My Birthday

I guess, though it is past, I should tell you a bit about how my birthday went. In short it was pretty good as far as birthdays go :-)

This year, I got some great, "from the heart" presents from my kids. I think it is really sweet that my children try to think of things they can get me within their means, and I so appreciate this. My baby decided that she should download the soundtrack to Narnia through Itunes for me. She thought I'd really appreciate that. So, she went on my computer, onto the ITunes program I have (nearly always open on my desktop), telling me she was doing something special for my birthday. Well, when I went back on later that day, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I was missing $10 out of my Paypal account (LOL), and I couldn't remember what I had bought for those ten dollars. turns out, I found out later that day (before contacting customer service thankfully), my dd burned me a CD with the Narnia sound track on it and a sweet birthday message recorded with Audacity. She just didn't realize I'd get the bill...but it's the thought that counts, right?

My dh shocked me with the gift of a laptop for my birthday. I am just thrilled with the ability to walk around and type at the same time (As if i don't do enough multitasking). With it I got QuickBooks Pro to start keeping better track of business stuff (right now, I use a Dome Accounting book, which works good,but not great). It's been a learning curve to type all of that information in there. ;) THe other day, my dh opened up quick books out of curiosity as to how things were going with the business, and he got really excited until I told him I have only had time to key in income not expenses. LOL (that does change quite a bit ;)).

It's pretty weird to think of myself as a 37 year old mother to a teenager and 4 other children. Growing up I used to think 25 was old, but then I changed my mind and decided that 30 was definitely OLD. Well, I hit thirty (or rather, like a mack truck it hit me), and I realized it wasn't so bad. Now I have a husband turning a whopping 40 years old this coming January, and even 40 doesn't seem so "huge" any more. Even my closest friend is 51!!! WOWIE

But...one thing is for certain...how ever many years or days or hours or minutes I have, I want my life to count for something more than just me. I want to make a difference in the world around me for Jesus, and I want to leave a lasting positive inpression! I don't want to waste a single day that i have left. How about you?

Happiness Is....

Last night, my youngest daughter, just as the evening was winding down, came to me with a Bible and said, "Can we read together? PLEASE?? I so want to read the Bible with you today mommy!" And so, we sat down in our little reading nook. We have this area inside of our stairwell that fits a small loveseat and a bookshelf, and a lamp, where each of my childrn have sat with me, learning how to read, and practicing their early reading skills. We sat there, and read a little bit in the Book of John in the Bible...and I realized how blessed that is, to have a child who wants to learn about Jesus and read the Bible...not only a child though, but five of 'em! :-)

Woo hoo.

Blessings,
Kimberly

Last week happenings

Last week we had Missions conference in our church, which I look forward to every year. I have been sitting here thinking of how to sum that all up for my blog, and my thoughts are all swirling around.

It is a blessing to have children who long to serve the Lord in whatever way they are able to. I can say with John, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 4). It really is a joy for this mom to see children come up with ways to be a blessing to others without me nudging them on! My kids, each year, talk to the missionaries, and they also try to make them each cookies to take with them on the last day. This year, we did ginger bread cookies.


It's also a blessing to be challenged about needs that extend beyond ourselves and our immediate area. Wowie.

Then there's the blessing of being reminded of the faithfulness of our God, and how we can trust Him with our every need. I think that is a reminder we can all use! Trusting God goes beyond one or two of our pet issues, and encompasses the whole of our lives...a life truely yielded to God, where we are willingly obedient to Him.

It always amazes me when parents are negative about their children becoming missionaries or wanting to serve God in some way. I am so thankful that my children are tender about being yielded to God. I've always told them...all I want for you guys is to be in the center of God's will, whatever that ends up being. Amen?

Have a great week.
Kimberly