Lots Going On and Personal Challenge

Mowin' and Sweatin':

First of all, I am the best wife ever. Just sayin'. Yesterday, I wanted to surprise my beloved, hard working husband and mow the lawn. Did I mention, we have a LARGE backyard and our front yard is on a hill? Anyway. Well, it had been maybe a little over a week since he mowed last and it just got a little thick. Little did I know, the thick grass can actually stop the choppers in the mower from chopping, and the mower just stops. What the hey?! It did that about every 2 minutes, and I nearly had a cow! I was sweating like a beast and these stinkin' roofer guys next door had a clear view of my frustration. At one point, I looked at them, and they were all standing there watching me. Really, guys? Have a laugh and then get back to your job. Did I mention that one of them was showing his crackers? And if I can see his crackers from the ground and he's up on the roof...your pants are too low. I gave him the name: Captain Butt-Crack. Was that nice of me to give him that name? Probably not. But it wasn't nice for him to get his buddies to laugh at the sweaty girl fighting with the mower. There. We're even. Here is my pretty mowing job in the back yard:

Look at those semi-straight lines!

Alert the media!!! I finished my book!
I finished book one (of 4) about Ruth called, Unashamed! I was such a schweaty buffalo after mowing that I took a long bubble bath and finished that book right up while Jamie played video games. Oh it was so good! I highly recommend it and will certainly purchase/borrow the other books in that series. Francine Rivers is an impeccable author and she makes things come to life. I am very familiar with the story of Ruth (read it here), and hope to be half the woman she is one day. Her faith in God and pure loyalty to her mother-in-law and love for her husband Boaz is just beautiful and admirable. Please read the story of Ruth in the bible and soak it in. Very neat story. Now, onto my next book...which one shall I start?



Tervis Tumbler
In other news, I am officially a cool Memphis-ian (Memphian? Memphis-ite? Whatev...) Every week in Sunday School, everyone is drinking out of this mysterious cup that is supposedly life-changing. I'm already a new kid, kind of an outsider and definitely a dork, so I knew I needed that cup!!! When I was at Bellevue on Tuesday, Jenny was drinking out of this God-sent cup and I asked about it. She talked about that thing as if it was the greatest thing next to Brad Pitt, I I I mean sliced bread! So what did I do yesterday? I went out and got me one! Is it amazing? YES! Does it sweat with water droplets? NO! Is it sitting on my coffee table right now, without a coaster? YES! It is called a Tervis Tumbler, and please read about it here! Oh it's great! Mine is simple with an "A" on it, but I could have gotten a fun and personalized one if I wanted. But I love my letter. :) Seriously. Go get one. They're great.

My "A" Tervis Tumbler...Amen

Yummolicious Breakfast:
My morning started off deliciously! I had a couple bites of the Chocolate Cheerios right out of the box and then I had my most favorite thing in the world...a bowl of strawberries, bananas and blueberries. Fresh fruit is probably the best part about summer. Ohh, man. So glorious. It's the little things in life that bring joy to my heart. Like a fresh fruit bowl and pedicures and chocolate cereal :)

The oh so glorious fruit bowl. God. Bless. You.

My red tootsies next to my invasive dog. I was trying to be artsy and take the picture of my cute piggies next to my red flowers, and egocentric Leia Lu just had to jump in. But she's still pretty precious, isn't she? :)

Red Flowers. Red Toesies. What a phenomenal color! Thank you, pedicure!

Personal Challenge:
You know how I give you challenges from time to time? (How are those going by the way?) Well, I'm giving myself a permanent challenge. I'm sick and tired of being a lazy Christian, thinking I'm too good and too busy for quiet times and intentional moments with God. Wow. I'm far from that. I'm far from good and am never too busy to sit down with God. So, what I am going to start doing is jotting down a few notes every day from my own time in the Word. I'm not going to write a full devotional by any stretch to write down each and everything that I read or get uber personal, but just a few notes about what I did to get in touch with God that day. It'll be a good way to keep me accountable but hopefully to spur you on as well to spend some time with Jesus in scripture every day.

Quiet time for July 29th, 2009:
At the end of my Ruth book, there are 4 devotionals. So for the next 4 days, that is what I'll be reading :)

*Passage: Ruth 1:1-18 (Read it here)
*Questions:
1. There are many life-changeing events that come into our lives. List all the life-changing events you find in the above passage.
2. How many of these events were the result of Naomi's choices?
3. What is her response to those events?
4. What do you learn about Naomi's daughters-in-law?
5. What choices did they make?
6. With whom do you identify?
*Find God's Ways for You:
1. What life-changing events have you experienced?
2. Who helped you through these events?
3. What kind of counsel did you receive?
*I am not answering these questions, because my quiet time with God is personal and my hope is that you read the passage and follow along with the questions. :)
*Naomi and Ruth needed wisdom to make their decisions. Contrast worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom from the following passage: James 3:13-18 (Read it here)
*Stop and Ponder: Based on your contrast of wisdom from the passage you just read, which kind of wisdom do you seek? Which kind of wisdom you impart to others?
*What I learned: The question asking with whom do you identify? (meaning Orpah and Ruth) I thought to myself, Gosh. I'm probably more of an Orpah than a Ruth. I tend to be selfish and I like to get out of unfortunate situations sooner rather than later. I prefer to run home and seek comfort in tough times, rather than do what is best for those around me, making sure they're doing fine as well. Sometimes I'm just looking out for me. I need to make an earnest effort to be more like Ruth. Faithful, selfless, true, wise. Ruth is a good reminder of how we need to act in any and every situation. Am I using worldly wisdom or Godly wisdom?


I hope you all have a Terrific Thursday and please try to do something fun! Love you lots and lots! God bless!

Random Pic: Leia sneezed in her bowl while eating her food, and the food went everywhere! Oh, I just died laughing!!! Here is the aftermath: