ch 13 preview

 preview ch 13 Z

The mob of people almost looked like a dance or at least a parade. Everyone laughed and some even sang. The children run up and down the trail of people. It had to be the slowest parade ever. Everyone who came up to him, he would stop and laugh with. Place his hand on top of their head. I looked from face to face. Most of these people I have cheated in more ways than one. They certainly would throw things at me if they know I was up here, and it would be well deserved. As He approached there was a shimmer that moved with him, my hand started to shake, and my mind started racing. What if I dropped out of the tree and invited him to dinner? Maybe he could help me fix me the mess. Then the shimmer seemed to disappear and a shadow surrounded me. I heard a voice that felt like claws going down my spine. “You are worthless. You made your choices. Do you think this man is able to erase a life of disgusting bile? “I don't know,” I choked out. A tear slipped from my cheek and disappeared into the dust on the road. Then He looked up.

Jesus, the man rumored to be the Messiah, looked up. His face was hard as granite, and I swear I saw his eyes sparked. But somehow, I know it wasn’t for me. The shadow immediately dissipated, and I looked down into the brightest smile I had ever seen. Had there been a shadow? Was I hallucinating? His voice broke through my thoughts. “Zacchaeus! Quick! Come down. I must be a guest in your home today!” I saw the shocked faces and sneers. I heard nasty comments. But as quickly as I could, I got out of the tree, bum hip and all! On the short walk to my house Jesus asked me how I was doing. He asked how business was and how my hip was. Then the voice was back in my head. “Teacher, I understand that since now you know who I am, if you would rather have other accommodations,” as I hung my head. “Who told you that I didn’t want to spend time with you Zacchaeus?” When he said my name, I had never heard it spoken like that. Not in fury and disappointment like my parents use to, or in mockery with the other boys who were all so much better than me due to my short stature. I had heard my name mentioned thousands perhaps millions of times, but never had it sounded like that.

I invited him in. In a whirl, I order the preparation to be made for dinner. But Jesus beckoned me over to him. “Those voices are from the pit. They lie and taunt and bring pain.” “Master, what am I to believe? What am I to do?” “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.”

ch 11 preview

 Preview on ch 11...the bleeding woman

“Oh Jesus, if I could just have a minute?” or “Jesus I know that you are so busy but if you could just lay your lands on….” It came to me. No one had to know that this unclean woman had touched this clean man. I could get close enough and touch his prayer shawl. That’s it! I know if I could just touch this man I would be healed. I got close. I could see his prayer tassel flow this way and that way in the wind. If I could just …. reach….out….and touch. As soon as my hand came in contact with him, I knew I was healed. It was a warmness that flowed from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet. I felt strong. I felt new.

I was HEALED. After so many failures it felt odd to say this, but I know without a shadow or a doubt, my bleeding had stopped. I even felt stronger in my legs and clearer in my head. Where man after man had failed, Christ with one touch healed. Then I felt as if my heart stopped when the Master said “Who touched me?” I knew it was over. An unclean woman touched the cleanest of the clean men. I was dead. Death by stoning. Peter tried to convince him that everyone was pushing on him. How can we find just one? My heart almost settles. But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”

No going back now. I deserved whatever consequences I received. I tried to stand but my legs were so shaky I actually collapsed in front of the Savior.

ch 9 preview

 preview ch 9....getting excited?

The blind begger

“Where is he?” angry, deep voices yelled at me. That is when I noticed the shadows, and the smell of sulfur. The blackness pooling at the feet of these men were puddles of darkness. I almost reached out to grab them, but the men didn't seem to notice the shadows twisting around them. I stepped back because I knew almost intrinsically that if I touched the blackness, there would be no end to my fall. They dragged me to the Pharisees, staying clear of more black puddles here, and I was asked the same questions. They even asked my parents for testimony that I had been born blind. Finally, they called me in to speak with the religious folk. They said to me “God should get the Glory for this. Because we know that this Jesus is a sinner.”

A sinner? Like the label they had branded me for life. Sinner? Like someone less than them? Sinner? Like someone God has shunned and must walk this barren wasteland alone? I am not an educated man since my condition set me up for a lifetime of begging regardless, but Jesus a sinner? “I don’t know whether he is a sinner. But I know that I was blind and now I see

preview ch 7

 preview ch 7- the demon posessed man

Crying. Screeching. Howling. Shrieking. Wailing. And I was buried under it all. This is all my fault, and I deserve it. The more pain I endure, the closer to utter madness I come. I welcome the breaking of my mind finally. I am deep in my tomb when I smell them first. A storm is raging, but humans are coming. Something seems odd. Normally, I drag the shipwrecked sailors to my lair and eat them alive, but an odd thumping was coming over the roaring wave. I got into my hunched position. My knuckles were covered in blood always as I mostly drug them. My body was covered in hair except for my head. When there was no one else to inflict pain on, the demons inside would turn on tormenting me. Yanking my hair out by the handfuls. Making me throw myself on the fire until all skin gave away to blood. Their favorite and my least by far was the whispering. It was never quiet in my head. In those moments of pause, the whispering of the evil spirits would begin. You are useless. No one cares for you. Throw yourself off the cliff and save everyone the trouble. You are a murderer. You deserve damnation. Truly I was only present when they were inflicting grievous pain on me or others.

My fur soaked and matted to my body, I watched from the top of the nearest rock. The minute I felt that foot hit the Earth I knew it was over. This was him. Jesus the Christ. Jesus the Savior. Jesus the true King of everything ever created. I began to howl and scream. I grabbed the sharpest rock I could find and began to cut myself. Did he want my blood? I pulled out my hair in clumps. Did he want that? It's His. Despite the rain, the fog, the darkness His eyes met mine. At first something in me started to reach out. Then The ring burned until I screamed. “How many times must I tell you how worthless you are? You are nothing,” a slithering serpent hissed. Either way I knew I was in trouble.

preview ch 5

 When Jesus Shows Up- By Theresa Marie Demi

Taken from ch. 5- The woman at the well

"Desperation always precedes a miracle. Why are these people the ones who are blessed with God’s favor? Because they have found the secret. Because they know their need for God. Those of us who are still pretending we can get through life in our own strength don’t often turn to God and ask for help. If God loves to bless the desperate, reach the broken, and heal those who come to Him with their wounds, then the brokenness that causes us to cry out to Him actually can be considered a blessing. Desperation is a gift from God because it teaches us we can’t do this on our own. “I can make it on my own,” I sigh. We all fool ourselves, wearing a mask of self-reliance and believing a lie of self-subsistence. We’re all badly in need of Jehovah's help, but the truth is that it’s only the desperate who go looking for it. And they are the ones who receive.

Desperation is the gift of not being able to pretend anymore. It’s the hard things that send us running into God’s open arms. I swallowed a drink of water from the well and more importantly swallowed my pride, “Please Sir, give me this water, and I will never be thirsty again, And I won't have to come here to get water.”

preview ch 3- whenJesus shows up

 Sneak peek from my upcoming "Different kind" of Bible Study book!

*I rose with tears in my eyes. I couldn’t speak until I traveled all the way to my home where Joseph of Arimathea waited. The minute I opened the door the questions began to flow. “How did I not get caught? What did he tell you? What did you see? '' I sat down at my table and placed my hands open reaching to the sky. I bowed my head and tears ran through my beard. Concerned and alarmed, Joseph shook my arm. “What has happened?” “Joseph, I saw God tonight. It is Him, the Messiah.” “What if you are wrong, Rabbi?” “What if I am right?” “And we both swore our allegiance to a group that is actively trying to kill him,” Joseph whispered. “Tomorrow we will speak. I have so much to share with you but I want to get it right, and I am too tired to go through it all.” “I understand,” Joseph said. I will be here when you wake up. As I stood up and turned to bed I heard Joseph speak once more. “What if? What if indeed.”

When Jesus shows up, everything changes.

PAY ATTENTION

 

Hello! I would like to preface this with you may think I am crazy, and I get it. I do. I won't be offended if you scroll by, but you may need to listen. 

A friend from school emailed me a question about fear. Being fearful in these unpresidential times. I have prayed and thought over this all day. I went tonight to my church (Cross Cut Church) and we are have studies on the Bible, dreams, prophets, etc. On my way home I began to think about what I would say to my friend. What can I say in a fearful time? Then , as I sometimes do, I prayed out loud and decided I was going to post to you all what I want to say to her. 

First, I wish I could hug you or her. There is nothing wrong with what you are feeling. It is what we do with these feelings that takes us to where we want to be.  

Second, I would ask if you are involved in a church body that is helping you grow and becoming a better YOU! Can you say that you are different today than a year ago (for the good.) When I thought about this it made me think of a treadmill. I used to own one. I would set the machine for how many miles I would run, start it up, and off I ran. But got no where. I never left my livingroom. That is what I am afraid many of us our doing in our places of worship. We run, and we go, amd get no where. Treadmill was not my favorite. I loved coming home from work, lacing up my shoes, and taking off out the door. I would run and run. See the leaves and breath in the fresh air. I GOT somewhere. Please, I am not saying you have to come to my church (although we would love to have you), but you must be in a growing, faith filled community where you are getting somewhere. Where you are changing. 

Fear is natural emotion when you feel your safety being questioned. In this world in the last year, we have gone through quite the ringer. But more is coming. The election and more. BUT God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, of sound mind. That is easy to say when I am not in the grips of terror. I can tell you what I do. When I feel fearful, I say (Yes sometimes outloud) "In the mighty name, authority, and powerful Blood of Jesus my Savior, you are not allowed here!" The enemy is a liar and a deceiver. He plays mind games and can trick your mind and eyes. Yes, I feel fear, but I will not let it control me because I have power in the name of Jesus, authroity as a follower of Christ, and my sound mind will stop spinning worst case senerios and ask what I can do now. 

Something we read tonight really stuck in my mind. We  were reading some prophet's dreams, and one said that there was an explosion and a great chasm appeared. There is no middle ground. For too long, we have gotten away with "being a good person," "going to church onSundays or when it fits in my schedule,"  "being politically correct by letting my faith take a back seat." No more. There will be no middle ground. You will be secure on a strong foundation of Christ because you know Him. NOT know of Him, but know Him in a close, intimate relationship. or you end up on the other. A place of sorrow, death, and destruction.

Does this mean I think that I am going to be a-ok since I do have a reltionship with God, Who knows?? Because I have said it before and i will say it again- planet Earth is not my home. I am an ambassador of heaven passing through. Where I am heading Jesus will wipe away every tear from my eye. There will be no more sickness, sadness, grief. But no matter what happens on Nov. 3rd (election day) I am good because my Father is still on the throne. 

To my friend- to you all- I can't promise smooth sailing. I will prepare the best way I can. I have a plan, but to live or die is to be with the Lord. I will continue to pray and ask my Father for safety for me and my loved ones, I will continue to read His Word and plant my feet on those truths (hey, there is a bible verse for that), I will continue to gather with a faithful group of belivers, and I will be ready to minister in whatever away I am called.

We live in uncertain times but one thing I would bet the sun, moon, and all the stars on- God is still certain. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and I can trust Him.

ps- Always feel free to message me with any questions or concerns and I will do my best to help in any way I can. May God bless you and keep you. 

Prayer messages

 You say... (click hyper link)

Today at prayer I was praying, and I had "vision" or an idea in my head. We were sort of in a dungeon with a circle and criss cross bars. I was on the other side was Rachel and asked she me for help. I started to feel around circle and there was no way to get in. no lock. Then we started to hear water and Rachel started to scream and I started to scream. There was a huge wave that came, didn't go through the bars, but as the wave reached Rachel I saw a male arm wrap around her waist. It rushed you away. I sat screaming no and then realized that the arm was Jesus. Then at the end of the prayer service I said the word "tight" Liike I was tell God He better hold on to her tight.

William, Rachel, Lucas, Bella, and Nick will make chooses I wouldn't make especially at 40. No matter to me the choices you make. my love is unconditional and can't be lost or earn. I love you becasue you are mine. matter what choices you make I will always love you. You can not learn this love without Christ. I will give my last breath or more if it meant you spend this life fighting for Christ and retiring as a "my good and faithful servent."

When Will wasn't sleeping and good natured parent would say this is the easy part I wantted to poke out thei eyes with sporks. It wa a rough rough time in my existance with 5 children 8 and under. But oh my. They were correct. spot on. It is one thing to have "8 kids" it is a complete different thing to "raise five kids." I have a petty good set.

When Scott and I were trying to have Will I went thought the who I will be like Hannah and decidcate him to you. All my children choose to be baptised, but "church" stuff aside I have to live how my Pastor preaches. hHt to the ego or not. Because my children and their children, and their children will know the light of Christ.    
Guys I am not sure you belive in this dark vs light. Jesus vs world. But something is comng. Brace Yourselfs. Take yoursellf AND YOUR CHILDREN to church. Never do peope say "man wished I woudn't have taken then to church.
Cross Cut Church - Hastings PA- Laura McCombie
Holy, Holy, is the Lord God almighty. 

Prayer Visions

 

I really love the prayer time at church. We come into a darken church with usually praise music playing quietly. We prayer together or sometimes apart. People share what is on their heart. I don't share a lot...if you know me in real life this is certainly true.  So if I share I REALLY feel  I should share. But it has to be  really in all caps.

Weeks ago we were all praying and I shared what was on my heart. I saw darkness surronding and pushing down. In my mind, outside was the same. The darkness wasn't just "dark" It had a prescence. It looked heavy and oily. It rolled, and it was getting closer. Suddenly everything was darkness. I didn't feel scared of this darkness just a deep soul sadness. I prayed for help. The words I got back was "push back the darkness." I knew He meant with prayer. To pray that the darkness must go when the light was present. As I pray, I see a small light form. Not huge but a candle. The darkness had to retreat. Then I began to think about the real world. What is more powerful: light vs darkness. Light of course. I think about when I walk into my dark house and start turning on lights. The darkness doesn't fight back because it know it can not overcome it. Light pushes the dark. Not the other way around. 

As I looked at everyone praying, I could see all of these small lights joining and pushing back the darkness. For whatever reason I felt a need to pray for the youth and our children. Finally I spoke up and shared and peope began to pray with me about pushing back the darkness. 

Another time I was in a worship service and while singing I got this vision of a battlefield. Darkness had taken on forms and was slaying the people around me. I recognized faces. Their last looks of fear. I looked up and saw a sword a little ways away and it was stuck in a pile of rocks. I thought I must get that sword. I got up off my knees and tried to walk forward without looking down. I finally made it up and i had to crawl up the large mouund of stones. They were sharp and cut me. Blood and pain as I carried forward. Finally I reached the stone. This was it. the moment I would grab the sword and defeat the darkness. I wrapped my hands around the sword and pulled. It would not budge I center myself and pulled again. Trying to move it around, put all my weight into it.

Finally I dropped to my knees and just cried. I looked over the darkening battlefiels, the blood covering my hands, and I cried/prayed "I just can't do it." I heard a voice in my head asy "You never had to." From behind me the brightest light I ever could imagine was coming. Squinting my eyes I could see angels on horses, flying forward, and creatures so fast I could even get a glimpse. All of the sudden Jesus was kneeling next to me. I sobbed before Him telling Him I was sorry and I tried. But He simply shook his head and said "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts." Zech. 4:6 He put His hand on the top of my head and ran it down my hair. Father to daughter and their was peace in my heart. He stood, the brightest, the largest, and walked onto the battle field. In my heart again, I heard push back teh darkness. So I prayed. Quoting scriputes of God's soverigty and His goodness. I claimed this battle is the Lord's. I knew there would be victory. 

I shared this with my church family.  Here are some other scripture on God fighting for us. 

“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deut. 20:4

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Josh. 1:9

“Through You we will push back our adversaries; Through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us.” Ps. 44:5

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt. 10:28

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

“Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Deut. 3:22

“Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Is. 40:31

“One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you.” Josh. 23:10

Church- we are to pray like we never have before. Plan times into our day to prayer. Pray against the darkness coming. Pray for our leaders. Pray for our Pastors. Pray for the knowledge to find your place in this battle. Every single light pushes back the darkness. But what if no lights show up. WHat if no one calls on the Lord to fight to save? Lord, bring the light and salvation to millions. Those who cry out will be saved. Amen

funny 1

Life is like a marshmallow- repost

August 27, 2012********************REPOST

Sometimes life is a lot like a burnt marshmallow...



There you are just doing your thing...not paying much attention...not looking at the important things and then..

YOU ARE ON FIRE! AHHH..

Oh man.

Burnt marshmallow. Now what? Ya messed that up...

Every once in awhile someone comes to save the day. To tell you there are more marshmallows in the bag. Don't cry over one burnt mallow.

It is even nicer when they offer to help you reach your goal. 

Unless they then try and eat the marshmallow themselves.

Then you may have to re-evaluate the friendship

Nothing like a toasty brown treat.

Or a redo when things don't quite go as planned. Thank God for redos and those who help us see we got 'em.

Spiritual Battle

I knew that I want to write today on prayer. But PRAYER. It is such a vast subject. So so much.  I decided to tell you about some things that happened at prayer meetings.

Disclaimer:: In prayer SOMETIMES I feel God speaking to me or showing me things. This is “weird” for some people or they are “skeptical.” Well then, suck it up buttercup cause my God is about to turn things Real.

 

I believe in spiritual battle. Here is some spiritual battle info brought to you by google.

 

What is spiritual realm mean? The spirit world, according to Spiritualism, is the world or realm inhabited by spirits, both good or evil of various spiritual manifestations. Whereas religion regards an inner life, the spirit world is regarded as an external environment for spirits.

 

What is warfare in the Bible? Spiritual warfare is the Christian concept of fighting against the work of preternatural evil forces. It is based on the biblical belief in evil spirits, or demons, that are said to intervene in human affairs in various ways. ... Prayer is a common form of spiritual warfare among Christians.

 

When I was younger, even after I was saved, I still thought about prayer being me listing a bunch of ideas or wants to God. There was certainly no listening back. I think I might have thrown a couple of prayers of thanks, but that is where it ended.

As I got older I began to learn about spiritual warfare.  What is this? Spiritual warfare is the Christian concept of fighting against the work of preternatural evil forces. It is based on the biblical belief in evil spirits, or demons, that are said to intervene in human affairs in various ways.

Pricilla Shirer says “"Everything that occurs in the visible, physical world is directly connected to the wrestling match being waged in the invisible, spiritual world," "The effects of the war going on in the unseen world reveal themselves in our strained and damaged relationships, emotional instability, mental fatigue, physical exhaustion and many other areas of life. Many of us feel pinned down by anger, unforgiveness, pride, comparisons, insecurity, discord, fear. . . and the list goes on. But the overarching, primary nemesis behind all these outcomes is the Devil himself."

Did you catch that? Our biggest problems are actually spiritually rooted.

Ephesians 6:12 says the same: "For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens."
 

To that end, Priscilla urges us to pray for more spiritual vision. She says we should ask the Lord to open our eyes to see the enemy's activity and to be more aware of the spiritual resources He has given us to disarm and defeat him. Victory is available to us, but it will only come as we pray for God's help in the battle.

 

When I say this is all about Jesus, I seriously mean ALL about Jesus. When people ask do I believe in ghosts my response is of course not. No where in the Bible does it talk about “hanging around’ after death. NOW- do I believe in spirits. One hundred percent. There are evil spirits in our world and there are holy spirits in our world. If you have ever witnessed a tragedy and could wrap you mind around it- might I suggest demons. Demons are real in biblical times and they are still on their path of destruction today. The thing is they KNOW in the end they loss. The Prince of Darkness knows he is a loser. But he is willing to lie, cheat, whisper, corrupt, put people in the “right places” to separate you from the love of you creator.

 

Good news- Not only demons and the Prince of Evil are real but so are   our heavenly warriors. There are angels battling this darkness everyday for us.

 

BUT let’ get a few things straight. You are on the winning team. Start acting like it. Start praying with authority and quoting scripture from the bible. If He is for us whom shall I fear? Demons sew discord and strife in families. They bring lust and lies. They will whisper certain things in your ear that makes it sound ok and that couldn’t be further from the truth. The demons or shadows being depression, disease, divorce, division They whisper ideas into your head you may not thought of. They are playing for blood. Your blood. There goal is to cause as much anguish as they can to your Father, by taking you.

 

BUT we are on the wining team. The key to wining our battles is number one- realize that your in them. It isn’t your spouse, or kids, or job! It is the influential darkness. Where does that leave you? Fighting on your knees. Quoting scripture back to the Father of lies. Recognize that his lying thieving goal is to bring division. Address it form a spiritual stand point, Take a time out and go pray that God would unbind your eyes and you can see the truth.

 

Things are getting rough in our country and are only getting rougher. Many prophets have called for September to a month of surrender and prayer. Big things Spiritually are coming. We, the followers of Christ, need to stand up for our nation and say no more. This is a nation under God. Cover it in prayer.

 

And since I took so long explaining, tomorrow I want to share what God has been showing me in some spiritual battle! Buckle up baby!

Q

Q......You know my default when it is too late to post. But I didn't want to fail on my 3rd day...even though I have a brand new weighted blanket to crawl into. So I decided to go back and check out some old blog posts. I must admit I didn't fully reread this because I a a baby and this stuff KILLS me. WIlliam is 16 and will begin his junior day. WHat an amazong man he is growing into. He love God and people. He is so musically gifted. He is a good, good kid. Even though he towers over me, he is and will always be my baby. I remember the day I found out we were having him. We had just gotten married on May 17th. On July 8th I decided to take a test nad "wouldn't that make a cool birthday present!" Yeah...well....I started to scream in the bathroom and scott wiped back teh shower curtainscreaming what. I showed him the test and just kept saying "I am pregnant!!" He said "oh. cool." and shut the shower curtain. Apparently he wasn't quite as ready as I. But man, when Will was born, no prouder daddy could be found. He had his lifelong buddy. So a walk down memory lane. Someday that it is too late I may do this. Like today  :)  We all could use some reminders.

Sept 6, 2009

You know the saying...
...about when you have a child it is like your heart walking around outside of your body??Well, it may be old and cliche, but holy smokes on the first day of Kindergarten is it true! Here he is. My baby. 5 years old with a backpack on. New sneakers on and his BUS tag attached to the back??

I thought I was good. I thought I would be excited for him. I got up early and began to get myself ready for work. And I started to cry. At first I tried not to. But then I just sat down and cried. and cried. Then I had to get Will up. I wiped my eyes and went to get him dressed for his first day of school. Scott woke up to.He teased me about taking so many pictures. I combed Will's hair and noticed how bad it needs trimmed. Then we all 3 headed out the door.

Walking down the sidewalk. My heart was throbbing. Don't cry was all I could think. If you cry, he is going to cry. We stood at the bus stop and made Will laugh. He was nervous about getting on. Then he saw a K-friend he had played tee-ball with. He was happy about that.

Then the big yellow bus pulled up. Funny how I never noticed before how huge and intimidating the bus is. We kissed him. Told him we loved him. And he got on the bus. He smiled and waved. We smiled and waved.

The bus drove off and we turned to walk back to the house. And I lost it. Cried and cried. Scott looked at me and said "what the heck is wrong with you?" "My baby just got on a bus!" He.....laughed. "He will be fine." I know that. I know he will have fun and learn and play. But it doesn't make this part any easier. The part where I realize that really he isn't ALL mine. He will grow up. He has his own thoughts and feelings. Each day I am needed a little differently than I was the day before. He gets older and my role is changing. Ever so slightly, but enough for me to take notice. This is the part where entrusting him to God's care is real. I pray and know that God will have his hand even when I cannot. And because I believe that it makes this part a little easier. A little sweeter knowing that His eye is always upon my William. But he will always be my baby....as I will tell him on his high school graduation....in front of all his friends....

Lightenbugs

When we were kids, we did not have such things as trampolines, pools, or heaven forbid cell phones. We spent our summers as a group of kids playing ball on the field, hanging out at the park learning to play four square and hackey sac, and the ever-popular catching lightening bugs in jars. (We also collected salamanders, toads, and more, but that’s a different story).

 

            As soon as the sun headed for that horizon, we were in our mom’s kitchens begging for anything to catch a firefly in. The best were the peanut butter containers with holes cut in them, but as a family of 5 these were always in supply. Especially since my mom refused to keep any jars because “gross. Bugs are disgusting.” She had to make all the holes since the Joe and gouging out a chunk of his hand with the far opener. Plus, mom knew how to make the holes just right. Not too big for them to get out but big enough so they can get air and not die on us.

 

            If you have never spent a summer night, with a jar in one hand as you grasp and leap to get ahold of the bug that butt’s glow, you might want to give it a try now. Trick is to find a nice dark place. We would go down into my backyard and my dad would set up his “lounge chair.” Yu know the ones made out of plastic strips and you had to keep lowering and raising the front part to get a comfortable position. Dad has 2. A green one and a yellow one, but we couldn’t use them. Rightly so since I remember that one of them met their demise by us sticking hands and feet and legs between the plastic strips to see if we could. By the way, you can, but the stripes don’t always come back together so easily. Oops.

 

            Dad would set up his chair right net to the bug zapper. Again if you never had a bug zapper at you house, you were missing out. Bug Zapper draw bugs to them using the “light” and then zap them. Dead. I also can confirm that blades of grass, pine cones and dad’s cigarette (sorry dad) would also zap and make a big noise. Once my dad plugged in the bug zapper the game was on.  Who could get the most light up butt bugs?? The Zapper or us! We would run around crazy. Trying to hold more than one in our hand while trying to get the lid open. There were cries when the catcher squeezed a little too hard. Then excitement when my brothers realized they could “spread” the neon glow on things. My mom quickly outlawed that when I began to cry.

 

            As we caught the bug zapper went off and off. Dad would tell us that it only got mosquitoes that would bite us anyway and make us itch. I wasn’t quite so sad getting them zapped. The best times were when the bug zapper would catch a big one. A night moth or something and it would zap for the longest time as we all screamed whoa. My dad didn’t find happiness in a lot of places, but I think he did there. Sitting in his chair, smoking his cigarette, and listening to the bug zapper. Even as we got older, he would hang up the bug zapper on the front porch and rock in his swing.

 

            All of this came to memory when I saw my brother had hung up a bug zapper. I didn’t get a chance to see if he bought it or if it was one of the originals. I looked at it and smiled. Going back to my dad and his big bushy mustache and cigarette underneath. He would sometimes catch with us and put them in whatever jar was closest. He sometimes thought he was funny by pointing out a bug that was never really there while we went wild looking. Sometimes I wish I could go back and realize then what I see now. That was his way of loving us. His way of sharing with us. Never a man of many words, but I hold onto a lot of things he taught without saying much. Like enjoy the simplicity of a summer night. Let your kids scream and run. When they grow up, they can look back and remember. That life can be rough, but sometimes it can be as fun as a jar full of lightening bugs. 

Day1- An all about me

So.....i had a blog in mind but it seemed a bit...dark. I decided to start off August blog challenge 2020 with different questions about me! if you want any clarification with a question, inbox me...i just might answer. 

1. Where do you consider "home" to be?

** My mom's house in Bakerton. 

2. Do you believe in ghosts?

** Traditional ghosts? No The bible is very clear that after death there is judgement. no hanging around. spirits? Yes  angels and demons at war- absolutely 

3. Are you religious?  yes- I had a much longer answer but yes

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

**The beach...somewhere warm

5. If you could have dinner with any of the presidents, who would you choose? Why? 

**Lincoln- because I know he suffered from depression and I want him to know what an impact his life had

6. What is your dream job? 

**Author

7. Who is your role model? Why?

** My mom. To know her is to know she is super woman. My sisters are a close second with their mothering skills

8. What I sone thing yoi would do if you could go back in time?

** call my dad December 27 2008 and tell him I love him

9. Do you prefer Coke or Pepsi? 

**Coke zero but if regular Pepsi

10. Do you prefer Cheetos or Doritos? Cheetos.  **Doritos make me sick since a pregnancy mishap 

11. Do you eat breakfast in the morning? 

**Not usually

12. When you go to the beach, do you sunbathe or swim more? 

**Sit under an umbrella. The sun and my Irish skin don't get along 

13. Have you ever ridden a city bus before?

 Yes

14. Have you ever traveled outside of the country? If so, where? 

Nope  - but hey if anyone is offering 

15. If you got arrested, what do you think it would be for? 

**Speeding? I am not really into breaking rules

16. What if your favorite childhood memory? **playing baseball with my Bakerton friends- doug and Joe, Ryan and robbie, Ken, Josh, Stacy, Matt and others

17. What was your favorite song two years ago? What is it now? Don't really listen to music except praise music. I love any praise song

18. What teacher have you had that's made the biggest impact on your life? How?

** Patty Stiles my 8th grade reading teacher and musical director. She taught me to believe in myself and to be strong

19. Are you a cat person or a dog person? 

**Cat

20. What is a quote from any movie that you know off the top of your head? 

**"As you wish"

21. What are you most afraid of? 

**My family dying

22. If superheroes were real, who would you want to protect your city? 

**Thor

23. What is the silliest reason you've ever cried?

**couldn't go somewhere 

24. If you could be a character on any show, what show would you choose? Why?

**Bozer- that is the new Macgyvwr sidekick. I still get to be close to Macgyver but not dangerous.  note NEW Magivyer

25. You're stuck on an island with no way off and no one knows you're there, what three items do you have with you?

 **Books, colored pens, journal 

26. What is the name of one song you know all the words to?

 **Fresh prince of Bellaire ...This is a story all about how my life got flipped upside down...

27. Are you a sore loser?

** Nope- not competive

28. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

**CLOSED!

29. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?

**Bees

30. What is your biggest pet peeve?

**Misusing the word "literally"

31. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? 

**Bank

32. Would you ever strip or pose nude for a photo in a magazine? For a movie?

**  No one wants to see that

33. What has been your best Halloween costume this far? 

**Shrek and fiona 

34. Are you stubborn? 

**when it comes to things I believe in yes

35. Do you sing in the shower? In the car?

**Nope

36. Do you take vitamins daily? 

**Vitamin D. B12, probiotic, etc

37. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?

**Yes. My sisters' weddings. They found their happily ever after

38. Can you swim without plugging your nose?

**no.  how can you swim and plug your nose? Don't you need 2 arms?

39. Have you ever won a contest?

** Yes. The first contest I remember winning  was making a jack-o-lantern out of candy at bilo. i won. 

40. Do you want kids? How many? 

**5

41. Are you missing anyone right now? 

**Always

42. Do you smile at strangers as you walk by them? 

**Yes

43. Do you think your life will change drastically before 2020?

 *** could be

44. How do you react when people talk badly about you? 

**Cry

45. Where did you get the shirt you are currently wearing?

**Walmart. Its pjs

46. What has been your favorite gift you've been given? 

** Awesome coloring books, colored pencils, fine tipped markers, and pencil sharpener.  I am a simple gal

47. If you had to delete one year out of your life completely, which would you choose? 

**None

48. What is your favorite thing about school? **Reading picture books to my kids

49. Is there something that happened in your past that you hate talking about? 

**Lots of things

50. Who was the last person you were on the phone with? 

**Will

51. Do you get jealous easily?

**No

52. Is there anyone you've ever given up on? Do you regret it?

**Probably

53. What is something on your to-do list currently?

**finish my edits for my bible study

54. Are you over your past? 

**Yes

55. Are you afraid of dying? 

**No. I know I will will be with my savior

56. Are you afraid of change?

** Terrified. always. even if it is a good change. 

57. Does commitment scare you?

 No. i love commitment. it makes me feel secure

 

58. Were you picked on as a kid? 

Yes. on being poor

59. What is one meal you know how to cook?

 **  chicken. fajitas

60. How many pillows do you sleep with on your bed? 

**Only 1

61. What is one thing you love about yourself? 

** Jesus is my Savior.

62. What is your biggest insecurity?

** past mistakes

63. What is the title of your favorite book?

** Too many to count

64. When was the last time you felt lost?

**

 Today

65. Do you cry when you are angry?

** No

66. Are you excited about anything right now? **school starting 

67. Nike or Adidas?

** Adidas

68. What is your comfort food? 

**Mashed potatoes or potato soup. Pretty much anything potato

69. Do you laugh at the number of this question? **no

70. Where do go when you want to be alone?

** The van. I drive somewhere

71. Who do you call when you need a little pick-me-up? 

**My sisters and mom

72. Do you cry during sad movies? 

**Yes

73. What is your guilty pleasure? 

** watching.Crafty you tubers

74. You're camped out in front of the TV, what are you watching? 

**Whatever my scott  is watching

75. Do you have a nickname? 

**No

76. What would you eat everyday if you could? *Potatoes

77. Do you collect anything?

** Kids

78. If you could kiss someone right now, who would it be? 

**Weird question . husband

79. Are you a spender or a saver?

 Depends

80. Are you named after anyone?

** Yes. My mom's cousin

81. If you could choose any person in the world to be president, who would you choose? Why? **Ben Shapiro.  He is brilliant 

82. Do you daydream often?

** Yes

83. Do you know how to change a tire? 

**Yeah. Pick up phone and call for help

84. Do you have a hidden talent? 

**Writing 

85. Do you consider yourself artistic? 

**With words

86. What is something you cant live without? **Jesus

87. Can you name all 50 states? 

**Yes

88. Do you eat soup with a fork or a spoon? **Spoon

89. Do you remember your dreams? 

** Sometimes. Often times I just wake up with a feeling of them

90. Are you superstitious? 

**No

91. What is one thing you would most like to change about the world?

** People would take a serious look at Jesus

92. What piece of advice would you give 10 year old you? 

**It is going to be ok

93. Have you ever broken the law? 

**Speeding?

94. If you won the lottery, what would you spend the money on? 

**My family and church

95. What was your favorite book as a child? Why? 

**Walter the lazy mouse. My mom always read it to us

96. Do you snort when you laugh? 

**No

97. Are you a good dancer? 

**No

98. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

** Healing

99. Do you believe in the death penalty? 

**No

100. Are you happy? 

**Most of the time