I attend an awesome church at which I am blessed to lead a women's bible study every Wednesday morning. We usually do book studies, but have also picked a book within the bible to study as well.  As leader I make the final decision usually in what we study (with the approval of our pastor of course), however, I always ask for in put from the wonderful group of ladies that study with me. We are just finishing a wonderful study called The Pursuit of Holiness, which has been both enlightening and challenging and I for one, have learned much from it.

Having said all that, I must confess that this next choice of study material has me feeling a bit overwhelmed. Spiritual Warfare and taking on demons sends my knees to knocking. I fully believe that there is evil out there and that they are fighting to take people for their "kingdom", just as God is fighting for His Kingdom. Knowing that, I believe that it is our job as Christ followers to be aware of this and do all we can in the name of Jesus to win back those that Satan has over come, but, just how do we do that??

I started reading this book today and am struck by the repetition of the Romans 8:31 "what, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" I must admit, the times I've read this verse and sang the song Our God by Chris Tomlin I've only thought of persecution by people, struggles and hardships that come into our lives, oddly, I've never thought of it in a demonic sense. Yet another reminder that there is just so much that I need to learn, sigh.  I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a constant journey, and until I reach those pearly gates and get to dance at the feet of Jesus, my journey continues daily.
This book is part of my journey and will be a HUGE learning experience for me, and dare I speak for the other women who will join me, that it will be a learning experience for them as well.

Hello again, I've been so out of touch.  I thought this morning as I felt the need to "write", that I would start yet another blog about me and all that I am, a blog that I could share everything on from how much I love Jesus, to my family, to my creative side.  Then I reread what I've already posted here and decided there was no need. I just needed to make this one my everything blog. I'll still post art stuff to my Note From The Queen blog, but everything else, can fall into my Life Outside the Studio blog.  Well, now that's settled I can get on with life as it is.

Getting Older

I don't know about you but as I've aged I find that I things I used to enjoy I just can't anymore.

Roller coaster rides when I was younger, man, the bigger and faster they went the better. Upside down, twists and turns, unrealistic speeds, bring em on!! Now I find the Carousel goes just fast enough and high enough for me. Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. Now if one of my kids or my husband should manage to get me into line for a roller coaster by the time I actually get to the front of it, my legs are like jell-o, I'm sweating and I usually have to pee. I can do it, but it most certainly isn't enjoyable.

Same thing goes for movies, I can remember going to see one of the Friday the 13th movies with a girlfriend and laughing through the whole thing. I loved that kind of stuff. Well, today my youngest daughter and I put on a scary movie called "Chain Letter". I barely got through the opening credits without having to put my hand in front of my face and turn away so I didn't see something. 20 minutes into it, I made her turn it off. I just can't do scary movies anymore.

You would think as you get older and can better rationalize what is real and what is not and what is safe and what is not that you'd be able to do more, or have less fear about things, however, it seems to be working in reverse. Maybe it's the plight of of my own mortality and wanting to fill my life with more meaningful things......nah!!

August/September Birthdays

I don't know how you celebrate birthdays with your family, but with my husbands family, we do mass celebrations every 3 months or so.

There was a time when we had individual birthdays, however that was many, many people ago. My husbands immediate family, consists of him and his 7 sisters. However, many marriages, and children, and children's marriages and children, there are 65 of us and we are still growing.

One thing this family doesn't ever lack is love and laughter and an extra plate and food to set for anyone who may be joining us.

Wait till you see Christmas pictures!!! LOL

Jer

This is Jer, the little brother who terrorizes his sisters and hogs the tv to play his video games. His imagination, creativity and sense of humor is proof that he is a product of my husband and I. His aspirations in life it to be a video game tester, which I'm sure he'd rock at!!!

He's got a nasty stubborn streak which makes dealing with him a bit challenging at times, but he's a good boy for the most part. My biggest battle with him at the moment is getting him to shower on a regular basis which I am told is normal for his age. Thank goodness thats something he'll outgrow.

When he was born there was a collective sigh of relief on my part because he is named after his father who is named for his father. My husband has 7 sisters and no brothers, so the name had to carry on with us. So glad I didn't have to have 7 girls before I got a boy.

Melissa

This is Melissa, my child of recessive traits. I say that because she's the only one of my kids with blonde curly hair, blue eyes, she's left handed and color blind. However, she's got a larger than life personality with a drive and ambition for life that never stops.

As a baby she was the cutest thing ever and the naughtiest thing ever. Tantrums beyond comparison, however she got away with too much cause she was just so darn cute you couldn't help it.

She has large amounts of wander lust and my fear, and my hope, is that she grabs every chance she can get to take life by the horns and live it to it's fullest.

Paige

This is Paige, she's such a good girl. She'll be a senior in high school this year. She's grown so much in so many ways over the last 2 years. She's become more confident, and sure of herself. She's silly and fun, and very light hearted.

She's my biggest helper, she's got such a kind giving soul and she wears it all so well. She's beautiful inside and out. She does however, have a bit of a short fuse at times, especially where her brother is concerned. However in her defense he knows that and eggs her on as all little brothers should do.

I love watching her grow and make choices just to see where she'll land. Not quite sure yet what the future holds for her as she's not sure herself, this one will keep me guessing for a while.