my bloody fingers. And feel a bit of hope again. But not yet.

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Scurrying instead of soaring

Yesterday morning on my drive to church, I watched a tiny little bird with spindly legs walk quickly across the road. The breeze as my van passed him probably gave him the extra boost he needed to get across without getting hit. Why didn't he fly? He had two wings. He was equipped to fly. Why would he choose to scurry across, with such a worried look on his tiny face? Well, maybe that was my worried look. I certainly didn't want to hit a bird, let alone one that seemed to have such purpose!

I probably look like that bird when God sees me. He has equipped me with the tools I need to live a life free from worry and stress but do I use those tools? Sometimes I do and at times I don't. I choose to go at my own speed by my own means and then wonder why my life isn't productive. ugh...

Today is my first day of summer with no school. I'm needing to set up a routine so I don't spend all my time in bed moaning. So far I've been all talk. I am in an incredible amount of pain so its hard to get my day going (up out of bed, that is.)

When I close my eyes I can still see that bird. There is so much that he doesn't understand and the funny thing is, he could care less. I should take a lesson from that silly little bird. The bad thing about him: he didn't use his wings to fly across the road; the good thing about the tiny thing: he doesn't worry about his life.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:7 (NIV)

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Hawaii Trip

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Silliness

These are pictures of our neighbor kids. They are over lots and I just love them. Please pray for this young family. Thank you!

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Friday Fiction!

It's Friday again! I can't believe it! Last day of summer school, too. Yea! All the more reason to celebrate PLUS its Fiction Friday! Here is my story that earned me my 2nd editor's choice. This is one of my favorites. I had lots of fun writing it. The topic was, A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. We just LOVED that quarter full of all those odd sayings -- NOT!

Don't forget to go to Peej's Patterings to read more fantastic fiction from great authors! And you guys -- HAPPY FRIDAY!

The Quarter

“Jessie, whatcha got there?”

“Nuffin.”

“Sumpin’s in your hand.”

“Mama said it’s a quarter.”

“One quarter? Lookie what I got!”

With mischievously gleaming eyes, my big brother Luke held out two closed fists. My eyes widened in disbelief as he opened them with a flourish. There they were: two, not one but TWO bright shiny copper pennies. The sun came in just then and hit those pennies just right, making them glow, which caused my heart to beat in a strange double-time fashion. I felt an odd sort of longing fill me from the outside in. I had to have those pennies.

“Lukie, you want my quarter?”

“Nah, Pops gave me these and told me to NEVER give them away.”

“Never?”

“Yep, that’s what he said – never.”

“Okay,” I mumbled with tears filling my eyes. I started to walk away in defeat, head low to the ground, despising my one, lonely quarter held in my hot, sticky hand.

“Don’t cry Jessie.” Luke put his arm around me and brushed away my tears with his sleeve. “Ya know what? I’ll trade you my two shiny pennies for your one old sticky quarter.”

“Really? What ‘bout Pops? Won’t he be mad?”

“Nah, I guess not. As long as you take care of ‘em. He wouldn’t want me to make you cry or nuffin’.”

The deal was sealed. I handed over my quarter and he, in turn, surrendered his pennies to me. Luke ran off giggling. That alone should have made me get a sick feeling in my gut but no, the sick feeling came when Mama gave me a sucker and I had no hands to hold it.

Later that night, as I was getting ready to take off my play dress, I remembered my pennies and the wonderful trade I had made. When Mama gave me the sucker I put my two shiny pennies in my pocket. My heart once again skipped and scampered in my chest as I remembered how my big brother Luke had traded me just because I shed a few tears. I was thinking that was a good trick to remember.

I eagerly scooped my hand into my pocket to retrieve my treasure. Once again big tears formed in my eyes and soon flowed down my cheeks. After the tears started flowing the wailing began, which brought Mama and Pops and Luke running into my room.

Pops scooped me up off my feet and held me close. “Jess, honey, what’s wrong?” Pops always called me Jess, honey.

Luke watched in amazement as a big snot bubble formed from my runny nose. Mama watched this in horror. Pops did what Pops does best – he popped it of course, trying to make me laugh.

Mama took her handkerchief and dried my eyes and wiped the popped snot bubble from my nose and face. “Jessie, girl,” (Mama always called me Jessie, girl,) “why are you crying, honey?"

I sniffed up extra snot in my nose and swallowed which gave me a sick feeling as it slithered down my throat and into my stomach. There, safe in the arms of Pops, I shared my woes. “I losted my pennies!” That’s as much as I got out before the tears began to flow once again.

Mama wiped my eyes and nose and asked me the question to end all questions. “Jessie, girl, you didn’t have any pennies, remember; I gave you a quarter.”

“But,” I started in between the sniffs and cries, “Lukie traded me my quarter for his two pretty pennies.”

Pops and Mama gave Luke “The Look” to end all looks. Luke hunkered down, eyes on the floor, guilt plastered on his face.

“Jess, honey, where were the pennies?”

“In,” sniff, “my,” snot bubble, “pocket.” Pops stuck his hand into my pocket and found a big hole where the pennies should have rested.

Mama and Pops once again looked at Luke and Luke, if possible, was even lower to the ground, looking even more guilty. He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out my two shiny pennies.

“I found them. I was gonna give ‘em back. Really I was”

That day, not only did I find out that tears solves a multitude of problems when it comes to boys, I also found out that one quarter is worth more than two pennies.

You know what Luke found out? Teasing his little sister causes a sore behind and makes you lose the two cents you started with.

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Another Update!

Its been crazy lately. Jim is back from Hawaii. He had a great time but it was very hard to leave Ryan right before his surgery. That is very discouraging. They did lots together and have the pictures to prove it. Ryan had his surgery but now is recovering very slowly.

Please pray for our boy, will you please? He sounds so lonely and lost on the phone.

Nik has been playing lots of baseball. He plays left field and pitches some. He's a really good ball player. Kristen is busy with kids, almost too busy. She's getting a bit frustrated but is making a big impact on lots of kids lives.

My last day of summer school is tomorrow. It is truly a miracle that I have made it. The other teacher I worked with, Leslie, helped me lots. It was good that we taught together. She did the math and I did reading and I am so glad that's what we did. I've really enjoyed getting to know her, too. I'm glad to be done. And now I have 18 days before I leave for Washington. It concerns me, though, because I haven't felt well at all. I'm having really hard days of pain. Nothing will keep me away, though, so I'm asking for lots of prayer:)

That's what's going on in our lives right now. Thank you all for praying for our family so much. We all appreciate it more than you can know.

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Family Update

Today Nik has a baseball double-header in Danville. I'm really hoping some of my family can make it since it is right there where they live but everyone is so busy, its hard to arrange it. Well, Nik's team won the first game but lost the second. My dad did get to come. It was GREAT watching him walk down the drive to the diamond. They only live about a 1/2 mile from there. Nik hit a double and his grandpa got to see that! And I caught a foul ball. I saved some people in the bleachers -- me and my quick reflexes saved the day!

I talked to Jim last night. Ryan was buying snorkeling equipment. They were going to Waikiki beach but Jim said the swells were really high so not sure if any snorkeling got done. Yes, the swells were too big, I guess. Ryan will be spending at least one night in the hospital after his surgery. I'm glad they're keeping him since he will be alone afterwards. That is so frustrating but we have to believe things are working out the way they are supposed to. Jim leaves tonight at 10:30 PM Hawaii time (they are five hours behind central time zone) He won't be home until 9:30 PM on Monday night.

Today Jim and Ryan are taking an island tour with a guide. I'm so glad Jim went or else Ryan never would have had these experiences, I'm sure. Its no fun to do these kinds of things alone, I guess. They had fun on their tour. Jim said they've been eating out lots. He just might be ready to have my cooking again. Umm, probably not!

Ryan is now officially off his submarine. He got the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a nice plaque. He would like to get in to recruiting, so I hope that works out for him. Jim leaves at 10 PM Hawaii time Sunday night. He'll be home sometime on Monday.

Kristen got through a busy week of VBS and tutoring for two families and babysitting LOTS! Kristen is starting a Sunday School class for special needs children at our church very soon. There is such a big need for it. Please pray it goes over well and that she can get kind, compassionate teachers to take a week.

I have been busy judging entries this week for FW Oh wow! Finally got done with the entries. and teaching Summer School. this is our last week! Yay! I HAVE to finish cleaning our bedroom. I got overambitious and started but then ran out of time and energy so Jim's side of the bed is full;) I'm guessing I better finish it before he gets back.

It will be great to have Jim back again. I don't think we've ever been apart this long. I miss him.

That is the most recent news about the Hubrich family from Tabor, Illinois:)

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Mom's Sweet Auntie From Her Mother's Side...

Guess what day it is again -- Friday Fiction day, thanks to Patty at Patterings! Below is a story that made so many at FW choke and sputter! I hope you enjoy. Be sure to go to Patty's link, too, and read the rest that have posted their wonderful pieces of fiction. And one more thing -- let's celebrate! Woohoo! It's Friday!!!!!

Mom’s “Sweet” Auntie from her Mother’s Side, Twice Removed

Ever since we were little, my mom’s aunt from her mother’s side, twice removed, came to see us. No one looked forward to these visits, especially not the females in the family. When my sisters and I were little, she had nothing to do with us but we saw how much she bothered our mother. Our poor mom broke out into a sweat each time she saw Great Auntie at the door with a travel bag in each hand. Our mild-mannered mother yelled at us lots while her aunt from her mother’s side, twice removed, was at our house. We could never do anything right. Even Dad, when he saw Great Auntie coming, would roll his eyes and shrug his shoulders. He pecked Mom on the cheek and then stayed away until dear Auntie moved on.

As we got older, we began to dread her, also. It wasn’t until we were in our early teens that we began to resent the fact that she thought she had the right to visit us monthly like she did. She knocked on the door. We peeked out. Shock and horror showed on our faces as we shared the news.

Her hair was red, as red as a bag full of red peppers and just as fiery, too. She wore a colorful array of clothes and they were always mismatched. One favorite outfit of hers was a bright blue skirt and a purple-polka-dotted over-sized blouse which was complemented by red high-heeled boots with fringe up both sides.

She normally gave us sufficient warning, but sometimes she would breeze in unannounced, and with four women in the family, things got ugly at times. Tempers flared. The men couldn’t understand our aversion to this “sweet” Auntie from our mother’s side, twice removed.

It was the girls that suffered the headaches and irritability. She swooped in and tried to take over family routines. It was quite unsettling. Even then, the men of the family looked at us cross-eyed, wondering what our problem was.

We begged and pleaded with Mom to let us stay home from school when our Great Auntie from our mother’s side, twice removed, came to visit. Just her presence here made us want to sleep our days away. It was hard to concentrate on our schoolwork and her visits made us depressed. The dear old woman snored so loud, also, that we all had difficulty sleeping, the men included. Her one redeeming quality was that she would bring big bags of chocolate with her, but because of that, we seemed to always gain weight when she was around.

The four women in our family began to have very real issues with Great Auntie. We were taken to the doctor and given some techniques that would help us deal with this unwanted visitor. When Dad told us that our “sweet” Auntie from our mother’s side, twice removed, was coming, we would gather in a huddle and strategize.

We exercised. We walked, swam, or rode our bikes. Anything to get us out of the house was worth it plus it made us feel a tad bit better. The boys would ask to join us but we said, “No boys allowed,” because they were quite irritating themselves, you know.

Mom showed us breathing exercises, and sometimes she would even give us gentle massages. By the time Mom celebrated her fifty-fifth birthday, this “sweet” Auntie from her mother’s side, twice removed, began to bug her less and less. It really gave us girls hope for our futures. Of course, if Dad would lay down the law and refuse her entrance into the house, none of this would be an issue, but Dad was a gentle man and said, “Girls, family is family. You can’t pick them and you have to love them but you certainly don’t have to like them. It’s just a fact of life.”

We learned that Great Auntie had no place to live and would go from relative to relative for a place to stay. Such a sad existence this poor woman had, and to think of the bad time we gave her for years. So, in sincere repentance, I write this piece. Thank you for reading this ode to my dear aunt Flo, my dear “sweet” Auntie from my mother’s side, twice removed who still, after thirty-three years, comes to visit me. I eagerly await the day when her visits stop, but until then, I strategize with my daughter and we eat Auntie’s chocolate.

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A Heart Stirred Designs

Exemplify

Announcement!
Posted: 12 Jun 2008 02:00 AM CDT

Blogging Friends of Mine!If you or someone you know is in need of an inexpensive blog design - please visit my new design site A Heart Stirred Designs. I'd love to work with you and make your blog fashionable!Hope to hear from you soon,

Kristen

Kristen is extremely talented. Go visit her site and see how she could beautify your blog. She's the one that did mine and you see how cool it is! Better hurry up before she gets flooded with business and you might have to wait a bit!

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Under cover of darkness... (Gideon, part 3)

Young Gideon was still shaking clear down to his toes as he walked back to his people. Thoughts raced and swirled through his mind making him dizzy. Why would God take the time to talk to him? Again, the happenings played out in his mind: "minding my own business, visited by angel, was told I would save Israel, I dared talk back to him, asked for a sign, got my answer, built an altar to God."


It was too much to comprehend and doubt started rearing its head. The closer he got to home, the more he began to wonder if it really happened. That soon changed, though. As he walked into the village, all eyes were on him. His brother and sister must have spread the word.


That night he lay in bed contemplating this yet again when God spoke to him.

"Take your father's best seven-year-old bull, the prime one. Tear down your father's Baal altar and chop down the Asherah fertility pole beside it. Then build an altar to God, your God, on the top of this hill. Take the prime bull and present it as a Whole-Burnt-Offering, using firewood from the Asherah pole that you cut down."



This time Gideon sprang into action. He chose some faithful men and he did exactly what God asked him to do. The only thing is, though: he did it in the cover of darkness. Surely God didn't mean for him to do it when all could watch? He would for sure get killed if he did that. No, tearing down Baal's altars would be a death sentence.

People quickly figured out who dared mess with their idols. They all stood at Gideon's door and demanded that he should die for his sins.


Good old Dad saved Gideon that day. (31) "Are you going to fight Baal's battles for him? Are you going to save him? Anyone who takes Baal's side will be dead by morning. If Baal is a god in fact, let him fight his own battles and defend his own altar."


So there you have it. Gideon was called by God to tear down Baal's stronghold. He did it, although quietly, in the cover of night. How can we blame him? Good old Dad had to step in and stand up for his son. Gideon had trouble seeing himself the way God saw him: as a strong, courageous man of God. He still had to grow into his shoes but grow he would.

How does God see you? I remind my friends all the time that we are children of the King so we can keep our heads lifted high. That's the way God sees you. How do your friends see you? I have friends who must be looking at themselves in circus mirrors. That's the only thing I can figure out. They don't see what mighty men/women they are. But I am the same way. I can see it in others but not in myself. We are all in the same shield of darkness. If we would just come into the light -- do what God asks us to do, when He asks us to do it -- Wow! I wonder how much our lives would change?

Let there be LIGHT! Okay now, its light. Come walk with me! Let's see what we can do for God today!

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Give me a Sign! (Gideon's story, Part 2)

In the last post, we left the Angel of God sitting under a tree patiently waiting for our 'not-so-much-wanting-to-be-a-hero' of a kid, Gideon. The Angel had just told him that he would defeat the Midianites but Gideon wasn't convinced one bit. He wanted a sign!

Gideon raced home, yelling at the top of his lungs for his little sister to come help. Together they prepared a young goat and made a humungous batch of unraised bread. Hardly anyone batted an eye at his craziness. Gideon was prone to silly antics so was able to finish his job and get out without so much as a raised eyebrow his way.

Gideon talked his sister and brother into helping him carry his feast the long way and was a bit surprised that the Angel was still there when he got back.

"Go ahead and put the meat and unraised bread on the rock over there."

Gideon did as he was told.

"Now pour the broth on them both."

Gideon again did the Angel's bidding, not knowing where he was going with this. The Angel of God stretched out his stick and touched the meat and bread.

Gideon stood, waiting, and his brother and sister long ago forgotten, stood in the shadow of the tree. As soon as the tip of the stick touched the food, fire broke up out of the rock and burned up the meat and bread.

Our 'soon-to-be-hero' 's jaw dropped to the ground. His siblings jumped back in fright then turned and ran home as quick as their wobbly legs could take them.

Gideon quickly realized that it was for sure God who spoke to him. He said, "Oh no! Master, God! I have seen the angel of God face-to-face!"

God quickly assured him that he would not die.

Gideon looked around for his brother and sister, and not finding them, he started building an altar on his own. As he worked, thoughts went round and round in his mind. "God said I would defeat Midian. How can this be? But the fleece was burned up. Surely God has spoken."

When the altar was built, he named it, "God's Peace."

What signs are you looking for today? Are you testing God to make sure that it is Him who is talking? From studying this passage, I would say that questioning God is okay. But after we have our answer, we need to move forward and grab hold of it.

Kristen, from Exemplify, sent me an e-mail today. She said, "Don't feel puny, dear friend, Christ calls you a mighty warrior!! He is in you - the hope of glory. We have the hope of glory."

Kristen is right. We certainly do have the hope of glory! The puny in me can flee. The fleece has burned up. He has assured me that I am a mighty warrior and will be given everything I need for the battle. But like Gideon, I have much to learn and more messes to make! Tomorrow we will find out how Gideon messes up.

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You Talkin' to Me?

The young man worked, minding his own business. He stood up to stretch his back and wipe the sweat from his brow when a presence caught his attention. To his right, sitting under a tree, sat an angel of God. He had heard about angel sightings before.

The angel spoke, 12 "God is with you, O mighty warrior!"

"God is with me? If that's so, then why has all this horrible stuff been happening to us? What about all those miracles our parents and grandparents told us about, can you tell me that? Huh? God has nothing to do with us. He has turned us over to the Midianites."

Gideon started to work again when the angel got in his face. 14 "Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven't I just sent you?"

"You can't mean me. I'm from the weakest tribe and I'm the youngest. Maybe you wanted to talk to my uncle over there. See him?"

16 God said to him, "I'll be with you. Believe me, you'll defeat Midian as one man."

"Okay, if this is so, give me a sign. Stay right here and I'll be right back!"

The angel was patient. He agreed to wait.

And we will wait with the angel, out under the tree or you can go ahead and read the rest of the story found in Judges, chapter 6 and 7. I'm sure this "punk" kid won't try to test the Lord, surely not! And I am sure we NEVER dared argue with the Lord, either!

Is He asking you to do something today? If you listen, you just might hear Him.

"Lord God, I'm feeling puny today. Surely You're not talkin' to me. Be with all of us as we go about our day. Help us to think on You and wonder what it is that You desire for us to do to further Your kingdom for Your glory. We love You, Lord. Help me persevere through this and write out Gideon's story this week. Thank you for my preacher who taught about this man yesterday and who challenged us to read these two chapters. This is Your day, Lord. Please use me in whatever way it is I need to be used. Thank You, Lord."

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FICTION FRIDAY!

A Matter of Trust

The two boys dove into the water and came up sputtering and wiping their eyes dry. “Let me baptize you, John,”  John scooped his arms in the water and splashed his cousin. “You did it last time, let me, okay?”

“Ummm… okay. But don’t hold me down so long this time. I about passed out last year.”“You were fine. Jesus, I baptize you and cleanse away your sins.” John took both his hands and dunked Jesus deep into the water. He jumped onto his head for a few seconds then let go.

Jesus popped up and glared at John as he caught his breath. “I hate it when you do the baptizing.”

John made a silly face and Jesus couldn’t help but make one back. They giggled. “We’re leaving tomorrow. I’m gonna miss you, John.”

“Me, too.”

**********

“Whatcha doin’?,” big brown eyes peered into the wild eyes of his cousin.

John crunched contentedly, ignoring the question. He bent down and grabbed at a locust that he had captured in a pot.

“John, that’s gross. I’m telling Auntie.”

“Go ahead. I don’t care.” John stuffed the insect into his mouth while he watched Jesus run into the house. Soon Jesus came out carrying two figs and handed one to John. John gave it a side-ways glance and then threw it at a stray dog that walked by.

Jesus told him, “Eating bugs will make you sick, and besides that, it’s disgusting. You have a leg sticking out of your mouth, by the way.”

“You think you know everything but you don’t. I happen to like them, especially dipped in honey.”

Jesus giggled. He reached out and tapped him on the shoulder and shouted, “You’re it,” then quickly took off before John had a chance to move.Jesus ran as fast as his gangly pre-teen legs could carry him. Just as John was about to tag him back, Jesus did a quick turn to the left and then executed a perfect cartwheel.

“How do you do that?” John begged to know.The two spent hours in the meadow perfecting the cartwheel and running and spinning in circles with their arms out.

“Oh, no.”John looked at his favorite cousin cross-eyed.

“What’s wrong? Did you swallow a fly?”

“The sun’s going down. We better hurry back.” Jesus took off at a fast run while John held back; fascinated by this person he only got to see once a year. They were as close as brothers and John would do anything for his younger cousin.

**********“

John, lets go to the Tabernacle,” Jesus begged his cousin.

“I’m there enough. You go alone if you want to.” John sat back against the tree with a blade of grass in his mouth, determined to stay.

“Fine then. I’ll go myself. I don’t get to go to the Tabernacle all the time like you. I think you’re too used to it.”

“You got that right, little cousin. Go. I’ll run interference for you.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back soon. Long before we have to leave.”

A fly swarmed around John’s face causing him to wake up from his deep sleep. He ambled into the house to find Jesus.

“John, do you miss Jesus?” his mother Elizabeth asked.

“What do you mean? Have they left already?”

“Yes, hours ago. He didn’t talk to you?”

“There is no way Jesus would leave without telling me goodbye. Are you sure he was with the group?”

“Of course, where else would he be?”

John backed up out of the house and hit the door running. He ran through the streets, darting in and out of street vendors. When he got to the tabernacle, he slowed to a crawl. It was like he was seeing it for the first time. Jesus was right, he decided. He was too used to be there. He heard a familiar voice and followed the sound. Jesus sat on the floor and dozens of John’s very own teachers sat around the boy listening intently. John could only stare and wonder who his cousin really was.

**********

As John spoke to the crowd, he saw a familiar sight. The slight limp from one of their escapades gave him away. The skies opened and he suddenly understood what he had been preaching.

John spoke with authority, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Jesus trudged through the water. “Hi, Cousin. Will you baptize me?” John looked at Jesus and winked. “You sure you trust me?”

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Oh the Pain!

I have almost finished my first week of summer school! Its lots of fun. The kids are great. Well, the kids are just plain wonderful, who am I kidding? I've gotten lots of hugs this week. Wow! One little girl wrote me a note today. She said how pretty I was and that she was glad I was teaching summer school. Oh...

I started a private blog for them. I'm really hoping I don't get in trouble with it. I've googled it and it doesn't come up. The only way to get in is with the link and no comments can be made on it without going through me. I don't wanna get in trouble:) Nope, sure don't. But anyway... the kids just love it! I've been writing about what we do that day and yesterday I let them write a sentence on there about what would make their teacher (me) frantic (one of their new vocabulary words.) See if you wouldn't be scared to walk in to this class!

By seeing a snake in her bed. -- lilly & Tiffany
by putting a snake and rat in her lunch -- rocket & King Boo, & CamJ
by putting a big giant spider in her lunch -- minni & JoJo
by puting a turanchla in her desk -- Sissy & Khelsea
putting a thousand cockroches in her desk and her chair--by MO, FROG, & Summer
If she found a rat in herdesk--Rose & Lusero

Mrs. Hubrich says, "Argh! I am really scared now. I am frantic!"

I think we need to talk about what makes up a complete sentence -- how about you? Too funny!

But... I hurt really bad. Really... I'm dragging. I love it, good thing. But I'm having a hard time. I am so glad I am team teaching with Leslie. She's a woman from our church and I'm so grateful to be getting to know her. Just wonderful, she is! It certainly doesn't help to have a cold on top of it all. Oh, the pain. What a pain!

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Quirky, Am I Quirky? Oh, Let me Count the Ways!

Okay, my blogging buddy Kristen, from Taste Buds, (find her link on my list of favorites, don't have time to try to figure out a better link for you right now. Sorry) has issued a challenge. She wants to know about our quirkiness and you know what? I'm just quirky enough to share!

I am way too transparent sometimes. Whoever reads this blog will come to know me, the real me, quickly. Transparency, is that a quirky trait?

I love to read in bed late at night by flashlight while my husband snores beside me.

Silly songs are in the works if you catch me at the right time. I will joyfully croak out a rhyming treat for you without even being asked!

I'll eat soup for breakfast. I LOVE soups! If its made and leftover in the fridge, I'm there!

An unmade bed has no effect on me whatsoever! In fact, I spend much of my days in bed, sad to say. My bed is my writing throne, my desk.

I LOVE mornings. Its brand new. I certainly haven't made any mistakes yet. I know, many think its ugly-o'clock, but I think mornings are just wunnerful!

So there you have it -- 6 quirks about Laury Ann Hubrich or, as my yahoo buddies now call me: HALLY (Hubrich, Ann, Laury) I've never had a nickname before and a friend rose to the challenge and this is what she came up with.

If you want to share your quirkiness, link it back to Kristen's Taste Buds blog and ENJOY reading about others, too!

HAL:)
http://kschiffman.blogspot.com/

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Are We There Yet?

Good morning, All! This is Monday. I LOVE Mondays! Especially the first Monday of summer vacation! Yea! After my post yesterday, I had a few people share with me that they feel they are on the road to Nowhere. One person said she likes being there, its more comfortable. Less scary. When we set off for Somewhere, an unknown where's with our Lord, it is scary but its exciting at the same time. Every moment we surrender ourselves to our Daddy, we're on a new leg of the trip.

Just like our kids in the backseat of the mini-van, we cry out, "Are we there yet?" Meanwhile, we jostle each other: jab, poke, irritate, sing, laugh, make messes, pinch, cry, and play games. I wonder if God ever thinks about pulling the van over and giving us a good spanking?

The road to Somewhere is exciting, isn't it? Just a little? Can't you catch the excitement? Catch my excitement then. Are you ready? I LOVE changes so of course I would love the road to Somewhere. Look -- out the window! Did you see it? Wow! And just look at the sky! OOOh! And the mountains -- on my goodness! (I can't wait until I write that for reals in July!)

I have two friends who aren't sure of their paths right now. One knows where she's going but doesn't want to go there. I hurt for her so much and hardly know what to say to help. Another friend is so ready to move on but doesn't know where it will be and that is quite scary for her. In both cases, they are Godly women who cry out to their Father and who listen and obey. I admire them and know that they will make the best out of their situations.

The one who loves changes (ME) will probably never move out of the little spot in the road, not ever. But the road to Somewhere isn't necessarily a physical place. My road is spiritual. Its very bumpy sometimes, and that's due to me taking the wrong turn, I'm sure. I seem to do that often.

All our separate roads to Somewhere intersect with each other somewhere along the way. God puts LOVE in our paths to keep us encouraged and laughing. I am so grateful for all the LOVE that He has put on my road to Somewhere! They are in the form of physical bodies (my friends from home who I actually get to see in person) and cyber bodies (in the form of email and IM) and the sweet, laughing voices on the other end of a phone.

So, no, we aren't there yet, to answer my question, BUT let's have some fun on the journey to our separate Somewheres. Okay? No fear.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (New International Version)

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Road to Somewhere

Journey with me through Psalm 119 today, won't you?

I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse!

How many times have I said this? Oh my!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?

Seems like I'm always asking for help up.

When I told my story, you responded;

You always listen to me, You never tire of my unnending whining.
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.

I love to sit and ponder You, Lord

My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn;

Oh my, is it ever!

build me up again by your Word.

In order to do that, I need to be in Your Word. Give me a hunger that can't be quenched.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;

Yes! Close it off. Make it very clear to me when I'm going the wrong direction.
grace me with your clear revelation.

I'm so dense sometimes, please grace me LOUDLY so I will notice:)

I choose the true road to Somewhere,

Somewhere! I don't need to know where, as long as I'm not on the road to Nowhere.
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;

I'm listening, straining my ears to hear; holding on desperately to each Word uttered.
God, don't let me down!

I let You down so much. I'm sorry, Lord.

I'll run the course you lay out for me
if you'll just show me how.

You know I'm so bad at road maps. I get lost everytime. I don't know which way is up. I need really clear direction here, Lord. I'm standing at the crossroad - listening, waiting for Your direction, waiting to see what the next turn is on the road to somewhere, wherever it is that You are taking me. I can't wait to find out!

Psalm 119:25-32 (The Message)
Maroon color: my thoughts

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