Perspective

I have heard parts of the prayer below, but never read the whole thing. A friend forwarded this to me a few days ago, and I couldn't help but post it. If you've never read it, READ it. If you have, I hope it's a good reminder of how we can pray for our country. It truly puts things into perspective.

Truth...from a man the media has never been able to throw dirt on...amazing!!!
He has certainly hit the "world" on the head.

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'

A weekend retreat

Over the weekend I was blessed to attend a fantastic retreat in northern MI with two of my dear friends, CJ and Lynelle, as well as six other women from Engedi Church. We stayed two nights in a B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L cottage by the lake, just a few feet away from the water...literally. Now, just a reminder that it's March here in good 'ol MI (for my western, southern, and overseas friends). So, no we did not slip into our swimsuits and sunbathe like the pictures may suggest. But, we did escape the rain from our home town for all 3 days and enjoyed lots of brisk walks in the cold air, wearing our mittens and hats.

We shared stories, encouraged each other, offered wisdom and prayed as a group each morning...and even sang a few songs. But, the rest of the time was our own. I LOVE these kinds of retreats! I get the most out of them, when I just have time to journal and read and pray on my own. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the fellowship of retreats with crafts, and speakers, and organized music....but there's something about getting away for a quiet, restful weekend with no schedule.

This weekend was also significant to me personally. One year ago on the first weekend in March, I reached the climax of crisis in my life. I was at my worst as far as depression goes, I couldn't control what happened in my family history, and was making sinful choices that were affecting my health and marriage. So, I fled town and started driving up north. I had no idea where I was going, and how long I would be gone. All I grabbed were a few clothes, my Bible, journal, and some money. I spent 4 days in a tiny motel in Ludington. I wrote about 15 pages filled with struggle, questions, and hopes. I never prayed so much in my life in those 4 days. I encountered God in a brand new way, and was brought to tears by what I had been doing. I wanted to be changed and made new. Upon returning, my life did not change overnight, but that long weekend was a huge step in my recovery. Three months later my dear and compassionate friend CJ (who I had confided in regularly) brought me to Lynelle (who has turned into an amazing mentor and friend). She had been through similar experiences, but had seen the light at the end of the tunnel. I was at the right time in my life to really make the change, and through a series of these kinds of relationships, God brought it about. I will always be grateful for how friendships blossom...especially these two ladies in my life :)

So thank you to Engedi Church for welcoming me into your group for a weekend together with sisters in Christ. It is yet another year I won't forget!

My Aching Back!

Every mom-to-be deserves at least one post to complain about the drama in her current preggo life! Today is that day. MY.ACHING.BACK!!! Literally. I probably got about 3-4 hours of sleep last night because of it. Yesterday Greg and I moved a ton of furniture around the house to reorganize a bit. We recently finished painting the fireplace room, which looks absolutely PERFECT thanks to my talented and diligent husband (pics to come soon...). But I guess I thought I could just pick up a couch and move it the same way I used to. WRONG.

I was tossing and turning all night, constantly pulling the covers on as they kept getting twisted from all the thrashing. I tried laying on my side, putting a pillow between my legs, laying on the other side, even laying on my back (which I am NOT a back sleeper)....and nothing seemed to minimize the ache. At one point around 5am, Greg (bless his heart) pulled the covers up over me for the 50th time, and proceeded to start rubbing my lower back. All it did was show me how much he loves me, but it really didn't help ease the pain one bit.

So, in the end, one was lesson learned:
Think twice about doing something you thought you could have easily done before you went and got all pregnant.

Also, to respond to some questions about the last blog....I DID end up finishing my curtains for the built-in, and they turned out just how I hoped! Now, I can stow my baskets filled with hats, gloves, and scarfs as well as various board games below without being seen. I need to get a camera soon to post these fun transformations! But, in the meantime, thanks for the accountability...even in the small things :)

Snow day in February...sigh...

Since it's 19 deg. out and been SNOWING all day...what's a girl to do????


Today's activities so far:

~ Nanny from 9:30-1:30
~ Stopped by the fabric store on the way home

Plans for the REST of the day:

~ Finish the laundry (which I LOVE)
~ Begin sewing my curtains to cover some shelves below my built in
~ Read a bit (currently the Chronicles of Narnia...addicting I must say :)
~ Make it to the gym and do some walking on the treadmill (if I have energy by then)
~ Nap
~ Small group!

Not bad for a day indoors...but seriously can we get on with Spring already??? I'm pretty much DONE with winter. So, what are you up to today?

The Secret's Out...

Here's the announcement...






The verse at the bottom got cut off, but it reads
Psalms 37: 4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart".
And we are expecting September 9, 2009....how cool is that?? 9.9.09! I know I know, it rarely happens that you actually give birth ON your due date, but still fun to say.
All I can say is how completely PERFECT God's timing is. Greg and I have had a rough last year and a half with family issues on my side, and struggles within our own marriage. But, we have definitely come out stronger on the other side by the grace of God. There were so many times when I just wanted to be pregnant, and let that be my escape from all my other problems. Especially when all I could see were all the OTHER pregnant women around me. But, God protected us from that situation, as it could have been disastrous. I would have used it as a tool to protect myself from further hurt, instead of rejoicing in the fact that God has given us great responsibility and privilege to carry a child He has created.
So here we are...after waiting (not always so patiently), in our new house (with still a LOT of projects and painting to be done), basking in thankfulness (even though I'm not so thankful to be sick sometimes), and ready to take on the journey (even though we don't know the future). Bring it on!
Some other tid bits for those who are wondering how I've been feeling: I've definitely been nauseated, but am thankful to never have thrown up. I don't feel sick everyday. But, sometimes it just hits me unexpectedly. Naps are a MUST once a day. I usually hit a wall around 3:00 and have to lay down for a while. Greg has been patient with my crankiness, and my short tongue. Last Wed we had an appointment and were able to hear the heartbeat for the first time. The doc found it right away, which eased my nerves. It was so LOUD and fast! Greg and I looked at each other and started laughing out loud we were so giddy. I'm just starting my 12th week, so we're almost 1/3 of the way there! Stay tuned...Oh, and we are DEFINITELY finding out boy or girl! We didn't even have to have a disagreement on that one :)

AMST Retreat

As most of you know my hubby works for his family trucking company AMST (Art Mulder & Son's Trucking). Grandpa Art Mulder is the founder, and his three son's took ownership to carry on the business. Greg and his cousin Chad are the next generation with interest in continuing the business. As busy as they get sometimes, and as hard as it is to not see my husband until late at night sometimes, I really see Greg's passion working with the fam. He is so incredibly good at what he does, as are the other employees, and they really seek to use their gifts to bring glory to our Father.

Last weekend, we had a "retreat" for the owners and their wives, Greg and I, and Chad. We stayed in town at the Hampton Inn for two nights. The weekend was full of meetings, and little sleep. As some of you who work with family know, it's a blessing in disguise. It's wonderful knowing you are all in it together, but there can often be heated discussions. Throughout the three days, we prayed about our future, talked about where our priorities are, and gave input on a number of issues. I felt so privileged knowing I was there to be heard. Me. Just a wife to a third generation employee. The guys really dedicated their time to us, to make sure we were informed and I truly felt like we could discuss anything on our hearts.

We are so blessed to be a part of AMST despite our economic times. We don't know the future, but we know it belongs to the Lord, and we can only give him our best.

I am so thankful for the Mulder family!

25 Random things...

This interesting idea has been floating around on facebook for a few weeks now, so I thought I'd join in the fun!

Here are 25 random things you might not know about me:

1. I always choose sweet pickles over dill

2. I wore braces for 6 years! And I'm proud to say just the other day, my dentist told me I could be a tooth model...if only he could have seem them when I was 12 :)

3. I played the violin as a kid, and now enjoy playing the piano on occasion. Mind you, I have NO form at all, and it takes quite a long time for me to read music. But, it's a small accomplishment nonetheless.

4. I love a PB and banana sandwich anytime of the day!

5. I absolutely laugh the hardest when I hang out with my SISTERS

6. Greg and I both shared our first date, first kiss, and first love with each other :)

7. My fingers and toes look dead when I get really cold sometimes....kinda weird I know.

8. I actually ENJOY DOING LAUNDRY. It just feels so warm, I love folding and organizing the closet, and I love the smell of clean!

9. I love distressed furniture

10. It would be my dream to have a set of boy/girl twins someday

11. I own about a dozen tubes of lip gloss, but rarely ever wear them

12. CHOCOLATE...need I say more?

13. My favorite seasons are the hot and beachy SUMMERS in Michigan filled with ice cream shops on every corner and shorts and tank tops until 10 at night; and the green and luscious SPRINGS in California where wildflowers grow on every rolling green hill...ahhh...miss those sometimes.

14. My house is usually cluttered, and the bed is rarely ever made....but at least the laundry is always done!

15. The strangest thing I ever ate was a dried octopus tentacle....wouldn't recommend it

16. I still bite my nails

17. I've always wanted to take a trip to Australia

18. I moved 8 times growing up

19. I am almost ALWAYS late, and just never seem to know why :)

20. Am I really 25 years old and STILL having occasional breakouts?! Seriously...

21. I tend to complain about a lot of things, but then BRAG about them later....you know excatly what I mean :) The girl that complains about being dirty while camping, but then tells her friends the next day how totally awesome it was!

22. I love pets....in OTHER people's homes. It's just difficult in MI when you have to keep pets indoors in the winter. I'm all about a pet...as long as it can stay outside.

23. My Mom's cookies are way better than yours....not even kidding

24. I love doing puzzles in the winter

25. The furthest I've ever run at one time is 4 miles...some of us just aren't born runners :)