A New Day Dawning

What Are You Living For?

2011-11-13T05:14:00.001-05:00

Something to think about...

Blessings in Disguise

2011-10-30T07:55:00.002-04:00

We may not always understand why we have to bear crosses in this life - but what if they are meant as blessings in disguise? It is always during the times of greatest struggle, that I cling to the Lord the most.

22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.
23 With bitterness archers attacked him;
they shot at him with hostility.
24 But his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
25 because of your father’s God, who helps you,
because of the Almighty,who blesses you
with blessings of the skies above,
blessings of the deep springs below,
blessings of the breast and womb.
26 Your father’s blessings are greater
than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
than the bounty of the age-old hills.
Let all these rest on the head of Joseph,
on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
Genesis 49:22-26

God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty.
Peter Marshall

May God pour out His richest blessings on you today and may you feel his love through the process,
Kymber

God's Provision

2011-10-22T08:53:00.008-04:00

**Warning - LONG post ahead**

Thus far in my journey as a new nurse, I have been spending most of my time waiting. I have two new adventures ready to begin, but it has been an extremely slow process to say the least! I am trying not get too anxious about it, and am instead using the time God has given me to rest up for the busyness that is sure to come.

After a LOT of soul searching, I decided to reexamine what was MOST important to me. I needed to come to a conclusion in what direction this new phase of my life would take.

I have always been very old-school when it comes to my marriage and family. I want my husband and family to know that they come first in my heart and in my priorities. When I was in nursing school, I tried to do my best to make things as normal as possible for my husband. I tried to make sure he had homecooked meals waiting for him - breakfast, lunch and dinner. It wasn't always easy, and there often wasn't a good variety, but he knew he could count on me to take care of him and his needs.

Since I have been home these past few months without school obligations to bog me down, it has been so great to have things back to normal again! I forgot how much fun it was to sit and watch a movie with my husband or to spend my Sunday afternoons baking a large family dinner and cuddling up to watch football with him. I suddenly realized what it would mean to me to have to give that up again.

When you become a new graduate nurse, straight out of school and wet behind the ears, not many people are willing to give you a chance. It is obviously easier to hire someone who knows what they are doing and has experience working as a nurse. Graduate nurses usually have to take shift hours that others don't want - just to get their foot in the door of a facility. I really struggled with this because after school was over, I was EXHAUSTED and needed time to reflect and consider my life and what was truly important to me at my age. Yes, I want to serve the Lord with ALL my heart and soul. Yes, I am willing to step outside of my comfort zone to do so. (Frankly, I have been outside of my comfort zone since I STARTED this journey - so why stop now ~smile~) Yes, I want more than ANYTHING to do God's will. As I put in job applications, I kept ALL of my options open - so that I would be certain without a DOUBT as to the direction the Lord wanted me to go in.

That being said, in my prayers, there where certain considerations I asked the Lord for. I prayed that the Lord would use me for HIS service. I know that this journey was God's doing - every step of the way was guided by Him. I prayed that He would show me the way He wanted me to go, and I also prayed that He would help me to put my priorities in order. I thanked Him for my husband and for my family. I humbly asked the Lord to help me find a job taylored around the needs of my family. I know that the Lord gave me the desire to be home - taking care of my "nest" and that even though I believe He has a job for me to do, I know He never expects me to give up on my desire to "be there" for my family. I believe now, that the Lord has provided me the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds and I am so grateful!

Let me tell you how the Lord has blessed me. I am SO excited to share this with you because it shows God's hand in EVERY aspect of my journey and His awesome answer to prayer!

Backing up in time a little bit, let me share a little bit of history with you. When I first arrived here in Georgia, I took a job at a nursing home as an nurse's aide. The facility was lovely on the outside, but evil on the inside. The staff was HORRIBLE to the residents who lived there and at the time - just having moved to a new state and desperately missing family and friends, I regret to admit that I wasn't strong enough emotionally to "take on" what it would require for me to work there. I have such regrets about walking away from that place! No - the resident's were not abused physically or anything like that, I couldn't have watched that and not reported it, but having come from a wonderful facility in Washington State, where the residents were well cared for and loved, it was a sharp contrast and I couldn't bear it. I would come home from work every night and cry in anguish for the resident's who lived there. I have such guilt for keeping quiet about it and not reporting some of the things I witnessed. I wish I was stronger during that time! It haunts me that I wasn't. I truly did my best for my residents while I was there, but I was exhausting myself and tried to take on too much - and I felt like I failed everytime I went home at night! It is a long story - one I will save for another day.

The pain I felt over this horrible facility, caused me to actually run away from healthcare for a time. I convinced myself that I was justified in doing so and prayed that the Lord would find me something ELSE to do that would bring glory to Him. I was RUNNING from His Will, just as Jonah had run from Ninevah and ended up in the belly of the whale.

I applied for nanny jobs and the Lord gave me a job working with a family of three children. I worked for this family for a year, and also worked for four other families in my neighborhood. Remember - I had convinced myself that God wanted me to get out of healthcare and do something else with my life- unbeknownst to me I believe my new middle name was Jonah at that time :)

Sometimes God gives you the desire of your heart to prove to you that it really wasn't what you wanted after all :)

I absolutely LOVED all of the children I nannied for, but my heart was restless - God was calling me back to healthcare and the pull on my heart was tremendous. I would go to bed thinking about it, and wake up thinking about it - I couldn't get it off my mind. I wasn't happy and I knew I needed to make a change. I applied to another facility, was hired as an aide, got back into school to continue pursuing nursing, and now we are back to the present time - a new graduate nurse, looking for work, filling out applications in ALL areas of healthcare, to see where the Lord wanted me to serve.

Hopefully you are still reading this, and I haven't totally bored you to tears, because the BEST part of the story is about to be revealed - God's ultimate answer to my prayer - He STARTED me on this journey long ago, He has been there ALL the way through, and He has used EVERY LITTLE DETAIL of my life, bringing me full circle to the point where I am right now...

I applied absolutely everywhere I could think of to apply including a school district where I had done my clinicals during nursing school - at these clinicals we were required to follow a school nurse. She happened to be a beautiful Christian and I struck up a friendship with her. After my clinicals there were finished, she told me that I could use her as a reference because she thought I would be a natural for the job. Well, LONG story short, I applied to this school district, I got the interview, and GUESS WHAT I was able to present to my interviewer as my references....not ONLY was I able to use my school nurse "friend" as a reference, but I was able to use ALL of the families who I had worked for as a nanny! As a result of this, I GOT THE JOB!!! It is very unheard of for a graduate nurse to get a school nurse position but because of my experience working with children, and my excellent references, they were willing to give me a chance!

As I called the families to ask if I could use them for a reference, It became crystal clear to me that the Lord's hand was in ALL of this. EVERYTHING happens for a reason - and the Lord had used my time (even though I was running from Him like Jonah) to bring Him Glory! As the scripture verse says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:27-29
I know this to be true - I am a prime example of this - even though I ran from God's ultimate plan for my life - He used that time to bring me to the place I am right now. The proud owner of a job perfect for me and for my family! My days will be filled working with children, and I will be home every evening to spend time with my husband. I can enjoy my weekends at home with him, and have the whole summer and holidays free to work my schedule around my family, my home and my husband - which is my greatest heart's desire!

BUT - my story isn't finished yet - because my heart was still yearning to continue to work with the elderly. I have such a heart for them and knew that the Lord wanted me to continue working with them. I was able to get my old job back - I had to quit working there when I was in school because my grades were suffering and I needed to devote all of my energy to my schoolwork, but I always had full intention of returning there when I finished. The Lord allowed me to go back there - this time as a nurse. I will be working PRN (as needed) so I will be able to make my own schedule - around my husband and families needs. I can work as much or as little as I want to - I have complete control over my life again and I couldn't be happier!
I have been completing the Orientation process, and will start both positions on Monday. It will be hard for the next month as I get used to both jobs, I will be working more than I want to at first, because I need to go through the training process. After the training is finished, I will be able to plan my own schedule, but for the next month, I am going to be surviving on VERY little sleep. My schedule will consist of going to the new school nurse position from 8:30-2:30, then leaving there and going straight to my nursing home job - and working from 3:00pm - 11:30pm. I will then turn around and do it all over again the next morning - and so on, for one month until my training is complete!

Please pray for me - that the Lord will give me the mental and physical strength to do both jobs well, and that I am able to prepare enough meals this weekend so that my husband can easily warm up home cooked meals for himself every night. Remember - HE is my top priority and I don't want him to suffer during this time of adjustment.

Thanks for reading this LONG post - I will keep you updated on all aspects of this new journey I am on, and I promise to make my posts shorter :)
Blessings on your day today,
Kymber

Been a Long Time

2011-09-11T07:01:00.002-04:00

I have truly neglected my blog for months! My life has been INSANELY busy, and I have put most everything on hold. Just a quick update:
- I finished nursing school in June
- I took my State Boards Exam in July
- I PASSED and am now official a Licensed Practical Nurse!!!
- I got a job immediately - working PRN (as needed) at a nursing home. I worked two weeks of orientation and am now flying solo (yikes!)
- I am STILL looking for a job that will give me a full time position. The PRN position may only yield about 1 shift per week (if I am lucky).
- I have TWO job interviews tomorrow! One is for a fulltime position, it is second shift (2:00pm-10:oopm - which isn't really what I want, but if it gets my foot in the door, I am okay with it, until a daytime shift comes available). The second job interview is for another PRN position. Who knows? Maybe I can just piecemeal a schedule together! If I take the PRN postion, I know of one other place where I can get PRN (which means I will be working at three places) maybe I can then totally avoid working the weekends, so I can still spend my Sundays with the Lord at church, and my hubby watching football (our favorite thing to do together).

So as you can see - my mind has been on Job searching! I can't wait to have my life back again! I have been devoting about 3-4 hours a day to filling out applications. I am also going through all of my school books and materials, organizing them and then putting them AWAY in a large rubber maid container so that I can finally be at peace and move on with my life!

In other news - my dear daughter is about to have my second granddaughter any minute now! We will be flying to San Diego to meet her in a couple of weeks. I was hoping to be with my daughter when she gave birth, but as you know, it is close to impossible to plan that sort of thing, SO - this is the next best thing. I will be able to spend 10 glorious days with them, and I can't wait to bury my face in my new granddaughters sweet little neck and give her sweet Nana 'loves and kisses'!

I have so many things I want to share - but I am off to walk my dog and pray to my Lord and get my mind and heart ready for church

Here is a wonderful skit I heard when I attended a Women of Faith conference here in Atlanta. Such an inspirational event! This skit is about women and the impact we have on those around us. Our role as women may often go unnoticed by everyone, but GOD has given us a role we can be proud of - we have been given such a GIFT - and we all need to recognize how special that gift really is!
Blessings on your day today,
Kymber

Christ has Risen! He has Risen Indeed!

2011-04-24T11:52:00.000-04:00

Crazy Quarter Schedule

2011-03-30T07:37:00.005-04:00

I am finally DONE with my third quarter of nursing school and decided to put down in writing what my schedule was like - just so that I could remember how crazy it was. There was no way I could have found the time to blog during the quarter - I was literally bogged down with work every single moment of the day. In order to stay on top of all of the work I had to do, it was necessary for me to get up every morning at 3:00am! I am an early riser so it didn't bother me too much - but by the end of the day - I was EXHAUSTED! I apologize in advance for boring anyone - I am sure this is only interesting to me, but I really want to remember what Nursing School was like - I only wish I was able to blog about my daily events - it has been an amazing experience from start to finish and I am ALMOST done! I am so close to graduation- I only have 10 more weeks left and I will graduate June 16th. My dream to become a nurse is finally just around the corner! All of my struggles will become just a memory to me. I have met some of the most wonderful people this year - my classmates. We have seen so much together. It truly has been such an amazing experience!

This quarter we studied Obstetrics and Pediatrics.

Here is what my schedule was like:

We had 8 clinical Obstetric days at the hospital - and we had assessments that we had to do for each of the sites that we were at - for example:

We had to do an assessement on a vaginal delivery and on a neonate (newborn)

We had to do an assessment on a cesarean delivery and on a neonate

We had to do a postpartum assessment AND we also had to do a 26 page assessment on any one of these patients

So that is a total of 6 assessments due for Obstetrics!

We spent 5 clinical Leadership days at a nursing home - (we had a 26 page assessment that we had to do on a resident of our choice)

We had 1 clinical Growth and Development observation day at a day care center (we had to write a paper on our observations about a child and answer questions regarding their development - 5 pages)

We spent 3 clinical days at a day care for medically fragile children (we had to write a paper about a child that we observed. A lot of these children were born premature so we had to write about what there developmental delays were and what a normal development for this age group should be - 4 pages)

We spent 3 clinical days following a school nurse (for me it was at a high school) thankfully we didn't have to do any paper work for this rotation.

We had to organize and participate in a school Blood Drive

We had to organize and participate in a Pediatric Health Fair

We had to write a Resume and Cover Letter and participate in a mock Panel Interview. It felt like it was real because we had to dress up in our business attire and sit before our instructors and 6 of our classmates. Everyone was graded on their performance - by the instructor AND by our classmates! It was very unnerving!

We had to participate in a Group Panel Discussion and give a presentation - each person had to speak for no less than 8 minutes. My speech was about Organ Donation - complete with a power point presentation

We had 3-5 papers due every week on various subjects pertaining to Leadership. These papers took FOREVER to write!

We had 6 Homework assignments due for OB, and online quizzes every other week.

We had 4 homework assignments due for Pediatrics.

We had 3 exams for OB and 3 for Pediatrics. We had 2 finals for OB, 2 for Pediatrics, and 2 for Leadership

WHEW! I can happily say that I survived this quarter and I received 4 A's and 2 B's ! I worked so hard for those grades and even though it is STILL hard for this type A personality to get B's - I will take it because I am moving forward every day toward my goal!

I am heading off to Miami tomorrow with my sweet husband for an extended weekend - I can't wait to lay out in the sun and do NOTHING. I probably should be reading ahead - because school starts back up on Monday - but I have decided to just relax and enjoy my few days off before the stress starts up again.

If you are still with me - thank you for your continued prayers and support - this has been such a crazy adventure and even though I have enjoyed it immensely, I can't wait to be done with it so I can get back to my life again. I look forward to the days when I can work in my yard, and in my home, and do some sewing projects. I look forward to having time to share my life on my blog again.

This is just a moment in time and then it will be over - so I am enjoying it while it is here.

I HAVE started crocheting a baby blanket for my new grandchild who will be born sometime this fall - it feels so good to be doing this again - I forgot how relaxing it is to just sit and crochet and reflect on the new arrival!

Blessings to all of you,

Kymber

All We Need is You, Lord

2011-03-27T07:27:00.003-04:00

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Isaiah 58:6-14

“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Mother Teresa
Blessings on your day,
Kymber

What Love Really Means

2011-02-13T07:36:00.005-05:00

This song really speaks to my soul - there are so many people out in this world who are broken by life and have never felt love or acceptance. We can all make a difference by showing love to these forgotten, hurting people. Help show the love of the Father - reach out to someone today!
"The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread"
Mother Theresa

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:40
Blessings,
Kymber

Reflections

2011-01-22T07:58:00.003-05:00

This post will probably be all over the place so I am preparing you now -
I was awakened this morning from a sound sleep by a cry out from my daughter who is living far from me in another state. She has been struggling with great difficulties for the past three years and she and her husband have been desperately trying to get on their feet. As a mother it is so hard to watch your kids flounder! You want the best for them and the best for your grandchildren. I have just found out that I will be a grandmother again - she is expecting baby number two. While this information fills me with joy at the prospect of having another grandchild in my life to love, I fear for her and her family. I am overjoyed that my daughter is trying to turn to the Lord for direction for her life and I know that He will keep her in His tender loving care. They are facing great difficulties right now and yet - I know that she will be all right. God will provide - as He always does. In HIS perfect timing! We must just continue to pray hard that that direction will be made clear - SOON please Lord!

As a mother, you always want the best for your children - and as I struggle with worry and fear for my daughter, I know that God must feel the same way about me when I am following the path that I choose for myself - instead of listening to HIS voice and following HIS will for me, I choose to stumble along blindly opening doors for myself that God never meant for me to open - yet walking PAST the door that leads to Gods perfect plan. I know that God never wrings His hands with worry over me - He just simply holds me in His loving care and gently guides me toward that door that He wants me to open for my life. How long Lord - must YOU wait before your children get a clue? How long Lord must THIS mother wait - loving her daughter gently from afar - watching her stumble and bump into walls searching for that door that will bring her perfect peace?
How you must ACHE for your children Lord!! How I ACHE for mine! You Lord, who are the epitome of the word LOVE - You have put love in our hearts for our children and sometimes I am overcome with it. How much more YOU love us Lord and must ache when we turn to OUR ways instead of yours!

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us and being our gentle Shepherd. Help us Lord as we struggle to know Your Will for our lives. Have patience with your lost sheep Lord. Open our eyes to Your wisdom and direction and please continue to keep us safely in Your tender loving care. We love you Lord! Help ME to cling to Your promises and please take away all worry from my heart. Help me Lord to take to heart the words of Matthew 6:25. Have patience with me! I cling to Your promises Lord - please grant me Your peace! In Your precious Holy name I pray - AMEN!

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34

NIV

Rearview Mirror Reflections

2011-01-02T07:37:00.006-05:00

I've always thought that you can see the hand of God best in the rear view mirror. Looking back, it's easier to understand why He placed us in the home that He did; why He brought certain people and circumstances into and out of our lives; why He permitted difficulties and pain; why He took us to different places and put us in various jobs and careers.
In my own life, I get a lot of clarity (though not PERFECT clarity - that's heaven's joy!) about the wise and loving ways of God as I reflect on the ways He has managed my journey by "the works of His hands" (Ps.92:4). With the psalmist, it makes me glad and strikes a note of joy in my heart to see how often God has assisted, directed, and managed the outcomes so faithfully (Ps. 111).
Looking ahead, though, is not always so clear. Have you ever had that lost feeling when the road ahead seems twisted, foggy, and scary? As you move into the next year, stop and look in the rearview mirror of the year gone by, and joyfully realize that God meant it when He said, "'I will never leave you not forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear'" (Heb. 13:5-6).
With the promise of God's presence nd help in mind, you can move ahead into 2011 with utmost confidence.
Joe Stowell
Our Daily Bread

God's guidance in the past gives courage for the future.

Praise the LORD.
I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
Psalm 111

Blessings,
Kymber

Will We Be Sleeping?

2010-11-28T07:07:00.004-05:00

I started listening to Christmas music on Thanksgiving morning while I prepared food for my family. I heard this very thought provoking song by Casting Crowns and wanted to share it with you - Enjoy!

"While You Were Sleeping"

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night....

Majesty

2010-10-03T07:24:00.003-04:00

Follow You God

2010-09-19T05:21:00.003-04:00

Such a beautiful message - faith in action

Coming Up for Air

2010-09-16T11:53:00.003-04:00

FINALLY able to breathe again!!
One quarter is done - and I made it through!Only three more to go now! I wish I had had more time to blog about my experiences, but I have been desperately trying to keep my head above water this entire quarter.

I usually don't have such a hard time in school, but nursing school is unlike anything I have ever had to do. It is exhilarating, frustrating, and wonderfully exciting all rolled into one! I believe NEXT quarter I should have more time to blog - I had to make a few changes to my schedule to keep my sanity :) One of the changes I had to make was with my work schedule. My constant prayer to the Lord has been - as long as He wanted me to work, I would work - but the MOMENT things started to slip with my grades, I would know that it was time to let it go.

My Dosage Calculations/Pharmacology class isn't all THAT challenging - as long as you stay on top of things, but if you fall below an 80 in the class, you will fail Nursing School. With the twelve hour shifts I had to pull on the weekends, it didn't leave enough time for me to study. I received a really poor grade on one of my tests and it scared me! I realized that if I didn't make a change soon, my grades and dream to become a nurse could slip away from me.

I have gone back to working PRN (as needed) which will work out better for my schedule right now. I will have more control over my schedule and can work as I am able to - not be held to a schedule that may not work with my schoolwork. It was very hard to have to make this decision - there are a lot of people who have been hurt by this (meaning - the residents whom I worked with on the weekend).

I had one sweet gentleman cry when I told him it was my last day! I had been spending lots of extra time with him - which is one of the main reasons why I LOVED my weekend job - I would take him outside and sit with him in the sunshine and just visit. I had no idea how much this meant to him until I told him I had to let my job go. It BROKE MY HEART to have to do this to him! This is a man who had a stroke four years ago. He now spends his days trapped in his wheelchair. He is put in his wheelchair every morning, and spends his days in front of his television - until it is time for him to go to bed. Day in and day out - this is his new existence! Before his stroke - he loved to spend every waking moment outdoors. He loved to garden and enjoyed the birds. Now he is trapped in a hell that he can't wake up from. His body is no longer able to do the things he once was able to do, but his mind is still sharp - which leaves him plenty of time to sit and think about all of the things he will never be able to do again. Things we take for granted - like walking outdoors - going for a drive in a car (it takes two people to help him into a chair - I am trying to figure out a way to take him for a drive - but it will be a challenge) FEEDING himself - he has to rely on others to do this for him too!

I can't imagine the pain and depression he must feel at times - and yet, this beautiful man NEVER complains - he always has a smile to share, and if you ask him if he is in pain - he will tell you that he is in CONSTANT pain, but that he doesn't want to bother the nurses to give him anything for relief! My heart BREAKS for him - God has given me such a love for people like this! THIS is why I do what I do! And yet - I had to disappoint him and make him cry because I had to make the terrible decision to let my job go! I CAN'T let my opportunity to be a nurse slip through my fingers. I have a very small glimpse at times of what God may have in mind for me, and if He really IS leading me in the direction I believe He is, I HAVE to keep going!
BUT....
I couldn't stand the thought of this gentle and loving man hurting on my account - so I decided to make it a point to continue seeing him at least two days a week. My school is only a mile down the road from my work - so I have been going to my work and visiting my "friends" a few days after my classes. I take my sweet gentleman friend outside to sit again - he is happy, I am happy - it is a win-win situation! Yesterday I took him some homemade biscuits - he had received some pear preserves from another resident but didn't have anything to eat it on - so I asked him what he would like to have and he said "MMMM... some warm homemade biscuits slathered with pear preserves sounds WONDERFUL!" Such a small, simple act on my part - meant the world to him.
If EVERYONE would reach out in this world - to take just a FEW moments out of their busy days - and REALLY SEE the hurting people all around them - who just need a little love and kindness in their lonely lives! To do this for these special people who oftentimes go unnoticed after they get older - the world would truly be a better place! I am definitely not trying to say that I am wonderful - because I AM NOT!! I am just like everyone else - I am SOOOO busy and stressed and tired and some days I REALLY don't want to take on ONE MORE THING! I tell myself after class - "Ohhhhh I REALLY just want to go home and take a hot shower after the stressful day I just had - I don't want to go to the nursing home today"!! Then I STOP and think about my dear, special friend who is waiting for me to come. I think about him sitting in front of his television waiting - because that is all he has in his life now - is to wait and look forward to the little time that I give him each week! THAT is what drives me to keep going back - when I get there and knock on his door and his eyes light up - it makes it ALL worth it! I believe that I get SO much more out of our little visits than he does! He blesses me beyond belief!

I hope that YOU will feel the urging of God to reach out to someone who needs you in this way - a simple smile and a visit goes such a long way for someone who is hurting and starved for human contact!

Okay...I will step off of my soapbox now....

I have the next two blissful weeks off from school so I hope to blog more about my experiences with nursing school during this time, and to have time visiting my special blog friends who I have neglected for these three long months.
Blessings on your day,
Kymber

There's No One Like You

2010-09-05T11:20:00.000-04:00

I Should Be Studying

2010-07-28T05:47:00.002-04:00

Nursing school is no joke! It has been VERY challenging but I am having the time of my life! We have had exams every week which has kept me on my toes, and my nose in a book since I started this roller coaster ride!

I was told before entering this program, that if I expected to get straight A's, I would be severely disappointed. Well - it is so true! I have always managed to maintain an A through my college experience. Now, I am GRATEFUL for the B's that the Lord has allowed me to receive! This program is SO challenging and the pace so fast that you barely have time to finish up one test - before they throw another one at you. I am constantly struggling to kept my head above water! The content of the tests are ALSO nothing like anything I have seen before! They are all based on critical thinking skills - so straight memorization of concepts that you are learning, while it does good for you to KNOW the content, it really doesn't do you any good if you can't apply what you have learned to the situations that are presented to you in each question. For example - this is an actual question that was given to me in my Fundamentals of Nursing class:

A patient requires urinary catheterization but has difficulty keeping her legs in the usual position. The nurse has worked for many years and adapts the procedure to allow the patient to lie on her side. This action is based on the critical thinking element of
A. Curiosity
B Experience
C. Perserverance
D. Scientific knowledge

Now this question appears very straight forward, but it actually holds many different meanings. I picked the correct answer which was - B. Experience. You need to pick out key words in the question in order to answer correctly because in certiain questions - they may ALL be correct answers - you have to determine the best answer! In the above question the key words would be - has worked for many years and adapts the procedure. I don't know - maybe you can all see that "B" would be the right answer, but to me - it gets all so very fuzzy at times!!

Or try this one if you are not convinced. Now mind you - these are the easy ones - remember I am just getting started on my journey here - also - I am trying to give you examples that would be understandable without prior nursing knowledge:

The patient is able to ambulate without signs or symptoms of shortness of breath. Which statement by the nurse is the best example of an objective evaluation of the client's goal attainment?
A. Patient has no pain after ambulating.
B. Patient has no manifestations of nausea while up in hall.
C. Patient has no evidence of respiratory distress when ambulating.
D. Patient walked well and did not have any problem when up.

The correct answer - is C - Patient has no evidence of respiratory distress when ambulating.

I don't know - maybe it is just me - but THESE QUESTIONS ARE TRICKY!!! They really require you to stay on your toes - especially when you are taking an exam - because EVERY question counts against your grade!

If I fall below a cumulative grade of 75 in the class - I am out of the program! That is so stressful to everyone - because it is so hard! Every day presents NEW challenges that we have never been faced with. I could never imagine falling below a 75 - EVER! I study too hard for my classes for that to happen - but you just NEVER KNOW when it comes to this program!

I am trying to keep a positive attitude - my husband says I am so negative! I am sorry if I am coming across that way - this is all so new to me and I REALLY don't want to fail. I feel TOTALLy out of control which is disconcerting - but I NEED to start remembering everyday - that GOD IS IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE AND IS DETERMINING THE DIRECTION FOR MY LIFE!!! IF HE WANTS ME TO SUCCEED -HE WILL HAVE TO SEE ME THROUGH IT!

Please pray for me that I am able to get enough sleep - I have been surviving on about 4-5 hours a night and getting up at 3:00 in the morning to study. Please pray that I keep the RIGHT focus - and that I continue to put GOD FIRST in all tihngs - I am trying SO hard to find time to read His Word as well as study. I am trying not to panic and find the RIGHT attitude everyday. I am trying to keep pride out of my heart when I DO get a good grade - I want to remember that it is all GOD'S doing - when that happens and that He can just as easily allow me to fall on my face - if He wants me to!

More later - gotta run!
Blessings to you all,
Kymber

First Day of Nursing School

2010-07-09T05:37:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was my first day of Nursing School and I think this picture says it all! YIKES!

I have been waiting for this day for so long and tried to be prepared for it. Our family went on vacation for a week to Florida before school started, and the whole time I was there I had my face in a book. Everyone kept telling me - "You should just relax and enjoy the time you have before school starts - because after it starts, you won't have any more free time". I am here to tell you - I am SO glad that I studied! Our first day of class WE HAD A DOSAGE CALCULATIONS EXAM!!!

Remember - this is my FIRST DAY - people! Dosage Calculations is a class in which I absolutely CAN'T make any mistakes! I have to get a cumulative grade of 80%. If I fall below an 80%, I will be asked to leave Nursing School. No stress right? Math has never been my strongpoint in school. I have to work very hard at it. To have an exam - without knowing how to REALLY do the problems, THEN having that exam count for a large part of my grade in this class - is insane!

Our day started off with wrapping up administrative paperwork, then we took time to get to know each other by everyone standing up and introducing themselves and telling why we decided to pursue Nursing. At Orientation, we started out with 33 people. One girl didn't show up yesterday - so she is out of the program. After our surprise exam, I am wondering who will fail to show up today! There were so many people yesterday who said they felt like throwing up due to all of the information being thrown at them!

After the introductions, we had a break and then we dove into Dosage Calculations - FOR THE NEXT 6 HOURS! My head was spinning and although the information was helpful, knowing that we had an exam at the end of it all - made it SO hard to absorb all of the material being thrown at us!

OKAY.....

I will calm down now - I will take a DEEP breath.....and I will prepare myself for day TWO of this wonderful new adventure......

I will remind myself Who is in charge of my destination and spend time with HIM in prayer -and I will jump back in with both feet- because I LOVE this rollercoaster I am on!

Blessings,

Kymber

Orientation

2010-05-30T05:41:00.001-04:00

Orientation left my head spinning! Four hours went by in a flash and I STILL feel like there are questions that were left unanswered! Oh well - July 8th will come quickly now and I guess we will ALL find out then what we have gotten ourselves into!

Everyone arrived yesterday with a smile! We all have been waiting for this for such a long time and since the program is SO competitive - to have made it in, leaves us all feeling very honored to be a part of this awesome experience! There are 33 people in my class. 33 people that I will get to know well as we will be spending a LOT of time together this year! There are only 4 men in our class - and there is a wide range of ages.

We are in a new building so things are a little bit scattered right now - we are not sure where we will end up and as of now - we are elbow to elbow at our desks in a very small room. It is going to be interesting to see how small the room will feel when we each bring all of our books we will need for class every day. :)

Our class filled out the necessary paperwork and applied for background checks and drug tests, then we met with a uniform company to try on our nursing uniforms!! It felt SO great to be able to finally put one on! I am sure I will be sick of white by the end of the year! :)

We were given a large envelope filled with material to go over. There is just so much - I felt my head spinning. We went over our book list - I have nine books that I will need for the first quarter! I already have homework to be completed before the first day of class too - (Eek!)

A group of girls from the graduating class came to give us an idea about what the program will be like and to give us some ideas as to how to organize our time efficiently. We will need to bring ALL of our books with us everyday, so it was suggested that we invest in a quality rolling backpack. One of the girls said that her "Walmart" backpack only made it through 6 months! I kid you not - one of our books alone has over 1800 pages!

One of the girls said, "this program is no joke - you will have lots of fun here, but be prepared to cry ALOT as you will be pushed to the point of exhaustion. Be prepared to kiss your family and friends goodbye for this year of your life." She also said that she really didn't advise working - especially for the first quarter which has me worried - I HAVE to work two twelve hour shifts on the weekends! I have no choice in the matter. At least my hubby told me I could have a housekeeper come in every other week to clean so I don't have to worry about that.

This will definitely be an interesting year! I truly believe that this is all in the Lord's plan for my life - He has brought me to this place - He will have to see me through it! I will have to cling to Him - now just to find the extra time needed for reading my Bible - I really need to keep focused on Him and keep up my morning time with Him now more than ever - because I can't go to church and it would be TOO easy to just let my morning quiet time fall by the wayside - Lord be with me, and help me find the needed time to spend with You!!

I am SO grateful to Him for this wonderful new adventure I am on.

Off to order some books...

Blessings on your day,

Kymber

Countdown to Nursing School

2010-05-27T07:31:00.003-04:00

It is Orientation day today and I am so excited!! I have been waiting so long for this! Today I will find out what I am getting myself into. We meet this afternoon from 12:00-4:00 to go over background checks, drug tests, order our uniforms and books and register for our classes which will begin on July 8th.

My plan is to journal as much as I can about this amazing experience so that others who are entering, or hope to enter into this wonderful field will know what to expect.

More later...

Blessings,

Temporary Home

2010-05-23T05:24:00.003-04:00

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Blessings to you this day and always,

The Letter Is Here!

2010-05-04T06:59:00.001-04:00

The long awaited letter arrived on Saturday. I finally made it! I received my acceptance letter FOR THE NURSING PROGRAM!

God is so good and His timing is always perfect! I was so distraught when the last school that I applied for fell through, but this school is so much closer to me and has a better reputation. School will officially start in July - which doesn't leave much time to get things done - (yikes!) With one letter, my life has been turned upside down - but I love it! My long awaited dream of becoming a nurse is coming true. I am so happy right now! (Can you tell?)

As you know, I have been severely neglecting this blog - but I just didn't feel like I had much to say - my life has consisted of just work and sleep lately! Now it seems, this blog will take a whole new direction - at least for the next year while I am in school. I will still write about my family, and turning our wonderful house into a home - but I would also like to journal about this awesome new experience that the Lord has graciously blessed me with!

For those of you who have hung in with me through my silences - thank you! I am forever grateful for all of your prayers on my behalf! I have enjoyed getting to know you and even though I haven't always been the best at commenting, I HAVE stopped off to visit you and continue to follow how you are doing. I hope that through all of this, you will continue to read and experience this with me. This is a whole new adventure and it looks like it will be a fun and bumpy ride!

For those of you who will be reading this for the nursing student experience, I will try to journal about it all as much as I am able.

SO... HERE WE GO!

Things I need to finish before school officially starts in July:

Paint bathroom
Paint bedroom
Hang pictures throughout the house
Deep clean entire house
Prepare large meals to freeze for those days when I don't feel like cooking
Go to the doctor for my physical/immunizations
School Orientation at end of the month
Order books and uniforms
Fly to Washington for a week to visit my family
Order glass for my new desktop

WHEW! Can I possibly get it all done in time?

I better get started - pictures to come of my progress....

Blessings,

Diamond Rio Song

2010-05-02T05:37:00.000-04:00

Readiness

2010-04-18T05:18:00.004-04:00

"God called unto him...and he said, Here am I" Exodus 3:4

When God speaks, many of us are like men in a fog, we give no answer. Moses' reply revealed that he was somewhere. Readiness means a right relationship to God and a knowledge of where we are at present. We are so busy telling God where we would like to go. The man or woman who is ready for God and His work is the one who carries off the prize when the summons comes. We wait with the idea of some great opportunity, something sensational, and when it comes we are quick to cry - "Here am I." Whenever Jesus Christ is in the ascendant, we are there, but we are not ready for an obscure duty.

Readiness for God means that we are ready to do the tiniest little thing or the great big thing, it makes no difference. We have no choice in what we want to do, whatever God's program may be we are there, ready. When any duty presents itself we hear God's voice as Our Lord heard His Father's voice, and we are ready for it with all the alertness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us as His Father did with Him. He can put us where He likes, in pleasant duties or in mean duties, because the union is that of the Father and Himself. "That they may be one, even as We are one."

Be ready for the sudden surprise visits of God. A ready person never needs to get ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready when God has called! The burning bush is a symbol of everything that surrounds the ready soul, it is ablaze with the presence of God.

My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers

Can You See Him "In The Way"

2010-04-11T05:12:00.002-04:00

In the time of deepest sorrow,
When life seems without a ray
And the wound is fresh and opened,
Can you see Him "in the way?"

When your plans and dearest projects
Shattered fell and broken lay,
And you vainly try to mend them,
Can you see Him "in the way?"

When your prayers remain unanswered
And you almost cease to pray,
Feeling that the heavens are brazen -
Can you see Him "in the way?"

When your dearest hope has vanished,
When your friends forsake, betray,
And all earthly props are broken -
Can you see Him "in the way?"

Broken rays become a rainbow;
Broken clods, a fruitful meadow;
Pruned vines bear richest clusters;
Cut and polished gems, rare lustres;
Harvests rise from buried grain;
Lives are born through grief and pain; -
God dwells in the broken clay.
He alone leads "in the way:
L.S.P.
Taken from the book "Streams in the Desert - Volume Two" Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Blessings,

Chist Has Risen, He Has Risen Indeed!

2010-04-04T05:43:00.000-04:00

All Of Creation

2010-03-28T05:28:00.000-04:00

A Book Review - "Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World"

2010-03-17T09:33:00.008-04:00

Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World is a wonderful read! There is so much in this book, it needs times of deep contemplation - definitely not a book to be read in a day!

In this book, Dr Jeremiah touches on some of the momentous turns of events that we are currently experiencing in our lives today - the state of the economy, natural disasters, sin/evil in the world, and how as children of God, we are to handle these situations. He talks about the world's way of handling stress - through the steady increase in pharmaceutical medications to handle anxiety, versus God's way to handle anxiety - by turning our focus on Him!

Dr Jeremiah writes:

"If we are going to live courageous lives in these chaotic days, we will need to be calm in our hearts, compassionate towards others, constructive in our relationships, challenged to grow, connected to the church. We were created to live in community, not in isolation."

Dr Jeremiah gives constructive tips on how to stay focused on the Lord to help to combat the evils of this world. He also teaches us to stay focused on others - even in the midst of hardship.

He writes:

"Have you stopped and considered that the real purpose of your struggles, at a given moment, might be the heart of compassion God is building within you? Smooth sailing doesn't develop such a thing, you know. Trials develop our humility, and humility opens our eyes to the needs of others. If we look to do His service during tough times, we will come out better rather than bitter."

He also writes:

" In times such as these we have to look somewhere for answers. The psychologist tells us to look within. The opportunist tells us to we should look around. The optimist tells us we should look ahead, and the pessimist tells us we should look out. But God says we should look up- even when we feel down."

Dr Jeremiah quotes from "Exploring Colossians and Philemon: An Expository Commentary" - John Phillips

A great book! One you will want to read again and again!

Check out Book Sneez for this and other wonderful books!

Blessings,

Welcome - Your Table Is Ready

2010-03-14T05:39:00.001-04:00

"Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees,

you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven"

(Matt 5:20)

Reflection: There was a dedicated old priest who had always wondered what real difference was between heaven and hell. One day, he had a dream in which God showed him.

First, God showed him hell. The old priest was flabbergasted to find no flames, no horned, pointy-tailed devils - only crowds of angry people pressing around long picnic tables. At each place was a large wooden bowl of food and ten-foot long wooden spoons. Pushing and shoving to find places at the tables, the angry people managed to get their long spoons into the bowls - but they were unable to get them into their mouths. Their frustration and the accompanying bitterness and bickering were sheer hell!

Then the old priest was given a glimpse of heaven. He was amazed to discover the same massive picnic tables, the same huge wooden bowls of food, and the same ten-foot long wooden spoons. But in heaven there was a spirit of peace, thoughtfulness, even joy. In heaven, the people were feeding one another.

To enter the kingdom of God, to realize the reign of God among us in the here and now, we must embrace a new attitude toward God and one another, an attitude based on compassion, generosity, forgiveness, and justice, an attitude centered not in self but in the common good. Such is the holiness that Christ calls us to adopt in our lives if we are to be true sons and daughters of the Father, true brothers and sisters to one another, true disciples of the Risen One.

Prayer: Father in heaven, make us worthy to one day reside in Your dwelling place by embracing Your spirit of love and compassion for one another on our journey to You. As You feed us, may we feed one another; as You forgive us, may we forgive one another; as You welcome us into Your presence at the end of time, may we welcome one another to our tables in this time you have given us.

Daily Reflections For Lent - Not By Bread Alone - 2010

Blessings on your week ahead,

The Vineyard

2010-03-07T06:57:00.002-05:00

"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
'This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.'
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him."
(Matt 21:38-39)

Reflection: In these difficult economic times for all of us, a moment of hope from a Minnesota supermarket:

While a woman waited to check out at the grocery store, the person ahead of her turned and handed her an envelope. On the front there was a note. "There is $50.00 in this envelope for your groceries. Take it if you need it or pass it on." She passed the envelope to the person behind her, who in turn gave it away. As she watched the envelope progress through the lines she was surprised that some people even added money to it.

The Spirit of God moved through that line of shoppers in the form of an envelope. Any time compassion and generosity, selflessness and humility compel people to do what is right and just, the Spirit of God is moving among them.

Today's gospel shows a "vineyard" devoid of that Spirit. For the tenants, all that matters is the profit to be realized. They turn on the vineyard owner who has been nothing but kind to them; they murder the owner's son who comes to hold them accountable.

We have seen what happens when the interests of the few are placed before the common good of all, when basic ethics and morality are dismissed as naive and unrealistic in order to make the quick buck. God will hold us accountable so that His vineyard will be used responsibly and justly for the good of all.

God has given us a wonderful vineyard that we often take for granted, that we mar and destroy by our selfishness. Christ comes with a new vision for the vineyard, a vision of generous sharing rather than obsessive taking, of peace rather than hostility, of forgiveness rather than vengeance. May we welcome Christ into the vineyard of our homes, our workplaces, our schools, aware that He calls us to the demanding conversion of the Gospel, but determined to sow and reap the blessings of God's reign.

Prayer: O Lord of the vineyard, You gave us this earth as a place of peace to seek You and grow in Your love. By Your grace, wisdom, and light, may we transform the villages and vineyards You have given us into places where Your justice abounds and Your peace reigns.

Daily Reflections For Lent - Not By Bread Alone 2010

Blessings to you this week,

Do Ye Now Believe?

2010-02-28T05:16:00.003-05:00

"By this we believe....Jesus answered, Do ye now believe?"

Now we believe. Jesus says - Do you? The time is coming when you will leave me alone. Many a Christian worker had left Jesus Christ alone and gone into work from a sense of duty, or from a sense of need arising out of his own particular discernment. The reason for this is the absence of the resurrection life of Jesus. The soul has got out of intimate contact with God by leaning to its own religious understanding. There is no sin in it, and no punishment attached to it; but when the soul realizes how he has hindered his understanding of Jesus Christ, and produced for himself perpelexities and sorrows and difficulties, it is with shame and contrition he has to come back.

We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper than we do, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him; instead of this we make our common sense decisions and ask God to bless them. He cannot, it is not in His domain. it is severed from reality. If we do a thing from a sense of duty, we are putting up a standard in competition with Jesus Christ. We become a "superior person," and say - "Now in this matter I must do this and that." We have put our sense of duty on the throne instead of the resurrection life of Jesus. We are not told to walk in the light of conscience or of a sense of duty, but to walk in the light as God is in the light. When we do anything from a sense of duty, we can back it up by argument; when we do anything in obedience to the Lord, there is no argument possible; that is why a saint can be easily ridiculed.

My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers

When God's Answer is Not What You Expect

2010-02-25T07:45:00.005-05:00

My heart is heavy this morning and it hurts so much to even type out these words. Yesterday was my birthday and God saw fit on this day to give me the answer to my greatest prayer. His answer - was no. Or maybe it was wait - at this point in my grief process I am not sure what to think.

For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that my greatest desire is to become a nurse. I have poured my heart and soul into this effort. I have PLEADED with the Lord over this! Everything seemed to be working out according to MY schedule - but obvious to me now, not in GOD'S timing.
With God's help I have been able to make a 4.0 in all of my prerequisites courses. This is HUGE for me because I was never an "A" student when I was a child. I have done everything required of me to try to get into the nursing program, yet yesterday I received the letter from the college that stated I was not accepted into the program. I am devastated!

When I turned in my application for the nursing program, one of the requirements for entrance was to take a Pre-Nursing Entrance Exam. I had planned to take this test after my fall quarter classes were through so that I would have plenty of time to study for it. It is an intense 3 hour test - definitely NOT one that you want to go into unprepared! The college unexpectedly cancelled the test date that I wanted to get into, and the only test date that I was able to get into was right smack in the middle of my Fall quarter finals week! To take the time to study for THIS test would have taken much needed study time away from my classes that I desperately was trying to get the best grades in. All I could do at the time was to pray that if it was in God's will that I succeed, that He would have to make it happen! I took the test, had EVERYONE praying for God's will to be done, and I got my answer yesterday. ON MY BIRTHDAY of all days!

What does this mean for me now? I really don't know at this point. I have this weekend job hanging in the balance too - I don't know if I should keep it now.
It was the score that I made on the test- that was my downfall. It wasn't the worst grade, but it wasn't high enough to compete with the high grades that others received. This program is highly competitive and I didn't make the grade - THIS TIME - but I am not giving up yet!

I can't retake the pre-entrance exam again until June. Should I retake it in hopes of trying to get into the nursing program that opens in the summer? And what about my weekend job that is hanging in the balalnce? Should I hold onto it in hopes that when I get into the program - it will be a job that I can do while in the program, or should I let it go completely? If I let it go I will not be able to work when I DO get accepted and then I won't be able to help my husband out financially for the year it will take me to complete the program. Everything seemed to be coming together perfectly - for MY plan - but I am guessing now - this was not GOD'S plan for me - just my wishful thinking. I was trying too hard to control the outcome.

Even though this has been a hard couple of days and my head is swirling, I am trying to keep my heart open to what God wants me to learn from all of this - and in what direction He wants me move now.
During my morning time with the Lord, I have felt His loving arms around me. The devotions that I read today have nearly jumped off the page with messages meant JUST for my heart to hear. I thought I would share them with you today. Maybe you are going through a similar period of unrest or loss of direction in your life. I hope this speaks to your heart this morning as it spoke to mine. Speak to us Lord for your children are here - listening.....

"In many of our prayers, we ask God to come around to doing our will - but true prayer is to discover God's will for us. We often approach prayer as trying to wring gifts from an unwilling, reluctant God; in fact, we come before a God who knows our needs better than we do ourselves. Authentic prayer seeks to make God's will our will - and being ready and willing to make the necessary transformations in our everyday life to make our prayers a reality. Prayer worthy of God seeks the grace to do the work God calls us to do (forgiveness, charity, justice) and to become the people God calls us to become. (brothers and sisters under the one Heavenly Father)"
Daily Reflections for Lent - Not by Bread Alone

"The real test of the saint is not preaching the gospel, but washing disciples' feet, that is, doing the things that do not count in the actual estimate of men but count everything in the estimate of God. Paul delighted to spend himself out for God's interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. We come in with our economical notions - "Suppose God wants me to go there - what about the salary? What about the climate? How shall I be looked after? A man must consider these things." All that is an indication that we are serving God with a reserve. The apostle Paul had no reserve. Paul focuses Jesus Christ's idea of a New Testament saint in his life, viz.: (as follows) not one who proclaims the Gospel merely, but one who becomes broken bread and poured out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for other lives."
My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers

If you find it in your heart to pray for me, please pray that the Lord will give me direction for HIS will in my life - HIS will be done - not mine!

God's richest blessings to you,

The Call Of God

2010-02-21T05:26:00.003-05:00

"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I. Here am I; send me."

God did not address the call to Isaiah; Isaiah overheard God saying, "Who will go for us?" The call of God is not for the special few, it is for everyone. Whether or not I hear God's call depends upon the state of my ears; and what I hear depends upon my disposition. "Many are called but few are chosen," that is, few prove themselves the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ whereby their disposition has been altered and their ears unstopped, and they hear the still small voice questioning all the time, "Who will go for us?" It is not a question of God singling out a man and saying, "Now, you go." God did not lay a strong compulsion on Isaiah; Isaiah was in the presence of God and he overheard the call, and realized that there was nothing else for him but to say, in conscious freedom, "Here I am, send me."

Get out of your mind the idea of expecting God to come with compulsions and pleadings. When our Lord called His disciples there was no irresistible compulsion from outside, The quiet passionate insistence of His "Follow Me" was spoken to men with every power wide awake. If we let the Spirit of God bring us face to face with God, we too shall hear something akin to what Isaiah heard, the still small voice of God; and in perfect feeedom will say. "Here am I; send me."

My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers

The Daniel Fast

2010-02-16T05:38:00.002-05:00

I started on a new 21 day journey two weeks ago and haven't had any time to blog about it -I started this along with two of my very best friends and sisters in Christ. We decided to do a 21 day Fast that is called "The Daniel Fast." For those of you who are unfamiliar with this fast, go here to learn more.

The premise of this fast is not to restrict eating for 21 days, but to study the book of Daniel and participate in a partial fast -which restricts specific types of food for a spiritual purpose. It was not my desire to enter into anything legalistic, this is just a personal consecration - to set apart a specific period of time to immerse myself in God's Word and by studying the life of Daniel, to take by HIS example - a food plan for the next 21 days that I am sure will benefit my physical body as well as my spiritual body.

So far on my journey, I have lost 7 pounds! This is definitely an added bonus of this fast. I am now on the final week and I am sad to see it go. I have enjoyed the new diet and the way it makes me feel as well as the time set apart for my Lord. I am thinking about continuing the fast through the end of the month. I will try to be better about posting about my journey.

I have been so very busy lately and have had little time for posting. I have been eagerly awaiting word from the Lord (and my college) about whether I have made it into the nursing program that will begin in April. I should hear word any day now and as you can imagine - I am on pins and needles! This was the main purpose for beginning this fast. I needed to strengthen myself for the answer. What if God wants me to wait for awhile? What if I don't get into the program right now? What direction will I go then? What is my "back up" plan?

To occupy my mind and my time - I have been working constantly! I work at the hospital about 4 days a week and I have taken on a temporary nanny position 2 days a week, caring for a sweet 3 month old little girl while her mommy waits to get her into a nearby day care center in April.

This schedule has left me with very little time for blogging so I apologize for my absence! I am still working my weekend shift at the hospital and have just received word that the lady that I have been filling the job for will not be returning as planned so they want to hire me for this position! This will require me to commit to signing a contract for 1 year - so as you can imagine, I am very torn about this. I will have to give up going to church for a year! I have been working this position now for almost 4 months and I miss my church family desperately! It is my prayer that this is all a part of God's plan for me because if I DO get into the nursing program, I will be able to work the weekends and help my husband out financially. I am hoping to get word soon so that I can accept or reject this offer. Everything is coming together for this new journey in my life - I am now just trying to be patient for the outcome.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I miss visiting you all and will try to be better about posting!

Blessings,

Kymber

Look Again and Consecrate

2010-01-31T05:25:00.006-05:00

A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us if we are not simple. How are we going to be simple with the simplicity of Jesus? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, obeying Him as He brings the Word of God, and life will become amazingly simple. "Consider," says Jesus, "how much more your Father who clothes the field will clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him." Every time we have gone back in spiritual communion it has been because we have impertinently known better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed the cares of the world to come in, and have forgotten the "much more" of our Heavenly Father.

"Behold the fowls of the air" - their main aim is to obey the principle of life that is in them and God looks after them. Jesus says that if you are rightly related to Him and obey His Spirit that is in you, God will look after your 'feathers.'

"Consider the lilies of the field" - they grow where they are put. Many of us refuse to grow where we are put, consequently we take root nowhere. Jesus says that if we obey the life God has given us, He will look after all the other things. Has Jesus Christ told us a lie? If we are not experiencing the "much more," it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us, we are taken up with confusing considerations. How much time have we taken up worrying God with questions when we should have been absolutely free to concentrate on His work? Consecration means the continual separating of myself to one particular thing. We cannot consecrate once and for all. Am I continually separating myself to consider God every day of my life?
"If God so clothe the grass of the field....shall He not much more clothe you?"

Matt.6:30

Oswald Chambers - My Utmost For His Highest

Blessings,

Kymber

I Know a Love

2010-01-24T05:36:00.003-05:00

This is my cousins amazing son. He and his wife wrote and are singing this song for their church in Las Vegas. Off to work this morning. Have a blessed day in the Lord today!

Safe in His Arms

2010-01-10T05:27:00.002-05:00

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

Blessings,

When Life Hands You Lemons...

2010-01-09T06:54:00.007-05:00

When life hands you lemons....

You can make lemonade...OR ....

Chocolate peanut butter balls

Almond Roca - just waiting to be broken into delicious bite size pieces

Soft Peanut Brittle - just poured out hot from the pan - waiting to cool and then broken up into bite size pieces

Brownie Biscotti - added some melted chocolate swirls over the top - yum!

OR... You can finish making your After-Christmas cookies so you can FINALLY send them off to the kids! :)

We awoke yesterday to snow here in Georgia. It was so beautiful and it gave me the opportunity to declare a snow day - a day to relax and play "catch up" on all of the things that fell by the wayside during the frantic holiday chaos. I had the opportunity to finally finish up the cookies I was supposed to have done before Christmas! Something tells me that the kids will enjoy them just as much now -:)

It was a VERY enjoyable day! We had a fire and watched some movies....

This morning we are STILL left with this....

This is the hill that takes us out of our subdivision. This is the halfway point! As you can see, this hill is daunting to walk up and down - even when it is snow free! Add some snow and ice and it is treacherous! We checked out the hill several times during the day yesterday and as the day wore on, it seemed to get icier. I slipped and am now sporting a nice big bruise on my knee - NOT the place to be walking - let alone driving on.

This shot shows my hubby and ginger walking down the hill - again - at the halfway mark. It looks innocent enough -but there is ice under the snow and in our 16 degree weather we are having - it doesn't look like it will be melting anytime soon! This picture was taken during the morning hours. Can you see the truck in the distance that is stuck in the snow on the hill? This is what it looked like by the afternoon yesterday....

The cars are piling up - doesn't look like any of us will be leaving home anytime soon. I am frustrated this morning because the scene hasn't changed much from yesterday's picture - still no DOT sanding trucks - and I was supposed to be at work this morning to work my 12 hour weekend shift! I missed two days last week due to a fever and sinus infection, and it looks like I will be home yet another day today ~sigh~

SOMEONE has been enjoying her snow day though!

Blessings to all of you - hope you are staying warm and enjoying your Saturday!

Advance Into The New Year On Bended Knee

2010-01-03T05:14:00.003-05:00

Advance into the new year on your knees. Faith does not concern itself with the entire journey. One step is enough. That first step is all that is needed. Breathe a prayer for courage to fill your legs as well as your heart as you face the unknown, the unexpected. What matters that you know not your destination? Put your hand in the hand of God. He gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul. As He endures, you too, can endure the climb over sharp rocks and crags. Climb with Him to the end of the year - yea, even to the end of life's trail. "The peak that is nearest the storm cloud is nearer the stars of light." He gives the courage for which you pray to rise above the valley. Heed the Master's voice and press on bravely - on to the fulfillment of your task. You have a whole NEW year to scale!
Streams in the Desert Volume Two

And the Lord shall guide thee continually....Isa. 58:11
...and He will make my feet like hind's feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places Hab. 3:19

Son of God

2009-12-13T05:27:00.000-05:00

Food For Thought

2009-12-06T05:24:00.003-05:00

We read in the book of Joshua how the walls of Jericho fell flat after they were compassed about seven days. God had declared that He had given them the city. Faith reckoned this to be true, so they began their march around the walls using their only weapon that which indicated triumph - a ram's horn! Unbelief might have prayed this kind of prayer, "Oh Lord, make the walls totter just a little, or loosen a few stones so that we may have a sign that Thou art going to answer our prayer and then we will praise Thee." Prudence might have said, "It is not safe to shout until the victory is actually won, lest the Lord be dishonored before the people and be greatly humiliated." This would not have been faith at all. They acted on the authority of God's Word and shouted the shout of faith before there was a sign of encouragement, and the Lord accomplished the rest. It is after we make a full commitment that "He will bring it to pass."

How many walls of difficulty would fall flat were we to simply march around them with shouts of praise? As we compass walls of praise, the Lord has promised to "compass us about with songs of deliverance."

There is a legend which tells of two angels who come from Heaven every morning and go on their rounds all the day long. One is the Angel of Requests. The other is the Angel of Thanksgiving. Each carries a basket. The one belonging to the Angel of Requests is soon overflowing, for everyone pours into it great handfuls of requests; but when the day is ended, the Angel of Thanksgiving has in his basket only two or three small contributions of gratitude. -

Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. Streams in the Desert Volume 2

Blessings to you,

Please Pray for My Big Day

2009-12-04T04:56:00.005-05:00

Update: I survived that horrible long test! Whew! I am SO exhausted! As usual I am extremely hard on myself -I KNOW if I would have had the time to study, I could have done better but for not having enough time due to my job and other classroom commitments, I really can't complain! I got a fairly decent score - God is SOOO good! I give HIM ALL the glory! Now all I have to do is wait to see if my test scores - coupled with my GPA are good enough to get me into the program. I will find that out at the end of February - early March. Hopefully I will make it because I NEVER want to take that awful test again! :)

Thanks to all of you who took time out of your day to lift me up in prayer. It was such a wonderful feeling this morning to know that I was covered in prayer by my friends and family! I felt very calm during the test and I know that it will all turn out the way God wants it to.

I can't thank you enough for your continued support When I DO hear the results, I may have to make another blog just geared towards my student nursing journey......Stay tuned!

Blessings,

Kymber

Today I will be taking the nursing pre-entrance exam...today will determine whether I make it into the nursing program in April. I have been so busy finishing up my finals for other classes, that I haven't been able to put much of an effort into studying for this test. The study guide is full of things that I have learned over the years, but in my distress - I feel I have forgotten everything! NOTHNG seems to make sense to me. I feel a peace about it all though - I KNOW that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing today. God will carry me through this!

Worst case scenario will be that I have to retake the test again in 6 months and I will miss out on making it into the program in the Spring, but I am NOT giving up! I will continue to press on because I believe with a bold assurance that THIS is what I am called to do and even though I am unsure of God's timeline, if it is HIS Will - I know it will happen in HIS time - not when I think it should happen! This is hard for me to type out - I truly want this more than anything else that I have wanted - but I am giving it all over to Him right now - to do with it what He will.

God's Will be done!

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Phillipians 4:11-13

Please pray for me today - I will be starting the test at 8:30am EST and finishing at 12:00

Thank you for lifting me up - I will post the results when I return.

Blessings,

Kymber

Prayers and Thanksgiving

2009-11-30T09:16:00.004-05:00

I have wanted to share some of my news with you for awhile now, but life has been so busy!

School has been overwhelming this quarter. I am taking Intro To Microcomputers and Intro to Healthcare. My computer class has been interesting, but it has been extremely labor intensive - I have 8-11 assignments due each week JUST for this class! I have barely been able to keep my head above water - but I have been able to get a 95 in this class even though it has been difficult. God is so good!

These are the last prerequisites that I need to finish - and last week I went to an information meeting for the LPN program and was able to FINALLY submit my application. This Friday I will be taking my Nurse Entrance Exam and if I get a good grade on it, coupled with my GPA, I should have a good chance at getting into the program that will be starting in April. I should hear whether I am accepted by the end of February or early March. I have been slowly taking classes these past 4 years to become a nurse. I have a long way to go yet, but I am on my way! By myself - I KNOW I would never have had the confidence to do what I have done - it is only with God's help - that I have made it this far! HE ALONE is the One who has carried me! I have been working so hard - but HE is the One who deserves all of the Glory!

My schedule has been intense - I work fulltime and go to classes two days a week. I also try to maintain my home the same way I did before taking all of this on. I get up in the morning at 4:00am and the FIRST thing I do - is sit down and read my Bible. I promised the Lord to ALWAYS start my day with His Word FIRST - and He has been so faithful - I have been able to finish ALL that has been required of me - even though some days I am EXHAUSTED!

I have been working a PRN (as needed) position at my work now for awhile - I like it because I am not beholden to a regular schedule. I have been able to make it work around my school schedule and homework. The only drawback has been that I struggle to get full time hours - which my husband needs me to have in order to help maintain our lifestyle. I have been praying that the Lord would provide these hours so that I could help my husband, he wasn't sleeping well - because he was so stressed about our finances. I received an offer from our Staff Coordinator for an ongoing shift - working a weekend option position as a Restorative Aide. God is so good - because this is the very position that I USED to have in Washington, and I LOVED it! The biggest drawback working as an Aide, is that you really dont have any extra time to spend with your patients. You barely have enough time to get the necessary things done during your shift. When you work with the elderly, you really NEED to be able to spend extra time with them! Some of them are so hungry for love and attention!

When this position became available, I questioned the Lord - was this something that He wanted me to do? It would mean giving up my Sunday worship time at my church - how COULD that be something that HE would want me to do!

I talked to our Staff Coordinator about my concerns and she put it into beautiful perspective for me - she told me "you know Kymber, God isn't only found in a church!"

She is SO right! I felt led to take the position - which has opened up SO many new doors of opportunity for me. I work 12 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday now - I carry out the exercise programs with patients that the Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapists have on their schedule. Working 12 hour shifts provides me with the time that I have needed to spend with these precious people. I have been able to sit and listen to them, pray for, and spend time building relationships with my patients! Yesterday I was able to just sit and hold the hand of a woman who was in such distress. Her daughter had brought her a miniature Christmas tree to decorate for her room. She was so upset because it brought memories to her mind of Christmasses past - times spend in her beloved home with her husband who had passed away a few short years before. She had lost her home to a flood - and her family thought it best that she live where she would have continued care 24 hours a day - this dear woman longed to just go and visit her old home and her daughter (for whatever reason) wouldn't take her there to see it. She was SO depressed and nobody had the time to just sit and listen and hold her hand that day - but I DID!

Thanks be to God! This has been truly HIS doing! Even though I haven't been able to attend church now for the past two months, I feel closer to Him than I ever have - I KNOW that I am doing the job that He has called me to - and I feel so blessed to be given this opportunity!

Please pray for me and the people I care for! Pray that the Lord will bring me ever closer to Him - even though I am not able to have the fellowship/worship time with my Christian brothers and sisters right now. Please pray for me this Friday at 8:30 am as I will be taking the preentrance exam for the nursing program. Pray for the Lord's Will to be done in this area. Please pray that the Lord will continue to give me the strength to do all that needs to be done for my husband and son - to be able to meet all of their needs during this busy time in my life. And pray that the Lord will continue to preserve my health and keep me strong - that He will use the 5 hours of sleep I DO have - to rejuvenate my body to do His work!

Thank you dear ones - for ALWAYS being there to lift me up! I cherish my friendships with you! Please know that even though I may not always have the time to respond to you personally - you are ALL thought of often and I keep you in my prayers as well!

Blessings and hugs to you,

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T07:13:00.000-05:00

Blessings to you and yours,

Blue Monday

2009-11-23T09:22:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone,
I have the day off today so I thought I would participate with you all for Blue Monday!

Thank you Smiling Sally for organizing this fun event each week. To view other participants hop on over to her blog and join in the fun!

I have some wonderful new blue additions to my home that I would love to share with you - This first picture I have actually shared before...

This is a beautful blue quilt that I bought in Hawaii while we were visiting our daughter at her college in Oahu. I bought it because it reminded me of my mother. To recap the story, my brother and I decided to have a memorial service for my mom on the Big Island where my aunt lives. My mother LOVED Hawaii, so we decided to have a memorial service for her on the beach that she loved. As we were placing Lei's in the water on that special day, a beautiful sea turtle swam by. It is such a heartfelt memory for me that when I saw this quilt a few years later in Hawaii, I wanted to preserve the memory of that special day. It has sea turtles swimming throughout the quilt - It is such a special treasure to me - plus - it is blue - my favorite color that I spread throughout my house!

I have shared this picture of dining room chairs that I recovered, in a past post. To read the full post click here.

I have decided to try using some more of the toile material that I used for my chairs, in some curtains for the big bay window in our dining room.

I just tied the fabric up temporarily with ribbons for now - This is a work in progress that I won't be able to finish until after my classes are done for this quarter. I have been SO busy with schoolwork that I haven't been able do much else. I really should be finishing up homework today- but I needed a break - what better way to fill up my time then sharing a post with you today!

:-)

I wanted to see if the toile fabric would look okay here - or if it would be too busy - what do you think? I am not too sure if I will end up making curtains or just draping it into swathes like you see here - I could add dark blue tassels...any ideas? I would love suggestions!

Sorry that the pictures are so dark -I took them too early this morning.

Recently our neighborhood had a community garage sale and I found this great plate rack for $5.00! I have been looking for plates to use with it at my favorite Goodwill - I knew that if I was patient, I would find just what I was looking for.

Aren't these lovely? I got two of them for .99 cents apiece! I love it when that happens! If you haven't gone to your local thrift store lately I highly recommend it - you will be surprised at the treasures you can find there if you are patient. These are ironstone plates - on the back of them it reads"Johnson Brothers Stoke-On Trent England Coaching Scenes. Made in England."

I am sure that they would have cost more if I would have found them in an antique store. I love me a good bargain - don't you?

Here is another beautiful blue plate that I found at my favorite flea market here in Atlanta called "The Classy Flea" I am kicking myself for only picking up one of these - there were four of them available at $7.95 a piece. I went back to get more of them later and of course they were gone! ugh!

I have a pillar shelf in my kitchen that is a fun place to display some of my blue treasures. It is painted white and I felt that it didn't show my blue and white pieces to their best advantage so I followed a fellow bloggers suggestion and added some scrapbook paper to the shelves.

From this....

To THIS.... What do you think? My hubby thinks it is too busy...

I feel that it adds a needed splash of color - as you can see I LOVE the color blue!

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today for Blue Monday - I enjoyed sharing my blues with you!

Blessings on your day today,

Oh How He loves Us!

2009-11-15T05:27:00.003-05:00

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Blessings to you this day as you bask in the love the Father has for you!

God's Call On Our Lives

2009-11-08T05:14:00.003-05:00

We make calls out of our own spiritual consecration, but when we get right with God He brushes all these aside, and rivets us with the pain that is terrific to one thing we never dreamed of, and for one radiant flashing moment we see what He is after, and we say - "Here am I, send me."

This call has nothing to do with personal sanctification, but with being made broken bread and poured out wine. God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with. If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way! But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes THOSE the crushers, we object. We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom. If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.

I wonder what kind of finger and thumb God has been using to squeeze you, and you have been like a marble and escaped? You are not ripe yet, and if God had squeezed you, the wine would have been remarkably bitter. To be a sacramental personality means that the elements of the natural life are presenced by God as they are broken providentially in His service. We have to be adjusted into God before we can be broken bread in His hands. Keep right with God and let Him do what He likes, and you will find that He is producing the kind of bread and wine that will benefit His other children.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.

Blessings to you,

The Love Of A Father

2009-11-01T05:00:00.002-05:00

The video that I want to share with you today is a very emotional one. It is about the love that a father has for a son and the lengths that he will go to realize the son's dream.

I am amazed at the depths that this beautiful father would go to for his child. He truly models God's Love in a very special way.

Watch and be inspired!

This video tells their story if you would like to learn more about this amazing father and son

The More I Seek You, Lord

2009-10-25T05:34:00.000-04:00

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
NIV
Blessing on your day today,

Halloween Fun

2009-10-20T06:43:00.007-04:00

I thought I would join in the fun today at All The Small Stuff and...

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam because I have a great cupcake recipe to share with you for Halloween. Please visit these two very talented ladies later to view all of the mouthwatering recipes from the other participants. Thank you ladies for hosting this fun event!

Last weekend we had an Octoberfest block party in our neighborhood. I was asked to make some cupcakes for the event and after searching the internet for some ideas, I came up with these:

Hmmm....not the best photos but you get the idea! These were taken very early in the morning so I am showing both pictures - with flash and without flash. I made these beauties at 4:00 in the morning before I left for work so that my hubby could take them to the party - hence the rush job on the lettering! The kiddos didn't seem to mind though :-)

So simple to make and not too scary for the little ones! They were a huge hit and disappeared quickly.

If I were to make these again I would probably use a different frosting for the word"Boo". The gel icing wasn't thick enough and made it kind of messy to eat.

The "tombstones" were made with NutterButter Cookies

I dipped them in melted white chocolate. You could probably use the Milano cookies from Pepperidge Farms instead if you wanted to leave them plain.

These cupcakes are so rich because I used my favorite cupcake recipe - you could always use a mix from a box for these as well.

Here is my very favorite cupcake recipe - I am sure they will be your favorite too. They have cream cheese and chocolate chips in the middle of them - yummy!

Black Bottom Cupcakes

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

2 tsps baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 cups water

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 tsps vanilla

3/4 cup oil

Filling:

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

8 oz. cream cheese

1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

Mix cupcake ingredients in bowl. Pour into cupcake containers. Fill halfway.

Filling:

Mix filling ingredients except chips.Whip until fluffy, add chocolate chips. Spoon heaping teaspoon of filling in center of each cupcake. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Check with toothpick. Store in refrigerator.

Hope you enjoy them!

Blessings to you,

Look Who's Reading You

2009-10-18T05:12:00.005-04:00

I am heading off to work this morning so I won't be able to join in with all of you today at Spiritual Sundays until I get home. I don't have time to "pretty up" this post so you are reading it in it's raw form today!

I wanted to share a great devotion that I read every morning. I have recently subscribed to Our Daily Bread and am enjoying it so much. If you have never read this powerful devotional, I highly recommend it! So many powerful messages in such a little book. I can't wait to read it every morning!

Here is a great message that I read yesterday:

Look Who's Reading You
I heard about a judge who used bumper stickers to encourage better driving. He gave two options to people guilty of driving while intoxicated.
The first option was to attach this message to their bumper. "This car owned by a convicted drunk driver." Almost all offenders preferred the judge's second option: Enroll in an alcohol treatment program. The majority of people cared about what others thought of them and wanted to maintain a good image.
The fear of embarrassement applies to other kinds of unacceptable behavior as well. For example, not many of us would be willing to walk around with a sign on our backs that read something like this: "Danger: I am a Christian who doesn't spend time in prayer or Bible study."
Nor would we want to wear a sign that read:"Warning: I am a child of God who gossips too much," or "Be careful: I'm controlled by lust rather than love."
If God required us to display such a sign, would our desire for the respect of others keep us from revealing our true spiritual condition? The way we answer that question says a lot about our sense of shame before the Lord, who judges us accurately. (1 Peter 1:17). Is it possible that we fear His opinion LESS than we fear the opinion of others?
Mart De Haan 11

Be Holy
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
24For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever."And this is the word that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:13-25

Blessings to you today,
Kymber

Courage In The Midst Of Danger

2009-10-11T06:42:00.006-04:00

I found an awesome video to share with you this week. It is a news clip of an inspiring woman who has touched the hearts of many with her bravery. I fell in love with this sweet woman and know that you will too.

Even in the midst of danger she saw an opportunity to share Christ!

Blessings to you,

God's Confidence

2009-10-04T07:03:00.008-04:00

Self Confidence is something I severely lack. God has been teaching me how to turn this negative into a positive these past few weeks that I have been working at my new job. There have been so many times that I have wanted to run screaming for the nearest door! So many times that I have questioned myself - whether I TRULY have heard the call on my life to do this job - or if I have just stepped into something WAY over my head. Through this journey, God is showing me that I truly can't do any of this on my own - every day I must fully rely on Him to get me through it. I hope that by sharing this today - that perhaps YOU will begin to see yourself in my struggles and realize that YOU TOO can serve God in the capacity He has called you to. If I can do it - BELIEVE ME - so can you!

I have been working as a Nursing Assistant for about a month now in a long term care unit in a hospital. While I truly love being able to serve these dear deserving people in this capacity, I also realize my limitations for this job. I am not as efficient in my work as some of the aides in our unit. I am often clumsy - I know this about myself and therefore I try to tackle a job slowly so as not to cause an injury to the dear person I am caring for. I am not a mechanically inclined person either - buttons and gadgets tend to frustrate me and I can look at them every which way and they don't make sense -so if asked to fix something, or if I need to adjust a bed, wheelchair, etc. I am out of my comfort zone and end up taking forever to complete a simple task. While the other Aides are finished with their tasks for the day I am still working on mine and usually am dashing around up until the last minute trying to get everything completed.

Because of these limitations I ask myself everyday why God would want to use ME in this way - Why am I being called to do this work? What could I possible have to offer to this job?

Friday evening was an extremley hard night. I prayed as I always do before every shift, that God would help me do the best job I could for these dear people He had put in my care. I have been working in this particular unit now for a few weeks and am becoming familiar with my patients and their routines - but this particular night was a difficult night for one of my patients, because he had just lost a beloved brother unexpectedly that day. Because of this, he was extremly agitated most of the evening. He kept using his call light every few minutes - asking me to adjust his pillow, hand him his remote, raise his head...lower his head...call his wife, call his sister, hand him a cookie - you name it- he asked for it! This dear man has a disease that has severly contracted his body so that he is unable to do simple tasks for himself. He is in extreme pain and has a hard time getting in a right position that will allow his poor body to relax. On this particular night it was near impossible to help him get into a comfortable position. I raised his head as he asked me to - only to have him ask me to keep lowering it until we were back to the very position I had started at. I sat with him and talked to him about his brother and held his hand - hoping that by doing so it would allow him some time to relax his ravaged body enough so that the medicine that the nurse had just given him could take affect and help him fall asleep comfortably. As I sat with him, an aide rushed into the room and admonished me saying, "Do you realize you have been in here for more than 30 minutes? You just can't take this much time with these people or you will never get finished!"
She proceeded to whisk me out of the room and stayed with me, helping me finish my rounds. She told me that I really shouldn't be an aide -that my heart was too big for this job! She told me that I needed to learn to say no and walk out of rooms quicker or I would never be able to finish the tasks set before me. She told me people were beginning to talk and wonder if I truly had the experience doing this work that I said I did on my application!

I was devastated! I fought back the tears and the urge to run for the nearest door. I felt like a utter and complete failure! How could God use me - even the Aides around me were losing faith that I could do this work! I began to feel extremely sorry for myself.

I have been reading a book that is very convicting. It is written by Kay Warren and is called "Dangerous Surrender - What Happens When You Say Yes To God?"
As I pondered yesterday over the events of Friday night, I read these words from the book:
"God prepares a cross for you that you must embrace without thoughts of self-preservation. The cross is painful. Accept the cross and you will find peace even in the middle of turmoil. Let me warn you that if you push the cross away, your circumstances will become twice as hard to bear. In the long run, the pain of resisting the cross is harder to live with than the cross itself."

YIKES!

I also read these words:
"To want to serve God in some conditions, but not in others, is to serve Him in your own way. But to put no limits on your submission to God is truly dying to yourself. This is how to worship God. Open yourself to God without measure. Let His life flow through you like a torrent. Fear nothing on the road you are walking. God will lead you by the hand. Let your love for Him cast out the fear you feel for yourself."

Did you get that? I will repeat it - "Let your love for HIM cast out the fear you feel for yourself." WOW! Powerful words aren't they? I stand convicted when I read this!

Now...the part of the story that I DIDN'T tell you is this - I was called to the office of the nurse supervisor for our floor. I was very nervous and just SURE that she was going to point out all of the wrong things that I had been doing. She didn't. Instead, she told me that she had been hearing wonderful things about me from the patients and from the staff. She told me that the patients loved me for my kindness and that the staff felt that I had been very helpful to them and always willing to lend a helping hand. A few nurses had told her about my professionalism and work ethic. The few who were grumbling about my work were coming from individuals who were gossipers and who happened to complain about everyone in the building! She went on to ask me if I had ever considered a permanent position on that floor! As I have said before - I work on an "as needed" basis right now - but this kind lady told me that when a position opened up - she would put in a good word for me because they "needed good workers on this floor."

Wow! It is amazing that we see ourselves so much differently than others do! The devil had tried to whisper negative words in my ear to try to turn me aside from the job the Lord had called me to do. Had I LISTENED to the words, I would have run - like I always had before.

God's work is never easy - it is not for MY glory that I do it - but for GOD'S glory! THIS I need to constantly remember! God will help me in my weakness - HE will be my strength. This is His promise to me - THIS I have to remind myself of daily!

All of the supposed "inadequacies" - that I whisper in my own ear - how many times have they kept me from doing the Lord's work! How many times have I played right into the devil's hands?
How he LOVES to use our own self worth against us! We MUST remember though - "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world."
I hope that this story will help you realize that YOU TOO can do the Lord's work - right where you are at today! Let Him use you and you will be amazed at how you will grow through the process.
God's richest blessings to you as you do the work He has called you to do,
Kymber

It's Starting To Look Like Fall Y'all!

2009-09-23T10:11:00.004-04:00

The outdoor colors are only just beginning to turn on the trees but I am feeling the need to decorate my house for Fall. One of my favorite times of the year for decorating~!

I am in between quarters in school right now and enjoying my break from the books this week. I studied very hard last quarter and came away with an A ! Thank you God! I really couldn't have done it without His continued guidance and support. HE is the One who is carrying me through this new journey I am on! Studying and retaining information at my age isn't as easy as it used to be! It is a constant struggle and I have to keep my face in the books constantly just to keep my head above water!

I am very happy for the needed break and have been having fun this week pulling out all of the decor for Fall. I don't have very much, and what I DO have will probably get moved around a bit before I am happy with it, but it has been fun to look at my old favorites, and new things that I have acquired from my trips to the thrift store.

I found this beautiful vase while at the Goodwill a few weeks ago and knew that I wanted to fill it with Sunflowers. Faux flowers fit into my lifestyle better at this time - this adds a little dash of color by my front door!

This little vignette sits atop a table in our entry way. ALL items were thrift store finds. I filled the glass candle holder with black and northern beans to add some color (an idea I learned from a crafty blogger friend) and stuck a candle inside.

I fell in love with this little guy - it looks dusty - but it isn't - I may have to paint this all one color because I am not sure if I LIKE the faux dusty look :-)

This tray is another great new find from the Goodwill. I love it! Just added some pinecones and candles - instant warmth!

I LOVE to decorate my home on a budget - why pay full price when you can make it look warm and homey for half the amount that you see in the stores and big name catalogs? It has become a hobby of mine to try to make my house a home for less - which THEN gives me more money that I can spend on my kiddos. Works for me!

It has been fun visiting all of your blogs this week! I look forward to getting caught up with you all and thank you for stopping by to visit - I enjoy getting to know each and every one of you and consider you all friends!

Blessings to you,

So Little Time

2009-09-20T09:28:00.003-04:00

I have been wanting to share this with you for the last week or so - bear with me - this may be a wordy post...

As you know, I am now working as a Nursing Aide again - doing what I love, working with the Elderly. I hope to continue working with the elderly population once I BECOME a nurse , because I love these special people so much. I get WAY more out of working for them then I feel I give TO them!

I was privileged this week to work with a very special lady. I will carry her in my heart for a great while because she left me with a huge message that I want to share with you. A message I will not soon forget!

I was setting up breakfast trays, when I approached a bed in a darkened room. There was a small woman lying in her bed - surrounded by pillows which were propped all around her. As I moved them so that she could be turned, I was touched by how tiny and frail she was. She was so thin and as I moved the pillows I became more and more aware of how fragile her life really was. I sat her up in bed to help her eat. She was so weak that I had to hold the straw up to her lips so that she could drink from it. I held my breath as she sipped from the straw - hoping that the liquid would make it to her parched lips.

She tried to talk to me but couldn't quite mouth the words yet. She didn't need to though because her eyes spoke volumes - her soul seemed to jump out at me through her beautiful eyes! I was spellbound and couldn't take my eyes away from hers as she tried desperately to speak. I leaned closer to try to hear her. I asked her if she was comfortable and she blinked. I had the overpowering urge right then to pray for her! Around her neck she wore a beautiful cross. I asked her if it would be alright if I prayed for her and her eyes welled up with tears. She asked me if I could do it right away with her. Even though my time was very limited, I had SO much to do - I knew that the Lord wanted me to take the time needed to give this dear woman comfort. So we prayed -together! I pressed my forehead against hers and we prayed. I kissed her forehead and as I raised myself up, I saw huge tears well up in her eyes and she mouthed the words - "Thank you..."

I felt very inadequate at praying, but I knew that God wanted me to do this for her - that it was important at this very moment to this dear woman. She whispered to me that she missed her parents. I told her that she would see them again - that ALL of the things she was going through right now were just momentary - but that she would be greeting her beloved family one day soon on the other side - in Heaven! Her beautiful eyes brightened and tears streamed down her face. All of a sudden the light faded and her eyes changed. She looked so forlorn and lost! I asked her what was wrong and she began to tell me about her brother. She told me that she wasn't sure if he was in Heaven right now. She told me that she missed him so much! She told me that he hadn't walked with God while here on earth and the pain that I saw in this dear woman's face is what I can't get out of my thoughts today! All I could do for her was hold her hand and let her cry out her pain and sorrow for her beloved brother. ...

Today I am thinking of MY life and all of the people whom I care about who are not walking with the Lord. I think of my children who are far from Him! Time is so short for ALL of us here on this earth! How much time has already gone by in my life and how fast my children have grown and are now walking the paths of THEIR lives with their new families. Many of them are apathetic when it comes to the Lord - they BELIEVE in God, but don't live their lives for Him - Is it enough? Or do God's words about being lukewarm apply to such as these?

16"So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Revelation 3:16-21

I fear for the time that we all have left for none of us know the time or day in which the Lord will take us. I need to do all that I possible can - with the time that I have left to PRAY and pray without ceasing - as I have been called to do for the ones I love - while I still HAVE the time to pray!

I am reminded of the story of the mother of John Newton who prayed for her son for only seven short years before the Lord took her home. BUT SHE USED HER TIME TO PRAY! John floundered for a time after his mothers death but came back to the Lord later in his life and went on to write the famous Hymn - "Amazing Grace." If interested, you can read about his amazing life and his struggle to find his way back to the Lord, here. It is a long read, but VERY inspiring!

Prayer has always been my weakest point. I tend to procrastinate when I try to pray. Do you? I become so overwhelmed for all that I must pray about - that I give up! I need to remember God's words that EVEN though I may stumble with what to say - God can hear my grumblings and if I am faithful - even if it is just mouthing the person's name that I am praying for - God will hear the longings of my heart.

Lord, please help me to be faithful to the call to pray without ceasing - and let it start today so that I will have no regrets tomorrow!

7"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Blessings to you,

All for Your Glory Lord!

2009-09-13T07:58:00.002-04:00

"Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.

14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you".
1 Chronicles 29:10-18
Blessings,

Revelation Song

2009-09-06T07:56:00.001-04:00

Cardboard Testimonies

2009-08-30T08:07:00.002-04:00

I know that this has been shown before - I apologize - I don't know who to give credit to for showing this in the first place. Every time I see this I am amazed at God's grace in dealing with me - a wretched sinner saved by the Grace Of our Heavenly Father! I hope that if you have not seen this before - that it touches you - as it has touched me!

God is such a beautiful forgiving Lord! If you do not know Him - turn to His Word and start today - it is never too late to feel His wonderful forgiving LOVE wash over you!! If you are seeing this for the first time and would like prayer - please leave me a comment - I would LOVE to pray for you!

Blessings to you,

What A Beautiful God!

2009-08-23T07:07:00.003-04:00

12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.
13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:12-17
NIV

Have a blessed day today,

Comings and Goings

2009-08-21T08:14:00.008-04:00

I have been a VERY bad blogger of late! I have neglected to blog about the revolving door that has been happening here this summer. We have been blessed to have several of our children come to visit us and I have been so busy I haven't been able to blog about it! Because this is my journal of sorts, I better get to it!

As many of you know we have one of our sons living with us again. He is one of our twin boys - the other twin had decided to stay in Washington to live with his mom. They are the youngest of our 7 children - they are 16 years old now - my, how time flies!

Anyway, we have been enjoying BOTH of the boys this summer - they have both been here with us during the summer break which has been so much fun! I forgot how much teenage boys can eat! My food bill has doubled (tripled actually) since they have been home. I am definitely not complaining though - it has been lots of fun to bake for them as they LOVE to eat my homecooked meals! My son "A" who lives with us, is back in school now and the other twin doesn't start school until September. I can't believe our summer is almost at an end "P" will be leaving to go back home on Sunday. I will miss him so much when he leaves! It has been great fun to have them both here with us again.

Their older sister Ashley came to visit during this time too. Ashley lives in California. As you can tell - my kids are spread out all over the place. Three of them live in Washington, two live in California, one lives in Alaska and one now lives with us here in Georgia. (did I miss anybody? ~smile~)

Ashley was only able to stay here with us for a week and it flew by so fast! I feel like she didn't get much attention from me while she was here because I needed to work and go to school in the evenings - but we did manage to do a few fun things while she was here.

We spent one day at Stone Mountain.

I found this cool aerial view of Stone Mountain on Google images.

It has this beautiful carving in the side of it, but we were not able to get out of our car to take pictures of this side of the mountain because it was so crowded and we could not find a parking space! After driving around for what seemed forever, we decided to give up and try another day. This park is VERY popular year round.

Here is Wickipedia's description of this beautiful mountain:

"Stone Mountain is a granite dome monadnock in Stone Mountain, Georgia. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet (513 m) amsl and 825 feet (251.5 m) above the surrounding area. Stone Mountain granite extends underground 9 miles (14 km) at its longest point into Gwinnett County. Numerous reference books and Georgia literature have dubbed Stone Mountain as “the largest exposed piece of granite in the world". This misnomer is most likely a result of advertisement by granite companies and early park administration. In actuality, there are larger exposed granite landscapes throughout the world including the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Western United States. Stone Mountain is also a quartz monzonite rock when described in geologic terms and is therefore not technically granite. Stone Mountain is well-known not only for its geology, but also for the enormous bas-relief on its north face, the largest bas-relief in the world.[1] Three figures of the Confederate States of America are carved there: Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis"

We were able to go on a hike up to the top of Stone Mountain and see the beautiful view of Atlanta in the distance. It was a fun hike up the mountain although it was VERY humid that day! I forgot to bring some water, so thankfully there was a small store at the top that you could purchase refreshments for the long walk down. I can't believe I actually went on a hike.... in Georgia..... in the summer.... in the extreme humidity....AND FORGOT TO BRING WATER! ~Sigh~ Needless to say, I won't be doing THAT again!

I am sure this would be a beautiful hike in the Spring and summer- with all of the different colors of the flowers and the trees.

Beautiful Picture of my wonderful kids!

I had to say goodbye to Ashley before I was ready. I miss you already sweetheart!

Now - my OLDEST daughter - Brandy will be coming to see me for a week! She is arriving this evening and I am so excited! I am loving this revolving door!

Isn't she beautiful? Can't wait to see her!
Brandy has always been my child that has made me laugh. She has such a great sense of humor and when we are together we laugh so much! I have been so immersed in "life" lately, that I am looking forward to great belly laughs again!

She will probably hate me putting this picture of her here- but hey - it's my blog right? This picture was taken a few years ago at my son's graduation and we were trying desperately to get a good picture of the two of us. Brandy was "cheesing" for the camera and we had to take so many pictures to get a good shot because she kept doing this. By the time we were through we were laughing so hard! This picture has turned out to be one of my favorites because it shows her silliness. I Love it!

This picture was taken last year at the Georgia Aquarium while she was here visiting us. NOT my favorite picture of me - don't know why I have a double chin thing going on, but I LOVE the picture of us together. She is a lot taller then me and had to bend down to get closer to her "little mommy" as she likes to call me.

We will drive out this evening to pick her up, and we will drive out to the airport on Sunday to drop off my son "P" who will be leaving us and flying back home to Washington.

I HATE goodbyes! I will miss you so much when you leave "P"! Thankfully God has been so gracious to allow me these visits. Even though they seem so far and inbetween, I cherish the time that I DO have with all of them.

Somebody ELSE gets so excited to see the kids when they come. Ginger thinks they are coming JUST to see her. She will be dancing this evening when her Brandy gets here!

Blessings,

Feels Like I'm Born Again!

2009-08-16T07:58:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for organizing this awesome event each week! To view other uplifting posts for the day please join us here.

I wanted to share this amazing song with you today. Let God's amazing love wash over you as you listen!

Blessings to all of you - my wonderful friends who join me here each week! I love to share this day with you and if I am not always able to get back to you as often as I would like to, please know that I appreciate the time you give to leave me such wonderful comments and encouragement! Please know that I WILL come to visit you as soon as I can! My time has been severely limited due to my schoolwork, but I do try to check in as often as I am able.

If you have the time, please stop by and read the post that I wrote on Friday. I have a "guest speaker" for the day and I know that she would love to hear that you have read her sweet little commentary as she steps out in serving the Lord with gladness. I am trying to encourage the next generation to have a heart for outreach into the community. I know that all of your comments are very appreciated and I hope that it will encourage her to continue in her walk of service for the Lord!
((Hugs to ALL of you!))
Kymber

Raising Up The Next Generation

2009-08-14T08:01:00.006-04:00

I would like to introduce you to an amazing young lady. This is "M". She has agreed to be a guest writer for me today! She is a beautiful 6 year old girl who has a great heart for the Lord and a very giving spirit! Let me explain:

Back in April, I wrote a post about a ministry that helps the homeless and low income families here in Georgia, called "Must Ministries". Our church has been actively serving them in small ways and a few weeks ago we were able to help out the Summer Lunch Program which I wrote about here.

I wish I had taken pictures and written a post about the day that we all got together to put the lunches together - but due to the harried schedule I have been keeping lately, I haven't been able to keep up with it all! In a nutshell, we as a congregation were able to raise the money necessary to provide 300 lunches for these very special children, through various fundraising efforts. We gathered together one day after our Sunday service to form an assembly line to put the lunches together. We had so many people involved with this! Our Sunday School children took the brown paper bags and decorated them with crayons and encouraging words like "You are loved" and "You are special to God". We had a wonderful lady in our congregation who isn't able to do certain things due to physical limitations - she copied off a colorful picture of Jesus with little children and a Bible verse which she then glued on each bag.

We had a very special lady - the mother of our guest speaker today - who did most of the organizing and did all of the necessary shopping for this event. We had so many people there that day to gather in the assembly line to put the lunches together and then ladies who gave of their time the next day for delivery.

This year we were just getting our feet wet to see what we could handle as a group and I know that next year - we are going to do it on a much larger scale. It was so amazing to watch God's hand at work when we had set our goal at 300 and we were VERY unsure if we could reach that goal. God not only MET the goal - He surpassed it! We have money left over in our treasury for the NEXT big Outreach project!

Through all of this we have had little eyes watching our actions. One special young lady who I am pleased to introduce you to today has been by her mother's side helping from the beginning. She has been taught by mom that this is a wonderful way to give service to those who are God's children - just like she is and are in great need right now. She has been watching and learning and GROWING through this experience and I feel so blessed to be able to watch how God is using her to teach others through her simple faith.

"M" was shopping with her mother the other day for Must Ministries. Her mother had decided to take some groceries to the Food Bank and "M" decided it would be a good idea to do a news article about it and give it out to people in our congregation to show them by example the gift of service to others. She handed out her newsletter to everyone at our ongoing Bake Sale that we have been having after Sunday Services - proceeds that directly benefit Must Ministry events throughout the year.

Keep in mind that this beautiful young lady is 6 years old and in the first grade. She took her pad and paper out at the grocery store - carefully noting all of the various items her mother was purchasing, so that she could write her news article accurately! How cute is that!

I now introduce you to our guest speaker "M". Here is her news article in it's entirety:

Charity Day
Name withheld to protect her identity
First Grade
"On August 6, my mom, my sister "K", and I decided to have a Charity Day. The Bible says to “Love thy neighbor as thyself” (Lev. 19:18).
First, we went to WalMart and bought Pork n’ Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Tuna, Cereal, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Powdered Milk, and Spaghetti and Sauce, and Ravioli. After we paid for it, we loaded it all into the car and took it to MUST Ministries. When we got there, Miss Victoria helped us unload the car and we put it all in a shopping cart. Then we took it inside, where they could put it away.
I hope the people who get the food like it!"

How stinking cute is that! Oh how I adore this little girl! She has a heart of pure gold! I wish I would have done things like this with MY children when they were younger - they are always carefully watching us as parents - what a wonderful "gift" this mother has given this young lady - the gift of service to those who are in need of our help. God tells us to be servants to those who have less than we do - and "M" is learning early the joy of doing God's work for others!

I know Miss "M" would love to hear comments about her first newsletter. Hopefully she will continue to be a reporter for future ministry opportunities for our church! Please join with me in helping to encourage this special lady - she is representing the next generation! Maybe - this will encourage her to start her OWN blog!

I hope this will encourage all young parents reading this - what a fun way to share God's love with your kids!
Blessings to you all,
Kymber

Worry

2009-08-09T06:30:00.004-04:00

I encourage you to stop by and visit all of the participants of Spiritual Sundays. Such an uplifting way to spend a Sunday! Read a variety of wonderful devotions, Bible passages, and listen to edifying music while praising the Lord on His special day of rest for your soul. A special thank you to Charlotte and Ginger for organizing this awesome event for us each week!

As the new week approaches, worry is starting to set in. I will be beginning my Orientation for my new job tomorrow and even though I am VERY excited, I am also very nervous! Why is my faith so frail at times... what began as a step out in faith, has turned into fretting and apprehension!

On Friday I went to the hospital to finish up some paperwork, had my physical and updated my immunizations. As I signed some final paperwork, I happened to read that my shiftwork is to be second shift instead of first shift like I had assumed it to be! I began to panic and quickly started to doubt my course of action in taking this PRN (as needed) position. I asked the gal helping me to please clarify what I had read and she told me that they couldn't guarantee the hours I am to work, it would all depend on where and when I was needed. I took this job to try to get my foot in the door - which God graciously provided for me, why am I now unhappy with the outcome?

When I lived in Washington, my husband and I were always apart. He traveled all of the time and therefore we communicated mainly by telephone. For three long years we were apart more than we were together. That can be very hard on a marriage! I moved here to Georgia so that we would have a chance to renew our relationship and have the evenings to spend together after our long days at work. My first job that I got here in Georgia was working second shift (3:00-11:00pm) Now- here I am again - faced with working second shift! My class is ALSO in the evenings - two days a week........

I see a lesson in all of this - do I pray for God to use me and then tell Him that I don't like HOW he wants to use me? Am I to question His answer or am I to faithfully carry out the work set before me? Am I to worry constantly and strive for things to be different? Am I now to question whether this is all God's will for me - or just my striving for change?

I need to learn to have faith in GOD'S direction that He wants for my life and stop the constant protesting when it doesn't align with what I want!

In my Bible studies for this morning I read some things that God shouted out to me:

Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the Everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:27-31

All of my worry about whether I will make enough money to help my husband and if I will have enough time to spend with my husband to try and strengthen our marriage - all of that WILL be worked out by the Lord who provided the work for me to do in the first place! I HAVE to have faith and believe this!

Another devotion that I read this morning spoke loudly to my heart:

"God does not grant the necessary grace before the trial. He builds the bridge when we reach the river. We often fear that we shall sink under the fiery trials that we see others endure. We see in the distance and are afraid of the mystery and anguish of what is to befall us; but we have not yet reached the crises, and grace is not vouchsafed before it is needed, 'Jesus comes with our distress' " - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman.

"The chains which bound Peter when he was in prison were struck off. He followed the angel sent to help him. On the way out of the prison they came to an impossible barrier, the iron gate leading into the city. But that "opened to them of his own accord" (Acts 12:10). "If you will do all the possible things, God will take care of the impossible." God did nothing for Peter that night, that Peter could do for himself. If the iron gate is locked and barred and staring you in the face, God's call is to do for yourself whatever He has asked you to do, and trust Him to do the rest.

The Lord in that great Sermon on the Mount said, "Be not therefore anxious for the morrow; for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

While we let ourselves worry, we are not trusting. But still it is the habit of ours to worry. Bishop Quayle had a sense of humor concerning himself. So he tells humorously of a time when he sat in his study worrying over many things. He relates that finally the Lord came to him and said Quayle, you go to bed; I'll sit up the rest of the night."
Streams in the Desert Volume Two Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

I have been forcing myself to get up in the morning and devote my first hour to the Lord. I have been reading my Bible faithfully and praying for those that God has put on my heart. I truly feel that God has used this time to clearly guide me in the way that I should go. Do I feel that God is speaking to my heart through my Bible study time? Absolutely! It practically jumps off the page when I read it! I am trying to do all things in faith- now I must rest in that faith!

I will rest in His will -I WILL trust....

I hope this has helped YOU today as it has helped me! Many of you also struggle with stress and worry - turn ALL of your cares over to Him and let HIM stay up all night and worry FOR you! Be faithful in the little things and let God carry the rest!
Blessings to all of you this day and always,
Kymber

Treasure Hunting

2009-08-04T07:46:00.002-04:00

I have been trying to get into the swing of going back to school - now my whole life seems to revolve around studying which has been a real adjustment! I am doing very well in my class so far - but I need a life again! If I sit down too long I feel guilty -I feel like I need to study.

I decided it was time to get away from it all for awhile and take advantage of some retail therapy. Time to go to one of my favorite places to hunt for treasures - Goodwill!

I can't wait to show you my pretty finds for the day!

I immediately fell in love with these unique plates. I bought two of them - the blue one will go in my dining room and the green one in my guest bedroom. They were only $1.99 a piece!

There were a lot of these for sale - in all different colors -

I am always on the lookout for green and blue items for my dining room now - I LOVE this little plate! Is it my imagination - or are prices going up at the Goodwill and other thrift stores? I think they finally caught on to our love of all things old and are raising the prices. This beauty was $3.50 - still a good deal, but I ended up having to put a few items back - I could have done some serious damage to my pocketbook this day!

I debated on whether I really wanted this or not - I decided it was too cute to pass up. Glad it came home with me!

Sorry for the fuzzy picture - I am not sure if this will be the pear's final resting place - I am not too good at putting things together. Should I elevate the pear? What do you think I should put inside my little birdcage - it needs something...just not sure what. Should I put some hydrangea blooms in there - maybe in greens and blues to tie it all together? I will be sure to take a better picture to show you when I find that special something to balance it all out.

I love this pretty picture although I will definitely be painting the frame. I may just get a new frame for it altogether. I will put this in my guest room - I am happy with the pretty things I am finding for that room - can't wait to show you the finished results! We have both of our boys here (our twins) with us for the summer - so our guest room is stripped of all its frilliness for now. When one son goes back home at the end of the month - I will put all of my pink things back into his room.

Here is another plate that I found for my guest room. I almost squealed when I spotted it! Isn't it pretty? I am amazed at the beautiful things that people get rid of! Their loss my gain right?

Aren't these candlesticks perfect for my blue and yellow kitchen? I thought so too!

I hope you enjoyed looking at my new treasures. It was great fun to get away from it all for a bit and now I am refreshed and ready to get back to the books!

Till next time...

Blessings to you,

Kymber

Surrender

2009-08-02T07:33:00.002-04:00

Christ's Bondservant

Make me a captive, Lord,

and then I shall be free;

Force me to render up my sword,

and I shall conqueror be.

I sink in life's alarms

when by myself I stand;

Imprison me within Thine arms,

and strong shall be my hand.

My heart is weak and poor

until its master find;

It has no spring of action sure-

it varies with the wind:

It cannot freely move

Till Thou hast wrought its chain;

Enslave it with Thy matchless love,

and deathless it shall reign.

My power is faint and low

till I have learned to serve:

It wants the needed fire to glow,

it wants the breeze to nerve;

It cannot drive the world

Until itself is driven;

Its flag can only be unfurled

When Thou shalt breathe from heaven.

My will is not my own

Till Thou hast made it Thine;

If it would reach a monarch's throne

It must its crown resign:

It only stands unbent

Amid the clashing strife,

When on Thy bosom it has leant

And found in Thee its life

George Mathieson - quoted from the book "The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart by Charles Swindoll"

Blessings on you this week as you surrender it all to the Lord!

Kymber

Job Interview

2009-07-28T06:48:00.006-04:00

The weeks since I have started my classes have been very busy. I have already taken three tests over 8 chapters - this only after three weeks of school! It has been an intense, but very exhilarating experience!

I have been trying to get a job at the hospital since I arrived here in Georgia. It has been very difficult to get my foot in the door. I am happy to say that I have been granted a job interview there this morning! God is opening so many doors of opportunites lately - I pray that all goes well with the interview and I will be on my way - one small step towards my dream!

I welcome any prayers that you might offer up for me today. I want whatever I do in this new journey I am venturing into to be in God's Will for me - not my own! It is only in HIS strength that I will be able to stand! This job can be very intense and I will need all of HIS help I can get if this is His plan for me.

I will update this as soon as I return...

Update: I got the job - God is so good! I will be starting my orientation on August 10th! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes. I appreciate it so much!
Blessings,
Kymber

I Don't Want To Go Through The Motions

2009-07-26T07:19:00.002-04:00

Take me all the way Lord!
Blessings,
Kymber

Rachel's Message For All Women!

2009-07-19T07:57:00.005-04:00

The video that I have for you today may take some time to watch, but I highly recommend it!

On March 4, 2009, a woman named Rachel Barkey, had an opportunity to share about her hope in the midst of terminal cancer. What began as a small talk to her church women’s group became an event attended by over 600 women and was an experience that left many with a desire to discover more about Rachel’s journey and faith.

This is the video of Rachel’s talk at the Women’s Event hosted by Westside Church at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond, BC, Canada on March 4, 2009. It is 55 minutes in length.

Rachel lost her battle with cancer just a few short weeks ago. She poured her heart and soul into this - her last speech. It is VERY worth it to take the time to watch as she has some VERY wise words about what we should focus our energies on while here on this earth.

I hope you take the time to watch - it is life changing - as Rachel meant it to be!

http://deathisnotdying.com/eventvideo/

Blessings to you,

Kymber

It's Foodie Friday - Timesaving Tips Part 1

2009-07-17T09:44:00.001-04:00

Special thanks to Designs by Gollum for hosting this fun event! To view other great recipes stop by Gollum's for some mouth-watering fun!

I am sooooo glad it is Friday! It has been such a busy week for me. I have been busy this week preparing meals for wonderful neighbors/friends who just had their second baby. They are a couple who have been blessed with much so they are not in need of any more baby things, but what they WILL need is the gift of meals so that mom can put her full concentration on her new little bundle.

I wanted to make them two dinners for their first days home with baby. After discussing with them what would work best, we decided on this menu:

Meal One:
Lasagna
Caesar Salad
Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
Lemon "Poke" Cake

Meal Two:
Chicken Fajitas
Spanish Rice
Old-Fashioned Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Because I work during the week until 5:00 pm, I knew it would be hard to get it all done in one day - so I used some of the meal preparation techniques that I used to employ when all of my kids were at home. When making meals for a large family, I used to do a LOT of freezer/batch cooking. It saves a lot of time and when jobs are broken up into a series of small steps over a period of time, it isn't such an exhausting endeavor.

I thought that I would share some of my ideas with you today!

As I have told you before, I am a list maker. I HAVE to write all of my plans down or I find myself running in circles. Writing out a list keeps me on track and helps me to break everything down into a series of manageable steps. To make all of this when working full time AND going to school - it would be too much work to do it all in one evening! Breaking it down into steps over a few days made the task easier and not as overwhelming.

My first day of baking consisted of making the spaghetti sauce for my Lasagna. While doing so, I made an extra large amount and froze the extra sauce to be used for spaghetti at a later date.

The second day I prepared the Lasagna. I made two - one for our family and one for our neighbors. It didn't take very long to prepare two so I now have a lasagna in my freezer for an evening when I don't feel like cooking or for a school night when I am pressed for time. If you are counting, that is now TWO meals in my freezer - with very little extra effort on my part.

I made the lasagna in the aluminum pan so that the family could throw it away afterwards and not have to worry about getting containers back to me.

When I have bananas that are too ripe, I will stick them in the freezer (still in their peels) to be used at a later date. Bananas ripen so quickly during the summers here - I hate them to go to waste and this way I can make banana bread whenever I want to. I took some bananas out of the freezer in the morning and put them in the refrigerator. When I got home from work they were thawed, and ready to make into bread.

Oops! I didn't take a picture of the banana bread! Here is the yummy recipe though:

Old Fashioned Banana/Chocolate Chip Bread
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 cup flour
Pinch of salt
1 cup coarsely mashed bananas (2 small bananas)
1 cup (6oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Stir together sour cream and baking soda and set aside. Cream butter with sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sour cream mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients until dry ingredients are well blended. Do not over mix. Divide mix into 3 greased mini loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes.

This is the very best banana bread! It is so moist and VERY rich! You will love it - So fast to make too!

The next morning I worked on preparing my bread dough. I have a KitchenAide mixer. It is by FAR the best investment we have ever made for our kitchen. This wonderful "servant" helps me so much! Making bread can be so tedious when having to take the time to knead it for 10 minutes. With a KitchenAide mixer, I can use the bread hook attachment, and go on to do other things while the mixer does all of the hard work.

After mixing, I grease a bowl and place the dough in the refrigerator for the first "rise". This saves me time and when I got home from work, I took the bread dough out and formed it into loaves to rise while I prepared the rest of my meals. Making homemade bread can be time consuming because of the amount of time it needs to rise but if you do it this way, and prepare the dough in the morning and let it rise while you are preparing your dinner for the family, you can enjoy fresh homemade bread any day of the week - not just for special occasions!

I just LOVE the smell of homemade bread don't you?

Speedy Whole Wheat Bread
2-1/2 to 3 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 tsps salt
3 pkgs active dry yeast
2-1/4 cups water
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons margarine or butter
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 egg white, beaten

In large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour,salt and yeast; mix well. In a small saucepan, heat water,honey and margarine until very warm (120 to 130 degrees F). Add warm liquid to flour mixture; blend at low speed until moistened. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in whole wheat flour and an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup all purpose flour until dough pulls cleanly away from the sides of the bowl.

On floured surface, knead in 1/4 to 1/2 cup all purpose flour until dough is smooth and elastic, 5 to 8 minutes. If you have a KitchenAide or stand up mixer, use your bread hook to do this part for you! Place dough in a greased plastic wrap and cloth towel. Place bowl in a pan of warm water; let rise for 15 minutes. OR *This is when I put the bread dough in my refrigerator instead - to take out later that evening. I can then finish the rise process while I make the rest of the meal.*

*If you are letting bread dough rise in the refrigerator - take it out later and let it rise for 15 minutes over a pan of warm water to bring it back to a warm temperature.* THEN....

Grease large cookie sheet or a 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles. Divide dough in half and shape into two loaves. Place both onto greased cookie sheet. With a sharp knife, make three 1/8 inch deep slashes on top of each loaf. Carefully brush loaves with egg white. Cover and let rise in warm place until light and doubled in size - about 15 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Uncover bread dough. Bake 25 to 35 minutes until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Immediately remove from cookie sheet; cool on racks for 1 hour or until completely cooled. I like to cover with a towel to help soften them.

Yummy! Your house will smell wonderful! This makes good bread for sandwiches too.

Next Friday I will share part two of these meal preparations. I hope you will join me NEXT time - I will share my chicken fajita and spanish rice recipes and prep tips with you then.

Blessings,

Kymber

How Can I Keep From Singing Your Praise

2009-07-12T06:29:00.005-04:00

Today I want to share with you a song that makes my heart sing every time I hear it! This week has been a week of discovery for me as I began my first week back to school. The Lord is teaching me every day that I need to keep Him in the driver's seat in my life and I am so glad that He is there! I look at things so differently when I look at life through the eyes of faith. It is so easy at times to be discouraged or scared - but when you look at everything through the eyes of faith - God is there to guide you every step of the way!

I heard this wonderful song on the radio the other day while driving home and knew I wanted to share it with YOU. I shared it with everyone that day as I shouted this song of praise from my car as I drove merrily along. *giggle*

It is one of those songs that make you want to sing loudly with outstretched hands! I hope you feel the joy of God's love for you today - His beautiful and amazing love!

1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!

2 Sing the glory of his name;

make his praise glorious!

3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!

So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;

they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name."

Selah
5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!
6 He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—

come, let us rejoice in him.
7 He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—

let not the rebellious rise up against him.

Selah
8 Praise our God, O peoples,

let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, O God, tested us;

you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let men ride over our heads;

we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you-
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams;

I will offer bulls and goats.

Selah
16 Come and listen, all you who fear God;

let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;

his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
20 Praise be to God,

who has not rejected my prayer

or withheld his love from me!

Psalm 66
New International Version

Blessings,

Kymber

W.I.P.(Work In Progress) Wednesday - Christmas in July

2009-07-08T07:03:00.002-04:00

Because of my busy schedule lately, projects that I had hoped to work on have been put aside due to necessity. I have decided to pick up only those projects that I want to have complete by Christmas. For once I have decided to start these projects well ahead of time instead of unrealistically beginning them in November. ~smile~

While "Skyping" with my granddaughter the other day, she was proudly showing me all of her favorite toys. I am telling you - for those of you who are far from your loved ones - Skyping, or talking via webcam over the internet is the most wonderful invention! It is like sitting across the table chatting with your loved one! Thankfully I can enjoy my sweet Granddaughter and see her precious little face even though I am far from her. It is such a blessing!

"R" loves to show grandma all of her toys and we have long conversations about her beloved dolly that she got from her Auntie. I am going to make her a dolly dress from the pattern shown above. "R" has told me her favorite color is green.

Here are the fabrics I found to make the dress and apron with. The apron will be in the white with pink polka dots. I found some cute little pink heart buttons to use as well. It should be so cute!

I want to complete this stocking for my son "A" this year. He has been patiently waiting for one - I think it is about time I finish it while the poor boy is at home to enjoy it! He has a stocking - just not a homemade one. He has expressed that he would really like one made by me this year so that is what I will do! Really - I have the best of intentions - I just get so sidetracked! With seven children and a grandchild - it has been easy to do. There is always something pulling me in a different direction. I am showing this on my blog to hold my feet to the fire so I will get it done! :-)

It is going to be a cross stitch stocking. I haven't worked on counted cross stitch in years and I forgot how much fun it is! It takes SO long though - this may look like a meager beginning, but this is several hours worth of work. There are many colors in here already. Some of them blended together. My poor eyes are getting a work out! This is tiny!

Here is a close up. Because it is SO small, I can only work on this during daylight hours. I love to sit in the evenings and work on something while watching television with my hubby. He doesn't like many lights on while he is watching T.V. so I have only one lamp that is near my chair lit while I sew. With all of these slight variations in color that I have to work with, I usually have to put this project aside and pick up something else that doesn't require much light.

This is a fast and easy project and I LOVE the way they turn out! There is nothing like a cotton crocheted or knitted dishcloth for washing your dishes! They are SO absorbent and it is so satisfying to use them knowing that you have made them by hand. I have decided to make some for my daughters for Christmas. I am hoping to make a lot of my gifts this year. With the economy being what it is these days, we ALL need to scale back and look at what is REALLY important. My kids know that when I make something for them - it is made from my heart with all of my love put in every stitch! Because I am unable to be close to them at this time, I want Christmas this year to mean something more to them then something purchased from a store.

On the school front, I had my first day of class on Monday. My teacher is a practising Medical Doctor who teaches Anatomy/Physiology for future nursing students and doctors! He is so great at helping you to understand a concept. The class will be challenging, but looks so far to be fun. I have already had SO much reading to do and a test will be given every Monday. So far I am ahead of the game - but today I will start back to work after a glorious week off. I have been able to get so much done around my house this week. It is SO hard for me to go back to work!

Thanks so much to all of you who leave me such sweet and loving comments. Please know that I read and cherish them all and I will try to give you all a personal reply as soon as I am able. Even though I am not always able to comment as much as I would like to, I continue to read all of your blogs and hold each and every one of you in my thoughts and prayers everyday.

Blessings on your creative day today!

Kymber

A New Journey

2009-07-06T11:46:00.004-04:00

Today I start on a new journey. One that I have tried many times, but have yet to finish. I am starting fresh on that journey again - and THIS time, I truly believe God is leading me there.

I have had the dream to become a nurse for many years now. Slowly over the years I have been taking my prerequisites to apply for the Nursing program. I have three more classes to go before I can apply for the LPN Program. I have put my schooling on the back burner many times over the years so that it would not impact my family too much. I have only taken one or two classes at a time - so this has taken me a long time to get to where I am now! I am now in the season of my life where I can pursue this without too much undue stress on my family. I hope to become a nurse before I am too old - I will be in my fifties before I actually get my degree!

When we moved to Georgia, I decided to wait a year before taking any classes so that I could claim residency status here and not have to pay out of state tuition costs. Recently I stepped out in faith and applied for the Hope Grant. God was so gracious and saw fit to award me with the Hope Grant and because of this wonderful opportunity, I will be able to go on with my schooling and become an RN - something above and beyond what I had hoped for! I have always tried to keep my schooling costs down for my poor husband. He has so much already on his plate, and I truly didn't want to add to it.

During prayer time with the Lord, I gave it all over to Him. I asked that if it was His Will that I continue with this dream to become a nurse, that He would find a way for me to continue because I wasn't able to do it on my own. I found out THAT DAY that my tuition was paid in full! God is so good!

My job in Washington was working with the Elderly - I have such a strong desire to continue with that work! Besides being a wife and mother this has been my greatest joy. It has been so hard not being able to find work here doing what I love, but I know that God has a plan for me and I need to be patient for HIS timing in all of this. If it truly IS His will that I pursue this - it will happen. I have given it ALL over to Him - I am okay with whatever the outcome. I will work as hard as I can to do MY part.

It is going to be a challenge because my time is going to be severely limited. I am first and foremost a wife and mother. My husband needs to be able to count on me to take care of my house and take care of his needs. My son also will require my time and energy. I pray for the strength to continue my work outside the home, care for ALL of my families needs and the brain power and time needed to finish my daily school work which will be substantial.

I am a list maker. It "grounds" me and makes me feel like I have more

control in my life. It is very frustrating to me to have thoughts of everything I need to get done floating around in my head, yet when I write it all down and prioritize it, it is manageble and I don't feel so stressed about things.

I will need to make meal plans so that I can have "freezer" meals available for my husband for the two evenings a week I will be in class. I will have just enough time in between my job and school to stop home and put a casserole in the oven before running off to class. With a plan this shouldn't be too hard to do - when all of my children were at home I did alot of batch cooking - where you prepare two or three casseroles at once - freezing two and having one for that nights dinner. Without a plan, my day will easily become too much to manage!!

I am so excited because my focus for this new journey has changed. Jesus is in the drivers seat and He will see me through!

The content of my blog will remain the same - I am STILL trying to make my house a home for my family. I am still trying to journal about my life for my kids who are far from me. I will continue to worship my Lord with my new friends through my Spiritual Sunday posts. I will still be crafting to preserve my sanity. I also will be checking in from time to time to see how my blogger friends are doing. I hope to be able to also share my new journey with you as well - that of my new life as a student!

My first class begins this evening. I am taking Anatomy/Physiology.

I'd better get back to making those lists.....

Blessings,

Kymber

Time Well Spent

2009-07-02T14:13:00.004-04:00

Today was a rare day off for me. I actually have the rest of the week off and am enjoying every minute of it! I can't say that I have been doing much lying around as you see in the cute picture above - I have been playing catch up and getting a few things done around here.

Remember the dilemma I have been having with color for my dining room in this post? Well, I have been working on this room and I am excited to show you what I have done so far.

Say goodbye to the ugly original covering to this old chair...

And say hello to the new and improved chair covering! I am so proud of myself - this is my first attempt at doing this. It was super easy and VERY forgiving! I found a great tutorial here.

I am so motivated now to finish my window treatments for this room and put pictures on the wall. I will show pictures when I get that part done. For now - I am playing with the room arrangement.

Table arrangement with candlesticks... or...

(Wish I could find an interesting wine cupboard or something to store hubby's collection that you see in the corner - the garage maybe?

~Big grin~)

Table arrangement without candlesticks.

As you can see - Ginger is "helping" me by being directly underfoot throughout the whole process. She loves it when I am home all day and rarely leaves my side.

What do you think Ginger?

Blessings on your day today,

Kymber and Ginger

So Powerful!

2009-06-28T06:51:00.007-04:00

I encourage you to stop by and visit all of the participants of Spiritual Sundays. Such an uplifting way to spend a Sunday! Read a variety of wonderful devotions, Bible passages and listen to edifying music while praising the Lord on His special day of rest for your soul. A special thank you to Charlotte and Ginger for organizing this awesome event for us each week!

While catching up on reading past posts written by an awesome blogger, She posted a wonderful video that was so powerful I knew I wanted to share it with you this Sunday morning. Watch closely - and grab your tissues~
Thank you Bren for showing this on your blog!

To All of The Wonderful Fathers Out There....

2009-06-21T07:47:00.004-04:00

Happy Father's Day! We are so grateful for the love that you give to our children!

Cherish the time you have with your children - it is so fleeting!

Blessings on your day,
Kymber

W.I.P.(Work In Progress) Wednesday Color Dilemma

2009-06-17T06:51:00.004-04:00

I love color! Why I can't seem to pull color together for my home is the big question of the day. I am in a rut and am looking for advise and direction from all of you wonderful decorators out there!

I have now lived in this beautiful home for one year. I still can't believe it has been a whole year already! Time flies - doesn't it? We still have some rooms in our home that we haven't put pictures up in yet. I have been in a state of indecision and because I tend to be a perfectionist - it has been easier to just put it off. Enough is enough - I NEED to get my house finished and I need your expert advise.

When we moved here, our dining room walls were painted a lovely hunter green color. They look so nice against the white wainscoting that I haven't been able to paint it another color. I tend to love the color blue. I have it in almost every room of my house so I really have been fighting the urge to use it once again in THIS room.

Heres my dilemma:
I have this beautiful wall quilt that means so much to me - I finally decided to have my husband put it up on the wall in our dining room.

Those of you who have read my blog for awhile, know how sentimental I am! I purchased this quilt a few years ago after we had a memorial service for my mom on a beautiful beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. During our family gathering - when we were putting Lei's out in the water, a giant sea turtle swam through right at that moment. It was such a special moment to me that when we saw this beautiful quilt in one of the stores in Hawaii, I knew I had to have it! As you can see - there are
sea turtles everywhere on this quilt!

Here is a different angle so you can get an idea of the wall space I have to work with. I am thinking about adding some white plates/platters on the two sides to try to balance it all out. What do you think?

We were going to use reds in this room - we purchased a table and chair set from a wonderful store here in Atlanta called the Classy Flea. I have written about this wonderful store in several of my past posts and if you are familiar with Susan - she has written some great posts that she calls "Flea Fridays" about terrific finds that you can get at this store. She is the reason that I stopped in one day - I am now officially hooked and you will find many beautiful things in my house that I have purchased from The Classy Flea.

Here is another picture of the hutch that I purchased from there and as you can see sitting on the top - is a NEW item - my cute little bird cage that I just found during a visit last weekend!

Look at those bare walls! ~oops!~ I am digressing again ...

We purchased this table and plan to refinish it - (don't look too closely at the dust) my hubby likes the look of the striped red in the seat covers so I have been on the look out at the fabric store for something that will work to recover them with. I can't seem to settle on this color though - because in MY mind - everything will clash. We bought this rug at a garage sale. It will have to do until I can find something better. It clashes with the red and now my quilt does too! Should I just give up and go with blues in here again?

I have this fabric bolt that I was going to make curtains out of at my old house and now my hubby isn't too keen on using it in this home. I love toile - but I already have alot of it in my kitchen - do I want to use it in yet another room?

Should I use it to recover these ugly chairs?

I can also use it for curtains.....
UGH! I wish this came easier for me - I marvel at how you talented ladies are able to effortlessly add color to your homes and they just seem to flow!

This is why I have such a hard time deciding on colors for a quilt that I want to make - my color choices never seem to look right to me so I get stuck in indecision.

I love the rich colors of the blues and the green in this room - just don't know how to tie it all together with other colors. HELP!

On a DIFFERENT note...

Not too much happening on my WIP crafts....

Finished up this block - finally! Beginning to cut out fabric for the February block - (slightly behind- but who cares?)

Working on my Grandmothers Flower Garden hexagons in the evenings...

Handwork that I do while sitting with my honey watching television in the evenings! It is so relaxing to me and even though the process is slow - every little bit counts and brings me closer to finishing this quilt! I keep the paper pieces in to help stabilize it until I am ready to put it all together.

Blessings on your creative day,
Kymber

I Will Rise When You Call My Name

2009-06-14T07:32:00.003-04:00

I encourage you to stop by and visit all of the participants of Spiritual Sundays. Such an uplifting way to spend a Sunday! Reading a variety of wonderful devotions, Bible passages and listening to edifying music while praising the Lord on His special day of rest for your soul. A special thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for organizing this awesome event for us each week!

Today I wanted to share a favorite song and Bible passage with you. I hope that they give you comfort and speak to your heart!
Come let us worship the Lord together!
Blessings to you,
Kymber

21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

25 "To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:21-31
NIV

Kudzu - Oh Kudzu, How do I Get Rid of Thee?

2009-06-10T06:31:00.004-04:00

It's time for Outdoor Wednesday! A special thanks to Susan of A Southern Daydreamer for inviting us to join in this fun weekly event. Click on over to her site to visit the other participants for this week!

I have a problem... It has reared it's ugly head in my very own back yard! It is called Kudzu. I am new to the South and a year ago was very ignorant of the damage this lovely vine can do to an area in a relatively short amount of time. Those of you who know what it is, are probably shaking your head in laughter right now - glad that it is me with this problem, and not you.

For those of you who don't know what Kudzu is, let me show you a few pictures of what we in the South see on a daily basis as we drive down the road. It is everywhere here!!

I found this great website put out by Jack Anthony. He has some amazing pictures to share on his site and tells of the history of this plant. During the Great Depression, kudzu was promoted for erosion control here in Georgia. Little did they know that it would soon become uncontrollable. It can be quite lovely, but very destructive if left to it's own devices. During the winter months when the vegetation dies off - you can really see the damaged areas as it seems to kill all other growth in it's path.

This is an old abandoned cabin - completely covered by this vine!

This picture is small, but it shows two large tractors - completely engulfed!

This picture is of a huge crane - left in the path of this creeping vine. For more great images - go visit John Anthony's site.

As we sit on our back deck - looking out at our beautiful trees in the back yard, slowly but surely we started to notice what we thought was just ivy, but know now it is something much worse. Kudzu has come to pay us a visit!!

This picture was taken last Fall - I loved the colors of the vine as it trailed up this tree! It is the red vine that you see trailing up a dead tree. It was relatively small and harmless then. Little did I know what I was up against!

This is what it looks like today! The same tree - and this seemed to grow overnight! If left to it's own devices, I am sure it will overtake all of my poor trees by summer's end.

Pretty, but no - I don't want it! Go away little vine!

This is hard to photograph, but here is another tree that it has attached itself to. There are about five trees that have been overtaken by this vine - I asked the neighbors innocently if they had to do something about it early in the season - and they laughingly said "yes"! Oops - who knew! I guess I am showing my Washingtonian roots again. I need to get into the swing of living in a whole different "Jungle" climate - I guess.

We are afraid that we will need to cut these trees down. It is hard to tell - but our property drops down into a steep ravine which is what these trees come out of. To try to cut the vines at the root now - when everything is thick with vegetation, is daunting.

I welcome any ideas from those who have had to deal with this "lovely" plant! Oh - and pick yourselves up off of the floor and stop laughing! ~Big Grin~

I am off to look at all of your beautifully landscaped backyards.

One day - my backyard will get there.....~Big Sigh~

Blessings,

Kymber

Cry Out To Jesus

2009-06-07T07:43:00.004-04:00

"Lord, keep me still,
Though stormy waves may blow
And waves my little bark may overflow,
Or even if in darkness I must go;
Lord, keep me still.

The waves are in Thy hand,
The roughest seas subside at Thy command.
Steer Thou my bark in safety to the land
And keep me still,
Keep me still."
Author Unknown, quoted in Al Bryant, Sourcebook of Poetry

"Prayer is surrender - surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boat hook from a boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God."
E. Stanley Jones, A Song of Ascents

When the waves of life crash down - do not be afraid to Cry out to Jesus - He will always be there to calm the storms inside of you!

8 The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Deuteronomy 31:8

Blessings to you,
Kymber

I Will Lift My Eyes

2009-05-31T08:00:00.003-04:00

1 I lift up my eyes to you,

to you whose throne is in heaven.
Psalm 123:1

Blessings on your day with the Lord,

Kymber

Hawaiian Adventures and Our Graduate

2009-05-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Our graduate! Now a Marine Biologist, after four years of hard work - heads off on a new adventure. One that will take her far from the beautiful sandy shores of Hawaii to the cold deck of a ship on the Alaskan waters. Oh to be young again with your life ahead of you and adventures abounding! Our daughter "S" is quite the headstrong girl. She hopes to do lots of traveling in her lifetime and picked a job where she could do just that.
We were so happy to be able to share her special day with her on her graduation day! She worked so hard for her degree and did it in record time while holding down two jobs!

Her graduation ceremony was held in the University Of Hawaii auditorium. There were 1500 graduates this day! It took an hour just to read off all of the names!
In this picture, you can see that they are STILL filing in. It was a literal sea of green. Very hard to find your child in all of this. It felt a little like playing the game "Where's Waldo".

Can you spot the beach ball that was being tossed around as they waited for the program to start?

There's our girl!

The big moment has come! The culmination of four long years of hard work is rewarded!
I wish I was able to make this picture bigger - she is standing with her diploma in hand - waving at us. I wish you could see the look of pride on her face!

What a great day!

"S" had quite the schedule set for herself while we were visiting her in Hawaii. All of it was carefully itemized in her day planner that she kept with her at all times. She had several family members that flew in to be with her this week.
Her Mom, Her dad and me, her aunt and uncle, her grandmother and her best friend from high school. She planned out her week making sure that she was able to spend time with each of us equally. She also finished up her work schedule - her last week working at the aquarium as well as finished up two end of the year reports and she had a big final test at the school that took her hours to complete! We were all tired just watching her bustle around!

She was fortunate to work at the aquarium to gain needed experience for her degree. She was able to work with the Monk Seals. They were so cute! I know she will miss them when she leaves!

Here she is giving her daily presentation to the visitors.

She has helped train the seals and they always wait patiently for her arrival because it means feeding time for them!

"S" has also worked with dolphins! A few summers ago she was able to work in a program called "Dolphin Quest". She lived in a tent with others on the Big Island for a few months, and learned how to work with the dolphins. It was an apprenticeship program and she wasn't paid for it. It was strictly for learning purposes - but she had so much fun doing it! The pictures are on my hubby's computer - I will share them with you one day.

I know that the college experiences that "S" has been able to enjoy will be missed. She was able to take diving lessons and swim in the deep open waters of Hawaii. She has taken beautiful pictures of fish while out there as well as of a few sharks off in the distance! This girl is fearless!

During our visit, my husband was able to take a day to go scuba diving with "S". I am glad that they had the opportunity to have one-on one time alone with each other. This time will be cherished between the two of them for years to come I am sure! "S" spotted a large Barracuda off in the distance as her dad and her were swimming - yikes! I really had no desire to go into waters that sharks or barracudas live in - I am such a sissy! :-)

They were also able to go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Hanaumu Bay as I showed you pictures of in this post.

One of the last hikes that "S" took us on during our time with her, was on the way to the airport. It only took us a few minutes to get there and was so incredibly beautiful!

We slathered on the bug spray and traveled into the dense tropical surroundings. It was so quiet and peaceful!

The bamboo "forest" was huge!

We came out of the darkness to this beautiful setting. An old house that has fallen to ruins - yet still very well maintained.

This is an old summerhouse of King Kamehameha III and his queen Kalama. It was completed in 1845 and was used to entertain foreign celebrities and the feasting of chiefs and commoners. The greatest of these was of a luau that was attended by an estimated ten thousand people celebrating Hawaiian Restoration Day in 1847.

Cool huh?

We took so many fun pictures of this place!

It was hard to leave because when we left here we had to say our goodbyes and make our way back home again.

I enjoyed this time with our daughter so much. I had the privilege of raising this beautiful girl for 7 short years before she went off to college. During that time we weren't that close. It was very hard for her to be away from her mother who lived in a different state - as well as being far from her father at times - who was in the Navy back then and would leave on a submarine for months at a time. Many years and growing pains later we come to the present time and I am overjoyed to say that as she continues to grow, our relationship is as I have always wanted it to be. I can finally call this beautiful girl my friend and even though I have loved her since the day I set eyes on her - I actually believe now that she knows it and takes it for what it is - the love and pride of a woman who wasn't trying to replace her mother, but love her as a stepmother and friend.

We are so very proud of you "S"! We are so happy for the big adventures that we see ahead for you in this life. We are so glad that you used your time well and that you are now reaping the benefits of all of your hard work.
Way to go girl!
Blessings,
Kymber

W.I.P.(Work(s) In Progress) Wednesday

2009-05-27T06:26:00.005-04:00

Isn't this a beautiful machine? Unfortunately it isn't mine - just one I found on the internet, but I wish it were! One day I hope to find one of these beauties to bring home - but alas - no room in the sewing room for one now!

Lately my sewing room looks like a bomb went off in it! My creative juices are flowing - but running in all directions at the moment. Why start one project when you can have four going at once? I don't know what I was thinking - but after completing my Alphabet Book, I have been thinking about the many things I would like to finish up for the year. I thought I would show you a few of them.

I know this is a blurry picture and the blocks need ironing....

This is a quilt that I have been working on for my daughter. She would probably tell you that I have been promising it to her for years now. It is a fairly easy quilt - It is blanket stitched on the sewing machine and goes together very quickly. I will add the butterfly antennae later by hand. I stopped working on this when I went back to school to become a nurse and never picked it back up again even though I have taken a year off from my schooling. Why is it I always want to start projects when my school quarters are about to start back up again? I hope to use this as a stress reliever this time - and actually finish it for her while I still can!

I found this pattern in the Fons and Porter's "For The Love Of Quilting" magazine - March/April 2001 issue. It is a Depression Era quilt made with Reproduction 1930's fabrics. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and knew I had to make it! I don't know why I love the look of blanket stitching so much - I seem to do a lot of it. I think because I am fairly new at quilting, it is easier than needleturn applique for me - although I have done both.

Here's a close up of my unironed blocks :-)

I love all of the different fabrics that you can get in these repro colors. They will add so much character to this quilt!I will post more blocks as I complete them.

This was one of my take-along projects that I worked on in the plane on my way to/from Hawaii. I am terribly behind in this Block Of The Month. This is a fun new free Block of The Month quilt called A Tisket A Tasket that is offered from a very talented lady Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs. I know many of you in blogland are making these blocks and you have all inspired me to make them too! They have been a challenge for me - I wanted to do the needle turn method and tried several times to prepare the blocks - I kept making mistakes and finally decided to just do these blocks in my old favorite quick method - blanket stitch! After the Alphabet Book - I really wanted to work on something a little different rather than blanket stitch - but I am pleased with how it looks so far. They are quick to prepare and quick to complete. This is the January block - so I needed a quick method to get myself caught up!

When I just couldn't handle doing one more blanket stitch on the plane - I pulled this project out. I will be talking more about these fun blocks in the future and have joined a fun group that is on my sidebar to keep me motivated to complete this quilt. This will eventually be made into a quilt called Grandmothers flower garden.

It will eventually look like this! Isn't it beautiful? This isn't my quilt - just another borrowed picture from the web. I just love the look of this quilt! I am doing this totally by hand using the English Paper Piecing method. I will show more of these as I put them together. To see more beautiful quilts done using this method - check out The Great Hexagon Quilt Along Two.

I need to get to work -

Blessings on your creative day today!

Kymber