I've Pondered My Wanderings

Yes... My little sister called me today to ream me out! Can you believe that? I'm just appalled!

Nah... Kristy, thanks for calling. It was good to talk to you!

Hard to believe how quickly time flies! My goodness... seems like yesterday that I updated! *snicker* okay... maybe not "yesterday".

Let me give you an "update" on everything over here, shall I? If I do not, I'm sure I'll hear about it from Miss Kristy-kins!

The church is doing great! Still pretty small, but the church is growing in knowledge and unity which is the foundation for a church who is "in love" with the LORD!

We have visitation every Sunday afternoon... and everyone loves it! They enjoy knocking doors... or standing at a local grocery store (with the managers permission of course) and handing out Calendars with the church information on it. With the weather growing warmer, it should be easier to get out and knock doors. Many of us (including ME) cannot handle the cold, so we've been picking out individual houses to focus on.

We do have a new couple who started coming to church around September of last year... but stopped coming because she was pregant with twins and had to be on "bed rest". We tried to visit her but she was living at her mother's house and we were never given permission to see her. So, we hadn't been able to have any communications with them. (We are not sure they are a saved couple) They are very sweet though and so very open to learning!

Last night (Wednesday), after not seeing them for months... we were at the "Baptist" Fast Food place (McDonalds) with another couple (The Davis') from our church visiting. A McDonalds employee came to our table and said "hello Preacher." It was Daniel. We were so excited to see him and asked him to update us. Jaime had her babies (twin boys) and they had moved from her mothers house into a house of their own and were excited about coming back to church. After we visited for a bit he went back to work... and as any GOOD Baptists do, the four of us (The Davis' and us) sat and talked until closing!

One of the employees politely started turning the lights out... and we headed to our vehicles. And of course... once at the vehicles we were saying good bye (wasting a few more minutes talking, of course) and Daniel came out of McDonalds and came right over to us. He said, "I told them in there that they kicked out the preacher... shame on them." He then stated that his wife was on her way to pick them up with the kids.

Did we wait around? You betcha we did! when Jaime drove up, she was with her mother and ha the twins... and of course Mary Davis, Sarah and I were the first one to the vehicle to see those precious little ones!

During this time, I was able to talk to Jaime's mother, Holly. I invited her to our Easter Service this Sunday... (we are having a Sunrise Breakfast) and I encouraged her that she would be very welcome. After the little "visit"... the WHOLE family is going to be there this Sunday... Daniel, Jaime, Holly, Andrew (Jaimie's 8 year old son) and the twin baby boys. Praise the Lord. Be praying that Satan will not interfere with their attendance.

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Now for a major Prayer Request:

We are looking for a house closer to Chillicothe. With the price of gas soaring, we need to be closer... not just for gas purposes but for quick contact with our people and the accessibility to canvas more of Chillicothe. So please be praying for us in this area.

Okay... that's my "Pondering" small little "blog" for the day. Now Kristy can leave me alone until... oh... next year about this time! hehehehee

God bless and keep you all!

Karen J

I Ponder as I Ponder out under the sky..

Well.. it's 1:58 AM on Saturday morning. And here I am. (Kristy, your nagging has paid off!) :)

Sarah is spending the night with Pastor Mackey's daughter, Bethany and going to "Worlds of Fun" tomorrow with their youth group. I don't like it one bit, either *grumble grumble* Because I can't be with her to watch over her. It's amazing how protective we are. Maybe I'm just "OVER" protective because she is my only one? Somehow I doubt that. I think if I had 5 kids I'd STILL be over-protective of every one of 'em. That's just "in my genes" I suppose.

So, the house is quiet (and has been since 2:00 PM when she left) and I don't like it one bit! *sigh* I miss my baby when she's not around.

She will be staying a week with her Auntie Kristy in July, but that's alright because I know Kristy would take care of her just like I would! I will still miss her, but I won't be "as concerned."

I suppose with her going to "World's of Fun" where I can't visibly SEE her and make sure she isn't wandering off, etc, that's what has me spooked.

Okay... I'll not "ponder" that right now...

Here is a picture of when we are on vacation in May. I caught a nice little fishy. :)

Here is Sarah and her Daddy

Here is my 20th anniversary present from hubby :)

Okay Kristy-Poo don't say I didn't "update" beause I DID! hehe

So... now I'm just waiting until my Sarah-poo is back home on Sunday! (she is going to church with Bethany Mackey on Sunday. Bible Baptist Church in Bethany, Mo. Pastor Mackey came from Pastor Reagan's church in Cameron, who came from Gary Williams church in St. Joseph. So they are a very good church and we fellowship with them frequently.

Now.. back to my "ponder"... When will we NOT worry about kids? Probably never! I think of my Daddy and Mama and how they worry about us kids all the time. I can't imagine having more than one to "worry" about.

Yes... I know... worry is a "SIN"... so let's use a different word, shall we? "Concern" :) I know she is in God's Hands... but it's in my humaness to worry about my child. To be quite honest, I sincerely question a parent who DOESN'T act concerned about their child. (i.e. how they are, what they are doing, where they are frequenting, etc)

Alright... I'm tired now. But at least I got my "ponder" in before Kristy came after my hide! hehe

~ Karen

PS: Little Hunter is doing much better! He might go home this weekend! PTL!

Let Us Ponder the Lapse of Time

*clears her throat* Yes... it has been a LONG time since I've "blogged". Shall I enlighten you with the past few months? I think I shall.

I received a promotion with Arise (formerly Willowcsn) and am now a Quality Assurance Peformance Facilitator for a leading pharmacy in the nation. I absolutely love it! However, with a "promotion comes great responsibility" so I'm working 40 to 50 hours a week. The pay is very good, so I am not complaining, however; I will be ready for vacation in May!

This next Friday is my 40th birthday. Where has time gone? I feel 20 something lots of days... other days, like this morning, I do feel my age. Time has a way of "sneakin' up" on ya, doesn't it? I'm taking Friday off to "relax" and then my Daddy and Mama is having my favorite meal on Saturday. I'm not sure if it's a "tad bit 'o the Irish" in me, but I'm a "Corn Beef and Cabbage" girl. So every year my Mama makes me my favorite meal! Can't wait!

In May William and I will have been married for 20 years. Hard to believe I have lived with my husband as long as I had lived with my parents! So I can actually say "Honey, do you know I've lived with you half my life?" LOL We are planning on two weeks vacation. My bosses for Arise (Keisha and Diane) were very excited for me to go... but I have to train the other mentors to process QA's on their own teams. However, when I get back, I'm taking MY job back! :)

No... haven't lost any weight. I suppose that I shall keep fighting that until I become "Perfect". *ahem... that's in Heaven, folks* hehe But I shall continue working on it. I really believe that the more I TRY to lose weight the more the weight finds me! how can this be?

Sarah had her 13th birthday. Hard to believe! We are letting her wear makeup now... I've taught her how to wear it... and the first time I fixed her up... she stood back and I could have SWORN it was my sister Kristy! Sarah looked so much like her Auntie that I did a "double take!" I've notice that Sarah does have quite a few of Kristy's characteristics and sometimes I will call her Kristy.... especially if I have been around Kristy for a bit. My baby is growing up. Blows me away! Daddy took her out on the back roads the other day to practice "driving." Had to bite my tongue on that one... but she did an excellent job! *sniff sniff* Her schoolwork is becoming easier for her... even her Math she is understanding! She's VERY much into computers and wants to work with me when she can. I'd much rather have her work at home then "out there." Sure, she has social interaction, so all of you who are thinking "That poor child doesn't have any room to grow... no social interactions..." I beg to differ! She has friends here in our small town and is a social butterfly when we drive into town. So please, use a different line on me, will ya?

The church is going well. Nice to see less of the "wood family". We are having visitors and we have started a teen class now. Only three teens and about three that are 12 and under. The rest are adults. All in all I enjoy our church so much! I love them all... they are my extended family and I don't know what I'd do without them!

Well.. it's time for me to get back to work. Kristy has been "on me" to post... so I'm posting. I was thinking about starting a "book" on here... and every week have a new chapter, etc.... but that's something I shall ponder for later.

A Reflection Ponder

Well... my little girl just had her pictures done! (we will be sending you a picture of her soon, Kris... just tell me what size you want!) I've placed her "pics" here so you could see them... she looks so
much like me and Kristy it's almost scary!

We had to go to the Doctor today. I called the doctor where my sister, Kathy, is a nurse. Dr. Sylvara got us in with no problems! (I'm sure that's Kathy's doing!) We both have sinus infections... and I have some "female" problems that hopefully will be fixed now. I've been SO afraid to go back to a Doctor because they made me feel like I was an "idiot"... but this Dr. is totally different and I really like her alot! (Thanks Kat) Also, the prescription samples have been a TREMENDOUS blessing!! Thank the good Lord for a Doctor like that!
So we are taking some antibiotics and things to help us "get better". And I have a sister who can "nag me" if I don't do what I'm supposed to! hehehehehe

I started my Pizza Hut customer service calls... and absolutely love it! Lot's of fun... a little mind bending with the new system to learn, but lots of fun! AND the custy's are getting food they WANT! Wooo hooo! Thankfully, I don't get to eat it... otherwise I would weigh over 300 pounds! (we won't go there, will we Kathy? lol lol lol)

Anyway, Sarah and I are trying to get some rest. I bought some Father's Day things for William today. With Sarah's help, of course! A new watch... a few series on DVD's he's been lookin' at... he loves "westerns" and "crash 'em bang 'em up" movies... and the new Ultimate Fighting! So, he got some fun stuff "early"... he needed that new watch bad... especially for preaching! HEHEHEHEHE Amazing how preachers will go OVER with out a wrist watch!

Well.. I've got to turn in... I'm POOPED! I can't breath and my head hurts. I've got a fever and my insides are falling apart... but other than that, I'm doing real good! What a ponder! LOL

"While I Pondered, weak and Weary...."

• 
  
  What a week! Have you just ever had one of those weeks where you did a TON of stuff.. but stuff never got done?? What is with that? ARRGGHH! Calgon take me away!!!
  
  Mrs. Debbie Reagan from Cameron asked me to come speak at her Mother/Daughter banquet tomorrow... I've known about this for 2 weeks and I just didn't have peace on what to speak on. I know now... but it's funny that God pulls everything together usually at the last minute... and to be honest I can see why. Since the M/D banquet is about "A Mother's Love" I was going to speak on Hannah or Sarah or Naomi or someone like that... but I just couldn't get peace. So the topic of my lesson is:
  
  God Made Them Houses.

I'm using Exodus Chapter one and teaching on Shiphrah and Puah... the 2 Hebrew midwives that feared God enough to save the male children alive and because they did, "God made them houses"... interesting enough, midwives WERE NOT married in the Old Testament! Mainly because at that time they were so busy helping women have their babies they didn't have time to have families of their own. The statement in Hebrew "made them houses" means "family"... God allowed them to be married, have children and in some instances many historians believe that these two ladies had grand dynasties. Shiphrah was supposed to be in the lineage of Jesus and Puah was in the lineage of the Levites! A mother's love starts with putting Christ first and loving Him ABOVE all, the "mother's love" will spring from that fountain... and how wonderful to know that God will bless a woman who loves Him first and foremost with a wonderful family!

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To change the subject, William is now working at the Golf Course in Milan, MO.... he is taking care of lawn maintenance and his employers are talking about getting him a membership to the golf course because he works there. *winks at Mike* This will be nice when Mike comes over.. that way William and Mike can go golfing and Kristy and I can have some "girl talk" time of our own! hehehehe

We are heading to Ohio on Wed... we are stopping off in Griffeth, Indiana at Pastor Mike Poole's church to sing.. .then heading on to Ohio for our nephew, Kyles, high school graduation. ((I'm sorry, Kris... but I don't think we'll have time to drop by THIS time... we wanted to, but when Bill scheduled at Pastor Pooles, he didn't factor in a "visit"... I'm so sorry... but we plan to come visit this summer.. I promise!))

Then we come home on the 30th and I start training to take Pizza Hut calls from home and start training for Walgreens E-mail customer service. *sigh* so it's going to be SOOO busy for us! I'm working 11 hours this Monday and 6 hours on Tuesday so I can have 17 hours in before we leave on Wednesday morning... YIKERS!

Well.. I've "pondered" enough for one day... stress usually starts taking over when I start "thinking" about the near future and all the "stuffeth" that needs to be accomplished! Will it ever get done? Yes, yes it will... and I don't have to worry and stress and ponder over it either... it will all end up being done and all the stress was for nothing! When will I ever learn, eh?

Ode to a Ponder

I need some Chocolate! Who's with me? *raise your hand* I'm telling you, work has been the pits today... gripy customers and all!

I work from home and LOVE it! This July I will have been working from home for 2 full years. I make more money at home, but it still has it's "pitfalls" too! Shall I name the pro's and cons? I think I will name a few! So, put on the old seat belt... here we go!

1. PROS: I can schedule myself to work whenever I want! CONS: What if I don't want to work??? lol
2. PROS: I can sit in my jammies and work: CONS: Then I won't get dressed all day! lol
3. PROS: I talk to so many people every day! CONS: Not everyone is congenial!
4. PROS: I can sit at my desk or on my bed to take calls with my laptop and phone! CONS: My "behonk" is the size of Manhattan! lol
5. PROS: I can eat and drink whenever I want! CONS: Again.. my "behonk" is the size of Manhattan!
6. PROS: I make more money at home! CONS: No cons here! lol
7. PROS: I have a chance for promotion! CONS: I work extra hard and then what's the use of enjoying being at home? lol

I could go on and on! But pondering my work ethics I see that working at home was the only option! I wouldn't do it any other way! I don't miss being "in the world"... in fact, that is a PRO in and of itself! Also, with Sarah homeschooled, I don't have to start work until the afternoon! Which is wonderful! ((Of course, Sarah is done for the summer.. and has been for the passed 2 weeks))

I've had many people ask me. "Don't you miss working out THERE?" Um.. let me think about that for a moment... UH.... NOPE!

It's not for everyone! But it was the best thing that ever happened to us! I'm making $10/hr at home... and I'm at HOME! No gas expense, no dry cleaning, no gripy bosses no food money for lunch time!

If anyone is interested in some very good work at home companies here are the few I work for:

LiveOps Take infomercial call orders... I got my Bro-in-law, Forrest, to work here and he loves and makes tons more money at it then I do.

Work At Home Agent Many different verticals for this company.

Willow, CSN You need to become incorporated as a small business to work this company... this is this primary company I work for right now and make the most money with.

ACD Direct This is a "seasonal" job taking pledges for PBS companies (radio/TV stations)

You can use my name as a reference if you like, too! (Karen Johnson)

These are just a few... there are many others that I just don't have time to work with but are great for some extra $$ every month! If you'd like to know what these places are just send me an e-mail! I'll be glad to help!

As I've said, this is not for everyone... mainly because lots of people don't like working from home! But I LOVE it and wish I could have found this years ago! Right now we pay bills with what money I earn. Pastor Johnson has a few part time jobs right now so that will help tremendously, but we and the people at Grace Baptist didn't want him to have a "full-time" job as that would interfere with his work as the Pastor of Grace Baptist. So these "at home" jobs have been a great help to us!

How did I find out about this type of work? Well.. at first I started looking around on the internet for things... and there are TONS of scams out there so I gave up the search!

I was volunteer teaching game coding at an online site one day and one of my students instant messaged me: "Mrs. Johnson, have you ever thought of working at home?" She commenced to tell me about Work At Home Agent which was my first at home job! I signed up... about a week later got an interview over the phone... started training and was working within 2 weeks! So, that's how I got started!

Sure, you have some 'down' days... today was one of them for me! I had a few cranky custy's and they ALWAYS get me down.. but I just have to make sure I pray and ask God to help me with them.. and He does!

I'm looking into some Data Entry jobs right now... I will keep you posted if I hear back from them. That would be about $20/ day and that depends on how fast you type... I'm a fast typer and I'll outdo myself if I can to get $20/day!

So... bring on the chocolate... *even with a behonky the size of Manhattan*... I'm ready for a "break!" lol lol lol

The Pondering Karenowski!

Home Again... Home Sweet Home!

Well... we survived vacation! Now I just need a vacation from my vacation! UGH

I'm trying to lose weight... again! Never ending cycle. See Chocolate cake... don't eat it, but still gain 10 pounds! What is with that? I know it's because I don't exercise enough so I'm starting the "walking" routine on the treadmill... again! We will see if it will last! I hate walking INdoors.. but when I finish work I just want to "crash"... walking is NOT high priority on my list when I'm finished with work!

So, day ONE: I walked... 30 minutes! Ate carrots and a chicken breast. *sigh* Those oreo's are callin' me, however!
I may succomb and eat some Jalepenos peppers... at least THOSE don't have alot of calories... yes, sodium, but hey, let me splurge!

Sarah is done with school for the summer. Hard to believe she'll be in 7th grade this fall! Where does time go? Jeepers Creepers!

Well.. I'm done "pondering" for today. Hubby did my vacation wash for me... the wonderful, sweet and fantastic man of mine! So I don't have to worry about that. We have company coming over tomorrow (well.. not exactly company.. the Eller family is more like... well... family!) LOL So, I still have clean up the place. Looks like terrorists struck the joint! Crikey!

I'll "ponder" more later!