Dec 18, 2017

Be Grateful. From the Ibex Insulated Tumbler guys


Be Grateful
Unlikely Things To Be Grateful For
We all take stock of monumental moments in our lives, like promotions at work, holidays with family, the birth of a baby - but what about the tiny treasures?

There's a lot of stuff that make us smile throughout the day. In addition, some of our misfortunes can even be great sources of gratitude, if we allow them to be.

Need a little help recalling some things to be thankful for? We've got you covered:

1. Mistakes
You've just experienced something that doesn't work and you're allowed an opportunity to learn and grow from it. Think of mistakes as building blocks for your future success - you learn what not to do, what doesn't work and what to do instead.

2. Unfair success
We all know one person who seems to have it all. Look at whatever that "lucky" person has received, achieved or accomplished, as proof of what's possible for everyone.

3. Irritating family
If you're irritated by a family member, remind yourself how fortunate you actually are to have that family in the first place. We all can use a little reminder from time to time!

4. Unaccomplished dreams
We all need something to look forward to and work toward. Success is a moving target - and not all of our dreams can arrive at once.

5. Boredom
Next time you're bored and upset about it, take a moment to appreciate the presence of peace and quiet. A lot of people are juggling so many things in their lives that a little boredom can be a welcome break.

All the best,
IBEX Team

Sep 29, 2017

3 Years Later...

Today marks 3 years since David lost his job. Three years of praying, waiting, trying, feeling frustrated and sometimes even hopeless. But God in His infinite mercy has sustained us. Has it been easy? No, lol. But it has been good.

Good in the ways we've been provided for by friends and family. Good in the ways we've learned to depend even more on Him who loves us so much that He knows the number of hairs on our heads. Good in the ways it has stretched us.

And this week, after 3 years of waiting, David has been given the opportunity to drive even more for UPS. This has meant 6 pm - 6 am all week so far but hey, after 5 hours each day it's overtime! In January of 2018 he will get benefits and from what we understand they will be awesome benefits! That in itself will equal a huge raise!

So thank you for your prayers, financial help, words of encouragement and even groceries over the past 3 years. We can't wait to get back to "paying it forward"!
 
 
 


 

Jan 27, 2017

2017 Reading List

I am a prolific reader.  I usually have 3-4 books going at a time and I don't get them confused, except when I try to read Atlas Shrugged.  Atlas Shrugged has defeated me several times and for the time being I have put it aside. I do intend to read it.  But not this year.

I have never followed any plan for reading, or for even keeping track of what I have read, and I know that a lot of people do so that in itself made me pause and think about it a few weeks ago.

Here is the list that I came up with for 2017.


  1. God's Wisdom for Today I will not be reading through the entire Bible in 2017.  Instead I am using a devotional I saw at Lowe's Foods of all places.  Sarah gave it to me for my birthday.    
  2. The Chronicles of Narnia I've never read this all the way through.
  3.  Toward a Growing Marriage  David and I went to a marriage seminar by the author many years ago.  I was a good thing for us.  Now we're in a new season, our kids are grown.  David is working 2 jobs.  We went through a major crisis and upheaval when he lost his job in September 2014. All of these things have had a major impact on our marriage and I want to be proactive in strengthening it.
  4. The Migraine Miracle  Written by a neurologist who grew up with a mother suffering from migraines and now has them himself this book takes a new approach to conquering the beast.  Diet.  I am radically changing the way I eat.  No sugar and No grains.  I'm not there yet but I'm making progress.
  5. Living Above the Level of Mediocrity  Several years ago this book was the subject of a Sunday Night Bible Study at Concord ARP.  I bought the book then and want to revisit it.
  6. The Excellent Wife a Biblical Perspective  Years ago I was asked to lead the monthly women's meeting in a Bible study.  Off I went to the local Christian bookstore to peruse the shelves.  One book kept pulling me back.  My copy is now so tattered I've had to repair the covers with tape.  It is full of underling, highlighting and notes.  In this new season of our marriage I feel it is time to go through this book again.  "Whether the focus is broad or narrow, each chapter is a part of the complete picture of being the wife that God desires, The Excellent Wife.
  7. Naked and Unashamed: The Journey Toward Sexual Fulfillment in Christian Marriage  Self explanatory.
  8. Persuasion.  Saw the movie.  Loved it.  Time to read the book.
  9. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are  I started this book several years ago and got bogged down.  This one too is heavily underlined and I have a notebook of pages of notes for each chapter.  I'm not sure if I will just finish the book or start over.  Either way it's well worth the time to read and pray over.
  10. Beyond All Measure.   Written by a young pastor we attended church with for a while this book is a must read.  This book is about Jesus and His love for His children. It attempts to look at who we are, and how Christ relates to us in spite of who we are. Using the proper light of Scripture to view and expose ourselves, we are then enabled to see the glorious nature of His unconditional love for us. Thomas Watson rightly said, "Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet. 
  11. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass.  I love the Johnny Depp movie versions but, again, have never read both books.
  12. DYNAMITE LOVE: Encounter The Explosive Power That Will Change Our World.  Written by a young lady that I knew as a teenager at church and have had the joy of reconnecting with her through the magic of Facebook.  Amber has grown into a wonderful, godly wife and mom and she's a good writer too!  Available on February 1, 2017 in eBook format.  I've pre-ordered mine and can't wait to read it.




Jan 5, 2017

Job Update

As many of you know David lost his job after 25 years of service on 9/29/2014. It has been a long and bumpy road. I want to thank everyone who has helped us in any way over the past 2 years. 

Finally things are really looking up. BUT this means that for the next year David will be very tired and not home much at all. Would you please pray for him for physical strength and health?

When you're in the midst of a trial it's hard to see past the seemingly mountainous problems. Things such as a water heater going out, dryer going out, car trouble, etc. But when I take the time to reflect on what we've faced and how each and every time it was resolved I can clearly see the hand of my Heavenly Father. And he used friends and family and even strangers to bless is.
What an Awesome God we serve!

Clara likes to help

Do you know how hard it is to play the piano when the cat wants to be there too?

I think this is Katy's lap that Clara is sleeping on