6 Puzzles to Drive You Crazy!!!

I found this when I was looking for the "6 frogs puzzle". I hope these puzzles drive you crazy too. I can never stop until I figure them out!!! I hope you like them!

6 Puzzles You Must Solve (Office Timepass) | GoosPoos

Funny Video!!

I think this video is so funny! I hope you like it too. The main 2 people I thought of when I saw it was Sister Jones and my wonderful hubby (I'm sure both of you can figure out why).

Professional Pictures of Us...New & Old

I just wanted to share the link to our new pictures and some of our old ones. I hope everyone enjoys them. We love them and we send a BIG thanks to Sister Betsy Cole!!!

All of the Wrights (taken in October 2010): http://betsycolephotography.com/wright_family

Eliana & the Mini Wright Family "A.K.A. Us" (taken during the summer 2010): http://betsycolephotography.com/eliana2

Old Professional Pictures of Eliana (taken in November of 2009): http://betsycolephotography.com/eliana

Sadly...But So

Oh... you're a fornicator... sure we can help you.

Oh... an adulterer... no big deal.... we can help with that too.

Drug, alcohol, smoking, and pornography addictions... lets work through it together.

Homosexual... how can you be homosexual and "Christian"... that's not possible.... go away!

How is it that we as Christians have somehow given ourselves the power to condemn and judge others or to categorize sin? Are we not the ones who have had the grace and forgiveness of God repeatedly extended toward us? Why is it so hard to extend it toward others... especially those who need it most?

I know that not every Christian, or congregation, is like this, but it is much more common than it should be. How is it that the man, or woman, who struggles with a constant drawing toward adult pornography is taken in with love and acceptance, but the man, or woman, who struggles with a desire for the same sex isn't? I know that homosexuality is wrong and it is a sin! But so is adultery, fornication, lying, jealousy, and must I keep going?!?!? Yes we see these things as sins and we do not encourage them, but we do not condemn them the same way homosexuality is condemned.

We today need to adopt a new motto toward homosexuals. We need to love them and welcome them in the church. After all, that is where they need to be... surely as Christians we can all agree on that! They do not need to be shunned just because their struggle is not the same as your struggle or your best friend's. However, we should not in any way, encourage their sin. Instead, we need to let the love of God flow through us and the grace of God be represented through our life. Then we need to allow God to bring conviction and healing. People who are caught in this sin battle need to be covered in prayer and the Word of God! Often, however, they are pushed away by the judgement and condemnation of the church and the people of God. This leaves them fighting the battle on their own, which is not affective at all. We all need the help of God in order to overcome our sin nature. For God is the only one who has overcome the world and it is our responsibility as children of God to encourage others to turn to Him.

I'm not advocating for homosexuality at all. It is wrong and it is a sin! We should stand against it in every way, but we also can't forget that these people are in a spiritual battle and that God can deliver them from their sin just as easily as He delivered you and me from ours. They are under attack and we need to fight with them (by calling the name of Jesus over them, prayer, emersion in the Word and spiritual encouragement)... not against them.

Awesome Speech...A Must See!!!

By the way...I stole this from Sister Lanisha's blog. I just couldn't resist...it's awesome!!

Just Some Recent Photos

Here are some random, recent photos. A lot of them were taken with our phones so I'm sorry if the quality isn't that good.

Highly Recommended Book

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged in so long. Some things came up that really prevented me from blogging for a period. But I'm so glad to say that I'm back and hopefully I will be posting often. I just wanted to share this incredible book I read. I wrote a book review on it for a class I'm currently in. It was a true blessing to me.

I really don't want to tell too much about it, but all I can say is EVERYONE should read it...especially anyone who calls himself or herself a child of God.

AND NO! IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT ADOPTION!!

You can read part of the book through this link, but I highly recommend reading the entire thing. At least you can get a taste of it though. Let me know what you think of it!

http://books.google.com/books?id=VIQcsyxdF-4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=adoption+for+life:+the+priority&hl=en&ei=osGrTNvMEsH98Aabo6WJCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Eliana's Day with a Few Animals

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A Child: Give & Take

As I watched my precious 1 1/2 year old daughter give away her all too valuable sugars to a 9 week old bouncing baby boy who was receiving most of her mommy's attention, I was again reminded how valuable and priceless a child's love is. She spent most of her day doing the same thing as me...running to Ethan's side at the slightest sign of a whimper and quickly grabbing the tool she thought she needed to make him happy whether it be a bottle, binky, Mylicon, or just a little TLC. I never even realized how closely she'd been watching me. Apparently she had studied me the other times I kept him...that is where she got her ideas on how to fix his cry. Although she wasn't able to fully provide his needs, you could tell she had every desire to, and I almost hated to intervene. But it had to be done...before there was a gag on the binky she would try to force in his mouth...before the bottle ended up dripping all over his tiny clothes...and before the not so gentle TLC. Then there was the smile...the proudness in her eyes. She had done it, or so she thought...she had made him all better. I was suddenly relieved...relieved that I hadn't discouraged her affection for a baby and her love for another person.

As I thought about the love she showed this little man, I began to think about all the love she has shown me in the past year. I began thinking about all the times she'd forgiven me and loved me anyways. She'd forgiven me for the occasional late night bad attitude, squeezing her into an outfit one last time, getting caught up in housework, leaky diapers, and even for the

sometimes divided attention. She loved me and wanted to spend time with me no matter what. It didn't matter what I did or didn't do...all that mattered was that I was me.

So often as parents, we get caught up in what we must do for our children whether it be providing, loving, teaching, or disciplining, we often forget all the things our children do for us and all the things we can learn from them. In the book of Matthew it says, "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." When I reflected on all the love and forgiveness my daughter has shown me, I thought of this verse. I thought of how I should make myself more like her...so quick to forgive and so willing to love. She forgives me so easily and loves me through everything. She was even quick to love a 9 month old "stranger" and do anything she could to help him. These are features of God that I want to exhibit as a child of the King; yet, I found them in the life of a 1 1/2 year old.

So as I watch her grow, I learn from her. And as she grows, she learns from me. Therefore, it is a constant give and take... a matter of being a blessing and being blessed. We feed off one another. Just as with Ethan, she learned from me how to show love to him and how to care for him, but I learned from her what it truly means to love. Oh...what a beautiful thing God has done in my life!

Did Adam & Eve have a Belly Button?

I have read many articles concerning whether Adam or Eve had a belly button. When I first stubbled upon the topic, it was in a Christian magazine. I was immediately interested. It wasn't because I thought it was important or even useful, but it captured my curiosity. See, a belly button is the result of being physically attached to a mother. It is a feature that every person today has. Adam and Eve, however, were not created the same way we were. Instead, they were created directly by God. There was no mother that carried them in her womb or provided them nutrients through an umbilical cord. Therefore, did Adam and/or Eve have a belly button? Just wanted to spark the thought in everyone else's mind...

I have created a poll on this topic. It is located down the page to the left. Feel free to voice your opinion.

Mommy's Little Helper

You know I can't post "Daddy's Little Helper" without showing "Mommy's Little Helper" too!! Hope you enjoy.

Beautiful Disasters

First there is the handsome and incredibly charming love of my life....

He mumbles when he's frustrated and then gets more frustrated when you ask what he said.

He laughs at The Three Stooges and Little Rascals no matter how corny they are.

He throws his sunglasses when he hits his head getting in the car which of course breaks the sunglasses.

He sweeps the floor with the fastest fling in the East.

He used my mixer beater as a knob for the washing machine.

He adds a little football to every sport he plays-rough and tough.

Second there is the head full of curls and face full of mischief...

She loves to wear only one shoe which is usually on the wrong foot because she's Ms. Independent.

She loves to share her already slobbered on food.

She bats her eyes when she's in trouble.

Her nose is her favorite body part...hmm...wonder why.

She knows she's cute.

She changes the song if she doesn't like it.

She drinks her bath water no matter how many times we tell her not to.

The Blessing of Early Morning Prayer

This morning was the first morning in a long time that I've gotten up just to turn around and kneel down. Somewhere within each day-between sippy cups, fruit snacks, cleaning the house, and playing hero-I find time to give praises to the Lord. But I honestly forgot how great it feels to give him praises and attention before anything else. Before the Chaos. Before getting ready for the day. Before morning sugars from a precious 1 1/2 year old.

The peace I received this morning was so unique and specific to early morning prayer. And it was a peace that lingered with me the entire day. By giving God my first thoughts and attention, I felt as if I was actively putting him first in my life. I felt Him and his wonderful covering on me all day. It was incredible!

I use to always pray early in the morning, but somewhere in the hectic game of life it got shuffled around. Now I see what I once had and have recently been missing out on. So if you're one of those people that wants to try early morning prayer, but often becomes best friends with your snooze button...give it a try. IT WILL BE WORTH IT! Well... got to get to bed... I have to wake up for an early prayer meeting in the morning! ;)

Live a Healthy Life-Live for God

Most of us have heard the scripture a million times, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."-1 Corinthians 6:19-20, but do we truly except it in every part of our life. It is not only commanding us to glorify God in our bodies through worship and praise, but also by taking care of his temple. I've always found importance in dressing modestly, having good hygiene, and looking presentable as a lady of God, but what I've recently come to understand is that I was only concerned with my outward body and physical appearance. I somehow neglected or perhaps just overlooked the importance of being presentable inwardly also... which is the Lord's temple and home. I know that I, along with many other ladies, often go into a frenzy when company is coming to visit. I want to make sure that the house is clean and everything is just right. Why is it that I forget to do that for the Lord? I'm not talking about cleaning my home for him, but his home...within me. After all, he is the most honorable, glorious, and magnificent guest of all! I have come to understand the importance of being healthy inwardly and outwardly. We must not only make ourselves presentable to God through our physical appearance but also within. Preparing and cleansing ourselves internally for God is both a spiritual and physical action. We must make sure that we are getting the right spiritual foods as well as the right physical foods. With that said, eating healthy is very important in living for God.

Eating healthy, exercising, and doing other things to live a healthy life are also related to living for God through the concepts of self-control and self-discipline. If we are unable to overcome our fleshly desires to eat excessively or be lazy, then we are not putting Christ first in our lives. For he commands us to "... take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."-Luke 21:34. Therefore, it is dishonoring to God and sinful to lack self-control when eating. Also, Proverbs 25:28 states, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." This verse clearly acknowledges the importance of self-control and self-discipline; it also explains how damaging the lack of can be. By learning self-control and self-discipline in many areas of our lives, there will be a domino effect on EVERY area, including spiritually. If we can gain more self-control in our life, then it will ultimately help us with our self-control spiritually, including prayer, Bible reading, and quality time with God. When training and teaching a child, consistency is a major key. Likewise, it is important when training ourselves. By gaining self-control in many areas, we have consistency of self-control and self-discipline in our lives. It is a way of training ourselves...training ourselves physically....training ourselves spiritually....and training ourselves consistently!

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."-Romans 12:1

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."-1 Corinthians 10:31

Daddy's Little Helper

Isn't this precious?!?! Eliana and her daddy are working on her tricycle!! And they really accomplished something: They moved the seat up so her short legs could reach the pedals. Just thought I would share it...

Wife of a Cop: Affliction & Blessing

There are many things that people don't know and can't understand about being a cop or a cop's wife. I've often caught myself in a whirlwind of feelings and emotions concerning the topic. Although I am very proud of what my husband does, I often become overwhelmed by the extra baggage associated with his job. From the moment my husband made his career choice, I knew about the dangers and emotional stress of the job, but I never gave any thought to the other ways it would affect us.

Affliction

It's hard enough knowing that your husband has to drive fast, come in contact with people that have many contagious diseases, and risks his life for someone he doesn't even know. But the hardest part is dealing with all the stuff that spills over from his work to our home. My husband may get to walk out those tall metal doors every day, but they never truly close. It's as if they are always open and work is constantly following, nipping at his heels. It follows him home, to social events, and ultimately consumes his encounters. From not being able to enjoy a meal at a restaurant to constantly being asked "what happened", it never ends and can honestly become very annoying. Then there are the restaurants that we can't even eat at because he has either served the person a warrant or had to learn a little more about their life than he would ever prefer. Therefore, we are constantly watching our backs for spit-on food and grudge holders. Sounds like fun...huh? And then there are the situations where people want to immaturely make constant cop jokes or complain about what cops do and don't do.

I'll never forget the day I was at the Sheriff's Department visiting my husband and a few of his coworkers when a lady who had a little bit of wealth came in. And oh how she thought she was something! She was ranting and raving about some dogs being on her property and how the people at the Sheriff's Department weren't doing their jobs. But what she didn't realize was that they were doing their jobs; they were dealing with things much bigger and much more important than some dogs that she or her family could easily take care of themselves. But I remember the feeling I got hearing her bash my husband and the other deputies. Part of me wanted to jerk her up and ask her if she would rather her or her husband do the job instead of my husband because it's me that has to watch the man I love walk out the door to help and protect people like her. UNGRATEFUL PEOPLE! People who make big deals out of their little problems and forget all the things these deputies and deputies' families sacrifice for them.

My husband has not been a deputy for long, but I have already lost the number of times he has left in a hurry from our home. There have been many times that he has went in-with no pay by the way-to help the other deputies. Obviously he isn't doing it for himself, but he's doing it for the people he works with and the people in this county-because he has that kind of respect for them. I've watched him go in on his days off-no pay by the way-to finish paperwork and other work duties. All of which cut into our family time.

Blessing

I know that I've spent a lot of time "complaining" about my husband's job, but hey this is my blog and if I need to vent then I will. :) I'm just kidding. I know that although we face many challenges as a result of  his job, we are truly blessed-I AM TRULY BLESSED! I have a husband that goes to work to provide for our family. I also have a husband that has a respectable job; a job that allows him to make a difference in someone's life and gives him the ability to reach out to people that often need it most. And hey...honestly it does have its perks. I mean who doesn't love knowing what's ok and what's not, especially the "speed limit".

It's so good to know that he is on the good side, even if it feels like the bad and crooked are always winning in this world. He gets to stand for what's just and right. And honestly what more could a woman want in a husband? I get to hold my head high, being proud of what my husband's career is. And I get to hold his hand knowing that he is a great man of God who does a little more each day to further God's kingdom. I know that God has put him there for a reason and he is always with him. When I think of all these things all I can say is WOW and I'm once again thankful- thankful for the pains tagging along, the no pay work, and even the ungrateful people because I know that he is making an impact that is much greater than all of these things.

 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.-1 Thessalonians 5:18

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-Ephesians 5:20

Big Families in a Small Minded Society

I can't count the number of times my husband and I have been asked how many kids we want to have. Nevertheless, no matter how many times the question is asked it is usually answered with the same words "Well we don't have a set number, but we know that we want a big family." Automatically there is resistance to our response; it never fails. We have to fumble through our ideas of having a family larger than society's "perfect model" while at the same time receiving looks of disapproval.

How is it that our society has become so confused? How is it that they have become so open-minded about some things and closed-minded about others? A world that is full of the acceptance of alcohol abuse, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and greed has now turned its back on the foundation of our society...the family. Some say it's because children are expensive, but so is alcohol abuse. Some say that having many siblings is too hard on children. But who knew that having so many people to love and support you could be such a bad thing? I understand where these arguments come from and I can't say they are completely untrue. In fact, I believe they have some truth in them. However, why is our society so against big families?

What is more precious than a child? Nothing. In Psalm 127:3, it says "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." So how is it that children have become known as burdens and hassles? After all, without children our society would have no future and who knows what our society, families, and individuals have missed out on in their attempts to meet societal preferences.

Poem: From God with Love by Unknown Author

Children are a blessing sent from God above
For us to care and nurture and most of all to love.

God calls us to be parents and gives us all the tools
And when we feel like giving up, our strength He will renew.

Children are a gift from God that He so freely lends
To make it through the childhood years, on Him we must depend.

He must have a presence, you see it must take three
The parents, child and Christ at the center to be a family.

From childhood days to a child full grown
Their joys and hurts are a parent's own.

Times of joy and laughter and those times of tears
The times spent raising a child are surely the best of years.

There comes that time in life when a child will leave the nest
We must send them off with love and a prayer and leave to God the rest.

We've shared the Word of God, we've taught them right from wrong
Now it's time to let them go and let them write their song.

The faith instilled, the examples lived, and the lessons taught
All gifts that we've given our child, which will never be forgot.

There are many paths a child can take, right or wrong will remain unknown
But rest assured that in the end, they all lead back to home.