I'm lovin' it!

I am currently obsessed with the CD, Some of the Best, Volume 1,  from here.  I'm telling you, the genuine-ness of the words and the singer speaks directly to this little heart of mine.  I'm writing a post on this CD because it reminds me of old-fashioned Christians.  The Christianity of this man is the same as both of my grandparents.  I'm not saying that there aren't any people today {said dramatically} with the same kind of seriousness in Christianity, I'm just don't think it's as prevalent. 

There was a missionary here at our church in the fall and he was an Egyptian {that sounds so weird to type that but he was a native from Egypt which makes him an Egyptian}.  Anyways, he was a Christian.  One of the things he said in his sermon was how different it was to come to America because the pastors tell him when he has to be done preaching.  The Christians in Egypt are so eager to learn about Christ and the Bible that they do multiple Bible studies each week plus church -- with no time limit; they have prayer meetings, etc...It sounded so much like my great-great-Grandparents, Mumma and Bobba.  Hearing that man preach moved me so much.  I want that type of Christianity so badly!!  That's why I get so bugged about excess junk in a house and running around too much and having too many earthly things and seeking too much $$money$$--the root of all evil.  The suffering of this world causes us to long for Heaven.  And we're not going to get that unless we spend time with HIM!

Anyways, there's my diatribe that's been rattling around in my head for a while now.  I guess that's why I'm obsessed with this CD.  The Holy Spirit speaks to me through this man's ministry and I am moved.

Here's a few of my favorite tracks and why they're special:

::separation from the world...track 2::
::realizing how much the Creator loves me...and He gives me a choice to love Him...unbelievable..track 6::
::looking towards Heaven...track 14::
::seeing the loveliness of Christ...track 20:: {side note:  This song about makes me cry, the words are beautiful. There's a Pastor who has been coming to our Conference in April to preach for about 6+ years.  The way that man of God talks about a relationship with Christ is unbelievable!  One of his sermons last year brought tears to my eyes getting a visual picture of the loveliness of Christ.  This song does the same.  Sooooooooo beautiful!}

According to Al Smith's website, I can get a hymnal from here.  Incredible!  {It's on my to-do list, for sure!}

Southern accents...

...why I love 'em.

Today, I cleaned for a new client.  She is from southern IN and has a slight Southern accent.  In fact, when I hear a Southern accent, it makes me say, "Ma'am?" or "Yes, Ma'am" or "No, Ma'am" more frequently. 

#1...I feel more polite around Southern people.

My Granny calls everyone at her retirement community darlin'.  I think that's why they love her.  As I was wheeling her past the nurses station today, she waved demurely at the nurses and said, "Hey, darlin'!"  Hilarious...you would have had to been there.  When we were younger and would visit my grandparents in AL, we would see which of my brothers got called honey by the waitresses the most.  It drove my brothers nuts of course, but we always got a laugh.

#2...Endearing words.

road trip!

I **love** road trips!! After I was done working this morning, I high-tailed it to the Toll Road to head towards Amish country.  I am sorely in need of more scrapbook paper.  It seems like Michael's and Hobby Lobby have not been replenishing their stock and I feel like what they have is blah-blah-blah. Plus++, I need double-sided paper which they don't have much of.  Anyways, the nearest scrapbook store I could find was in Shipshewana.  Score!  I love going out there. 

Peeps, I found the greatest paper.  I am thrilled beyond words.  Think:  plaid, polka dots, organge, pink, teal, red, and brown...all sorts of paper!  I think I have mentioned this already but I am participating in a craft show on Saturday.  So you may not see the cards with the new paper in my store until after Saturday's show {meaning...whatever doesn't sell}. 

While I was driving this afternoon, I started to think of why I love road trips so much.  Here are some of my favorite memories.

#1...The longest road trip our family ever took on a regular basis was down to Mobile every summer.  Favorite memories include a brand-new Patch the Pirate cassette tape, typically off-limits junk/snack food, the rocket ship in AL, and the smell of paper mills.
#2....Driving to MN to visit my parents while my Mom was undergoing treatment for leukeimia a second time.  I had just finished my freshman year in college and was the sole driver for the siblings.  Good times!
#3...Driving up to MI for my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary.  My Mom was fighting a cold so my parents didn't leave until Monday morning.  However, my Dad said we {me and my bros.} could drive up providing that the temperature wasn't at freezing.  We sweated it out and it hovered around 36 degrees, give or take.  We left Sunday night after church after firmly stating that I was.not.tired. because once again, I was the designated driver.  Plus++, my Dad said I could not use cruise control {??} and I had to go the speed limit.  Memories include my brothers frequently reminding me to stay the speed limit, missing a really great exit for fast food and arriving really late at night.  {PS...wouldn't you have a hard time staying the speed limit if you couldn't speed and couldn't use cruise control?}
#4...Family vacay up to Canada, the Upper Peninsula of MI, and Mackinac Island.

So would you prefer to fly or drive?

::prayerfully::

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine-do Thou befriend us,
Be the Guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful tho we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse and pow'r to free:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

little people

One of my winter goals is to read through the New Testament.  The other night, I was reading in Acts.  I was getting so many nuggets of truth that I had to grab a pen and jot the thoughts down before I forgot them.  Here's a post so that I don't forget.  {In other words, skip this post if you want to. ha.}

I love little people!  I mean little as in "lesser known." 

Here are some seemingly little people in chapters 8-11 of Acts.  But I'm confident that it was people like these who helped spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the known world at that time.

--Philip...surrendered to the Holy Spirit, led the eunuch to Christ {8:29-40}
--Ananias..."Behold, I am here, Lord." {9:10}
--Dorcas..."Full of good works and almsdeeds." {9:36}
--Cornelius..."A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always." {10:2}
--Barnabas..."For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." {11:24}

These people exemplify things that I'm working on in my life right now. 
#1 surrender 100% to the Holy Spirit...always
#2 Others, others, others first
#3 Prayer

oh where, oh where have I been?

Substitute teaching, that's where!  Can you believe it?

I.
am.
exhausted.

{That is a glaring understatement.}

It was 1st and 2nd graders.  And it was for three days...Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

Back to my real life tomorrow of cleaning houses.

I'm seriously surprised I have not lost my voice yet.  I do not talk that much in one day.  I used to, when I was in school.  But not anymore. 

All in all, they're sweet kids.

And a little girl who is truly such a darling little soul gave me a note tonight at church that said, "Dear Miss Gaus, You are the best teacher in the U.S.A."  Icing on the cake.

vacation x2

Today...was great!  I worked this morning, then my brother and I took my parents to the airport.  But we made a few detours on the way. 

Detour one: lunch.  One word escapes my lips: delicioso!!!

Well, this picture involves a very hilarious family joke.  Basically, my Dad is always right when it comes to numbers.  For crying out loud, he is the CFO of a medical university!  Anways, we had to stop at three {!!}different places to exchange US dollars to shekels.  We did meet with success and all was well.

 

We dropped off Mom & Dad here at the airport on their way to an incredible vacation.  {Aren't they lovely?!  I heart my parents...I'm so lucky!}