My Morning Phone Call

Well - Shawn calls this morning and asks if I'm "sitting down"... That means there's really GOOD news or really BAD news. I'm nervous. What is it? I wonder if they actually gave him a raise with the new position he just took. That would be GREAT. We could use the extra money.

BAM...His company was just bought by someone else. What does this mean? Who knows. His job now is pretty laid back. He can wear jeans/shorts t-shirts, etc. He gets a lot of vacation time. A lot of holidays. Lots of perks (fun things they do for their employees), etc. It's been a pretty good place to work. Now - the future in unclear.

Isn't it funny...God is "messing us up" in all areas of our lives! I've been on a "Holy Ghost High" since we went to Atlanta to the Eagles' Wings conference - and now the kids are sick, and Shawn's job is ???????? But you know what? When normally I would be sick with worry over our "future"...I'm at peace. I know God is in control. There's nothing I can do about it anyway. I keep saying I'm trying to "clean house" (literally - my house) so that we can be ready to do His call at a moments notice (no, that doesn't mean we're planning on moving or anything). That could be just having fellowship at our home on a spur of the moment without worrying about all the toys/clothes/junk sitting in the middle of the floors.

I'm excited! God is doing something Great in our lives - in Galesburg - in this Country - in the world! I don't want to be passed by - I want to be a part! How about you?

New Template

Ok - I changed our template. I'm not a GREEN type of person, either, but with the "germ bug" going around, I thought this was appropriate. What do you think?

Uh - Here We Go Again

Yep - the old germ bug is revisting the Karns house! Brock is coughing non-stop, and is losing his voice. Tanner just isn't up to par - starting to cough. And Hunter is coughing with a fever - still sleeping (it's after 9:00am here). So much for school today.

So be praying, and if you have to come here for any reason - don't forget what to wear....

James 4:1-12

My friend, Kim, is teaching the adult SS class this Sunday at her church. Her lesson is on James 4:1-12...

Does anyone have any thoughts for her? She's afraid of comeing off too strong, but her thoughts are.... "What's in Your Heart?"

James 4:1-12
Submit Yourselves to God
1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?[a] 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."[b]

7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Only Grace

I LOVE Matthew West's new song..."Only Grace"

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday
Has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it’s clear

Chorus:
There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

You’re starting over now
Under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

Chorus:

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, Get back up
Get back up again

To be like a child

What a time we had yesterday during our Revival with Pastor Neil Smith! Both services were awesome! God's presence was felt when you walked in the building! Last night, we had a time of worship an hour before the service started. It was awesome! Thanks to Karen Stroops, we have some banners now! It blessed my heart to see my 8 yr old son, pick up the RED banner and begin to pray as he walked the sanctuary (he has to work on not pokeing anyone with the banner, since he walks & prays with his eyes closed).



We need to be like children. Free in our worship. Not worried about what others thinks. Let offenses roll off our backs. Able to look at the unseen with Awe and wonder and expectation.

I'm so in love with Jesus - I just want everyone else to be as excited as I am right now! I'm looking forward to our time of worship before service tonight! Come with expectancy!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, BROCK

Missey Gray

My heart is grieved. I was looking up information on St. Patrick's day for the kids to work on and study, going thru some homeschool blog sites, and discovered a 32 year old homeschool mother of (now) 5, Missey Gray, died during an emergency c-section on March 1, 2006.

Yesterday Missey went in to get her stress test that she's been getting every 2 weeks. The test showed that Missey was loosing amniotic fluid and that she had lost enough of it for it to be alarming. That's when they decided to go ahead and take the baby.

After they lifted the baby from her body, some of the amniotic fluid got into her blood stream and caused a blood clot, which is what caused her death. She never came out of surgery. Her mil (mother-in-law) said that this only Happens 1 in 200,000. (Dandelion Seeds blog)

No, I didn't know this woman at all, but from reading her blog (which she wrote in for the last time before they left for the drs. office - http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HeartSchooling/ ), I can see that she was a woman who loved the Lord first, then her husband, then kids. She had three girls (age 11, 8, 5) a boy (almost 2), and then a newborn girl, named after her, Melissa Kate Gray. Missey blogged on Nov. 2, 2005 the following:

The academics are important, but the heart-set is even more so. That's why I like to say that we are "HeartSchooling" -- it puts my focus back where it ought to be and helps me keep my priorities straight.

Missey was a WHIZ at homeschooling! She makes me look like I do NOTHING! Not only was she homeschooling, but she was involved with blogs and online homeschool support groups - helping make other homeschool moms' lives easier.

My prayers go out to her husband, Tom, and their 5 children. I only wish I would have met her before. I do know I'll see her again someday!

What in the WORLD is going on?

Obviously - it's not in the WORLD - but God is giving us a glimpse (mind you a very MINUSCULE glimpse) of what Heaven will be like! Why were we created? To worship Him! Yesterday and Last nights services were unbelievable! It was AWESOME. We sang a song yesterday and the words were, "In Awe of You we Worship". Pastor talked about how we don't use that word very often, but that is how we should look at God.

Dictionary.com says Awe is "A mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might". WOW - does that do a good job of describing our emotions about God or what?

Again, another song we sang said this, "Turn your ear to heaven and hear the noise inside...the sound of angel's AWE, the sound of angel's songs - and all this for a King - we could join and sing - All to Christ our King".

Another song we sang talks about "How Great is our God" - and "He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide- and trembles at His voice". That's how Awesome our God is.

A good friend of mine was happy for Pastor, Libby, Shawn & I, when we came back from the Eagles Wings conference last weekend - with our "new way of freedom in our worship" - but expressed that "it wasn't for her". Well - God showed up last night again, and told her "YES IT IS"...and because of her obedience, she was blessed with a Heavenly language - and a "new freedom in her worship".

God is taking us to places we've only dreamt of - more than that even! Are you ready to go? Are you going to hesitate and sit back & "wait & see" - or are you going to JOIN IN and be on the frontlines? Can you tell I'm excited? GOD IS SO GOOD. Alright - now is the time to, "Turn our gaze to heaven and raise a joyous noise.....Oh Praise Him"!!!! (David Crowder)

Too much?

I was reading Neil Smiths blog he posted Sat. March 4, and my heart was troubled. He speaks of treating a visiting Preacher from Kenya to a day at Bush Gardens, and how in that one day - they spent as much, if not more, money than most people in Kenya earn in a year. This Kenyan preacher said, "I know why American pastors have such a difficult time building a church, there are too many options, distractions, serving God is not the priority!" It just goes to show our "American" mentality. Yes, I believe in going on vacation, and that takes money. My favorite place to take the kids is Disney, and everyone knows how much that costs!

But, why do we feel it so important to have "stuff". We are too comfortable! I don't think God is calling us to live in poverty - but I think He calls us to be good stewards of our money. I have been so convicted over this lately. I love to shop - not for me, but my kids. Do they need any more clothes? Absolutely NOT. Do they need anymore toys? No. My children do not know what LACKING means. They have never lacked for anything. Nor have I. And - please don't worry - I'm not going to start selling all my (our) posessions. But it does mean that I need to take a step back and look deeply at what we are teaching our kids. They are good kids! They love us, eachother, and God...but I want them to be GREAT adults in the Lord.

I know I'm rambling - but this is on my heart...

Shaley Karns

Ok, ok...We couldn't wait - she was able to come home tonight! She's sooooo cute!
And, as you can tell, we decided on the name Shaley (pronounced
SHAY-LEE w/ a long A). The place we got her was on Shale Rd., so, there we are.



Shaley & Valentine, checking each other out. So far so good, except for Shaley trying to nip at Vallie's legs...Val just acts like she's scared of her.

Shaley & Brock. The kids WILL NOT leave the poor puppy alone! They want to pick her up and hold her costantly!

Shaley's 1st bath. She stunk bad - and still does. She'll have to have another bath tomorrow to try and get that Kennel smell off of her.

She's already found things to chew on! Ok, we've got several chew toys already. If anyone wants to give a "puppy shower" (ha)...buy more chew toys!

Shawn says Shaley looks like she's smiling here. Happy to be home at last!

A Change of Plans

Ok, we've had a change of plans...the puppy we were going to get - became sick last night - and we (well, really I) had a check about getting him. I really wanted a female dog (that's what I'm used to), and low and behold, this sweety came to us (by way of picture) almost the same time the other puppy was gettion "out of the picture".

She's only 7 weeks old, and we can't get her until Wednesday or after - but isn't she adorable? She looks like the Cottonelle commercial puppy (only a little smaller)!! Let's hope all goes well with her now... If this one doesn't work out - I think we are going to wait to get another dog. Maybe that's God's way of saying, "NOT NOW...GOOD GRIEF"!!!

A new addition to the Karns'

Ok, call us crazy - buy you can't help but love this face! Right before Christmas, we "rescued" a dog (which the kids named Goldie), and we all fell in love with her. She was a 2yr old yellow lab, and a sweet heart - except to Valentine (our Dalmation), and our friend's leg when Goldie was going after Valentine.. So, needless to say, we sadly had to find another home for her.

Believe it or not, Shawn took it harder than anyone! Why? Hmm...there's the million dollar question. He loved that dog! She listened to him - which I think is the real reason.

So, this Saturday - we are going to Iowa to pick up this new addition. He's 4 mths old - which means mommy will be potty training not only Brock, but a puppy. But, that's ok. We saw this face and fell in love instantly. Hopefully the feeling will be mutual!

Help - I'm still sick

Well...we have gone thru the sickness gamut, and thought we were about over, when yep...mommy is feeling bad again! I don't get this! I was reading Sarah's blog on patience...I can relate! I'm tired of feeling miserable and trying to take care of the house, school, meals, kids, etc. So if my kids stink around you...sorry, baths haven't been since Sat. (ugh).

Anyway, please pray that whatever keeps dragging me down will IMMEDIATELY disappear. I feel very "stiff", off balance, at times feverish, cold, along with the neverending sore throat!

Thanks for your prayers!

4 Months and Counting

Ok, it's only been MONTHS since I've blogged! Too busy during the Christmas season, than off to Grandmother's house I went for a couple weeks, than back home for a couple weeks of sickness. Thank You, Lord, for it finally seeming to start passing.

Anyway...on my 'fridge is a picture of a BEAUTIFUL dress that I am going to be wearing for a wedding I am in this June. Ok, the wedding is of one of our "youth girls" who has grown up, and has asked me to be her matron of honor (to which I AM truly honored). But, as you can guess, all the other girls in this wedding are in their 20's....except me. So, I'm really fighting the "need to get in shape" NOW syndrome. The reason the picture of the dress is on my 'fridge' is because I wrote underneath it in BIG letters..."GET SKINNY"...and hopefully everytime I open the dorr of the 'fridge', I can be reminded...eat right.

Pray with me on my quest!!!!

Too Adorable for Words

Of course, every time you take your kids to get their pictures, you have a set $$ amount of how much you are going spend when you go and pick them up. And, of course, everytime you go to pick them up, they turned out even cuter than you expected and your $$ amount just doubled.
That's what happened to us today, as I went to pick up the kids' pictures. How could I not get them all?

A Sample

Here's a sample of how good they all were!!! 

Smart People

My cousin sent this in an email...thought it was interesting...

Olny srmat poelpe can.

Cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Nwo you hvae a ncie day.

Freedom

Isn't it amazing when God actually confirms things you have been thinking? I mean...when you really have pondered over something, and it keeps being brought up to you over and over...until you finally say, "OK, God...I get it."

Ever since I went to the Joyce Meyer conference in St. Louis, I have been "hit" with the word FREEDOM. What does it mean? Do I have it? Does my husband have it? Do I allow my husband to have it? Does our church have it?

Pastor's Blog today hit it again....in a new way. Freedom from what? Past hurts...addictions...self pity...you name it. So, I posted an excerpt from what I heard at the conference (and Shawn has preached on it before, also)...about how when the children of Israel were in captivity to Egypt...they were "delivered" from captivity, and brought into the wilderness. While they were there - were they free? No. But, God took care of them. He gave them everything that they NEEDED. Not wanted, but NEEDED. They had all the manna they could eat. Their clothes and shoes didn't wear out. But they were not freed yet. They hadn't made it to the Promised Land....and they were in this deliverence place for 40 years. How did they get out? How did they find their freedom? THEY HAD TO FIGHT FOR IT. It wasn't given to them. They had to step out of their "baby chirstian-feed me" place of being into a mighty warrior stance.

I am SO AMAZED. God wants us to take a STAND. To step out and take back what was stolen from us by our enemy.

So, I started reading a book today (during my 1/2 hour of piece in the bathtub during naptimes) by my favorite author Francine Rivers. (If you've never read any of her books - come to me, I've got MANY and I've not been dissapointed yet) Anyway, it's a historical fiction on Aaron. I had no idea what the book was about when I picked it up to read. But once again, God is showing me - get a grip - let loose - step OUT....

Our Family

 

I am an avid "Picture Taker".... Ever since I was old enough to own a camera, I have taken tons and tons of pictures. Thank you, mom & dad, for all the years you paid for developing all those! What awesome memories!!! Sometimes I look at those pictures when I was 8-18, and I go back into another time. Remembering words, events, laughs, sorrows, that have somehow slipped my mind - until triggered by a picture.

Now that I'm a mother of 4 - I still am taking tons and tons of pictures. I'm not as good about getting them all into photoalbums, and although I love scrapbooking, I still don't seem to have one book finished for any of my kids. But - I still have the dream that ONE DAY I will be able to give them a book of their life.