What Does God Give Bonuses For?

I was reading in the paper today about Ms. California and the Ms. USA pagent that was held this weekend. She made it to the top 5 contestants and then had to go on to the question and answer part. So she reached into the bowl and picked out Perez Hilton's name. So Perez asked her about gay marriage being legalized in 5 states should the rest of the US comply and legalize it also. Ms. California answered " I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anyone out there." Well, Perez Hilton didn't like her answer and has since gone on a witch hunt to defame this contestant that was asked for her honest opinion. Ms. Prejean told Fox News that " God was testing my character and faith" by making her answer that controversial question in front of such a large crowd of people and on National television. Perez has even gone so far as to call her a dumb b-----. on his twitter page.

I believe that God rewards us not based on our performance, logevity in our jobs. In Psalm 18:20-24 David recorded what impresses God. " The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me."

He goes on to explain what "righteouness" and "cleanness" involve, " For I have kept the ways of the Lord: I have not done evil by turning away from my God. All His laws are before me; I have not turned away from His decrees... I have kept myself from sin."

God blesses and rewards us for something that human authorities may care little about: whether or not we are keeping away from sin and whether or not we are keeping God's ways. God isn't impressed by how hard you're working, how skillful you are, the results you're getting, the number of people who think you're the best, how much experience you have, the numbers you've got to show. No, it's our cleanness that God is looking for.

God gives His best to those who are passionate about being pure; who are aggressively cleaning out their remaining dirty closets, not content with just status quo holiness. The Lord rewards you because you always do what you do by the book- his book, the Bible. He's looking for zero tolerance for sin and compromise in your life.

Because God is impressed with you, you are unlocking heaven's blessing gate, which is bolted on our side, not His. He's looking for someone after His own heart. Or, in God's own words, " The eyes of the Lord range throughout the eart to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him". 2 Chronicles 16: 9.

I believe God is impressed with this lovely woman. And even though she didn't win the title of Ms. USA, she won a gold crown in heaven with her answer. May she have peace that she did what was right in the sight of the Lord.

Easter @ the Nut House

Aaron and Kelly and their little boy "Evan Joseph" Relaxing after dinner.

Chloe and Eden Playing some piano together. Eden was all impressed to see someone actually sit and play. She loved it.

My mom and her Easter turkey dinner. We were able to get her to walk out to the living room and join us for about 1/2 an hour before she was too exhausted to hang with us. She'd kill me if she knew I posted this pic.

Ashley finishing up her Easter dinner.

Eden eating a Popsicle for dinner. She had a 101 degree fever. That was the only thing she had eaten in two days.

Cheese Please grandma.

Travis after ingesting a turkey dinner. HE was asleep so we put Eden's new princess glasses on him. Eden also had fun tickling her dada's feet.

I can't believe Chloe has gotten so big. She is 15 now. She looks just like her mama.

Eden and Ashley playing after dinner.

Ashley found this cute little hat at a tea house on Friday. Eden loves to play dress up. So her mama bought three in different colors.

Trying to get this ball of energy to hold still for one pic was hard work. Sorry no smiles, she kept turning around.

We had a great Easter. I woke up and went to early service. Pastor Chuck did a great service. Music was wonderful and once again I cried when we sang "Because He Lives" . I just can't sing that song without breaking into tears. Love it. Dean had to go deliver 60 pies to a lady at her church because she had bought some pie certificates at a fundraiser and then we closed the restaurant location closest to her so he said he'd get her order and deliver them to her at her church. Now that's what I call service. So he missed service with me. But that's ok because when I got home he had homemade biscuits and gravy on the table. YUMMY. And he did the dishes. I made a big turkey dinner and the kids all came over about 3:00 pm. We had a debate about not all Popsicles taste the same. (Sorry Travis, but you lose out on that one. Some just definitely have better flavor) We played some apples to apples and then just rested the rest of the day. Glad to have Chloe with us for the week. I love that girl. She just makes me smile. Hard to believe she is taller than me now and she is just getting more and more beautiful every time I see her. Lock her up Tracy!!

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter and that you all celebrated the best gift ever given. JESUS!!

Ashley and Travis went on a date so we got to play with the grandkids. Dean, Jullian and Eden playing "pirates" in the back yard.

Dean and Eden playing pirates. Don't you love his hat. LOL

Eden making a get well card for her Uncle Klint. He had a stroke at age 31. She likes to be crafty.

Yes, she had a black eye. But she's busy eating the inside of a sandwhich cookie and having tea with grandpa.

Frustrated because Mr. Potato Head's glasses won't fit.

Still trying to get his glasses on.

Papa and Eden time. She loves it when he's home.

Ashley at her shower two Saturday's ago. Layton Cove will be here around May 20th. Can't wait.

Been Busy, Sorry

Oxygen tubing, port a potty, and four different oxgen containers/machines.

This is her machine that calls into the house everyday and keeps track of her pulse ox, and her blood pressure. It even talks to her. She also has her breathing treatment machine.

All the oxygen machines and her air conditioner.

Well, I'd say I don't have an excuse but I really do. So let me update you on our hectic life as of now.

Of course we had the four football players at our house for 10 days. Who knew that they could really eat that much food. It must not have been too bad since one of them actually posted pictures of our wing night on his facebook page.

On March 20th, they admitted my mother to Brandon Hospital to try and help her with her congestive heart failure. She was in a pretty serious condition. So trying to run back and forth between the hospital and home to say goodbye to the boys was hectic. They tried to put my mom in a rehabilitation/nursing facility for a couple of weeks to try and help her lose some of the fluid in her body and to gain strength so that she could walk, but when she heard nursing facility she said NO WAY!! So she is currently at home with a ton of machines and nursing care three days a week and a physical therapist three days a week. We give her breathing treatments every four hours and trying to keep track of her meds and fluid intake is a daunting task. On top of that I'm still watching Eden everyday for 10 hours a day. So, trying to keep up with life outside of being a caregiver is almost impossible. I wouldn't change it, I may complain about it, but being there to help my mom is a blessing I'm glad I have. Somedays I wish she'd understand how much I'm doing and that I may just need a little break, but I guess that will come in time.

My day starts at 5:30 am and I don't quit working until around 10:00 pm at night. I'm completely exhausted but I make sure to ask God to give me the strength I need to get it all done and not to be snappy.

Ahhh... Dinner with Football Players

Mary's Chicken wings and Fries

Chris Shaw, Bryant, John and Adam eating dinner

The boys spent the day at the beach and came home looking like lobsters

Adam and Bryant eating some wings.

10 lbs of chicken wings, 5 lbs of french fries, fry sauce and 2 cases of soda later, dinner was finished.

Breakfast consisted of 48 pancakes, 24 sausage links and 15 scrambled eggs, juice and milk.

Last night, 2 family sized yellow rice, 2 pork loins for shredded pork, 4 cans of black beans and 2 loaves of cuban bread.

I think the boys are being well fed. As for me, I may not cook again until.... tomorrow morning when we do Mary's special french toast and bacon. I guess I'm feeding growing boys.

Enjoying the Florida Sunshine and Her new Swing

She climbed up all by herself Sooooooo Big!!!

Almost there

She figured out how to climb it the first day.

Doesn't she look happy. What a great buy with our tax money. Thank you God!!

"Swing, papa, swing" She also sings "5,4,3 2 1 Blastoff"

"Giggling Happy" She is just kicking her little legs because she's swinging

So happy Grandma came home from work and she can go out to "swing and Slide"

Her new flower garden in her playhouse. Grandma and Grandpa surprised the little one this week and added astro turf and a flower garden for her playhouse area. And yes she is in a fenced in area. But she likes it that way.

I think the finished product turned out great. Dean had his doubts, but when all was said and done he was pretty thrilled. He couldn't wait for Eden to come on Monday so he could take her out. I had to scold him because it was too cold and windy for her to be outside. LOL

The Football Team Cometh

John and Adam are roommates and they are spending their Spring Break here.

Adam and Chris Shaw our Center, and one of Adam's buddies.

They take turns driving each other to the hospital. LOL

Adam and three friends will desend upon our house next Friday.

Adam is sending me a detailed grocery list. LOL

Yep, can you say It shall be an adventure feeding these four.

And Adam was able to talk his friend Bryant into coming too. So we're thrilled they are all coming down. I hope it's nice weather and that they have a great time.

#70 Chris Shaw and his dad. They take great care of Adam. They took him to the hospital last year when he broke his ribs. And Adam took Chris to the hospital when he had an apendix attack. He stayed in the hospital room with him all night until his parents could get there.

Looking forward to a great week. I'll keep you posted. : )