Our nighttime routine....

When the sun begins descending behind the tall trees in our backyard, the "nightie-night routine" begins....

A splash-happy bath with four, tiny feet kicking and squeals of laughter. Soap suds cover blond curls and dirty fingers are once again clean. Nice, fluffy towels bring in the finished products and carbon copies lay side-by-side as pajamas are hurriedly pulled over heads.

Tiny toothbrushes are excavating today's menu on little, white teeth. Smiles in abundance! Prayers going up that their mouths will always be filled with His praise....that their words will please Him.

Large glass of our family's popular beverage: water with a touch of "daulic-lemonade" as they call it. (Great way to keep summer mosquitoes and colds at bay!) Tall straw sipping and filling little tummies until they are satisfied.

Two, beautiful boys cuddle close on Mommy's bed to hear stories identifying colors, numbers, alphabet, Cat in God's Tree and Elmo. They are content and happy, so am I.
They help out with all the words.

Now for my favorite part....Lights are turned low and twins are laid all over Mommy like a thick quilt as we begin to sing together. Lullabies....Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know....Yes, Jesus Loves Me... A choir of tiny voices fill the Master Bedroom of the Jones' home with praise and worship. Grammar not perfect...pronunciation, that of a typical two-year-old...but beautiful music to my listening ears. We whisper the words of their current memory verse together and say a simple prayer for the night.

Laying there, I silently thank God for every moment He blesses me with my four beautiful children. I am truly blessed. Big brother and sister are patiently waiting their turn of back scratches and prayers in their rooms.

Daddy picks up Lincoln, I take Luke...we say good-night and give last hugs and kisses to each twin. Laying them in their baby beds and turning off light marks the closing of that day and a good night's rest preparing them for a brand new one ahead.

Yes, in only a few years, my dynamic duo (as Daddy puts it) will be tucking thier ownself in bed and, laying heads on soft pillows, whispering a prayer of gratefulness and protection. But for right now... Night-night my little ones....may His love surround you and fill your dreams with happy things.....Mommy loves you.

My life changed forever...

I'm remembering the moment I was introduced to him. He was that handsome and some what shy drummer. It was the very back pew of our old church building that we were introduced for the first time. Little did I know that I would spend the rest of my days with him.

I had high hopes. Dreams. Global dreams. I wanted to travel the world and...oh, the glamour of missionary work! The zeal that youth can bring. Inspiration.


I smile thinking back on those times. So naive and innocent. I had just returned home from a Missions trip to Russia and Finland. Next plan was to attend Bible College. Marriage was the very last thing on my mind.

Funny, how God, in His magnificent Plan, can change things so dramatically! I am always amazed at how He works. Watching it all unfold can be very frustrating at times and sometimes hard to understand....but looking back on the completed work is awesome.

Randy was always such a gentleman. That completely impressed me. His quiet demeanor made me want to get to know him. He wasn't loud and obnoxious like a lot of other guys. But he was always so much fun to be with! (I truly never knew what he saw in me that was impressive. I was so serious!)

The night he revealed his feelings toward me began a wonderful journey of love and friendship that I will forever cherish. We courted (I like those old-fashion words!) for fourteen months and married on a beautiful June afternoon. Our wedding was simple, yet marked by God's presence. My beautiful Momma had worked so hard to make things pretty, but I realize now that His arrival was what really sealed our vows. Knowing that the Lord had a part in our ceremony meant more to me than candles and roses.

My precious daddy walked me down the aisle. I was letting go of his hand and his name to be joined together with my best friend and lover. When I reached Randy's side, I noticed tears in his eyes. "Unforgettable" had played during the wedding party's entrance. That old, vintage song described exactly how I felt at that moment.

In all Randy's reality-thinking, serious, give-it-much-thought-and-prayer ways, he was marrying a fly-by-night-kind-of-woman!

I remember enjoying just getting to be with him 24/7. Now we went home together...in our own little house on Florida Avenue North. Those were amazing and marvelous feelings for me.

Nine years we enjoyed our special togetherness. Late nights, vacations, fancy meals and lots of friends and entertaining made our marriage alive with excitement!

Bro. Solomon from Ethiopia opened up a new avenue of need when he asked one night if we had children. I had wanted one. Randy....no. He told me that they would pray.

Within a short time, Landon Isaac came. Our "Wara Crusade baby". (Ask me about it, if you don't know the story!) Now our lives revolved around this tiny bundle of soft skin and beautiful blue eyes. Our love had produced this amazing new miracle of life. God is so good.

Anna Elizabeth Kaye came two and a half years later with a wonderful pregnancy and delivery. She won the hearts of everyone around her! Her curly ringlets and bright smile still overwhelm me at times. She was my gift from God. My little girlfriend.

During this time, we sold our little love nest and built a new home only a mile or so away. A new neighborhood. Beginning again. Everything seemed new and fresh like a spring morning!

Our lives changed the moment we found out we were having twins....boys....wow! We sat in silence as the ultrasound revealed, not one, but two. This surprise carried us into many months of challenges ahead.

The night my precious husband and I came home from the hospital, it was storming. The older children were with family and our new preemie twins were snuggled in their hospital beds at the Neonatal ICU.

We were alone...together.

Because of the storm, our electricity was off. We ate by candle light and sat silently contemplating the many months ahead of the unknown.

Our love had taken us down this road. It was a time of learning and building....inside.

Exhaustion came. Worry. Fears.....then, through the prayers of others, Faith built a road of hope in our hearts. Our love had to mature through those times. A month of constant travel to the NICU. Monitors and oxygen tanks lined our bedroom. Loud and blaring beeps throughout the night separated our sleeping arrangements and forced us to....love at a distance.....for a while.

Then with each new day came hope.

Happy and healthy little toddler twins running wild on our hardwood floors! Words that make their daddy and me grin and ask for more. Laughing and tickling big brother and sister. Picnics and Andy Griffith. "Bubba's ball night", "Ice-team tone...peese!" and "Hallelulah" fill our ears...and we laugh.

Sacrificing has become a personal journey for us individually. Sacrificing our time.....our interests...our sleep....and, just as we will celebrate and travel together as a family for our 18th Anniversary this coming Sunday, sometimes our dates....yet, we will never sacrifice our love...deep love for one another.

I am always amazed at his interest in me. Those glamorous dreams of my youth are replaced with a different and more meaningful mission. I am his. I can't explain it....I know that in my heart he could have had much better, but he was made for me and I for him.

The day I met Randy Jones my life changed forever.....

Would I do it again? Without a doubt...you bet!

Happy Anniversary, Baby.....I love you.

Savory Veggie Chili...Mmmmm..really good!

My newest chili creation...sooooo good I wanted to share it! Whether you like vegetarian chili or no, this really pleased my taste buds!

In a large pot over med-high and 2 tbsp. olive oil and saute for a 5 minutes:

1 onion (chopped in large chunks)
1 green bell pepper (again, in large chunks)
a small box of fresh, sliced mushrooms
(Kids may not appreciate it, but I really like the chunkyness of the veggies...you could add red bell peppers also)

To this mixture add:

2 cans black beans with juice
1 can garbanzo beans with juice
2 cans large, red kidney beans with juice
1 can tomato sauce
1-2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. salt (or however much you like)
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. garlic salt or fresh, minced garlic
2-3 tsp. natural liquid smoke
1 tsp. cayenne pepper (add more if you aren't feeding kids!)

Let this combo simmer for 20 minutes or so. We did this tonight for supper and it was delicious:

Under the oven broiler, slice whole wheat french bread in half and open the layers. Lightly brown and pour chili over the top (similar to an open-faced sandwich).

Of course, you can add all the "other" chili ingredients to this: cheese, hot dogs, sour cream. We enjoyed it simple tonight with a light salad. It was so easy and....voila! Dinner's ready!

My little boyfriend...

"Momma, you go upstairs and blog!! We'll finish your chores today." a smile spread across his sweet lips and the twinkle in his eyes confirmed his sincerity.

"But...but...I've got to.."

"No, go upstairs!"

The miles that little brain has traveled these past few days! His scruffy brown hair and dirty feet proudly pronounce he is all boy!

Over the past several weeks, I've watched his eyes wide with wonder as he hit that baseball like a wild man swatting at a mosquito! Catching pop fly balls and peering over at the bleachers to see if we saw him get that one out...again.

Contesting on that final championship Bible Quiz game and...yes..he was correct! Receiving the trophy that set his team apart from all others in the State.

He likes to be good...at whatever he does. My little, competitive man.

Oh, the amazing wonder of being his momma!

Sometimes...like this morning, when I received an enormous kiss from his eight-year old lips, I feel a little like the girl on the playground that was brought a love-note from her favorite secret admirer. My heart skips a beat and I know that I'm special to him.

I've been told by sister that there is a friend-girl that he's claiming. Hmmm....not so sure about this. Right now, I want that position. I know what brings smiles to my boy. I like to woo him. I like to feel his arms around my shoulders...squeezing tight! I enjoy the love notes and best momma letters he gives me.

I tenderly watch him care for his siblings. Playing tumble with Luke and baseball with Lincoln. Legos and house with Anna. Watching him read a book to her and hearing them both laugh out loud at the story.

Then there are those moments that are not so fun. Correcting when needed. That look of "I'm sorry, Mom" and sometimes a note of apology given. Hushing that distasteful undertone....learning the importance of kindness and respect. Tears of repentance that follows.

Hearing the seriousness of prayer in his whispered voice. Knowing that there are those special times, when he's usually not aware, that God has used that young voice to speak to peace to my soul. I've never ceased to be amazed at those times. Only God knew I needed to hear that!

I look into his eyes and see some of me...but mostly his daddy. I like that. I see a heart that is tender and sincere. Though there is much growing up to do, I am beginning to see a man emerge.

So..I take him in my arms and hold him...just like the day he was placed there by Dr. Ball on that beautiful October night. I snuggle close to face and just savor the moment....knowing that, all too soon, he will be graduating into the adult that I've prayed eighteen years for him to be.

Who knows where the direction of God's plan will lead him?

Just now he rushes upstairs and announces the completion of the housework. Even to the small details of "hanging up your clothes and putting the twins clothes up...wiping down the counter top and sweeping the house clean."


I certainly cannot lay claim to Best Momma of the Year Award. I know my faults. I'm too familiar with my insecurities and shortcomings as a mother. But this thing I know.....

Like Dave Ramsey, I am blessed beyond what I deserve!

What we do for entertainment....

(Who needs TV when you've got this little guy 24/7? LOL)

Looking for a man?

The simple pleasure of a returned smile from his lips. 18 years of it. All mine. Four wonderful gifts given to me by his love.

Luck? Noooooo. Luck is too iffy. It reminds me of the lottery. Much invested there....maybe, maybe not.

Providence. Grace. His Plan.

I'm grateful. More than thankful.....much more.

Anyone looking for a man? Let my words penetrate your spirit:



Find one that rises early. Earlier than the sun.

You will never have to worry whether or not he will work and support your home.



Find one that prays early. Earlier than the sun.

You will never have to question his integrity, worth or honor.



Find a man that looks another way when a lady of the night meets him in the way....whether by walking at Walmart or viewing Hollywood.

You will always live with trust.



Find a man who loves children...giving them love and attention.

A good daddy can be hard to find.




Other qualities are important...but these are essential. Think they are too much for any man you know?

(Smile tweaks the lips.)

Pray.

You will see.

They are out there.

I know. June 12, 1992 I said "I do" to one.

Spiritual Toxicity

4:45am

Quiet, still morning. All four babies still tucked in sweetly and comfy in their beds. Too early for noise.

Outside..fresh air...grass wet with dew.

Only the morning songs of birds can be heard. Cup of steaming, hot detox tea in hand;) Bible on lap and notepad.

Waiting. Listening.

Light barely peeking over the tree tops.

Heart heavy.

Where does spiritual erosion begin? As a disease, it is so slow...fatigue..lethargy...unconcern...prayer times slipping away...self indulgence... looking for the easy way...

My "Word" opens to a familiar and much loved verse:

"And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is." Deuteronomy 10:12-14

Toxicity begins in the heart. If left untreated and untamed, it is comparable to a cancer carrying it's poisons to the mind....producing anger, lust, bitterness and, worst of all, self-justification. The end result is spiritual confusion (there is no guidance from Him) and deception (what is real truth anymore?).

I have felt it's lethal injections into my spirit. It has immunized me from being sensitive to His Spirit. I've experienced the distress of living days with SELF as supreme.

But I also know the transforming power of His Spiritual Detox Plan!

Psalms 51:

2) Wash me thoroughly (and repeatedly) from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!

3) For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.

4) Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight....

7) Purify me with hyssop clean (ceremonially); wash me, and I shall (in reality) be whiter than snow.

8) Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied...

10) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.

11) Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

12) Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.


Restoration is beautiful!! The answer is simple:

Psalms 50:23 AMP
"He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright (who prepares the way that I may show him), to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God."

Feeling the struggle? Straining to put on a church act? It doesn't have to be that way....make it real. Let Him come alive again. It will bring power back into your worship. Lifted hands will not be heavy.

Let the heaven and earth sing inside. He wants you. His love is fresh. He is faithful.

Invest in Jesus.

"His desire is toward me. He is altogether lovely. He is my beloved..."