Look What God is Doing

Fun Night!

2008-06-20T18:19:00.010-05:00

I have mentioned before that we are huge American Idol fans at our house. Even though the excitement has been way down lately for this reality show, it doesn't stop us from gathering around the TV to watch and critique the talent. Some of my favorite contestants are Kelly Clarkson, Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks and of course Carrie Underwood.

Well guess what....I was given 2 free tickets to see Carrie Underwood (from a company I do business with at work) while she was in Birmingham this week! And of course, being the big AI fans we are, Jeff and I went!!!!! She was awesome! We were so star struck! Our seats were so unbelievably great that I even got to shake (touch) her hand. She sounded as good as she does on the radio...no kidding. That girl can really sing...really! Usually you don't hear all the really high notes at a live performance (mostly because they can't hit them), but Carrie did not hold back. She sang every high note you hear on the radio, and kept it in pitch. Awesome! She was so awesome! We had such a good time acting like teenagers! I have posted a video we made but the sound quality is not that good. But I want you to see how close we were to her and how much fun we had.

We standing right here, against the rail!

So cute!

No zoom...she was right beside us!

This picture is for Renee. She was singing "Remember Me" and talked about how much she missed her mom while being on the road. She said "we sing this song because we miss our families so much". So sweet. I know they teased you Renee when Donna left... and kept playing this song. I thought about you! Not how Kori might leave me soon, but how sad you were when Donna moved away. And now look....she's back! PTL!

Awesome Video!

2008-06-11T21:11:00.001-05:00

Please watch this video. Awesome message!

Senior Trip

2008-06-02T06:18:00.002-05:00

What a great time we had on the beach last week! Beautiful water and beautiful girls, it was awesome. I think I enjoyed this trip as much as the seniors.

Now today... it is time to get back to the real world.

Congratulations Kori!

2008-05-24T03:41:00.004-05:00

What a week! Lots of stress, laughter and even a few tears. But, all in all, a great week, that ended with a great night!
Congratulations Kori....you made it.

Now...we are off to the beach for Senior Trip!

20 Years...

2008-05-20T21:57:00.002-05:00

...with my very best friend. What a wonderful life.

Happy Anniversary to us!

I am looking forward to the next 20 years.

I love you Jeff!

When...

2008-05-13T05:51:00.010-05:00

did this little girl...

turn into this young lady?

Or this one...

when did she become this person...

And please, will someone tell me why I can't stop crying when I see this image?

I remember exactly the moment this picture was taken. She was 2 years old and bringing new meaning to the term "the terrible two's". This pose was not planned. She was mad because the photographer took so many pictures and I kept changing her clothes. I walked away exhausted from fighting with her and wondering if it was worth it. Let me say to all you mothers who are fighting with 2 & 3 year olds to get a good picture....IT IS WORTH IT!!!!!

Last night was Kori's last choir concert. She is in a show choir at school called "Madrigals". We had a hard time holding back the tears. The music was beautiful and so was she. I looked at Jeff as I was trying to hold back the tears and speak through this huge lump in my throat, I muttered,

"She grew up so fast, didn't she?" And his reply was " I love her and I don't ever want her to leave us, but she did not grow up fast...It seems like we have been at these things forever." I had to laugh. Typical man response after sitting through a music program that included 22 songs and lasted for almost 2 hours. But, it didn't stop my tears. I could have listened to the Madrigals sing all night, because I knew this was her last concert with them. I am afraid that these tears are the first of many during the next 2 weeks.

Graduation Count Down...

2008-05-02T06:14:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, Kori came home from school with her graduation cap and gown. I can't believe it! The past 18 years have flown by, really. It is hard for her to understand when I try to explain that it seems like yesterday she was just starting school. I specifically remember her first day of school. I remember vividly the scared look on her face. I remember what she was wearing! And in only 20 days she will be wearing a cap and gown, graduating from High School. Graduating from my Alma Mater. It is so hard to believe.

Am I sad? Not today (that may change in 15 - 20 days). Today, I am so stinking excited for her, it is overpowering any sadness I feel. I am excited for what God has in store for her. I know He has big plans for her life, not sure what they are, but I know HE KNOWS and that is all that matters.

Real ministry is....

2008-04-23T06:25:00.001-05:00

loving those who persecute you.

American Idol!

2008-04-12T08:10:00.001-05:00

We are huge American Idol fans at our house. We love it. You can imagine my surprise when I heard them singing this song. This song has always been powerful to me. I pray that the words will melt the hearts of the unbelievers.

Friday...

2008-03-24T15:38:00.005-06:00

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. // No one can kill me without my consent--I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right and power to lay it down when I want to and also the right and power to take it again. For the Father has given me this right. John 10:11,18

Sunday!

2008-03-23T06:12:00.003-06:00

The Passover was over...the ladies were ready to take the perfume and spices to Jesus' body. Of course, when they arrived at the tomb, He wasn't there. He was alive! Hope was restored!

The events of that weekend are more than just a story to me. Jesus' death and resurrection are everything to me. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, I now have access to God 24/7 and I now can live in freedom.

If you have visited this blog to learn more about me, know this,

HE IS EVERYTHING TO ME!

I hope you will make Him your everything this Easter.

Happy Easter - HE IS ALIVE!

Saturday...

2008-03-22T06:53:00.003-06:00

I have been thinking this morning about what the Saturday after Jesus was crucified must have been like. What kind of day was it? How did everyone feel after watching all that had happened the day before? I wonder if they had lost all hope? Were they afraid for their own life? Were they doubting who He was?

Their thoughts were probably no different from some of ours the day after we have been through something tragic. Why did God let this happen? He/she was so good, why did they have to die? Why is this happening to me?

As I read in Luke about the women preparing spices and perfumes for His body, I see that Luke also tells us, "But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment". I wonder how much they really rested. Were they able to sleep? Were they able to pray? So much had happened they must have been exhausted and devastated. If they only knew on Saturday that tomorrow would be a better day! Yes ladies, Friday was bad.......but Sunday is coming!

Friday...

2008-03-21T08:47:00.004-06:00

We despised him and rejected him--a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised and we didn't care. Yet it was our grief he bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed--and we were healed! We--every one of us--have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God's paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us! From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people of that day realized it was their sins that he was dying for--that he was suffering their punishment? He was buried like a criminal, but in a rich man's grave; but he had done no wrong, and had never spoken an evil word. But it was the Lord's good plan to bruise him and fill him with grief. However when his soul has been made an offering for sin, then he shall have a multitude of children, many heirs. He shall live again and God's program shall prosper in his hands. Isaiah 53:2-6, 8-10

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. No one can kill me without my consent--I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right and power to lay it down when I want to and also the right and power to take it again. For the Father has given me this right. John 10:11,18

Thursday...

2008-03-20T05:32:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow is Good Friday. The day my Lord gave His life for mine. I wonder what He was thinking about on the Thursday before. I wonder if He let His mind wonder to what was coming throughout the day. I wonder if He had the urge to crawl back in bed and pull the covers over His head like I do sometimes when I am worried about upcoming events. I wonder if He struggled with being "snappy" with His family and friends, because He had other things on His mind...like I sometimes do.

I don't know what He was thinking, but I do know what He did. He served. Can you believe that! Let it sink in for a minute. The day before the worst day of His life, HE SERVED. He washed the feet of His friends. Stinky, nasty, dirty, soiled with just about anything you can think of including poop, feet. When literally the whole world sat on His shoulders, He served.

And then...His friend...Judas.. leaves to betray Him. But He didn't let that stop Him. He continued with the plan. The plan to redeem the world. The plan that would save my life.

I hope this Easter you will find time to reflect on all He has done for you. Thank Him, and say yes to whatever it is He is calling you to do. That is the least I can do for Him.

Another Last...

2008-03-08T18:07:00.003-06:00

We have been talking a lot about "the last..." this year. The last pep rally, the last high school football game, the last semester of high school, the last choir trip, the last choir Christmas concert, and today we had another last.

The last prom.

It was not as sad as I thought it might be. You see, the year started off with Kori being sad about all the "lasts". But now, she is not sad at all. I hear her now talking about all the first. The first college class, the first church trip with the "college class", the first semester of college, the first time to vote, the first mission trip, the first time Daddy lets her stay out past midnight. All things that she now is very much looking forward to. "The first..." she is ready.

Just to be with you...

2008-02-19T06:23:00.001-06:00

Would you do anything for Him?

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T05:15:00.002-06:00

What else is there to think on today, the day of LOVE! I am so thankful for the love that I receive from my Valentine, my sweet husband, Jeff. He lets me know every Valentines Day how much he loves me. The first thing he said to me today was "I love you, Happy Valentines Day!". It made me feel so good (as good as you can feel at 4:30 in the morning).

But, love is more than a good feeling. It is a verb. It means doing and showing every day. Throughout scripture we are assured of God's love and reminded that the proof of God's love is that Christ died for us. Love is not meant to make us feel good, but to motivate us to respond to others in a way that show's His love for us.

How can you think of Valentines Day today without looking at what John had to say about love. 1 John 3:1 says " What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it - we're called children of God! That's who we really are." (The Message) He loved us so much, He calls us His children! Can you think of a greater love? The creator of all things, all things I love, like the beach, my children, the mountains, HE LOVES ME AND CALLS ME HIS CHILD!!!!! What love!

Let us love today not only in word or tongue, but in deed and truth (v18). Let us today show the love of God by sharing that love with others. The love that only He can give. The love that saved me from my sins and guarantees me a life forever with Him.

Happy Valentines Day! I LOVE you all!

Interesting?

2008-02-01T20:19:00.000-06:00

I have not had anything new to blog about lately. So...after reading Donna's blog I decided to do what she did. List 10 interesting and random facts about myself. I must explain that I don't think I am too interesting of a person, so I will name 10 random facts about myself.

1. First, I love a list. That is why I liked Donna's entry so much. I made of list of things to write before I even began this entry. I keep a list at work of things I need to do, and I have about 3 list going right now of who to invite to Kori's graduation party (4 months away). I love a list!

2. I love the Rocky movies! All of them, 1-6!!!! I love to watch them with friends (Katrina, Jana, Wendy) who can appreciate the story. It is not about boxing, it is a love story!!!!!! And...Sylvester is not too hard on the eyes either.

3. I love ice cream. If I am ever sad or stressed, I always wish I had some rocky road ice cream (maybe that is why I like Rocky Balboa so much, hum.?....?...). I like it in a sugar cone but my favorite is in a bowl with a little bit of milk poured on top. That will cure anything!! When my brother had surgery, instead of taking him flowers, I took him ice cream. He understood completely.

4. I love television. It is my guilty pleasure. The odd thing about it is, I like to watch re-runs of old shows I have already seen. Like...Reba, Everybody Loves Raymond and Seinfeld. I know what is going to happen but I still enjoy them. I also love to watch the news! Crazy combo.

5. I love to be around the water, but not necessarily in it. I love being at the beach, but I don't like to get in, and I don't like the sand, especially if it touches me. I could sit at the lake or at the beach and stare at the water for hours. It is so comforting to me. It reminds me of how huge God is and yet He still loves me.

6. I don't like housework. I now should be cleaning and doing laundry, but I hate it! I would much rather be doing exactly what I am doing now. (or maybe watching TV and eating ice cream). When I am rich, I will have someone clean my house for me.

7. I love music, but mostly because of the lyrics. I only like a song if the words speak to me. Otherwise..I don't want to listen to it.

8. I always wanted all 3 of my kids to have the same initials, but it never worked out that way. But, now after they were named, I realized they have my initials (SKWL) . Shawn Kori and Will. I love that! I look at it as a little gift that God gave me.

9. I love calendars. As I sit at this desk I can see 4 different types of calendars. I am not sure why, I just like 'em.

10. My family is the most important thing in the world to me. They are the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last thing I pray for when I go to sleep. They bring me more joy than anyone I know (on earth) and I would rather be with them than anyone else. Anyday!

I hope you will share your most interesting facts with me as well!

Happy 18th Birthday Kori!

2008-01-24T05:26:00.000-06:00

18 years ago today, at this moment, I was at St. Vincent's Hospital not feeling very well. Little did I know I was about to experience the greatest joy I had every experienced. At 11:37 a.m. we welcomed Kori Lynn into our lives weighing in at 9lbs and 5 ounces and 21 inches long.

My prayer for Kori today is that she will be all God wants her to be. That she will answer only His call for her life (not mine) and love Him with all her heart. I pray that she KNOWS Him in a very real way.

I love you Kori! Bud's forever!

Mommy

Answered Prayer!!!

2008-01-19T11:52:00.001-06:00

It is snowing!

Don't tell me God doesn't hear the prayers of His children! What a great day Will has had playing in the snow!! He has not only had fun, but has experienced the joy you feel when you realize God hears our prayers! He came in after a little while, and said "Mom, now pray that the snow won't stop!" What a blessing!

Let it Snow!

2008-01-13T21:32:00.000-06:00

Tonight the weather man said it may snow this week. Jeff said "did you hear that?"I acted like I didn't care. I said, " I don't believe anything those weather people say and I am not going to let them trick me this year into believing that it might snow". I told him I didn't care if it snowed or not but...

I want it to snow! I really, really do. I have been asking God to let it snow for about 4 winters now. So far...no snow. Will, my 10 year old, cant remember ever playing in the snow. I want him to play in the snow while he is still a little boy.

I am asking God to please let us have some snow this year so Will can know how much fun it is to throw snowballs and build a snowman and make snow angels. Please pray with me!!!! I really want it to snow this winter. But...don't tell Jeff. He still thinks I don't care. Oh, and don't tell James Spann. If he thinks he has one believer, he may shut all the schools down and have the grocery people stock up on milk and bread! It never snows when they do that.

Look who showed up on Times Square!

2008-01-01T08:38:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T15:41:00.000-06:00

New Years Eve has never been my favorite holiday. I always dreamed of being in Times Square with a fun, interesting guy, sipping on Champaign (even though I have ALWAYS hated the stuff) and wearing funny hats and making lots of noise. That dream never came true.

As a teenager and college student, I always had some type of babysitting job that evening. So I had to settle for viewing Times Square on TV and watching Dick Clark sip Champaign with all sorts of interesting people, …without me.

Then I met my husband, the outdoorsman. New Years Eve to him is code for “get to bed early so you can get up early and hit the woods”. I once made him go to a New Years Eve party with me. He made me leave at 9pm. I learned real quick to not plan anything. Now, I never accept an invitation from friends to attend their parties. Oh who am I fooling, we don’t get any invitations to parties. But if we did, I wouldn’t go. Mostly now because I can’t stay awake past 10pm. Oh, who am I fooling, I can’t stay awake past 8:30 pm.

So tonight as I sit on my couch and enjoy Times Square with Dick Clark and his new pal, Ryan, I will remember all the fond times we had together. When I watch that ball drop, I am sure that I will once again, wish I were there. Oh who am I fooling, I will never make it 'till the ball drops!

Happy New Year!

A Family Tradition!

2007-12-27T06:27:00.001-06:00

Hank Williams Jr., 'aint got nothing on us! My family has so many Christmas traditions, it would make you tired just trying to remember them. But for us, it is a normal Christmas with Gramm and Papa! We do everything from reading the Christmas story to searching for our best gift of all (money) to playing croquet! But, the tradition that seems to get the biggest and loudest protest, is the family picture! We have been taking a family picture for about 25 years! The kids hate it and the adults dread it. Let me show you why....

Teenagers want to make goofy signs and babies want to make weird faces or not give up there pacifiers. Check out the big guys in the back. That is my comedian brother- in-law Lee, and my oldest son Shawn. Watch their facial expressions.

Again with the babies and teenagers and moms wanting to look good for this picture that seems to find itself in every one's living room! Check out the big guy's, same look. Somebody needs to wake them up!

Then...you have kids who are mad because their play time was interrupted because of this "stupid picture". Their words, not mine.

Maybe the big guys look this way because they were the first ones in place, and no one else would cooperate.

But then, in the end, everyone smiles and looks great. We survived yet another year of the family picture! I hope you and your family had a great day!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T06:32:00.000-06:00

This Christmas season has proven to be a busy one for me. I am still adjusting to being back in the work force and my free time is pretty scarce these days. I still need to wrap presents, bake, finish decorating and send out my Christmas cards. Ok, ok...I realize I am a little late on a few of these things. There is no need to finish decorating the house, I am not having any guest over anyway. And as far as the Christmas cards..... not going to happen.

So......I thought I would share my card with you. Merry Christmas to all of you!

My Default

2007-12-17T02:58:00.000-06:00

It is 3:00 am and I have been awake since 2:15 am. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. So naturally, my mind starts wondering. I guess the right term would be..worrying. I immediately "default" to all that I need to do "when I wake up". Here are some things that were going through my mind.

1. Did I pay the truck payment?
2. I need to finish shopping.
3. Are the kids ok? Did I hear someone call me and didn't realize it?
4. Why is Jeff always on my side?
5. What do I have for Will to eat in the morning?
6. How will we pay all these bills?
7. How will we send Kori to college?
8. Do I hear someone downstairs?
9. Should I get up?
10. Then... the last thing I thought was.... Is God waking me up because He wants to say something to me?

So... I got up. I came down to my desk and started searching for what He may be trying to say. I came across several good things in a few devotions I have, but the word He had for me was found in my Breaking Free, Day by Day devotion book (given to me by my good friend Rhonda).

The scripture reference is Romans 8:6 "The mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the spirit is life and peace". The first thing Beth Moore says in the devotion is " When we do not make the deliberate choice to think according to the Spirit, we "default" to the flesh. You've noticed we never have to wake up in the morning and choose to be self-centered. We default into self-centeredness automatically unless we deliberately submit to the authority of Christ and the fullness of His free Spirit". She goes on to say " When we think according to the flesh, we are often anxious, unnerved, insecure and fearful, not to mention greedy, lustful, jealous, and all sorts of things we were never meant to be as Christians".

Boy....did she peg me this morning. I woke up and my flesh immediately took over. I have to learn to submit to the Spirit first thing when I wake up. Before I default to the flesh.

Well... I am going back to bed now. First I am going to pray some more, then hopefully enjoy a few more hours of peaceful sleep. Sweet dreams.

Back to the real world?

2007-12-09T15:34:00.001-06:00

I have been blessed to be a stay home at home mom for 4 and half years. What a true blessing it has been to be home. But now, it is time to get back to the real world. The world where mom's get up early and leave the home to work. The world where crock pots are the most important appliance in the kitchen and the freezer is full of Hot Pockets and frozen pizzas. A world where laundry seems to double when you walk out the door and dishes seem to multiply. A world where laughing with Rick & Bubba is the only thing getting you through all the traffic! If I listened to this world, it would tell me that my job is the most important thing in life and I should sacrifice anything and everything to keep it. This world screams to me to be politically correct and to forget about what is at home for the next 8 hours.

I have to be careful to remember that this is only a job. My heart is at home, with my family. I have not given up my job of being a wife and mother. It will always be my first priority. This job is a means to provide very much needed income for the family that I love. I am a wife and a mother who just happens to be a patient coordinator at a local sleep clinic. Not a patient coordinator who is a wife and mother. My first job will always continue to come first.

So actually, my real world IS at home. It is the place I belong and I look forward to the day when God makes it possible for me to be here full time again.

I am, however, enjoying working again. It is nice to have conversations with adults and use my brain for a change. My job is a blessing from God and I thank Him for it. I pray that He will use me while I am there.

It's Official...

2007-12-01T06:19:00.001-06:00

There is something about getting those senior portraits that makes her being a senior... real.

When I looked at this picture for the first time, so many thoughts ran through my mind. "She is so pretty", " I am so proud of her", "That smile cost me a lot of money", "These pictures cost me a lot of money", " Where are her freckles, I didn't tell them to remove her freckles", " I am so glad I didn't talk her into cutting her hair", "Where is my baby, I want my baby back", "Your job here is almost done", "Gosh I'm old", "two down, one to go". All these thoughts keep running through my mind.

When Shawn graduated I couldn't wait to get his picture framed and on the wall. I was so proud and excited. I remember Amber came over and helped me hang pictures one day. When she hung Shawn's portrait she said "now when Kori has her portrait made, move this one over and put hers beside it". I remember thinking..." that will be a long time so I am not worried about that right now". How time flies!

Today, as I look at this picture, I am praying for her. I am asking God to continue to bring back to her mind everything that I have taught her the last 17 years. I am asking Him to give her complete assurance of His will for her life and a desire to walk with Him daily. I am asking Him to protect her and to surround her with people who will love and respect her and share her desire to be Godly. I am even praying for her spouse today. I am asking God to raise him up to be a man of integrity and love. One who is a man after God's own heart.

Surprisingly, I am not sad today. I am sure that will change on May 22nd (day of graduation). It may even change when the announcements come in. But for today, I am excited for her. It is time for Kori to begin the next chapter of her life. I look forward to watching her grow from this point.

Our Horn of Plenty

2007-11-22T08:25:00.000-06:00

The Horn of Plenty is a a symbolic, hollow horn filled with the inexhaustible gifts of celebratory fruits. To me the image has always represented Thanksgiving first, but when looked at closer, it represents a bounty. An abundance of blessings that is overflowing, more than enough.

This year has been a difficult one, financially, for my family. We have seen a tremendous decrease in salary due to the decline of the building industry. We have also, like the rest of the country, suffered because of increased gas prices which has impacted almost every phase of our life. It seemed that everything increased except for our salary, which drastically decreased. If you looked at our financial report, you would feel very sorry for our children.

But, this morning, on Thanksgiving, I am thinking about how much we have been blessed this year. Somehow in the midst of all of this, we were able to pay off 4 major credit cards, the Orthodontist and the Oral Surgeon! Praise God! This is something only HE could do. We have all remained healthy, we have not experienced any loss of life in our family this year, no one in my family is in Iraq, my husband loves me, I have friends who care about me, we have a wonderful church family, our home was not destroyed by tornado, hurricane, flood or fire, and I know where my children are! I have so much to celebrate today.

We have been blessed beyond measure. Our symbolic Horn of Plenty is overflowing today. I shared with my children, "Yes, we have struggled this year, but there are lots of people who would trade circumstances with you right now". When I think about the children in the hospital today, and the children who have a parent or grandparent fighting for their life, or a mommy or daddy who is in Iraq, or those children who lost their homes in the fires in California, or the parent who does not know where their child is today, I realize there is no amount of money that can ease that pain.

We are truly blessed with abundance and our horn is overflowing. We have been given more than enough. I hope today you enjoy the blessings of your life and thank the God who gave them to you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy 17th Birthday Maddison!

2007-11-20T11:42:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet niece, Maddison Briana McBride!
From the moment she was born she has been very special to me.
She acts more like me than my own daughter. I can't believe today
she is 17 years old! What a beautiful young lady she has become.
I love you
Maddie Boo-Boo!

Go...

2007-11-17T18:47:00.001-06:00

I am so blessed to be a part of a body of believers who understand The Great Commission.

Today our mission team travels home from Bolivia after a week of leading the lost to Jesus.

This video is a tribute to those who once were lost, but now are found, thanks to those who knew when to go.

Royalty?

2007-10-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

I have already admitted that I am a news junkie. I also have another strange obsession, I love to watch or read anything concerning royalty. Not so much the gossip, but I have always wanted to know what life is like inside the palace. I have the same obsession with the President. I like to watch interviews of the First Family in the living quarters at the White House. I have always wanted to know how the "other side" lives. Crazy, I know. Even when I was a little girl watching Mr. Rogers, I loved when we took the train ride to that pretend land, and the King would come out and talk to the people. I always wanted them to take us inside the castle (and before you ask, yes I know they are only puppets and not real) and look around.

When Princess Diana passed away, you can imagine how my interest was sparked (that is a very mild way of saying, "how obsessed I was") by the royals being in the news. Oh my goodness, I was glued to Fox News for days. I even woke up in the middle of the night, so I could watch her funeral procession live! My children still tease me about it today.

This morning during my Bible study, God showed me something that really spoke to me.
I have been going through a rough patch lately, and I ask God to minister to me in a way that would be real. He did. I read in 2 Samuel 13, about how King David's daughter was raped by her brother. She was so upset that she tore her clothes, placed ashes on her head, and lived the rest of her life desolate. She was still the King's daughter, a Princess, royalty, but she didn't live like a Princess.

I realize this morning, that I am just as important to the King of Kings as Princess Diana, George Bush, Jenna or Barbara Bush, Queen Elizabeth or anyone else who has ever been in the living quarters of the White House or inside Buckingham Palace.
I am a daughter of the King! I am royalty!
How sweet that God would use this lesson today to speak to me. He knows me so well!

As Christians, we need to start acting like royalty. Not in a arrogant way, but in a way that we carry ourselves with diginity so it will show the glory of the King.
We need to live like we believe we are a handpicked child of the King. Beth Moore says, "If you are not royalty, then He is not the King". We need to stop walking around depressed, complaining, defeated and in bondage and start living like the royal kids we are!

Christ came to bestow on us a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Put on your crown today and live like a royal. If you know Jesus, you are!

The Mercy of the Wind ???

2007-10-23T12:46:00.001-05:00

I have always been a news junkie. I can sit for hours and watch news stories about the same subject. Sometimes I am so consumed I can't even sleep. The news reports of the fires of Southern California have been no exception for me.
I can't imagine having to leave my home with only minutes to gather my most valuable possessions.

On this particular news clip, I noticed the Mayor of Malibu saying, "We are at the mercy of the wind". If I were there I believe I would share with her that she is not at the mercy of the wind, but at the mercy of the one who makes the wind to blow. I am reminded of a story in the Bible when Jesus and His disciples were on a boat, and the storms came. Matthew records: The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

I pray for the residents of Malibu. I pray to the one who commands the wind, and am asking Him to intervene in this situation. I pray that the residents and Mayor will realize they are at HIS mercy.

If I had to evacuate with only minutes to decide what to take with me, I of course would make sure my family was safe and I would make sure I had my Bible and journals. That is a given. But what else would I want to take? I guess my pictures, but it would take me a while to gather them all. I guess I would take my grandmother's necklace and while I am in my jewelry box I would get the $17 I have stashed. Other than that, I am not sure.

What would you take? Please comment, I would love to read your answers.

In closing, pray for the people who have lost everything in these fires. Pray that the God of the wind and the rain will comfort them during this time of loss

What Was I Thinking?

2007-10-17T10:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a fun day. My mom and I took Kori to tour Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. We went with an open mind, but we were trying hard to convince each other that this would be a good school for her. When we got there, the school sold itself. They have a beautiful campus, great dorm rooms, several athletic teams, a choir and show choir (which Kori loves being a part of in HS), and they have very friendly people who know how to show southern hospitality. We absolutely loved it.

We looked at dorm rooms while we were there and started making all kinds of plans for her. We talked about all the stuff she needed and how she could decorate her room, and which route was the safest route to take home. We laughed and planned her meals and even talked about stocking up on supplies (like shampoo, she uses a lot of shampoo) for next year. We even discussed getting her a checking account and how we could handle all of her financial issues.

So.....this morning I woke up and thought to myself .....
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!?!?! You can not take your baby 1.5 hours away from home. She needs to stay home. I hear that you can take on line college courses now. I see advertisements all the time. I am going to sign her up for one of those. I mean..think about it...what if she needs me.? Yesterday I told her "you will only be an hour away". Today I am saying "SHE WILL BE AN HOUR AWAY". I can't have that. So much could happen. What if she forgets to set her clock, or doesn't hear it when it goes off. That happens all the time now. Who will wake her up? What if she spends all her money on clothes or jeans and needs gas money, I can't ride up there and give her $20 dollars to last her till pay day, like I do now. Or, for goodness sake, what if she runs out of shampoo!!!!!!!!! She likes her good smelling, expensive, shampoo. Oh yea.. and who is going to buy those pesty female products for her.....she sure isn't!!! She needs me, and I am home. She can't leave and I can't go with her...so it looks like on line courses for her.

Or...... is it me that needs her. I mean... she helps me with Will, a lot. Helping family is important. She also takes my clothes out of the dryer for me, I don't mind that they fall all around my bed instead of on it, I just pick 'em up. Oh yea, and she loads the dishwasher sometimes for me, that helps me out a lot too. It is not that big of a deal that I have to ask her 3-4 times. And..... who will I ask "do these shoes look stupid with this dress"? And who will say "Mom, it is time for more color on your hair"? Kori that is who, she is staying put.

I think the real question for me is...who will I watch America's Next Top Model with? Or who will make sure the boys don't take advantage of me, or who will I eat pasta with, or who will scratch my arm or rub my shoulders? Who will I laugh with about how weird all these boys are at our house? You see.... Make no mistake, I am Kori's mother first and foremost, but somewhere in the last 17 years, she also became my friend. I trust her with my heart, more than I trust most of my friends. I honestly enjoy her company very much.

I think the real issue here is me. She told me yesterday she was sort of afraid to leave home. I told her we go through different seasons in our life and this was going to be a new season for her. A new chance to grow and learn and she should embrace it. Soon, there would be a new season with different opportunities for growth. I think I am going to take my own advice.

So what was I thinking yesterday? I was thinking how God has a plan for her life, and it is not to harm her(or me). I need to encourage her in that plan, and I will. Guess I am just having a brief moment of mommydontwanttoletherkidleavehomeitous.

God only gives us a few seasons with our kids. You should enjoy the season you are in now, before it changes. Because...it will change. Well...I have to go.
I need to make sure Will knows that going away to college is over rated and he should really look into on line courses! I need to get to him while he is still impressionable. JUST KIDDING! I am going to stock up on shampoo, she is going to need it! And, I guess I should pick up some kleenex too. I am going to need them.

Web of Temptation

2007-10-09T09:58:00.001-05:00

God has a very unique way of showing me week after week what He wants me to learn while studying for our Sunday School lesson (I mean....Life Group).

While reading the book of Nehemiah, Chapter 9, one of the first phrases that jumped out at me, (mostly because I had underlined them prior to this day) was in verse 2. ...they stood and confessed their sins... Sounds like a simple statement, nothing too convicting. After all, Nehemiah isn't talking about me, he is talking about the Children of Israel. So why do I keep going back to it, and why does my heart start racing every time I read it???? I think God wants me to dig further about this confessing of sins. Maybe later.

Then one of my children ( I can't name him because he gets embarrassed when I post about him, but I will give you a hint...he is 10) was doing something yesterday that he knew he should not do. My mommy radar went off and instead of immediately scolding him, I asked him what was going on. He, of course, replied "nothing". I said, "(insert name of child here), be careful you don't do something you shouldn't do". He assured me he was not. A few minutes later I looked around and again, he was trying to sneak and do this "thing" again. Now before you let your imagination run wild...he wasn't trying to do anything too awful, I just can't tell you because of the whole "embarrassing him" thing. So just go with me here.

After asking further questions, I realized he indeed was about to do something he knows not to do. Now with my first children, who are 7-14 years older than this one, I would have went into a fit! I am not sure why I didn't with him. Probably too old and tired. Anyway...I talked with him and told him if he went through with what he was about to do, he would want to do it again tomorrow and then even more the next day.

I was very surprised at his response, he said "Oh no, I was about to get into the web of temptation". I asked him to tell me more about the web of temptation. He said " We learned in JAM (children's church) that satan tries to get us into his web of sin, and when we get there, it is sticky and hard to get out. Just like when bugs can't get out of a spider's web. I was about to get into the web of temptation".

WOW! My heart ...my heart felt... well I can't explain it. I was proud of him and all I could think about is how many times I get into the web of temptation. I hugged him and told him to pray and ask God to help him stay out of the web, he said he would and told me he was sorry. It seemed wrong that he would apologize for teaching me such an incredible lesson! As proud as I was of him, he still was not honest and his actions warranted punishment, so we had to take care of some business I like to call "grounding".

I am asking God this morning to show me the webs of temptation I am caught in. What sin have I not confessed? How can I stay out of this web? I think God is trying to teach me something. I think I will go ahead a dig further today.

I am also thanking God for Mrs Debbie and the other adults who teach in JAM. The word she shared did not return void. My little boy is at school right now, trying hard to not get caught in the web of temptation. Are you?

Pray for Ashley

2007-10-02T10:26:00.000-05:00

I love to read blogs. Even though I don't know most of the people personally, I find some blogs very encouraging. A few days ago one of my "regulars" posted an entry about this sweet baby girl. Please visit her blog today, but mostly please pray for her. Her story is very sad, but a wonderful testimony of how God works! People from all over the country are praying for this family. I hope you will pray too.

http://ashleyadamsjournal.blogspot.com/

On the Mountain

2007-10-01T07:41:00.000-05:00

October. It has always been my favorite time of the year! I love the cool, crisp air and lack of humidity. I love it when the leaves change colors, and I love when I can wear a sweatsuit and not sweat! It reminds me of football games where you need to bring a blanket to stay warm and campfires and roasting marshmallows. I fell in love with my husband in October so I always think about love and I always want to be in the mountains this time of year.

My husband and I were married in the mountains and spent our honeymoon in a log cabin (the exact one in the picture) there. It was awesome! We rode the lift to the very tip top of that Smokey Mountain and were in awe of the beauty that surrounded us. We were more in love than we had ever been (at that point). We didn't think about anything else but each other. We didn't worry about jobs, bills, kids, mortgages, little league ball, mortgages, college tuition, or retirement. We were crazy in love and thought that this is the way we would feel forever! I remember saying, "We should have married months ago, this is great!".

And then we had to go home, and the honeymoon was over. It didn't take many times for him to leave his dirty socks on the floor, for me to realize that the mountain top experience had come to an end. It wasn't long till we were faced with challenges that were hard to face. Tough times that forced us to remember why we were together in the first place. We didn't realize it at the time, but it was during those tough times that our love was growing stronger.

Our walk with Christ is so much like this. We walk away from our salvation experience on the mountain top. Then, without warning, we are faced with challenges and tough situations that are difficult to walk through. Then, before you know it, we attend a retreat or have an awesome quiet time and we are back on the mountain top. We love our mountain top experiences, but they don't last. It is when we are in the valley that we grow. Oswald Chamber says "The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, something is wrong. It is a great thing to be on the mount with God, but a man only gets there in order that afterwards he may get down among the devil-possessed and lift them up. We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle."

I will never forget my wedding and honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains. I will never forget how in love we were on that day. I have to admit however, as awesome as it was, my love for Jeff is stronger today than it has ever been. Also, my relationship with Christ is stronger than it has ever been. Both grew when we walked through the valley together.

Gate Duty

2007-09-20T10:55:00.000-05:00

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!

Happy Birthday Shawn!

2007-09-06T08:10:00.001-05:00

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

Happy Birthday Shawn!

2007-09-05T15:31:00.000-05:00

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.

Too Busy to Blog!

2007-08-29T10:30:00.000-05:00

I have a lot going on in my life right now. I really don't have the brain power to put it
all in words. So ... I want to give you a few visuals of what is going on in my mind, in no particular order.

I wish I were here...

But I will settle for here this weekend....

Take care of mother in law in hospital with lung disease,

Pray that Kori will decide if she wants to do this........

Here....

or here........

which brings us this.....

Check on Shawn recovering from gall bladder surgery.....

Get Will to football practice....he is #60

pray for him to be safe...

He is so cute in this uniform! Don't let everything else get in the way of him having a good time.

I really need to wash those pants and that girdle (he is in the black)....

Oh yea... Kori now thinks she wants to do this....

here.....

And that doesn't even cover my housework, babysitting, Women's Ministry, my husband, my bills, well.... you get the point.

Way too much stuff to think about..... I think I will loose myself in other peoples blogs of peaceful times for now!

High School Musical - Breaking Free

2007-08-22T14:27:00.001-05:00

Please read the post below before watching video.

Phases of Disney

2007-08-22T13:50:00.000-05:00

While raising three kids, I have been through a lot of phases with Disney. I remember when Shawn was in love with the Little Mermaid at age 5. He watched that movie over and over again. I decided then we would own every Disney movie ever sold, because he loved it so much.
I gave up on that collection a few years later.

When Kori came along we had the DISNEY CHANNEL. That was big time. She was hooked on Lizzie McGuire, Even Stevens and re-runs of Boy Meets World (she still thinks that Cory & Topanga are real and anything she needs to know about life, they can teach her).

Will has so many options for TV these days. He loves fishing & hunting shows, but in between them, he loves to watch Disney too. He likes Cory In The House, Hannah Montana and of course the popular Disney movies, High School Musical.

Since I LOVE TV as much as the next couch potato, I have always viewed the shows with my kids. But, this last phase I think is my favorite. I LOVE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ( I & II). Will begged me to watch the first one with him and when I did, I was hooked. We couldn't wait to see #2 come out. We even had our own little premier party. Even though Kori laughed at us and wouldn't stay home to party with us, she wanted to make sure we were recording it.

I can't count how many times we have watched this movie since Friday night. The attraction for us is all the music and dancing.

My favorite song of both movies is BREAKING FREE. I guess because I have started (again) the Bible Study BREAKING FREE and I can apply some of the words in the song to how God wants us to break free from the bondage of sin. How He helps us to break free from what the world wants us to be.

If you get a minute, watch Troy & Gabriella. They are sooooooo cute! Then ask God to show you if you have strongholds in your life that keep you from soaring & flying with Him. Then,...Break Free!!!

Grace in the Boondocks

2007-08-15T06:38:00.001-05:00

Those who know me know that I have always been of the mind set that Christians should only listen to Contemporary Christian music. You can imagine how this goes over with teenagers.
Recently Christ set me free from legalism. He is showing me that He died so I could live by grace and not a bunch of rules.
I heard this group, Little Big Town, on Rick and Bubba one day, and I liked their music. It didn't take Kori long to react, and she bought me the CD for my birthday. I love it.
Don't get me wrong, I am still in love with CC music and I am very careful what I allow into my mind in the ways of music. But, I like this little group. I like this song too. Maybe 'cause I was raised in the boondocks.
You know... Christ can set you free too.

What Were You Doing 10 Years Ago Today?

2007-08-08T10:39:00.000-05:00

Can you remember what you were doing 10 years ago today? I can. At this very moment,
10 years ago today, I was in Labor and Delivery at Brookwood Hospital, preparing for the arrival of my new baby boy. I was very excited and barely nervous at all. Had I known at
11:00 a.m. that he would weigh in at a whopping 10 pounds within the hour, I am sure that I would have been more than a little nervous, but still excited!

William Houston (named for my grandfather and Jeff's father and grandfather) was the best surprise God could have given us that year! I can't believe he is already 10 years old. Having 2 older children, (23 & 17 ) we realize how fast kids grow up. I can honestly say we have taken time to enjoy him, and it has been a blast.

Will is just like his dad. To look at pictures of Jeff when he was 10 is like looking at Will right now. He is like a carbon copy in more ways than one. He loves fishing and hunting, football, and playing the drums, just like his daddy.

Humor me while I share a few pic's of Will.

Happy Birthday Will man! I love you so much!

Look at the cheeks on this guy!

I love the hair! Business in the front, party in the back!

Always the funny guy

Typical Will in camo.

The cool dude that he is!

Happy 10th Birthday Will. What a great decade it has been.

Got BLOG?

2007-08-02T16:14:00.001-05:00

Hey you, - yes you. The one reading this. Why don't you blog with me??
Unless your name is Donna G. M., you either read and don't comment,
or you don't have a blog. So what's up with that? I let you into my world, why don't
you share yours with me?!?!?!?! Or at least comment!!!!! (Like you Debbie)

I am not really sure what the term BLOG really means, but for me it means
several different things:

Be Loud Old Girl
Buddies Love Online Grace
Been Lovin' Our God
Believing Love Outlasts Grief
Beats Listening (to) Outdated Grapevines

What do you think it means? I know somebody knows the real meaning for this term.
TELL ME!!! I want to hear from you.

I have been so blessed reading other christian women across the south's blogs. I want you to share in the enjoyment. Won't you?

I can't wait to read your comments. Please don't let me down.

Getting Ready!

2007-07-31T06:30:00.000-05:00

At our house we are getting ready for the new school year. Kori will be a senior and Will is going into the 5th grade. I don't know which shocks me more. Where did the time go?
Not only are we getting ready for school, but for football season. Also, this year Will is playing pee-wee football with the city league, so we have lots of preparing for this as well.

So... we have been shopping for school supplies, school clothes, and football gear. Will had to have "wide ruled" paper. All I could find was "college ruled". His list also stated he needed crayola color pencils. Again, I could only find the off-brand. So more searching. Teachers, good grief does it really matter?

He also needed a girdle for football. My boys laughed when I ask "Why does a 90lb. boy need a girdle?" I need a girdle, but not Will. They explained it was to hold in his hip and butt pads. Exactly, that is what I need it for too. To hold in my hip and butt padding. We found one at the local sporting goods store, only to find out when we got home it was too small. So back to the sporting goods store to exchange it. This time we tried it on before we left the store.

Kori's first order of business her senior year will be senior portraits. As beautiful as my daughter is, she still has braces on her teeth. She has had braces since the 8th grade! She has a very difficult mouth that is just now beginning to cooperate. So... she doesn't want her picture made with her braces since we are so close to having them removed. So she has been going to the orthodontist every 2-3 weeks for very aggressive treatment, in hopes of getting them off a little quicker.

Of course Kori needs school supplies and school clothes too. We looked around the new T*rget
Saturday and she bought a few new shirts to add to her ever growing collection of shirts that go with jeans.

We have been working hard getting ready! I was wondering this morning if the church is working as hard preparing for when our Savior will return. I know, I know ... that is a big turn from paper and pencils to the rapture, but I think it is worth thinking about. We spend so much time and energy (not to mention money) preparing for events or vacations that take place in our earthly lives. What if we spent as much effort preparing for the day Jesus will come back for the church? What difference would it make in our lives and in our churches? What if we lived our life in constant expectation of His return?

I think we would live a different life. I think we would try harder to reach the lost within our own circles and we would take our walk with Christ a little more serious. I think we would reach out to those less fortunate than us with a little more love. I think we would finally do that "thing" God keeps telling us to do, but we keep putting off. Like finally joining that class at church, or serving on that ministry team or even taking food to a family in need. We would probably pray more with our spouses and our children and we would pray with a renewed hope in Christ. I believe if we knew the exact day of His return, and it was within the year, our life would be totally different.

But we don't know. We do however know that HE IS COMING! Just like I know school starts next week, I know Jesus is coming back to get me and hopefully you! Are we ready? I know I am ready spiritually, but there are a few things I need to take care of however. A few more people I need to reach. So... I better get busy. Just like I have been shopping around for football gear and the right paper, I need to be as diligent about getting the word out that Christ is coming back for His church.

What do you need to do? Who do you need to tell about Jesus? What is that "thing" that keeps nagging at you? That "thing" that keeps you awake at night? Just do it, before it's too late.
Get ready, He is coming!

A Tribute to Addison

2007-07-27T07:26:00.001-05:00

All across the country people have been praying for sweet baby Addison. She went home to be with Jesus on Thursday. Even though I never met her or her parents, I have been so moved by their faith. My heart breaks for them, but I know they can cry with hope because they will see her face again. This is for you sweet baby girl. Read Addison's story at http://addisonfaust.wetpaint.com/

Where did my Baby go?

2007-07-24T08:47:00.000-05:00

Kori at 2 years old

Kori at 7 years old

Kori now!

Yesterday I registered Kori, my 17 year old, for her senior year of school. Her last year of school, I can't believe it!! It seems like only yesterday she was that stubborn 2 year old, demanding her own way. Ok, maybe not like yesterday (yesterday she was begging to go meet her boyfriend) but for sure last year.

In the middle of two ADD boys, Kori has always been mommy's girl. Don't get me wrong, she loves her daddy, and I love my boys. But she and I have always been bud's. We even wrote a song about it:

Buds, buds, friends forever
Buds, buds, through any kind of weather
Buds, buds, we will always be together
Buds, buds, buds!

Ok, now I am crying. Not because we are no longer buds, because we still are. Not because it cost me $247 to register her for school, 'cause I would have give $1,247 to keep her for one more year if it would work. I am crying because I am so proud of the woman she is becoming.

Kori has truly been a blessing to us. She loves a list! She always has, so let me close by giving you the top 10 reasons Kori is a blessing:

10. She loves it when people KNOW her.
9. Her best friend is her cousin Maddison.
Maddison was born when Kori was was 10 months old. I told her then
Maddison would be her best friend and Maid of Honor. Done.
8. She loves pasta. Any kind, but her favorite is Penne with Alfredo sauce.
7. She can't stand to think I am mad at her.
6. She is the most forgiving person I know, but she never forgets.
5. She looks like me and her daddy at the same time.
4. She is very protective of the ones she loves, especially her brothers and grandmothers.
3. She has a heart for missions, and adopted a child through Compassion International.
2. She has always wanted to be at least 2 years older than she is.
1. She loves the Lord and plans to always serve Him!

I love you Kori! I hope you have a great Senior Year,
Mommy

God is God - Steven Curtis Chapman

2007-07-22T13:22:00.001-05:00

Today I am asking God the question why. Why would he allow a small baby today to struggle for every breath at only 6 months old? Why would he let a young mother bury her stillborn child after never being able to hold her alive or today celebrate her 8th b'day with her parents? Why would he let a healthy, vibrant man contract a horrible, rare disease that took his life today after only being diagnosed less than 1 month. Why? But this song answers all my why questions. This is for baby Addison, Kaleigh Marie and Robbie. Only God is God!

2007-07-07T18:01:00.000-05:00

Generational Blessings

I have heard a lot about generational curses. If the truth be known, some have probably landed my way, and I am probably passing them on down to my kids even now. But today I would rather concentrate on the positive things that have been passed down to me from former generations.

We had a huge family reunion today for the Holsomback family (my Mom's family). As we all sat around telling funny stories from our past (mostly about our grandfather, Jess), my cousin Joey mentioned what a great woman our grandmother (Maude) had been. He was right.

My maternal grandmother, Maude Pickett Holsomback, was the mother to 9 children, who all adored her immensely. If I had to describe her I would say she was a Godly woman who believed in the power of prayer.

I remember being at her house one night and hearing her pray. She lived in a dangerous neighborhood, and so she prayed in front of the doors before she went to bed. She placed a bible, on a chair, in front of the door and prayed that we would be protected in the night. She told me that satan could never get past the Word of God. I thought it was funny. But, as I listened to her pray, she called out the names of all of her children and grandchildren and ask God to take care of them and draw them to Him. I can't remember her words exactly, but I do remember thinking how neat it was that she prayed for everyone. How could she remember all those names?

Today, as I look at the pictures from the reunion, I think of how her prayers were answered. So many of my cousins are serving God in their local churches, and my cousin Jeff, pastors a church in our community.

As far as my limb on this family tree, we are all born again Christians! My mom, sister, brother, all our spouses, and all our children are active in church (still believing God for baby Brealyn’s conversion). I believe this is an answer to a prayer offered to a listening God from an old lady sitting in a chair in front of her door. She would say that all the glory goes to God. I agree, but I know He answered her sweet prayers. I realize more than ever how important it is to pray for my children.

Psalm 89:1 - I will sing of the Lord's great love forever, with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

I Survived Kid's Camp at Shocco Springs!

2007-07-01T18:42:00.000-05:00

All glory be to God!!! I not only survived but had a great time

at kid's camp. If you have never experienced Student Life For Kid's Camp, you need to. Student Life does an awesome job. I was so impressed.

My kids told me before we left to make sure that I was fun because, as they said, "You sometimes are a party pooper". ME??? I thought I was anything but a party pooper.

I have always loved large crowds and the louder the better.

Isn't that what a party is all about. But around day 2 of camp I realized that somewhere between raising Shawn & Kori and now Will, I have indeed become somewhat of a pooper. Poor Will. Again he gets the leftovers.

WHEN DID I GET SO OLD? In my heart I am still that 29 year old mom who loves to act like a kid! But now, at almost 44, I realize my body doesn't handle the heat, the hills and the lack of sleep like I used to. Well, if I am honest, I have never done well in heat, but better than now.

However, I can't remember being so excited to see 2 kids in our group come to know Jesus as their Savior!!!! That is one thing that gets better with age. As I get older, I realize more and more the importance of coming to Christ with a child like faith. It was awesome to see this group of kids worship Jesus and grow closer to Him this week.

So...will I go back next year? I will be another year older however. You better believe it!! There will be new kids that need to be led to Christ. I will be honored to help show

them the way....if Mrs. Debbie will let this party pooper go back.

Got Water?

2007-06-20T08:06:00.000-05:00

We are in a drought in Alabama. When I look at my flowers and grass, it is obvious they are lacking the water needed for life. I try my best to water them daily, but like my Paw-Paw said, "There is nothing like rain water". I water my ferns daily. They were beautiful before a family of pesty bugs decided to take up residence on their leaves. They are looking for water I am sure. So now, my ferns are not pretty anymore either. However, the bugs seem to be doing just fine. Go figure!

So what is a drought? The Encyclopedia Britannica says a drought is a lack or insufficiency of rain for an extended period that causes a considerable water imbalance. A drought can cause not only the obvious water shortages and crop damage, but drought conditions lead to increased growth of algae in lakes. This contaminates water supplies. The water is no longer a safe place for fish and other aquatic life. Animals that drink from the rivers or streams can become sick and die; swimmers in affected waters may become ill.

Sound familiar? It should. Most Christians who attend church regularly are in a spiritual drought. They are lacking the necessary water needed for true life in Christ. In John 4:14, Jesus told the Samaritan woman "...whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Jesus offers the water we need to prevent a spiritual drought. He is our water!

The spiritual drought we allow ourselves to live in is causing our own water shortage and crop damage in the church. It is also causing our water supply to be damaged. When we don't allow the "Living Water" (Christ) to flow in our lives we suffer a spiritual drought.

First we suffer a water shortage. When Christians are in a drought, we don't share Jesus. We stay in our own uncomfortable dry place and don't offer others the living water inside us.

We are therefore creating a water shortage to those around us.

When we are in a drought we also suffer crop damage. Jesus said in John 15, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." We can't produce fruit without Him. He also says "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples". It is our responsibility as Christians to bear fruit, but we can't without water.

And a very dangerous consequence of a spiritual drought is contaminated water. When we are not allowing the living water to flow through us, we are not Christ like. What I mean is we become less like Him and more like....you know who. We don't treat others with love, we don't minister to each other and we justify our own actions. This is dangerous because those watching us don't see anything different in us. Our water appears to be contaminated. Why would they want our water. Especially when we seem so thirsty. So they seek water elsewhere.

When we are thirsty, we have to go to Him for a drink. Sometimes we are more thirsty than others, especially when it's hot outside (another lesson for another day). It is during those times we look for water a little harder. Just like the bugs in my ferns, we have to look for water in places we don't usually find it. Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart".

Don't live in a spiritual drought! Water can be found! Seek Him today.

He Will Never Forget You!

2007-06-14T15:23:00.000-05:00

Funny story. Isn't it "funny" when someone has something to cover up, they begin their tale with "funny story", when it really isn't that funny at all.

A couple of days ago, Will (my 9 year old), pulled a tooth. He was so excited and couldn't wait to see what the "Tooth Fairy" would give him. Now before you get all legal on me, and say I shouldn't teach my children to believe in fictional characters, I didn't. Will is my 3rd child, and I never taught him to believe in anything but Jesus! He totally rebuked what I had to say, and believes in Santa, The Tooth Fairy, The Easter Bunny, you name it, he claims to believe in it.

Anyway, he announced to me that he was putting his tooth in a baggie and putting it under his pillow. I said "don't get too excited about a lot of money, I don't give big bucks for teeth like some Moms do". He reminded me the Tooth Fairy gave the money anyway! That was the last I thought about that tooth.

The next morning, Will comes down the stairs and said (not too happy I need to add), "Mom, I didn't get any money!". I gasped! I completely forgot about him pulling his tooth. I guess the 3rd kid and tooth number 328 (it seems), I have lost my touch. Maybe I am tired. Poor Will. He continues to get the leftovers of us. I completely forgot. How can a mother forget about what is important to her baby.

Then I remembered what Isaiah said in Chapter 49:15, "Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you - never". I am so glad my Heavenly Father never forgets me (or Will) or what is important to us. He never sleeps and never slumbers. I will never wake up and say "God, the sun didn't come up today, what's up?" And He will never say, "Oh my, I forgot!".

I want my kids to trust me. But I want them to trust HIM more! He is really the only one that can meet their needs. I will forget, or let them down. Not on purpose, I would never neglect them purposely. But, I will forget things time to time. He will never forget.

I ask Will to give that 'ole girl another chance, she just forgot. He said, "Where does she live Mom?". I gave him our address. He said "I thought so". He always knew.

I didn't forget the next night. As a matter of fact, it paid off nicely for him. Seems like I am a lot like the moms who give the big bucks after all. He deserved it.

A New Addition to Our Family

2007-06-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Friday night at 11:00 p.m. my phone rang. It was Kori. She was at youth camp in Panama City Beach, Florida. She said "Momma, I hope you are not asleep, but I just had to tell you something. I just adopted a little girl".

I knew exactly what she meant. She had been telling me the speaker suported Compassion International's program for financially supporting children in other countries. She informed me she planned on adopting a child from Peru. Kori's best friend, Becky, is originally from Peru, so her heart is tender toward this area. I told her I thought it was a great program, but to consider the financial comittment she was making, with emphasis on the "SHE". She said she understood, and really felt like this is what God was calling her to do.

So.... I was not surprised by her announcement of adoption. I was surprised, however, when she declared that the little girl she adopted was not from Peru, but from Bolivia. I later shared with Kori that some of our friends from church were planning a mission trip to Bolivia. We were convinced then, this adoption WAS indeed of the Lord.

Please pray for our new addition, Pamela Tapia. She is 5 years old and lives with her mother in Bolivia. Pray that Kori will learn all the lessons God has for her through this adoption. Pray that it will be easy for her to fulfill the financial obligations. Pray that God will be glorified through Compassion International. Pray for the missionaries in Bolivia.

The last thing Kori said on the phone that night was "I am sorry to call so late, but I feel like I just had a baby, I had to tell you!" I am so proud of her!

David Crowder Band's

2007-06-08T09:30:00.001-05:00

I love this video!

Me & My Baby at the Beach!

2007-06-07T09:41:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken last year at the beach! I remember when I ask Jeff to take a picture of Will and me , I felt like I had not spent any time with him. See, Will loves to fish better than anything. The only thing he likes better is hunting and being with his dad & brother. So the whole time we were at the beach last year, he wanted to be with his dad and his brother, fishing! No mom time at all! This week Will and I went to the beach without Jeff & Shawn. My good friend Pam and her son Tucker went with us, but I had some time with Will without having to compete with the men in his life. Don't get me wrong, I love that he wants to spend time with his dad, I love that he would rather be with him than me. It means he is normal. I just miss him sometimes.

I wanted to do something he liked so ....we fished. I had no idea what I was doing, and it was obvious Will counts on Jeff to do a lot of " hook work". So my job was to bait his hook with squid. Yuck, yuck, yuck. It smelled awful and felt even weirder. But, I wanted to make a good impression. I wanted him to think I was good at stuff too, so I kept putting that squid on the hook. The first 10 times he cast his rod, the squid was gone immediately. He informed me I was doing it wrong. So I worked on it a little longer, which meant I touched the squid more than I wanted to. Then it was ok. He got a few bites, and then the moment I feared the most, he caught a fish. Now...how were we going to get it off that hook? Will quickly told me that dad always took his fish off the hook. Thank goodness there was another fisherman on the pier who was glad to take it off the hook. When he handed the fish to Will, he dropped it. He picked it up and through it over into the water!! I ask him why, and he said "Too small". I am sure he didn't want anyone to see, he didn't like handling the fish (and it was small). At the end of the day we had a good time. Even though I didn't know how to bait the hook correctly, I knocked over a whole bag of bait into the water, dropped the pliers into the water, broke his new rod (he fixed it later), and didn't know how to take the fish off the hook, it was fun.

My baby is growing up! We go to the beach 2-3 times a year. Because of work, Jeff only goes with us once. Will has always been satisfied to play on the beach while I read or whatever. This time was different. He missed his dad! So did I!

Resolving Conflicts

2007-05-11T06:53:00.000-05:00

Resolving conflicts. Sounds like a topic that someone would only write about after doing countless hours of research. And I have. I have read a lot of Internet articles, excerpts from books authored by scholars who "know what they are talking about".
However, they all seem to say the same thing.

One article I read summed it up. The author said that there are 7 easy steps to resolving personal conflict with your brother or sister. I would like to share them with you now.

1. If there is conflict
2. You
3. Go
4. To the person
5. In private
6. And discuss the problem
7. For the purpose of reconciliation

I love it!!! The author is trying to tell us to not make it more complicated than it is.
We think solving conflict is hard. But, Matthew 18:15 explains it so simply.
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him ALONE!

Why in the round world do we think we must involve everyone in our conflict?
I am so guilty of this. If someone hurts my feelings or angers me, I immediately go to a good friend, or my husband, or a mentor to "tell on them". If I am honest, the only reason I tell these people about the issue, is so they will feel sorry for me, or be on my side. God has taught
me this week, this is wrong.

What good comes from sharing others sins? None. If you tell me that "Sister-talks-a-lot"
has hurt your feelings again, what am I going to think about her? I will not look at her the same way, and she has done nothing to me. I keep hearing saints say, "She has hurt my feelings again, something has to be done about her". You got that right! Something needs to be done. She needs restoration. The kind of restoration that can only be done with love. Love covers a multitude of sins. But...the resolution needs to be between the two parties involved. Everyone does not need to be involved unless the "feeling-hurter" rejects the one hurt. Then, Matthew tells us to take one or two more to this person to see if this person will then hear. If that doesn't work we take it before the church.

It seems in our resolution process, we skip the first step. And we are praying, during the conflict, that God will resolve everything. We ask Him to work it out and to restore fellowship, but we don't want to do it HIS way. The right way. The only way. Why do we expect Him to bless our efforts?

This has been a hard lesson for me to swallow this week. I love to talk. I love to tell stories.
And, the more embellished they are the better. My love and pursuit of righteousness has to be greater than my love for talk. Because my "talk" turns into gossip and gossip is, simply put, sin.
I can paint it any color I want, but it is still sin. It keeps me from having a right relationship with my heavenly Father. I can't afford to be out of fellowship with the one who continues to deliver me.

Resolve your conflicts with others today, the right way!

2007-04-27T09:30:00.000-05:00

It has been a few weeks since my last entry. I have taken on a 2nd job, and it seemed to consume all my time. I even allowed it to invade on my time with the Father. Shame on me. So... I have cut back on work. Everything seemed to be suffering because of this job. Mostly my job as a wife and mother.

I was reading yesterday in John. Thinking about what happened to Jesus and the disciples after the resurrection. I read in John 20 how Mary went looking for Jesus. The first verse tells us she went to the tomb while it was still dark. Why? Why was Mary up so early? Or... had she not slept the night before? What was she thinking? Why was she so anxious to get to Jesus' body?

We know that they could not go to the tomb before this particular morning because of the Sabbath. I wonder if she thought about Him all weekend? I believe she did. I think she went to the tomb at the first possible time.

How different would my life be, if I thought about Him constantly? How different would our times with Him be if we rose early and met with Him at the earliest time possible? Because of the law, Mary had to wait until the sun started coming up to be with Jesus, we don't. We have a 24/7 access to the throne of Grace. Do we take advantage of this opportunity? It is sad to think that Mary Magdalene wanted to be with Jesus so bad, but had to wait. We can be with Him anytime, but we choose to do other things. How sad.

Verse 17 tells us that when she finally got to be with the resurrected Jesus, He told her, "Mary, don't cling to me" (The Message). The word used here in the Greek, implies that she was holding on to Him. I can almost hear her saying "I have been wanting to be with you all weekend, I am not letting go of you now". But Jesus said "Mary, let go... I can't just stay here with you all day, I have stuff to do" (my translation). Don't you know she was probably holding on to Him with both hands desperately not wanting Him to leave her again. But Jesus was saying to her, that even though this is a great moment, we can't stay here. There are other things to do.

Sometimes we have great times with the Master. We are basking in His presence and loving being in His glory. But, we can't stay there. There is work to be done for the kingdom.
Will you work for His Kingdom today?

Shall I Crucify Your King?

2007-04-06T07:35:00.000-05:00

Good Friday. The day our Lord was crucified. As I open my Bible this morning to read John's recollection of the events of that day, I see something I haven't noticed before. John 19:15-16.

After talking with Jesus, Pilate realizes there is more to this man than he thought. He says to the Jews "Here is your King". But they cry "Crucify him". He begins to ask the Chief Priest, "Shall I crucify your King?"
And they answer "We have no King but Caesar.". This broke my heart this morning. The Chief Priests. The very ones God himself appointed,
reject His son, their Savior. They are the spiritual leaders of that time.
And yet they say, "We have no King but Caesar".

But, how many times do we live our life as if "I have no king but...". The definition of the word king means someone with a preeminent or superior position. Does my life show that Christ has a superior position over my life? Or, does my life show that I am in charge of my own life? Do I walk in obedience and submission? Or, do I walk in pride seeking my own way no matter who it hurts. Am I the King of my own life, or is He?

Later Pilate prepares a sign to hang over Jesus' head on the cross. It reads "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews". When the Jews saw the sign, they wanted it changed. They wanted it to read "he says he is the king of the Jews". But Pilate said "what I have written, I have written".
In other words, this is His sentence, and it will not be changed. It is almost as if Pilate wanted them to know that Jesus was being crucified because He was their King.

The words of the crowd that day had to hurt as bad as the nails peircing His hands and feet. Jesus was 100% God, but also 100% man. I don't understand how, but I accept it on faith. As a man, those word must have stung. "Crucify Him..., we have no King but Caesar...he says he is the king of the Jews..."

My prayer today, on Good Friday, is that my life reflects that He is my King. If "self" is the King of my life, then I want it to be crucified. Dead. I want to be crucified with Christ, so that I might live in HIM!
What about you?
Will you crucify your King?

The Betrayal

2007-04-04T07:49:00.000-05:00

The week before Jesus' death and resurrection, has always been very interesting to me, especially during the Easter season. As I study this Wednesday morning, I find myself reading about Judas, the betrayer.

Matthew said in chapter 26 that Judas went to the chief priest and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" How could he do such a thing? So I looked at what happened before he went to the chief priest. Interestingly, he had been with Jesus at Simon's house in Bethany. That night is when a woman came to Jesus with an Alabaster Jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on Jesus' head. Judas did not like this at all. He said the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. Yea right...he wanted the money for himself. See, Judas was the treasurer in the group. And he had been dipping into the money box for himself. Of course he was mad she didn't give that perfume up for "the cause".
The cause of Judas! He wasn't interested in the poor, he was interested in himself!

As I stand appalled at Judas' actions, I realize how many times some leaders of the church do the same thing. We start projects and "ministries" because it will be good for us. It will make us look good and fulfill a need that we have in our own hearts. Or because it will bring more people into the church, which will hopefully bring in more money, which will support our next projects. Unfortunately so many times it has nothing to do with the ministry of Christ at all. Nothing to do with bringing sinners into a saving relationship with the Savior.

When this woman poured that perfume on Jesus, she was preparing Him for burial. Jesus described her act as " a beautiful thing". Something that would be talked about around the world. It was meant to honor HIM. It was not meant to make her feel better, not to make her look good among all the other men in the room, she didn't give her perfume so people would talk about her sacrifice and praise her good works. She wanted to glorify and praise the one who had set her free from her sin!!

This Easter season I ask myself, "Am I like Judas?" "How have I betrayed Him?", "Is He pleased with my actions?". "Are the ministries I am involved in glorifying Christ?"
What are we willing to accept for betraying Jesus? Or do our actions ask the question Judas asked,

"How much will you give me to hand him over to you?"

Why do we Celebrate?

2007-03-24T07:19:00.000-06:00

God very gently tapped me on the shoulder this Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. I was surprised when I woke up, it was still dark outside and
I knew I didn't have to get up. So, not recognizing the reason for the stirring, I rolled over and went back to sleep. Within 5 minutes, I felt it again. Tap, tap, tap then a quiet whisper in my spirit "Hey, it's ME. I am waiting on you, get up". I almost laughed. I remembered teaching this past weekend about how the Holy Spirit will start awakening you to spend time with Him. Funny how I was the one that didn't recognize His calling.

But on to what I learned this morning. I am studying the old Passover traditions celebrated by the Jewish people. It is so interesting.
I have realized lately how we don't use our Christian celebrations as a tool for teaching. We have a HUGE celebration at Christmas, but it has been so commercialized that we forget the reason for celebrating. We even dread the celebration. And at Easter, we concentrate more on new clothes and food and candy than we do Jesus offering us new life.
How awful.

God instituted in the Old Testament certain celebrations. When talking about the passover Exodus 12:14 says:
"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord--a lasting ordinance.
He wants us to celebrate. But when it is time, we fall into a pattern that the world sets for us and we say things like "Oh, Christmas is right around the corner, I dread it". Shame on us!! We don't look forward to celebrating Christ's birth because if we are honest, His birth is not what we are celebrating. We are probably not celebrating at all, just going through the motions. Motions not ordained by God.

What if this year at Easter we taught our children and grandchildren and our neices & nephews about why we celebrate? What if we make it about more than new clothes and candy? What if everything in their Easter Baskets had meaning and we explained each meaning as they explored all the goodies inside? Do you think it could make a difference? I do! It is our responsibility as Christians to share our faith! Not just to our children but to each other. Psalm 78:4 says: We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.

This Easter I encourage you to share your faith with those around you.
Let this year's celebration be about our love for Christ and not useless motions the world has set in place. Let it be about new life in Christ Jesus!

God is Faithful!

2007-03-23T06:58:00.000-06:00

God is faithful. He never fails to deliver. This morning as I began studying out of my
book "The Excellent Wife", I felt God had a fresh word for me. Fresh it was!
I was looking at the biblical motivations for submission. The number two reason (out of 20)
was "A Wife should look to the example of Christ's submission to the Father". I began to
think about how Christ submitted to the Father, even in His death on the cross.

I began to read the gospels recollection of when Jesus was arrested in the Garden.
John chapter 18 tells a little different view. When Judas and the "troops" came to arrest Jesus,
He wasn't surprised. In fact He had just said "Well, let's go, my betrayer is here" (totally my
own paraphrasing). And, of course, they were there to "get Him". I think they got a little more
than they bargained for however.

Verse 4 tells us that He went to them and said "Who are you looking for?" They answered
saying "Jesus of Nazareth". And then He said something I'm not sure they expected. He said
" I AM HE". I love what happens next. They fell to the ground. John describes those who came after Him as a "detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees".
The troops and chief "big shots" hit the ground at the sound of His voice. I believe at the moment Jesus said "I AM HE", He was telling them "I am more than Jesus of Nazareth. I am God. With the same power that God answered Moses at the burning bush, when He said
"I AM". I believe they fell at the glimpse of His glory, just like we will do when we are face
to face with Him.

So why did they fall? The power and majesty of His voice, declaring who HE was overpowered them all. A commentary I read describes it this way. "It was the glorious effulgence of the majesty of Christ which overpowered them. "This, occurring before His surrender, would show His power over His enemies, and so the freedom with which He gave Himself up" [MEYER].
He wanted them to know one thing for sure, " I am God. And I can speak and you will fall down.
You are only taking me, because I am letting you.

You see, He willingly went to the cross for us. They, the troops, and big whigs, had absolutely
NO power over Him! NONE!!! All He had to do was speak and they would fall down. Can you imagine what it looked like that day in the garden. I would have loved to have been a fly on the olive tree when all those "troops" hit the ground. I wonder if Jesus tapped His foot as He waited for them to get up. I wouldn't be surprised if He reached out His hand and helped them up. After all, He was going to the cross for them too. While they were on the ground, He could have ran away and hid. But He didn't because He was not only willing, but determined to die for us.

So.. Jesus submitted to the Father even to death. He is my example of submission.
I should submit to my husband as Christ submitted to the Father.
Lord help me to be an Excellent Wife.

Welcome!

2007-03-22T13:42:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my new blog!
God has done so much in my life in the last year and half, I wished I had kept better journal
notes so I could share with others. This is an attempt to motivate me to keep better notes.
We will see how I do!

Starting today, Thursday, March 22, 2007, I want you to see how much God is working in my life.
It has been so awesome lately, I know He is not about to stop now.
I hope you are encouraged and blessed.