Shall we wear our red...

Red symbolizes the blood that Jesus spilt to redeem us from our sins.

Green is the color of life. Therefore, green symbolizes the potential for eternal life that Jesus' sacrifice made possible for all of us.

The evergreen tree is green all year round. So, it also symbolizes eternal life.

The flame of a candle, the lights on the tree and the star on top are all meant to remind us of the new star that appeared to proclaim the birth of the promised Messiah.

The bell is a reminder of the bells worn by sheep. They provide a means for the shepherd to find the sheep that has wandered from the flock and become lost. They symbolize our pleas to the Good Shepherd for guidance back to His flock.

The candy cane is shaped like a shepherd's staff. It symbolizes the responsibility that we all have to be shepherds, to help each other and guide each other back to God.

Finally, the bows on the top of the presents are symbolic of brotherhood. It should be a reminder that, just as the ribbons are tied together, we should all be tied together by the knowledge that we are all God's children and, therefore, brothers and sisters.

Looney tune...

 A crazy conversation that sparked this morning in the car on the way to school between Eve and myself. (I have been under the weather battling a stomach bug and just wore out and not to mention that in the morning I am not quite awake until my second cup of coffee.)

 "Mom, what does etc. mean"? " um...it means "and more'" kinda like, if you have a really bad stomach bug you might need toilet paper, diapers, hemorrhoid cream, etc.". "huh"? pause... I then recall what just came out of my mouth! "um...kinda like on a birthday party invitation in might read...we will have ice cream, cake, etc.".
" Oh, I get it".

Bless that child's heart! She has one looney tune mom! The thing is... I didn't even stop to think about what to say, it just came out with no thought whatsoever. Scary, huh?

The Seasons in Life...

http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/theseasonsoflife.htm

This was a true blessing to me. It made me think about our lives. We want things to go so perfect everyday. We pray for the best that we can have and the best that we can be when sometimes God wants us to journey through little mishaps, have a couple of falls, feel a little under the weather, have an empty wallet, etc to make us stronger, to humble us, and to build us into the person that God wants us to be. It's so easy to look at others who always seem to prosper and who never appear to have a bad day and think "why can't I do that, or why can't I have things go so easy for me" but who are they really becoming? Do you think they will become the strong, humble, appreciative, driven people that we are? Probably not. If God is working in your life, most likely it won't be a perfect bed of roses. You might have to step on a few thorns to get to that garden, BUT He will get you there if you just trust in Him.

Santa video and God to be the glory...

Found the cutest link to send personalized video messages from Santa himself!!! If you have small children then they are going to love it!!!! It's free and no obligations! Just like I like it! Check it out-
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/PoqkpdT8CetCQmMpxw8bDA

Also, please remember Eve this week in your prayers. She has her second meet of the year in Greenville. I am not thrilled to tell you that it's on Sunday BUT we have prayed about it and we feel like we can look at it all negative or we can look at it positive. Maybe God put it on Sunday for us to be there for reason...We are going to still be able to make it to Sunday School that morning since it's a local meet so that makes it a little better. Believe it or not, I am at perfect peace! I am so peaceful and non worried that I actually keep forgetting about her meet being this weekend until I am reminded! That's never happened before! I keep thinking about a church sign that I pass everyday on the way to work.

"May I give God the glory for all things" (wording might be a little off, but that's what it means) We pray that our children give God the glory for all that they accomplish in their lives.

Recall notice...

RECALL NOTICE:

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.



Some of the symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction

2. Foul vocal emissions

3. Amnesia of origin

4. Lack of peace and joy

5. Selfish or violent behavior

6. Depression or confusion in the mental component

7. Fearfulness

8. Idolatry

9. Rebellion



The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.



The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.



The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.



No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

7. Faithfulness

8. Gentleness

9. Self control



Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.



DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!

- GOD



P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'!



Because He Lives!

Holiday letter fun...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! We had a great time today at our home celebrating the wonderful day.

T is for turkey on Thanksgiving Day,

H is for "Hurry, I'm hungry!" we say.

A is for Auntie (that would be me :), she works and she mends,

N is for Native American friends.

K is for kitchen, the oven's on low,

S is for sweets,  all set out in a row.

G is for Grandparents, the ones we love the most,

I is for inside, where we're warm as toast.

V is for vegetables, eat them we try,

I is for "I ate so much I think I am going to die",

N is for never do we have enough of Nannies yummy dressing,

G is for Grandpa or "Papa we might say", who gives thanks for our many blessings.

Midweek laugh...

A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages.

'Mama, look what I found,' the boy called out.

'What have you got there, dear?'

With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, 'I think it's Adam's underwear!'

Check out how jolly our family is this holiday season!!!!...http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/jq2ooFuJ4RC1soeMM7jN

My babies...

At the beginning of the school year Eve won the title of Vice President at her school. She was thrilled! She got up in front of her school and gave her speech...well she did things a little differently. She wanted to do a rap and a back flip. So I said...go for it. It was the cutest thing ever!!! A wonderful friend helped come up with it for her! I was really surprised that she wanted to get up in front of so many people and talk but she has really started coming out of her shell lately.  If I didn't know any better I would say that she is growing up! She was asked to go to the district office meeting and lead in the pledge of allegiance one day, she read a poem in front of all the school and Veterans at the Veterans day program at school, and she is trying out for a solo at school in her honor chorus program. Where did that come from? They grow up so fast!!! I really want them to say young forever. It seems unreal! Jasy's gymnastics teacher mentioned yesterday about her being on team in another year and I about died!!!!! WHAT?!?! She is a baby!!! Babies can't do that sort of thing can they? She must be mistaken! I need to stop all of these ruckus!

(My sweet LITTLE Jasy)

Tis the Seasons...

It's Saturday!!!! Yay!!!! It has been a crazy week! Tis the Season for all the nasty germs!!! Jasy has been sick most of the week. Upper Respiratory Infection and the Croup!! She seems to be doing better today though. Just a little upset stomach from the medicine. (Lets just hope it's from the medicine) Last night we just stayed at home bc we never get to be all at home at the same time now a days. Their was so much that we "could have been doing" but we opted to spend time together as a family instead. Do you know what we did? We put our Christmas trees up!!!! Ever since 102.5 has started playing Christmas music 24/7 I am in the Holiday spirit!!!! I love this time of year! The beauty of everything is so wonderful. I know it's early but I want to enjoy it longer this year. I have so much to be thankful for and I don't want it to fly by. I think I will do a lot of baking this year, create a lot of homemade gifts that we can do together, and just enjoy things more.

 I made cookies and we played Christmas tunes and we just had a good ole' time. The girls put their trees up in their rooms and we hung our stockings by the chimney with care.  We buy them a special ornament each year in remembrance of something special that happened to them that year. We write the occasion/date on it so we can go back and know exactly what that ornament was for in hopes of taking a walk down memory lane. Last night, Eve was a bit upset about her "Yellow"  (her black lab) ornament. She loved him so much and it's still so hard for her to let him go. Jasy was thrilled to hang her new ballerina ornament this year! I was happy to change my colors a bit on my tree! Jason doesn't understand that every 10 years or so, you just need a new look! So we comprimised. I kept my old ornaments (minus the gold) and just added some new ones with the colors I wanted. It turned out really nice.

 

I started some of my shopping and I am hoping that I will be able to give so much this year. Not the expensive gifts or anything "fancy"- just of myself more. As a better Wife, Mom, Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Aunt, Sister, Daughter, Friend, but most of all as a Christian. After all... what is the season REALLY about, right?!

Update...

Thank you so much for the prayers for Eve this weekend. I was nervous but not so nervous that I couldn't enjoy myself. We had a great time and she did wonderful! No falls-whoo-hoo!!! She looked so old out there and it was so different watching her this year. She looked so graceful, and you can tell that she has more confidence and pride in what she is doing. She got 4th on beam and vault and 5th on bars. We were thrilled but not as much as Jasy!! She loves watching  Eve. Afterwards Eve goes right to her, and puts her medal around her neck. It's so sweet. Jasy says she can't wait until she can be on a team and flip around everywhere. God help me then!!!

Here's a link to her pictures from the meet.

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=035X00RV000161&po=161&pc=469

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=035X00RV030253&po=253&pc=795

What is Halloween really about...

 (I found this write up and thought it was interesting)


Have you ever asked yourself, "Who in the world ever thought of the idea of walking around in weird costumes, trick or treating, and/or putting a carved-out pumpkin in your window?"
You will agree with me that Halloween is really one of the strangest days of the year, is it not? Perhaps you wonder how the celebration of such a day ever got started. In this pamphlet I would like to answer this question for you!
Where and when did Halloween customs originate?
The many customs we have today in relation to Halloween have their origins in the religious practices of the Romans and the Druids, therefore dating back many centuries. The Romans worshiped various gods and on October 31, a special feast was held in honor of Pomona, goddess of the fruit trees. Later, the Druids, an ancient order of Celtic priests in Britain, made this feast an even more extensive celebration by also honoring Samhain, lord of the dead. This was normally done on November 1 and it was therefore decided to conveniently honor both Pomona and Samhain on October 31 and November 1.
These Druids believed that on the night before November 1 (October 31) Samhain called together wicked souls or spirits which had been condemned to live in the bodies of animals during the year which had just transpired. Since they were afraid of these spirits, they chose October 31 as a day to sacrifice to their gods, hoping they would protect them. They really believed that on this day they were surrounded by strange spirits, ghosts, witches, fairies, and elves, who came out to hurt them. In addition to this, they also believed that cats were holy animals, as they considered them to represent people who lived formerly, and as punishment for evil deeds were reincarnated as a cat. All this explains why witches, ghosts, and cats are a part of Halloween today.
The custom of trick-or-treating and the use of "jack-o'-lanterns" comes from Ireland. Hundreds of years ago, Irish farmers went from house to house, begging for food, in the name of their ancient gods, to be used at the village Halloween celebration. They would promise good luck to those who gave them good, and made threats to those who refused to give. They simply told the people, "You treat me, or else I will trick you!"
The apparently harmless lightened pumpkin face or "jack-o'-lantern" actually is an old Irish symbol of damned soul. A man named Jack was supposed to be able unable to enter heaven due to his miserliness, and unable to enter hell because he had played practice jokes on the devil. As a result, he was condemned to wander over the earth with his lantern until judgment day (i.e., the end of the world). The Irish were so afraid that they would receive an identical plight, that they began to hollow out pumpkins and place lighted candles inside to scare away evil spirits from their home.
When did the modern Halloween celebration begin?
During the Middle Ages (about 600 years ago), the Roman Catholic Church at that time, decided to make the change-over from pagan religion to Christianity a bit easier, and therefore allowed the new converts to maintain some of their pagan feasts. It was agreed, however, that from now on they would be celebrated as "Christian" feats. So instead of praying to thwir heathen gods, they would now pray to, and remember the deaths of saints. For this reason the church decided to call November 1 the "Day of All Saints," and the mass to be celebrated on that day "Alhallowmass." In consequence of this, the evening prior to this day was named, "All Hallowed Evening" which subsequently was abbreviated as "Halloween." In spite of this effort to make October 31 a "holy evening," all the old customs continued to be practiced, and made this evening anything BUT a holy evening!
Halloween today.
You would have to agree with me that also today Halloween is most definently not a holy evening!! This annual event is far from the harmless, innocent tradition it is promoted to be. Many dread this "holy" evening as they think what could happen to them, their property, and/or their children! Consistent with its historical roots, this evening is charecterized by fear, and frequently arouses dormant fears in many. The fear generated by this event is symbolic of the fear which plagues so many in our moden, morally bankrupt world. It is a gripping fear for an unknown and very threatening future, a fear caused by a gnawing inner emptiness.
An alternative for October 31.
For many in this land, this day stands for the very opposite of fear!! On this day in 1517, a German monk and professor of theology, Dr. Martin Luther, courageously published the simple, straightforward truth of the Bible. God's Word, which he has rediscovered after a long and intense spiritual struggle. God used the truth of his own Word to give Luther the inner peace he had so desperately longed for. The Bible pointed him the way to God Himself, and when he found God through Jesus Christ, he found this peace which passes all understanding! He himself stated that it was as if he entered Paradise itself.
As a result of his courageous act on October 31, 1517, the Bible came into the hands of the common people again, and many, who as he, were deeply troubled by sin and it’s consequences, found peace with God as well!
It was God himself, Who used Martin Luther to bring His message of deliverance into the hands and hearts of sinners, in order to bring them back to Himself, and give then TRUE peace!! It is therefore with deep gratitude to God that we wish commemorate October 31, as it reminds us of God's gracious and mighty deeds nearly five centuries ago.
It is the Word of God, and its precious truth, rediscover by Martin Luther, which still gives true peace to many today. In the Bible ALONE will you find the ONLY answer to the deep yearning of your heart. ONLY when God becomes your God through Jesus Christ, you will find rest at last and you will answer to the true purpose of human existence, namely, to honor, serve, and enjoy our Creator!!
Is the God of heaven and earth YOUR God? If not, seek Him TODAY, while He still may be found!!
God, manifested in Jesus Christ, invited you Himself in His Word. Turn to the gospel of Matthew and read chapter 11:28,
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and i will give you rest!"
Those who insist on seeking inner peace without being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, will have to endure eternal misery without God. God does not desire the eternal misery of man and therefore He also extends this invitation in Ezekial 33:11,
"As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the deaths of the wicked (i.e. Sinner) but that the wicked turn from his way and live! Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways: for why will ye die?"

Monday request...

So the hubby is on vacation all week and I have to work! I would love to be able to go somewhere just the two of us and chillax! Take naps, go for bike rides, chill in the hot tub, take naps, go out to a nice sit down dinner without getting up to go to the bathroom a hundred times, wiping mouths, wiping shirts, making Eve eat her dinner (yes Eve not Jasy), read, take long showers without being interrupted and intruded on, take naps, get massages. Wouldn't that be wonderful? But...it's not going to happen, not right now anyway. I have to work, Eve has school and then their other activities and Jason has school. He wasn't thrilled about the "honey do list" that I left for him. It has built up because he hasn't had time to get to anything with school/work. I took it easy on him though, honest! It's the stuff that I can't do that needed to be done.

Please remember Eve everyday this week in your prayers please. She has her first meet of the season this Saturday. This is the first time competing for her new gym. She is nervous but so excited! Remember God led us to another gym in the spring and He is really working there. I feel like God is trying to use Eve's gymnastics for His glory. I just can't put my fingers on it though. I do know that He is her strength, guide, and her sound mind. In church yesterday she wrote down some Bible verses and I found them in my purse last night. On the note said "please put these in my gym bag mom for my meet". It was out of Proverbs, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Some more verses that I ponder right now are ...

 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

Remember a special God filled lady, Agnes Duncan. She is not doing well at all. We went and visited her last night and I can tell that she is holding on for her families sake. Pray for her strength to hand things to God. I know she has done her part here on earth and now she has to let God handle the rest. Pray for her family. Her kids, grand kids and her Dear sweet husband.

Remember a man named Paul Beck. He found out that he has cancer and he needs God right now.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and may God bless us all with the mind, strength, wisdom and opporturnity to do the best we can and do His will.

THE U IN JESUS ...

Before U were thought of or time had begun,

God stuck U in the name of His Son.



And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,

You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.



You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,

For U, He was born; that's why He came.



And His great love for U is the reason He died.

It even takes U to spell crUcified.



Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand

He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?



The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,

and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.



When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,

He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.



'Go into the world and tell them it's true

That I love them all - Just like I love U..'



So many great people are spelled with a U,

Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?



It all depends now on what U will do,

He'd like them to know,

But it all starts with U.

It's all about me on my Birthday...

So today is my Birthday. That's right...I turn 21! Yay!!! Even my own kids didn't believe that one! Oh well...at least I try. I have had such a wonderful day so far! I woke up not feeling too hot this morning. Tired, weak, platelets running low. I got ready slowly this morning, went in the kitchen to make breakfast and soon after started feeling better!  Eve woke up and walked in the kitchen and gave me a great big hug and told me "Happy Birthday". I dropped Jasy off this morning and my mom had made me cookies and had them wrapped up for me to take to to work. She always makes me coffee in the morning so she had it, my cookies and my present all laid out on the counter beside the coffee maker. I thought that was so sweet. I went to work and soon after a teacher walked in with a gift for me. She made me the cutest handmade apron!  She makes the cutest things! Her and another teacher went into business last year and their just AWESOME!! (http://www.littlewhimsies.wordpress.com/) I about cried when she gave me her gift. She is such a kind person and you can tell she has a heart for God. (She also brought me muffins and food always makes a way to my heart!) Then another friend came in and brought me a notepad set-another sweet, sweet person. My second class of the day came in and sang me Happy Birthday in the cutest little song!!! About made me cry! I checked my email soon after and saw how I was getting post, after post of Birthday wishes on Face book. That meant so much to me! Then...a teacher comes in bringing me the most beautiful flowers!! On the card read, "Happy Birthday, I love you, Jason". What a sweet man I am fortunate to have. He also called work and left me a voicemail singing "Happy Birthday" to me. It was so funny! I only worked until lunch today then I went home and put on some pj's and TOOK A NAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a long one, but enough to energize me and make feel so much better!!!  It has just been an amazing day so far! I am so thankful for my life! Wonderful family, friends and the best Savior/friend that I could have. Simple things in life mean so much to me. In fact about so many know so little about me. So for my Birthday, I am going to fill you in on the "little crazy facts of me". Just some of them because I still need some friends.

• I am a GERM FREAK!!!  That's right, I drive my family crazy and I worry about things that you can't actually see. I take my own sheets, comforter, and pillow on vacation, I Lysol everything in sight, I wash my hands so much that their going to look 90 in about another year.
• I hate FROGS with a passion!!! I am so scared to death of them that I might run you over to get away from them.
• My favorite color is purple. Just love it so much!
• I will NOT lay my head down on my pillow if I haven't showered. Even if I take a nap, I cover my pillow with a clean blanket so it doesn't get soiled.
• I worry about crazy, little things all the time. I worry about people (friends/family) and try and figure them out until I drive my self insane. I pick at the skin around my thumbs when I am worrying and make my fingers bleed. (this drives Jason crazy) 
• I go by schedules. I LIVE by schedules. My cell phone calendar beeps a hundred times a day reminding me to ; pay the house, cook for church, leave house to take Eve to gymnastics, type Jason's homework, send card to friend, call friend, pick up groceries, remind me of what groceries to pick up, etc, etc, etc. (this drives Jason crazy too)
• This leads to this I AM SO FORGETFUL!!!! Especially when I am tired. I couldn't tell you my birthday probably.
• I love clean sheets. Nothing like crawling in a clean bed, with a clean body, with a clean face, and go to sleep. I love to read my Bible then. When it's quiet in the house and I am comfy.
• I LOVE  watching gymnastics! I always have. I just don't like watching my own daughter compete. Practice, yes, but compete, no!!! Tears my nerves up and I think I am going to hurl!! I sit and pray over and over the whole time, and my hands and legs are shaking so bad that I try and make it not noticeable to the people around me.
• I went to Cosmetology school after High school. I did, I almost graduated, then I changed my mind. I didn't want to mess with strangers hair anymore bc I am a germ freak!
• I think I have ADD. I really need to go to the doctor and get on medication.
• I have a low platelet disorder that makes me really weak, tired a lot of times. I ran a 5k the other week when I had really low platelets and I about passed out. I kept going though bc I am competitive and I don't like to be last.
• That leads me to I am a perfectionist. I love to plan everything out in my head. Then I drive myself crazy adding, changing, and planning until it's almost perfect to me. When the girls have birthday parties, I have planned them for months ahead. I love decorating but I don't know when to stop and say it's good enough. (this drives Jason crazy)
• I hate Chiwawas. Those dogs are so annoying to me. I don't know why. (Don't tell my sister that)
• I am scared of the Ocean. I will get in enough to cover my knees then I get out. I am afraid of being swept away by the current.
• I love Biggest Loser, American Idol, Amazing Race, but I never watch tv anymore. I don't have time bc it's not on my schedule anymore. I record them and watch them when I get a chance. (never)
• I have been coloring my hair since 9th grade. I think it's an ash blonde in winter and golden blonde in summer but I really couldn't tell you.
• I LOVE to dance!! Back in the day I could tear up a dance floor. Now Eve says I am embarrassing and that I need to stop. NEVER!!!
• I love to laugh. Sometimes I am just plain crazy! People tell me all the time that I'm crazy so I finally beilieve them.
• I burp all the time. I do. Even when Jason and I were dating, I would just let them rip. He married me so he must not mind too much. It hurts to hold them in. I will around people that don't know me that well but when you get to know me...be prepared!
• I yell when I sneeze. It's like I am being murdered. (It drives Jason crazy) It hurts if I don't yell. I hold it in when I can't  yell and it about kills me.

Okay, that's enough for now. Don't you feel more normal now?

How is it...

Don't you just love the fall in the air? Aww....my favorite season is finally here! With it comes the changing of the leaves, and crisp Autumn weather. Nature is so beautiful and we really are so blessed to live here in the South! It's not too awful hot (well this past summer was record breaking) and it's not too cold-just right if you ask me.

I have had a lot on my mind lately, in fact you could say that I have had too much to say and didn't know where to start. School is going well for Eve and for Jason. Lots of work for both. Eve is doing remarkably well balancing her after school activities and keeping her grades up. I am proud of her determination and drive there. Jason is trying so hard to get all his work done, find time for us and still get a little rest. Bless his heart. This morning his alarm clock went off at 4am and when his feet hit the floor, I heard mumbles and grumbles of a tired man. I felt sorry for him. I think he went to bed early last night though-midnight. Please pray for him and his guidance, and the strength that he needs. Jasy is doing well too. She started taking ballet last week (she has been begging for awhile). She looked so cute in her little leotard and tights-I could have squeezed her little cheeks off! Her Nannie and Papa took her on a field trip last week. She got to go to the Apple Orchard and pick apples. Then they went to NC and picked up a new toy for Papa. A new coon dog that she named "Speck". She's been growing flowers too that she planted there and I think she has more "farming knowledge" than any of us! Now me...I am trying hard to find time for myself. I haven't found it yet but when I do I am going to be excited. I want to go running so I will have the energy that I need to full fill my list everyday, shop a little, get my toenails done, maybe just sit in a tub and soak for about an hour until I get all pruny. However, I am enjoying being a mom, and a wife and thanking God that He gave me the life I have!

I have been thinking a lot lately about people in general. I can't figure them out. I have really tried to and I just get even more confused and upset.  Here are a few thoughts that have been running in my mind;

• How is it that you could have everything right in front of you and you not know it?
•  How is it that you claim to be a christian but never go to church or witness to your own family? He gave His life for us and yet so many won't even fight for Him?
• How is that deep down you know that you should be serving God and doing the plan He has laid out for you, but you put Him last?
• How is that we are so quick to judge others but  are so easy on ourselves and our ways?
• How can you have such wonderful talent and waste it away? Don't they know that God handpicked them to have it and He can take it anytime?
•  How is it that you have friends that love you and ache for your burdens but you won't pick up the phone to call them and say "I'm okay"?
•  How is it that this world is so full of sin and perverse ways that so many of us don't even get upset anymore when we see it everywhere we go?
• How is it that people think that their okay if they made a profession years ago but never dart the door of a church or even have a desire to serve Him? How is that those same people will send their kids to Vacation Bible school once a year but not ever think about it any other time. -Do they not care that their kids could die and go to hell?
• How is it that someone, that doesn't know God, lives a sinful life, can tell someone that their "praying for them" when they don't even pray period?-Why is it a "figure of speech" and a "kind thing " to say to someone who is going through a difficult time instead of what it needs to be? "I will pray for you"-when their not even a child of God-Don't they know that it won't be heard?

I don't understand the ways of people and the thoughts that cross their mind. I want to just tell them sometimes to wake up and get with it, but I know that if I do then I will ruin the witness that I might be for them by just not saying anything. Please pray for me that I will stop trying to figure out people and just leave it up to God. All I can do as a friend is PRAY for them and plead their case before God. Lift Up !! . . your Prayers. 'Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.' Philippians 4:6

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

Life is just full of decisions. Should I eat the healthy granola fruit bar or the yummy looking honey bun for breakfast? Should I drink one or two cups of coffee this morning? Should I wear my hair up or down? Should I cook or get take out? All of those are an everyday part of our lives and although they seem so hard or aggravating to make daily, their really such a blessing! Aren't we blessed to have a choice of what to eat? Aren't we blessed to be able to have hair to fix? Aren't we blessed to have the money to be able to afford to go to the store to get food to cook or get takeout? We all get so caught up in our own little world that we forget about the REAL WORLD right in front of us. What about all of those people who don't have anything to eat, nowhere to sleep, no companions, no hope in tomorrow? We could easily be those people in a blink of an eye. Are you thankful that you were able to get up out of bed this morning and able to stand up on your own? You could very well be dependant of someone to take care of your every need. Those legs that are so sore and achy after a long day of work, could very well not be functional and you could be without a job tomorrow. We take for granted all of our little blessings and complain too much about wonderful little decisions that make our lives so much better. Let's all start praising and thanking right now. "Thank you Lord for this wonderful bowl of Cheerios that I am eating for lunch"! "Thank you for the roughness on the bottom of my feet because I am able to stand up at a job that I am thrilled to have." "Thank you for the laundry that seems to always reoccur no matter what I do because that means that we are blessed with clothes on our backs." Most of all "thank you for my hope in you for tomorrow because with you, I will never be lost or be lonely"!

 I could go on and on and on...

Shall we?

My motto...

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. That's my new motto! Wanna join me?

Another name in the Book of life...

Heavens are rejoicing this morning! One of my uncles got saved this morning! HALLELUJAH!!! I know a lot of people, including myself have been praying for him for a while and thank God he made things right. He called my dad last night around 11:00 and asked if he could come over and talk with him. He said his heart was so heavy and he needed to make things right. He asked if their cousin who is a preacher could come over with him too. My dad hung up the phone and called their cousin and turns out that he was down the road from their house at a gas station getting gas. He had just left a revival. It took him 2 minutes to get to my parents house. When they got there they talked and read the scriptures. My uncle recited John 3:16 over and over bc he said that someone had told him that verse when he was just a young boy and he kept it in his mind for all these years. (you never know what you say to someone can stick with them for the rest of their life!) I can see my uncle Claude who passed a little over a year ago, having a good ole time when they called his name out in heaven this morning! Add Charles "Erby" Burrell to the Book of Life! My mom said that my dad was there until 4:00 in the morning having a good time. Please pray for my uncles family.  For his wife, his kids, his grand kids that  he can be a witness to them. GOD IS SOOOOO GOOD!

100 contest...

So Eve and her Daddy are having a little contest to see who can score the most 100's in school this year. They both are doing really great but Eve has taken the lead by a few I must say.

I am so proud of Jason and how he is handling work and school full time. Heck, he still has time to do a few of his little honey do's here and there. Like Weedeat (I am scared to death of loosing a limb or I would do it) and taking the trash off. The grass cutting has been put in my lap along with some others but I am just happy that we have a yard to cut!

Jasy is learning her letter sounds and is doing fantastic! My parents are her teachers and they do a remarkable job with her! I am so blessed!

Trials and blessings and the need for missions throughout...

Have you ever had a change in your life that at the moment was so hard and you didn't know why God was putting you through it? Only to look back and see the disaster that happened after you crossed through? To see the bottom fall out and know that God only put you through that trial because He was looking out for you. I am seeing that more and more in my life. How good God is and how everything that He does is for the good. Even the darkest of times have a bright path leading to happy times. Not to mention that those trials make us stronger and more aware of things around us that the devil tries to blind us with. I praise God for His wonderful mercy, awesome goodness and saving grace!

A few months back I asked you to pray for a lady that I work with that was doing mission work in India in the summer. She came to my classroom yesterday and brought a scrapbook/writeup of her journey. It was so touching!! She talked about how they bartered at local markets, tasted the local cuisine, and saw the slums that people lived in that in America would be considered abuse. They traveled to Ujjain, one of India's four holiest cities. There people waited for hours to offer sacrifices and try to find blessing and favor from false Gods. Man-made statues, animals, even old trees! There in that city was a river where people bathed, washed clothes, emptied the remains of cremated bodies, brushed their teeth, and dunk themselves as a way to obtain salvation and favor in the eyes of the gods. They even visited a temple where they held sacrifices of babies on each new moon! It would be and understatement at how devastated that city was for them.The Lord used this to break their hearts for the people of India and give them eyes to see them and love them well. The next day in Indore, they went out into the villages and their group was able to share the gospel with over 40 people! Eyes were fixed, people were curious and God's name was made high! The pictures were enough to make you weep in sorrow for these people. Dead animals lying in the streets, trash piled up everywhere, pictures of people digging in trash cans for food. We need to pray for this country and for the cities within. That God might destroy the idols of worship and draw the lost to Himself through the light He is shining. Pray for the missionaries who live there everyday. Pray for their safety and a heart that never grows acquainted with the darkness there but seek to uproot it.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14

Let's catch up, okay?...

I am so sorry that I have been slack with my post. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!  I must be a bee! School starting back, me starting work again and getting moved back in my classroom, Jason started College, Eve and Jasy's fall gymnastics schedule started, our air went out,  Weecycled Wear school shopping, Weecycled Wear working so I can shop early, homework, typing Jason's homework, it all started last week! Whew... I have wanted to write and God has gave me so many things to say but I just never had time or should I say took the time. I could have stayed up and did it-but I was pooped, I think God understands when your too Pooped to type. Don't you? This week has been a little better. Eve's new Gym team takes off the week after school starts back to let the girls get used to homework schedules and new sleeping schedules so we haven't had to do  the 14 hours this week! Just Jasy's one hour a week and I can handle that! Really, Eve's schedule sounds crazy but it is easier on me than last years 5-8 hours a week. Since our new gym is closer to home and she stays for 3 1/2 hours each practice, I can drop off, come home, do dishes, give Jasy a bath, lay out school clothes, do laundry,- watch TV, eat bon-bons, get a massage, okay back to reality. But it really is easier on me because I don't have to stay and sit and consume 2 1/2 hours of time that I need to be doing other things. Yay me!

Last week when I dropped Eve off one day, Jasy and I were heading home and Jasy was just filling my ears full of all kinds of her little thoughts. She explained to me why the planet is green and blue. (because of grass, trees, bushes and blue bc of the swimming pools) She told me why God made white and black people ( because he wanted them to have more babies so the space wouldn't be empty and he made different colors so they could match) She told me about Hell and why the Devil is so mean when you are trying to be good ( because it makes the devil so mad when you pray and do good so he gets meaner) She told me about why God made Nannie and Papas (so they could watch little girls when their mamas and daddies work and their sister goes to school also because they give out junk food) She told me why God made mamas (so they could take care of little kids and give them kisses and love them and be their best friend) She told me so many great little facts that I needed to be reminded of. I needed to hear everything that her little words told me! Well...maybe not e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g she told me but I still enjoyed hearing her theory on things.  It was good to the last drop! Refueled my spirit and lifted my eyes.

Now...we are caught up!

Jasy's green thumb

Look at my little gardener!! She LOVES to work in the garden! Her Nannie and Papa let her help them plant their garden last spring and she had a ball! She absolutely adores tomatoes and eats them like you would eat an apple. She wants them for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Her Uncle Dale and Aunt Addie, gave her one of their tomato plants that they planted and she took care of it all by herself this summer! She watered it daily, put miracle grow on it (with our help) and reminded us to dust it with seven dust when need be. She even made it a "blankie" to wear so it wouldn't get scared outside in the dark, lol.

She was thrilled beyond words when we came home from vacation and she had loads of green and RED tomatoes on her plant!! She screamed at the top of her lungs and ran in out of breath and said "I have to call my Addie and tell her all about my plant!" I am so proud of her and her little green thumb! Wish I had one.

Facing my fears...

Job was considered by God to be a righteous man, and yet Job had fear.He feared something happening to his children. He feared failing health. He feared losing everything. He had lived according to God's laws, had worshiped God rather than his possessions, and still he was afflicted. Who can criticize Job for his reaction? How many of us have lost everything-including our children, health, and possessions? How would we respond to such a horrible situation? The word says, that when the thing we fear most comes upon us, the only way to react is to praise God in the midst of it. That doesn't mean we have to act as though nothing bad has happened. Besides, healthy grief is important, right? "Praise ye the Lord, Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that deighteth greatly in his commandments. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:1,7)

I have been overwhelmed with fear this summer. Over the loss of my job and not knowing exactly what I should do. I was trying to be patient but it was so hard. God showed me in His marvelous word over and over to wait and be patient, why was it so hard for me? I have been mostly overwhelmed about Jason and his calling to be a Missionary. I know that might sound a bit off from a few months ago when I was thrilled to death about our new journey. The fear has set in and I am trying so hard to be strong and make the right decisions. I grew mad that God called Jason to the Missionary field a few weeks ago. Don't know how that came about but it did. Then I got angry about how he will be going to work, then to school and not be home until after the kids are in bed 4 days a week for 4 years. Me having to work again and do ALL the errands by myself without my sidekick.  Don't know how that anger came about but it did. I grew mad that we were going to have to sell pretty much everything we have when we move to Alaska. The beautiful house that we built together as a family, all the time that we have put into everything here and all of our memories. I know God gave us this house and it's His, but I just adore our little "home". I keep thinking that it's just a house, and our stuff are just possessions and I shouldn't put them before anything that God has set for us. But my heart aches. I'm scared now. Fear has set in. I fear the unknown of not being able to plan accordingly like I always have. I need to be patient and trust in Him as He shows me daily. I want to so bad, but my heart aches. I love Him so much and I will do whatever He wants for us to do. So...I just tell Him my fears now, and plead with Him on certain levels, and pray for guidance, change adjustment, trust, patience, understanding, safety  for our whole family. I want to be a strong person like Job. God has shown me these scriptures about Job for the last two weeks. I know He is trying to console me. My love grows stronger for Him everyday. Please pray for us. "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came."Job 3:25-26


On another note...please send reinforcement- my bedroom has been hijacked by the "Wee cycled Wear preparation team". That's right, trying to hang, sort, and tag all of Jasy's outgrown clothes to drop off Sunday for their upcoming sale. I love to shop there but BOY how I despise to get things ready!

Vacation fun...

We had such a good time on our vacation! We got there and it seemed like our week just flew by as always. Why is it that when you work and run errands your life just creeps by and the weekend never comes? Weird huh? We had a ball though.  We saw about 7 or 8 dolphins while swimming at the beach.  On the downside, we also witnessed a lot of jelly fish stings. People were getting stung all around us but we were very fortunate. We watched Shark week all week on TV (not such a good idea while at the beach but it was so intriguing) and Eve got a little stressed about being too far in the water. Normally you can't get her out of the water but this year she was a little skeptical. 

 My parents came down on Monday afternoon and spent a couple days with us. We went to Charleston and visited Patriots Point. It was very interesting and I think my parents really enjoyed it a lot. Especially the Vietnam camp, it was neat hearing all the stories from my dad. That evening we went on a carriage tour in downtown Charleston and we had the perfect weather!! It was very cloudy that evening like it was going to come a downpour any moment but in our favor it never did. It was about 60 degrees during our tour with the perfect breeze. Jasy was so comfortable she fell asleep during it. On the way back to the house we stopped by one of my favorite places in the whole world!!! Krispy Kreme!! Y-U-M-M-Y!!!

Right before we left Charleston, we were stopped at a red light in Charleston I looked over and their was this sign.

It took my breath away! Isn't God so good? People don't realize how much He watches over us. If only we knew how much he intervened in our lives and saved us from disastrous situations. Maybe then we would bow down the way we should and praise Him for His wonderful love.

We did a couple activities at the resort with the kids. They built flip flops and did Build a bear. We had a putt putt course on the resort so that is always fun. Jasy has her own unique way of playing, lol. They love stuff like that!!! Thursday my nephew Matthew and his girlfriend Julia came down and visited us. The girls really loved having them down and they are so great with the girls! I miss them already! When it was time to come home on Sunday we didn't want to leave so we procrastinated and went back to Charleston to the market and walked it. They had some beautiful things and I could have stayed there for hours but we were all starving so we went and had a delicious lunch at Olive Garden.  THEN... Outlet shopping on tax free weekend!!  Can I get a Whoop-whoop, :>) I found some great deals on back to school items for the girls. Blue jeans, and got it the cutest backpack, lunchbox and binder for Eve!!! Bath and Body works had a great sale on their hand soap 5 for $15!! Jason even loves that store!!! (shhh!!!) He goes around smelling all the lotion and bringing them to me to smell. He's such a sweet man. He never fussed one time when I wanted to take a million "Kodak Moment" pictures nor when  he  carried my enormous beach load to the beach daily or when he sat and waited on me to look for great finds at the market and the outlets. He just sat in the corner in a chair with the girls, all patiently. That my friend is a sweet man!

I want to go back! Theirs something about having that week to unload your mind of all the stress of daily functions you do at home, and just set your watch on vacation mode! No worries, no stress, just you and your family. I love it so much!! Jason had to go back to work today and he wasn't a happy camper! Me either. Every time I spend all week with him away from it all,  I love him even more. Thank our dear Lord for sweet family vacations!

Ahemmm...one with the beach...

One word...BEACH!  Salt walter, sand between my toes, warm sun on my face, shrimp in my tummy, and relaxtion in my spirit! I am feeling one with the beach, lol. Aww...can life get any better!!!!

What a day,what a day, what a day- what a mighty fine day...

I have had a hard time all week. Not just for me but for Jason too. I went to bed on Tuesday night after reading my Bible. God had showed me Proverbs 3: 5, 6-again. Yes, He has shown me that verse quite a few times this summer. I felt better about everything after reading and praying. God was definitely "trying" to tell me something that night. I woke up Wednesday morning around 7:45 to the phone ringing. I didn't make it to the phone in time, then my phone beeped showing a voicemail. It was Kelly Pew, Asst Superintendent for the school district. She said she had a position that I might like better than the previous one I was offered on Friday and for me to call her back. I immediately call her back and get her voicemail. Oh...I wonder what position this is? I wait for a couple of hours then she calls back. She has a job at Central elementary she says and was wondering if I would be interested? "YES!!", I scream into the phone, I would love to be back at Central"!!!! Then she says, " Well good, I thought you might, well would you like to have your job back as the TA"? The lady I think went deaf with my response!!!!!! With as loud as I my sickly voice could scream (I have bronchitis or something) I yell "Y-E-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She made my day!!!!! I was thrilled to be back there with all my peeps and my little pals!!!! Even if I had to go in a complete circle and only end up where I was to begin with, I am happy that God worked that out for me! Maybe He was trying to to teach me to be -what's the word??? P-A-T-I-E-N-T!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, He sure knows me!

But my day gets better! I go to gymnastics with the girls and Eve nails her Kip!!! 6 times in a row!! Bamb, bamb, bamb!!! This is a skill that she has been trying to master all summer on bars. She has been only getting a one finger spot for a while and we just knew that she could do it. I kept telling her that she would get it but she had to believe in herself and believe in where her strength comes from. I was sitting there in that waiting room at the gym and I could just feel God sitting there with me!!!!!! He was there alright and He was Eve's one finger spot on the bars! She got to write her name on the  Amazing Kip club wall and that just thrilled her to death!!!!!!!!!!!  Now, Jasy was in her little class  too having a great day, just tearing up that gym with her effortless talents! I just LOVE it at our new gym!!! It is definitely where God wanted us and I am so glad that I listened to Him and let Him choose!!!

THEN...I got the best present from a dear friend at church last night!!! She makes the cutest window peices to put in your kitchens or just wherever!!! They are just precious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has a prayer pocket with ZEBRA and well... here I will let you check it out and see what you think!

Now...I am officially ready for the beach!

Cookout fun...

We had a wonderful weekend! Although it was soooo hot we still were able to have a great cookout last night with the family for Eve's 9th birthday. Swimming, burgers, cupcakes, ice cream, more cupcakes, fresh lemonade, and more cupcakes. I baked 80 cupcakes and made a "big top cupcake". It was loads of fun! I love decorating!!! I wish I could be a party planner or an interior decorator. When I grow up I might just do that, lol. I designed Eve a skin cover for her Nintendo DS and  she LOVED it!! I was so glad. She didn't really tell us any specific thing that she wanted this year so I just went out on a limb.


 My grandmother got to come to the cookout and I think she really enjoyed herself.

Please remember my job situation in your prayers. God is working there and I just want to make sure that I am where He wants me and that I am patient for Him. God has been so good to us lately and I just love Him more everyday!!

We are ready to leave for our trip to Edisto!! We can't wait. 1 week from today, yippee!!!