Haggai

These verses speak for themselves---but they really spoke to me this morning!

Haggai 2:12-13 (Amplified)
"If one carries in the skirt of his garment flesh that is holy [because it has been offered in sacrifice to God], and with his skirt or the flaps of his garment he touches bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does what he touches become holy [dedicated to God's service exclusively]? And the priests answered, No! [Holiness is not infectious.]
Then said Haggai, If one who is [ceremonially] unclean because he has come in contact with a dead body should touch any of these articles of food, shall it be [ceremonially] unclean? And the priests answered, It shall be unclean. [Unholiness is infectious.]"

*Holiness is not infectious. (It's a choice--it's not something you can give to another)
*Unholiness is infectious. (I Cor. 15:33 "Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships [communion, associations] corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.")

Debt

I'm no stranger to debt. I've had it most of my adult life. And I haven't always been a good manager of money. But it's something I've learned---a journey God has taken me on. In fact, I now manage thousands of dollars each month for a ministry. All of that to say, I'm not a financial wizard. But I do think I'm reading some signs in our nation.

I'm sure you realize that the United States of America is not mentioned in the last days in the Bible. I used to wonder what the big deal was. I mean, Australia isn't mentioned either! But...the reason it's so important is that something must happen that we are no longer a world-player politically. We lose our power.

I love Bible prophecy. I don't understand all of it, but I love to study it and compare it to world events to see where we are on the timeline of Jesus' return. And I think it's soon. And I'm guessing the way America will lose it's power is through financial collapse. Of course, there are any number of ways it could happen--terrorism, nuclear holocaust, natural disaster, civil war--and the list goes on and on. But it just makes sense that it will be economic collapse because of the shape we're in now. Isn't there a verse that says, "the borrower is servant to the lender?" Look at who we owe. China. Japan. All it would take is for those countries to call in our debt.

It actually makes me mad when someone comes to Living Water needing help with a bill and they have the bill in their child's name. (A minor) I refuse to help them until they get the bill in their own name. Usually what it means is that they've ruined their credit, so they've opened an account in their child's name. Or they closed an account owing money, so they opened another in their child's name. Either way, those kids' credit is ruined before they're ever old enough to need credit! America has done the same thing. They've opened accounts in their children's names---accounts our children/grandchildren will have to pay. They'll have to pay for it financially---or through ruin. And that makes me mad, too.

I'm just guessing. But we need to be prepared. Something is going to happen to cause America's power loss.

Way to go, Benjamin!

You may remember that my 7-year-old nephew, Benjamin, was reading for Haiti. His goal was to read for 21 hours (1 hour per day for 3 weeks) and raise support for each hour he read. Well, today he reached his goal. His money is going towards the Baptist Haiti Mission and the work they are doing. I hope you'll go to both websites and see all they've done. It's not too late if you'd like to be a part of the support Benjamin is raising. Just go to the Baptist Haiti Mission website and make a donation in Benjamin's honor. (And it would be super if you let him know!) He's created quite a stir at BHM. They're very impressed with this young man. And I think their plan is to use him as an example of what can be done. Benjamin, we're very proud of you!

Homemade Softener

For all you girls making homemade laundry soap, my cousin just gave me this recipe for homemade fabric softener:

Homemade Fabric Softener... For 1 gallon:

6 cups water (I use distilled water)

3 cups white vinegar (I use about 2 3/4 cup but the original recipe calls for 3 so play around with it and find what works for you)

1 1/2 – 2 cups hair conditioner

Note: if you warm up the water in the microwave, it makes it easier to mix the conditioner. Otherwise it might get a bit “lumpy”.

She also said this: "I'm loving saving money making my own laundry soap! I searched for a recipe for fabric softener and found some! This morning I tried one suggestion of simply using white vinegar in the rinse compartment in my washer. Wonderful! The clothes simply smell fresh and clean but I was most impressed by how soft and fluffy ...they came out! I didn't use a dryer sheet either and there wasn't any static! I can handle this! I filled the rinse dispenser 1/2 with vinegar and filled to the line with water. The washer smelled like vinegar but the clothes just smelled fresh!"

Thanks, Sue!

Footprints

I was cooking supper tonight and sent Andy to go get us some ice. I saw him leave and then our phone rang. When I answered, it was Andy. He said, "Go look outside by the birdbath." "Why?," I asked. He replied, "Just go look---you might want to take your camera." So, I grabbed the camera and went outside to see what he was talking about.

Ryan & Addie had been here last night when the snow was falling. And they had their rain boots on. So as they left, they used those boots for all they were worth, apparently!

And as you can tell, they stayed off the beaten path! That's what boots are made for, after all.

Beautiful Snowy Night

I love the snow. No...I LOVE the snow! I don't think I'd ever get tired of it as long as I had a fireplace and a good book to read. I poked my head outside to see if it was still snowing (and it was) and saw this. I had to run get my camera. Imagine...no sound.

Some Favorites of Florida--2nd Post

I'm HOME! I got to Amarillo about 5:00 this evening and Andy was there to pick me up. When I got to the car, I found these in my seat. Now I have a great husband, but he's never given me flowers when I've gotten home from a trip. But on my way to the airport this morning, Josiah and I had this conversation:
Josiah: Gee, I bet Buff gives you flowers when you get home.
Gee: You think so, Buddy? I'm not so sure.
Josiah: Yes! He'll give you some flowers.
Gee: Will you call Buff and tell him to get me some flowers?
Josiah: No! No, Gee. He WILL!
Gee: I don't know, Josiah....I guess we'll see!

A little birdie told me that Josiah called Buff and asked, "Buff, will you get Gee some flowers?" Way to go, Buddy!! I love my flowers, don't you?? You're quite the man, Siah. Thanks for looking out for Gee.

I was in Florida for a week. Jay & Amy went to a winter conference in Greensboro, North Carolina while I stayed with the kids. Below are some of my favorite pics from the week.

School doesn't always look like this for Josiah. Sometimes he's standing on his head as he learns. This boy is never still for long. But he has an almost photographic memory (like his dad!). He beat Isaac & me consistently at the Matching Game.

Here, Isaac has spelled words as I called them out. He made an A+. He's also an excellent student.

This is Olivia with Olivia. Have you read the books? I wish I could describe this little girl's personality. She is hysterical---and very loved. Her big brothers adore her. I think she's one of the easiest kids I've ever kept! She has a very layed-back attitude.

Josiah has quite the sense of humor. I don't know many 4-year-olds who have such a well-developed sense of humor. He's also a prankster. I love this kid!

Olivia began telling me, "Potty, potty!" while I was there. So we sat there quite a bit. She stayed on her cell phone each time she sat on her potty chair.

Best purchase I made while in Florida---a pencil sharpener. If you don't have one, you should get one. It keeps kids very entertained---and all pencils sharp.

Isn't she beautiful? And she didn't even seemed scarred by her locked-in-the-car episode.

Josiah sound asleep. (A rare occurrence)

Isaac. He really is asleep--it almost looks fake. This was after a night of sobbing about me leaving. But the last night I was there, I put kisses all over the boys' pillows so they could get a kiss from me anytime they need one---and they won't even wash off!

Mommy treated us to Dunkin' Donuts this morning before I left. A great breakfast with some pretty cute kids!!