Riverbend Ramblings

I just downloaded my 2010 Motivated Moms Planner. I did a full review here last year explaining how this planner helps me keep up with things around the house. There are several planners to choose from, including one with a Bible reading schedule. It's so simple to download and print. The planners cost $8 each. Click here to visit Motivated Moms.

Labels: Keeping the Home

It feels so good to be home! We left for Georgia early Tuesday morning and made it to our hotel by late afternoon. That evening we went to the funeral home for the visitation. In spite of the sad circumstances, it was wonderful to get to visit with our good friends and reminisce about Bro. Cameron. Yesterday we were able to relax at the hotel for a little while before checking out and heading to the church building for the funeral service. There were over 50 pastors at the service, and what a sweet spirit filled the building! Bro. Cameron was greatly loved by many, and my heart was stirred by the wonderful memories that were shared. After the graveside service, we loaded up and hit the road. Traffic was pretty heavy on the interstate, but we still made good time. Just as we were about to leave I-75 to get on the Florida Turnpike, our truck suddenly lost power. Talk about a few scary moments! There we were with semi-trucks all around us, and we had no lights working on our vehicle. Steven carefully guided the truck over into the far right land and was able to coast to a stop on the shoulder of the road. However, we still didn't have any power or lights at 11:30 p.m., so we were in a dangerous spot. Hubby thinks the alternator went out because our battery is just a couple of months old. I immediately got my AAA auto club card out of my wallet and dialed their number. A very helpful operator noted our location and put out a dispatch call for a tow truck. At the same time, Steven was on his phone calling his dad to let him know what had happened. He set out to come pick us up. The AAA operator called back to let me know that the tow truck's ETA was about an hour. Lil' Nut was the only one who panicked. She started crying and said, "If we all die right now in the this car, we all have Jesus in our hearts." We tried hard not to laugh at her; it was a sweet moment. About 45 minutes later, the tow truck pulled up behind us. We were concerned about how my FIL would be able to locate our exact location, but the tow truck driver solved that problem for us. His HUGE truck cab was able to accommodate our entire family. The four kids road in the back seat while the grownups road up front. The driver loaded our truck on his flatbed and drove us to the service plaza about ten miles down the road. My FIL was waiting there for us, and I've never been happier to see him! We said goodbye to our super tow truck guy, and he headed on down the turnpike with our truck to drop it off at the garage here in our town. We made it home about 2:45 this morning, all safe and sound. I have been counting my blessings this morning, and here are just a few: * When we lost power in our truck, my hubby was able to safely guide it off of the road. * We have AAA. My mom renews it for us every year. (Thanks, Mom!) * Not only do we have AAA, we have the Plus account. Without the plus account, we would have paid $5 per mile for towing; however, we get FREE towing up to 100 miles. Getting the truck towed didn't cost us a penny, and it would have cost over $350 without the Plus account. * We weren't stranded by the tow truck. The driver was concerned for our safety and quickly got the kids in his truck and out of harm's way. He drove all of us to a safe location. * Before we left for our trip I changed wallets. I wanted to take a small one to fit in a small purse. Usually when I do a quick wallet change, I just take my driver's license and bank card with me; however, for some reason I also took my AAA card out of my big wallet and put it in the small one. It would have made things more difficult if I wouldn't have had the card with me. * We had cell phone service in our remote location. * My FIL was able to come pick us up. * A man in our church owns the garage where our truck was taken to, so we have someone trustworthy and honest to repair it. So, other than feeling worn out today, I'm going to have a wonderful last day of 2009. We'll ring in the new year tonight at our church's watch night service, and I'll still be counting my blessings. :)

Labels: Blessings, Daily Life

Labels: Family Life, My Thoughts, Prayer Requests

Labels: Special Days

Today was one of those days that I couldn't have packed anything more into if I would have wanted to. It was crazy-busy! But, God was good as He always is, and He gave me the grace I needed to deal with a few challenging situations. I have pictures to share soon from recent activities, including last night's school Christmas program, but for now let me leave you with a few thoughts and a portion of a Bible verse given as the sermon text at church tonight. III John, verse 11a "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good." I'm taking the verse out of context just a little bit to apply it to my life right now. Sometimes I find myself inadvertently following after the world. There are so many distractions that pull at me every day. I have duties in and outside my home. I have many types of relationships with many types of people. I live in a wicked world controlled by people who are not following God. Satan would love to use people and situations to rob me of my joy. My joy, however, does not come from the world; it comes from my Saviour. What (or who) are you following after? Even during this wonderful time of year when we celebrate the first coming of the greatest Gift the world has ever been given, we are distracted by things that will draw us away from the Lord and closer to the world. I pray that in the coming days the Lord will help me to continue to seek the good things that come from Him and not focus on the things that would draw me away from Him.

Labels: My Thoughts

It's been quite a while since I've participate in Peggy's Daybook; however, I thought I'd try it again in an effort to get back to posting more regularly. :) FOR TODAY~ December 7, 2009... Outside my window...it's still dark out. I am thinking...that today is going to be a very full day. I am thankful for...a husband who loves me in spite of my shortcomings. From the learning rooms...the kids are counting down the days until Christmas break. From the kitchen...I haven't planned out this week's menu yet, but at least the kitchen is clean! I am wearing...comfy pajamas. I am creating...a new organizer box for all my coupons. I have misplaced the one I made a few months back...perhaps it stayed in the shopping cart when I left the store. I am reading...in my Bible: Ezekiel; just for fun: The Secret by Beverly Lewis. I am hoping...that I get everything on my to-do list accomplished today. I am hearing...Christmas music on my iPod. Around the house...the Christmas decorations are up (whoo-hoo!). I'm starting the week with a clean house; let's hope the kids and I will keep it that way. One of my favorite things...gazing at the Christmas tree. I'm now to that point in life when there are a lot of ornaments on the tree with special memories tied to them. A few plans for the rest of the week...attend the school Christmas program, piano lessons for Bookworm, a basketball game for Mickey, and I really need to get our Christmas card photo printed and mailed. Here is picture thought I am sharing...My new phone; hopefully it will help me stay on top of that long to-do list. And, it's PINK! :)~~~oOo~~~Thank you for reading my Daybook! You can read more entries at The Simple Woman.

Happy December! Can you believe that another year is almost over? Our house is one of the few in the neighborhood that isn't covered in Christmas lights yet. In fact, I still have all my fall decorations out. I usually get the tree up Thanksgiving week, but I just haven't gotten around to getting everything out of the attic yet. I don't like putting all the fall stuff away, either; it's all so pretty! It was nice to be on vacation last week. We were at home most of the week, which was right where we needed to be. I felt so refreshed and relaxed when I walked into my office on Monday; however, I'm already looking forward to the next school break that starts on the 18th. That's just sixteen days away (but who's counting?). Our church's annual Missions Conference begins tonight and runs through Sunday. We'll have missionaries from the U.S. and around the world join us. I'm looking forward to the services each night. You can watch the live services here Wednesday through Friday at 7:00 EST. Our church participates in faith missions giving, which basically means that individuals pray about what the Lord would have them pledge to give, by faith, to missions during the year. Our church's goal this year was $525,000. Despite the tough economic times, that goal has already been met and surpassed. We'll be setting a new goal for 2010 on Sunday night. It is so encouraging to see God's people give to His work faithfully. I am always amazed at how our goal gets met each and every year without fail, but then I remember that with God all things are possible. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

Labels: Church Family, Daily Life