XBOX WIFE: 5/1/08

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

THE CARDBOARDS SAY IT ALL

A good friend of mine just sent us a link that I wanted to share with you. Take a few minutes to watch this powerful, thought-provoking video...then take a few minutes to think about what your own sign would say.

Praise God for the joy and strength that we can receive through Him!

TEN THINGS TUESDAY

Good morning, Ten Thing Tuesday friends!

Please pray for my little ones today. Allergy and asthma season is not being so kind to their little bodies. Please pray especially for Twister who has been struggling with fevers reaching almost 104. We are headed to the doctor right now.

My ten things will be up as soon as there is an opportunity to write them. Please feel free to link your Ten Things whenever you'd like. The link is up now.

Blessings to all!

~ Mrs. Brownstone

Ten Things Tuesday Participants

1. Amy
2. Lisa Beth
3. Jennifer
4. Jennifer
5. Emily

6. Kristine
7. mzzterry
8. Sharon@Reservoir
9. Michelle
10. Jayne

11. Nikki
12. Jen
13. JenniJ
14. Trisha

Learn more about Ten Things Tuesday here.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

TEN THINGS TUESDAY

Another Tuesday and another "Ten"... I hope that you are finding some time on Wednesday through Monday to be thankful, too!

I wanted to share with you a favorite Scripture passage this morning. It's 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 in the New International Version of the Holy Bible.

7 That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD :

8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

9 Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.

10 Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

11 Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

12 Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced,

13 O descendants of Israel His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.

14 He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

15 He remembers His covenant forever, the word He commanded, for a thousand generations,

16 the covenant He made with Abraham, the oath He swore to Isaac.

17 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

18 "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit."

19 When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,

20 they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.

21 He allowed no man to oppress them; for their sake He rebuked kings:

22 "Do not touch My anointed ones; do My prophets no harm."

23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day.

24 Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.

25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

27 Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.

28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,

29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"

32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

33 Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth.

34 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

35 Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise."

36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said "Amen" and "Praise the LORD."

I think David gets it right in his Psalm of Thanks! "Call on His name", David tells us. "Tell of all His wonderful acts." "Rejoice!" "Seek His face always."

Sometimes it may seem that nothing is going your way. In today's world, it is so easy to get bogged down by "things" ~ whether they be busy schedules, materialistic items, political issues...there are so many different things to distract us from what is important! God is still present in our lives. He is there for us to recognize if we choose to do so.

Seek Him out in what may seem to be the simplest blessings.
Rejoice in the things we often take for granted in life.
Tell of all the wonderful things He has done and is doing for you.
Call on His name!!!

I woke up today because I could hear my alarm clock.
I could feel the warm body of my faithful Christian husband next to me.
I could stand up and walk when I arose this morning because I have two strong, healthy legs.
I made my way from the bed to the door because I could see the path before me.
I had the joy of seeing my two children snuggled so small and fragile in their beds, long eyelashes and cherub lips. God is allowing me to be their mommy.
I was able to use my voice to wake them. I sing to them in the mornings. "This is the day! This is the day...that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice! I will rejoice...and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice, and be glad in it! This is the day! This is the day...that the Lord has made!"
We were all able to dress in good, clean clothing and shoes.
We were able to have a healthy, balanced breakfast today, and we'll also be able to have a healthy, balanced lunch, as well as a healthy, balanced dinner.
We have cold, clean water to drink whenever we want or need it. We have warm water for showers and baths, too.
I was able to give my children the necessary vitamins and medicines they needed this morning.

We are so blessed. If you are reading this blog, then you are blessed simply because we know your eyes work! You are also blessed because you have access to technology! You are blessed because you have time in your day to relax long enough to read a blog! I encourage each of you today as you make your lists to really grab on to the most simple things in your life. List out the things that are truly God-given blessings!

Have a blessed day!
REJOICE in the LORD!!!

Ten Things Tuesday Participants

1. Jennifer
2. Sharon
3. Amy
4. mzzterry
5. Michelle
6. Danna

7. Emily
8. Nik
9. Caitlin
10. Jayne
11. Jill
12. Trisha

13. Kipi
14. Jennifer
15. JenniJ
16. rieskha

Learn more about Ten Things Tuesday here.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

TEN THINGS TUESDAY

Don't give up on more regular blogging, folks. It's coming...it's just busy, busy, busy! I thought when my kids got older, it would be easier ~ not so! However, I wouldn't change a thing about our life. We're trying to savor every single moment...I hope you are, too!

I went to bed three hours earlier than normal last night. It's been a long time since we crawled into bed by 9 pm. It was a much needed rest!
I think we're getting some rain today!
We have a meeting this morning to discuss some awesome plans for our Children's Ministry program at church. Big things are afoot!
I just got to drive my sweet babies to school. I really enjoy that special time with them.
We got to see both of our moms on Mother's Day this year. We were able to spend some quality time with each of them.
My kids' made homemade cards this year, which I greatly prefer to store-bought. They have really made me smile (and laugh) every time I look at them!
Mr. Brownstone and I have a vacation coming up in a few weeks. It's fun to anticipate the time away with him!
I am thankful that God gives us willpower. I said "no" to getting a Sonic drink three days in a row now. Will I still have them occasionally? Yes ~ maybe even today...but it was time for the addiction to stop! I had success with this during the week last week and over the weekend as well. Since last week, I only had one on Friday. Yea!
My kids are good sports. We had Field Day recently, and they really cheered on the other kids. They were also gracious in winning and in losing.
Tornado did something at Field Day that I cannot even write about yet because it makes me teary-eyed. I will never forget the moment nor what Tornado said to me later that day to explain it. I am so thankful to have a child that thinks the way Tornado thinks. (Twister is a pretty great thinker, too!)

Ten Things Tuesday Participants

1. sandwiched
2. Vicki
3. Lisa Beth
4. mzzterry
5. Michelle
6. Rosheeda

7. Chandra
8. Danna
9. Jill
10. Adrian
11. Trisha
12. Kipi

13. Emily
14. Jen
15. Jason
16. nikki

Learn more about Ten Things Tuesday here.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

TEN THINGS TUESDAY

A storm is coming, so this is going to be quick so I can turn off the computer!!

I am thankful that we have competent people called meteorologists that can monitor storms!
I am thankful for the rain that cools down the earth and makes flowers bloom!
I am thankful for the rhythms of the rain that must be great inspiration for all of the musicians in the world!
I am thankful that a storm will force me to be inside today to accomplish some much needed tasks!
I am thankful that my children are making getting ready this morning a breeze ~ it is allowing me a few minutes every now and then to get this list completed!
I am thankful that my children love school. Learning isn't optional, so I'm glad they enjoy it!
I am thankful that we had fifty-three new people to sign up to be teachers or classroom helpers at church this weekend for the Children's Ministry!
I am thankful for the leadership at our church. Not only are the sermons always great, but our preacher was on fire in his sermon about loving our kids on Sunday! AND...our elders are truly accessible. I truly feel blessed with the opportunity to know all of them and to know most of them!
I am thankful that I made some new friends at our Ladies' Retreat this weekend!
I am thankful that the weekend was successful with an great speaker, delicious food, and beautiful weather for the "Church Camp" setting!