I Love Netflix!

WOW! WOW! WOW! What else can I say? Well, let me think while you read...

Your price is lower!

Dear Elaine,

Great news! We're lowering the price of your 3 DVDs out at-a-time plan to $16.99 a month plus applicable taxes. Now you can enjoy Netflix for less!

You don't need to do a thing - except pay less. Your membership will automatically move to the lower price and be reflected in your Membership Terms and Details. The lower price will take effect beginning with your statement on or after July 23, 2007.

Your $16.99 plan not only gives you 3 DVDs out at-a-time but you can also watch 17 hours of movies and TV episodes instantly on your PC each month - for no additional charge.

Enjoy!
Your friends at Netflix

Since when do companies lower prices like this? How awesome! It makes me wonder why they are doing it, that's for sure! I just heard today that Wal-Mart is planning on lowering their prices because they are losing money. Retail Giant Slashing Prices I also read yesterday on Doug Clay's blog that Wal-Mart has put a value of $215,000 on each of it's customers. I find that very interesting. The rest of Doug Clay's post is also very interesting. I suggest that you read it. But, to continue, it would seem that Wal-Mart is lowering prices to keep customers. Smart move I would say. I'm not a huge fan of Wal-Mart (I love Target!), but they do have a successful business model. It benefits their company very well (but maybe no one else). Of course, I love lower prices, but not if it makes workers in other countries suffer (as with Wal-Mart from my understanding). I can't see that being the case with Netflix, though. So, I will just do a little happy dance for a price reduction of $1 per month! YAHOO!!!!

VBS

This week I'm helping St. Peter Lutheran Church with their VBS. The theme is Quest for Truth. I get to help the kids do crafts! I love crafts, so it's a perfect job for me. My kids are in the youngest group and they have even brought two friends this week. Last year, both Chris and I helped but this year Chris is in a play and practice is every Monday through Thursday night. Friday night Chris scheduled a concert in the coffee shop he has going in our church basement. So, I offered to take some of the kids whose parents are also in the play. It made it a little easier for them this week.

I enjoy seeing my kids learning and getting involved at things like this. One of the leaders asked for volunteers to pray and Ella's hand shot up. It was great. I have some idea what she would have prayed and it would have been hilarious, but I enjoy her enthusiasm. She would likely have prayed,

Come Lord Jesus, be our guest and let this food to us be blessed.

Maybe she'll still get a chance before the week is over. No matter what she prays I will be proud.

Foster starts Headstart this fall and I've been a little concerned that he won't like it because he is a homebody. But last night at VBS he was singing and stomping to the music. Ella wasn't anywhere near him and he was perfectly happy. I don't think I need to be worried at all. And as an update on his burn, he is doing great. It will soon be healed.

Tonight is water night. All the kids have to bring their swim suits. The 5th and 6th graders get to go swimming in someone's pool and everyone else gets to play water games. I think that they are all pretty brave. They start with age 3. My son is will be 3 at the end of September, but they let him stay because I'm helping. Can you imagine getting 15 two to four year olds in and out of their swim suits?! Yikes! That is why I like helping do crafts. None of that for me! I'm sure the teenagers in charge of them will do fine though. They have plenty of energy!


These pictures are of my kids getting their certificates of completion and singing a great song titled, "Bugs for Lunch" (lyrics).

TwitterMosaic

I finally made it into a TwitterMosaic's image. I'm in the bottom right-hand corner. Can you find me?



I found my picture twice. Check out what Twitter and TwitterMosaic are all about! Find me at http://twitter.com/ehooton. You can also find the original picture used to create the mosaic on TwitterMosaic's page.

New Software!

I downloaded a new piece of software for free today (from Giveawayoftheday.com). Of course I had to try it out. Here is my photo album video! It's uploaded through YouTube.

Missionaries

Today Josh Payne preached at my church. And Chris designed this awesome bulletin cover for today. Josh will soon be leaving for Russia again. I knew Josh from college, but I wouldn't say we new each other very well. It was still very nice to hang out with him today. After service all of us went to Ponderosa for lunch. Then we took a walk in downtown Bay City. We got to see the Appledore IV dock. It a tall ship that you can take a tour on and I guess sometimes they have meals on the ship, too. Then we went to the really huge antique mall. It was a fun afternoon. We don't have too many friends around where we live, so it was nice for a change.

When Josh went to leave, Ella was so upset because she said she wanted to play a board game with Josh. I think that she assumed we would because when we have missionaries over to our house we usually do, but we went out to eat instead. She was heartbroken. She loves missionaries.

Actually we all do. Most of our closest friends in the Michigan District of the Assemblies of God are missionaries. It is really kind of fun, but yet sad when they leave for years at a time. I really hope that we get to be missionaries someday. Chris believes he is called, but not sure of the timing. We both feel very strongly called to Sebewaing right now; and for the foreseeable future. I would like to be hear at least ten years. I used to say 5, but it has almost been 4 now and I want to be here longer. I think I could be called to missions. I don't really have "moments" when it is clear what God has called me to. I look back and realize that God was calling me my entire life to be a pastor's wife and a pastor. It's a slower process for me, I guess. I just really hope we get to be missionaries someday. I went to the Philippines last summer and I wish I could go back. I wish I could go on another missions trip to almost anywhere. I had such fun.

While we were in the Philippines, we taught a seminar for pastor's wives. The theme was joy. I led a workshop on joy in difficulties. I told a lot of personal stuff, but I am so glad I did. What God told me to say; what my difficulties were, really encouraged the ladies. I'm so glad. They didn't really expect much during my workshop. They thought I was too young to have difficulties. Sometimes I wish they were right! But God used me to bless and encourage them. That is the kind of ministry I would love to do. The missionaries that led our trip, Dave and Debbie Johnson, have that kind of ministry. From what I saw, they encourage and help the local pastors. There is a General Council of the Philippines, but they aren't really in it from my understanding. They are there to be pastors to the pastors. I love that idea! And I'm not really great at street witnessing. I like talking to people, but I need to work on getting around to talking about Jesus. I think that I would really excel at a job of encouraging others, though. I guess I will just keep praying that God guides my steps and that I will obediently follow Him, even if it's not to the foreign mission field.

Thoughts About Myself

Check out this post! It really got me thinking. Which you can tell by my post size comment!

I really do feel a need for intercession. I feel a need to pray more myself, too. This past week I've been blogging more and it has really helped me. I have a hard time sitting down and praying, but I do pray a lot during the day. And most of the praying I do, I don't even realize I do. I do it subconsciously and only realize when I write about my day. It's kind of crazy. The problem with this way of praying is that I'm not always listening. I need to spend time with God separately so that I can listen to what he says better. Many times I realize I didn't listen after I do something the wrong way. It's like a light goes on in my head and says, "You were warned about this." And I realize I was, but I was only partly listening and so I didn't really hear it!

Besides all that, I need to take more time to study. I usually only study when I have to preach, but that doesn't put the Word in my heart like devotions do. What I could really use is a prayer buddy. If anyone would like to volunteer, please do so. I've actually been looking for someone to buddy up with or be mentored by for a long time. I could really use the accountability. It's just so hard to find someone when you live in a small town and are a pastor and pastor's wife. There are very few people you can be completely open with. I've been burned by saying to much to people before. So, seriously! If you need a prayer partner or would like to be mine even though you have another too, let me know! He He! This post has turned into an advertisement! But there has to be somebody out there who needs this same thing. And I hope this post will cause you to re-evaluate you prayer and study life, too.

Burns

Today was trying. I had to go to Bad Axe for an appointment early this morning. I took Ella with me and she was pretty good. She got tired and bored though. On the way home we stopped and picked wildflowers. That was a lot of fun.

Then Chris made soup for lunch and before he got to add the cold water to Foster's soup, Foster folded his hands to pray. In the process, he spilled his soup on himself! It was awful! My poor little man got burned badly. He has first degree burns on his left buttock, left leg and two fingers. He has a second degree burn on right half of his tummy. It's quite a large area. We didn't know how bad it was and weren't sure if we should take him to the hospital, so I called a nurse friend who was nearby and she came and looked. His tummy had a blister that had broken before I really even saw the burn. It may have burst when I tore his t-shirt off him. But she said since it had burst we should take him. I was really pretty glad since I don't have experience dressing burns, and wanted the doctor to tell me what to do.

So, he's ok. But it was traumatic for all of us. My friend Bonnie, the nurse, took Ella to her house while we went to the hospital and invited us for supper afterwards. Wasn't that sweet? At the hospital, I told Foster I was really sorry he had got burned and he gave me the saddest face ever. I guess I had reminded him, because he was really very good. He never once cried at the hospital. Later, I asked if he was ever going to pray again. He gave me that look again, only a little toned down. Isn't that just the saddest thing? He got burned because he hit his bowl with his arm as he started to pray?!?!? It breaks my heart!

After we finished at the hospital and the nurse had given Foster four suckers and four stickers, we went and bought him a cool toy car. It's doors and hood open. He loves it! Then we went and got him an ice cream cone. He loved that too. He deserved it, too. He did make out like a bandit, though!

After that we went to get Ella and have dinner. Bonnie and Glenn had gone grocery shopping and Ella got to pick the dessert. She picked vanilla ice cream and blueberries. Not too bad a choice! Chris had play practice at six and the rest of us got home at about seven. The kids are in bed now. Whew! What a day!

Now I just have to change the dressing the next few days and somehow manage to keep it clean for a whole day at a time. With potty training, that might be quite a feat even with the worst spot on his tummy. But, I am so thankful he is ok and that God prevented anything worse happening to him. It was the potty training underwear that protected his most sensitive parts from being burned. Thank you God! And it was great to hear Ella pray for him, which she did very well. I asked Foster if he wanted me to pray for him and every time he nodded his head yes. That made me proud of my two kids. They love God. I guess all-in-all it was a pretty good day in that sense. I love my little man and my Ella Bella!

My Thoughts on Sunday's Sermon

Well, I preached on Sunday and I think it went pretty well. My hubby said I only needed to put more feeling into what I was saying. I felt the feeling, but it's hard to really let it out in front of people and especially people who are just blankly gazing in your general direction. It really helps when people respond with amen and whatnot. A silent crowd is a tough crowd. But I will probably always be working on my delivery. I'm not really that great of a public speaker and I certainly don't enjoy it. Although, I don't get too nervous now. I might if it weren't my own church, though. I don't know since I haven't really tried anywhere else.

It was communion Sunday, but I didn't lead communion. I made a deal with Chris that I would lead communion the next time I am not preaching on communion Sunday. I've never done it before, so I know that the prep will be almost like preaching, at least the first time. So I have that to look forward to.

I preach again in three weeks. I'm catching up this summer. I need to preach at least 12 times a year. If I get ordained, it will go up to 15. We only have Sunday morning service because no one will come to any other services. We keep trying, but we end up at the church alone. It's kind of sad. Anyway, it's hard for Chris to give up the pulpit because there are so few times he preaches. If he doesn't preach at least once in three weeks, he starts going crazy. I'm serious. He is NOT fun to be around. So we have to carefully plan when I preach, especially if we have a guest speaker, like a missionary. I preached this week and Josh Payne, missionary in training to Russia, is coming Sunday. The Sunday after that is Chris and then me again. That way he should be okay to live with. :) Well, those are my thoughts for the day. Enjoy!

Why, Jesus?

So, I was studying for my sermon last night and this morning and I had to question something Jesus did.

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' 6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.'

16 "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 NIV

Why did Jesus send these people out? Wasn't he getting well known enough without additional help? Of course I realize that any publicity is good publicity, but I still could not see a practical reason behind what he did. I'm a very practical, reasonable person. Things should always be reasonable and practical. I am a practical preacher, as well. This is a very good thing because my hubby preaches very philosophically. We balance each other well. Anyways, I realized as I continued to study,that there is a very good reason that Jesus sent these people out. He sent them out to advertise, but also to see which towns would listen to him. If they did not listen to those he sent out, he knew they would not listen to him. At this time, Jesus' last year of ministry, Jesus was running out of time and wanted to use his time wisely. The disciples went out, returned and reported back where Jesus should and should not go. That is very practical.

After that I got to wondering what this meant for us. Jesus has sent us out. What is the reason? We are to proclaim him and prepare the way for his second coming! He knows everything, but through our trying to preach to others, he knows who listens and who doesn't. When he returns, those who do not know him as their personal savior will be cast into hell. Those who do, will reign with him on Earth. What a great calling! And what great power we have at our hands to fulfill our calling!

Am I or not?

Anne Marie is going to keep me on my toes. So here is my recent life. This post is a little more private in nature, but here it goes. A while back, my hubby and I made sure that more children were impossible. Now there should only be a 1 in 5000 chance of my getting pregnant. The reason for this is that I get post-partum depression that never goes away. My youngest is almost three and I still take meds in order to control it daily. Well, my period is late! I took a test and it's negative, but I am totally having pregnancy symptoms. It really should be impossible, but it's driving me crazy not knowing what is wrong with me. If it's not pregnancy, what is it? I've never been this late unless I was pregnant. The latest I've ever been is a week. It's now been 48 days since my last period. That's 20 days late! What is up??? So, i'm freaking out. I have a doctor appointment next Thursday for other reasons and if there is nothing by then I'll talk to the doctor, but I doubt he'll give me any reasonable explanation. He's just like that. He'll make my fears seem silly and I won't actually get any answers. I'm just really frustrated. I'm trying to leave the situation in God's hands, but it sure is hard.

On another note, I am preaching this Sunday again. Maybe I'll learn something really great as I study. Well, I know I will, but maybe it will help me to leave things in God's hands. I think I'll be preaching on being called again, but from Luke 10 where Jesus sends out the 70 (or 72).

Well, at least I feel better having written all this down. Now that the world knows my personal struggles against pregnancy. :)

UPDATE: It finally started! Hallelujah! What a relief!