God Made the Sun

One of Zechariah's favorite pastimes is coloring. It's not about drawing pictures, but coloring them in. He does this so very carefully and spends at least an hour each day doing this. He has multiple coloring books and loves to choose new ones.

Earlier this week he was so excited that on the last page of his coloring book, God was in it. I knew it was a Christmas book he was working on, and I figured they must have added a nativity scene in it or something. I was a little surprised when I saw the picture being colored was actually of Santa Claus.


I thought I was probably looking at the wrong page and told him to show me God. He pointed first to Santa and then he pointed to the sun that was in the sky above.

"Remember my teacher said that God made the sun."

When his dad came home from work later that day, he still remembered the picture he had been coloring earlier. He ran to his dad, "God made the sun, Daddy. Remember, my teacher told me that."

"God made two big lights, the larger
to take charge of Day,
The smaller to be in charge of Night;
and he made the stars.
God placed them in the heavenly sky
to light up Earth
And oversee Day and Night,
to separate light and dark.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Four. " Genesis 1:16-19
I don't think I'll be looking at Santa the same way this Christmas season. We don't know what God looks like, but maybe He's up in heaven with a big fluffy white beard, a red coat with white collar and cuffs, a black leather belt, and black boots. Just maybe He is...

A Treasure Trove

It's always the perfect weekend when I get to shop at the Bag Day Book Sale put on by our public library. This sale is like Christmas to me and I count down the days. The night before, I can't even get to sleep because I'm so excited about what treasures I'm going to find the next day.

If you asked me my idea of a perfect day or afternoon spent by myself, I would give you this description. I love to curl up under a soft warm blanket on my full size green couch. I have a good book in one hand, and cup of steaming hot tea in another. A candle might be burning in the other room giving off a pleasing scent. Just thinking about it makes me want to run to my place of safety and feel the comfort it gives.

I don't have many opportunities to do this in the summer, and it's one of the things I look forward to when colder weather hits. It's hard to cover yourself up when it's 100 degrees outside, and my house just doesn't have that cozy feel to it in the summer.

Needless to say, that time is almost upon us, and I can't wait to have my reading nook back. I've already had a few cups of tea this fall, and I look forward to the many days of doing this ahead.

I don't know if your library has a sale similar to this, but I hold my library in great esteem because of it. Ariel is a girl after my own heart and dreams of this sale too. We've made it a tradition to have this as a girl date each time. She always has money saved and is able to have the satisfaction of purchasing her books all by herself.

This time Ariel paid 13 cents per book, and mine cost 23 cents per book. Can you believe that? 23 cents per book!

God is good, and this I'm certain is a blessing directly from Him for me. I love it!


One of my favorite things to do is share all our books with you. If you ever want to borrow from me, please don't hesitate to ask.

The kids section this time was actually twice as large as it normally is, and we had much fewer people there to shop. The newspaper printed the wrong time so those of us dedicated folks who do this every time were the only shoppers there. It made it much easier to look around, and didn't feel as crowded as it normally does.

Ariel was excited this time that she found so many Babysitter's Club books. I read these when I was her age, so I can understand her joy. She found a huge stack of them. An interesting fact about the top book in this picture, the cover is incorrect. The book is about a mystery at the zoo, but the cover isn't even about the babysitter's club! Pretty weird!


Ariel always manages to find some Nancy Drew books. I think she gets her love of a good mystery from me.


I believe Ariel is a little too old for the Ramona books, but she didn't agree me with. I understand how it's hard to grow up and let go of those things you loved when you were little. Ramona was a favorite of mine too!


And some random books she found... Ariel was most excited about the book Coyote Autumn. I'm not sure what the story is behind that. I'm guessing one of her teachers read it to the class.


I thought it was especially sweet when I came upon this book she chose. Middle school has been on her mind for weeks now, and sometimes it's all she ever talks about. On one hand she doesn't want to let go of younger things, but then on the other hand she can't wait to grow up. I've tried to answer as many middle school questions as I can, but technically I didn't attend middle school and experience it the same way she will. I was home schooled during my middle school years.


Now on to my books ... I always end up finding a few that now have movies based on them. Last time I tried a book like this that Oprah had suggested, I ended up needing to throw it away after a few chapters. I hope these three will be good books. There is so much immorality in the world that I don't need to fill my mind with more of it.


I was so excited about this find! Just a couple weeks ago my pastor was recommending 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. He's mentioned it many times over the years, and I've always wanted to pick up a copy. At the sale I was really pleased to find The 8th Habit and wondered if it was just as good as the 7 Habits. I was getting ready to leave the sale with Ariel and I told her I wanted to walk down this one aisle just one more time. It was then I found the 7 Habits book. I was ecstatic! I was already on the lookout for the book that day and I actually found it.


The Case for Christ is another book I've always wanted to read but never got around to. The other book, Second Guessing God, just spoke to me for some reason. I've never heard of it, but I felt like I should grab it anyways. I'll probably read it myself, but I actually felt like I should pick it up for someone else. I don't know who they are, but I'm sure someday I'll know.


I'm going to need to find The Postcard before I can read The Crossroad. It's a two part series that I read several years ago. I remember I really enjoyed it.


I'm pretty certain I've read all of these John Grisham books at one time, but I couldn't tell you what they're about. That's the great thing about me. I can read a book, love it, and then totally forget the story. That may not sound like a great thing to you, but I can go back and read practically any story and it's all new to me. Normally the only thing that sticks with me is either the good, bad, or bored feeling.


I'm sure I've said this in past Treasure Trove blog posts, but I really enjoy Mary Higgins Clark. She is a secular author, and writes very clean books. You might come across a little bit of swearing in her stories, but never any sexual content. She always writes mysteries, mostly murder. I think when there are so many unknown things in life where we don't know what the right answer is, or we don't have solutions, it's really nice to pick up a book and get closure every time.


Don Quixote ... ever since we had a girl movie night and watched Man of La Mancha, I've wanted to find a copy of this book. I found the story to be so moving.


"To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star"


That was the end of the books I got at this library book sale. But I also wanted to share a God story with you.

A couple weeks ago, the library had a different sale at the Expocenter. It was the same weekend I was going to be visiting my sister in Colorado Springs for her birthday. I was so torn up about not being able to shop for my beloved books. I decided to go to the presale where you purchase the books individually for $2 a book, rather than the $5 a bag which would be happening while I was gone.

It was the morning I was leaving, and I had packing still to do, plus a soccer game of Gabe's to attend. The sale started at 9am, and I only gave myself 30 minutes to browse the books. There were two specific books I was looking for, The Remnant, and Her Daughter's Dream. I had the entire Left Behind series, minus the one book, The Remnant.


The second book I wanted was the most important one to me. At the last bag day sale I found book number one, Her Mother's Hope. Number two had just come out a year ago this time. I knew it would be in the library sale soon, probably that very sale. I've already read both books, which made me want them all the more. They are very good. Francine Rivers is my favorite author.

I had received birthday money and was still contemplating what to buy with it. I really wanted to get Her Daughter's Dream, however at Lifeway the hardback copy is $25. That seems really pricey when I bought the first book, Her Mother's Hope, for only 20 cents at the last sale. I went to Lifeway 3 times in 1 week. I could not make up my mind. I really wanted the book. But every time I would go to the store, I kept reminding myself that the bag day sale would be in a couple weeks. Couldn't I be patient enough and wait?

It was torture, but I decided I could. One time I almost gave in and bought the paperback for only $12. It was on sale! But paperback wouldn't match my hardback book number one, and those types of things are very important to me. Especially when it's something I really love.

I waited.

I got to the sale a few minutes early and had to wait in line. I knew the sale would be huge as the library makes around $100,000 at this particular sale. I was praying I'd be able to drag myself away if I couldn't find it in 30 minutes. Sometimes when I'm shopping for books or movies I could spend an hour easily just reading all the covers.

When I finally got inside, I saw that this sale was organized. Normally, all the books are in random order filling all the tables. The first table I saw was Spirituality. I wasn't sure if this was the same as Inspirational their normal Christian label for books, but I thought I would take a chance.

The first table I looked at, in the first 10 books on the table, there sat both of my books. BOTH OF MY BOOKS. I couldn't believe it! I knew I didn't really have time for the sale, but I made time in my schedule. I had my purchase and was outside within 4 minutes. No one else was done that fast.

I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling. I looked for those two books at the sale I went to this past weekend, wondering if I could have waited. But they weren't there. Neither one of them. I know God set them aside just for me. It may seem like a little thing to you, but it was a BIG God thing to me. God cares about me. He cares that I wanted those two books, and I wanted them to be in hardback. He gave me exactly what I desired.

I serve a great big God!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

This morning I was helping Gabe get ready for school when he asked me to tie his shoes. I told him it was time he learned how to do it for himself. For the past few years we've taken the easy way out and just bought him Velcro time and again. I figured we finally needed to tackle this issue. After all, he's in second grade now.

He told me, "That's impossible. I will never be able to tie my own shoes."

I questioned his statement, "What about when you're a grownup? Are you expecting me to drive to your house every morning to tie your shoes for you??"

He laughed at my suggestion. "Of course not. My wife will do it for me."

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Every time Zechariah gets an "owie" we always must pray to Jesus that it will feel better. If I don't remember, he will remind me, and request it.

As you probably know, awhile back Zechariah broke his arm and had it in a cast for several weeks. Every day we prayed that the cast would come off and he would be healed. So of course, when it really did come off, we were celebrating! In the mornings I spend time with my children writing in our prayer journals, and then we each read our prayers aloud. Zechariah likes to participate in this time also. For several days after the cast came off, Zech would always pray, "Thank you, Jesus, my red arm." This meant, in his own simple language, "Thanks for healing my arm."

After a week of praying this prayer, and thanking Jesus, he turned to me with a surprised expression and said, "Jesus is doctor?"

I thought it was wonderful that he put together this connection.


This year for Easter, we made sure to invite Jesus to the party. As soon as he made his special appearance, Zechariah ran up to him and began showing him all his "owies" hoping that he would be healed.

I love to see the faith of my child.

This morning, Zechariah hurt his arm on something and needed me to pray over him. I prayed our normal prayer to Jesus, and it wasn't enough this time. Zech requested, "Now to the God one." He wanted to make sure all his bases were covered!

If there was ever a child who reminded me more of Jesus' healing power, it's Zechariah. Time and again, God has protected him from harm. What the devil meant for bad, God turned it around for the best.

Just yesterday God showed me again, He has promised a long full life to Zechariah. We spent the last few days with my husband's grandparents who live in Wichita. The kids love going to Grandma & Granddad Power's house. They talk about it all year long, literally.

As we were all sitting down to breakfast, Zechariah thought he spotted a piece of broken candy corn on the table. Before we could react, or even know what he'd done, he popped it into his mouth. As soon as it happened, I remembered seeing a pill in the middle of the table, and I realized he had just eaten it. We couldn't get him to spit it out.

It gave him a horrible taste in his mouth, but he still continued to chew it up and swallow it. He was crying the whole time. It was too late. In just a few seconds he had eaten the 250 milligram prescription vitamin that was intended for Granddad.

Within 5 minutes he had a heat flash. His skin became bright red like a tomato and he had intense itching. He described it like bugs biting him all over his body.

We called the pharmacist to make sure the vitamin wouldn't harm him. During those ten minutes of waiting for the pharmacy to open, I could only describe it as pure torture. I had the feeling of panic and wanted to run my child to the hospital, and then I was reminded that God has promised him a long full life. I knew He was in control and we just needed to wait.

The pharmacist said he would be perfectly fine, the flushing of his skin would pass, and he just needed to make sure to drink plenty of water to keep from dehydration.

It was a scary ten minutes, but he was completely fine. I thank God for the life of my son. Every day that I have with him is a precious gift.

Mater

Yesterday Zechariah got a birthday card in the mail. This wasn't your normal card; it had a check for $10 inside.

He was rich!!

He could not wait to spend his money. He kept talking about all the things he was going to buy with it.

As we were grocery shopping today, we first stopped at the bank to cash his check. He was so excited to have the lady hand him back a real ten dollar bill. He told her about the things he wanted. The new Mario movie, some candy corn, and even some flowers.

We had to pick up a few items, and the suspense was killing him. He wanted to run to the movies and choose his favorite one. When the time finally came for him to make his choice, he found a toy Mater car that talks when you shake it, and the wheels turn sending it flying across the room. To a four year old boy, this was close to heaven. He loved it, and continued to shake it all throughout the rest of Wal-Mart.

When we got to the register, I took out his new ten dollar bill and he very proudly handed it over to the cashier. The man joked with him and asked if Zechariah was buying the toy for him. (As if an old man really needed a Cars toy.) Zech very stingily told him, "NO. It's for me!"

As we made our way outside to our car, Zech requested that he get to hold Mater on the drive home.


We were just pulling out of our parking spot when Zech asked in a very panicked voice, "Where is my money? I lost it."

I told him, "You used it to buy Mater, remember?"

"No. I need my money with the head on it."

He was referring to his $10 in cash. I reminded him again. "Zech, you spent it. You handed it to the man and he gave you back Mater."

My reassurances didn't help him. He started freaking out about it. "No. I need my other money. The paper one."

I tried to tell him we turned his paper money, into real money at the bank. Didn't he remember that nice lady? I told him his money was all gone, and now he gets to play with Mater. He wouldn't be able to leave the store with his toy if he didn't give them money. I asked him, "Aren't you happy you get to keep Mater?"

He was crying now, and getting mad at me because I just didn't understand. He wanted his money back.

When I explained to him that he could give the store back Mater, and then they would give him his money back, I expected him to get upset about the loss of his gift. However, he didn't. In fact, he was overjoyed to find that he could give the toy back and get his money again.

The money was all that mattered to him.

He didn't care about all the wonderful things he could buy with it. He just wanted to feel the money in his hand, or put it in his pocket so he could take it out and look at it whenever he wanted.

What was the point of that?

I can relate to the feeling. So often I just want to hold onto my money. I probably do it for a different reason then Zech, but still at the core it's the same thing. I'm afraid of what might happen if I run out. On way too many occasions I find myself worrying and thinking about money, or a lack of it. What's really sad is that we aren't even close to running out of money, yet, I fear that it could happen.

I'm trusting in the dollar to get me something, rather than God. There has never been a time in my life where I've been without. Yet, so often I see money leaving my hand, and I feel that same panicked feeling as Zechariah. I want my money back. I just want to hold onto it so I know that it's there.

It sounds really funny when I say it, but I'm sure there are times that God is blessing me, and I'm there trying to tell him, "No, God. Not today. You know I have this bill coming up and I'm going to need the money for that instead." As if I would know better than Him.

I'm just like Zechariah. His grandma was trying to give him a gift, a blessing, and he wasn't ready to accept it. He wanted to just hold onto the money, the piece of paper, and not appreciate what the money could actually buy for him. Money is a tool, meant to be used, not collected and stored up.

God has given me SO MUCH. I want to accept His blessings in my life, not hoard them for a later date. I must learn to trust God and depend on Him and His understanding, not my own.

I don't know if this is for anyone else, but God has really been hammering it into my head. Trust me. Trust me. Trust me. This applies to so much more than just money. It took a little, almost 4 year old boy, to bring home the point. God wants to bless me, but do I want to let Him?

"Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the LORD."
Psalm 128:1-4

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Gabe wasn’t feeling good this morning, so I kept him home from school for a little while to rest. He had an upset stomach. When he finally was ready to head to school, he replied to my question, “I feel much better... except there is a man inside my head and he won't stop kicking my brain."

I've never thought of it that way, but what a great way to describe a headache!

Colorado Springs

September has been a very busy, but very fun month. I'm not sure when things will quiet down; probably after Zech's birthday has passed. I love to stay busy. The only downside is that I don't have time to keep up on my blog. I feel like I keep saying this, but it's so true. Unfortunately, that's always the first thing I let go.

Zechariah's birthday is coming up next week, which means a big party, of course. I love to plan all the details and make sure that it will be a big success. I can't wait to share pictures with you of his Cars party. It's going to be SO much FUN!

Zech shares his birth month with his aunt Stefanie, my little sister. Stefanie has just recently moved to Colorado Springs to be a part of the DLA (Desperation Leadership Academy) for the next year. It's a very intense and challenging school that I am proud of Stefanie for joining. She is in for a long, but I'm certain fulfilling year of growing closer to God. I'm excited to hear all of her stories about what God is doing in and through her.

This past weekend, my mother, myself, and Zechariah all went to Colorado Springs to help Stefanie celebrate her 21st birthday. It's a big day and we didn't want to miss out on spending some of it with her.



Our days were packed with church, site seeing, church, eating, sleeping and driving! I'm really glad we went. It's always nice to be there, and see everything. Now when I talk to Stefanie I can picture what she'll be doing, and know the places she's at.


Our birthday dinner and then dessert later ...

While Stefanie is living in Colorado, she is staying with a host family. They are so wonderful! Gabe also has already taken a trip there when Stefanie first moved in, and came back with great esteem for the family.

If you're wondering about this picture, my sister can NEVER blow out all her candles. She always finds it too funny!



We had a wonderful time, and it went by too quickly. We were very sad to say goodbye again to Stefanie. I'll miss her lots, but at least we know she's only a 9 hour car ride away...
Happy Birthday, Sister! I love you!