Calling for Prayer for the Nations

Calling all prayer warriors who have a heart to pray for the Nations around the world!

Yesterday Okinawa, Japan experienced a 7.3 magnitude earthquake. Thankfully Okinawa isn't as populated as other parts of Japan.

Early this morning, Chile experienced an 8.8 magnitude earthquake. At least 78 people are known dead, with the death toll expected to rise. Many more are likely injured, and left homeless.





A tsunami was detected, although there have been no reports of great damage. One was suspected to have reached the Robinson Crusoe Island. Hawaii is under a Tsunami watch and specialists say it could possibly be affected around 11:15 a.m. this morning.

This of course, on the heels of the devastating earthquake to hit Haiti in January, where the people are still in such dire need of the basic necessities to survive.

* Please pray for the world to cry out to God during these difficult times.

* Pray for all those who are lost, that the Holy Spirit will "woo" these people and open their spiritual eyes, ears and hearts to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

* Pray for healing, comfort, provision, and protection.

* Pray that we, as Christians will be globally minded (not just in missions), but in prayer - to lift up other nations.

May "the earth be filled with knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea". Habakkuk 2:14

God bless you all.

HELP - I Need Some Recipes!

JOKE: In the Fire Station

Little Jimmy's preschool class went on a field trip to the fire station. The firefighter giving the presentation held up a smoke detector and asked the class: "Does anyone know what this is?"


Little Jimmy's hand shot up and the firefighter called on him.

Little Jimmy replied: "That's how Mommy knows supper is ready!"

I'm not quite that bad in the kitchen...anymore, but when I first got married, I must confess that I barely knew how to boil water. We survived the first year of our marriage
solely because we used the outdoor grill my uncles & aunts gave us for a wedding present (I guess they knew in advance and had pity on my husband).

Now, I can cook very well and everyone raves about my wonderful dishes. Mainly because the entire world is on a diet and I was still cooking like Paula Dean with tons of butter and entire bags of cheddar cheese! No wonder people liked my meals, until they asked for the recipe and found out how many calories they'd just consumed in one sitting. What can you expect? - I cook the way I grew up watching my mom and my grandma cook.

So, now that I am TRYING to eat healthy...I am at a complete block as to what to cook. I know I have a HUGE selection of websites I could pull up healthy recipes, but for some reason, none of them sound good to me. I want someone to actually make something healthy and let me taste how good it is, and THEN find out what was in it. Most of the time, these healthy recipes call for ingredients I can't even pronounce. One cookbook I looked in the other day that was supposed to have "foods that help your body burn fat", and one of the suggested snacks was Seaweed. Come on, really?

If you have a healthy recipe, that has NORMAL ingredients that I don't have to go to the "organic market" to acquire...and if they are family-taste tested and approved,
please email me a copy to angiemathome@yahoo.com I would love to have some ideas. Keep in mind that I'm not real big on veggies. I usually only eat them if they are covered with melted cheese or hidden somewhere deep in a dip or casserole. I don't know if that will hinder your recipes, but I thought you should know.

Thanks for your help. My husband thanks you, I thank you, my kids...probably won't thank you, but you can't please everyone.

Romantic Valentine's Day ???

I can't believe a week has gone by and I haven't shared my romantic Valentine's Day story with you. Don't worry, it's completely "G" rated...I know I've said in the past that my hubby isn't the most romantic guy in the world, but I know he adores me.

So, how does a "not so romantic" guy who still adores his wife decide to spend Valentines Day? I'm sure you couldn't guess in a million years!

First of all, I must say that it's partly my fault. I had made plans with a friend of mine to let her son come spend some time at our house playing air soft gun war with my boys. He was looking for a place with a big enough yard to be able to shoot his air soft guns. My husband, being the big kid that he is, wanted to play along with them. We decided that on the next Sunday afternoon when the weather was good, we'd all get together. I completely forgot that Sunday was Valentines Day. When I realized it was in fact V-day, I asked my hubby "did you have any plans for V-day because I actually planned this air soft war?" He immediately tried to act as if he'd made plans and I had ruined the surprise! To which I replied, "oh, come on, don't even try it! You didn't even know Sunday was Valentines Day!" He started laughing because he knows good and well that after all these years I know him too well.





We kept our initial plans to have the air soft gun war. Of course I wasn't going to be left out of spending time with my man on Valentines Day. Therefore, I spent Valentines Day with my husband, my two boys and four other guys, shooting at them!

While it's not what I would have planned, it actually was a lot of fun. I guess it really wouldn't be "us" if we weren't doing something completely different than most couples. That seems to be the way we've always been. But hey, if "ain't broke, don't fix it, right?"

Pet Do's & Don'ts

As many of you know, I am a HUGE pet lover! As seen in one of my previous posts, I used to dress up my Boxer puppy, Roxy in all kinds of outfits and have a "photo op" day. This was of course before I had kids, and people used to tell me that I really needed to have a baby and leave my poor dog alone. I argued that Roxy LOVED the photo op days, but since she couldn't speak up, I guess we'll never know.

I found this video today and thought it was a hoot. I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one who enjoys showing off my dog's good looks & talent! haha



However, someone sent me this email today about people who paint their cats! I have to say, this is going a little too far for me. I'm surprised PITA hasn't reported these people. I can't imagine my old cat sitting patiently and letting me paint it. I also couldn't imagine spending that kind of money on something like that. The email said that some of these paint jobs cost almost $15,000 and needed to be repeated every 3 months. I have a hard time justifying getting MY hair done every few months!

Take a look at these poor, pitiful cats...they look so embarrassed!








So, for all you pet lovers (like me) out there...remember, photo ops & cute videos are one thing, costly pet humiliation...quite another.

Need a laugh?

I've got so much to post, but so little time. I promise I will get back to it soon. In the meantime...

Need a laugh today? Hope this helps.



Have a blessed day!

I am so honored to receive the Sunshine Award from my friend Beth at I'm Heading Towards My Destiny. Thank you Beth, you're awesome!

Now, it's my turn to pass the award along to all my wonderful blogging friends. This award shows how I truly feel...each of your blogs are a little piece of sunshine to help brighten my day.

The sunshine award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world.

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.

3. Link the nominees within your post.

4. Let the nominees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.

I always obey the rules...okay, most of the time I follow the rules. But this one time, I am going to be a rebel - I don't want to pick 12 people, or even 1 person for this award, because as I said, I think ALL my blogging friends add sunshine to my life in their own unique way. So, everyone whose blog I follow, you have won the Sunshine Award from ME! Come claim your award, you deserve it!

Have a bright sun shiny day!

I'm One of the Guys

Yes, I must admit it, I actually watched the Super Bowl last night because I am a HUGE Peyton Manning fan! I don't really care that much about football, but ever since Peyton was playing for the TN Volunteers, I've followed his success because he just seems really likable. I may be wrong, and if I am, don't tell me. I think he's funny and I love his commercials with his brother Eli.

So, we went to some friends house last night where there were two other couples. I sat right in the middle of the family room in front of the big screen t.v. and for the first time EVER, I watched every second of the game. I was surprised that I actually understood most of it too! At one point, I was acutely aware of how strange this must have seemed to my husband and two boys because I NEVER watch football with them at home. I looked around and saw the other two wives chatting in the corner about a totally non-football related topic, only to look up from time to time when a commercial would come on. I'm thinking to myself, "when did I become one of the guys?" The big surprise came when my husband made this comment (I'm sure as a cue for me) "Do I need to go help the ladies clean up in the kitchen?" To which the husband whose house we were at said "no, you two are enjoying the game, they don't watch football". Wow, it was like something out of the Twilight Zone!

I also must confess that I blew my diet all in one night. I will have to do extra work to try to make up for the damage. It was just too much temptation all on one table. And of course, seeing that I was momentarily "one of the guys", I was eating right along side of them - hot dogs, chips & dip, choc. chip cookies...need I say more?

All for what? Just to see some mediocre commercials and my beloved Colts go down in flames. Except for this one commercial for Doritos, which I thought was so funny. It was made & filmed in my home State.


For all you Saints fans out there, I don't blame you, they deserved to win. As much as "us guys" tried to blame it on the officiating at first, we finally came to the conclusion that the Saints outplayed the Colts in the end. At one point, one of the guys (not me this time) actually said that he would have done a better job coaching because he wouldn't have used his time-outs when Coach Caldwell did. He was totally serious, not a joke (even though we all thought it was hilarious!, you know, me and all the guys).

So, here's to next year - I'm hoping the Colts make it back for another try. Even better would be to see the Panthers, but that would truly be a miracle.

Filling A Void

I have a little secret to tell...I'm a normal (that's up for debate, I'm sure), not so "touchy feely" person on the outside, and a hopeless romantic on the inside. I'm the one who watches for the romantic comedies to come out, WEEKS before everyone else even knows about them.

Ever since I gave up my diet drinks and I'm trying to eat better, instead of eating a snack late at night, I've been going to my room to lose myself in a series of Christian Fiction romance novels. My Mom had an entire house full of books, and that's where I picked up the first novel of a series by author Kristen Heitzmann. I devoured the first book in one weekend, hardly wanting to put it down. Since then, I've become hooked on all her books. I've already read 3 entire series which includes over 10 books in just three weeks.

At first, my husband was happy I found something I enjoyed doing. Then it became a little bit of a bother because I spent so much time by myself; but last night it was apparent that he was concerned. I had laughingly told him that I had to get my "romance" fill from somewhere. Now let me just say that my hubby loves me more than anyone in this world. I couldn't ask for a better soul mate. He's my love, my partner, and my best friend - but he is also the goofiest person I know and any attempts on either one of our parts to be so-called "romantic" usually ends up with us laughing our heads off. And that's okay, I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, what is the reason for his concern? Well, last night he was trying to understand why I'm all of the sudden obsessed with these books and he immediately comes to the conclusion that I have a void in my life that he's not fulfilling. So I thought about it. I told him that I thought I had just transferred my obsession for food into a new hobby, but that still left the question, what is causing this void in the first place?

Now I've been a Christian for years - I love God with all my heart, I love my husband, my kids, my extended family, I've got great godly friends...I'm not supposed to have a void! A void is for people who are searching for God and are trying to fill it with all kinds of worldly things. What I am doing?

After praying and thinking about this...I am convinced that there is a void, and that no amount of romance, or food, or anything else will fill it. I prayed and asked God, "what is this void, this stirring, this restlessness I feel?" and I believe He showed me that it is a God-given void to keep me from becoming satisfied with where I'm at. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT unhappy with my life. Have you ever just said "there must be more?" While I love mothering my children and emotionally supporting my husband, serving in the church where I can, praying for people, worshipping the Lord...I know that there is a deeper level of faith that the Lord wants me to enter into - and then to activate that faith by doing something, I just don't know what it is yet. I guess I was experiencing this hunger inside for change, but didn't immediately recognize that it was the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart.

Ten years ago, before my first son was born, my husband and I were crying out to the Lord for revival in our church, and in our lives. We were so hungry for more of the presence of the Lord. We started reading this book called "God Chasers" by Tommy Tenney, and our hearts were on fire for the knowledge & presence of God. After my son was born with medical problems, we were broke financially, and we were physically & emotionally exhausted - our zeal & passion turned to just hanging on to Jesus with all our might. We went from wanting to change the world for Jesus, to simply survival mode. I'm sorry to say that the trials just increased over the next ten years almost without stop, one thing after another, after another. While God has remained faithful to see us through, and we have not allowed the trials to turn us away, I believe we are just now getting back to that passion and stirring we once had. However, now our passion & zeal is coupled with a faith that has been tested and tried through the fire, along with wisdom and perseverance.

I'm looking forward to this next decade with excitement and expectancy to see what
God will do. I know to start with, He's looking to fill that void He's created with a fresh touch and a new assignment for me.

No matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, there is always a higher level of intimacy to attain. We must never stop asking for more of God. This is one time when it's okay to be greedy! Be content where you are, but NEVER be satisfied to stay there!

I Won An Award!!!

I can't believe I actually won an award! I'm so excited, because I don't usually win things...I'm also so blessed that you wonderful blogging friends are staying with me and I haven't completely bored or offended any of you. Amazing! You just never know when you share you heart, if it will be received. I guess I didn't take into account how awesome you all are (no I'm not sucking up, I really feel this way). I've met some wonderful people, so it is very difficult to pick only 7 of the blogs that I'd like to pass this award on to. But, I like to play by the rules, so I will give it a try.

I won the Prolific Blogger Award from Cathy at Tales of the TCKK Family Thank you Cathy! Please go check out her blog and be as blessed as I've been.



Here are the Rules:

A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content."

1. Every winner of the prolific blogger award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers to spread some love!

2. Every prolific blogger must link back to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Each prolific blogger must link this back to this post which explains the origins and motivations for the award.

4. Every prolific blogger must visit this post and add their name in the Mister Linky so that we can all get to know the other winners.

So, here we go - my 7 picks (in no particular order) are:

1. Debby at Heavenly Humor

2. Mimi at He & Me + 3

3. Anitra at If Mama Ain't...

4. Jennifer at Blonde Ambition

5. Jennifer at More Than Adams Rib

6. Denise at Shorty Bears Place

7. Beth at I'm Heading Towards My Destiny

Like I said, there are so many other blogging friends who I could have just as easily given this award to. Too bad I could only pick 7 of you. Thanks so much for sharing your blogs with me, and allowing me to do the same with you.