SAY WHAT!!!

Alright, this one is kind of scary, but one of the most amazing things I think has ever happened to me. Anyways, I was working Thursday. I wasn't having a very good day, so I was kind of looking forward to closing. But five minutes to closing, two big groups of people came in (grr). So instead of sweeping and getting ready to close up, I was back in the kitchen doing dishes. So here I am, totally ticked off, and totally angry at the world. I mean, really angry. That's when a voice, clear as day, and louder than my own thoughts, yelled at me, in the back of my head, and said, "WHY ARE YOU BEING SO NEGATIVE!" That one sent chills down my spine. It was like God had just hit me over the head with the frying pan I was washing. But in that moment, it made me stop (I mean, it literally made me freeze right where I was) and think. That's when I realized that I had so much to be thankful for! And I was sitting there pouting? I had to take a moment to thank God, and apologize. Immediately after that (literally), my day brightened up. I realized how great the day was actually going. By the end of Thursday, I was amazed at how great my day was. I had to thank God again. So I wanted to say, no mater how bad it seems your day is going today, look for the little blessings, and maybe you'll see that they were the big ones. God Bess!
- Taylor*

A Little Bit More Than Smoldering

             My sister and I couldn’t be more opposite when it comes to weather. She loves it cold, and I love it hot. So it would be no surprise that while Casey and Connor were out playing in the snow, I was sitting next to a nice comfy fire… O yes, just me, my fuzzy slippers, a book, in a comfy chair, next to a nice roaring fire.
             Now starting a fire isn’t easy (that’s why we let our dad do it). So once Poppa has it started, we have to keep it going. Periodically throwing a log on it, or fetching firewood from outside (in the nasty cold). If you neglect it, it begins to smolder, die out, and get cold.
             Now here’s my question: What fire are you feeding on the inside? Are you feeding hatred, bitterness, or selfishness? Or do you feed love, forgiveness, kindness? How much time do you take to read God’s word, or pray to Him? It all comes back down to the heart issue. When you read the Bible, you're feeding that fire in your heart. When you neglect your fire, well, it smolders and begins to die. Thankfully God doesn't forget us even when we forget Him, and it just takes one step to get back to Him. I like to think of Him as the one who starts the fire and helps us keep it going. God could have made us like robots, but he didn't! It's our choice to worship Him or not. In other words, we have to step aside (take the time) to let Him throw the log on it. Lets pray that our heavenly Poppa keeps our fire alive! Lets stay in His word, and keep praying.

- Taylor*
               Ephesians 5:13-20 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Forts and Lawn Mowers

               Another work day. It was going kind of slow, so it was a little boring, and there I was caught up and ahead on everything.
               That's when Pete showed up with Luke. The first thing Luke did when he came in was run to the kitchen, grab me by the hand, and started to pull me outside with a big cheesy grin. That's when Pete said, " Hey Luke, why don't you go show her your fort."
               So Luke dragged me all the way outside to this little corner in the garden where there was a medium sized rose bush. Behind the rose bush was hollowed out, and trimmed back for a cool little hiding spot. So we spent the next half an hour in this little fort. I tried to get him out of his little chair to play ball outside of it, but he didn't want to come out. So we just sat there with a couple of cars.
               At this time the neighbor had been mowing his lawn. So when he finally made it to the side of the yard that we were on, Luke jumped up from his seat and ran away from the fort as fast and far as his little legs could carry him! Pete was coming out right then, so when he saw Luke running he just laughed.
              Now there was a fence between the fort and the lawn mower, but Luke didn't want to go back in for the rest of the day!
              It's the same way with our christian walks. We get so afraid of people, friends and family. We're afraid of being rejected. To the point that we're looking ridiculous, like a toddler running away from a loud noise! God put us on this earth to share the good news. Not to run away at the first sight of trouble. People in other countries get killed for sharing His word with others. Why have we become so comfortable? So many people don't know Jesus and are going to hell, and we don't want to take the risk of losing a little "popularity?" Think about it. If everyone in America got out of there little comfy chairs, started praying and sharing the good news. I can't even begin to imagine or describe the amazing things that could happen! You don't have to go to another country to do a missions trip. Your missions trip starts as soon as you walk out your door. Lets stop being so afraid all the time, and start getting out of our comfort zone. God said that he would be with us to the very end of the age! So what do we have to be afraid of when God is on our side?

- Taylor*
(I'd encourage you to read all of chapter 17) 1 Samuel 17:45-47 David said to the Philistine, " You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give all of you into our hands."
*Bonus Verse* - Mathew 28:19, 20 ".....Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Sometimes The 2 Year Old Knows Best.....

               Today, while Luke and I were outside. We, or should I say he, decided to go for a walk around the block. 
              As we were treading along, Luke stopped at every door along Main Street. First he would try the door nob (which just so happened to be locked every time), and then he would play on the (one) step that would happen to be in front of the door. At one particular door, there wasn't a step, just a little slope. So he would stop, run up to the door, then run back down, with a big grin on his face while yelling, "WEE!!!" 
              At first all I could think was, "what on earth are you doing?" But after the fist two times, I joined in, "WOO-HOO!!!" I found myself laughing with him. (Who knew running up and down a four foot slope could be so fun???) 
              After a while we continued down the street, came to the corner (finally), and continued down the next street. As we walked along, we had to stop at every cool car, as Luke would put it, to look at the doors and tires. 
             Then we came to an overgrown tree. The branches were hanging over just enough to touch the ground, and there just happened to be a telephone pole about four feet away. So, Luke would run through the tree branches, around the telephone pole, and back through the branches again. 
              When we finally continued along, we reached the next corner. Around this corner were a bunch of flowers, so we stopped to smell all the flowers (most of them were different verities of roses). 
             Then we made our way to the next corner, there were a bunch of older houses. They all had beautiful gardens and lots of trees. Luke and I walked along slowly just admiring the beautiful structures.  
             Then crossing the street,  because Luke was pretty sure there was something cool over there. It turned out he was right! We sat there for about ten minutes, with a duck! At fist Luke was afraid of it just like his mom and birds, but he got over it quickly. 
             When we started to leave, the little guard duck followed us across the fence line for as long as it could! 
              We then crossed the street again, and turned that final corner. As we came up to the cafe, Luke was getting pretty thirsty. So we went in to get him a drink. As I walked in , Laura asked if I could stay a little longer. I looked up at the clock, and it was ten minutes past four! Luke and I had been gone for an hour and ten minutes!


Quite often we rush through our lives, always hurrying to the next thing, and by the end of the day, we realise it's the end of the day. Today just flew by us again. They say slow and steady wins the race, I never realized how true it could be in life too. If we had just took a quick walk around the same old block, how much would we have missed? We need to learn to enjoy ourselves, and to enjoy the simple things in life!!! To renew the childlike wonder in us. We don't need everything to be extravagant to enjoy it! This life is short, and we never know when we'll take our last breath. I'm not saying lolly-gag in everything we do (laziness is not a virtue), but slow down when you have the time. Just enjoy living another day. Learn to be joyful and thankful with the simple things in life! Praise God in the good and bad. If we needed everything to be big to enjoy it, imagine how miserable we'd be (not to mention how miserable you'd make everyone around you). We just need to learn to take our time to smell the flowers, and have a little fun every once in a while!
- Taylor*
Psalm 16:11 You lead me in the path of life;
I experience absolute joy in your presence;
you always give me sheer delight.

Feathers and Flies

               It was so busy today! It seemed the second one person walked out, two more walked in. In other words, the door was open all day. Which let (you guessed it) flies in. 
               So here we are swatting flies all day (obnoxious), which meant we were continually washing our hands (all day). Which leads to running out of paper towels. So Brandi went into the office to get some more paper towels. 
               When she returned, not only did she not have any paper towels, but she looked horrified..... She rushed in, in an exasperated tone of voice said, "THERE'S A BIRD IN THE OFFICE!!!" Now, I don't know if you know anyone with a fear of birds, but I'll tell you right now, Brandi is one of them..... Which makes no sense at all considering the animals she has had, and loves to have ( snakes, lizards, dogs, and she especially likes rats). 
                To our luck Stewart was there, so he walked back into the office, caught the bird, and put it outside in less then ten seconds! I guess he was raised on a chicken farm, so he knows his birds. 
                Moral of the story, leave a few doors open, and Satan can get in (very easily). Sure, may just be a few flies here and there, but pretty soon it becomes really big scary birds! A few examples of flies could be secular music. Listening to it, you think, "Oh, it's no big deal." But pretty soon, as those words keep turning in your head, it isn't just a song anymore, it's the way you act outwardly. Before you know it, those flies have turned into birds. Another one is white lies. They may be small now, but they will keep getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger, to the point that you're trapped in the corner by an ostrich! My point is, is that people will see you for the things you do! Which means Satan will use the doors you left open to bring you down, and bring Christ' name down with you. We have to remember that we are God's witnesses. So my challenge is this, SHUT THOSE DOORS! Keep Christ in, and Satan out. No, we're not going to be perfect, but we can try to keep the flies out!

               - Taylor* James 1:14-18
But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Modest is Hottest (Sorry Guys, This One's For The Ladies;-)

                 It was five minutes after closing when Morgan walked in. I guess Laura was taking her to cheer practice soon. Anyways...... Denise was finishing up his coffee, so as soon as he left we could start cleaning up, and Morgan could get to cheer practice. As they were talking, Laura told him that she had to take Morgan to cheer. At this point he (Denise) asked if they were going home first, so Morgan could change into clothes that weren't so tight! That's when I realised that dressing modestly doesn't just protect us, it's also courteous to the men around us. We (ladies) don't usually to pay attention to how low our neckline is, or how tight our pants are. We just think the outfit is cute and comfortable. But guys minds are built differently, they are more visual. So when we wear clothes like that, we might as well be walking around in our underwear! I'm not saying wear big old baggy sweatpants everywhere you go! But dress more modestly. If your chest hangs out when you bend over the neckline is to low!!! If your butt talks while you walk, your pants are way to tight!!! Take some time (before you walk outside) to bend over in front of a mirror, and make sure that you're being modest! We (girls) all want to be pretty and attractive, but dressing skanky isn't going to do that. I mean, lets face it, we don't want to scare old men away, and we definitely don't want to attract perverts! So lets keep it clean!

- Taylor* 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Don't Burn My Burger!!!

                While I was working today, a man came in wanting a burger. He ordered it rare, then went out and sat in the garden. 
                 Per usual, Laura went out to the barbecue to cook the burger. As she was cooking the burger, the grill started to flame up (as usual), and the man started yelling at her, "RARE, I SAID RARE!!!" (not so usual)
                I was impressed that Laura didn't yell back "I know what I'm doing, I've been doing this for 10 years!!!" Although, when the man came back in later Laura did ask, "Was it rare enough for you?"
                Of course it was. 
                Yes, I'm a visual learner, so I love it when God reveals something to me... I realised that I do the same thing. Sometimes I'm sitting there saying, "God, This wasn't apart of the plan!" But God is sitting there saying, "Yes it is, I've been doing this for years, and it's all going to work out the way I planned." Sometimes we need to just shut our mouths, and trust God to cook the burger. I mean, He has been doing it for years...- Taylor* Isaiah 55:11 In the same way, the promise that I make
does not return to me, having accomplished nothing.
No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend."

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."