Chickens abound

Here's a little video I put together of my daily escapades while chicken sitting.  And, also, so that those of you that know me can see how fond I am of birds now.

Lovers of Texas!

A friend of mine is trying to sell her house in Houston, TX.

Click on the image below and it will take you to the realtor's site.

Whirlwind

I am house-sitting, dog-sitting, and chicken-sitting once again. So far, nothing has died, except a cute furry chipmunk which one of the dogs caught and ate. yuck!

And, I have herded chickens back into their coop at night. Yes, with my knees knocking and breathing hard, but the point is I do it.

I also have to let the chickens out in the morning so they can roam the backyard all day and eat worms and basically rule the pets! So both mornings, I've gone up there and lifted the latch, pulled the door open, and run back down the hill. The chickens chase you b/c they think you have food. So, yeah, I am still a bit afraid. I wonder what the neighbors think. I wonder if I can somehow take a video of it. Maybe tomorrow I'll video them chasing me to the door.

But, for now, I am taking a day off. And lounging around the house. debating on whether to go get a pedicure or cut my hair or neither.

My hair has grown ALOT...i believe its about 6-7 inches long. but still in awkward football helmet stage.

At our Spring retreat, we had the opportunity to do a few high ropes course elements. I went down a zip-line. SCARY! Yet I face my fear with Jesus by my side. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

And, also, I purchased a few "gifts" to give out. But, my CORE found them! thought they were hilarious and asked if we could wear them. So, a pic for you below.

I head up to MN for Memorial Day weekend for a NET Home Team 2002-2003 reunion. I am so excited to go and see my teammates for whom most I haven't seen in person in 4 years.

This summer is going to be a whirlwind and more so than 2006 was. I have one trip after another. 6 Flags. Rafting. VBS. Lock-In. Pancake Breakfast. CLI. Steubenville Atlanta. MSC Jamaica. Peer Ministry led Retreat. And then finally a 3 week vacation. Please pray for my sanity. B/c usually I take off about 3 days after a weekend retreat. And, this summer, I'll be lucky if I get one day after these events.

For those who trust in the Lord, all things are possible.

Also, 4 prayers requests - special intetntions for 4 beautiful awesome fantastic faith-filled women.

Battle Prayer

I've been looking for this particular prayer for months, not even realizing it was in my posession the entire time.

so here itis:

Battle Prayer

Lord, our God, at the beginning of this day I offer you praise and thanks, for you are so good to me. I recognize that ‘all is gift’ today, and I freely choose to live my life for you today.

I surrender every area of my life completely and unreservedly to you, and offer my body as a living sacrifice, so it is no longer I who live, but you in me. I renew my allegiance to You in prayer. I thank you that you have loved me from the beginning of time and have sent the Lord Jesus to die as my substitute. I bring the blood of Jesus between Satan and myself and reject all works of evil in my life today.

I choose today to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. I receive all spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ. I recognize that I cannot stand by my own strength nor might, but only by the spirit of God. I, therefore, resist the devil and watch him flee as I begin this day by fighting the good fight against evil in my life.  As a soldier of Jesus Christ, I confidently stand my ground as I put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of eagerness to spread the Good News and the helmet of salvation. I lift high the shield of faith against all the fiery arrows of the enemy, and I take in my hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. I choose to use your word against all the forces of evil in my life today.

By faith and in complete dependence upon you, I forsake the fleshly works of my old self and stand in the victory of the crucifixion where the Lord Jesus cleansed me from my old self. I forsake all forms of selfishness and put on love. I forsake fear and take up your courage. I put off weakness, and put on strength. I resist all lust, and receive your righteousness and purity.

I recognize that my battle today is not with any earthly being, but against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world which are opposed to the Lord and His anointed, Jesus Christ. Therefore, I tear down the strongholds of Satan and smash the plans he has formed against me today. I tear down the strongholds of Satan formed against my mind today and I surrender my mind to you, Holy Spirit. I break and smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my will today and give my will to you. I wreck the plans of Satan formed against my body today and give my body to you, recognizing that I am your temple.

Lord, our God, enable me today to be aggressive in prayer and diligent in my work, that I might practice your word today and place you first in my life. May all the work of the crucifixion, the resurrection, the glorification and the Pentecost be released in my life today. You have proven your magnificent power by resurrecting Jesus Christ from the dead, and I claim this victory over all Satanic forces in my life. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving. Amen.

Quote

"My God, I believe most firmly that Thou watchest over all who hope in Thee, and that we can want for nothing when we rely upon Thee in all things; therefore I am resolved for the future to have no anxieties, and to cast all my cares upon Thee."

~~ St. Claude de la Columbiere

Mon, April 13th

Alright, so this morning I woke up late (I am still trying to figure out my new alarm clock).  So, its been raining all night.  And, I went outside to do a 'quick weather check', so I can figure out if its warm enough to wear capri's.  But this is what I found.
What???!~???  Wouldn't mom have stayed home if she found a tree in the street?  But, maybe it didn't fall until after she left.  And, the sound didn't even wake me.  Hmmm.

I showered and left for the oil change.  Called the brother to explain to him our lovely old oak tree had fallen.  The one that had had a birdhouse on it when we were kids.    Brother said he was on his way home.

Will find out from mother about whether or not it had fallen when she left this morning at 430 am.

Oh, and I just found out that our parish administrator went to Providence College for his undergrad, what a small world.

Ft Walton

From Wed - Saturday, I went down to Ft Walton Beach, FL.

I took a few pictures, but they are of my friend's children, so I will not be posting.  However, I did take a video of the waves on Friday and a few surfers.  Took the video from the pier.  You will notice my shaky hands.  I know I am not called to be an videographer.

While down there, I faced my fear of birds.   If you didn't know, I have a fear of birds.  Stems from watching "The Birds" by Hitchcock at a young age.  I am sure there is another event that also contributes, but the movie is all I remember.  

On Thursday, we took the kids to the Gulfarium.  And, there were some winged creatures present - mostly pigeons.  We were eating a snack of nachos when the said pigeons became more present than before.  I started freaking out.  At one point I was screeching because they were three feet away, and I had now perched on the picnic table bench.  My faithful friend (Sirach 6:14) reminded me that I was an adult in this situation and the kids are looking to me to be one.  Then, something inside me switched on, and after watching my faithful friend shoo the pigeons away,  I too shooed them away.

On Friday, at the pier there were birds of course.  And I stayed the course.

After returning home on Saturday, I along with the 5-year-old, corralled the chickens back into the coop.  Wow!  That's all I can say.  I am in shock but also in awe of the power of Christ!