Divine appointments.

Shortly after I became a Christian, I remember a friend of mine telling me that I would learn that there is no such thing as a coincidence. Oh my goodnes was he right! I look back now and see how if certain things hadn't happened I wouldn't be where I am today.

I think I've written before that I've been in situations and realized that I was supposed to be in that place at that time, no doubt. Those are the times that I KNOW just how much God is in control and just how real HE is. It's amazing how God is working in and around us and we don't always see it.

About 2 months before I found out I was pregnant with Reese, I went to the doctor for my yearly check-up. In the exam room while I was waiting, a magazine was sitting there. On the front of it was Reese Witherspoon and it said "Sweet Reese". We had already been talking about names and I just got chills....wondering if that was a sign of what was to come. The next day, Denson and I were looking at a house that was under construction. There were mirrors that were lableled with their kids names and what name was on one of them......yep, Reese! I knew that would be our baby's name.

I truly believe that the people we encounter, places we go, are no accident. Have you ever gotten the feeling you should say something to a person? I have and I don't act on it like I should. I guess in fear that the person will think I'm crazy, but I always feel horrible when I miss the opportunity. I will say I have not always gotten the response I've expected either. But, I am just the messenger and God is still at work!

I am so not good with words but I pray that God will give me the words to speak to people I encounter and the courage to not back down.

Be careful little feet where you go for it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow...

Little ones are so funny.......they want to do everything they see others do, especially their parents. Reese mocks EVERYTHING Denson does. He pretends to build houses, talk on the phone, cut the grass. He also pretends to do things I do like cook, clean, and get on to Bailey. He repeats everything he hears and I do mean everything. THAT has been a not so good reminder when you hear your 2 yr old say butt hole! Oh, and he wants to do whatever Bailey is doing, like singing, dancing, and even homework. I'm sure he'll get out of the last one when he starts school.

This last week Reese has acted like he was the one that had back surgery. It really got me thinking that what we, as parents, do really, really affects how our kids grow up and perceive things. Practice what you preach is what we should do. How can we tell our kids not to do something when they see us doing it? It makes me sad to think of children that grow up not hearing about God, seeing there parents do not so nice things, think it is ok for a man to beat a woman, have zero respect for themselves or others and many other things.

Anyone can bring a life into this world but that doesn't make them a parent. What a precious gift God has given to so many that treat the gift worse than some treat a dog. I just don't understand.

So, I think this is a challenge to me and others to be that example that some may never see anywhere else. I know I need to be a better example to my kids too. Some of the things I hear Bailey and Reese say sound just like me! Sometimes it's funny and other times I think "Wow, I sound like that?"

I'll say this last thing. I think it is super important who our kids look up to and are around. They are paying attention even when we have no clue. For example, Reese picked up Bailey's bible a few nights ago and said he was Pastor Chris and he was reading the new old testament. He even prayed after the story! It was the sweetest thing he's ever done. I pray that he and Bailey always look up to people that live their life for God.

Once saved always saved?

I often struggle with this question. I find it hard to understand how self professing Christians act, and do the same things that non-Christians do. I feel I am being judgemental, and I guess I am but......my heart is burdened for them. If one truly believes that what the bible says is true we should want to make sure others KNOW the truth.

I think for the most part, people as a whole, want to believe in God and that Jesus died on the cross to save the world from sin. BUT, the following verse shows that following Jesus is not easy. Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." It's just human nature to go the easy route, but that leads to destruction.

I listened to a sermon last week by David Platt that I found very interesting. It really got me thinking about the above question. I think many are being deceived that all you have to do is say a prayer, ask for forgiveness, and walk down the aisle and that's it, you're done. That is just the beginning. You are born again at the point and the holy spirit dwells in you. Your eyes are opened. I will list some of the notes from the sermon. We can profess publicly what we do not possess personally. Is is possible that one could walk down the aisle and say the right things without REALLY having it? Walking down the aisle itself will not save you.

The way of Christ is always fruitful. James 2:26 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." I firmly believe that others should see that you are different from "the world" you shouldn't have to tell them you are different, it should show.

The way of Christ is always faithful. Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven." Being obedient to God is key.

We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. One must repent. I looked up the definition and this is what it said: Repentance is not merely a change of mind but a radical change in one's life as a whole that especially involves forsaking sin and turning or returning to God. Make a RADICAL change.....we don't keep on doing the same thing. Luke 13:5 "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." That is pretty powerful once you come to a clear understanding of what repentance means.

I really feel like the gospel has been watered down as to not offend anyone. We can't twist and turn God's word to make it say what we want it to say. Sometimes the truth hurts. Once we realize that we have to give up the ways of the world in order to keep what we can't afford to lose (eternal life) it is all worth it.

God is just awesome!

Let me start by saying God is just awesome!!

Poor Denson has to have another back surgery. He will be having 2 fusions on November 2nd. He desperatly needs some relief and although the recovery time will be tough it will be worth it in the long run.

I know you are thinking "God is awesome....back surgery........ummm, I don't get it." So, that brings me to this..... As Denson was leaving the hospital after meeting with his doctor about the surgery, there was a little old lady with a walker that had parked her car pretty much on the ramp of the parking deck. At first Denson just kept on going and was on the phone with his Mom. He told her about the lady and she told him he needed to help her. So, Denson asks the lady if he could help park her car. She said yes of course but there weren't any parking spaces close by. She proceeds to tell him to pull his truck out of his space and then park her car there. The problem with that is a line had began to form and someone was bound to get that spot. Well, the little ond lady with her walker stood in the parking spot, shooing people away until Denson could back her car down the parking deck into his spot. She was very grateful and told him he would be a blessed man for helping her. She asked if there was anything she could pray for. He told her that he just learned that he would be having another back surgery and if she could pray for that he would appreciate it. She said he would be prayed for that night when she said her prayers.

The awesome thing is..... Denson was nervous about the surgery and rightfully so. But, God knew that and through this sweet little old lady gave him what he needed. He said he feels at peace about the surgery now. I just love it when things like that happen and there is no mistaking it was God.

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Lastly, I am just so heartbroken for a friend of mine. She has learned that she has breast cancer for the 2nd time. She beat it once and many prayers are going up for her to be healed again. After beating cancer the 1st time, she suffered the loss of her youngest son AND her Mom within the same week. She is just the sweetest person you can meet and it breaks my heart thinking of what she has had to endure. Please say a prayer for her, her name is Liz.

I know that prayer is very powerful because our prayers are heard by the maker of the universe. That is so hard to fathom sometimes......THE maker of the universe!

In the next few days I'll be posting the latest antics of none other than Reese. One story involves a pop tart and a potato peeler:) That boy has got to be the most creative (and destructive) 2 yr old I know!!

Hope everyone is having a good week!!

Proverbs 13:20

Sunday morning Bailey and I were on our way to church and she didn't say a word the whole way there. We pull into the parking lot and she says "Momma, I think me and Tory are the only ones at school whose parents don't drink & smoke." I didn't know how to respond so I just told her there were probably others too. She told me it used to embarass her that I didn't drink but then she realized Tory's parents didn't either and she was ok. I told her that as christians were are supposed to be different from "the world" and that you couldn't do what others did just because that's what everyone was doing.

After church, on our way home. I asked her what she learned. She recited the memory verse Proverbs 13:20 "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." Wow....so the lesson she learned went right along with what we had talked about earlier!

I remember growing up and being embarassed because my dad DID drink. How things change. It is so sad that she was embarassed by what we DON'T do. It just seems like the older I get the more you have this world telling you it's ok to do this and that. People are compromising more and more. The bible is God's true and living word. There is no gray area in the bible. No where will you find...."Well, if you're dealt a bad hand YOU don't have to follow ALL of God's word, just the parts you want." If you truly believe how can you not be changed? Matthew 18:3 "And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

I dread what issues we will face during the teenage years. Bailey is a smart kid and I just pray that she and Reese will always remember what they have been taught and that they can influence others in a positive way instead of being influenced negatively.

I have decided to follow Jesus....no turning back.

So I've been inspired by another blog that I read, mycharmingkids.net. MckMama wrote an amazing post. Throughout the day today I kept thinking about the word salvation and a song popped in my head with that word and I can't get it out! I believe in absolute truth and regardless if someone doesn't believe Jesus died on the cross doesn't mean it's not true. I read through my journal tonight and found an entry that I was pretty passionate about at the time. I am glad to be reminded of it and thought I would share. I know, I write about the same things over and over again, but hey, I can't not do it because.... "I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back." (LOVE the new Selah CD and the last sentence is lyrics from an old hymn that they sing on the CD, LOVE IT!)

**Death is an inevitable reality. That fact doesn't make death any easier. But, what does make it bearable is the FACT that this- what we see here is temporary. Your relationship with God through Jesus Christ WILL determine where you will spend eternity, Heaven or Hell. I ask you, not if you believe in God, because the bible, James 2:19 says "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder." But do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? I used to think I was a good enough person and would probably go to heaven. I was wrong! My good enough will never get me there, nor anyone else's. See, Jesus paid the ulitmate price for our sins, all we have to do is accept the gift of salvation. I used to be searching for something. Nothing I found made me happy for a long period of time. One day I was broken and I cried out to God. Jeremiah 29:11-13 is so true - "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." When you seek God you will find Him. He will change your life. II Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come." Change will come in your life and God will help you if you allow Him. He will take those desires away and you will become a work in progress.

But, let me warn you that God knows your heart. James 2:26 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." I'm not saying you can earn your way to heaven but if you are truly saved, you will SEE change. Your friends change, places you go change, shows you watch change, music you listen to changes etc. It's so easy to be "changed" for an hour on Sunday. What about the rest of your week, do you live like a changed person or do you look like the world? Do you read the bible and follow what it says? James 1:22-24 " Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediatley forgets what he looks like." Pretty powerful isn't it?

Jesus Christ is real and changes lives! When you leave this earth, you can't take anything with you. I guarantee you - you will not be wishing you would have drank more, bought a better car, worked more, and so on. Eternity is something hard for us to fathom. Do you want to wait until your at that point to decide what is important? It will be too late then. God is knocking, will you open the door of your heart and let him in?***

So there you go, a little peak inside my journal. Not that this looks like a typical journal entry. I'm not sure what was going on that day but that is what I wrote. Hope everyone's week is going well!

The lost can be found

It is so hard at times to know that everything happens for a reason. At times I wish we could see why. But God loves us and knows what is best. We probably couldn't handle the why any better than the current struggle. Every pain has a purpose. God has a plan for each one of us. He knows the struggles we will go through, the bad decisions we'll make, and more importantly than that, where we will spend an eternity. It may just be me, but it seems like the older I get, the more sad things happen. There are days that I just can't take watching the news or reading blogs. I just get so consumed!

I look back on my life and can see why God placed me on a certain path. I've gone through some tough times but so far I have to say it was worth it. Never thought I would say that. Even with Bailey, at times, I can understand a little, why she's had to go through some things that she really shouldn't have to deal with at her age.

Recently I shared with my Dad the dream I had about my youngest brother. I wrote a post on it back in June. It still bothers me and as a matter of fact it really bothers me that there are sooo many people out there that don't know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. I used to be one of those people and just didn't see what the big deal was about religion/God. But, I'll tell you, when I GOT it, I GOT IT! So now, I may seem like a bible thumping, holy roller to some (yes, I've been called that) but that isn't an insult to me. We (christians) are supposed to be different than others. I believe that the Bible is God's true and living word. How can I believe that and not want to share with others what God has done for me?

Lord, I just pray for those that don't know you, that they'll come closer to knowing you today. Thank you Lord that the lost can be found!

Honeymoon story

Since I haven't posted in a while I thought I would share with you the story of our honeymoon. Rick and Bubba are giving away a trip to the beach to the person with the worst honeymoon and giving them a 2nd chance at a good one. My sister has a great story too and she entered the contest too. Maybe one of us will win! Here it is:

Let me start by saying my husband and I are both horrible with directions and get lost often. We got married on April 16, 2004. We decided we would go to Gatlinburg since neither of us had never been. Strange I know. EVERYBODY had their opinion on the best way to get there. We opted for “get on X hwy and follow the signs.” Easy enough. When we reached Knoxville, we realized we must have missed a sign. Stopped, asked for directions, and was on our merry way. We get to Sevierville and there is apparently a car show going on that weekend. It took us 2 hours to go 2 miles!!!! Since we weren’t getting anywhere fast we decided we would just stay there and go into Gatlinburg the next morning. No one had rooms available and of course the rates were jacked up because of the car show. We finally found an available room with 2 single beds. At that point, whatever! Then we realized we had to eat, but the traffic was still crawling, people were sitting in chairs on the side of the road, in hotel parking lots, I guess to watch the traffic, drink adult beverages, and yell at the folks walking, since that seemed to be the best form of getting ANYWHERE! For our honeymoon, we walked across the street to CVS for dinner. Luckily, or not so lucky, our room had a microwave so we had microwave popcorn and cookies for dinner. We still tried to make the most of it and thought we would get up early, because surely a good portion of those people would be hungover and we could reach our destination with ease. Wrong!!! I guess everyone else wanted to start the day early or never went to bed, so traffic was bumper to bumper at 7:00 am!! At that point we decided it would be in our best interest to just go home. And that is just what we did!

Since our first honeymoon was not really a honeymoon we really deserve a second one……..and we do actually know how to get to the beach J

Pass it on, baby!

Don't you just LOVE how God works? Through the day I know I say that so often....then I get home and can't remember to put it on my blog! I really need to get better at writing things down and be consistent. I would have so much to write about!

My latest story goes something like this. I read an amazing blog, which I'm sure most everyone reads, "Bring The Rain". Several weeks ago she mentioned a blog, (Pass it on,baby) that connects people that have baby/kids clothing to those in need. The donor ships directly to the one in need. Anyway, I added the site to my favorites. At the time there wasn't a need out there for what I had. For some reason I thought about that particular site this week and since our laptop was literally butchered by none other than Reese, I didn't have the site address and couldn't remember the name. At the time I couldn't even remember which blog mentioned it so I decided I could just google it. I searched for almost 2 hrs and couldn't find ANYTHING. The next day I decided to try again, and found it! What do you think at the top of the blog was the first size needed?? Boys clothing in the sizes I have! So, I emailed with my info.

I got a reply shortly after and I just cried. She said that moments before my email, a foster mother had emailed with the need of what I had! Crazy, just crazy! I am mailing the package tomorrow and I have never been so excited to mail something in my life! God is awesome and none of this is a coincidence! God provides and he uses little ol' me and you to fulfill his promises.

If you haven't heard of this before check it out! I have their button on the right side of my blog and this is just an awesome opportunity!

Dream

Do you ever have dreams that make you wonder what the meaning behind the dream is? I am starting to have more of them and the last one was a doozy (is that a word?). Last week I dreamed by youngest brother died of alcohol poisoning. He was in rehab last year and lets just say the rehab didn't help. You can probably tell from my last post that I feel very strongly and dislike alcohol very much. I've had numerous discussions with family members that don't think there is an urgency in helping him, motivating him, and encouraging him to not drink. I'm sorry, but alcoholics can't have 1 drink. Not to mention he has a 2 yr old daughter that he is raising... the mom hasn't seen her in at least the last 18 months.

Back to the dream. I dreamed he died and when I woke up I literally FELT the sadness and I sobbed (not cried, because hey, we all know I'm a crier) yes sobbed for an hour and a half. I normally go to the gym in the morning but I couldn't pull it together enough to even do that! So, I came downstairs and prayed and I've never had such a loss for words when praying. I know God heard my heart though. I was broken, completly broken. I wondered, why did I FEEL such sadness to that capacity? Then I thought that God probably grieves for us and this dying world like that. Why the dream, why the crying, what do I need to do with this?

The following day I tried calling my brother. I couldn't get him. I tried to think of the letter I sent him 2 1/2 yrs ago. I told him how much better my life was since I accepted Christ as my Saviour. I urged him to seek God's face and although his difficulties in life would still be there, he would have help and the greatest help of all. I wonder if he ever read the letter? I remember the night I wrote it. I was pregnant with Reese and I was wide awake at 3:00am and the words came to me with such ease! No doubt that was God. So, was this dream too, something God wanted to tell me?

After all the wondering, I think I finally started to realize what I was supposed to learn. One, it is not about the alcohol, just stop with all that, and realize the only decision one can make that REALLY matters is the decision you make to accept Jesus into your life and to live for God. Really when it's all said and done that is the ONLY thing that matters. I need to stop seeing the sin in others and focus on what really matters. My brother could die and would it matter that I so despised the drinking and I told him he needed to stop? No. Would it matter that he didn't know what it took to be saved and that no one ever bothered to take the time find out if he knew? Yes. I think we assume alot of times that since we live in the bible belt that EVERYONE knows who Jesus is. We can't assume.

The lyrics to one of my favorite songs says:
"Give me your eyes for just one second,
give me your eyes so I can see everything that I keep missing,
give me your love for humanity,
give me your arms for the broken hearted the ones that are far beyond my reach,
give me your eyes for the once forgotten..........."

I want to see others the way He sees them.

The last tidbit to the story is this.......The day before the dream I bought a book. The Hiding Place, the true story of Corrie Ten Boom. I had heard about her and a little about her story. Great book!! The ending really spoke to me. Corrie and her sister were imprisoned in Germany for hiding Jews. They suffered just unimaginable things. Corrie Ten Boom told her story to many and at the end of one of her speaking engagements one of the former guards of the prison she was in came up to her. I will quote from the book because I couldn't begin to tell in my own words.

"Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him. I tried to smile, I strugged to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, but the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me Your forgiveness. As I shook his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me."

Corrie Ten Boom.

Wow. As I read those words I thought of my dream and how those very real feelings from the dream was God. I need to look past the sin and at the person God sees. Love them. Let God do the work, and be obedient to the things he wants me to do.

I still intend on having the salvation talk with my brother but before I can do that, I need to see him and not the sin. I am so glad we don't truly get what we deserve and that we serve a loving God that sent His only Son to die on a cross to save me from MY sins!! Amazing! If God lets me off the hook why do I continue to hang others on that same hook? I sin just the same as the alcoholic, "get over it!" I tell myself, and love these people just like those who loved me and were able to see past the sin and care enough to share the greatest and most important news ever. Thank you God!!

June 8th (and a rant I shouldn't get on)

I can't believe it's been a month since I've written a blog....where does the time go? Today is Bailey's 8th birthday! Crazy, crazy that I have an 8 yr old. She has been so excited for a month about this birthday. I guess when you are a kid, you just want to be older....then when you are older you wish you were a kid again!

Sadly though, today was not a good day for her. Without going into to much info here, I'll just say two things. First, the morning started off with a phone call from her stepmom (not good since she starts the conversation with "I just thought you would want to know what's going on.") and second, once Bailey got home she told me her dad wasn't a good truth teller. So sad, but so true. However, we did go to Johny Rockets for dinner and strangers singing happy birthday to her made her day!

I have to say my peace and then I will try to stay off of this subject. I can not talk about drinking alcohol without getting very mad! I feel so passionate about not drinking that I tend to take it to the extreme. If you can't handle alcohol, don't drink!!! If you can't function and take care of your responsibilities, don't drink! If you wreck numerous vehicles due to drinking, don't drink! If it bothers your children when you drink, don't drink! If you don't want your kids to grow up to be an alcoholic, don't drink! I could go on and on but I will stop with that. I guess I just don't understand why it is so hard for people to see the damage that is caused in a family when alcohol is number one in a persons life. Oh, I forgot this one, "Jesus turned water into wine, it's ok to drink." It's not ok to get drunk, and please for the love tell me how drinking honors God??? I need to know the answer to that.

Ok, so I did get carried away and I will stop for real this time. I am praying that I can calm down on this topic. The world is so good at convincing people that was is wrong is ok. Please know what you believe and why you believe it or else the world will take you down a long hard path that leads to nothing.

The Motion

I have been in a funk the last couple of weeks. You know, the kind of funk where you don't do any of the things you are supposed to do.....like reading the bible, praying, and of course other things that are much less important like cleaning house! Last week I had a great excuse to not clean.......I had a horrible crick (spelling??) in my neck that caused me to wake up in the middle of the night not able to move. Luckily after 3 visits to the chiropractor I can move and look to the left without crying. Still no excuse for not reading the bible or praying. That really stinks!

Luckily I am/was very aware that I needed to get back on the bible reading, praying train that I had fallen off of. I do not want to EVER forget what God has done for me and go back to the life I had BC (before Christ).

So, towards the end of last week I knew God was trying to tell me something. For me sometimes, I can hear a song, hear a sermon, read an email and just boo hoo.....knowing that very thing was EXACTLY what I needed at that very moment. God is just awesome like that! Friday afternoon I was in the car and heard Matthew West's song "The Motions". Yep, I teared up. I came in and wrote the lyrics on a piece of paper and hung it on the fridge. I did not want to forget those words!! So, just to show you how I knew this was what God was telling me..........Sunday morning at church a video was played and guess to what song??? The Motions, by Matthew West. Crazy!!!! I am going to try to post the song so you guys can hear how awesome it is. "I don't want to go through the motions, I don't want to go one more day, without your all consuming passion inside of me. What if I spent my whole life asking, what if I had given everything instead of going through the motions."

Of course the sermon was awesome and spoke to me. Last week I had a dream about a friend that I used to work with. I dreamed we were at a funeral and he was outside the church crying. He was saying he just didn't understand how the people in the church were so at peace, it just didn't make sense. I walked up to him and told him how to get that peace. So based on the sermon yesterday, I feel compelled to call or email this friend and tell him about the dream. I know that said friend will think I am crazy but what if he needs to hear what I have to say? What if the words I speak are an answer to prayer? Have any of you ever had a dream about someone and relayed the info? I guess I just need to pray about this situation and see what God wants me to do.....I hope I get it right!!

Click on one of the pictures at the top of my blog to watch the video (couldn't figure out how to post right here). Anywho, don't forget to scroll to the bottom of my blog to stop the music that always plays. Hope you enjoy the video as much as I have!

Swimsuit Season :(

Really, after reading the title I probably don't have to say more.....but I will.

We are going to the beach for the weekend with one of my sisters, my two brothers, dad and stepmom and the "many small children" (I stole took that quote from Mckmama's blog, love it!) that belong to them. I'm sure we will have a blast and have many stories to share when we return.

I started packing today and thought I should try on my swimsuits to see if they were a go. I have been going to the gym for a little over 2 months now, so I expected the swimsuits from the last 2 yrs to fall off be a little big on me. Boy did I get a suprise.....the same!! The exact same, how does that happen!! Well, except that they were a little stretched out, so it wasn't sucking in enough for my taste. Can you say disappointed?

The one thing I dread more than finding a good fitting pair of jeans....finding a swimsuit that doesn't make me look like I'm a 32 yr old trying to be 15. Let's just be honest here, most swimsuits these days are not made for a person that has 2 children......unless you are a celebrity and can work out all day and have a personal chef to make a fabulous meal with like 10 calories...whatever.

So, I mustered up the courage to go shopping with my 2 kids in tow. Probably not a wise choice, but I was running out of time and Bailey is pretty good at giving fashion tips. (You know you need help when you look to a 7 yr old for fashion advice!)

We go to Kohls, and I was very pleased with their selection. A good bit of their swimsuits had the good ole skirt attached. Yes!!!!!

I pick out 3 and off to the dressing room we go.

I'll just say that the look on Bailey's face said it all. Ummm, that's a no on choice number 1!!! On to choice number 2........another bad look. We are in a public place so I'm not sure that I really want her opinion to be said out loud. Finally I had to ask, what is it you don't like. Another bad look.........then she says "I mean it's your legs that's all." That's all???? Do they make swimsuit pants? If so, please let me know.

I go onto choice 3 and she actually liked it!!! A flippin miracle, woohoo!!

Oh, while we are in the dressing room, Reese decided to scream, "Mommy poo pooed!". Nice, not like I was already humilated with a 7yr old that doesn't have an ounce of fat on her looking at me in total disgust, I have Reese yelling that I had pooped. Great, just great!

We check out and get in the car. I had to ask about the leg comment. I told her it was ok to be honest, but just tell me what was so bad about my legs. She says, "They are just too white." I can totally deal with that. I know fat looks better tan, but I have sworn off tanning beds. I will have to get a tan the good old fashioned way...........getting sun burned at the beach!!

Nothing like a good ol' boost to the self esteem than shopping for a swimsuit with a very honest 7 yr old!

I just love Easter. Since becoming a christian, it just takes on a whole new meaning. I was overwhelmed with emotion Sunday at church. We sang an old hymn "Because He lives" and that just about caused the tears to flow (thus embarrassing Denson). Not only is that song so meaningful, but it also reminds me of my grandparents. When we were little we would go to church with them and most of the old hymns take me back to those days. How I miss my PaPa!!

It thrills my heart to see Bailey understand why we celebrate Easter......and to see her so interested in the bible. The Easter Bunny brought her a new big girl bible and she loved it!

Easter Eve I read a sermon that Charles Spurgeon preached on the Easter of 1857. Very powerful message. If you get a moment to read here is the link: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0127.htm. I won't go into it too much because I could never do it justice. He speaks about the 3 people Jesus brought back to life and how each of them had been dead for different lengths of time. I'll stop there because I won't be able to explain it to where it makes sense:) Great read and I'll be reading more of Charles Spurgeon in the future.
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Most of you probably know that Denson is not a big conversationalist and doesn't like to talk to people he doesn't know.....totally out of his comfort zone. I swear that no matter where we or he goes he draws the people that just want to talk and will talk to anybody about any and everything. Last week Denson was waiting at the chiropractors office and he spotted a guy that he thought would probably be a talker.......so, he intentionally sat across the room. He said he picked up a magazine and the cover was something to do with Nascar. Well, that opened the door! Across the room the guy asked him if he liked racing and so the unsolicited conversation began.

The day after that Denson and I were at the store. He had walked away from me to get something and as he was coming back this lady stops him and asks if he knows where the kool-aid is. I heard and saw from a distance and I had to just walk away I was laughing so hard. First of all, I never would I ask a man if he knew where anything was in a grocery store. Maybe she thought he worked there I don't know. Pretty funny though.

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Easter pics.

Bailey with her easter basket. Isn't her new bible too cute??

Reese has a basket too, it's just not in view due to the 6ft alligator. He loved it!

Let's not bring the kids in it.

Let me just start by saying I'm really irritated a little irritated about this whole gambling thing. I completely agree with Rick and Bubba and the views they expressed this morning on their show. I'm sure by now, if you live in Alabama, you've seen the commercials that several country music celebs are endorsing saying "Let the people vote." I'm pretty sure we've voted before and it did not pass.

I know, I know, this will help the schools, the kids, and yada, yada, yada. Ok, so if gambling is such a "good" thing, why do states that have a lottery or casinos have the need to set up a gamblers anonymous hotline???? Doesn't sound so good to me.

I can tell you, that it is no one else's responsibility to send MY kids to college but mine. I don't want my kids to go to college at the expense of someone else. People will win, but more than likely they won't pay bills with it or help further their kids education, no, they'll gamble it away, trying to win just a little more. There are so many stories of lottery winners that after a few years are broke and in worse shape than before they won the money. Usually, those hurt by gambling are the ones that aren't responsible gamblers (oxymoron) and are probably the same ones that aren't responsible drinkers either.......and don't get me started on that one!!

I know some cities are pushing for this too so they can pay their debt. Whose fault is it they are in debt now? What happened to the concept of if you can't afford it, don't buy it? So, now it's up to the citizens to gamble in order to pay the city's bills? That is part of the problem, no one has to take responsibility for their actions any more. It's always someone else's fault........"The bank wouldn't give me a loan", but when the bank does give someone a loan, although they can't afford it, then it's the banks fault for giving someone money they knew couldn't pay it back. When does it end!

Let's just call it what it is..........let's not bring the kids in it........again, a shared view from Rick and Bubba........Let's vote yes to gambling because we love to give our money away, neglect our kids, and bet in hopes of hitting it big. That's what we are voting for. If we really care about the kids, go tutor kids that are less fortunate, give money to buy clothing and put food on the table....that would help the kids. Oh, and if you want a lot of money, how about work for it....wow, what a concept!

"People are like stained glass windows............."

Bailey said something today that really made me proud...... and made me think. I had picked her up from school and she asked if we could play outside when we got home. I told her we could, we had a little while before the storms came through. This last week has just been a rainy one. She proceeded to tell me she thought it was a pretty day. Today would not be what most people would call a pretty day by no means. So, I said well, it's been a cloudy day for sure. She said "I know, that's what made it pretty, seeing the sky through the clouds." Wow, what could I say after that?

How much better could our lives be if we could see what's beyond the clouds of life? This made me think of a saying that I just love: "People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." (Elizabeth Kubler-Ross) Awesome..........Really, our happiness shouldn't be based on our circumstances.

Pastor Chris preached a great sermon this past Sunday and he talked about being content. Being content is something you have to learn. This world tells you that you need more money, better car, bigger house, more, more, more. You can't take a darn thing with you when you leave this earth. When you die, there is nothing you have or can buy that will stop the one thing we will all do one day.....die. It's funny because Denson and I had just talked about contentment the week before. It is amazing how God speaks. Sometimes I wonder why I continue to use the word amazing, because God is awesome all the time and nothing He does should suprise me......but I'm still in AWE!!

Thank you for sun and rain, for what you give and take away........

I heard this song today while cleaning. It is a great upbeat song and it went along with some thoughts I've had recently. The economy is bad and the building business has been down for a while now.

BUT, there are some good things that have come along with the slow time. If things hadn't been slow Denson and I wouldn't have been able to go to counseling. Really, what we thought was marriage counseling turned into individual counseling that helped both of us a lot!! Denson got and is getting to see Reese grow up. He has really been able to be a part of the day to day things that he wouldn't have had the chance to see. Also, I had an issue with depression a few months ago, to the point where I just wanted to sleep ALL day. Luckily, Denson was right there to step in and be mommy and to gently coax me into realizing I was indeed depressed. The last thing we've both realized is that we should have done things differently with money. Denson did save (thank goodness) and paid some things off. However, we didn't think a whole lot about buying this or that. I went to the grocery store and would buy what ever not even looking at the price. When things turn around, and I know they will, we will be a lot more cautious. I think of the verse Luke 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."

Our hope and happiness doesn't lie in what we have here on this earth. If God wants us to walk through the valley then that is what we'll do......he is in control. That leads me into another subject.........Reese and daycare.......

When I first quit my job, we put Reese in daycare a couple of days a week so that I could help Denson with payroll (no need for that now :) ) and to have time to clean, run errands, etc. I really struggled with being at home and glad that I had an oppurtunity to adjust over this last year. Over the last few months I have literally been broken after reading certain blogs that have dealt with the loss of a child. Here, I have a healthy little boy and I'm sending him to daycare????? One night I felt God telling me that it was time for Reese to be home everyday. I talked with Denson and at that time he wanted to wait. He wasn't sure that I could handle not having an "off" day. We are trying to get rid of any un-needed exspenses and that would help. But.....again, I tried to figure it out. I have been subbing at the daycare and thought that I could work enough to pay daycare. Well, yesterday I worked 9 hours!! That was a long day! So, I'm watching other kids to pay for mine to be in daycare??? That makes a whole lot of sense!

I didn't think I would say this but working at the daycare makes me appreciate my kids and gives me more patience. I think everything has a season but God is leading me in a different direction. God has equipped me to be a better mom and with His help I will be fine.
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On a much heavier not, please pray for baby Stellan. He is the son to a blog I read: www.mycharmingkids.net. He is having problems with his heart and things are not looking good. Check out her blog when you get a chance, but please pray for Stellan and his family.

Bath time boy is back!!

Reese has always liked getting a bath. He never wanted to get out and he would lay down in the bathtub after the water drained and I would have to pry him out of the bathtub kicking screaming.....that was until 2 months ago. He had an unfortunate accident that really scared him. He pooped in the tub! When he saw "it" he freaked out. Let me add that it wasn't just a little, but it was rather large. I know that is gross but I can see why the little fella may have been that scared. Anyway, he was trying to get away and the more he moved, the more it came after him. He was terrifed!

For a few weeks he would cry and would absolutely not sit down while I bathed him. He did get a little more comfortable and he stopped crying but still refused to sit down. Right after dinner, which is his usual bath time, he would start saying "Bath, no doo doo?" Every night, I would have to reassure him there was no doo doo in the bathtub. One night he passed gas, and the poor baby nearly jumped out of the bathtub. I couldn't help but laugh but he was really scared.

Finally, the last few nights, he has started sitting down again. And let me tell you, bath time boy, which is what I used to call him, is back in full effect!! We are back to the splashing so much I need a rain suit and I think it's safe to say he is easily drinking a gallon of water. I'm glad he is loving bathtime again!

Oh, and I forgot to tell this little story on my last post. I put a humidifier in his room every night to help keep him well. He loves playing with it so I have to be careful to put it in his room when I know he can't get to it. Well, the other night, he got to it and poured all the water out!! That is a lot of water! He didn't just pour it out, he was rolling around, jumping and sliding around in it. Not only was the floor soaked but he was too, and loving every minute of it. He got me again a few days later. When will I learn!!!!

Reese's creativity

The last 7 days have been quite eventful around our house. Reese has reached a new level of his..........let's just call it creativity. I really had NO IDEA how different little boys were from girls. I didn't have to put anything up from Bailey. Once I told her no, she stopped and that was that. Reese on the other hand. We have had to put everything up. We have 2 gates up, child proof things on the door knobs, covers in all electrical outlets and it still isn't enough. He can still open the doors so now we have to lock them. He can also pull the plug covers out. His latest venture is to drag anything he can stand on up to the kitchen counters and have a good ol' time.
Saturday morning we were getting ready to leave and I heard a noise in the kitchen.....not good! He was pouring a bag of cerael out. Ok, I can handle that, that is actually a daily occurrence. Then I notice the cerael is lumped up in one spot, and the rocking horse doesn't look quite right. HONEY, oh no, I didn't put the honey up after breakfast!!!!

Notice the honey bear is almost empty, and the lid is off, not just opened

Poor little rocking horse will never be the same. I was suprised that the honey came up better than I thought it would. It still wasn't fun getting it up!

This was a different day. Not sure how the cerael box got on the table. Usually when he is in his high chair I am free to do a few things and don't have to worry. Wrong on this day. I heard him say "I'm hungry", which is great since he isn't talking a whole lot.................I walk in and this is what I found.

I can't really get mad, I just laugh and document. When he gets older, and if for some strange reason his kids are calm, I will produce pictures and give them some ideas!

I have one more story. I'm sorry to say I didn't take pictures because The Bachelor was coming on and hey, my priorities are right where they are supposed to be! I thought Denson was watching Reese while I curled Bailey's hair to figure out how we would fix it for dance pictures Saturday. I had to lock him out of the bathroom because he likes to turn the water on the tub on and turn it so the water is pouring out on the floor instead of in the bathtub. Or, if he's not doing that he is playing in the toilet, or coloring whatever he can find with my mascara! Ok, back to the story. I'm curling Bailey's hair and hear some noises that don't sound so great, but Denson was watching him so I didn't worry. But when I kept hearing them, I realized maybe Denson wasn't with him. I walk in the kitchen and he had pulled up a kitchen chair to the counter. I had chili on the stove cooling off (yes, it had cooled off at this point), he had gotten a glass out of the cabinet and was scooping chili out of the pot and into my coffee pot!! He had already thrown the coffee grounds onto the floor. When he sees me he attempts to pour the chili out! I caught the pot before it could get any worse. As I'm cleaning up the mess, and missing The Bachelor he is eating the coffee grounds. Bedtime came a little early that night!

I love being a mom to a little boy!!

It's been awhile.....

I never know where to begin writing. Certain times during the day I say "Yeah, I need to write a blog about that.".......then I forget.........or I remember them all and feel like it would be too much info and just don't write anything.



I'll start with a funny. You know you are getting old when a guy (early to mid twenties) says "No mam" to you. Yep, I was at the gym at 5:00 am and asked this guy if he was using a piece of equipment before using it myself and he says, "no mam". I know I didn't have on make-up but come on! It doesn't help that Bailey thinks I'm old as dirt already. She asks me all the time if I grew up in the "old" days. I guess maybe to her I did grow up in the old days. My sister in law was babysitting a few weeks ago and she and Bailey got on the subject of birthdays. Bailey asked her how old she was.......when Leigh Ann told her she came back with "Wow, your older than my mom!". Isn't that great! But I am getting older everyday and that is just a fact of life.



Speaking of getting older, my Nanny has been sick. She had a stent put in and ended up having fluid around her heart and had to stay in the hospital a few more days. I stayed with her one night and we talked for hours. It was great but I was reminded that growing old is a part of life and that our bodies will wear out one day. But, we can be so thankful that this life here on earth is just temporary.



In honor of my Nanny I wanted to write a few words that make me think of her....Dippity Doo, hodge podge, sewing, home cooked food, vacation bible school, organ, clumsy, funny, loving, blessed, travel, and beauty parlor.



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Last night as I was picking up toys, I said to God, "We need a break through!" but I heard Him saying to me, "No, you don't need a break through, you just need Me." It really got me thinking and of course He is right. As long as God is first in our life, everything else will be ok. I read Psalm 118 and that really spoke to me. In particular verse 6-7 "The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies."



We do not need to be afraid..... sometimes that is easier said than done especially in the times we are having now. Fear is not a fruit of the spirit and we can't let fear rule our lives. Our hope and joy is in the Lord, not things or money.

You know something has gone wrong when you don't get the FREE desert!

Denson and I have been cursed with bad public experiences. Gosh, it's been 5 yrs now and thank goodness we finally find them comical. Well, let me correct that first sentence....Denson has been cursed with bad public experiences, I'm just along for the ride :)

I haven't laughed that hard in awhile and my stomach will never be the same.

Denson's mom was in town and watched Reese so that we could have a date night. Bailey had a birthday party, so we dropped her off and headed off to eat. I am really just embarrased for the place so I won't mention any names.

We get there and wait about 15 minutes, which really wasn't bad. We sit down, order an appetizer.........waited.......waited....and waited some more. We didn't mind, we were have good conversation, ate the bread which wasn't that great but we still ate over half of it, and had plenty of time. Our waiter...well, let me just say he was a very nice guy but not into saying things in a professional manner. Yeah, and I'm one to to be saying that, ha! Anyway, he comes to the table and tells us "When your appetizer (can't think of the name of it) was dropped it was burnt and I was like no you gonna cook another one, so it will be another minute." Bless his heart, I am glad he cared enough to not bring us burnt food. The manager even comes out and apologizes and tells us we wouldn't be charged for it.

Next came the salad. It was not great either, but the food addicts that we are, we still ate some of it. So, then came the entree. The food didn't look so hot but who knows, looks can be deceiving.....I hoped anyway. Denson had the flatest filet mignon I had ever seen! I had filet mignon medallions (whatever that is) and really it was just half a steak cut into 4 pieces. Sadly, the rice was the best part of the meal.

Now, as I said before, we are food addicts, so we generally will eat food that isn't up to par. After a few bites we both just looked at each other and said, man we can't even eat this. The poor waiter looked really embarrased when he brought the food and even more so when he came back to ask if everything was cooked ok. He KNEW it looked and tasted bad. I know he was thinking "if these people eat this stuff there is no telling what they eat at home, I ain't ever seen cooking this bad." Denson said he didn't know if he could say the food was good if asked, just to be polite. We did look around and there were alot of people with the same look of disgust on their faces.

As we were paying the waiter came back and asked if we wanted desert and that it would be free. We said no so fast and hit the door running! You know the food was bad if WE turned down FREE DESERT......who does that??? I don't think we will eat for a few days, my taste buds are traumatized!

Citizen of Heaven

I just got home from a bible study with my dear friend, Kona B. On Wednesdays, her church does an hour bible study and a lunch to take with you. When I say study, I mean study. I don't think I've ever been challenged to go this deep before, and I love it and need it. I will share some of what I learned.

Ephesians 2:19 - "Consequently you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

Once you become a christian you are a citizen of heaven, we are strangers to this world. Here is one of many anaolgies. Even if you leave the US and go to another country, you still have the benefits of being a US citizen although you are on foreign ground. I know heaven is an awesome place and I am a citizen there. But we can experience great joy and happiness here on earth. Romans 15:13 says "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". Just like the Lord's prayers says "....your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Another scripture, John 10:10 " ...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." This if from the NIV and other's say "have it in abundance". None of those scriptures end in "when you get to heaven."

We are very blessed to live in the US. If my house were on fire I can call 911 and because I reside in Odenville, the Odenville FD will come to my house and put out the fire. Now, lets say my house was on fire and I ran out of the house and just waited on the FD? Well, I am a resident of Odenville but I do have to make the call. Or, what if I ran out of the burning house waited 10 minutes and then called 911? It would probably be too late. So, God's word is the fire department here. I have to read it and speak it for it to help me. Of course God knows what we need, but Matthew 7: 7 says "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

We have life's instruction book, the Bible, we just need to use. I know I am guilty of not picking mine up for days at a time. Life is busy and I know I need to make reading God's word a priority. How about you?

Hard Times

I used to LOVE chinese food. I can't remember how long it's been, maybe 2 yrs, I just can't eat it anymore. I am convinced that most of it is cat and rat. I know, I know, sounds crazy but come on, you all know you've eaten at a Chinese place that was a little questionable. Denson and Bailey still love it so on occasion we'll get it and I will only eat a shrimp dish because I don't know that you could make rat or cat look like shrimp :) Anywho, I said all that so you will know this last Friday's events were not the norm.

Denson and I spent the day together and I thought it would make his day to eat Chinese for lunch. We go to the place in Trussville by the movie theatre (can't think of the name of it), which is pretty good and I've not heard any bad stories about it. If you know any, please don't tell me! As we pull in the parking lot, we see a couple standing by their car with a sign saying they were living in their car and needed help. Immediatley Denson wanted to stop but we agreed we would eat and think on what we were going to do. Sometimes I need a hearing aid to hear God's voice and usually go home kicking myself for not doing or saying something I know I should have done. This time, I wanted to get it right.

We walked to our car and at first I didn't see them, and I thought, oh great another missed opportunity..........but then I saw them. We drove over and I got out of the car. The lady had a very warm smile but you could also see the hurt. She said they were from Tennesee and were making their way to Pensacola for work. Her husband had to have 4 eye surgeries and they had lost everything. In his face, I saw a man that wasn't proud of holding up this sign but had to do something. I told her that we were not in that area during that time of day ever and that today was not a coincidence, but God puts people in the paths of others at the perfect time. I also told her God had a plan and we would be praying for them. We gave them some money and the lady and I hugged. I cried as we pulled out of the parking lot. I just couldn't imagine being in their place. Where was their family? Then you start thinking, what decisions did they make to get where they were? Are they really homeless and jobless? But, you know, it's not for me to judge and it's not about ME or what I've done. It's about Him, Jesus. It's about having compassion, and seeing people through His eyes. He knows their situation and He will provide. They could have needed exactly what we gave them. Just to have a little hope in a bad circumstance.

Here recently you hear of all of these companies laying off lots of people. My dear friends at Compass were told Friday layoffs would be made, they just didn't know who yet. In this day and time nobody is exempt from looking the unthinkable in the face.

We need to pray for this economy, the people who have and will lose their jobs. We also need to look for God in all of this mess. He will continue to provide in miraculous ways. Denson and I have seen it time and time again. But we also have to realize that sometimes our prayers aren't answered in the ways that we want them answered, we just have to TRUST that we are going to be ok.

Lastly Philippians 4: 12-13 says " I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Scarfs!

I know this is exciting news and everyone will really want to know this but I am now a fan of THE SCARF. I am always so far behind on fashion. I usually say "I will never wear that!" and then when it's about to go out of style, I then start liking it and get in on it at the end of the trip. I think I may be in the middle of this one, we'll see.

One of the blogs I follow, Big Mama, and is to the right of my page (check it out when you have time)made a video on different ways to wear a scarf. Christine happen to be staying the night that night and so she got her scarf (yeah, she is already on board with the fashion) and demonstrated in person the proper ways to wear it. LOVED IT!! I vowed that very night I would become a scarf person. So, after reading another blog I learned that WalMart had scarfs for $5.00!! I happened to have a 25.00 gift card to WalMart so guess who got 4 new scarfs.....yep me!!

Every shirt I own is black, gray, or white. Now I can have a different look and still wear ole trusty black! Can you tell I'm excited?

I really didn't think I would get THIS addicted to the blogging world. There are some really good blogs out there and I am hooked for sure!

Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling clementine!

Do I really even need to explain? I guess I do. This is Reese with the clementine's I bought ON SALE! You can't even find them year round, so I love it when they are in season and on sale.

I was folding clothes in peace and quiet........clue number one something was wrong. I even finished folding them AND put them away.........still quiet........I should've known trouble was brewing. I walk into the dining room and he had the clementines with forks in them walking around. He was quite proud and entertained.

I couldn't even get mad. I had NO idea the trouble little boys could get into. I'm sure I will still be suprised at the trouble he will get into in years to come. If ruining my oranges is the worst of it I'll be happy!!

Hodge Podge

I wasn't sure what Hodge Podge meant so I looked up the meaning: any jumbled mixture;mess;medley. Yep, that's what I'm writing about tonight, a mixture of things. Usually when I hear that word I think of my grandmother. She was always making things and I can remember her buying tons of hodge podge! Can't remember how or what she used it for but I sure remember she had lots of it.

First, I want to commend Denson on how much he has grown this past year! He is so humble and would never toot his own horn but I'll help in out.
1. He went to family gatherings, way more than one, and was happy about it. We didn't even leave early!!
2.Since I am helping at church more, he has had to go into worship by himself. Normally, he would just stay home.
3. He agreed to lead our Community Group this last week since our "leader" was out of town. Even though only 1 couple showed we had a great time.
4. He knows when God is speaking to him.
5. Oh, and he helped me teach the 2 yr old class at church every other Sunday.
6. He is a great dad and takes care of the kids gladly when needed.
7. He is a wonderful step-dad and takes time to spend time with JUST Bailey.

This last week he went shopping for jeans with me. Now that may not be a big deal to some but for me......shopping for jeans is a BIG ordeal. Not once did he say "How much longer?" After that we had lunch together. THEN we get home and I realized I had lost my cell phone!!! This is the 3rd phone I've had to replace in less than a year. He didn't say a word, we just got in the car and got a new phone. That is love right there. He never said one cross word. Can't say that I would have handled it that well.


Here is another Bailey story. We were doing one of her devotionals and it was about Hezekiah. We talked about how you have to get advice/counsel from wise people. I asked her who was a wise person she could talk to......she thought for a moment and said "I don't know any wise people." Wow, the parents already aren't wise? I thought we had a few years for that. But, I explained a little more and gave her an example and then she understood. So, for now, I am "the wise person" she can talk to.

...........How do you say goodbye..........A friend of mine told me about a friend of hers a few months ago that had cancer. I had been following her story on caring bridge. She was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 6 months pregnant with her 2nd child. Very, Very sad story. She is a believer. Her story was even featured on Fox 6 news. She had been going to MD Anderson in Houston for experimental treatment. After Christmas she took a turn for the worse and is expected to pass away at any moment. Having 2 kids under 5........how do you say goodbye to them and how do they say goodbye to her? I've wondered if I would want to know when I would die or not know at all.........How hard would goodbye be and how hard would it be for your loved to not get that goodbye. Luckily this place is not our eternal home. How awesome will it be to be in heaven and have no worries, fears, or tears! I watched a Barbar Walter's special the other night about Patrick Swayze. He is dying of cancer too. You know, it is so true that God won't bring you to something that you can't handle. It always seems that people dying have such a peace and calmness to them. To be able to love God and not be angry at Him the entire time they are suffering. God is great all the time and all the time God is great! What would we do without Him?!?!?

Ok, for a more uplifting story........sorry if this is too long!!! I am absolutely addicted to Facebook. It is just too neat. Any who, one of my teachers from high school added me as a friend. I looked at his profile and he and his family are missionaries in Washington on an indian reservation. His blog is http://www.sacredroadyakama.blogspot.com/, check it out when you can. They are doing an amazing job there. They are planting a church so be in prayer for them. It's cool that we attend a church that was planted 2 yrs ago. This world needs God more than ever and we don't have to leave the country to share the gospel. There are hurting people everywhere. I pray the lord will give us oppurtunities to share His love with the hurting. Give us his eyes, and open our hearts to his word and voice.

Romans 12:2

God is always teaching us things. Some lessons are easier than others. There are times that he has to teach me the same lessons more than once. Thank God for my friend Kona who is always quick to tell me I know the answer and know what to do. I guess we all like a little pity party sometimes, but what good does that do? God has given us the Bible, and places people in our life's at just the right time to help us with our journey.

Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Then enemy loves to attack our minds. The world loves to tell us what is right and that we can compromise our beliefs when we feel like it. But, the word of God says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world." When you feel tempted, think of what your life was like before Jesus. Is it worth it......not at all.

I know 2009 will be a great year. We should always be striving to learn more, step up our game and become a threat to satan. Be a light to a world that needs it now more than ever!!