I Can't Find It!!!!!!!!!

Have you ever done this? I know I had...... But I just can't find it. You would think with a friend that is organized (especially Gina) I would know where everything is. I think I am going to pull my hair out. I can't find my pumps. I bought six liquid soap from Avon and I don't know where I put the pumps to go with the soap. I have looked all over the house and I know that they are here. I know God cares about the intimate details of my life but does her care about my soap pumps. In our house with little people we MUST have pumps for soap. My children tend to waste liquid soap as it is with out the pumps that soap is domed. One of the soaps even has a pumpkin sent. If anyone has any ideas or have seen my pumps PLEASE let me know. You know the funny thing of it all when I put them away I remember thinking "This would be a good spot to put these so I will have them when I need them" Go Figure

Family Time is Unbeatable

Have you ever been to a place were all the focus is on family. A place were your role as a mother is encouraged and respected. A place where everyone has the same goals and desires for their families. A place where God is the main focus and you can hear and say things that encourage you to walk with the Lord. A place where everyone in the room cheers you on for doing what you believe God has called you to do. A place where everyone home schools and believes that you are the best person for teaching your children the things of God as well as math and reading. I'm talking about Home School camp at Camp Joy. We just returned home from Camp Joy and we as a family had a blast. Dr. Davis was the guest speaker and he is the best teacher on relationships and child rearing that I have ever heard. He spoke on so many different things it would take me a long time to post it all. He talked about blessing your children. He talked about anger the destroyer. He talked about winning your child's heart. There were many other key topics that I plan to share in the future.
Camp was great, the food was great, and the fellowship was even better. Every meal the children would play in the game room after they ate and the parents would sit and talk and exchange ideas. It was wonderful to be in a place with like minded people and to be encouraged to keep going. The whole family had a wonderful time and I'm thankful that we were able to go. Anyone that home schools would benefit from this camp and hope we can take everyone with us next year.

A Productive Day

Well I think I'm done. It's 3:00pm and it's all done. We are packed for Camp Joy. The house is clean and I have just finished chocolote chip cookies for the road. We will be leaving in the morning so we will miss the pumpkin patch this year as well as the field trip(sad face). But, we are looking forward to what the Lord has to tell us about our decision to home school our children. We will tell you all about it on Monday.

We had company this afternoon and it was so much fun. My dear friend Gina came over and we played beauty palor. Gina went and got her hair cut and curled yesterday and we recurled it this afternoon. We felt like little school girls "playing" with our hair. I thank the Lord for giving me a good friend to "play" like a little kid with. Gina is a lot of fun and she looks VERY cute with curly hair. Everyone have a great weekend and I will post when we get back.

A Life Changing Weekend

At our church we are blessed to have a WONDERFUL man of God. Pastor David Fink has the unbelievable ability to take the Bible and make it come to life. We have learned that the Bible is real and it applies to our own personal life. This Sunday night was no exception. Pastor Fink preached a message form Matthew 4:1-15 on the temptation of Christ. Pastor talked about your own temptation and how it is not a sin to be tempted, the true test is how you handle that temptation. Are you prepared for the temptation? We need to flee temptation and not allow ourselves the chance to fail. That message really spoke to me about fleeing temptation and to stay in the fight. Pastor shared something special with us that I would like to share with you.


J Join the battle

We need to stay in the battle of the Christian life.
When we get out of the battle we effect so many people

E Exercise daily

We need to remain spiritually strong and fit so that we
have the strengh to remain in the fight.

S stay in the fight

U understand your Bible
We can't understand our Bibles if we are not in them everyday

S see the BIG picture
we are not in the ministry on our own. Everything that you do and say effects someone.


This was a wonderful sermon if you want to hear the entire thing you can go to gbcof lockport.com

The Lord Spoke to ME

This week we went to the Ladies Spectacular in Hammond. What a blessing to be a part of something so special. There were so many things spoke on that it would be hard to type it all. Mrs Jenkins spoke about being in the hand of God. I know I will never forget that I am loved by my God and that He keeps in the palm of His hand. I think sometimes ladies allow Satan to convince them that they are nobody. I have been so guilty of this at different times of my life.

Another speaker, Mrs. Cindy Schaap she spoke on respecting your husband. I know this is an area that I often can improve on as well. She said that you can NOT fear the Lord if you disrespect your husband. Every woman wants to fear the Lord.

Belinda spoke on "WHO IS YOUR WHO" we all have influences in our lives and they help make you who you are. I can think of a lot of people that have had an influence in my life. One of the most resent is Mrs. Julie Fink. Julie has taught me both by her words and her ex sample how to walk with the Lord. She has taught me how to be the wife and mother God has called me to be. She has encouraged me to be a soul winner and to stay faithful to the things of the Lord. Julie has always seen the good in me even when I have felt that I wasn't so good. Julie has been a dear friend and very faithful Pastor's wife. Thank You Julie for taking me to the Ladies Conference and thank you for being a "WHO" in my life. My life has for ever changed for the good because of your influence.

There were many people saved because of the spectacular. I wish each and every one of you could have been there as they were announcing the salvation that had taken place DURNING the conference. I think that was the biggest blessing of all. I could not help myself as they were reading those names the tears began to flow and I had a hard time stopping them. The Lord used this conference to reach MANY people for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful week and a real time of refreshment to my soul. I love the Lord. I love my church. I love my Pastor and his very special wife. Life IS good and it has been a great week. Next week our family is going to Camp Joy and we can hardly wait.

Long Time No Blog

I have missed all of you. Things at the Todd household have been very busy. Lots of birthdays, first haircuts, and ladies meeting have not left much time for the computer. Adam had a wonderful birthday and Paige had her first haircut last weekend. My little niece Heather is working at the Hair Cuttery and she gave Paige her first haircut. It was so sweet. I have really enjoyed having a "girl". Paige is all girl and her mommy just loves it. It is a blessing to be a mom and too be able to be with my children all the time. I enjoy when I get a break but it is sure nice to be home.

Window Treatments and Shopping

Today I was very blessed again. My in-laws came over this morning and hung the rest of my window treatment and they look just beautiful. While they were hear I was able to get out and get some much needed shopping done. Adam Collins is turning one on Sunday and Hunter (Quin's little friend) has a birthday on Saturday. I was able to get all the birthday shopping done. Thank You mom and dad you are the best baby sitters and I am the most fortunate mom. Overall it was a great and productive day. I'm very encouraged by days like today. (it helps you get through the bad ones).

Up Date on Sam

Many of you have been praying for my husband and his ear problems. We have the results of the MRI and he does not have a tumor as the doctor had originally thought. On Thursady he is having a CT Scan the Dr. believes that he might have two bones rubbing together causung the ringing in his ear. We are thankful to the Lord that he does not have a tumor. I will keep you informed as we know more. Thank You to each and everyone of you for your prayers and concern while the doctors try to figure this out. Praise the Lord no tumor.

A Great Weekend

I just wanted to share what a wonderful weekend that we had. On Friday night I had the "BEST" ladies night out that I believe that I have ever had. At our wonderful church we have a lot of very nice ladies events. Friday night was a extra special night I don't know if it was because I needed it so baldly or because it was a extra special event any way IT WAS GREAT. I laughed so hard at the skit. I was blessed and encouraged by the devotion. The food was wonderful and the fellowship was refreshing and relaxing. Thank you Miss Julie and her team for all the hard work to make it happen.

Saturday we had a Nursery Workers Luncheon at the Olive Garden. What a blessing to be working under a Pastor that appreciates all the work you do. The food was great (Who doesn't like the Olive Garden?). The fellowship was wonderful. It was FUN-- FUN----FUN. The final count for the Sweet Sister Fellowship is 30 ladies signed up to participate in the fun.

Saturday evening we went to my sister-in-law's house to celebrate my mother-in-law birthday. It was a good evening enjoyed by all. Happy Birthday Grandma.
It was a full weekend but a weekend full of blessings.

A Full Friday

It has been quite a day and at 12:30AM I should be sleeping. BUT*********What a day. This morning my dear friend Gina was making something and called to ask me if I had an ingredient that she needed and while I was checking for her my two year old decided to color on the wall with a black crayon. As hard as I tried to hold back frustration over took me. I decided that the only way to handle the situation was to go play at the park with the homeschoolers. As we were leaving the park I put my beautiful two year old daughter in her car seat I turned around to say something to another lady and she painted the inside of the van and herself with exterior van paint. (Hint for the day "if this ever happens to you rubbing alcohol is wonderful and is safe for skin"). I have to say at this point I can't WAIT until the Ladies Tea.



The Ladies Tea was sooo much FUN. The food was great and the fellowship was even better. The skits, testimony and devotions were good too. Praise the Lord 24 ladies signed up for the Sweet Sister Program. The Lord keep pouring out his blessings over and over again. We have Jackie's wake in the morning and then a Nursery Luncheon at noon. In the evening we have a birthday party for my mother-in-law. Tomorrow is another busy day and today was busy as well. I think that I need to go to bed. Thank Lord for all you have done.

Happy Birthday Conner

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY CONNER. You are a very blessed little man. You have a GREAT mommy and daddy and an AWESOME grandma and grandpa. I hope you had a good birthday and I look forward to seeing more pictures of you and watching you grow and some day you can serve the Lord just like mommy and daddy do. Happy Birthday Conner


THANK GOD FOR FAMILY


Today was a very busy day. My mother-in-law and my father-in-law came out and spent the day with us. We got several new window treatments from them and they came over and spent the day hanging them up. (pics to follow) . The windows look great and grandma and grandpa are always a lot of fun. Tonight we went swimming at the YMCA. Paige loves the water and Quin is becoming a very good swimmer. Mommy has had a full day and I'm tired. Good night

Happy Belated Birthday Edith

September 30th was Edith's 79th birthday. We had the prividledge of taking her out for supper on Saturday and that was lots of fun. Edith is a real blessing to me and my family. I can't believe it we have known Edith for 18 wonderful years. Any one who knows Edith know how much of a blessing that she is to be around. I just want to say Happy Happy Birthday Edith. We love you

What A Week

I really don't know where to begin. It has been a wild and wonderful few days. I guess the best place to begin is on the best day Sunday. Anniversary Sunday was wonderful. (thanks for the pics Debbie camera lost battery early in the day) The weather was beautiful and message was a blessing. We were excited to see our friends join us for the day. They brought 8 of their 11 children with them. They are a very sweet family and they could not stop talking about how friendly the church is and how welcome that felt by everyone. Thank you GBC Your the best. Sunday night we had a real "home" feeling and that feeling is always warming to my heart.


That brings me to Monday. My husband saw the doctor on Monday and the doctor believes that he has tumor on his left ear canal which is what causing all the dizziness. They have ordered a MRI to make sure. If the tumor is there he will have to have surgery to remove it . We will know more next week.

Please pray for our friend Ray Garton. On Monday afternoon his wife Jackie Garton passed away. Jackie was my son's first piano teacher (before we met the wonderful Trish). Jackie was only 50 years old and this came as a shock to most people. Jackie was a saved lady but her husband is not doing very well. He had to take care of all the piano students as well as everything else that goes along with losing your wife. I'm trying to do all I can to help him with the business. Services for Jackie will Saturday. Please pray for the family.