Our military

I saw a saying from an email that was sent to me today....
Think about it and honor one today!!!!!!!!




A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank checkmade payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who
no longer understand it.'

Beautiful Song

I heard a beautiful song the other day sung on God tube.com by a little girl and here are the lyrics.

Read them slowly ...carefully...like your life lives on each word.

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable,
uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Meditate on that today during your quiet time.....
Do not get so used to hearing God's Word that you become numb to its message.
Be Blessed

Does this picure make you FEEL anything?
I saw this picture on a dear person's myspace and it struck a heartstring.
Its so beautiful.
All I want to do is be like God created me to be and nothing more and nothing less and now at 41 years old, I'm just starting to figure that out and not fight it anymore.

I have been given a gift but I fight the gift. Ever done that before?
I feel like Jonah who God called to save people and he didn't want to do it.

I'll share....
I have a soft heart for people...
Have you ever gotten mad at someone because they put you down or did something to hurt you?
It happens to everyone right?
But when it happens to me, I don't stay angry.
I try...cause I WANT to stay angry cause sometimes I feel like if I stay angry then the person who did wrong to me got what they deserved but lately I'm realizing that the heart God gave me to forgive and not to stay angry is a gift that not too many people have.
I also have an empathtic heart.
Its a blessing and a curse cause I can "weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice" but the weeping part is the hardest part.

I feel such sadness for people....Its almost like I internal someone else's pain and it hurts but I know I can do that to HELP others.

I'm just realizing the potential God has given me and I'm not sure how to handle it.
I feel like He is preparing me .....not sure what for...but its definitely for something
Pray for me will you?
I want to do with my life what God wants....
I don't usually do well with change.....
God Bless
Nikki

History is made...in more ways than one

If God wanted to add todays history to His Good Book, what would he say?
Yes I know having a black president is a new one for the history books....nothing wrong with that.
But will he keep the Lords statutes as he leads our country?
Will he keep the Laws put in place by our founding fathers who had their faith in our Lord which you can see in all of the speeches and writings of our forefathers.

If you haven't seen the video lecture, the Silencing of God, please do a search online for it.
I believe you can purchase a copy pretty inexpencively or watch or listen to it online for free.

God will NOT be silenced people and for those who think that their cause to put away God is working, just wait.

God will DO the silencing...and He will NOT be silenced. Those who try to do so will be snuffed out.

I do not worry about our country.
God is in control.
He has always been in control.
and He always will be.

Lean not upon your own understanding cause your ways are not Gods way but acknowlege the Lord in all things !!!!

Hello everyone....
I know its been a very long time since I've written last and all I can come up with for an excuse...
Just don't feel like writing.
As it got closer to 2009 I felt myself sinking into a depression.
Why?
Alot has happened in the past year that I really cannot go into here.
But I don't think I have the brain energy to put into this blog on a regular basis.

I am thankful for all of my faithful readers and hope to write when I can.

Be blessed everyone!

This and that!!!

Well, I got yet another hair cut lol...

I love this one though and it suits me pretty well.

Whats going on in my neck of the woods?

Lets see, I'm cleaning house to get ready for the holidays.

I want to take my time this year and enjoy the holiday.

I want to bake cookies and fudge with my kids.

I want to not be in hurry.....

So cleaning is the first step for me.....

Thinking about doing a cookie exchange for my daycare families...

I've been involved on one in the past and its alot of fun!!!

Take time out of the hurried-ness of the holidays and look, LOOK for someone you can help!!!!

Nikki

Please explain to me how this following story can happen :


Missing Baby, 1, Found Under Floorboards by Crowbar-Wielding Police
Tuesday, November 11, 2008

KPTV/Woodburn Police
Kate Higgins shown under her grandparents' floor.
A baby from Oregon who disappeared from her bed was found safe several hours later under the floorboards of her grandparents' home.
Kate Higgins, 1, vanished from her bedroom in Woodburn, Ore., late Sunday night, according to KPTV-TV, the FOX affiliate in Portland, Ore.
Her father, Lawrence Higgins Jr., told police he fell asleep in a room at his parents' house at about 10:30 p.m. with Kate and his two other children, ages 5 and 3. He awoke at around 5 a.m. to discover Kate had disappeared, the station said.
"We were like, 'She couldn't have went anywhere. She can't walk,'" Kate's uncle, Tim Higgins, told the station. "'She's gotta be here unless somebody came in and took her.'"
About 15 officers searched the home, but found nothing until Kate's cough was heard at around 7:30 a.m. from under the floor, KPTV-TV said.
Police used crowbars to tear it up and Kate was extricated unharmed, though dirty, the station said.
The state's Department of Human Services found both the grandparents' and parents' homes to be unsuitable for the children, and the kids were taken into custody, KPTV-TV said.


~~~~Nikki here~~~~~
UNDER FLOORBOARDS???????
I see so many stories about neglected children.....
In my line of work, I am a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect. If I even suspect it, I have to report it. But I just don't understand it.

I just read a local article the other day that police removed a child or children from a home so dirty and unfit for living in that the officers were sickened. THey said it was the worst they had ever seen? Now if an officer of the law can say that, how bad WAS that house? I'm sure police officers see alot of things in their line of work.

Pray for the children in our country and abroad. People are so concerned about what WILL happen from the outcome of this past election while right now, there are children being abused and neglected as I type on this keyboard!!! Pray Gods hands on these children and pray God's mercy to touch the hearts of the ones who are doing this evil to children.

Veteran's Day

Today is the day our country takes time out to recognize those who have served our country!
My husband is one of those self-sacrificing people.
He did 20 years in the United States Navy and for those of you who live in this country and who are sooooooooooo anti -war...remember....some of those wars brought about the freedoms you so enjoy today.
Take a moment to thank an active duty military person or those who have served in the past.
It will mean alot to know they are appreciated!!!
Nikki

A little new stuff

Hello everyone!

Here is my baby!!!

She just her hair cut a bit and some new highlights :)

Can you tell she loves the camera :)

Life is very busy as usual.

Just wanted to put up at least one picture and I will try to post more of the boys as soon as I can :)

Be Blessed

Nikki

Whats new?

Good morning bloggers and readers!!
Boy how time flies away and fast. I didn't realize I hadn't blogged in a week!!!
The weather is getting colder and colder.....I like the chill but I don't like the money that I have to spend for heating that comes with it!!!

I had my hair done (as you guys well know and see from my picture) and let me tell you, I've gotten a mixture of responses. Most people who know me well, see me every day absolutely love it and have told me over and over again.

THEN......there are some who haven't quite come OUT and said anything but I can tell they don't like it. I wonder.....is it cause its a bit wild and crazy? There is nothing wrong with a splash of color? I am seeing that so many in the world judge just by looks. I'm dealing with a dear person to me who is being attacked for being NOT WHITE. Racism is wrong and people judging you by the color of your skin is wrong. Should people stay within their own ethnic groups.....
Alot of people would say yes and I've even heard Christians say yes. I do not agree, of course because I married someone who is American Indian, Italian and hispanic. Alot of the world makes him feel ashamed for his heritage and that is plain wrong. God made all people....ALL!!!!
He made us who we are to be HIS people doing good to others!!!!!
God made us to do His work to all nations!!!!!]
My kids learned who Rosa Parks was yesterday and I'm thankful that when I explained to her how racism used to be, she seemed shocked. I try to keep her away from alot of that with her only being 10 years old but someday she will see the world for what it really is and I know it will sadden her as it saddens me.

I was persecuted growing up because of this and let me tell you, it almost ruined my life but I didn't let it.

Satan is really attacking our family right now. So guess what, God must be allowing it and I believe its because we are standing our ground and staying faithful no matter what Satan throws our way. Let me tell you, its alot. Your eyes would open wide, mouth drop to the floor if you knew everything that we are facing....but we WILL stand strong in our faith. We will someday see justice brought....either in this life or the next. God is the ultimate judge and he will judge accordingly.

God just please give us the strength to endure!!!! We want to be your people doing your work and standing for the pricipals and morals you set forth in your Word....
May God be glorified in all we say and do....
Do not waver......any of you.....Stand stong in your faith!!! NO MATTER WHAT?
Imagine that God is putting you thru what Job went thru? Satan came to God to even ask if he could do it ....God gave conditions....but He allowed it. If God allows it then there is a good and pure reason for it.

Hang in there...
Nikki

What Makes a Nation Great? by Alexander Blackburn (1844-1921)

~~Nikki Here~~~This wonderful poem came thru one of my emails...
Enjoy....

What Makes a Nation Great? by Alexander Blackburn (1844-1921)

Not serried ranks with flags unfurled,
Not armored ships that gird the world,
Not hoarded wealth nor busy mills,
Not cattle on a thousand hills,
Not sages wise, nor schools nor laws,
Not boasted deeds in freedoms cause
--All these may be, and yet the state
In the eye of God be far from great.
That land is great which knows the Lord,
Whose songs are guided by His word;
Where justice rules twixt man and man,
Where love controls in art and plan;
Where, breathing in his native air,Each soul finds joy in praise and prayer
--Thus may our country, good and great,
Be God's delight -- man's best estate.

(from One Nation Under God: an anthology for Americans by Robert Gordon Smith)

Big changes this way comes!!

I am changing things up a bit.
Hair is going to be something quite different after tonight and I can't wait.
I need to change my look a bit different cause I'm feeling 40 and I am NOT liking it.
Watch out...pictures will follow lol

On other notes....
I am loving my daycare now.
The ages of the kids are my favorite and I just got a new family of 3 that I think are going to be fabulous. I get a feel for people and I really have a good feeling about this family!

Angel wants to try something different.
I think she wants to change from American Heritage Girls to something more physical like Karate so we are checking into a few places that offer a couple of classes free so she can try it out.

Ok tomorrow I will try to post some pictures unless I don't like how my hair turns out then I won't lol
Nikki

Just stuff

Hello everyone!
I am feeling a bit relieved today. I finally have gotten rid of a troublesome parent!!!
She never calls to tell me she isn't coming and has caused me trouble from the beginning and she is no longer going to be an issue with me!
The kids I will be having in care now are the following:
Baby 6 months old Monday thru Friday from 7-3
5 year old after school from 3-4:30
5 year old after school from 3-4:30
Twins that are 2 9-4
Girl that is 2 7:30-4;30
Boy that is 3 7:30am-4:30

Only one baby now which makes my life so much easier :)
I can actually start teaching preschool again!
I still have one opening and its from 7am until no later than 3.

I hope to get back to the gym soon now that my schedule will probably allow this again.

I'm getting a new Hair do on Friday! I can't wait.
I need something that is going to make me feel YOUNGER!!!!
More later
Nikki

Sweet Lips Increase Learning

~~~~Nikki Here~~~~ I subscribe to this email group that I get a devotional in my mailbox daily!
This one I recieved this morning really touched home to me. I know Denise. I mean I've never met her but she found out in a short period of time that her family was in for a complete change of job and had to move and found out in a very short period of time. She, because of her faith in God, handled this like God wanted her to. May God be praised and glorified in that! Enjoy the article :)


Sweet Lips Increase Learning
By Denise Chaffin

"The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning." (Proverbs 16:21)
"In her tongue is the law of kindness." When I read the title and the scripture, I immediately thought of this reference in Proverbs 31:26b. The word law in this verse is defined:

Definition law, direction, instruction instruction, direction (human or divine) body of prophetic teaching instruction in Messianic age body of priestly direction or instruction body of legal directives
The Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon

We cannot teach what we do not know.

As a home schooling mother, I am often asked how I teach such things as Chemistry or Trigonometry. Now, I have a teaching degree; but it is in Elementary education and music. I must first learn a subject to teach it.

It follows that as Christian women, we cannot teach what we have not first learned. We can only show and teach through our actions what we have patiently acquired through the trials of the Christian life. If our nature is at odds with the words of our mouth, others will readily see that. Our teaching is lost in the glare of the obvious lack in our life.

We recently underwent a rather long and stressful period in our lives. One dear sister reminded me that I was being watched to see how I would act. I needed to display the image of Christ, not only to my own family, but also to the church and to the community. I could not allow myself the luxury of acting out under these circumstances. Kindness, both in the body and outside it, was needed at all times.

Genuine kindness will show itself under stress, if we are truly allowing Christ to dwell within and work through us.

We are all human, but we must transcend that and let Christ control our thoughts and actions. (Romans 12:1-2) We live in Arkansas and have the distinction of having the only public diamond mine in the U.S. Those diamonds, when cut and polished, are beautiful beyond compare. But remember the intense pressure and time that was needed to transform black rock into something so beautiful and precious. So it is with our lives. Learning kindness does not come from a life of ease and leisure. It comes from enduring and overcoming the difficulties of life through Christ. ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13)
Proverbs 4:23 teach us to 'keep your heart' for from it come "the issues of life.' If you have ever been to Yellowstone National Park, you have witnessed the powerful forces and beauty of nature in the mud pots and the sulfur springs. But you cannot touch them, let alone drink from them. They show the character of the 'heart' from which they flow from. It is a beauty that is not good for us; and while we enjoy the colors and the wonder, close contact would be disastrous.
So it is with our hearts and our words. If we do not learn to deal in kindness, we cannot teach our younger sisters to endure during the hard times and to develop kindness in their own lives. We might be beautiful to look at but empty of anything to help or sustain others in their Christian walk. We will not attract more than superficial notice from the lost.

May God work mightily within you as you meditate on his word and submit yourself in learning kindliness.

Questions:

1. Define kindness from the dictionary.
2. Give several scriptures which speak of kindness.
3. How can we, as Christian women, develop kindness in our lives?
4. Can we excuse any action with, "Well, I'm only human?"
5. Name a woman who has taught you about kindness.
6. What was her method of teaching you? (Classroom lecture, life example, etc. . .)
7. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is a time-honored saying. Where should we be looking for our examples of true kindness and beauty?
8. From where does our strength come to overcome our human weaknesses?
9. How can we, as Christian sisters, help one another in learning kindness?
10. The wise in _____ will be called ________, And ______ of the lips increases _______. (Proverbs 16:21 [NKJV])
************
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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OBC Ladies Daily Devotional is a part of the Online Bible Class sponsored by the St. George Church of Christ in St. George, Utah. Visit our Web Site and see all our Bible study opportunities which we invite you to be a part of and to enroll your friends! OBC Ladies Daily Devotional Archives Link: Ladies Daily Devotional Archives
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American Family Association News

Standing up for what you believe in makes a difference;


http://www.afa.net/endmcdonaldsboycott.htm

Nikki

New Happenings..

Hello and Happy Autumn!
The person you see in the middle of this picture is my Angel.
We went with the American Heritage Girls to Wooster, Ohio this past weekend to Ramseyer Farms.
We had so much fun and what you see her doing in this picture is slinging potato spuds!!!!!

I'm sorry I haven't been updating much lately. Life has me so completely swamped that I don't much of a chance to update here.
I wish I had more time cause I love to write on my blog but hey, you do what you can right?

Halloween is coming upon us quickly and we have so much fun with that holiday.
Mike and I and all the kids get dressed up and just have fun. Angel and her best friend Sydney are going to be punk rockers and Angel has been designing her clothes!!!
I will take pictures!

Anyhow, my daycare schedule has evened out alot.
My day usually ends at 5 now.
One child that is 16 months old (almost 17 months) only comes 6 hours a week now so that makes it alot easier.

Now, if I can just get off my lazy butt and get back to working out!!!!

Here is Angel and her best friend

Ok, I have run out of things to talk about.
Hope you like the pics
Nikki

A little of this and that...

Fall is my favorite time of year!!!!


Anyway, whats new with me?
Let see, I have a full childcare. PRAISE GOD!
The 5 year old girl I was watching until 11pm is no longer going to be here that late. She will get picked up daily around 4:30 or 4:45 so I have my evenings free again. I am very excited about that cause I will still get part time hours on her and be able to have my evenings free.
According to my doctor, I am beginning the wonderful phase of peri-menopause.
Do a google search on that if you don't know what that is but its about 10 years of being miserable lol.
I'm over-exaggerating on that a bit. I know it won't be a piece of cake but hey its something all women have to go through.

I am almost done with a book that has really gotten my thought processes working a bit more than they are used to. I'm used to reading Berenstain Bears books. Not much thought needed for those :)
Its called The Giver by Lois Lowry.
I think its going to be needing to be read a second time through. Its very interesting and to grasp everything that is happening in this story, a second read is definitely called for with this story.

Kids are all the same.
Hard to believe that the weather is changing and soon, I will have to turn the heat on :(
Heating this house is so expensive.

Do me a favor!
Take a moment to look around. I mean really STOP and look around. I know you are all busy and each one of you is going thru something in your own life that makes life a bit difficult.
But look around and find something to Praise God for !
Once you find one thing, I'm sure you can find many!!! Soon, your list will just keep growing and growing.
I am so thankful for a wonderful family.
I have a great husband and 4 wonderful kids.
I have great friends!!!
I have a great church family!!!
I have a nice home !!
I have a full childcare!!!
I have the freedom to homeschool my kids!!
I have telephone communication that I can call anyone I want to, ANYTIME I want to .
I have air conditioning so I don't have to suffer thru the heat of summer.
I have my good health and the good health of all my family.

I am blessed!
Thank you Lord!!
Nikki

September 11

Folks, there are many hurting today remembering what this day meant to their family and friends who lost or even knew loved ones affected by this tragedy.
Please, take a moment and pray for those families and also for the world that we live in today.
Its not the same world that we grew up in but one thing is for sure, we serve the same God that was the God of the Bible and He will judge those who did this to us.

Bucket List

I am no way saying this movie was appropriate because of the language in it, but the concept is a good one.
I've always had a few things on my "list" that I wanted to accomplish but I've never made it a Bucket List.
The thing I have always wanted to do was run a 5K race. So that is one thing I've completed.
I think everyone should think about this and try to make one.
Give it a try!!!!
Comment me and tell me what your list is or email me
vilano6@comcast.net

Nikki

Each day is a gift

I was very touched by a fellow bloggers comments about how we look at each day that God gives us.
I also around the same time reading his blog got this following email :




I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. It will be addressed in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution. Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.

Be happy with what you have:

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair: There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone badly, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking, "What is my purpose?", be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember: things could be worse. You could be them!


-- Author Unknown


(Nikki here)
I needed to hear this email. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own problems that I just cannot see the good things going on.
Life has really thrown me some major curve balls lately but instead of get struck out, I need to learn how to hit these balls anyway.

Be Blessed
Nikki