A wimp or not?

Annette at "Annie's Eyes" did this test so I thought I would try it, too. For the most part, I consider myself a brave person but have my "wimpy" moments as well. However, I was still a little surprised to get these results:

You Are Not a Wimp

In fact, you are an incredibly tough person. Your nerves do not get the better of you. You don't back down from challenges or intimidating situations. You love the thrill of conquer... so much so that it outweighs the fear of defeat.

Are You a Wimp?

Sherry

Guess Who's Home!

We are rejoicing over God's BIG miracle by the name of tiny Emmie Shai! She was released from the NICU and hospital yesterday -- exactly one month early (her birth date was to be August 29)! The following are pictures of her homecoming.

Mommy, Emmie, Daddy & Big Brother

Emmie in her big car seat praisin' the Lord in her sleep!

(The family had to be trained how to secure her in the car seat.)

Ah ... home at last in my own bed!

The following is an email from Emmie's Grammy :

Dear Friends and Family:

We are Praising the Lord today!!! Emmie has been released from the hospital a month earlier than expected. She is doing really good. There are many guidelines for having her home but we are so excited to have her here.She will be seeing 3 different specialist: for the hole in heart, her liverfunction, and to make sure she doesn't have any eye problems. She came home on 3 medications and vitamins that she doesn't like.

She weighed 4 lbs and 10 oz today. She had gained 2 oz in the last day. We have gone through transitioning training and cpr training with the hospital and are feeling confident.

Please continue to pray that Emmie's remaining health issues will be resolved in the near future. God has worked such a miracle in healing her this far. There have been only 3 babies born with Emmie's rare condition of Hydrops in the Mercy NICU in the past 3 years and Emmie is the only one that has survived. We thank God for his healing power and mercy to us!

We want to thank all of you too for being so supportive and agreeing in prayer with us the past 7 weeks. You are all so special to us and we will have a book full of wonderful supportive emails to show Emmie when she gets old enough to understand.God bless you all!

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!

I talked with Emmie's Grammy yesterday evening and she told me something I would like to pass along to you. One particular doctor that was on Emmie's case had said that Emmie would not survive. Before Emmie left the hospital yesterday, this doctor went to see Emmie. She sat at Emmie's bedside and stared at this tiny little miracle for quite sometime, shook her head ,then left the room without saying a word. I pray that this little life was such a LOUD WITNESS to this doctor and that she will come to know that prayer to the Almighty God Jehovah produces results and was the reason Emmie is alive today.

Thank you, my bloggy friends, for all the prayers. You and your prayers were part of the key to her being alive today.

Distored Beauty

It's amazing how we find ourselves buying into the lies of the world. Things aren't always as they seem. The images of beauty that young girls (and we women) compare themselves to is a facade. The pictures have been air-brushed to perfect the look. Reality - we are trying to imitate a look that doesn't exist except in touch-up pictures.

All good and perfect gifts come from the Father. He has made each of us beautiful and in His image. Let's not believe the lies anymore and believe the Father who loves you. Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Just read the instructions

My sweet husband is fairly mechanically inclined, but I will have to say I am more so than he. Almost without fail, when he is putting an item together that comes out of the box in a gillion pieces, he will start assembling it, then after a few minutes, he calls me to see if I can figure it out. Of course, the first thing out of my mouth is, "Did you read the instructions?" Almost invariably his answer will be, "No", with a big grin on his face.

Does your man do this or is it just mine? He doesn't like to take the time to read the instructions. Because of that one overlooked detail, he usually finds himself with pieces left over, or worse yet, the item doesn't go together correctly. He fights it for a while then calls for help when he could have saved himself time and frustration by reading the instructions first.

I fear we do this same thing in our Christian walk. When trials come our way, we try to fix the problem by putting the broken pieces back together only to find they won't fit. Some pieces are left over or maybe even missing. That's when we give up and ask God for help. He responds by asking "Child, did you read the instructions?"

God has given us the best instruction manual ever -- the Bible. The answers to life, death, happiness, peace, riches, you name it, it's in there. We just need to invest the time each day to learn how to live out the plan He has for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) Let's just do the thing! It will pay off in the end.

Friendship

Sunday I drove two hours to a surprise 35th wedding anniversary party of my best friend from high school. In fact, we went to school together from first through twelfth grade. She was certainly surprised and very surprised when she saw me standing there with the rest of her "in town" friends.

So many friendships were rekindled that day as the happy couple greeted and visited with many they had not seen in a while -- for some, it had many years. My friend and I share the kind of friendship that picks up right where it left off not matter how long it has been since we talked. We are the sister that each other never had. We each have older brothers: hers twelve years older and mine seven years older. We stay in touch and meet as often as we can.

After the party I went to their home so that we could visit one-on-one. Since it had been an afternoon of reminiscing with old friends, we did the same. It was the first time I had been in her home when all three of her sons and their families were there. She is truly the Princess -- maybe I should say Queen -- of the home. Her husband, children and grandchildren love her dearly. She is a blessed woman -- a Proverbs 31 woman. I would not be at all surprised if I heard them call her blessed.

Life hasn't always been easy for her. However, God has restored what Satan tried to completely destroy. She came through the trials with her dignity and her faith intact. She remained faithful to God and He has abundantly blessed her -- spiritually , physically and financially.

Each time I am around friends whom I am not privileged to live near, I am reminded that one day in Heaven there will be no more goodbyes. Relationships will be perfected -- no jealousy, envy, -- just love and joy.

Relationships -- that's what God is trying to teach us in His Word. That is the central theme throughout the Bible. It started in the garden, man messed it up. God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses, man failed again. Our world is in chaos due to messed up relationships. Homes, schools, work places even in some churches, relationships are in a crisis. Wars -- relationship failure -- when it gets right down to it, that's the problem.

King David asked for God to make him a clean heart and renew the right spirit within him, Psalm 51:10. We can only be responsible for ourselves and teach our children and grandchildren God's ways. But, if we each do our part, we can make a difference for the Kindgom.

I am blessed with sweet relationships in my life. True friendships cannot be bought, they come via time -- earned with love, loyalty and trust. I am so thankful for my friends. To my sweet life long friend, may you have many more years of happiness with your prince charming.

Good Reports on Emmie!

The following is an email I received from Emmie's Great Grandmother:

"How can we begin to tell you what a blessing each of you are. Your faithful prayers and your emails have meant so much. Emmie is doing good! She has had multiple tests to verify how she is doing. Her MRI report on her brain yesterday reported 'NO ABNORMALITIES'. Her bili-ruben is coming down slowly, but it is coming down. Praise God!

The first few days of her life we were told she might be blind or deaf. Her little Mommy said 'I want her God, however you choose to let me keep her. We will learn Braille or learn to sign or whatever we must do.' Today they couldn't complete her hearing test because she was TOO ACTIVE. Any noise made her frown and wiggle. Halleluiah! She works to wake when she is talked to and slowly opens her eyes and looks right at us.

Today when her Mommy and Grammy went to the hospital to see her they found a sign on her crib. The nurses had made it and all attending had signed it. She was able to take a full bottle sucking on it the whole time, for the first time. The sign was a type of a 'certificate of achievement'. If this keeps up they will remove the feeding tube in her tummy. The nurses were so proud.

Tonight she is getting her second 'bubble bath' . I laughed when they told me this one. Her respiratory therapist is coming in at bath time and blowing air in her bath water. The nurses say she loves it. (I wonder how they will keep that up at home.)

She has no extra fluid from the Hydrops, it is all gone. She weighs 4 lb, 2 oz. -- all her! The only thing left on her is a monitor taped to her foot. She is a mighty miracle we have all witnessed. In fact, one of the nurses told Emmie's Grammy that many people say they have a miracle baby, but you HAVE a miracle baby! (Thank you God, praise Your Holy name.)

She still has a hole in her heart that is not closing. God can take care of this need, too. We are praying for a complete healing in His name.

God bless each and every one of you."

Last night I spent time with Emmie's entire family (her Aunt is getting married tonight). Grammy and Mommy went to see Emmie yesterday and the nurses told them they needed to schedule to be at the hospital next Friday (July 25) to go through training to learn how to transition Emmie from the hopsital to going HOME! Since her due date was not until August 29, this came sooner than expected. They will let her go home when they feel she is stable.

Never under estimate the power of our Amighty God! He doesn't have favorites, so if you have a need, place it in His hands and let Him work His perfect plan for you.

no other gods

Last night was another gathering session for the Bible study "No Other gods" by Kelly Minter. We participated in the common meal of the Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti and Kimberly Meyer's Banana Pudding. Oh-my-word! Talk about good! The ladies were quick to pick up their copies of the recipes. Note: The chicken spaghetti is a man-pleaser.)

Not only was the food fantastic but the discussion time was awesome. God was definitely in the midst of his girls. Hearts were opened, lives were touched and ministered to. We are experiencing a sister-in-Christ bonding like never before. Each of us is clearing away the surplus of debris in our hearts caused from the lies of Satan, and then filling up with God -- who IS love.

I appreciated the quote from Michael Wells that says "Satan will tell us what's true, but he never tells us the truth." That short sentence speaks volumes, doesn't it? Satan doesn't tell us a pure lie because he knows we would not buy into it. This Deceiver wraps truth around his caustic lies hoping that we will take the bait. With God's help, we can outsmart the father of lies -- every time.

I absolutely love God's Word! It's truth! (John 17:17). In order to adhere to the truth we have to know it! Be wise -- stay in the Word!

Sherry

Please pass the corn??

Yesterday, while on my way to the grocery store, I drove past a
gas station

and saw

this......

So glad to know they have eliminated ETHANOL from their breakfast menu!

Have a great day:)

Sherry

Look at this little miracle!

Look at this little doll with her eyes open!

God is continuing to amaze us with His mercy and grace. They tried giving her a bottle for the first time and she was able to drink half of the milk then the rest was put in her feeding tube. The doctors and nurses said that was very good for the first time. She will be given the opportunity to practice drinking from a bottle, breathe and swallow all at the same time with 3 bottles each day. She should be proficient when she leaves the hospital.

Today Pastor presented Emmie's parents with a check to help them with money for gasoline or any other expenses they may incur with their baby's illness. (Emmie is approximately 50 miles from home.) They were overwhelmed when they realized that the check was for $1000.00. Praise the Lord for his all encompassing provisions.

Dear bloggy friends, your prayers are being answered. The family has expressed their appreciation for all your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for Emmie. It's so great to be a part of the family of God.

Love, Sherry

Sunday's Sermon in Song

Only Christ can fill the void in our lives and fill us with His peace, joy and contentment.

Blessings on this Lord's Day!

Sherry

They're never too young....

From the mouths of babes.... This little darling has put the scriptures to memory! Isn't she adorable?

Sherry

Sportn' a new look...

I decided to get a new look. Thanks to Lena, I found what I was looking for. Check her out if you are looking for something different. I wanted something cool for summer so I picked a refreshing blue.

That's it.... till tomorrow (if I don't think of something else).

Sherry

This morning's Update on Emmie

Emmie, Sunday, July 6, 2008

I just received an email from Emmie's Great Grandmother. It read as follows:

"Here is our little great grand daughter. She is off the ventilator. They took off the crib heater, dressed her in preemie cloths and wrapped her in a blanket. It was a surprise for her mom and dad tonight when they arrived at the hospital. Jackie got to hold her like a real baby in her arms. All the monitors are still attached under her clothes. If she can hold her own body heat for 12 hours dressed and with blanket that is an important step.

They bumped her feedings to 22 ml. this afternoon, every 3 hrs. She got choked and all the alarms went off when her mommy and daddy were there. The nurse had to suction her. It was scary for them. When they called late tonight from home the report was she was still choking some. Her vitals were dropping too low each time she choked. They may have to put her back on the ventilator and they are checking her liver functions to see if something is happening there.

Please pray for Emmie and her parents. God has brought her through this struggle for 25 days and we believe He will heal her completely. The journey is hard but our God is sufficient! Praise Him for all the blessings we have received. God bless each and everyone of you.

Thank you for all your prayers."

Sherry

Sunday's Sermon in Song

Cookies and the Word

Yeah! I finished my notes for this week's Sunday School lesson! Now I can have a free Saturday night.

Not!

Now I need to bake something for class as well. I think I will do peanut
butter cookies. That shouldn't take too long and my hubby is applauding
this decision ;) Nothing better than cookies and the Word!

I hope you have a nice evening doing whatever you have planned to do.

Sherry

America: Beautiful, Bold & Blessed

Bible Study Results

We had an awesome Bible Study last night. We have a larger group (23) so we did not make the pizza -- we ordered out. I made the 5 Flavor Pound Cake and served it with fresh strawberries and blueberries -- Oh, Man -- talk about good! My man loved it, too.

We were asked to make an acrostic of the word "peculiar" from I Peter 2:9-12. Here's what we came up with:

P - Precious

E - Endearing

C - Children

U - Under

L - Love

I - Immortality

A - And

R - Redemption

Also, I asked each lady to bring an item that could represent or actually be used as a false god/idol. It was awesome what they came up with. God really used that segment to minister to us. At the close of the session we paired off and prayed for each other. God's sweet presence filled the room. Many hearts are being touched and changed already.

I love studying God's Word, don't you?

Sherry

Eliminating the Idols

The ladies Bible study group at my church is joining with women around the globe and doing the "No Other Gods" Bible study by Kelly Minter. This is a thought provoking and heart searching series. No matter where one lives, how much or how little one has, idols can be formed in the heart. God will not be upstaged by anyone or anything. He is to be first in our lives and will not share space with any other gods. This sounds harsh, but we who have a relationship with God, know that He is the God of love and patience. In fact, Christianity is the only religion that I'm aware of that is based upon love.