'Twas the week before Christmas...

... and all through the house, not a creature was stirring... except for a bright eyed, bushy tailed, mother of three.  (up at 3:11am and feeling strangely well rested... Cue song "I believe in miracles.")  The stockings are laid on the floor with (some) care, until I figure out where to hang them, they shall remain there.  The children are sleeping all snug in my bed,  one with his feet placed against the other's head.

     And so on and so forth...

     What a gloriously beautiful morning!  As I type this blog with steaming coffee nearby, and only the magical glow from the Christmas trees (yeah, I said trees... big new house... lovin' it.) illuminating the night, I am able to think clearly without interruption for what seems like the first time in weeks...  Precious.
        This moment right here, is what I asked Santa for :)  Well, maybe it wasn't Santa... I chose a Higher Source... and it was more like begging and pleading than a simple request.  Friday night after I tucked in the bambinos, I dropped to my knees and admitted that I could use a little help.  Finances, homeschooling, presents, ministry, photography, parties, housework, unpacking, snow shoveling, and keeping two kids alive by myself... Well, 'nuff said, right?  I should've talked to God about it before, but I had a rather distorted view of prayer for a while.  Don't get me wrong.  I always pray. It's just that I  was praying about "noble" things... like our ministry partners, and starving people with aids in Africa, and the stray three legged dog that I maybe shoulda' put in my car, taken home and named, "Stooge".  That sort of thing.    Anyway, I put my pride aside and asked The Big Man to help a sista' out. I also asked Him to return my five long-lost packages that, according to the USPS were "left on the porch."  If only they had been left on my porch... Sigh.
     The next morning my Mom called me and jokingly said, "Christina, did you pray for help with the kids and your house or something last night?  Because I guiltily tossed and turned all night thinking about how I should be over there helping you out today."  Ha!  My God is a riot I tell you.  (If you don't know Jesus well, you need to get better acquainted with Him... He's totally pro-endorphins.)  There was more work to be done than just us two could accomplish though... It's a good thing my dad, aunt, and grandma volunteered too!
      Sometime between Dad fixing the vacuum and television and Mom unboxing Lucy's room, there was a knock on the door...
      "Hi, you must be Christina Lusk.  I wanted to get these to you sooner, sorry.  They've been sitting in my front room for over a week."  Yeppers!  My packages.  Thank you kind and honest new neighbor Melissa.  I like you.

     First Peter 5:7 is one of my ALL-TIME favorite promises from the Bible... It worked for me.  I bet it'll work for you too!

           "Cast ALL your cares upon The Lord.  Because he cares for you."

       See you at church this morning?

                   Me.

P.S.  Ever wish you could share an Extraordinary Ordinary Me blog entry with someone, who, just doesn't do the blog scene?  Click on the envelope below to send it to their email inbox.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

P.P.S.  - My apologies for all the wacky layout changes lately... I think I have found one that "suits me". For a while anyway. :)

Mama said there'd be days...

        Those of you who know me personally, or follow this blog, know well that I am not a bad mood kind of a gal.   But once in a blue moon...

  Last Friday, the moon was a particularly lovely shade of cobalt.

       The night before had been a "popcorn" night.  (Look for an earlier blog entry about "noogies" to locate the definition of "popcorn nights".)  I finally got to bed around four.  I missed the alarm... which means Lucy missed the bus.  I quick grabbed (sorry for wording things like a six-year-old sometimes, we read a lot of "Junie B. Jones" in this house.  It rubs off on you.) my husband's ball cap and jacket and flew out the door with both critters.  Fortunately, I got her to school on time.  As I pulled up to the school, the gym teacher, Mr. K, chivalrously opened the door for her.  He greeted me as well, just before he said, "Say goodbye to your dad, Lucy."  Nice. (Ok, the good news is that even on bad days I don't offend easily.  After a few moments, I saw the humor in that incidence.)
  
     Did I mention I had severe cold?

     I watched a little CNN.  Seven people were shot at an airport in Honduras - names to be released..., 18 people were killed in a Honduran factory, a hurricane was flooding Honduras, Mudslides were sending cars down mountains in Honduras...

   Did I mention my husband was in Honduras?

Deep breaths... "why are you downcast o my soul... He puts His angels 'round about... The Lord is my Shepherd..."

     I turned the TV off.

I'd been hired to face paint (dressed as a cartoon character) at a birthday party which was to take place the following morning.  I had been needing some very specific supplies, and hadn't been able to find them.  So, I ventured out to search for them one last time...

   Six stores later, and still no luck... (Come on Holy Spirit!  I've begged you to show me where I can find this stuff! )

Deep breaths... "If God is for me... Ask and you shall receive... Seek and you shall..."

   Did I mention I was menstruating?

I decided it was probably time for some retail therapy.  Aha! At last I could see some light at the end of the tunnel... My favorite shoe store had posted a ginormous sign in the window. "ENTIRE STORE BUY ONE GET TWO FREE!!!"  Except... they only had one pair my size...

At this point I had to actually go outside the store for my deep breaths, because I knew if I didn't, I was going attack the salesman, who, had called me, "Sunshine" a few too many times.


And since this is getting too long, and I've an inkling I've already lost half of you, I'm going to try and wrap it up.

I found my way to a friends's house that evening, who, upon seeing me in an unnatural state, sat me down on her couch, put on a delightful movie, served me a cup of tea, and fed me a dinner so delicious it made my knees wobble.

I apologized for my unChrist-like demeanor, and explained to her how I was just a bit tired and frustrated because I couldn't find such-and-such items at any store, and... the love of my life was MIA several thousand miles away.

Do you know what that crazy woman did?  She left me (and who could blame her?).  Actually, she went to the store.  She brought back supplies to create the very things I lacked.  She also brought chocolate, and more importantly, her mother.

These two master craftswomen, worked late into the night, CHEERFULLY EVEN, making the very things I had hunted for.  Halfway through the project, they called me into the room.  They embraced me and prayed that Michael would be able to contact me, to inform me he was safe, and they prayed that the party would go smoothly.  Astounded by the love I was surrounded by, I cried a little... maybe I cried a lot.

I left that night, absorbed in a simple truth... Jesus cares about me, He wants to give me the very best, even when I feel so unworthy of it...

Happy deep breaths...

"For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God."

                                                                                       Ephesians 2:8 

Know what?  He wants that for you too.

Love,

Me

PS.  The party was FANTASTIC.  Thank you  - Gloria, Michele, Sandy, & Judy.  I love you dearly. 


PPS. - I happened upon four pairs of shoes that weekend... $10 for the lot - less than I would have paid at the "buy one, get two" sale.  

PPPS.  I checked my email when I got home that night.  Michael had sent me a message at the very same time those heaven-sent women prayed for me :) 


PPPPS.  I'm picking him up from the airport in an hour.

   

Digestive Reader

"You're a bad Christian, Sancho, because you never forget any insult you ever receive.  But men of noble and generous heart do not pay attention to trivialities." - Don Quijote

   Good morning, friends.  Pot 'o coffee brewed,  crickets humming, and I've been ministered to by a delusional fictional character.  All in all, it's been a pretty terrific morning.

     I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, these scarce little moments.  You moms know what I'm talking about.  The tots are enjoying themselves at Grandma's house, and you are completely alone.  We become like kids and silence is our candy store.  Honestly, I wasn't sure where to begin this morning.  I greeted God (who, by-the-way, returned my salutation), meditated briefly on some of His generous promises, and then gleefully skipped past the dirty dishes, unclipped coupons, and toys on the floor, straight to the shelves laden with unread bounty.  It had been so long since I had indulged myself.  Who would I tackle first?  Grisham, Leman, Crichton?  I closed my eyes and spun around, determined to read whichever book my outstretched finger touched.... Dr. Seuss.... Seriously? How did that get in there?  Redo.

      This time I struck gold.  Miguel de Cervantes.  I forgot how funny that guy was.  Michael and I used to read through his "Don Quijote" together.  We would end up laughing at anything that was written in it, like a couple of happy drunks.  (We weren't drunk... just happy.)  We should do that again.  I'll bring the book on our TBD vacation.

What inspirational thing will you read today? ("Christina, I'm reading your blog, he he he.", doesn't count.)

Thanks for stopping by, you faithful, faithful,  Bloggeroonies,

I prayed for you today,


Christina

P.S.   It's awfully quiet around here.  I sure do miss the kids.

Today was the day that the Lord had made.  I rejoiced and was glad in it.  God made this day.  I had no choice in the matter.  He did not ask my opinion.  He just made it.  He did give me a choice concerning my attitude.  I did not have to be glad.  I could've looked at the messy house and groaned. (Ok, I did, but I fixed my attitude quick.) I could've scratched my mosquito bites and grumbled.  But instead I thought about all the GOOD things I had going on.  Here are a few of the things I thought of.

The windows in my car go down again, YAY!  I am now able to get nifty pictures of myself, in the sideview mirror (until Michael drives though a rough neighborhood and makes me put the camera away and roll up the window:(  It's inevitable, every party has one.).

I got to go down memory lane a bit at the in-laws.  This is the Sting Ray Michael used to pick me up from high school in.  How sweet it was!  Below, is the tree house Michael's dad and older brothers built for him when he was a kid.  Michael and I used to play chess up there.  Now he sleeps up there every once in a while with Lucy and the nieces and nephews.

And what would a trip to Grandma & Grandpa Lusk's be without a tractor ride and a few smiling dogs?

I dare you to take a moment, and think of the good things He's done for you.  Do you have someone in your life who loves you? (If you say no, you'll hurt my feelings.)  Say it out loud.  "Thank you God for______________. " You may find once you start you may not be able to stop thinking of good things in your life.  Have a blessed day!  Bible verse for today is...Cue Jeopardy music....

1 Chronicles 16:34 (New King James Version)

 34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

      For His mercy endures forever.

Love you soooooo much, Thanks for reading,

Christina M. Lusk

The Friendly Ape Man

     I shouldn't have done it, but I did.  I made fun of the extremely hairy guy wearing no shirt.  My friends and I were waiting in a loooooong line, on the hottest day of the year, at Cedar Point.  He was there, just a few people ahead of us, and he was as furry as an ape.  In fact,  I think that's what we were calling him, "Ape Man".  I'm not sure if it was heatstroke or God striking me down for teasing, (leaning towards heatstroke, the doctor at the Cedar Point clinic shares my inclination) but I suddenly got very lightheaded, and next thing I knew, Ape Man was kneeling on the ground and had me in his arms.  "Yer friends said you was a goin' down so I thought ya might like to have yer skull in one piece win ya woke up.  How ya feelin' lil' lady?"  What a nice hairy man.  I deeply regret the unkind things I said about him, especially after he caught me mid-faint.  He stayed with me too, until the mini golf cart ambulance (complete with siren) took me to the wonderfully air-conditioned clinic, where I played poker with the Bernstein  Bears (Sister's not as sweet as she puts on) and received free food coupons for the rest of the day.  Ahh, Good times, good times.  I wish I could say that is the most embarrassing faint story of my life, but alas, there are others that surpass it still.  (I guess I'm a little too calm sometimes, as my blood pressure tends to run VERY low.  Also, needles make me very sleepy and I occasionally take brief naps upon the sight of them.)  

  I know, I know, I always get this from you guys.  "WHY ARE YOU TELLING US THIS?"  Hmm.  Well, I guess it was because I was reminded of this as my air conditioner in the car went out.  Not a big deal unless it's 90 degrees outside and your windows don't go down.  So, it was kind of a big deal.  (Never fear, it is an easy fix and we have another car someone just gave to us.  It's one of those fancy Lincoln Continentals with air and everything.  I mean EVERYTHING.  Where was I.... ?

  Oh yes,  I was wanting to talk more about passing out.  There will be moments in life when it seems like  we can't handle anything else, and you feel like that toy that has the batteries dying.   You can tell  it's about to kick when the alphabet song starts to sound like the soundtrack to the latest Steven King movie.
   The Bible, (how predictable, right?) gives us clear instruction on what to do when we feel too weary move forward, or even stand up, without falling down.  It says.


       but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

Can I confide something to you?  Michael and I felt completely inadequate today.  There was too much of the ministry, and the housework, and the parenting, and the budgeting, and the MAJOR decision making, etc,  for us to handle.  We felt overwhelmed.  Michael had the bright idea to stop everything and put our trust in God.  We took turns shouting Bible verses and thanking God for taking care of all that stuff.  Before long we were so pumped up about life that we knocked everything out! We even had fun doing it.  So, I encourage you to do the same.  If you don't know any Bible verses, start with the one above.  It works.  I promise.

Goodnight, Friends,

Christina

P.S.  I know you want to know why my friends didn't catch me when I fainted.  I want to know too.

P.P.S.  You really do reap what you sow.  My husband is shaping up to look just like that guy.

My Trash Talkin' Granny

I was eleven.  My brother was five.  Grandma had agreed to watch both of us overnight.  (What was she thinking?)  My Grandmother (this one anyway) was never the cooking/baking grandma.  She was more of the, "Let's get take-out and go to the movies!" granny.  That was ok by us.
     On this particular day, she decided (or more likely, we did) to get something at the McDonald's drive thru.  She pulled up and waited for the McEmployee's voice to ask her what she wanted.  Nobody on the other end was polite enough to ever greet her, so she took the liberty of placing her order sans salutation.
"I'd like two chicken nugget meals, one with a toy for a boy and one for a girl, a fish sandwich and a medium fry." No response.  She was getting pretty miffed about the bad service.  Other cars in line started to honk at her, as if to say, "Move it already, Lady."  Some of them gave up and sped around her in hopes of finding "fast" food somewhere else.  I remember she did one of those iconic old lady, "Well I never!"s.  My brother and I stared at each other.  Finally he said to me, "You tell her."  "Alright, I'll do it.  Uh, Grandma, ... you're talking into the trash can."
    If you've ever met my Grandmother, you know well her fits of laughter.  She burst into one of them in line at the drive through .  (I'm thankful for the people who can laugh at themselves.)  As soon as Grandma wiped her tears for the third time, she successfully communicated her desire for happy meals and some McSomething or others, and we happily munched on our long anticipated dinner.  Grandma, if you ever read this, I love you, and I am grateful for all the fun memories we have together.

Here it comes:

Grandma wasn't getting her desire met because she wasn't connected to the right source.

Could it be the same with us?  Of course.  We as humans, all have needs and wants.  The only way to see all of our desires fulfilled is to place our order with the Big Mac "Heavenly" Daddy Himself, aka God.

You see,  He created us to be dependent on Him.  Why?  Because he longs for a relationship with us.  Yup, that's what I said.  THE GUY WHO CREATED THE SUN AND THE STARS AND MATTER, wants to be your friend.  He wants YOU and ME to break down and say, "I can do a lot better with YOU God, working with me.  YOU GOD can be a part of my life.  In fact, I will let YOU GOD run the show.  YOU GOD want me to be blessed and fulfilled so, hey, let's go with that."

That's what makes the difference you see in My and my husband's lives.  We pray prayers like the one above all the time.  Go ahead.  Make the crazy move.  Talk to God.  He's waiting anxiously for you to do it.  He's geeked up about the good things in store for you.


1 John 5:14,15 says,

"And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.  And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."



PS.  Somebody gave me a car today.  Crazy enough, they said God told them to do it.

 

Lil' ol' me up in a tree

     When I was nine years old my parents informed me that we were going to move.  They explained how we would be living in a different house, in a different city, in a different school district.  Sweet little angel that I was, I took it all in stride and greatly looked forward to the journey before me...NOT!  Are you kidding me?  I was totally anguished.  I loved our home and my school.  I certainly didn't want to leave my friends behind either. Why couldn't my parents see how good life was, right where we were (in a tiny trailer in the not-so-purdy part of town)? I had to stop this madness somehow.  I quickly came up with the answer.  They couldn't leave without me...right?  And they couldn't force me to go if they couldn't find me...right?  I bolted out of the house as fast as my legs could carry me.  Those legs got me as far as the big pine tree three streets down.  My dad was hot on my heels.  Fortunately, I had spent a good deal of time in that tree and could scurry like lightning from a close-by fence into the branches.  By the time I was halfway up, my mother had joined her husband under my sticky coniferous shelter.  There were plenty of pleas, followed by bribes and threats.  But once I make up my mind that something is the right decision, sometimes it can be hard to change.  Eventually my dad started up the tree after me.  But you know something about pine trees?  The branches are real thick at the bottom. The branches at the middle are strong enough to hold grown men even.  But the branches at the top... he he he... are only strong enough to hold petite little girls ;)  So, naturally, I climbed into those branches.

    Exasperated, Mom and Dad tried talking me down (Ever see the police try to coax the guy with the hostages to come out of the building?)  By this time, neighbors had joined in on the action, some of them with trays of cookies and others with puppies.  Somehow, even my grandfather had arrived on the scene.   I remember he offered large amounts of money and came the closest to luring me to the ground.  When the fire truck got there however, I knew the gig was up, and, clinging to what dignity I maintained, I decided to come down by myself rather than go through a humiliating, "kitty in a tree" rescue.

I know you have two questions for me: #1 "Did you get beat?" and #2 "Are you going to weave this into a Bible lesson?"

The answer is the same for both questions.

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Heb. 13:5

God is with us even when we (like lil' ol' me up in a tree) distrust others.  He's with us even when we try to hide and keep ourselves out of reach, for fear of being hurt.   But He'll never hurt us.  Throughout the Bible He calls himself many different names, "Prince of PEACE", "The COMFORTER", "HEALER", "COUNSELOR", "PROVIDER", there are many, many more.  (NOTE:  I searched the whole Bible and did not find even one name for God that resembled, "STUPID MEANIE HEAD".)

So, when you find yourself distraught, out of reach on the scrawny branches, remember; you're not as alone as you think you are.  Open up.  Allow yourself to be comforted, healed, counseled and provided for.

Hasta la pronto, Bloggeroonies,

Me

Inn Hi Scule I Stinked @ EEgnlish

He poops in the bathtub. When I'm taking a bath. And that's what he does. That's my brother. My
brother's name is Noah.

Lucy.

Ok, I know that's  a tough act to follow, but I'm going to write a little anyway, just to say I did.  Why is it so important to me to put my thoughts down every day?  Numero Uno,  I love you, and some of you are just crazy enough to read this nutty blog every single day (MUCHAS GRACIAS).  And Numero Dos,  I am proving to myself I can do this writing stuff.  I bet you don't believe I failed a high school English class because I never completed one entry in our "daily thought" journals.  Well, believe it or not, it's true.  The teacher tried to coax me, "Christina, there's no right or wrong entry, just put down how you feel."  Somehow, instinct told me that writing, "I FEEL like this journal stuff is a buncha crap.  And, I strongly FEEL we should just bust out a little more Jonathan Swift up in here." (no matter what she told me), would end up being the wrong answer.  I found it extremely difficult to open up and be transparent with anyone.  Fortunately, although it didn't happen overnight, God has helped me open up to others (and to Him), and to commemorate that victory, I am faithful to you, myself, and Him, with this blog, aka, "thought journal".

Romans 8:37 is always at work in my life:)

Interested in anything else in my life?  Let me know.  I am confident enough now to take on any "open up" challenge.  I really want to know what it is YOU want to know.  Sign in anonymously if you wish. And remember, in the true words of my 10th grade English teacher, "There really are no right or wrong entries."

Goodnight Blog fam.  May you take encouragement from this blog, to just be who you are.  That's my key to success.  Big hugs,

The Extraordinary Ordinary Me

L.L. Cool PJ

   So, I wasn't planning on a sleepover.  It just kind of happened.  There I was, ready to say good-bye to Lucy's friend, when two pairs of eyes met mine.  I don't know how they did it, but all four of those eyes became cartoonishly huge.  Sweetness spilled out of every fiber of their being.  All the while I'm going through my mental to-do list,  "Newsletter has to be designed and ordered tonight, clients need to be contacted regarding their orders, receipts need to be issued, bloggies will be expecting a new post, checkbook balanced, costume made (cue Gloria), etc."  Just as my tongue hit the roof of my mouth to pronounce the "n" sound in "No",  Lucy, (without whining - that's key) made her request known, as she proceeded to tell me all the reasons she felt it would be the right thing for me to do.  "Mom, you always said I couldn't have a sleepover until Noah slept all night, and now he does." She wasn't finished. "AND, you and Dad said I couldn't have anybody overnight because he was going on a trip, and would miss me so he wanted me all to himself for awhile.  YOU said that when he left you would consider letting me have a friend spend the night.  It is a week-end so there's no school tomorrow and Dad will be home soon and want to spend more time with just me."  She's good I tell you, sinisterly good.
      And you know what,  I didn't realize it, but I desperately needed a slumber party.  It's refreshing to get away from the hectic, busy, task oriented life and enjoy a precious life moment.  There is an unequaled joy that comes with listening to seven year olds talk about how cute that boy actor is.  "Yeah, he's soo cute I would probably kiss him. Giggle giggle".  "Um yeah, giggle-snort, but not until you were married."  Thank you, Lauren, for your high moral standards.  I hope that rubs off a bit on the ministers' child:)
    
     Thank God Lucy was so darn convincing, because I was so zonked and under pressure that whatever I did wouldn't be my best work anyway.  And when I knock it out tomorrow, only one day will have passed.  A year from now, I won't remember how I missed a night of work, but I don't think I'll ever forget Lauren's wise instruction on pre-marital relations.  In fact, I plan to smile about it often.
      
         Long story longer, Lucy won me over because she executed two biblical principles.

1. She made her request known. Aka, she ASKED politely.

 Philippians 4:6 (New King James Version)

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

2. She believed I would do what I said I would do.

Matthew 8:13 (New King James Version)

 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

The key to "getting what we want" from God is doing exactly what Lucy did tonight.  She knew the words I had spoken, she believed what I said, and she acted on it (She ASKED.)

God doesn't have a problem with us bringing up his promises and hoping for a piece of the pie.  He eagerly waits to give us good things. I find throughout His word (the Bible) his desire to give us peace, joy, greater understanding, restoration, even "non- spiritual" things like houses and money.  Oh Yeah! So I am encouraging YOU, special reader, to search his promises and believe them for your life.  And then, if you can muster the courage, (It worked for Lucy) ASK Him to give you all the things he's claimed he'll do.  What have you got to lose?  Ok, next question.  What have you got to gain?  Try it!

I've even done some research for you.  You'll find a boatload of promises from the Bible by clicking Here.  

I love you all more than you could imagine.

Christina

P.S.  Which of these promises will you apply in your life?

God is a big fat Ham.

   God is never two-faced, but he does have many facets.  The Bible tells us of times when He is angry, happy, jealous, sad, compassionate, (oh thank goodness, I AM like Him after all, lol)  etc... Today I read about an instance where Jesus was in a show-offy kind of mood.  Oh, who am I kidding? He's always an upstager, isn't He?

  Mark 8:1-10 - The C.M. L. version of the Bible relays it like this. "Jesus was so freaking awesome that people would do anything just to be around Him.  His jokes were fresh and everyone sensed his genuine interest in every individual he met.  A crowd had followed him into the wilderness, forsaking their Nintendo Wiis and Mafia Wars for three whole days.  Eventually, the thronging grew to over 4000 people.

    Jesus looked out at the crowd, and then turned to his disciples, saying, "I feel sorry for these people.  They have been with Me for three days, and they don't have anything left to eat.  If I send them home, they will pass out before they even get there.  Some of them have come from miles and miles away."
      He turned to the disciples with cocked eyebrows.  That questioning look always made them uneasy.
  "How are we supposed to find vittles for that many hungry bellies, out in the wilderness?  HELLO, we're in the desert here." (One of them had the guts to say something like that, anyway).  Jesus responded to his question with a question. (That was kinda his M.O. with those guys.)  Jesus smirked, and said, "How much bread do you have?" "Uh, let's see, Pete, whaddya got? Ok, plus Matt's sourdough pita...that makes... seven.  Seven Loaves, Lord."
      Jesus told everybody to get comfy on the ground.  Then He took the loaves, thanked His Dad for them, and broke them into pieces.  His disciples started handing out the bread to the multitude.  Somebody gave Him a few sardines, and he blessed those too.
       Everybody ate as much as they wanted.  Afterward, the disciples gathered the leftovers into seven large baskets. Then, J.C. thanked everybody for their sacrifice, and told everyone to return home and get some rest. "
  What a show-off! (I know, you're asking me, "Christina, Do you really believe that stuff happened?")  Well, I can't say I've miraculously (yet) fed that many people.  But I have seen the lame walk, blind eyes and deaf ears open, Tumors vanish, and a soul set free.  So, I don't have too many issues buying into this, as well.  (If you're still wondering, the answer is YES!)

   The cool thing about Jesus, is that he never changes.  This nifty book I've been sharing from, tells me that He is the same yesterday, TODAY, and forever.  So, Jesus, I'm resolving right now to give you, not only everything in my refrigerator (no sardines there), but every part of my life. I thank you for the miracles I saw yesterday, the ones I'll experience today, and for the ones I'll see tomorrow.  Thank you for loving me.  As always, You are free to "Ham it up" on center stage in my life anytime.

Thanks again for reading!

Christina

P.S.  Do not google "C.M.L version of the Bible". It stands for Christina M. Lusk, and isn't yet in print.