Sickly Philben Update

Greetings from the sickly Philben family. Lance is recovering from having a cold/flu last week and now Ciara and I are struggling with it. Jayden seemed to have minor symptoms over the weekend so hopefully he is over it and pray our Schylar doesn't get it. Ciara was so sick yesterday that she woke up and thought she was an hour late from pom practice. I stopped her before she left the house @ 6:15a.m.. Bless her heart. Today she is worse but says her life is too busy to be sick. She has 2 tests, a new dance routine they are learning for pom, and mandatory play practice for next weeks production. Only one more day and we can rest a little.

The girls and I had a great weekend in Fremont at camp Rivercrest. Our church holds an event called "Ignite". They have friends they have met from church camp and Ciara's trip to NYC and so it's so fun for them to catch back up with each other. This year the band "The Cause" was there and they were absolutely awesome. The kids worshiped and grew in the Lord... just what a mom would wish for her children. My Schylar came home touched and wanted to surround herself with christian friends.. It is so hard to come home to friends that don't desire to put God first and you do. I told her she needed to pick one person and pray for them and show them Jesus. The girls also competed in music while they were there. Schylar got second and Ciara got third in their solos. Pretty proud of my babies!!

Here's hoping no one else gets this crud..:-(
The Philbens

Please vote!!!

I have attached my devotion from today as it pertains to the significance of tomorrow.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”
Psalm 33:12 (NIV)

Tomorrow, November 4th, millions of Americans will have the opportunity to elect new leaders of government. If you live in the United States, I encourage you to be among them and exercise your right to vote. I encourage you to vote for both your national and your local leaders.

While the Bible does not command us to vote, it does command us to be good citizens wherever we live. One way we can be a good citizen, honor God, and assist in guiding our nation is by voting.

As a woman, I’m honored to take part in determining the direction of our nation. Before the 1900’s, women in America were not allowed the privilege to vote, and in some countries they still cannot. I look at voting for our leaders not only as my citizen’s duty, but also as a privilege millions of people in the world do not have.

I take my right to vote so seriously that in 1992, while nine months pregnant and restricted to bed rest, I had my mother drive me forty-five minutes to vote in the presidential election. I allowed nothing to stand in my way of exercising my right to vote. Eight days later, I gave birth to a healthy little girl - to whom I hope to pass on my political passion for voting.

There’s no doubt about it, voting is both a duty and a privilege. However, I realize that some people won’t take the time and trouble to vote because they don’t believe their ballot will make much of a difference. That’s not true. Statistics show that many elections have come down to only a handful of votes.

What would happen if most people felt that their vote didn’t really matter and didn’t bother to vote? It would mean that our country’s future would be decided by only a few of its citizens— who perhaps don’t hold the same convictions as yours.

Deciding whom to vote for can seem a daunting task. But voting is easier once you and I pray about it, and seek out good information about the candidates and the issues they address. The fact that there is moral haziness in politics these days indicates our need to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance when examining the issues as well as the candidates.

November 4th is a day of opportunity for America. It’s a day to stand up for what we believe in. It’s a day to voice those beliefs and be heard. It’s a day to take the time to vote as we honor our Christian heritage, and bring glory to God. For “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!”

Dear Lord, in this upcoming election, I pray that You will move in the hearts of Your people in this nation to vote. I pray You will work in and through our leaders to guide and bless this nation – may it be so in all nations, Lord! Guide us by your Spirit, in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Welcome November!

What a beautiful November 1st! It has been a wonderful Saturday. The boys went hunting (no deer yet) and enjoyed the georgious day together. It thrills my heart when jayden and lance get to spend quality time like that together. Mom always prays that there is some talk on growing up to be a man of God.

The girls and I cleaned and then I had some time to play with some of my junk finds from the last year. I'm hoping to make a lot of my christmas gifts this year. My first piece was a small door. It has about half as wide as a normal door. I painted it black last night, then robins egg blue left over from Ciara's room and then I put a light coat of stain on it. I love the color. I'll try to post a pic tomorrow of it. I think I will turn it in to an organizing station with hooks for your purse, keys, etc. with maybe one section of the door with a marker board and a place for pics... We'll just have to see. It was fun to have time to just play today.

My brother from Olathe Kansas got into town about 3:00 and so we stopped and went out to eat with him. He's in town to vote on Tuesday. We don't get to see him often enough anymore but so enjoy our time with him when he is in town. Blessings to all and enjoy your Sunday!!!

Fall Blessings

Happy fall blessings to you this FRIDAY!!! Love Schylar Raeann.

Girlfriends in God

This past couple of months I have been seeking reprieve from some issues/situations in my life that I want so bad to just run away from. I've talked to God... pleaded.. gotten angry.... with myself and with feeling like I was not being heard. The last couple of weeks I have felt forgotten, if I can be so bold. So first He sends a girlfriend with a gift and she says it's a "just because" gift. Did I see God's work in my dear friend? Nope...too busy feeling sorry for myself. Then He sends a card in the mail that touched me greatly and someone willing to help me in my times of need. I was greatful... but still feeling too"woe is me" to see God's hand. Sunday a friend comes to the door with another gift. It is a picture she has taken and attached to it the verse... Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of any virtue, and everything that is praiseworthy meditate on these things!.. I shed tears and feel touched by my friends gift. But still no one begins to understand the pain "I" am in. Last night as I am doing laundry, my daughter brings down the cutest little package.. Yet another gift from a friend for no reason at all. It's a little book of prayers by Stormie Omartian with room for your own prayers for your children. Thank you Jesus. So you think by now I would be seeing that all of these acts of kindness weren't random but were God sent... it took one more day and one more letter to finally bring me to my knees with gratitue for the God who sends friends to remind me that "He has not forsaken us". Today my letter was from a sister in Christ I had met some time ago and then a year ago at a teens retreat we were blessed with time together again. Her note stated that God had brought me to her mind on many ocassions this past year and wanted me to know she had and was praying for me. She chose this moment.. this week... this day to write her words of encouragement. I am reminded of the childrens song.. God is big.. God is big. God is very very very very big. Dear heavenly Father, please forgive me for taking my eyes off of you and on the pain I am feeling. May I use this time to praise you in the storms and praise you for sending not one.. but five reminders through "girlfriends in God". Amen....

In His Time

This past week my daughter received a call from a friend who had 1 extra ticket for the Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith concert in Omaha. NOT FAIR!!! "They're from my day"... I said. "I should be going, not my spoiled daughter". Needless to say God works in big and mighty ways when we remember that when he blessed us with our children, they are His.. only ours for a small time. I had for about a month some heartstrings being pulled with my baby girl and I had prayed that God would reveal them to her and remind her of who she is in Christ... not who she is here...with friends that don't understand when she won't drink... in her favorite sport when she is treated unfairly.... but who she is in Christ and in Christ alone. Needless to say, everything that Mom tried to say didn't come out exactly right but those good ole boys from my day got the job done! Way to go Steven and Michael. She came home refreshed and ready to stay the course. God is so good....

October.. homecoming...Ty's wedding

Greetings!! What a busy month we have had. I will work so hard at updating my blog more often. The whole idea of this blog was to keep friends and family not living close to us in the loop...so to speak. Sorry to let you down..

Ciara had a wonderful homecoming. She looked so beautiful for the dance and yes I may be a little bias...:-) Cody and her had a wonderful time. She also finished up her volleyball season. It was a very hard season and I am so proud of my daughter for staying the course. One of her coaches said she would not let Ciara give up on herself no matter what. Now that's a coach.
Jayden finished up his flag football season with 3 wins and 3 losses which put his team @ 2nd place for the season. I will try to post some pics yet tonight. He received a football for being player of the final game of the season and was very proud!
Schylar finished her volleyball season and has improved so much. She started almost every game and is such a darn cute volleyballer... She isn't going out for basketball but I'm sure she will keep busy with other things.
I spent 3 days in Omaha for school and Lance spent 3 days in Kearney for school as well. We are on the booster board this year and so homecoming was busy for us too with working a tailgate, puting a float together..(we got 1st!! although I think it had something to do with Jayden and two other boys on the float doing a little "bootie shaking"..).. We also worked the concession stand at the football game for homecoming. We sold 450 cups of hot cocoa... so you get the idea of how busy we were. In 7 days time this month I had been to Omaha, Kearney, and Sidyney.. poor suburban.. We will work at keeping up a little better from here on out... Hope this finds you all well and thanking the Lord for the beautiful fall colors. Wow is it beautiful or what? Blessings

weekly report

Just got home from the football game. Ciara performed great tonight on the dance squad. Our boys only lost by 1 point. They are playing so much better!! I spent the week in Omaha for continuing eduation courses. I ususally come home feeling like I have learned something but his years 10 hours truly were a waste of time. I spent Wednesday evening with my bro's fiance. We ate @ the Cheesecake Factory and it was great!! We talked wedding :) Can't wait.
Schylar had her last volleyball game of the season (8th grade) and they won!! She played awesome!! Jayden's flag football team lost their first game last night. They are 3-1 and we are so proud of him. They named their own teams this year and Jaydens team is the red hot pickles. Jayden even drew the mascott for the team.
WE leave in the morning for Sidney for my cousins wedding. Can't wait to see all the family. God speed!
Roxanne

They won!!

Ciara won her game!!! It took three sets but they did it! It has been so much fun to see her improve this year. The wedding went well.... The Huskers lost:-(... and Jayden is now home from his football party and so is Sky. Lance watched the game here with a friend and I did laundry... Life is fun!! God Speed..

My very !st blog!!!!!!

Blessings to all!! I'm not sure how I think I will have time for a blog sight but I so enjoy my friends blog sights so decided it was time. What a great way to share with friends and family about our family and activities. It is Saturday and I have to officiate a wedding in a couple of hours and then on to Ciara's volleyball game. The boys are off hunting... they caught their limit of ducks this morning with Zack and Harlin and now are on their way to the cabin to put up a deer stand. Lance put his up a couple of weeks ago and said he'd help Harlin with his this afternoon. So welcome everyone.. feel free to leave messages and we'll see how consistant I am at this..