High Heels for Babies??

Well, after reading Angie's blog at Bring the Rain about little girl's panties being a little on the low-rise, thong, bikini end, I came across these.



Yep, high heels for babies. Wow.

According to the website, heelarious shoes are..."extremely funny, completely soft shoes for babies 0-6 months designed to look like high heels. Not intended for walking (heel will collapse with weight). Not intended to harm children in any way".

While I am sure they are cute, funny, whatever, I'm afraid it, too, just makes the little girls of the world a little more grown up than they should be.

Just thought I'd let you all in on the newest trends for your little girls.

The Big Picture

God sees it. I don't. I'm not supposed to. But, I REALLY want to.

God knew what was going to happen today, before it happened. I have to thank him for proving himself over and over.

The pending trial, the details of the case, whether the truth will actually be told by the defendant...God already knows. I just need to take a deep breath and remember that.

It's so not my personality. I don't sit back and wait. I am type A all the way. To a fault. But, it's the way God made me. I just have to make sure I use my personality in the right way.

On another note, a few people have asked for more details about the abuse. I have a great desire to put the information out here in blog-land, but that would be irresponsible of me at this point. The case is still pending and the defense attorney is well aware this blog exists. So, in due time, all things will be revealed.

One week from today is the trial...please pray. Pray for Sam, our prosecutor, that discouraging words would not get him down. Pray for jury selection...this is huge!

Pray for the defendant...he needs it most of all.

Go Buckeyes!

No, I'm not talking about the "real" nut buckeye...although seeing these make me hungry thinking of chocolate and peanut butter buckeyes.

Frank & I went to the Ohio State football game this weekend. You know that if you're born in Ohio you are born a Buckeye. :)

We went with Richard & Jennifer, friends of ours from our previous church. It was good to spend some time with them...I've been missing close friends these days. No kids, either, just us 4 adults. I can't tell you the last time that's happened.

I'm sure some of you have seen this picture. They say it's proof that Jesus is a Buckeye fan. I'm not too sure about that...



"Jesus" is located in Monroe, Ohio, between Dayton and Cincinnati. A million dollars or so I hear...but don't get me started on that.

Just being at the "shoe" is an experience in itself. It's an awesome stadium. And we had been given an alumni's season tickets, so our seats were great! No nosebleed for us.



Being in a stadium with 102,000 other Buckeye fans was so cool. There is a little-bitty spot of maybe 100 seats for the opposing team, but I can't imagine sitting in THAT spot. It's not even like going to an NFL game. The city of Cincinnati isn't full of Bengals fans, that's for sure.



Here's the picture of us, sweating to death. We had a really good time. We walked forever to get to the stadium and got to spend time talking without interruption. It was good to spend time with my hubby...we need to do it more often.

Thanks for the tickets and good time, Rich & Jennifer.

Forgivness is NOT a Feeling.

Forgiveness.

What does that mean? I don't know about you but, I think I associated forgiveness with a feeling or emotion. Or an automatic or expected response to an apology.

According to dictionary.com:

forgive:
1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
2. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
3. to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.

Well, after spending some time with my good friend Barbara, and spending time in God's Word. I have a new definition and understanding of what God intends for forgiveness.

Forgiveness is NOT a feeling.

Forgivness is not an OPTION, but an act of obedience to the will of God.
**Wow!! This is HUGE.**
Eph 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as in Christ God forgave you.

Forgiveness is my responsibility and is not a natural response.
**Remember "seventy times seven"??

Forgiveness means to give up the offense and not get back at the offender.
Romans 12:19 - Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay" says the Lord.

Forgiveness gives the vengeance over to God.
**See above.**

Forgivness allows emotional freedom & healing.
**Praise the Lord!!**

Forgiveness is exemplified in the life of Jesus.
Luke 23:34


The ideal situation for forgiveness is between two people. Lovingly confronting, repent, reconcile, be accountable, etc.

The non-ideal situation (only one party participating) is between only you and God. Acknowledging the sin or hurt, decide to forgive, ask God to bless the offender (whew!), etc.

What I've learned is that it doesn't always involve two people to forgive. I don't have to wait for someone to apologize to me for me to forgive them. God doesn't want me to hold on to it. If we hold on to it, God cannot deal with it.

I am soo imperfect and soo unworthy of God's forgiveness. I am not a perfect person. "As much as it depends on me, I WANT to live at peace with all men." (my paraphrase) God wants a good life for me and he is giving me emotional freedom & healing.

Thank you Barbara for all your prayers and counseling. God is using you to minister to me more than you will ever know.

Please pray for me as I work through all of these things. You either get bitter or better.

Baggage

Oh, how I wished I lived in Nashville. I would be at CrossPoint Church in a heartbeat!! After being a part of a church plant and LOVING it, then moving to a small town where there aren't a lot of options for churches...I am soo loving www.withoutwax.tv. So, here's your shout out, Pete!

Anyway, they are doing a series called "Baggage". Wow! I've been to my counselor a few times now and we are dealing with just that. She helped me pray forgiveness for those who have hurt me and it was DEEP. Then, I came across this video on CrossPoint's Pastor's blog.


Baggage from Pete Wilson on Vimeo.

Anyway, check it out and let me know what you think...

Counseling...

Since the abuse in December I have not went to see a counselor. My mom kept telling me I needed to go and I think somewhere inside of me knew I should, but "always in control" Jocelyn, thought I will...later.

I don't have any "preconceived" ideas about counseling. Actually, in the words of the great "Pastor Robbie", "Counseling is not failure". I know this. My Dad is a counselor. But, I just kept putting it off.

You see, it's no easy task to find a counselor, let alone the "right" one. It usually takes a long time to get a first appointment. And...how do you know it it's a "fit". I want christian counseling, but how do you find that and what does that mean.

Frank and I have been to marriage counseling early in our marriage. We went to a "Christian" counselor, but didn't receive christian counseling. Let me explain. The counselor we saw was yes, a christian. Did we feel like her counseling was infused with what the Bible said about the topics?? Not so much.

So, therein lies my problem. But WAIT then, enter Barbara...

My friend Susan told me of a counselor she knew of at a church. This woman did not go to that specific church, but was employed by the church to offer counseling to the church and the general public.

Susan told me of Barbara and things she had been told about Barbara's counseling. "She tells you what the Bible says about it." "She prays with you."
I thought, "no way, this has to be too good to be true". Plus Barbara is an hour away from where we live now.

So Frank and I talked about what I should do. There is a counselor 15 minutes away from where we live that I could go to. But, I told him I felt like I was supposed to see Barbara. I asked him what he thought. My dear Frank-o told me he wanted me to see Barbara. That if I felt like that's where I felt I should go, then go. Love him!

So, long story short...I was placed on the "dreaded" waiting list. I'm not sure how long I was on it, but there were definitely times I thought the trial would be over and done with before I got in to see Barbara. But, lo and behold, the Lord is good and I saw Barbara on August 11th.

I have never been to a counselor like this (not that I frequent them). I was not told her opinion about how to handle things or what to do, but she grabbed her Bible and told me what God says I should do. WOW! We pray together. She is so wise.

I'll definitely be posting more about the changes the Lord is doing in my life. I'm excited to share them with you. If this tells you anything about it...my husband texted me one day, "I love Barbara. I think she's exactly what you need".

Love you Barbara, Love you Frank!

Meet Linnea...

Cal, Trey & Linnea


One of the biggest blessings in my family's life.
Really, a third (well, actually 6th) grandma to Trey.
She kept Trey for us when we owned our own business.
She has been a prayer warrior and awesome confidant in my life.
Her selflessness is amazing.

We miss her (and Cal, too) so much since we've moved up north. We miss playing Sequence and hanging out...and Frank misses her cooking, of course.

Honestly one of the very few people I could leave Trey with after the abuse.
He loves playing at Linnie's house and going to Linnie's school. :)

Well, Linnie has started her own business.
She is a great seamstress and very creative.
She makes purses, bags & scrapbook items.

You can check out her "store" here...

www.linneascreations.etsy.com

Love ya Linnie and hopefully we can get together soon!

Please Pray for my Pap...

**Update**
Pap came through the procedure well. Two places in his arteries are back to 100% working order. There are a few other areas of concern that will be dealt with later. Thanks for your prayers.


My grandfather is having femoral artery stents placed tomorrow. He has not been in the hospital since the 1950s. He is 75 years-old.

Please pray for the physicians and staff, that God would guide them.

Pray that the procedure would go smoothly as possible.

Please pray that he would not be anxious.

Pray for my grandma as she patiently waits. And for my Dad, aunt & uncles, as well.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. ~Psalm 55:22