Thursday 20 September 2007

Gate Duty


Football has taken over our life. Not only is Will playing, but every Saturday the only thing we watch is SEC College football. I enjoy watching Alabama and Auburn but I am not sure why we need to watch every other game. But Jeff loves it so I try to not say much. Key word being try.


Tonight I have gate duty at the football field where Will plays. I have to take up money for those who are entering into the game. The price is not too high, it only cost $2 for adults and $1 for students. Of course Will gets in for free. I hope I do ok, I am not real good with money, counting or charging people. I know it will work out though.


I seemed to be consumed with gates this week. We are doing a study on Nehemiah at my church. This week we will be talking about the rebuilding of the gates around Jerusalem in our Life Group class. The first gate Nehemiah mentions is the sheep gate. It was called the sheep gate because this was the gate the sheep and lambs, used for sacrifice, were brought through. Apparently thieves would try to enter by jumping over the walls or by other means, but they were up to no good. They were not the real shepherds, they were only there to kill, steal and destroy. But the gatekeeper would open the gate for the shepherd and the sheep would recognize his voice when he called them.


Jesus teaches us in John 10 that He is the true shepherd. He said in vs. 9 (The Message)
"I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for - will freely go in and out, and find pasture". You can have restoration and forgiveness only through the sheep gate, which is Jesus Christ. So what ever your worries or cares are today, the answer is in Jesus. He wants to care for you.


Just like at the football gate, all the football players, coaches and cheerleaders will enter at no charge tonight. Their fees have already been taken care of when their parents paid the registration cost for being on the team ($180 I might add). I will allow them to enter at no charge! Well guess what, .....Jesus has paid our price to enter the gate! (You knew I was going to say it) The only way to experience real joy and real peace is through Him. I have to walk through the gate with Him daily to experience the life He has for me. And He never fails to deliver, and it doesn't matter how well I count!



Go Warriors!

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Thursday 6 September 2007

Happy Birthday Shawn!

Not sure why the next post says 9/5 but TODAY is his birthday.

Wednesday 5 September 2007

Happy Birthday Shawn!

Happy Birthday to my oldest child, Shawn.

Today Shawn is 24 years old. I can't believe it.


I was 24 years old when I first met him. I still remember the first time I saw him. He was a sweet little 3 year old with a bigger vocabulary than most men. He would say and do anything and I fell in love with him before I ever fell in love with his dad. He taught a young, naive girl, who thought she knew everything already, how to be a mother. Sometimes I feel like we grew up together. It was definitely on the job training! I hope he has forgotten all the mistakes I made, and if not, I hope he never let's me hear about it on Oprah.





Since we seem to be into lists these days here is a list of the reasons I love Shawnie!





10. He is still so stinking cute!


9. He is bigger than me and gives a great bear hug.


8. He still says "yes ma'am".


7. He still watches cartoons and wants toys for Christmas.


6. He plays with his little brother.


5. He is protective of his little sister and doesn't want her to know it.


4. He thinks SpongeBob is the coolest guy around, even on his b'day cake.


3. He still says daddy when all his friends and siblings say dad.


2. He can sing better than any American Idol I have ever heard! Really!


1. He acknowledges that God has gifted him, and knows He has a plan for his life!





Stroll down memory lane with me if you will......I told you he was cute.





On what he called "Our Wedding" Day.






Getting ready with Daddy (His dad looks pretty good too).






5 years old






Again with Daddy






And now. What a good looking man he has become!



I love you Shawnie Boy! Thank you for letting me be your mom. It is my honor.