Resurrection Eggs...

Resurrection Eggs, Easter story.
I guess I could have made them, but oh it was so easy to purchase at our
bookstore while I was at church Sunday...

Twelve eggs, each egg has a prize and each prize tells party of the story...

Egg 1 Donkey, Egg 2 Silver Coins, Egg 3 Cup, Egg 4 Praying Hands, Egg 5 Leather Whip, Egg 6 Crown of Thorns,
Egg 7 Cross, Egg 8 Dice, Egg 9 Spear, Egg 10 Linen Cloth, Egg 11 Stone, Egg 12 Empy Tomb

The little toot can already tell me the story, he holds the booklet and turns the pages, and I now get to open each egg.  You normally would open 1 egg a day, but since this is the grandchild, we do it all at once.  I am hoping that this can be a tradition for us, kind of like "Chippey the Elf", at Christmas.  Story goes as,  my short version for Layton, he doesn't understand, but I am planting seeds, right? :)

Jesus rode into the city as a King on a donkey,  Judas was paid silver coins to betray Jesus,  Jesus let all his friends drink blood from the cup ( he is so funny on this one, try explaining, blood for Jesus' promise/his body), Jesus and his friends prayed because Jesus knew he was going to die, Jesus was whipped on the back and he bled for doing no wrong, a Crown of Thorns was placed his head and it hurt, Jesus died on the cross-Layton can tell you where the nails went in on the cross,  people played mean games with dice for Jesus' clothes, Jesus was dead and they put a spear in his side to make sure, Jesus body was wrapped in a linen cloth and placed in a tomb, the Stone was placed in front of the tomb (no they didn't throw the stone at cars), It's empty, He's Alive...He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

I uploaded a video of Layton and me on YouTube.  (tried to video without him knowing)
Click below,

http://youtu.be/Z1E-UBhC8GA

We laid back in the chair and took these pics... iphone pics aren't the best, but it captures many moments for me!

Quiet...

I Thessalonians 5:11-12

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

Quiet life... I love my quiet life.  I love my business, I love being busy.  I love that I can help others and in return help support and care for the needs of my own family.  While away last week on business, I became a little "uneasy"... Uneasy in the sense, that being away from my sheltered, quiet life, my family, my church, my office,  I realized that there is a bigger world out there, a world that does not see or believe in Jesus as I do.  I kept quiet on several issues, even pondered on a few questions, and   differences in  faith... and in reading these verses above, just maybe, maybe the way I conduct my business, will win the respect of others and that they will  be able to see that I love Jesus.  Not loving Jesus, by always saying it, but living it.  Big difference! 

As I read along in II Thessalonians 3:13,

"and as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right"

I posted a status today on Facebook ( I am sure Facebook would not be considered a "quiet life", lol),

the status was,

"Test everything.  Hold on to the good.  Avoid every kind of evil".  I Thess 5:21

I was tested today.  I am not sure the test was evil, but I don't think it could be good.  I tested it by my response.  I will later see the results. I know I stood the test!

Like my daddy tells me and I want Lauren to learn, "do what is right, till the stars fall from the Heavens, do the right thing".  People are watching... they are watching not only on Sundays but everyday of the week. 

PS  I think I rambled on, but oh well,  it's my blog...what can I say? :)

Surely,

Seven words...

Seven words you shouldn't use in e-mail subject lines
The makers of the Boomerang e-mail plugin recently analyzed data from more than 5 million e-mails and came up with some insights to help get your messages opened and acted upon by people not related to you. Among the company’s findings:  

Get ready...

Words that you should not use in an e-mail subject line if you want a response:
confirm, join, assistance, speaker, press, social, invite

Words that you should use in an e-mail subject line to get a response:

apply, opportunity, demo, connect, payments, conference, cancellation

Thought this was so interesting, for those of us who receive a lot of emails and send emails!
Since I didn't take this survey, actually, I think I would open emails that said "social" "invite"....but they didn't ask me, huh....

As for the pic, I have Easter on my brain... more to come!

Simply...

Love this, ponder....

TEXAS...

One step at a time :)

Surprise ...

I went on a business trip this last week. When I left last Thursday, my mother gave me a bag of goodies and the sweetest card. I have the most thoughtful, beautiful mother. She loves me and most of all she loves my daddy. What an example she is to me. She surely loves the Lord.

Thank you mother. Even being almost "50", she still treats me like her little girl! :)

Pic day at school...

My little man is growing up...almost 4...They had picture day at his school. 

I know some of you may have seen this on Facebook, but I like to document my life with him on my blog.  Love him!

Get ready, kisses... I miss him!

20053 Meadow West Lane, Flint, TX 75762...

New Listing, 20053 Meadow West Lane, Flint, TX 75762
Wonderful "open concept" floorplan. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage located in Flint, but Whitehouse schools.
Offered at $158,900  MLS # 10018866  Click below for the Virtual Tour...
http://vu.realbiz360.com/Listing-944734.html

Happiness...

Living Word...

I heard James MacDonald quoting the verse below,  this morning.  Our prayers do not go unheard, our prayers live on.  You just never know what you say to someone or how you live your life, those words you say live on, God's word will accomplish his purpose.  Persevere!  Keep on keeping on.  Do right, walk in the way!  God's word lives, God can open doors that we think do not exist.  God can melt hardened hearts, God can use anything to accomplish his purpose!  Are you excited, I am!

Isaiah 55:11

"So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Early this morning, I read these verses, OH, that we would praise the one and only God.  It seems the longer I live, I realize how sinful I am, and that I need God's grace and forgiveness every day!

II Samuel 7:22 and 28

"How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears"

"O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant."

Surely,

Love this...

Gingerbread People...

Sunday, we made Layton's favorite....he loves gingerbread cookies.  He was so proud of himself putting the eyes and but..tons on the people.  He would eat a raisin, put one on, eat another, put one on.  I love that none of the direction of the raisins match... sweetness...

Actually, I have posted these cookies before as Molasses Crinkle Cookies,

but this time I rolled them out!

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup light or dark brown sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup Grandma's Molasses

2 1/4 cup flour

2 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

1/2 t cloves

1 t cinnamon

1 t ginger

Mix all together, Chill dough. Roll dough out on floured covered board.  Cut in desired shapes.  Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes.

ALL....Attitude...

I saw this on the internet and I heard this in a meeting today!

A small truth to make our Life 100% successful

IF
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is equal to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then
H+A+R+D+W+O+R+K = 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

K+N+O+W+L+E+D+G+E = 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

L+O+V+E=12+15+22+5=54%

L+U+C+K = 12+21+3+11 = 47%

(None of them makes 100%) ..............................Then what makes 100%
Is it Money? ..... No!!!!!
Leadership? ...... NO!!!!

Every problem has a solution, only if we perhaps change our "ATTITUDE"
It is OUR ATTITUDE towards Life and Work that makes OUR Life 100% Successful..

A+T+T+I+T+U+D+E = 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100

Isn't this the truth.......love this!

Peace...

I heard a definition of Peace today while listening to James MacDonald,

"Peace is the calm assurance that what God is doing is for my best"

I have the sign "Keep Calm and Carry On" in my office...it is a big sign.  I think for now on, I will look at the sign differently.  Peace, calm...assurance...surely...without doubt...with confidence...just keep on keeping on... persevere by faith.

"God redeems what he allows", for  my good...do I believe this?  yes...somedays are harder than others, but my heart knows I believe this. 

Surely,

Texas Getting $428 Million...

Many of you heard about the Foreclosure settlement last week, well, in short, read below!

RECON

Real Estate Center Online News

February 10, 2012

TEXAS GETTING $428 MILLION FROM MORTGAGE DEAL

"WASHINGTON, D.C. (San Antonio Express-News) – Federal and state officials yesterday announced a $25 billion foreclosure settlement with five of the nation's largest mortgage lenders. Of that, $428 million will come to Texas. But will it be enough to help?

Of Texas' share, $141 million will go into the state's treasury, while the remaining $287 million will go toward restructuring mortgage loans and to some borrowers whose homes were foreclosed.

But only 2 percent of mortgage holders in Texas may qualify, and they'll probably receive less than $2,000 each. On top of that, the process could take as long as three years.

Real Estate Center Research Economist Dr. Jim Gaines said it looks like the benefit to Texans will be small.

"Of the 3.6 million mortgage loans in Texas, we're going to maybe — maybe — help 85,000 of them," he said.

The five lenders involved in the settlement were Ally Financial, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo."

Quiet ...

Ooey Gooey Chocolate Butter Cake by Paula Deen...

This recipe is coming out on my February 2012 real estate postcard.  We loved it and my office did also.  So easy and it serves alot!

Ooey Gooey Chocolate Butter Cake
Paula Deen

1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Stick butter, melted
1 egg
Mix all three and press into a 13 x 9 inch greased pan.

Mix together till smooth,
1 8oz cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
4 T cocoa
4.5 cups of powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
then add in 1 stick butter, melted

Stir in 1 cups nuts.  Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes.  Do not overbake.  Middle will be ooey gooey :)
Slightly cool before cutting, but I didn't...yum!

Say no to tax...

Per Texas Association Realtors Blog,

Do your clients owe a 3.8% tax on their home sale?

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Texas Association of REALTORS®

A rumor about a 3.8% federal tax on all home sales has again hit the in-boxes of Texas consumers and real estate agents. So, is there such a tax for all home sales? No.
The facts are that individuals with incomes over $200,000 a year ($250,000 for married couples) will be subject to a 3.8% tax on profits of more than $250,000 ($500,000 for couples) from the sale of a primary residence. So, a husband and wife who make more than $250,000 a year and sell their home for a $510,000 profit would pay $380.

http://texasrealtors.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/do-your-clients-owe-a-3-8-tax-on-their-home-sale/

Those...

My new favorite,
Proverbs 8:17  Learn this with me,
"I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me".

Those being believers... Do you believe?

5814 Cross Creek Circle, Tyler, TX 75703...

New Listing,

 

http://vt.realbiz360.com/Listing-931669.html

MLS # 10018414    offered at $199,900

Courage, As for me and my House, We WILL serve the Lord...

We watched this movie tonight.  How this reminds me of my father!  He taught me to love the Lord my God with all my heart, and that is all that matters.  Do Right, no matter what, do right, till the stars fall out of the Heavens...

I have messed up so many times with my child.  I pray that I can read the "resolution" below and go forward to teach her and Layton.  I suppose with adult children, you lead by example.  What a responsiblity we have as parents. 

Loved the movie, cried most of the time!

The Resolution Message:
"I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.
 I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.
 I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.
 I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.
I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.
I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.
I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.
I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.
I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.
I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.
I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.
I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. ---Joshua 24:15"

Surely,

Interesting fact...

Compare the Tyler Market to DFW, Tyler Market 11.4 months of inventory, DFW under 5 months.  Wow!

SUPPLY OF DFW HOMES DOWN

DALLAS (Dallas Morning News) – At the end of 2011, the number of pre-owned single-family homes on the market in the Metroplex was at the lowest level in a decade.

About 27,000 homes were listed for sale with real estate agents in North Texas, 35 percent less than the record 41,647 listings in 2007 and the lowest number since 2001, according to statistics from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University and North Texas Real Estate Information Systems.

“Since sales have maintained a fairly consistent level, the inventory measure is down under five months, which would normally indicate a very strong sellers’ market,” said Center Research Economist Dr. Jim Gaines.

And it's not just existing homes that are down in number. The Dallas Morning News reported that around 3,000 finished vacant new homes are in the DFW area. That's about a fourth as many as in 2007

Darkness matters...

My Utmost for His Highest
Oswald Chambers  

Little did I know that when I read this in an email this morning, that I needed it today!

"At times God puts us through the discipline of darkness to teach us to heed Him. 

Watch where God puts you into darkness, and when you are there keep your mouth shut. Are you in the dark just now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? Then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will talk in the wrong mood: darkness is the time to listen.

When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you get into the light."  Oswald Chambers

5 smooth stones...

I read about David and Goliath today.  Love the story.  Small David, ruddy, handsome, youngest son of Jesse, brothers were jealous of him, shepherd,  loved his father, chosen by God, confident, surely...

Just 5 smooth stones, and he ran towards Goliath, slung his stone, knocked out Goliath, cut his head off, and the whole world knew that there was a God in Israel.

You know what David told Goliath before his death?  "I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled."  I Samuel 17

Let's mosey on over to Psalm 33,  I am always amazed at how the scriptures read together, so random, but I don't believe in random...ness...

"No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength."

"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,"

5 smooth stones, little strength, Big God...

little David, Big God...

big Goliath, Bigger God...

Once again, Ordinary You, Extraordinary  God...