Friday Fill-Ins #95

To see more responses click link.

Ok, here we go......

1. Right now, I'm feeling very tired as I'm finishing a double shift and knowing I'll be back here in 8 hours.
2. In bed beside my husband is where I want to be.
3. How does one know what to cook everyday that the kids will eat?
4. Making a list of things to do keeps me on track.
5. Please don't ignore me as if I'm not here.
6. My children's smiles fill me with joy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to taking the kids swimming and getting back to life with no one ill or throwing up, tomorrow my plans include taking the kids to my mom's while Hubby & I work and Sunday, I want to play with my kids as I haven't seen much of them all weekend!

Text: RYB

I am not in the technoligically elite who send or receive text messages and who apparently no matter where these people are, if the get a text , they have to stop and read it. However I'm just as bad with IM on the computer, if I see a flashing orange box, I have to stop what I'm doing or excuse my kids as "I just have to check this". At church we just finished a sermon series about if God send you a text message, would you read it? The truth is He has, it is called the Bible. One of the reasons texts are so alluring is that they are relevant and personal. Well that's the same as the Bible, it is both relevant and personal. It is a guide to our feet and a light to our path. The Bible is the greatest miracle as it is made up of 66 books, over 40 authors and spans 1500 years. Yet they all tell the same story - redemption. Beyond just reading the bible my pastor encouraged us that we should take it to the next level and go beyond reading and PERSONALIZE the scriptures. One scrpiture that has been speaking to me is Romans 8:38,39. - ...nothing can seperate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!....not lonliness, self-doubt, low self confidence, finances, economic hardship, divorce, family difficulties, anger....NOTHING! His love endures forever! This is repeated over and over for us in Pslam 136 and I personlized it here:

To Him who allowed me to grow up with a Christian influence through various churches, youth groups and Christain school.
His love endures forever.

To Him who burdened my heart for the ministry
His love endures forever.

and provided a way for me to go overseas,
His love endures forever.

and had his angels watch over me while overseas in a foreighn culture.
His love endures forever.

To Him who put dear friends in my life
His love endures forever.

and who provides a way for us to keep in touch even miles apart.
His love endures forever.

To Him who holds the whole world in His hands
His love endures forever.

and provides for every little thing even when we don't understand His ways.
His love endures forever.

To Him who brought my husband and I together
His love endures forever.

and has us in the same profession allowing us to be a support for each other.
His love endures forever.

Even when I have a bad day, He never leaves me.
His love endures forever.

To Him who blessed with three strong, happy, and healthy children
His love endures forever.

who love Him and want to know more of Him.
His love endures forever.

To Him who provides everything my family needs.
His love endures forever.

To Him who made the seasons, colors, and the sun to rise and set.
His love endures forever.

To Him who loves us even when we stumble and helps us back up on solid ground.
His love endures forever.

To Him who comforts me when I'm lonely or feel far from Him.
His love endures forever.

To Him who weaves the plot of our story-His story-from beginning to end.
His love endures forever.

Friday Fill-ins #94

1. Follow the Leader.
2. My digital camera is something I always take with me on vacation.
3. To achieve your goals, you must be organized and stick with it.
4. I've been overseas to several different countries and cultures but I haven't been to Europe and REALLY want to go someday is something I'd like you to know about me.
5. I have a frog fettish (that's a good thing right...atleast that's what I meant to say- I had frogs on my wedding cake & invites, frog stuffies, frog decor in my house...my nickname is even Toad). 6. Anything that floats makes a great pool toy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending the evening alone with my youngest as the others go to a party, tomorrow my plans include working and Sunday, I want to go to church before working again!

Click the image above to read more great Friday Fill-ins!

A Halloween-Loving Christian?

I found this article last year and never did get around to posting it. I, myself, wouldn't say that Halloween is anywhere near my favorite holiday however my kids enjoy it and therefore I also participate in the fun of the evening. Such as dressing up, getting & receiving candy and playing a variety of games. We do not participate in the scary, gory or violent aspects of the day. I have talked with several people (many of them christians) and they all have different feelings toward Halloween. I understand where many come from that are against it but I have never been convicted for recognizing the holiday. I just wanted to share this article as it says much of how I feel but in better writing style than I could do.
http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2007/10/a_halloweenloving_christian.html
At the end are many comments, some agreeing and some against. What are you feelings toward Halloween?

One Year + a Day

Oops, as many other things, I had good intentions but I'm late again. I realized last week that it will be one year since I started this blog on October 14 and I decided I'd write a one year post. Well, it is now October 15th!!!! OOPS (again)!!! I started this blog off last year after one failed attempt to do a blog. So I tried again at the encouragement of a friend who has been blogging for several years, you can check out here blog here. I honestly didn't think I'd have anything interesting to say or be able to stick with it. Well here I am...STILL and I must admit there were definite periods of "'drought & famine" on Toad's Secret Spot but I'm enjoying it all the same. It is a great way to keep a journal of times past, precious once-in-a-moment memories that you may not remember a year later, and to communicate with friends and loved ones. As well as the opportunity to meet new friends and read other blogs...feeling like I have more of a social network than is visible. Also, I'm using it as a way to motivate myself to self-improvement. Well, must be off so here is to another great year. I know that kids grow up fast and the 5th birthday is here before you know it.....hopefully I can say the same thing about my blog. Thank-you to those of you you have commented and supported me in the past year. Here are a list of all who have visited (and left a comment on) my blog in it's first year. I must say I was very surprised as to how long this list is. I honestly thought there would just be a few and I could compile this list much quicker...anyway here it is, check them out as there are many interesting blogs here:

• Gill http://gills-jottings.blogspot.com/
• Janet http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/
• BJ http://freedomfiles.homeschooljournal.net/
• Judy http://www.blogger.com/profile/10613338367975508740
• LarryG http://ytfe.blogsot.com/
• J http://www.missmodderpotts.blog.com/
• Rachael's Mom www.blogger.com/profile/18244542808232865104
• Jennifer http://jenniferhendrickson.blogspot.com/
• cj http://cjreading.blogspot.com/
• Jack http://slightlyoff-center.blogspot.com/
• SandyM http://sandystyl.blogspot.com/
• Crazy Daisy http://foreverdaisies.blogspot.com/
• smileyes http://smiletodayandeveryday.blogspot.com/
• eastcoastlife http://eastcoastlife.blogspot.com/
• Hi, I'm Robyn http://ilovegiveaways.blogspot.com/, http://cookinwithfriends.blogspot.com/
• Misty http://mistywagner.blogspot.com/
• BrineS http://readravereview.blogspot.com/, http://acupofjoy.wordpress.com/, http://acupofjoy.wordpress.com/
• the 160 acre woods http://the100acrewoods.com/
• tvollowitz@aol.com
• Bad Momma http://bad-momma.blogspot.com/
• susan http://susansmusing.wordpress.com/
• Angie (Angelica Grace Designs) http://angelicagracedeigns.com/blog/index.html
• Jessica http://www.blogger.com/profile/12170043582358554487
• Gretchen http://jewelsinmycrownsomeday.blogspot.com/
• Nadine http://justbeingme1.blogspot.com/
• Lauren http://beneshes.blogspot.com/
• joyful days http://ourjoyfuldays.blogspot.com/
• susan http://bygrace3.blogspot.com/
• KC http://mindlesschatterofabusymom.blogsot.com/
• Melissa http://melissa-snapshots.blogspot.com/
• Vicky
• Andrea R http://atypicalife.net/blog
• Heather's Brain http://heathersbrain.blogspot.com/
• Rhen (yestheyareallmine) http://yestheyareallmine.wordpress.com/
• Veronica Mitchell http://toddledrege.com/

Happy Thanksgiving

A woman was asked by a coworker,
'What is it like to be a Christian?'

The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.'
God picks you from the patch, brings you in,
and washes all the dirt off of you.
Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.
Then He carves you a new smiling face and
puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'

I got this in my email and thought it was so true. Can't say I've ever heard it put like that before, but from one pumpkin to another I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I so love the fall season and how nature just shouts God's praise with all it's beauty. In this season of thanksgiving there are so many things I'm thankful for but to just name a few I'd have to say my beautiful family, my friends that are always there for me no matter how far away they are (as most of them are). I'm thankful I was able to reunite with many of them this summer, thankful for the food in my cupboards and especially the eggnog I was drinking last night :) Thankful for my warm cozy house, especially now that is is so cold and wet outside. Thank you God that I was finally able to get my driver's licence and still have it 6 months later. Also I'm thankful for wet little kisses and warm little cuddles. :)