I Need Pajamas!

Well we have had a really bad night. I decided to clean out Miles and Gage's closet. This did mean getting rid of old pjs. Gage was not happy with this decision. So after two hours of fit pitching and crying we decided to donate the pjs to kids who really might need pajamas. Gage laid hands on the bag of clothes and asked God to send these beloved clothes to kids who really need them. His prayer ended with and thank you God for sending me new pajamas. What started out bad ended up being a very precious moment. Thank you Jesus for these special moments from a very God sent boy. I love you Gage!!!!!!

I am moving to Wordpress!

I have decided to move to Wordpress, so if you visit here please follow me to http://www.amandagraeser.wordpress.com/. Hope to see you there!

Have you ever wondered where the other sock is?

As I am about to start the mound of laundry that generates from 6 people, I had to ask myself this question. Where does that one sock of each pair go? This really has no spiritual tie and I am sure some of you might say "who cares". This is an I am bored and I am amazed at the sock solos that we have in this house. I hope you all have a great day. Be blessed!

Sign Me Up For a Pair!

Ok, so where can I get mine. I do not want your average set of earmuffs, I want the new and improved spiritual earmuffs. No negativity passes through these babies. Just the word of God. I wish they sold these. I guess I just need to remember these wonderful words.

2 Corinthians 10:5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Amen to that. Negative people beware, I got God on my side!!!!!!

VBS was Amazing!

This is a picture from Wednesday morning. The kids craft for the day was prayer bears. Each child made two bears, one for themselves and one to send to Africa. In this picture we had just finished praying over the bears. The kids were very excited about being able to send something they made to the kids in Africa.

I am so proud of our HPkids worship team. They did such a great job. I am so fortunate to be able to serve in a ministry with them.Great job boys and girls! I cannot wait to see how God uses these kids. They have such amazing hearts and are so willing to work hard and serve His people.

Lord Help Me

I have used this picture once before. I really need to keep this picture in my mind today. Maybe I just need to duct tape my mouth shut. Lord help me mind my own business, focus on your business,keep my opinions to myself and SHUT MY MOUTH!

VBS YE-HAW!!!!

We are in the middle of VBS. Avalanche Ranch! We are having such an amazing time. There is nothing like seeing about 1200 kids going crazy for God. Today as I was doing worship I had a most moving moment with God. We were singing My All in All and I promise you I had to stop singing and just worship Him. The more I tried to sing in the mic I couldn't. I guess I haven't been spending enough time with Him. Sorry God and thank you for giving me an awesome moment. Blog at ya later!

No Internet, OH NO!!!!!

A tragic thing happened today. I had no internet service for about 12 hours. I was shocked at how out of sorts the kids and I got because we could not go "online". However I love how God teaches me lessons through things like this. How come I don't become out of sorts when I forget to read His word? Maybe I do and no one tells me! So here is the deal, for those of you who know me, I want you to ask me every time you see me what I read in the bible today. OK? OK! I want His words to be the first I see in the morning and the last I see at night.

Fireworks,Family,& Friends

Tonight I spent time with the three f's. Fireworks,family,and friends. We had so much fun. There is nothing like hanging out, kicked back and just relaxing with the ones you love. Much thanks goes out to Brother Ronnie and Mrs. Sherrie. I had a blast, food was great you are a blessing. Happy 4th everyone.

Truth or no truth, that is the question!

When I saw this it made me sad. No one ever wants to admit to being wrong. Today society feels that the truth is over rated. I guess no one wants to be accused or punished. Jesus was accused and punished by death for the wrongs of multitudes to come. What if He would have said nope it wasn't me and refused to take punishment. Where would we be? This sign says "The secret of success is knowing who to blame for your faults". Tell the truth, it is not over rated. The secret of success to me is to live a Godly life. I may never be a success in the eyes of the world, however if I live my life sold out to Jesus and raise my children according to His word, showing them how to be sold out for Jesus. Most importantly share the TRUTH! If I do these I feel I will have a very successful life.

Where in the world are you?

Hey all,
If you stop by and visit, let me know who and where you are so I can check out your blog. I always love to find new blogs to read.
Amanda

What Do You Impart?

Impart -1 : to give, convey; 2 : to communicate the knowledge of

Submerge camp was awesome. On Monday the youth pastors and leaders had a training session with Rev.Spike. One thing really stuck with me. What do we impart to others. I can't seem to shake this thought. What do I impart to all around me. Not just those I come in contact with through HPkids worship team or Pathfinders, but my family. What do I impart to them? Is it positive or negative? Do I impart the love of Christ or do I impart stress, negativity, do I impart fear, anger, do I impart the opposite of Christ? We are only here on earth for a short time. My new mission is to give,convey, to communicate the knowledge of the love of Jesus Christ.

God Made a Way!

Well, He heard me and provided a way. I am going to Submerge camp. I am so excited. There is something about seeing 141 junior high students lovin on God. If you have never experienced it, you have to try it. It puts this thirty-something woman blogging to shame. Oh to have a heart like a child. God, take me there this camp and help it to stick. Or at least some of it. Help me just to be so in love with you and be ready for what you want me to be for these precious kids of yours. Much love goes out to the physical provider of my costs. God will bless you beyond what you can conceive. My next blog will probably be on Wednesday. Til then, be blessed.

Hey all,
Check this out my 14 year old daughter wrote this. She is sooo cool! I am thankful she loves Jesus and loves to serve His people.
My father's Eyes
Tonight, there was something going on at church(sorry, I don't know what It's called) and it was awesome! We were praying over the new arena, and it was really awesome! As we were praying and worshiping, I had this thought. It kinda really had nothing to do with what we were praying about, but I thought it was pretty cool. Here it is.Well, you know how when a baby is born, one of the first things you hear is, "Oh, he/she has your eyes!" Well, I was thinking of that very saying. Well, I personally have my dad's eyes. Then, I thought about how we are supposed to see everything through God's eyes. And then I thought, well, do I have my father's(God's) eyes? Or do I have my earhly father's eye's? Talking about the new church really showed me how I should look at things. My eyes see a big building, that is really big, and probably weighs a ton, but when I really looked at it, I saw a home to the homeless, a a truly healing place for a hurting wold, and all I could think about was the sign on the fence saying, "It's for the people who aren't here yet." Then, I could honestly say I "had my fathers eyes". Well, that's all I have to say. I know it's really a lot of writing, but that's what was on my mind. I'll talk to ya'll later! Luvs!Zoe ;)

check out her blog www.zoegraeser.blogspot.com

And Off To Camp They Will Go

This has been a really hard week for me. For you see my two oldest children will be setting off to Pathfinder's Submerge camp without me. I truly believe it is one of the most difficult things I have gone through. We are always together. I guess some may say that I am an overprotective mother, I say I love my kids very much. I enjoy watching them grow in the Lord. Last year I went with them, this year finances didn't work out and I can't go. I know that God has amazing things in store for them during this camp. I can't wait for them to tell me all about it. As for me my life will not be the same from the 24-27. I love you Zoe and Zack! I hope you have a life changing time at camp. I can't imagine how I will be when they actually leave two days from now, it's only Friday!

BREES ON THE SEAS

This is really cool. Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints hosted around 35 kids to a day of fishing in Venice,La. The kids were terminally ill cancer patients from Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Dirk was there videoing it for Paradise Louisiana. He said it was amazing to see the kids get so excited to go deep sea fishing. There were about 18 Charter Captains who donated their boats and time to this event. Check out the Paradise Louisiana link on this blog for more pictures.

This Too Shall Pass

Yesterday this is how I felt. Like a boat heading into a storm. I thank God for His mercy and my friends. Kathy thank you for your words of wisdom. This to shall pass. Last night Pastor Dino served it up! What a timely word. I was very lucky to have my mom and sisters at church last night. I love how God works. Pastor Dino's message was right on and I believe will bring some healing in my family.Miles graduated from Blue Sushi, a servant leadership program for kids, and I am so proud of him. I love the fact that he is a part of my family and I love that he desires to serve the Lord.

SLOW DOWN !

When I saw this picture I was trying to finish checking emails, get the kids ready to leave, get ready for a meeting tonight, clean house, and numerous other tasks. I go to the car and to my surprise and dismay, I have a flat tire. OK God I get it I need to slow it down a bit. I definitely need to spend some time with the Prince of Peace. Have a blessed day!

So Cool

This picture isn't the best, but it means alot to me. In the middle is Lincoln. Lincoln just joined HPkids worship team. I am so thankful to have him as a part of our worship team family. Just look at him, he is loving worshipping God. How awesome! Thank you God and HPC for allowing me to be a part of our next generation.

Happy Birthday Zack!

Happy birthday to Zack! He is finally a teenager, the big 13. I am so proud of who he is and who he is becoming in Christ. I love ya man!

Does God think this about me?

Life has been kind of whack lately. I have been thinking and praying alot. I probably need to pray more than think! I was thinking about how harsh our,my, words can be, and how I hear others speak to the people they love. Then I started thinking about what if our harsh words to our love ones, if something happened, were the last words they heard from us. I want my kids and my husband to have not a single doubt in thier minds how I feel about them. I LOVE MY FAMILY! I have been reading this book, The Power of a Praying Parent. This morning Gage had a 7:00am dental appointment. I really could not function yet, so I decided to try and read.

In one of the prayers it says" God if anything foul comes out of my mouth let it be like gravel in my mouth". OUCH!

Then I started thinking again. Why do we speak these unkind words. God led me to this scripture.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and EVIL SPEAKING be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ alos forgave you.

Maybe these things can lead to unkind words, bottom line is God don't like it, we don't need to do it. God my prayer today is to please spiritually duct tape my mouth shut if I speak before I think, and try to say something stupid. Let my family and friends know without a doubt how much I love them.

What a privelege!

I so love what I do! Many of you might not know this, but I have the awesome opportunity to work with HPkids worship team. I love to see our future worshipping God. I didn't have the chance to know God at an early age. It is exciting to see them singing there hearts out. Ministry wise I started in the adult worship team, I served there for five years. It was hard leaving, however I knew that God wanted me to move "upstairs". There is a freedom leading children into worship. Maybe it is because to lead kids into worship you have to become one of them. Have fun with them, show them that all we are doing is showing God how much we love Him only in the form of a song. It is amazing! I can't wait until we have our first kid's cd. We have so many talented kids. God is grooming some amazing talent. VBS will be our next big thing we do. Check them out!

Peace BE with YOU!

This morning I was talking to a family member. I listened to her as she spoke of wanting peace in her life. Then she began talking about another family member and her problems and how she also wanted peace. I told family member 1 to speak words of encouragement to family member 2, and to encourage her to dive deeper in God's word. Well that wasn't quite the reponse family member 1 wanted to hear. I was not going to join the family bash session. We are nothing without God's grace and forgiveness. We shpuld be quick to forgive. I found this picture, if this is not what comes out of our mouths then maybe we shouldn't speek! If we love someone we should want to share the truth with them, stay righteous in God's eyes and watch the peace come. Sure we may go through rough times and sometimes we don't feel very forgiving. Imagine if God didn't feel forgiving, Jesus may have never died on a cross for us. To my friends and family, please remember that no one is perfect, but love them anyway for who they are. Always pray, and when you want to speak think, are my words speaking love, God's truth, and are we bringing peace. I love all of you!!!

Psalm 85:10 NLT

Unfailing love and truth have met together.
Righteousness and peace have kissed!

And the kids in the house said O Yeah!

Thank God for Sonic. Last night was free root beer float night. So I decided to venture out, might I add so did the rest of south Baton Rouge. The place was packed. I really don't think they made money though, everybody wanted the free stuff. So as we are sitting at a table enjoying our cold creamy free treat Miles says, "Hey this tastes like root beer". I said of course it does, hence the name ROOT BEER FLOAT, he replied, "Well, I didn't know". What have I done wrong as a parent. I thought all kids knew what an ice cream float was. I know he has had one before. Maybe it was the heat. It was hot last night. Maybe the overcrowdedness of the other rootbeer float seekers was depleating his oxygen. I may never know. What I do know is, I really don't like root beer floats!

As I am writing this I am thinking. The best thing in the world is out there and free anytime, not just on Thursday June 7 from 8-12. Jesus is here, He is real, He is sweet, and He is always there for the taking. No need to fight the mobs of people. Anytime, anywhere. So today my friends, spend some time with the sweetest, coolest, and most refreshing thing around. JESUS!

Check it Out!

I saw an interview with the pastor of this church on TBN. He was awesome. It is cool to see people who society would shun be totally sold out for God. I want to go visit one day.God doesn't care what we look like or what kind of clothes we wear. Sometimes I feel as if we spend all of our time and hard earned money trying to be part of what we feel will make us acceptable . I am so glad that Jesus doesn't care we look like. www.deliverancebiblechurch.com

Pray for me please!!!

The bug farm is put together. The kids are catching bugs. I DON'T LIKE BUGS!!!!

Bug Farm

Today we are going to put together a bug farm. Kinda cool, I guess. I HATE BUGS! Even if they are contained in a plastic hot house. The kids are so excited. Miles says"we will never have to kill a bug again". I am thinking " hm mm, at least not to your knowledge. However I did catch a horsefly, but I killed it trying to put it in the bug house. I know that God created everything. I would like to ask Him, why bugs? They are annoying, nasty, and sometimes can hurt you. Wow, what a revelation sometimes we, me, can be like bugs. annoying, nasty, and hurtful. I am so glad that God doesn't swat us dead. I quess now I will remind the kids of God's mercy. He will never leave us in a plastic hot house to die. He wants us to live freely. Just like the bugs, we need to let them be. God has created us for a purpose, like bugs have a job. As for me this is what I want today.Psalm 143:10-11 reads-10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprighteousness 11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy names's sake; for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
God keep me out of trouble and let my words be your words. Help us not kill the bugs!

It's just stuff it doesn't matter!

I have spent the last week house sitting at my sister's house. They were at the beach, while I was babysitting a house and a dog. Well what can I say, my sister has alot of stuff. However it is alot of expensive stuff. Needless to say I was very nervous staying at her house with my four kids her dog her cat and not to mention my dog was there too. We had fun, but it was six days of don't touch this and put that down. We must not forget IF IS NOT YOURS DO NOT TOUCH IT! I think we had a total of five casualties and on the last day lots of tears. So around 11:45 Friday night I decided to call my sister and tell her, sobbingly, about all that had been put to rest. After I apologized about twenty times she said, Amanda it's just stuff don't worry about it. I never imagined that I would here those words from her. I was somewhat relieved, but still upset over her cat's food bowl, which ended out being a collectors item that was from 2003 and now costs around 45.00, I was so upset over this bowl. I tried to glue it and tape it, no luck, no hope for the Catzilla chef cat bowl. May it rest in peace or should I say pieces. Ok so today in church Pastor Dino is talking about the man about to have a stroke over jelly and biscuits. It was just food. My casualties were just stuff. Then I had to repent my kids are God's kids they are so much important than a food bowl, or an orchid mister, or a crawfish stirring paddle, or a game of jarts, banned like fifty years ago, or two hairclips, and all the other things that were hidden so I could not find them. It is all stupid stuff. My kids didn't deserve my thirty minute lecture on respecting other people's property. So here is what I got out of all of it. Crazy things are most likely always going to happen, food orders will probably always be wrong, and kids will be kids. What is the most important lesson of all you might ask? Well here it is. Stuff can't go to heaven and stuff can't go to hell, only people!