Thoughts Of The Day 3-26-09

My Sunday School teacher always gives me a Bible verse that is fitting for any given situation. This morning I was looking at one of my favorite websites, God's Yellow Pages, and found some really good verses that seem to fit with my life right now.

Under the heading of COURAGE:

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Under the heading ANXIOUS:

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Under the heading NEEDING GUIDANCE:

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Under the heading SICK-IN PAIN:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Under the heading PRAYERFUL:

1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

And finally ... Under the heading FORGIVENESS:

Mark 11:25-26
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Forgiveness is a hard thing sometimes, but we must learn to forgive in order to be forgiven ... I'm really trying.

I am definitely in prayer about a lot of things. I know I need God to do some work on me, and I know I need God to get me through some things that are going on. I just have to learn to be patient, which is the hardest part.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Confused

I really don't know what to do this Sunday about Church. I love the people at my Church and would really like to go there, but at the same time I want to see if maybe another Church is better suited for us. I guess I just have to continue to pray about it.

We missed last Sunday because Stanley said he had a hard time going to our Church, and then I missed because I didn't get up in time. (my best friend and I had stayed up and painted Friday night and slept from 8AM to 1PM and then we started painting again, and I went to bed Saturday night after midnight, so I was exhausted).

Stanley and I want to go, but we think some things need to be settled first. It is hard to worship God in a place where things are going on, and people are treating you different or wrong. I know God wants it settled, but I don't know how to do that when decisions are still up in the air, feelings are hurt, and NO ONE wants to admit they are wrong.

I am also confused as to why people have to leave anonymous comments on my blog, and continue to look at comments on another post, but use something to block the ISP they are using. I am so sick of deceit, really I am. I am glad that I am an honest person who doesn't care what others think. Sneaking around looking for trouble isn't my thing. I mean the way I see it is this ... if you think I am wrong, or don't like what I have to say, then you shouldn't be on my blog. Seems to me that continuing to come back is just as bad as you think or say that I am.

I don't care for anyone reading my blog, I am an open book, really. Have a question? Just ask. But when I have increased traffic on one post, and then when we bust them out and then I start seeing "Unknown" on my blog stats, but they are still looking at the same post ... HELLO ... I might be blonde, but I assure you, I am not stupid. Why would you keep coming back? Are you wanting me to say something? If not, please go away.

Update On Pump

Austen has to go to the hospital in the morning to have more bloodwork drawn. He has to have a C- Peptide, which tells the doctor if his pancreas produces any insulin at all. The insurance company is requesting it, as well as 60 days worth of blood sugar logs (that we can pull off the monitor). But from the way I understand it, they are going to pay most, if not all of the cost of the pump (if they agree). The insurance company still has not decided if he can have one yet, that is why we have to do all of this. The doctor and pump company are all on board, but the insurance company is the final say, but I can understand that because those supplies for the pump are extremely expensive.

But I have faith that he will get the insulin pump ... God has protected him thus far, and the pump will ensure he stays healthy for a lot longer. Some people think that if he did everything just perfectly that he would be fine without it, but I don't know anybody who does everything just perfect ... except for Jesus of course :-)

TGIF

This has been the longest week to me. I guess because I had two clinicals this week and because of that, had to miss Church Wednesday. I am so happy it is Friday, even though this weekend looks pretty busy too, since ...

I need to unwind, sleep in, and finish painting the trim in the living room.
I need to do more research on local Churches.
I need to spend time and cuddle up with my husband.
I need to get into God's word.

Next week I also have two clinicals, both of which are on Tuesday, but at least I get my usual Thursday off next week. Not having a day off when you have papers to write, quizzes to take, and research to do is CRAZY!

Tuesday I have Management of Care Day @ Western Baptist & Angel's Clinic. I am looking forward to the first one, but not so much the last one. But just a few more clinicals left, and three more tests and this semester is O-V-E-R! Then summer break ... I can't wait!

Also, please pray for us (or continue) as we have many decisions to make in the near future and we want to make the right ones. Thanks so much and have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Just So You Know

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck ... it's a duck. I'm just saying.

Thought Of The Day 3-18-09

Proverbs 28:13

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Great Day

Today I was with Hospice for my clinical. A great experience, I truly admire the work they do. I had the privilege of working with them when I took care of a very sweet lady who had cancer. I would actually love to work with Hospice, but I have to have 3 years experience first.

Tonight my baby girl is singing at school. She is in the "Talent Spotlight", she does it every year. She is going to sing Beautiful by Christina Aguilera ... I haven't heard her sing it yet, so I am going to be pleasantly surprised. I cannot wait!

Now I think I am off to take a nap. I want to be well rested to hear my baby girl sing. She sings like an angel, and uses it for God's glory ... God will do amazing things through her.

Thought Of The Day 3-17-09

2 Timothy 4:16-18

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

My New Dining Room

Thank God it is finally finished! I love it! This was originally the living room and had a wall closing it off from the room I am taking the picture in. We knocked down the wall and decided to turn it into a dining room since we only have the bar to eat at, and no room in the kitchen for a table. I think it looks great, so warm and inviting!

Thoughts Of The Day 2-12-09

Ephesians 5:11

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

2 Corinthians 10:12

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Feeling Blessed & Confused

A lot of people did without power, heat, hot water, cable and phone during the ice storm here in Western Ky. We had heat and hot water, and got power back after 5 days. The interesting and most blessed thing that came out of it was that during this stressful week (on most people), I was fairly relaxed playing cards with my kids and my family that stayed with us after the storm.

My kids learned how to play spades and rummy, and it was really cool to spend that quality time with them. They really seemed to enjoy it too, and I am hoping we can do more of it once things go back to normal and we all get back into our normal routines.

God is good all the time, and it is when you do without that you realize how truly blessed you really are.

******************************************************************

During the storm I was a bit taken back by someone coming to my house asking me if they could buy drugs off of me (my pain pills from my recent hysterectomy). I was so shocked by this that all I could do was lie and say I had flushed them, when I probably should have called the police instead. This is someone with whom I am fairly aquainted with, and who should know better. I have decided that I need to keep my distance from this person but pray that they get the help they need.

If you know me at all then you know that this goes against my beliefs, morals, and values. Look up the word anti-drug and you will see my picture. I'm still very upset by this and clueless of what to do.

Thoughts Of The Day 1/27/09

In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than be loved for who I'm not.

Those who are poor, smile at what they have, yet those who have good fortune, frown at what they do not have.

When you judge someone else, It doesn't define who they are, It defines who you are.

Life is too short to be distracted by the opinions of others.

Stand up for what you believe in, even if you are standing alone.

Thought Of The Day 1-20-09

Dependence upon God makes heroes of ordinary people like you and me. - Bruce Wilkinson

Thought Of The Day 1-19-09

If you begin to live life looking for the God that is all around you, every moment becomes a prayer. - Frank Bianco

Learning About Myself

1. I have come to realize that I may be too outspoken. I realized I had this problem when I was a teenager, but then somehow I grew out of it, and then now that I am back in Church, I am back to be being outspoken again. I am the type of person that I don't care who you are, if I think you have done me wrong or my family wrong, I will be the first one to tell you about it. I am usually nice about it unless you ignore me or defend your behavior, and then I might not be so nice. Some people cannot handle this about me, and so I don't make friends very easily. Once people see that I am not this way just to be mean, then they get to know me and like me, but it takes some time for people to get that close.
2. I have come to realize that I am not the type of person who searches for or longs for a leadership role. Not to say that I wouldn't want a leadership role if the position were right, I just don't "need" it in order to feel like somebody important. I may not be important to anyone but my family, but that is OK with me. I see a lot of people look for leadership roles just to say "Look at me!", "Look what I am doing." I don't want to ever be that way because then it isn't for God's glory, it's for mine, and that would be wrong.
3. I get annoyed with advice that comes from people who have not been in my situation, and because of that, I try not to give advice to people if I have not been there myself. We all think we know all the answers and it is real easy to tell someone else what to do, but not as easy when you are standing in the situation.
4. I am a lot tougher than I thought I was, and I know I owe it ALL to God. He has given me more strength than I thought was possible over the past several years. God is truly amazing!
5. I am so happy to be happily married. I go to school with a bunch of young girls and overhear them talk about dating ... I could not do that again. I LOVE stability. I love knowing that I have someone who loves me and only me. I love it that there are many predictable things in my life (I don't like surprises), and I love it that at the end of the day I have a soft place to fall and I will always be caught by my husband's loving arms.
6. I do not like confrontation, and express myself better in writing. I don't mind talking face to face, but I am more apt to becoming emotional or upset and do not like others to see me cry.
7. Sci-Fi movies are NOT for me ... give me a good romantic comedy and I am good to go!

I have learned a lot about myself over the past few years in school. I know I will continue to learn more as I grow older and continue to change. I am looking forward to the adventure.

Drugs or Jesus

I have been having a hard time dealing with some things lately. Lord knows I have prayed and prayed but I still don't know what to do or what to say. I will try not to go into too much detail, but one problem I have is that I feel, and my kids feel, like they are treated differently than other kids in a couple of different environments. I don't know why this is, and no reason can justify it in my mind, but it happens regardless.

I am the type of person that believes that all people should be treated equally and fairly. I realize there are people that have their favorite kids, I do too, but that does not mean that you nag, be mean to, or be unfair to other kids. It isn't right and is sin no matter how you look at it.

I also have a problem (in general) with the amount of people who are addicted to or take prescription drugs for no reason. These people are all around us; on the roads, in the shopping malls, and for some reason they think because they are legal drugs, that it is OK. It is NOT OK. An addiction is an addiction and not to say these people are bad people, but I don't want that mess around my kids.

Prescription drugs have become the new "street drug", and these people will try to sell these drugs to your kids, or they will even give them away to help get them started or addicted. I have seen good people ruin their lives from abusing prescription drugs. It is mainly pain pills or anti-depressants that are being abused. It is very scary to me because I know how easily doctors just hand them out like candy.

No good doctor should keep writing prescriptions for pain killers without testing the drug level in the person, and without trying alternative methods of pain relief. The doctor that writes those prescriptions every month without checking things out and making sure the client is in real pain and not just addicted, should lose their license in my opinion. They are part of the problem when they need to be part of the solution. Prayer is needed for sure!

That was my soap box for the day ... It could be continued :)

Feeling Great

Well it has been one month and a day since my surgery and I feel wonderful. That is a blessing for sure! It took a week and half before I did not regret the surgery due to the massive pain I was having, but all is good now ... Thank you GOD!

We have started painting the house. We have lived here for two years and we have only done minor work on it due to me being in school. I felt so good this past weekend that I had to start working on it, and so far it is looking great! I didn't even answer the phone in fear that I would stop painting.

We spent Saturday night at a friend's house playing Rockband (one of the coolest games on the planet if you like music). We ordered out for pizza and sat around talking and catching up, and then I took turns singing and playing the guitar while Stanley did not feel very musically inclined, so he just watched and listened to us. We had a great time! I think we are going to buy Rockband and Guitar Hero World Tour Band so we can jam at home :)

School started back yesterday and so far I think 203 is going to be awesome! Our professors are a hoot let me tell you. I also liked my Medical Micro professor and think this semester is going to be one of the best so far.

Now we just got to plan out devotionals for our family and get closer to God and all things will be great in the Stevenson household!

Seven Weird Or Random Facts

My sister tagged me, so I guess I am it :) Here are seven weird or random things about me.

1. One of my nicknames is Miss Chin. My daddy called me that from the time I can remember, even as an adult he called me that or just "Chin". I really miss my daddy :(

2. My husband and I started dating in July of 1991, we got married in April of 1992, got a divorce in April of 1997, continued to live together, and got remarried in August of 2003. God did an amazing work on the both of us!

3. I was out of church for over 20 years, and I am so thankful that God got a hold of me again and pulled me out of the life I was living. To find true happiness, all one needs is God.

4. I can touch my nose with my tongue.

5. I have to drink coffee the first thing every morning or I get a bad headache that will not go away.

6. I had my first three kids by c-section and then the fourth was born natural, something that is very rare and most doctors will not allow anymore due to the serious risk of death for both mother and baby.

7. When I was 9 years old I got strep-throat and the infection went to the tubes of my kidneys causing post-strepococcal glumerulonephritis, which caused my kidneys to shut-down and I ended up in a coma for 5 days out of my two week stay at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. If it had not been for the prayers and genius of my doctor, Dr. Shumaker, I probably would have died or ended up on dialysis or had to have a kidney transplant.

If you are reading this, you are tagged ... so get busy!

God's Gift

Little baby on the hay,

soon there'll be another day

when nails shall pierce YOUR hands

and feet as YOU provide our sin's defeat.

Risen Jesus on the throne,

we lift our praise to YOU alone-

for YOU'RE gift that we receive

the moment that our hearts believe.

-Roy Lessin

As I grow older and get closer to God. I think about how Jesus must be so disappointed with us for turning his birth and ressurection into a big LIE. We tell our kids that Santa Claus comes and brings them gifts at Christmas. We tell them the Easter Bunny comes and brings them baskets full of eggs on HIS ressurection. How can that make HIM happy?

If we had started from day one making Christmas about HIS birth, we wouldn't have to be fighting to say MERRY CHRISTMAS now. If we had told our kids that Christmas was about a GIFT that God gave to US that would ultimately give US eternal life in HEAVEN with HIM, imagine how things would be today? Makes you think and wonder doesn't it?

Christians are usually good about standing up for their beliefs, but this is one thing that I think we really messed up with. How can any lie that takes away from our savior's birth and ressurection be pleasing to God? How can ANY lie be pleasing to God for that matter?

We always hear about how as Christians we are to be different. We should not watch ungodly things, we should not listen to ungodly music, we should always be careful to tame our tongues. We should be careful of the company we keep. BUT THEN we support this HUGE LIE every single year! Even if we don't have young kids, we ask "What is Santa bringing you?" ... We support the commercialism of HIS birth buy going into DEBT to SPOIL our children. We show just how ungodly we are by getting into fights with other people over that "special" toy for our kids.

Non Christians celebrate Christmas the exact same way we do.

Yeah I am very sure that the reason we are fighting to put Christ back in Christmas, is because Christmas IS NOT about Christ anymore, and it hasn't been for a very long time. We say it is, and we may watch movies like the Nativity Story, and read from the Bible ... but it is all about buying our kids those things they are just dying to have. It's all about impressing the people we don't even like. It's all about how much money we can spend ... and I don't care what anybody says, our God, our Jesus, would not be happy about any of that!!!

Put CHRIST back in YOUR Christmas. Celebrate YOUR savior's birth the way it should be celebrated. Don't continue to commercialize Christmas, don't continue to make a mockery out of HIS birth. I dare YOU to be different.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

It Is Depressing

It is very sad that the economy is as bad as it is. People all across this country are struggling to make ends meet and buy Christmas for their families. It is sad that people are losing their jobs during this crisis. That is why it is so important that people not live beyond their means.

If you have credit cards, cut them up! If you have charge accounts, stop! You don't need a fancy car and the nicest furniture and clothing. You only need what you can afford. Stop trying to impress the people you don't even like with your treasures here on earth.

Now is not the time to be buying things you don't need, or charging thousands of dollars on credit cards to buy Christmas for your family. Your family should be able to understand that you can't afford to spend money you don't have.

It just blows my mind to overhear people saying they can't pay their bills, but then they charge tons of money on credit cards. People are losing their jobs, or at risk for losing their jobs. This is not the time to go into debt, think about your families. I am sure they would much rather have a house to live in than an iPod or a laptop.