Obedience.
Friday, July 28, 2006
I've been reading in Ezekiel this week. He is a great example of a servent obeying God. He was called to minister prophetically to the Israelites because they were living wickedly. God used Ezekiel to warn them about the wrath that would come if they didn't change their ways and obey.
Ezekiel 13:13
Therefore this what the Sovereign Lord says (Ezekiel speaking): In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hail stones and torrents of wind and rain with falll with furry.
Lord please help me to be obedient to your will.
I repent for the times I have turned my back on your calling.
Please forgive my unrighteousness.
Make my heart pure oh Lord, so I can hear you clearly and walk in your ways.
Amen.
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My parents are coming to Maine tomorrow for a visit. I can't wait to see them! This is only their second time here (the first time they helped us move). We plan to go to Freeport outlets, Wolf neck park, Old Orchard Beach, Portland Headlight, and maybe Baileys Island.
Well, i'm off to give the dog a bath, clean both bathrooms, mop, vacuum, dust and wash the windows (molly's little noseprints are all over the windows - she is the perfect height to make smudges).
Have a wonderful weekend :)
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/28/2006 10:35:00 AM, ,
The Lord is on the move!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Pastor Eric called me on Monday, because he wants me to interview for the open position at church. Wow. Nothing like a curveball on a Monday.
I interviewed today for the Church Administrator position this morning. Wow. It sounds like an amazing venue to serve the Lord and the church. I really like the job i'm in, but I work for secular people. Who do I serve? Do I further the Kingdom at work?
So many questions.
Please pray for me if you think of it.
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/27/2006 11:58:00 AM, ,
Happy 1st Birthday Miss Molly!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
10 Weeks Old
1 Year Old
The Women's retreat held at the Bangor Rock church was great! We missed Friday night because of traffic (you would not believe how many people come to Maine on the weekends!). Saturday we got there bright and early though. They had a great turn out: for the 1st annual, they had over 60 women. The theme of the weekend was Breakthroughs through prophesy. Susan Dyer spoke and was amazing! I swear she has the entire bible memorized. She really is an encouragement.
We stayed at Andy's Dad's new house. That worked out well because it was literally right down the road. Cathie came to the retreat with me. She seemed a little uncomfortable, but I think she got a lot out of it.
During the middle of the retreat they broke us up into classes. Cathie and I attended the "How to Love You’re Husband" class. Kim and Lisa lead it, and it was great. They read a few passages from "For Women Only". It was very eye-opening. I'm going to try to pick it up this week.
They day ended with another wonderful word from Susan Dyer and then she had us do a prophetic activity (we had been learning the biblical way to prophesy throughout the day). We paired up and asked God for a word for the other person. I am just a smidge cynical, but I have to say that I am now a believer in the Prophetic! I was paired up with Jean, while praying God gave me this verse - Zephania 3:17. and the words: worthy to be loved and you are not alone Jean. She burst into tears when I read what I was given (we wrote it down) - she was really really moved my the message, so much so that she felt compelled to share with the entire group. Wow. Her message from God to me was also very powerful. I've find myself reading it everyday. It comes from Deuteronomy 28: 1-15.
What a wonderful weekend!
Well i'm off to make peanut butter/milky bone birthday cake! Have a great day!
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/26/2006 07:33:00 AM, ,
I miss my Mom!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Mom and I
May 2006
The week after we get back from New York is always hard. I miss my family so much. It's hard to live three states away. The good news is that they are coming for a week next weekend! Woohoo!
I've been cleaning like mad this week. The day I have to go back to work is luming (Aug 15). Today I've already done the dishes, 2 loads of laundry, vacuumed the living room, and steam cleaned the living room. Now I have a break while it dries. It's hard work shampooing carpets, but the reward is great.
We leave for Bangor tomorrow night. Andy will have a nice visit with his Dad, and Cathie and I will be attending the Bangor Rock Church Ladies conference. I'll update more about that when I return.
Have a wonderful weekend.
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/20/2006 08:21:00 AM, ,
Grandpa Chartrand turned 75!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Andy and I traveled to Northern New York to help celebrate the 75th birthday of my Grandpa Chartrand. Linda was gracious enough to watch Molly for the weekend. I’m glad she did because it was over 90 degrees everyday!
The party was held at “The Pond”. All of my aunts, uncles and cousins were there as well as great aunt Kate (grandpa’s sister), her husband Jack, and a few of their children & grandchildren.
It was a really hot day and it rained on and off making it really muggy! My younger cousins cooled off in the pond. There is a big rock about 20 feet from the shore that they raced to. It was neat watching them because I could remember a time not too long ago when my older cousins and I were also in hot pursuit of the same rock. History surely does repeat itself.
The guys (uncle Brian, John, Andy and Grandpa himself) cooked up steak, pork, hamburgers and hotdogs – no one went hungry! Grandma Chartrand made her famous baked beans, and the aunts brought chips, taco dip, salad, macaroni salad, croghan bologna and cheese. It was delicious!
Later in the afternoon after everyone was full of food and chatter Grandpa blew out the candles of his 75th birthday cake. He made a nice speech about how blessed he is to have his family so close. He doesn’t speak very often, but you could tell how touched he was that everyone made it out to celebrate with him.
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Erin, Frank and Andy enjoying the cookout.
Grandpa as we all sang "Happy Birthday"
Action Shot - all the Aunts, uncles and cousins.
Grandpa and Grandma Chartrand (the night before) enjoying lobsters we brought down from Maine.
Cousins Derek, Madison and Me!
The Road to the Pond (Grandpa and Grandma own acres and acres and large waterfront lake. We all get together there for family events or just to go swimming in the summer!
See all the pictures here!!!
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/16/2006 08:13:00 PM, ,
Tyson gives thanks
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
I was surfing the net (for coupons) this morning and came across this - although generic they do mention GOD!
http://www.tyson.com/Recipes/GivingThanks/
How cool - you don't see that very much anymore.
Today is one of those days where things get done. This morning I did the dishes, did laundry, sorted through old clothes and reorganized Andy's dresser drawers. He drives me crazy - I fold and put away his clothes and like an animal he paws through looking for what he wants leaving an newly unfolded mess. Ugh.
This afternoon I am tackling the refrigerator (badly in need of cleaning out) and the stove. Fun stuff!
Tomorrow I am going shopping with my friend Kelly from church and friday we are off to New york for the weekend with my parents. The summer is such a busy time. I'm actually looking forward to the fall when things settle down for us a little bit. This weekend should be really fun though. All of my Aunts and Uncles and cousins are in town for my grandpa's big 75th birthday party (My grandparents had 9 kids!).
Next weekend I'm going to the Bangor ladies retreat with Andy's Dad's GF/Wife. I'm a little nervous for a few reasons - 1) I don't really know anyone very well yet and 2) part of the weekend is focused on prophecy. I come from a very tradional church background and have managed to avoid prophetic word being spoken about me, it makes me uncomfortable, but I know I need to get past that because that is when growth happens.
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/12/2006 10:49:00 AM, ,
Devotion
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
My heart is heavy today. I just got off the phone with my Father.
The tragedy of divorce is that the reprocusions seem never ending. My parents are in constant war over who should pay what and how much. Luckilly I am no longer a "burden", but my sisters are still not emancipated: one is 19 the other 21.
They are not close to my Father, I still struggle with that concept alone. My father and I have a great relationship. We may live states away but we talk on the phone 1-2 times per week. My sisters relationship with him is much more strained even though they live minutes away, and I don't know how to fix that - I feel all I can do is pray.
I have a great relationship with my Mom as well, which puts me in the middle. I've spent years in the middle. Should I be forced to pick a side? I can't.
My father accepted Christ and has repented for his mistakes in the past. My mother is not a Christian and doesn't see the strides he makes. How many times can a person be punished for making a mistake? On the other hand - you do reap what you sow.
Please pray for my family.
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/11/2006 10:04:00 AM, ,
Weekend in Review
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Stephen, Charlene, Andy and I on the top of Cadillac Mtn. at Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME
Linda trying to fly - it was crazy windy
Andy eating lobstah at the Log Cabin Resturant
The crew resting for a moment at the Jordan Pond house
This is the view from Cadillac Mtn. Andy proposed to me here 4 years ago!
Andy's brother Stephen and his mom Linda in front of the bell at Portland Headlight
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These past few days have been a whirlwind! Andy’s brother Stephen and wife Charlene are up from Virginia this week.
Sunday we picked up Andy’s mother Linda and all drove up to Bangor, ME to visit his Dad and Cathie. They just built a house in Herman (which is near Bangor). After the tour of the new house we met their new Shitzu puppies: Moses and Millie. Molly (our dog) didn’t think too highly of them. She was much more interested in their cat Max, although he didn’t return the affection.
We all went out for brunch in the only restaurant in Herman: The Herman dinner. The food was pretty good! After brunch we all headed up to Acadia National Park for a few days (we had just taken Linda there the weekend before for her birthday).
It was a long 2 hour drive with the dog in the car. She is getting sick of traveling. We haven’t been home for a weekend in 6 weeks.
Sunday night we got settled into our hotel rooms and then headed into the park. We started at the visitor’s center and then we went up Cadillac Mtn. Unfortunately it was too foggy to see the sun set, and it was also really windy! Unlucky for me as I was wearing a skirt, so I sat in the car during most of the time there!
We ate at the Log cabin restaurant for dinner that night. Of course Andy had the Lobster! We left Molly in our hotel room howling. She quieted down though after a while. She was asleep when we came home!
After dinner we broke off into two groups – Andy and I stayed behind with the dogs so we could go swimming in the hotels pool, and everyone else went into Bar Harbor to enjoy the night life. Fun fun!
Monday we spent most of the day in the park enjoying the sights. It was a long drive back home (4+ hours). We were so tired!
Tuesday, the four we got up early and cleaned the house and Linda, Stephen and Charlene arrived by 5. We picked up Chinese and ate on Old Orchard Beach so we could watch the fireworks. They were ok, nothing like sitting on the docks at Salem Harbor.
Wed. – Charlene, Andy and Linda all went to Portland Headlight. I stayed home with Molly and made lunch/dinner/BBQ. It was so hot in the house with the stove on!
Today I went into the office, and Andy also went back to work. Blah. I only had a half-day though, so I’m home tackling all the laundry, stripping beds, and getting caught up on the dishes.
No rest for the weary though – tonight Linda is throwing a surprise baby shower for Stephen and Charlene, so we’ll be up there for that tonight.
Saturday I have volunteer training at The Root Cellar and Saturday we have dinner with our Pastor and family, and then a class through church at night.
I’m tired just thinking about it!
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/06/2006 11:16:00 AM, ,
Happy 4th!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
New pictures from the weekend can be viewed HERE!!!!
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/04/2006 12:58:00 AM, ,
Getting ready to go again.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
My neck is recovering nicely - I had a herniated disk in my neck. Oh fun. I'm still not 100% yet, but the weekend is booked!
Andy is out getting a new battery for the car and getting a hitch put on so we can pull the boat we inhereted from his grandfather. I'm home cleaning in preparation for the week ahead. Tomorrow we leave for Acadia again. Andy's brother and sister-in-law have flown in for the week and we're meeting them up in Bangor at Andy's Dad's house. Should be an interesting trip.
After we get back they are coming to spend the night here for the 4th of July. I have so much to do!
Well- I have bathrooms to clean and laundry to do.
Have a great weekend!
If you have time - could you pray for my "uncle Mike" - he was just diagnosed with rather aggresive Leukemia.
Happy 4th!
posted by Andy and Amanda Wheeler @ 7/01/2006 01:58:00 PM, ,