Hope Continually -- Psalm 71:14

Monday...the beginning of a new week. My project list seems to be getting longer this summer instead of shorter...today, I want to buff our floors and replace screens in some of our windows.  Clean the house...laundry...grocery shopping.  My to do list never ends. But there is one to do list that I don't want to forget.   The one labeled "Others". That is why I have four precious kids coming for swimming and a sleepover tomorrow.  That is why their mom and more friends are coming for dinner tomorrow night.  This family is moving to Alabama next Wednesday.  To say we will miss them is a great understatement.   So even though I am supposed to be painting my bedroom (I know, Jenny!! :) and staining and sealing my deck...that can wait.   Others.   Challenge:  Write your to do list for today.  Include one thing for someone else.   Make cookies for a neighbor. Watch someone's kids while they have ...

This statement was said to me this past week... "I'm not practicing any religion right now." The definitions of practicing : to perform or do habitually or usually: to practice a strict regimen. to follow or observe habitually or customarily: to practice one's religion. to exercise or pursue as a profession, art, or occupation: to practice law. to perform or do repeatedly in order to acquire skill or proficiency: to practice the violin. to train or drill (a person, animal, etc.) in something in order to give proficiency. I am a creature of habit. I like things to be the same every day.  I enjoy routine. However, I can get into the rut of doing things in my life simply out of habit and not because of the relationship involved.   Why is this potentially harmful?   People who do acts of service as a habit or performance are at a greater risk to abandon that relationship.   It is the love in the action that build the relatio...

Yesterday, we celebrated our church's 4th anniversary and today, my husband and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary.  In our afternoon service, we had a few folks share their testimony of their life and Sierra View Baptist Church. Here is mine... Sierra View Baptist Church started not four years ago...but fifteen years ago and five months to be exact. For me, anyways. It was on January 23, 1999, my husband and I had our first date.  We were both students at the Bible college we attended and he asked me out to an after Christmas party at Connie's Pizza in Chicago. After we returned to the college campus, we talked.  It was in this very conversation that he told me his story...and then his dream .  He wanted to be a youth pastor at his home church. I didn't say it then...or for many years to come.  But I remember thinking that he would do more than just be a youth pastor.  I could see the passion for God...the love for the Ch...

Today is the celebration of our church's 4th anniversary .    On June 20th, 2010, Sierra View Baptist Church held its first service in the conference room of the Hampton Inn in Reno.  I remember the nervous and scared feelings...what a big undertaking in our lives.  So many things we have learned along the way the past four years.  And so many more to go. Here are a few throwback posts from my first blog...what special memories! Blog Post:  Announcing the start of Sierra View Blog post:  Grand Opening of Sierra View Last year, this month of June, my husband decided to quit his job as regional manager of a local medical company and go full-time at the church.  Our second very big leap of faith personally for our family.   And God has taken care and caught us as we took each leap.   I think of our journey when I read these verses... "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped ov...

Guest post from Mrs. Jenny Musser Today, I thought I would share links to some free print outs that I use for my binder.  There are many cute colored printables out there but our printer is black and white, so that is what I use.  I like to make my own binder because I can customize it for my needs.   All you need is a binder, I got mine in the clearance section at Wal-mart for $3 and some dividers there for about $1.50 and a printer!   I've sorted my binder into just four groups: Calendar, To Do, Grocery/Menu, Church .  Here is a link to a calendar.  Each month is on one page so you can throw the month away and start fresh.     Monthly Calendar Printable This one is a link for a grocery list .  I like this one because most that I found already have items listed, this one you can add what you need.   Grocery List Printable   This one is my favorites!  I love to make To Do Lists!! Thing...

On our vacation, my husband and I took a six mile hike up to the famous Hollywood sign. At least, that was the plan. :) After asking a park traffic guide, he pointed us in the "direction" of the trail.  We parked and headed up.  NO signs.  Of course, we got lost in conversation (we tend to philosophize a bit on these adventures ;) and we came to this fork in the road.  The one path "looked" like it went up the front of the sign.  The other path "seemed" to go to the back of the sign. We had no map.  There were no signs.  I had a read a hiker's blog and actually got the idea for this hike.  No, this is probably not the best way to start an adventure. Yeah.  Do you ever find yourself at that point in life?  I have and sometimes do.   I encourage you to take these steps when you find yourself at these points with no map: 1.   Seek the Lord's direction .  The FIRST step here is to do the Lord's obv...

"I like your flip flops.  They are like mine," said a little girl to me at the breakfast room at the Hampton on our vacation. "You look like my grandma.  She wears those too (pointing to my skirt),"  said a little boy to me in Wal-Mart. People notice our outside, don't they?  The clothes we wear, the hair style we have, the jewelry we choose.  My three year old always compliments my church clothes..."I love your necklace, Mommy.  Your shoes are pretty, Mommy."   More than others noticing the outer appearance, I crave for others to notice Jesus on me.  I have a pastor's wife friend in our town that glows the love of Jesus.  Her spirit and enthusiasm for God is like a burning fire - and you can't help but catch on fire too when you are near.   How do you and I become the person that when others are around... they desire not what we are but who He is? We have a true and real relationship with Christ.  Th...

I am missing my girls.  Not the fights and squabbles.  Not all the laundry and dishes.  But I miss them.  Today we leave Lancaster and the Spiritual Leadership Conference to go home.  And one thing that the Lord impressed upon my heart was one area with my children. Do my children hear me pray?  Is this one area that when they become adults, they will look back and say, I remember hearing Mom pray.  I know as a testimony to my parents...I heard them pray a lot.  Still do.   I can only imagine the influence on a child's life if they heard their parent pray for them to marry a godly, Christian spouse.   I can only imagine the influence on a child's soul if they heard their parent pray for their salvation.   I can only imagine the influence on a child's heart if they heard their parent pray for their fears and insecurities. So, I have determined to concentrate on two things with my children. 1.  Pray aloud...

Yesterday, we had a leisurely morning at our hotel.  (After a 2 mile run in the gym. :)  We were able to talk with another pastor couple friends for a few hours over breakfast and coffee.  We then headed out to Santa Monica and the pier.  This is where Route 66 ends at the Pacific Ocean. The pier was fun to walk and my husband humored me and rode the ferris wheel.  They freak him out...just a little bit.  Ha!  Gave beautiful views of the pier, ocean and beach. Chatting with the locals who were fishing off the pier. Sitting on the end of the pier overlooking the ocean. :) Had a yummy caramel coffee at the Coffee Bean. Lunch was this delicious pasta dish with grilled shrimp and a lemon garlic sauce.  Heaven! We then walked the beach and looked for little seashells.  Enjoyed the waves coming in and the warm sand on our feet. After the day, we attended a wonderful even...

Good Sunday morning from Lancaster Baptist Church!  Just thought I would share a few pictures of their campus.  It really is a huge campus.  This is the entrance to their main auditorium. Their Welcome Centers are on the outside.   We attended the first service at 8:30am.   Meanwhile, back in Reno...six ladies going to Sierra View. :) After the 8:30 service, they held their ground breaking ceremony for their new Student Commons building. After the ground breaking, we went shopping at the church bookstore.  We got Autumn a new Bible and more devotional books for Addie and Autumn.  They really enjoy these Glow books for juniors. After church, we attended the Senior Pastor's luncheon.  LBC always hosts wonderful luncheons and we really enjoyed getting to know two more pastors from Texas and Georgia who sat at our table.  The meal was sea bass, rice, sauteed veggies, a salad, tea and...

My husband and I are on our yearly get-away to Lancaster, California.  This is our third year attending the Spiritual Leadership Conference at Lancaster Baptist Church - Pastor Paul Chappell.  We are looking forward to a wonderful time renewing our hearts and souls. I thought I would share some of our trip with you.  We left Saturday morning at 4:50am.  The drive was pretty uneventful minus a stop at Denny's for a Fit Fare Omelet.  :)  I do so enjoy the beautiful flowers along the highway like you see above. We drove straight to LA - Los Angeles.  I did that is...California drivers remind me of Chicago drivers.  Good grief!  Our plan was to do an iconic hike up to the famous Hollywood sign.  We didn't make it all the way to the top - the paths weren't marked and we ended up taking the path in front of the sign which doesn't take you up to the sign.  But that was OK.  We got in a good workout of six miles and en...

Fruit Infused Water  *Guest post:  Mrs. Jenny Musser* Last summer, a sweet lady I go to church with gave me this fruit infusion pitcher.  You can get them at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and Wal-Mart for about $20.  I used it all summer long last year and I have already starting making it now!  It is so refreshing in this Nevada heat!!   It only takes a few minutes to make.  I let it sit overnight, but it depends on how strong you would like the flavors to be is how long you will let it sit. You can really use every kind of fruit, but bananas.  Also, cucumber is very tasty and refreshing!   These are a few of my favorite: 1. Lemon, Lime and Orange  2. Raspberry & Lime  3. Strawberry & Lemon 4. Mixed Berry I haven't tried any with herbs mixed in yet so these are a few I'm looking forward to trying this summer: 1. Cucumber, Lemon & Mint 2. Strawberry, Lemon & Basil 3. Orange ...

  This month, my husband and I will be married for 13 years. This Saturday, my parents will have been married for 39 years. My clients that I do home health care have been married for 74 years. All seasons of life in marriage.   Yet in all is a common thread that is needed... time together.   My husband and I do home projects together.  We run errands together.  We work in the ministry together.  We take vacations alone together.  If we can, we do the things in our life together.  It is what builds our marriage.  It strengthens our relationship.  It bonds our hearts. All just moments.  Moments together that create a marriage. Think about this quote...share moments together today...so that you will have memories tomorrow.  (Above is my new wedding band for my anniversary that replaced the one I lost.)