Friday's Challenge on Posted by Rebekah

Every Friday @ 12:30pm (CST), you can hear a weekly challenge from me on Faith Music Radio.  My podcast is called Posted by Rebekah. You can listen online HERE or download the free app for your smartphone.  I would love for you to join us, listen and take the challenge!
Tune in any time of the day to Faith Music Radio for uplifting Christian music and talk. 

Here is today's podcast in blog post form. :)

Recently, we have had so many beautiful sunsets.  Yet all of those sunsets had one thing in common – clouds.  I found that ironic.  When we think of cloudy days, we often think of that being depressing.  When I think of clouds, these things came to mind…

The first thing I thought of when I thought of a beautiful cloud in the Bible was in the beginning of the Bible – Genesis 1:7.  I just taught this to my Cubbies class in Awana – “And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.”  The very first “clouds” of the world remind me how very powerful my God is.  And if He can create those clouds, He can take care of ME.  Take comfort in that today!

A second amazing cloud in the Bible I think of is the cloud that the Israelites followed by day in the wilderness.  In Nehemiah 9:19 it says, “Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from then by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.”  The story of millions of people surviving for forty years in the desert is amazing.  It could only be God that could do something like that.  And He used something as simple as a cloud to guide them.  Why did He do that?  His manifold mercies.  And oh, how I cling to that verse, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

And the last cloud I think of is a special “cloud”.  It refers to the millions of believers that have gone before us.  Sometimes, it is easy to feel lonely in the Christian life.  When you start to feel discouraged and defeated thinking you are out there running this race by yourself, imagine a “cloud” of fellow believers that ran that very race before you.  Let them inspire you to keep on going to the same finish line!  “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”  Hebrews 12:1

So where are you at today?  Are you trying to run the race of the Christian life but are ready to throw in the towel?  Have you forgotten in the midst of the problems and trials of life about the power of our God?  Do you need to stop following your own cloud of dreams and visions and start following the cloud that God is trying to guide you with?

Today’s challenge is:  The clouds God gives us are there to guide us while showing us his awesome power, mercy and love.  Today, when you see a cloud in the sky, I hope it encourages you to keep going for Him.  Clouds are awesome!  

Will you take the challenge?

My Week

Last week was our Fall Revival.  While the girls did their lessons in school on their DVD's, I spent the morning setting up for our revival services that evening.

Clean the auditorium, clean the bathrooms, set up the Fellowship Hall for the meal and all the small details like visitor packets...coffee bar...cleaning the windows...garbage...making the drinks, etc.  

Monday evening, the ladies of our church made lasagnas and we served it with salad, french bread and cookies for our meal before the revival began.

Pastor Soto and Pastor Griffin both spoke Monday night.  I very much enjoyed participating in the song time with Josh and Jenny.  Thank you to Megan who worked one of the services for me Monday night so I could hear some preaching - as well as cleaned up the Fellowship Hall!  There are many things that often fall on the pastor's wife by default - and we do them without a second thought.  However, when someone takes note and volunteers to take a duty, it means so very much.  So very much.  Thank you.

The Soto family was so sweet and the girls loved getting to know their kids!  They went the extra mile and bought them all gifts.  Summer still has her card sitting on her school desk and we won't even go on about the singing Elsa doll! :) 

So sweet this family!

Tuesday was a second day of school.  I spent the morning cleaning and setting up again for our last evening of revival.  That evening, the ladies made enchiladas and we served them with salad, chips and salsa and cookies.  Pastor Griffin closed the revival.  I worked in the nursery with the little ones after praise and worship time.  Thank you to Shannon who worked the nursery so I could sing.

Wednesday, we did school/babysitting.  I recorded a podcast in the morning for the radio while my husband took Pastor Griffin to the airport.  I then went to the United Blood Services to give blood.

Just a beautiful fall day!

Cold nights and cool days.  

I received a nice t-shirt for donating - yay Nevada donors!

My husband and I had a meeting with our children's pastor  and then leftover lasagna for dinner.

Side note:  Dogs are weird.  :)

Thursday, school, babysitting, clean the church (again  LOL!), take my husband to the airport.  

We finally finished school and cleaning about 1:30...loaded up the van to leave and the battery was dead.  So we borrowed the church van to get us all home!  Thankfully, it was just a dead battery and Adam was able to jump me later that night.

I then was back to work with my Senior Helpers job - with a former client.  My new schedule is Thursdays and Fridays - 9pm-9am.  I was a little apprehensive going back after having a break but it all went well.

Friday was much of the same - school, babysitting, errands and then back for another night shift with Senior Helpers.

Saturday, I got home and enjoyed some coffee.  Showered then off to a little outing with the girls - library, Wal-Mart and lunch at Steak and Shake.

At 5pm, the girls and I went to the Discovery Museum.  They offered trick or treating as well as enjoying the museum.  We really enjoyed the new displays on the human body - very interesting!  I then dropped the girls off at home to get their showers and I went to the airport to pick up my husband.  Dropped him off at home and then off to an 8 hour shift from 10pm-6am Saturday night.

The night lights of Reno...

Sunday was cool enough to enjoy tights and plaid!  

We enjoyed a delicious lunch of spaghetti from Miss Dora and then I took a nap.  Ahh!

That evening, the teens did the service.  Our daughter, Addie, played the piano for the service.  I was very proud of her - not because of her performance but for her hard work she put into practicing for many weeks.  Use your talents for the Lord!

Thank you to Reagan Musser for my treats to enjoy in the nursery Sunday night!

I hope you had a good week!

Friday's Challenge on Posted by Rebekah

Every Friday @ 12:30pm (CST), you can hear a weekly challenge from me on Faith Music Radio.  My podcast is called Posted by Rebekah. You can listen online HERE or download the free app for your smartphone.  I would love for you to join us, listen and take the challenge!
Tune in any time of the day to Faith Music Radio for uplifting Christian music and talk. 

Here is today's podcast in blog post form. :)

Here I am…once again…sitting at a softball game.  SO many thoughts run through my head at these games.  Oddly enough, parenting thoughts are my biggest train of thought.

You see, when a softball mom sits and watches her daughter pitch or bat or field a ball, you get anxious.  Like “I might have a stroke” kind of anxious.  When all eyes are on your kid and it all depends on them if they can throw a strike or not…it is a bit nerve-wracking.

Because you don’t want them to fail.  Especially not in front of a crowd of people.  And not fail a team that is depending on them. 

And most of all, you want them to gain that confidence.  You know that confidence, moms.  We all know when our kids have it.  And it is the best feeling in the world.

However, that confidence doesn’t come from the cheers in the stand.  It doesn’t come from the high fives from the team.  It doesn’t come from the “Great job” from the coach.

It really comes from when they stand there on that pitcher mound and face that batter.  It comes when they take a deep breath and throw that ball…and strike out that batter.  

You see, it comes from facing their fears…and attacking it…and doing it all on their own.

What do I think about while I sit in the stands?  This is building my kid.  She is learning that life isn’t fair…and that is OK.  And if she comes to Mom…I will say, Shake it off and work harder!  She is learning that she has to do this on her own.  Her coach, mom, dad, friends…can’t throw the ball for her.  We can’t hold her hands while she bats.  She is on her own.

And that is how it needs to be.  We are raising a generation of young adults that don’t know how to face life.  Why?  

Because we have taken all opportunities when they are young to learn and done it for them.  We take them out of situations when they are fearful or failing to protect them…in the end…they will always need someone there to help them make it.

You see, confidence comes to your child when you “throw them in”.  Make them, yes, make them, face their fears.  Let them fail!  Then make them get back up and try again.  And after lots of hard work, they will succeed and you will gain what you hoped for your child all along – confidence.

And what a beautiful thing that is to a parent. 

So today’s challenge is:  What can I do better to boost the confidence in my children?  

I hope I have encouraged you to make them face their fears and when they fail, to get back up and do it again and again.

Will you take the challenge?

My Week

Monday began as a normal week.  After Reagan arrived, we headed off to school.  While the girls worked on their videos, I did cleaning of the building - my normal for a Monday.  Most of the times, I put in my ear buds and listen to the Bible on my phone.  I think I do it to stop my mind from constantly thinking of all I need to get done. :) If we are honest, life is just getting through a day sometimes.  Every day, I have six-seven kids all day.  It is problems, fighting, crying, whining, bickering...it never ends.  So if you are there with me...I understand.  Someday, we may be able to think again.  Clearly.  With a refreshed and awake mind.  Someday. :)

So when someone comments that they enjoy reading about my week...I suppose I chuckle.  To me, it seems to boring.  Same thing...same problems...same stuff.  

When we finished school, I dropped the girls off at home with my husband - his day off - and I did my weekly shopping at Winco.  I was thankful to find some good meat deals this week.  Ground beef was $1.98/lb.

When I got home, I made tater-topped hot dogs for dinner.  So funny but one of my favorite cheap meals. :)

Evenings, we work on homework, Awana verses, chores, showers.  Max wanted in on that with Sierra.  LOL!

Tuesday, babysitting and school.  I spent several hours with my husband at the church planning and discussing sermon series ideas for 2016 along with children's ministry and youth ministry.  Even though it takes a lot of time, I enjoy this time with him.  Working together on these things not only brings us closer together - but it makes me feel good knowing he values my opinion and thoughts.  

More cleaning on the church building.  More Bible on my earbuds. :)

For dinner, I made beef and tater casserole.  This is my favorite tater tot casserole.  Yum!  Have I mentioned I love french-fried onions? :)

Then, rush to a game!  We usually have to drop the kids off on the way so we leave about 4:20pm...to get to warm-ups and the game at 6pm.  

Wednesday, I had Reagan, Grayson and Aaron.  School time and then I had a few errands I had to get done.  Pay the extra on the escrow on our mortgage at the bank, pay a speeding ticket for my husband at the courthouse :/, ATM.

When home, I made my favorite chicken-broccoli-stuffing casserole for dinner.  Then back to church for our admin meeting.  Then take Addie to youth group that evening.

Downtown, I just love seeing this church right by the river - it has always been a favorite.

Thursday, we did our normal school and babysitting.  I then took Autumn, Reagan and Aaron and we went to do a photo job.  Eleven houses - this layout was a new one below and I really liked it!  We stopped at Wal-Mart for some birthday shopping.

Then home to make chicken pot pie and then a late game.

The sunset was gorgeous!

While waiting for our game to begin, we played in the park.  Summer did really good batting.  It was fun to see her try.

Our game was supposed to start at 7:40pm but the other game ran late - so we didn't start until after 8pm.  It was a pretty intense game being that if they lost, we were done for the season.  If we won, we would go on to play Saturday.  We were down by our last time to bat and the girls stayed in it long enough for Bri to steal home for the fourth run for that inning winning the game!  Talk about anxiety!  LOL!

Summer didn't last long with it starting so late.  She slept on the bleachers the entire game.  We got home at 10:15pm...tired!  Then I had to stay up until midnight uploading my photos for the inspection job and cleaning the house/kitchen.  Nice to go to bed always when your kitchen is nice and clean. :)

Friday was a little crazy.  My husband said he had a church errand to do and he would be back at 9:30am. We did school and grading. I was going to have him watch the kids and take his car to do a second photo job.  Well, he got back after 11.  We then had a meeting scheduled for 12:30 and that didn't give me enough time so I thought - I will go after our meeting.  My husband then tells me - Oh, I told so and so I would meet them so there went that idea.  So all the kids came with me to the job.  LOL!  And then because of going so late in the day, the manager was already locking up all the houses!  I had to beg him to reopen them to run and take photos as fast as I could.  Let's just say...I think I will not wait on my husband next time.  I am going to lock all the kids in his office with him and make a run for it!  Ha!

Friday was also our third daughter's 8th birthday - Sierra.  Her grandma sent her the ninja outfit along with weapons.  Help us, Jesus!  LOL!

From us, we got her spy googles with night vision and the first season of TailSpin.  :)

Addie made her request - lemon supreme cake with buttercream frosting.

Saturday turned out very cool and rainy.  Good for the rain but not to sit in softball games.  LOL!  My husband had a meeting at Sportsman's from 7-9am,  had the men's prayer breakfast at 9;30am.  I dropped off Addie at warm-ups at 9:40am, had my chiropractor visit and then game at 10:40am.  We were chilled through by the time it was over.  Unfortunately, they lost so that ended the series for them.  It was a good season which we really enjoyed.  

Lunch at McDonald's and then home.  Put the pork loin in the oven, clean the house and then off to singing practice at 2pm.  Back home to finish dinner preparations.  

My husband picked up Pastor Griffin at the airport at 2:40pm and then had a wedding at 5pm.  They came home and we had a late dinner - Marinated pork loin, hash brown casserole, creamy corn casserole.  Clean up the dishes and then went to Wal-Mart with Addie to get the gift bags for the speakers and a few other items.

Summer and I at the game.

This is Sierra.  She wanted to wear her ninja suit and escort in Daddy and Pastor Griffin safely when they arrived for dinner.  She literally waited hours on the deck.  When they got here, she escorted them inside and to their seat at the table.  It was really cute.

Sunday was a busy day of revival services.  Choir practice at 9:30, church at 10:30am.  Pastor Griffin preached the morning service.  We hosted him at our home for lunch - a roast with potatoes, carrots and onions, garlic bread, peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream and of course, coffee. :)

After cleaning up the kitchen and dishes, Autumn and I went to the church to clean and set up the Fellowship Hall for our revival meals.  Pick up the rest of the family and then singing practice.  Revival at 5pm.  I sang in Praise and Worship and then worked in the nursery.  Pastor Soto preached our evening service.

Hope you had a wonderful week as well!

Five of my Favorite Things

Does one ever tire of sunsets?  I don't. :)

While waiting for a softball game to begin, we were playing with the younger girls.  This was Summer - first playing around with a bat and it was so awesome to see her strike the pose with no training - just from hours and hours of watching her sisters' softball games.  I loved it!

 

Fall ball ends today - so my favorite thing really is being a softball mom. :)

I was downtown this week and I just loved the fall colors with the architecture along the riverwalk.

Tater-topped hot dogs.  I know - it is probably weird to most - but I love them!  

Friday's Challenge on Posted by Rebekah

Every Friday @ 12:30pm (CST), you can hear a weekly challenge from me on Faith Music Radio.  My podcast is called Posted by Rebekah. You can listen online HERE or download the free app for your smartphone.  I would love for you to join us, listen and take the challenge!
Tune in any time of the day to Faith Music Radio for uplifting Christian music and talk. 

Here is today's podcast in blog post form. :)

One morning, I was getting a cup of coffee in the breakfast room.  I always put the cream in first and then add the coffee.  I'm a creature of habit. :)

A guy next me was getting a cup as well.  He noticed me the way I made my cup and said, "You put your cream in first.  Maybe I've been doing it wrong all this time!".  He was joking, of course.  I thought it was interesting.  We were making the same thing - just in a different way.  He wasn't right or wrong.  I wasn't right or wrong.

I was at Home Depot - choosing a paint color for our hallway and bathroom.  Saturday night with a four-year old.  I spent 45 minutes just standing there.  Every color had their own shade of gray!  The blues had shades of gray...the tans had shades of gray...the greens had shades of gray!  It was completely crazy.  I ended up leaving without buying any paint!!

When I got back to the hotel, I told my husband the story.  He says, "Don't they have a black and white section with grays?"  Ha ha ha!  I love men's logic!

Different.  We are all different.  All churches are different.  All pastor's wives are different.  All Christians are different.

Shades of gray.  Technically, we are all the same - a gray color.  But not exactly the same shade.

Our churches are all the same ingredients - just like the cup of coffee.  Maybe just a little different in the way we put the ingredients in - or the way we do things.

So today's challenge is:  Remember this little analogy the next time you may start to judge a person or institution.  Ask yourself?  Are they gray like me?  Then remind yourself...maybe they are just a different shade.  And that is OK.  :)

Will you take the challenge?

Recipe: Beef and Tater Casserole

• First, if you don't like a good tater tot casserole, we can't be friends. :)  Second, this is MY favorite tater tot casserole of all times.  I love that it adds in broccoli and fresh tomato and the French-fried onions are the perfect touch!
• Beef and Tater Bake
• 4 cups frozen Tater Tots
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 package (16 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of broccoli soup, undiluted
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1 can (2.8 ounces) French-fried onions, divided
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• 1/3 cup 2% milk
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Directions
• 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Place Tater Tots in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in broccoli, soup, tomato, 3/4 cup French-fried onions, 1/2 cup cheese, milk, garlic powder and pepper; heat through. Pour over Tater Tots.
• 3. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining onions and cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Yield: 12 servings.

My Week

Mondays are always a busy day for me.  While the girls are doing their school videos, I start the cleaning of the church building.  I try to do at least half to three quarters on Monday and finish it on Tuesday.  It is such a large job that it is better to break it up.

My husband worked at Sportsman's Warehouse Monday and we had Reagan and Aaron.  Jake, Megan and Papa Vern brought by a mattress for the girls' room which is just in time for my family coming in December!  Yay!

This is Aaron - he is such a happy and sweet baby!

I made a new recipe for dinner which I shared last week - Gnocchi, Sausage and Spinach Soup.  It was delicious!

Ended the day with some delicious apple cider. :)

Tuesday was school and then piano lessons at 1pm.  After dropping off the girls at lessons, I left to do my errands.  ABC Lock and Glass to pick up an item for the church, the post office to mail grades and get stamps/mail, and then to Winco for our weekly grocery shopping.  Summer begged me to get her a roll at Winco so there ya go. :)  She loves to go with me and cross off the items on my list when we get them.

We didn't have Reagan or Aaron and it was nice just me and Summer.

We then had a late game at 7:40pm.  Always crazy when it is dark before the game even starts.  LOL!  It was a great game though with the girls actually coming in the last inning and winning it by one. Yay!

So that was the last game of the regular season.  We are now in a few tournament games to end the season.

Wednesday, we had school and babysat for Reagan and Grayson.  We had our admin meeting at 4pm and then had Scott and Jodi over for dinner to meet about the youth ministry.  I made stuffed zucchini.  We had a good meeting which ended at 8pm - pick up Addie from Youth Group.

Thursday was school and babysitting.  I told the girls that I am ready to start Christmas shopping so finalize their lists.  (Mind you, they began their wish lists in January...they already are planning next year's too!  This is what an American Girl doll catalogue does to girls.  Ha!)  

Our October weather has been so warm - very above average for October.  We enjoyed last of the season goodies like blackberries and burgers off the grill.

I caught this beautiful sunset while sitting at softball practice that evening.  

Friday morning, I took this photo of our neighbor's tree - I love fall colors!

Friday, we did school and babysat.  My husband worked at Sportsman's.  I was able to go to my chiropractor appt. and then we met at Capriotti's for a date.  Much needed after all week.  I enjoyed a yummy turkey, ham, mayo, lettuce and cranberry sauce sandwich. :) 

Then we went to our Imax theater - first time to check it out since it opened last year!  We watched the movie - Everest.  I really enjoyed it - it really made me ponder a lot!  The reclining seats were awesome!

Autumn worked on her mammal poster while we were out.  I thought she did very good job!

Saturday - our softball game was changed so I was able to stay home (so weird!  LOL!) and get things done.  I took Belle to the groomers - she's so cute.  :)

A yummy dinner of salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts.

Worked on some activities for the Kid City class I was subbing for as well as my Cubbies class on Sunday evening.

Sunday was busy with morning preparations, choir practice, nursery, praise and worship, teaching in Kid City.

The fifth and sixth grade class did well with their participation and learning their verses and attributes of God.  We also had four new children attend Kid City from our new church van route that was started Sunday.  Praise God!

Emma and Erica came over to play in the afternoon.  Cory had pizza delivered to our home for our lunch - yummy!  Thank you, Cory!

Then it was back to church for singing practice and teach my Cubbies class in Awana.  

Hope you had a wonderful week!