PERSONAL REVIVAL

I grew up in a time when the word "revival" was used alot in the church. Our church would schedule revivals that would last for usually a week. The word revival has taken on a new meeting for me. It isn't something that can usually be scheduled...it just happens.

I have sensed a personal revival lately. Things that use to bother me or upset me don't. Things that use to have a lot of meaning in my life...don't. Things that use to not have top priority in my life...do.

It is almost scary to type this post because I know I will be tested.

The biggest area I see change in is in material things. I have been selling things on the internet lately. Things that I use to hold on to very tightly. Things that had sentimental value...things that had monetary value. I recently took a huge load of shoes and clothes to a resell shop. Clothes that still fit, but were never worn.

I realized that a purse really is just a purse.

A basket really is just a basket.

Today I am going to sell something that once held a special place in my home and was once a "must have."

I am hoping to use the money to pay off some bills.

Tonight we are going to go hear some missionaries speak. They are a great example of people who gave up everything to go and serve. A lighter load really is better.

They Said It's Never Too Late

Wally and I hosted a parenting seminar at our house Sunday. No...we were not the speakers...we invited 2 couples from our church that have raised 7 boys between them. Not just any boys...boys that love God and their families. Boys that are respectful, fun and would make any mom proud to have as a son-in-law.

We asked them "How did you raise such great boys?" For the next 2 hours they shared some wonderful advice with us and 2 other couples. It was a great time full of advice, great food and alot of laughter.

Here are some highlights:

1) It is never too late to influence your sons. It is never too late to implement rules and to enforce responsibilities.
2) We are their parents...not their friends
3) Pray is everything
4) You must be the one that talks to your sons about girls, dating, relationships. We can't leave it up to anyone else.
5) Remember grace

WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY

Be sure and check out Works For Me Wednesday!
Today's tip is all about lists! I know that it's only September...but Christmas is around the corner. I post a list on my refrigerator where my family can begin to jot down suggestions for Christmas. I have to give my friend Sandi credit for this idea. When the Christmas flyers begin and the sales start...you already have a list to work with. The list is always handy when out of town family members begin to ask for a wish list.

I also added another list to my frig today. I call it "Mom I need this list." They jot down what they need and when they need it

This list was inspired by my son when he told us at 9:00 pm one night he needed poster board the next day. Now there is a reminder posted for them and hopefully avoid early trips to CVS.

that's my tip.

GIVEAWAY!!!!

Yeh! I am doing my first blog giveaway.


My daughters and I have been having a great time making Bottle Cap Jewelry.

This was all the craze at the beach this summer. It is super easy and fun.

I had a blast making birthday party favors for my niece. Her party is this weekend and I hope they love their new necklaces.

It all be began when I bought these adorable earrings at the beach.

It has a picture of a shoe and says" Which pair to where?

So here are the rules:

leave me a comment with a quote that would look cute on a pair of bottle cap earrings.

My daughters and I will pick our favorite. If we pick your quote...I will make you a pair with that quote and a picture.

It has to be between 2-4 words.

This will end Sunday at 6:00 pm.

Have fun

WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY

Head over to Rocks In My Dryer and check out the great tips today. Here is one from me. Everyday I have a "to do list". I love checking tasks off the list. I am going to try and do something different. I will still have a "to do list" but I am also going to add a new column...a "to be" list. Today I need to go to a speaking engagement, the post office and a football game. I also want "to be" more patient today, I want "to be" giving today and I want "to be" in prayer today. What is on your "to do" and your "to be" list?

WEEK OF GIVEAWAYS!!!!

Do you love free stuff? If so...head on over to Leigh's Blog. She is giving away some great stuff everyday this week. I know once you head over to her blog you will become a regular reader. Leigh is the President of Speaking Thru Me Ministry and an incredible woman of God. I have the privlege of receiving her encouraging emails and being a member of a speaking team that she has formed with her ministry partner Ginger. So what are you waiting for...go get the free stuff!!!

HE SAID NO...AND THAT WAS FINE WITH ME

I love speaking to women's groups and I just generally enjoy being around groups of women. A few weeks ago our church began to promote an upcoming women's mentoring ministry. I was ready to sign up. This is something I enjoy so why not. Then a little voice inside said "you need to pray about this." I listened. I hate to wait on anything...but I felt compelled to wait. Each week I would pass by the sign up table and I had to remind myself...wait. I began to realize that mentoring is a commitment and should be seen as that. I began to feel a real peace that this was not the time for me to do this...and you know what...I was okay with that.

I hope this means that I am maturing spiritually. I am realizing that sometimes you have to say no to even the "good" things. I know that he is protecting me from something and hopefully preparing me for something else.

Today in the service some great ideas came to mind based on the sermon. Details will come later...as I pray about this...and listen...and follow...even if the answer is NO.

ELECTION

I LOVE IT WHEN KIDS...ARE JUST KIDS.

I enjoyed watching the RNC but my favorite part was this:




This little girl was in her own little "cutey patooty" world. I loved it that she was just being "her."

What a lucky little boy.


This reminded me of the time that it was picture day and I told my son to make sure and comb his hair.

I caught him combing his hair...with his tennis shoe.

WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY

Head over to Works For Me Wednesday! Today is backwards day. Instead of posting a tip...today you post a question or you post a problem that needs a solution.

So here is my dilemma:

I am looking for a great work out program that will turn me into that size 6 that I dream of. (okay...I'd settle for a size 10)

Any suggestions?

LABOR DAY REWIND

As I sit here having coffee with my family, recapping the reunion, watching GUSTAV coverage, I realized that I am exhausted! It's a good tired!!!! What a weekend!

After watching Ally cheer saturday morning, we hit the road and headed south to West Virginia. After a great dinner at my sister's house we headed to the auction.

The auction can be hit or miss. Sometimes the items are unappealing and sometimes there are so many bargains...you can't resist. I am so glad that the latter was true on saturday. My mom purchased a beautiful quilt, cookware and a really neat item that seals plastic bags.(I bought one too) I bought a patio umbrella with built in solar lights for $20. I also bought a double hammock that is freestanding.
The items came from QVC and would cost 5 times more on air.

Sunday morning we worshipped at my cousin's church where Todd sang and played piano. It is a beautiful church with a small group of committed people. Then...it was off to the reunion!!!

We had a blast. 51 people came and it was great reconnecting with family. The best part of the reunion (in my opinion was our worship service). Before it began I prayed that the Gospel would be clearly presented somehow. God exceeded in a mighty way. The Gospel was CLEARLY presented not once, not twice, not three times...but 4 TIMES!!!!!

enjoy the pics

Fabulous Finds Friday

Things that make my life easier and better are what I consider fabulous finds.

This week it is all about family.

We are leaving tomorrow to spend the labor day weekend with family. 50 of them! That's right...we are having our first annual BUMPUS FAMILY REUNION. (don't make fun of the name...I have heard them all).


I can't wait for my kids to meet cousins they have never seen before. We are scattered around 5 states and are rarely in WV at the same time. This wasn't always the case. We all have wonderful memories of Christmas eve when we would all gather at my grandparent's house (ma and pa). The house was small and tight. The grandchildren would usually escape to the "parlor" and make crank phone calls.

I want my kids to learn about the legacy that was given to them. I am most proud of the people in my family who have dedicated their lives to ministry.

My great-grandfather was a circuit rider. He would ride from town to town on horseback to share the Gospel. Stories are often shared of how it would be so cold that he had to chisel his feet from the stirrups. I actually have a copy of the last sermon he preached.

My great uncle was a pastor and had a radio show called "The Sweet Hour of Prayer".

My dad was an evangelist and youth leader for many years.

My cousin is the pastor of Freedom Baptist Church. My other cousin and cousin's husband are both part-time pastors.

How do you have this legacy and not make it part of the reunion? You don't. That is why we are incorporating a worship service as part of the reunion.

Lots to do and lots to pack. I will share details when I return.

What is your legacy going to be?

When Are You Creative

I consider myself a creative person!! I love to create with my hands (not cooking).
I love to decorate and I love to mix and match clothing. I love it when God gives me a creative idea. Sometimes it seems like it comes out of nowhere with no warning. God has given me a very creative idea on how to publish my children's book. He has given me an idea for a skit to write. He has given me some creative ways to decorate my office with things that I already. I am not CREATIVE ON THE SPOT. If someone asks me for a creative idea I normally have to say "Let me think about it." Or in other words...I need for God to give me the idea. All good things come from Him...this includes creativity

THIS WEEK'S DEVOTION

A common theme has been going through my mind the last couple days "Am I my brother's keeper?" The Bible asks us this question as well. What is my duty to my fellow sister or brother? Not just my biological family...but my neighbors, my friends, people...I don't even know.

The other day I was with my son and we stopped at a gas station for gas. As we were driving away I looked over and 2 grown men were fighting. I don't mean with words...they were punching and hitting each other. My motherly instinct kicked in (and my possible stupidity). I pulled my car up beside them and said "Stop it you two...or I'm calling the police". They stopped and I drove away. I asked my son if that scared him and he said yes...not the fighting...you scared me when you yelled!

I felt safe because I was in my car and I knew I could getaway fast if needed. Why did I do that? Why did I feel the need to break up the fight? I guess it was because I cared about two people that I had never met. (especially the little man...he did not stand a chance) Now...I promise not to make a habit of breaking up fights between strangers...but I do want to make it a habit to care about people that I don't event know. I don't want to ignore people who are being treated unfairly. I don't want to ignore the unloved, the forgotten and especially the unchurched.

This brings me to my next conviction that I cannot get off my mind. Sunday I watched the Olympic Closing ceremony. It was amazing. The creativity, the organization, the splendor, etc. I thought China did an amazing job with the olympics and showcasing their city. An hour later it was over and to me it became a nice memory.

I went to bed that night and wondered how much it cost to put on the closing ceremonies. How many millions were spent! What if...at the next olympics...the closing ceremony was simplified. What if it was all about the athletes and not the hosting country. What if a majority of the money spent went to help build water systems for rural villages. What if the money went to feeding those who are starving. What if the host country used the money to save the children...those with AIDS, etc.

The olympics is special because for 2 weeks we come together as a world. How cool would it be if the host country became a catalyst for change and used the closing ceremony budget to keep this unity going. Are we our brother's keeper? I think yes!

SHOESAPALOOZA

You can tell by my blog header that I love buying shoes!!!!

I am not the only one in my family that shares that passion.

I was cleaning today and I am giving away 25 pairs of shoes!!!!

Gotta go...I am off to do my closet now.

BOTTLE CAP JEWELRY

Bottle cap jewelry was the new craze at the beach this year. We decided to try to make some on our own. Here are the first few pieces. Austin is going to a birthday party today for a girl in his band. We made her a band charm and a charm of her favorite boy band.

VOTE FOR ME

FABULOUS FINDS FRIDAY

Here is the second edition of "finds" that make my life easier or better.

I love fashion and accessories. I use to waste alot of time trying to find mates to my earrings. Not anymore!!!

What do you get when you have an ornate frame, leftover screen and a handy husband?

You get a great place to hang your earrings.

EDNA'S SECOND HELPIN'

Two years ago my grandmother went home to be with her Lord. It was a huge loss for our family. We mourned her passing for a long time and still miss her very much. My grandmother was truly one of a kind. She had such a big heart and always would "cheer" for the underdog. She gave generously of herself, her cooking, her money and her time. We believe we have found a way to keep her memory alive and her legacy will continue. My mom has established the "Edna's Second Helpin'" fund. Why the name? Her name was Edna and you could never leave her kitchen without a "second helpin'" of whatever she was cooking. She made you eat until you were ready to bust. She also believed that everyone deserved a "second chance." The fund will be used to help people who are deserving of "a little help." It is not a "handout" but a helping hand. I was so excited when I asked the team if we could help a soldier I know who served in Itaq. He is experiencing many health difficulties because of his deployment. I am so grateful that my grandmother showed each of us the importance of giving back.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

Today I spoke in Parma at a Christian Women's Luncheon. The other speaker was from Pierre's Ice Cream. Every friday he samples ice cream. Fun job!!!

It was a great day and the highlight came at the end. I was sharing my testimony of how as a teen I was always looking to fill a void in my life that was "God size."

When I asked everyone in the audience to bow their heads and close their eyes for the invitation...one little girl did not. She and I locked eyes and for the next few minutes I felt like I was speaking to just her. It was so cool!!!She was very attentive and at the end gave me a huge smile.

I hope something she heard today will impact her life and maybe give her pause to think as she grows into a young lady.

MY DAUGHTER THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY

Today I was driving with my daughter and I told her I had the perfect name for a Christian Boy Band...ready...

"The Jonah's Brothers"

She laughed...I smiled...it was a good day!