My almost 13 (wow – where do those years go?) niece broke her hand catching a fly ball in her winter-ball game (softball in the off season) the other morning. She’s out for the season. As you can imagine by the mere fact that she plays softball year round, it’s a pretty big disappointment. She couldn’t finish the game, as it was quite apparent a trip to the ER was in order, much less come back and finish the season with her team. Her momentum has been thwarted.

Have you ever felt this way? Like you just can’t finish the game, much less make it through the season? I’ve had those moments. And my prayers sound something like this: Lord, I’m too tired to keep parenting these children. Lord, I’m too broken to show your love and grace to this difficult person. Lord, I’m hurting and upset and I just can’t do it anymore, I can’t take this suffering anymore.

Fortunately for me, this isn’t a permanent affliction. It won’t be for my niece either, though the road to health will require some doctor’s visits and maybe surgery, she will recover.

Sometime’s that is just what I need too, a visit with my maker, a mental break from momentary sufferings. As I turn to my Savior and cry out in the midst of my hurt and weakness, he meets me. He lovingly tends my wounds and gives me strength for the day.

2 Samuel 22:33 33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

1 Chronicles 16: 8-11 8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Isaiah 40:28-30 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Sometimes all I (and maybe you) need is to do is re-frame my pain and suffering. Lord, you made the whole earth and you love me. You never tire of caring for my needs and you always give me the strength to carry on. Thank you for giving me your strength.

And he does.

Table Assignments

Here they are, enjoy those mentor moms ladies!!

Barb: Brenda, Sara, Amy, Katie, Abra, Janeen, Stacy

Judy: Amie, Karen, Michele, Breanne, Salpy, Sarah

Carol: Ashley, Emi, Elizabeth, Steffani, Olivia, Yvonne, Stephanie

Aileen: Kathy, Elizabeth G., Gillian, Lindsay, Celia, Tiffany

Pint Sized Park Day

Pint Sized Park Adventures have begun. Every 2nd Thursday of the month, hope to see you next month!

park pictures

Awesome Website - Review

If you're like me, you likely find yourself printing out coloring pages for your kids weekly. What's that honey, you'd like a coloring page of a giraffe or dinosaur? Sure honey, let mommy search Google images.

If you haven't used this tactic before, you should. Need a few minutes to get those dishes out of the sink, or put the baby down for a nap, or take a shower? Print out some coloring pages for the bigger kids, sit them at the table with some crayons or washable markers and I can almost guarantee you 15 minutes.

Today it was birthday cards for Daddy (who's birthday is Sunday). So we were looking for just the right cake and present coloring pages, when I stumbled upon Twisty Noodle. Now why I've never found Twisty Noodle before, I have no idea, and I'm pretty sure my life was much more miserable without it.

Twisty Noodle has coloring pages and worksheets galore. Not only that, but you can CUSTOMIZE each sheet with your own WORDS in a bold font, or traceable letters!!


You can make a coloring sheet a worksheet to color and practice letters. Remember the giraffe & dinosaur?


It's simple. Search. Customize. Print. And there's thousands of images to choose from! I know you're going to love it as much as I do!!

God's Chisel

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Are you still doubting God's love for you? Still questioning what He could possibly with you?

God doesn't make junk. His love for you knows no boundaries.

Calling all No. 2 Pencils - Repost

This is a repost...but with the start of school, I thought some of you might find it useful. I totally forgot about this website, and printed some new worksheets for my girls this morning! So much fun!!

Today I spotted this fabulous website on a very crafty blog called angrychicken.
What fun to have your kids learn to write and teach them to write fabulous sentences,
like the one I made my kindergartner do for me.


Go here to create your own penmanship practice fun!

Fall Kick Off!!

Starts: Thursday, September 2nd
Where: The White House, Church of the Open Door
When: Every 1st & 3rd Thursday from 8:45am-11:15am.
Childcare is provided.

1st meeting of month:
Various guest speakers, mom testimonials, panel discussions on every thing mommy.

2nd meeting of the month:
We are going through the study Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.
Mentor moms will then lead us in further discussion.

Mom’s Night Outs, Pint Sized Adventures and Pint Sized Park Days too!!

Nothing. Not One Thing.

I've been ruminating on some verses lately. This being one of them:

Romans 8:38-49 (New King James Version) ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I think sometimes I forget that this is true of hurts in my life. Sins that have entangled. Things I've done. Things done to me. But God's grace, Jesus' love for me, reaches beyond all of this. Nothing can separate me from the love of God.

Nothing.

Not ANY thing.

No thing.

(Are you listening?)

No thing that you have done. No thing that has been done to you. Not ANY thing past, present or future. NOTHING. Can separate you from the love of Christ Jesus.

not. any. thing.

Ladies, He loves us. Are you hurting from the unfairness of life? Are you overwhelmed with the day to day? Is your heart broken? Let me remind you of who you are in Christ. Take a moment. Read these words and soak them in.

You have a loving Father.
You have been fearfully and wonderfully made.
He has a specific plan for your life.
You have been chosen.
And forgiven.
And bought at a price.
NOTHING can change how much you're loved.
You are worthy.

Now tell Him how much you love Him. Pour out your heart over these things and thank Him. And then go live it, my friend. Live in this place of confidence and courage to face the day. And remember.

Not. Any. Thing.

Nothing can separate you from the LOVE of God.

It's been quiet here...

over the summer...and we may have gathered a few tumbleweeds!

But have no fear - GUM is coming back this FALL! Details coming soon - can't wait to fellowship with you all again soon!

Fireworks Shows

Here are some local events to celebrate Independence Day...including some FREE Fireworks Shows! Happy 4th!!

Events for Sunday, July 4, 2010

8am - 10pm, FREE Festival of Balloons @ South Pasadena, Celebrate with an all-day slate of events in South Pasadena. Start the day with a Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Station (817 Mound Ave.). Then watch the parade on MIssion Street at noon. Gates open for fireworks show at 5:00 pm at South Pasadena High School (1401 Fremont Ave.) and entertainment with music, games and bouncers for the kids begins at 5:30 pm. The fireworks from South Pasadena High School will blast off at 9:00 pm.

2pm - 10pm, Amerifest @ Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, Celebrate America with the biggest fireworks show in Southern California. Enjoy a full day of safe and affordable family fun with music, food and entertainment at the 84th annual 4th of July celebration at the Rose Bowl. Event Schedule: • 2:00 pm - Family Fun Festival & Food Court on Area H • 7:00 pm - Drum Corps International Performance & Military Tribute • 9:00 pm - Americafest Fireworks & by PyroSpectaculars Tickets cost $13 for adults and children 8 and over; FREE for children age 7 and under and active military with ID. Advance Tickets available at Ticketmaster 800.745.3000. For more information, call 626.577.3100 or click link.

5:00 pm - 9:30pm, FREE 4th of July Fireworks and Celebration @ Diamond Ranch High School, 21400 Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar, Grab a blanket or beach chair and watch the night sky light up with spectacular fireworks. The patriotic event will also include live music, face painting and a special appearance by Uncle Sam on stilts and his balloonist. Admission is free and food will be available for purchase at concessions. Free parking and shuttle service will be available at the Caltrans Park n' Ride on Pathfinder Road. The fireworks show will start at 9pm sharp. For more information, call the City's Recreation Division at 909.839.7070.

7:00pm - 9:30pm, Fireworks Show and Concert @ Bonita High School Stadium, 3102 D Street, La Verne, Celebrate Independence Day with a professional fireworks show and a concert by the band "The Answer." Tickets are available at La Verne City Hall, La Verne Chamber of Commerce and Ellsworth Stationers. Ticket booth opens at 5:00 pm, gates open at 6:00 pm and the show starts at 7:00 pm. Admission price is $6 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Children 4 and under are free. A pre-sale discount of $1 per ticket applies if purchased before July 4.

7:00pm - 9:30pm, FREE Concert, Games and Fireworks @ Suzanne Park, 625 Suzanne Rd., Walnut, Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to Suzanne Park and enjoy a live band and old-fashioned picnic games at this family event. The band "Nonsense" will perform at 7:30 pm. The event will conclude with a FREE fireworks show. The best places to see the fireworks at approximately 9:00 pm are: * Suzanne Park * Walnut High School soccer fields * Suzanne Middle School fields