Know Him

I was so encouraged by all the attributes of God that I could find yesterday in just a short period of time while reading the Psalms that I was challenged to look for even more.


I don't know about you but I sometimes fall into the trap of allowing my thinking to be too greatly influenced by this world.  This world sometimes characterizes our God by completely different characteristics - angry, harsh, unfair, etc.  I know I sometimes find myself thinking 'Do they have a point?', especially at times in reading the Old Testament.  And, I question myself, 'Who is God really?'.


But, God wants to be known.  And, there is so much He has told us about Who He Is.  I've read the Psalms hundreds of times, but when I read them with the purpose of understanding God's character, I really have been blown away.


You can read the first part of my list in yesterday's post.  Like I said, it only scratched the surface.  Here is more I found today.  This didn't take hours to compile.  I found all this in a short period of time....about 15 minutes or so.


He Is....


The One Who Established Fairness
The One Who Administers Justice
The One Who Answers
Eternal
Clothed in Splendor
Enthroned Forever
Slow to Anger
Redeemer
Doer of Miraculous Signs
Abundantly Compassionate
Gracious
Fair Judge
One Whose Fame Endures to All Generations
Resplendent
Mighty
Doer of Wonderful Works
God of Hosts
Shepherd
Pure 
Exalted
Satisfier
Revealer
Forgiving
Healer
Full of Faithful Love
Establisher of The Earth




"When the earth and all it's inhabitants shake, I am the One who steadies its pillars."  Psalm 75:2

He Is

(I was reading my Bible this afternoon, searching for some comfort & peace in the middle of this family tragedy.  I was reading in the Psalms & in the course of about 10-15 minutes & reading 6 or 7 Psalms, these were all descriptors or names for God that I found.  And, this only scratches the surface.)


The world may shake, but in the midst of it all He is...


Faithful
A Stronghold
My Strength
A Refuge
A Strong Tower
Glorious
Awe-inspiring
Yahweh
Father of the Fatherless
A Champion of Widows
He Who Leads Prisoners to Prosperity
Powerful
Good
The One Who Hears Prayer
My Hope
My Salvation
My Rock
Almighty
Great
He Who Rides in the Ancient, Highest Heavens
Majestic
Loving
He Who Listens to the Needy
Just 
Righteous
Holy One
My Help
My Deliverer
My God

Prayers For My Family This Time

I'm in complete shock right now and I don't even know if I can find the words to write this post.  I just found out that my 24 year old 2nd cousin and her parents (her mom, Patti, & my mom are 1st cousins) died in a house fire early this morning.  The youngest daughter, 17, escaped out a second story window.


I know that many people might not even know who their second cousins are.  But, Rachel & her family lived in the same area as me.  Her mom, Patti,  worked at the Walmart right up the road.  We saw each other fairly regularly.  And, Rachel & I in particular had reconnected over the years.


She was excited to be engaged to her boyfriend and was looking forward to everything that life had in store....and now she's gone.  And, I just can't believe it.


I don't know what else to say right now.  Just please pray for our family right now.  My mom needs to figure out how to tell my 86 year old grandmother that her niece, husband, and grandniece have died. 

Procrastination Has It's Consequences

(Have you given your opinion yet?  I'll tally all responses I receive until the end of the day Friday, 12/8 - midnight)


I've been seriously considering doing the Jingle Bell Run (another 5K) this coming Sunday.  

I actually know a bunch of people who are going to participate.  


But, I kept hemming & hawing on the matter because  
1.  It's on a Sunday.  It's in the afternoon, but we'll be at church in the morning and Sunday afternoons are usually our rest, relax, and nap time.  
2.  I'm afraid it's gonna be really cold!
3.  I've still been running, but not with the frequency I was before my first 5K.  I'm worried I haven't kept myself physically prepared.


All that to say, today I finally decided, "OK.  I'm gonna do this!"  But, I went to the website and online registration is closed!  


I can still register the day of the event.  Soooo, what do you think?  Should this procrastinator take this as my opportunity to bag it & forget it?  Or should I do it anyway?  


I'm gonna give you guys the power here!  I'll tally your answers and the winning answer will stand.

Prayer Please

I don't often write about tragedies that have occurred in our area.  But, this one is heavy on my heart this morning.  Yesterday afternoon around 3:00 p.m  2 teenagers and a child were killed when their car lost control and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.  (It was a rainy day)


All three of the children were siblings.  2 boys, twins - age 16 and a girl, age 9 died.


I can not imagine the anguish of this family right now.  They have 10 children total.  And, while I don't know them personally, Facebook is on fire right now with posts from people I know who DO know this family.


They're a godly, close knit family.  And, the mother spoke at our mom's group a couple years ago.  When I went to her facebook page, I thought she looked familiar and now I realize that's why.  But, I'm haunted by their family photo from Christmas last year.  All of their beautiful children are together and smiling.


I know there are many, many prayers being lifted up for them right now.  But, I wanted to send out a request for even more prayer covering over the Martin family in the midst of this terrible time.  Thanks.

The Cost of Groceries

Chatty Mommy has a post today in which she asked her readers if they'd share the price of some basic grocery items in our area.  She named her post I Want To Know What You're Paying.


I thought this was a fun idea.  I like the idea of comparing the price of things depending on the area you live in, where you shop, etc.  So, my post today will be 2 parts.  First I will answer Chatty Mommy's question about the price of certain items.  Then, since I actually made a grocery run this morning, I'll share my 'grocery cart' expenses with you.


Here goes....


Chatty Mommy asked how much we spend on each of these items....


*Note:  I do most of my shopping at a discount grocery store.  Often they have overstock items, some scratch & dent and outdated items too.

• a gallon of regular gas - $3.33 gallon
• a gallon of milk -  at the store 2% is $3.79, whole is $4.00.  We recently switched to raw milk, so I spend $4.00 a gallon where I buy it.  If I bought directly from the dairy it would be less.
• a box of 4 sticks of butter- normally $2.49.   Today I got a deal at $1.79
• a dozen eggs- We used to pay '0'.  But we recently got rid of our chickens.  They were getting old for layers (about 3 years old) & we didn't want to have to winterize for them.  We'll get a new batch of chicks in the spring.  At the store, large white were $2.09, large brown were $2.00.  We pay $2.00 at the farm where we've been getting eggs (pastured).
• a loaf of bread- I usually get Maier's Italian day old bread for about $1.00.  Today I found Sara Lee Honey Wheat day old bread for 79 cents a loaf & Sara Lee Cinnamon Raisin day old for $1.29.    A regular loaf of Schmidt whole wheat bread was $2.49
• a bunch of bananas - my discount store is usually around 49 cents a pound.  Walmart is usually around 59 cents a pound.  Today I hit the jackpot and got a case of finger bananas for $3.99

Now here's what I brought home today.....

• Bag of home-made thin noodles -                       $2.79
• Case single finger bananas -                                    3.99
• Case Fit & Active yogurt (12 containers) -            2.99
• Gallon distilled water -                                               .99
• 2 Land o Lakes 4 stick butter packs -                    1.79 each
• 8 oz. cheddar cheese                                                  1.39
• 10 x sugar (1.89 pounds)                                           1.59
• 2 avocados                                                                   2/1.00
• 2 Sara Lee Honey Wheat loafs                                   .79 each
• Sara Lee Cinnamon Raisin Bread                           1.29
• Gold Medal Flour  (5.37 pounds)                            2.36
• Rolled Oats  (3.62 pounds)                                       2.06
• Brown Sugar (4.86 pounds)                                     4.33
• Pepperidge Farm Goldfish                                           .99
• White & Red Grapes ( 1.62 pounds)                        1.93
• Hand Soap                                                                       .99
• Pineapple                                                                          .99
• Bosc Pears ( 3 lb. bag)                                                  2.99
• 16 oz. Mozarella                                                             1.49
• Sliced deli turkey (.48 pounds)                                  1.44
• Whole cut chicken (4.79 pounds)                             6.64
• bag arugula                                                                       .79
• container of romaine                                                       .99  

My grand total today was $49.24             

So, now that Chatty Mommy got this started, I'd love to hear what prices are in your area.  You could answer in the comments or, if you write a blog post about it, be sure to send me the link.  Send one to Chatty Mommy too.  I know she'd love it!

Um.....

Evidence that at least one of my children may inherit my husband's propensity toward circular logic.....


"Mom!  Joseph's leaving the yard!"


"Where is he now?"


"With Madelyn."


"Where's Madelyn?"


"With Joseph."