Just In Case You Are Wondering...

I thought you might be wondering how the consignment sale is going so I decided to take a quick minute and let you know.

First of all, let me say that I am totally exhausted right now and cannot wait for bed. I have been knee deep in children's clothes, baby equipment, books and kid stuff in general for the last three days.

The sale is going great. Today was our first sale date and we had people galore. It seems that with the economy in not such great shape, people are certainly looking for good deals. We watched ladies leave with arm loads of clothes and other goodies.

I have to give a shout out to the best volunteers ever. I couldn't do this sale without the great help that I have. I always have a blast working with my old faithfuls (Daff, Nee Naw, Tina, Kenda, Nikki) and with my newbys (Gina, Amanda, Lee). If I didn't mention your name, please do not be offended, I am sooo tired. These ladies are more than volunteers, they are my friends. Some of them are my best friends. (You know who you are) And mainly I have to say thanks to my kids who are THE BEST HELPERS ever.

To my friend in Georgia, I wish you could have been here not just to help but just to be with me.

Four more days left and counting......

Let the Sale Begin

Most of you who are reading this know that I have been doing a Children and Teen's Consignment Sale for quite a while now. Actually it has been almost fifteen years since we began our twice a year sale. I can't believe it has been that long. Keith was a little fellow when it all started. In the mean time, Beth came along and then Faith. They have all been a part of this endeavor for a lot of years.

This week the sale begins and will last until next Saturday, Feb. 28. There will be a lot of hours put in at the National Guard Armory making this thing happen. It will take lots of good friends helping me out and my family being right by my side as this sale is also their sale. This is a family business. We all work together to make it a success.

I am telling you about the sale because every time it rolls around I consider just throwing in the towel and saying I am done. It's a lot of work, very time consuming and takes a huge chunk out of school time. And, the income received is really not enough to brag about (not that I would brag anyway). I tend to dread the impending site of it some years.

So, why do I keep doing it? I believe the biggest reason is because God continues to show me that it is a ministry. It is not for me. It is not for the money. It is not for the clothes I can buy at a great discount. It is so that I can minister to His people. Being a stay at home mom for a whole lot of years and not going many places besides church, homeschool co-op, and Wal-Mart, I don't get to be around many people. I don't have the opportunity to spend time with "the world" very often. This is my time, I believe, that I can spend time with people I would not normally be able to be with.

He reminds me why I am doing this sale through a phone call when someone calls to ask about tagging clothing and I get to share His truth and His love to someone over the phone. He reminds me when I have families come into the sale with very little money and they get to take home a huge amount of clothing for a small amount of money. He reminds me when I get to hug someone's neck that is having a bad day that I wouldn't normally have come in contact with. He reminds me when I get to sit down and talk with someone who is hurting from the loss of a baby and I get to share my story. He reminds me in so many ways why, at this time in my life, this is still my ministry opportunity outside of my home.

He also lets me see how wonderful this is for my children to be a part of. They have learned, what I believe, is a good work ethic. They have learned responsibility. They have learned to "socialize" with people of all ages. I have to brag (sorry for bragging) on them and say that they are so well thought of at our sale. They work so well with all of my volunteers and have the best manners with everyone who comes through. I see Jesus in them and I am so thrilled that I believe this gives others a chance to see that also. This is a one of a kind schooling that they get twice a year.

I used to pray that the sale would be a success. My definition of success for a long time was how much money we made and how many people participated. God reminded me that that is not His definition of success. His definition is how many souls are saved and how many people's lives are touched because of Him.

Are we succeeding in eternal things and not earthly things? I pray so.

Our family verse for the week at the sale will be Colossians 3:23. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Happy Valentine's Day, Friends.

I want to wish each one of you a very happy Happy Valentine's Day.

I pray that each one of you will know how much you are loved by the One who loves the best.

Simply Said

Faith has a great memory and very often helps me remember things that I quickly forget.

She reminds me often of something that a dear friend said to us several months ago that I guess I forget or get so caught up in what is going on that I don't stop to consider this simple yet powerful truth. She simply says, "Mom, remember, we don't know what God will do, but we do know what God CAN do". Isn't that an incredible statement? I love it!!

I need to remind myself of that so often...and if I don't remember...Faith will help remind me.

More Words of Wisdom Faith

Faith had a little bit of a traumatic experience last night that really scared her. It scared me to at first, but then realized everything was okay. I wish I could tell you what it was, but she won't let me.

I can tell you this one profound statement that she made this morning. I asked her if she was okay after last night and she said, "Mommy, sometimes you have to feel a little pain to be able to remember".

WOW!! That really made me think about my own life, especially as a Christian. A lot of times I don't remember what I should and don't learn my lesson unless I go through a little pain along the way. I don't like the pain, but it does help me to hopefully not do it again.

Thanks, Faith, for the wise words. You're a pretty smart little girl.

Loose Teeth and Good Friends

Faith was so excited to discover a loose tooth today while she was eating an apple.

The first person she wanted to call was her best friend Lily who recently lost her own tooth. How funny to listen to these two six year old girls discuss loose teeth, not being afraid and just how much the tooth fairy will bring. Faith was so impressed that Lily was not afraid to lose a tooth.

Faith can't wait to see what the tooth fairy is going to bring when the tooth finally does come out. She said that Lily's tooth fairy brought $5.00 in ones. I guess we will see what Faith's tooth fairy brings. She says she wants to share her money just like Lily did. Isn't it wonderful when our children have such good role models in their friends? Thanks, Lil.

Our Faith

It's finally Faith's turn to be officially introduced. By now, she really needs no introduction because most of you have discovered through other entries that she is a spunky little girl with lots of personality.

All of our children are a gift from God, but Faith truly was a gift that He gave us at the perfect time. I believe part of why He gave her to us was to add to the awesome testimony that He had already given us through our son that we lost. (you can read more about that in a past entry on Sanctity of Life)

Faith was born weighing over ten pounds, so she came into this world making a statement of who she was. She was born ready to take on the world and I see that spirit in her everyday.

She is a wonderful little girl with a huge imagination and a great sense of humor. She has always made us laugh. She has always kept us on our toes. She is the child that keeps things kind of stirred up (in a good sort of way). The rest of us are pretty laid back and conservative. Not Faith. She is always thinking of ways to dress different, wear her hair different, just be a little different than the rest of us.

Faith looks very much like her daddy and really does have his sense of humor. She likes to mimic his jokes, his dances, :), his songs. She likes to be the center of attention. There is not much that she is afraid to do and will try most anything. (pray for her for that)

As for her faith... Faith came to know the Lord this past summer when we were on vacation. Yes, she is young, but I have no doubt that she truly accepted Jesus into her heart that night. She has fruit in her life. She believes in the power of prayer and eagerly will lay her hands on any of us if we are sick and will pray for us with belief that all will be okay. She talks to God as if he were right here with her (He is). She knows that He is her real daddy and that Donnie is her earthly daddy. She tells us that all the time.

I can't imagine what God is going to do with this child, but I believe it will be something awesome. I believe she will be one who will speak up boldy for what she believes and why she believes it. She is very quick to correct someone who uses the Lord's name in a disrespectful way. I am trying to teach her the right way to do this and not an offensive way. Remember she is only six and she isn't quite as polished as the rest of us. (ha, I am not polished and often say things the wrong way). I just know that God will use her little words and actions in the way that is best.

Faith loves to play. She will play with dolls, games, paper, straws, bowls, whatever she can find to play with, she will play. She especially loves to play with her sister who is by far one of her favorite people in the world. She also loves to dress up. There is no telling how I will find her dressed multiple times throughout the day. She makes me laugh.

She is my cuddle bunny. She cuddles up with me everynight in my big oversized chair and we both say that this is our favorite time of the night. I love it and will do it as long as she will.

To my Faith I say...You are my sunshine. You make me happy just by smiling at me. You fill me with so much joy. I am so thankful that God gave me that present that I have always told you about. You know, the gift that I unwrapped and opened up and there you were. You are such a great gift, and your daddy and I are so proud of you and so look forward to seeing the young lady you will become.

Barbies, Barbies Everywhere

Somebody please tell me if this is way too many Barbies for one child to have? Yes, she does play with each and everyone of them and they do each have a name and a purpose (job of sorts).

Faith loves to play with Barbies. She uses such imagination as they talk, play, cheer, go to school, dance, etc.. together. These are her friends and she will play for hours with them.

Having an older sister, she has had lots of this stuff handed down to her so we have not purchased it all for Faith. It just seems like a lot when I walk into her room and you really have no where that you can stand except for the door.

Anyway, she loves them. They are her "buds" and I guess they will stay around for as long as she is playing with them and cleaning them up when she is done.