Blessed Be Your Name

SNOW!!!

2011-02-10T11:08:00.003-05:00

Well I am many snow days behind. This is actually from today though. This was a light snow relative to the others we have had lately. Will has missed a lot of school so I was glad that the roads were clear this morning.

I was not looking forward to going out to play in the snow. Bill is at work and Will is at school so the snowman building fell on me.

OK I know it is tiny but... It IS a snowman!!

Laura Ann is such fun and loves the snow.

20 Years with Delta

2011-01-27T09:21:00.015-05:00

In case I've never mentioned it, My husband Bill works for Delta Airlines. He is a lead mechanic. He supervises other mechanics, mechanic's helpers, cleaners and other various personnel. He designs and builds, or supervises the building of, equipment such as test stands. He inspects airplane parts after they have been serviced. In his 20 yrs he has either worked on or supervised others working on starters, pneumatic valves, (various parts for AC and pressure control), coffee makers, chillers (refrigerators), cockpit windows, and ovens just to name a few parts. He looks to save the company and hopefully the consumer money by finding ways to decrease costs on part retrieval and maintenance.

He has been blessed to have a wonderful schedule of 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM. He does work overtime as he chooses until 6:30 PM most days right now. We are able to fly free (standby)along with our children and his parents. He also can provide special rates to a limited # of friends and family. He works indoors unless he needs to run out to an AOG (Airplane On Ground) that needs to take off but needs his expertise first.

As you may have noticed, I am quite impressed by my husband's abilities. I praise God for providing a great job where Bill's talents shine. Sure, there are definite ups and downs in the airline industry. I remember on one of our first flights after marriage being prepared by Bill to move to Alaska if he got laid off. I was listening to The Cranberries "Dreams" on the headset as I sat in the first class cabin and watched the plane circle Atlanta's airport on takeoff.

Oh my life is changin' everyday,

in every possible way.

And oh my dreams, it's never quite as it seems,

Never quite as it seems.

He was never laid off. Then, almost a decade later, came September 11, 2001. I sat in my glider after nursing Baby Will and watched in horror as the second plane hit the World Trade Center. I looked down at my sweet 2 1/2 month old baby and he was smiling up at me with no clue as to how many lives were just lost and how much our lives had just changed. Our small congregation gathered at the church that night and prayed. We spent time with dear friends at their home trying to sort through it all. We then headed home and I looked up into the night sky and saw no planes flying, not even one. It was the first time I'd ever seen a vacant night sky above our South Atlanta area home.

The events of Sept 11th put into motion my husband's spiritual calling to take a voluntary furlough from Delta and find work at Ft. Rucker Alabama repairing helicopters. This meant 5 homes in 5 years and lots of my tears. His seniority was not effected as he went on furlough.

These bumps in his employment with Delta were definitely trying but I am so very thankful for his employment there. He celebrated 20 yrs with the company on January 7th. He was sent an email with a choice of service awards and asked me to pick one out. He doesn't wear a watch, so that traditional memento was not an option. I asked around and the mantle clock is apparently not a good choice either.

We have needed some everyday dinnerware for some time. One of the choices was Royal Doulton Gordon Ramsay Maze Dinnerware. I felt like this was not much a celebration of Bill but he said that he would love for me to have it. I have ordered it and I am so excited about receiving and using it. It is the same pattern that Mr. Ramsay uses in his London Restaurants.

Congratulations to my sweet, talented, hardworking Bill. I thank you for allowing me to pick your award. Please know that many yummy meals will be served to you and your family on these plates.

Soli Deo Gloria

2010-07-02T13:23:00.003-04:00

It's been a very long time.... My last post was entitled shingles stink. I can can say that even more because I got another case just a month after the case I posted about. I just didn't feel like posting about that...so I didn't.
I have been reflecting about my computer posting. I am on facebook. I post a few pics here and there and every so often I yell from the digital rooftops my undying love for my husband. I post some scripture at times. The most useful thing about Facebook and blogs to me is the info I get about those that I wish to encourage. I have found out that I need to pray about sicknesses that I didn't know about. I can encourage my friends that are in school or looking for a new job.
I hesitate to speak about a great girls outing to a movie or for coffee. I hesitate to say "just had a great time with the Nelsons". What about those folks reading who haven't been invited to dinner? With anyone, much less the Nelsons. What about the woman who really wants a girls night and feels left out? I just think we need to be careful.
I heard a commercial for a new phone. It went something like this.... Buy this new phone that takes wonderful pics of your life and you can post it on Facebook immediately and make everyone else jealous of the great Summer you are having. Is that what we are doing? Are we competing to see who has the coolest life with the coolest things and the coolest people in it? O Father please guard me from this but allow me the freedom to publish a blog or post things on FB that help me and my family remember your faithfulness and how you have sustained us. Let all that I do be to your glory. Not selfish ambition or conceit, only for your glory. Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God Alone.

SHINGLES STINK

2010-02-26T17:31:00.004-05:00

I have shingles again. Shingles hurt, I mean really hurt, but I think Kidney stones are worse, well maybe not worse but Kidney stones stink too (had those a few times too, they don't last as long for me though). Shingles stink, but .... These people don't: James, and Lisa, Kristin, Natalie, Jim and Wendy, Elizabeth, Kelly and Erica, Kim and Jessica. All of these people either fed my family, took my child to school, delivered food, kept nursery or made an adament offer to do one of those things. There were others that offered things that I know that I could have called on. We are so thankful for help. We don't have grandmas to come and stay for a week. We need our church and school family. Praise God. He is the one that this love flows from. Of course we are most thankful for Him.
His love has been shown greatly to me by my wonderful husband, who although he sent our son to school without a jacket this morning in what had to be 20 something degree weather (I'm sorry I had to mention that - that is just funny - the boy had to borrow a coat from lost and found!!) Getting back on track... My wonderful husband has done a magnificent job of working fulltime and some OT while caring for this entire family with very little help from me. He even made me hashbrowns with onions and diced tomatoes this morning, just beacause that is what I thought that I could eat. He started with an actual whole potato by the way.
Please pray that my illness is very short lived. I am dying to hug my husband and kids without guarding and whincing. I am actually really wanting to cook. I look forward to two straight days without nausea and no sensations of needles piercing my skin. I also want to take a shower for more than three minutes. Believe me, when your skin feels like this you don't even use conditioner. I've tried a bath but that has its pitfalls too.
I praise you God for this time. Oh how much more thankful I will be for those hugs, the ability to cook, wear a bra and go out in publc, have nausea free days, take hot adequate showers.....
You have mercifully shown me in the past in concrete terms just how your ways are better than mine. Shingles stink, they sure do, but all the more clearly they show me how I depend on YOU!

Dad's Great Green Chili - (From Eating For Life Cookbook)

2010-02-16T12:21:00.004-05:00

Dad's Great Green Chili -Eating for Life by Bill Phillips

8 Cups fat free, reduced sodium chicken broth

1 Onion, finely chopped

8 Portions chicken breast (about 2 pounds- I used 3 large bone in breasts and that was plenty)

2 Packages Roasted Chicken Gravy Mix

5 cans (4 oz. each) mild diced green chiles- original recipe calls for 3-7oz. cans I can only find 4 oz and just used 5 cans + a little more

6 Cloves Garlic minced

1/2 Cup fresh cilantro - I used much less Bill has recently decided that he doesn't like cilantro so I just used a few sprigs - but it was great!!

1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin

2 Jalapenos, seeded and chopped (wear gloves if you can and don't rub those eyes) - It really doesn't make it too hot - both kids loved it.

1 Can (28 ounces) white hominy, drained - I couldn't find that size can so got two small ones and used 1.5 cans. I think putting both would have been fine.

8 (6inch) flour tortillas

1 Tomato, diced

1/2 cup fat free sour cream

In a large pot, combine chicken broth, onion and chicken breasts. Heat to boiling over high heat. Then reduce heat to low and simmer until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken from the broth and set aside to cool.

Use whisk to blend gravy mix into the broth. Then add chiles, garlic, cilantro, cumin, jalapenos and hominy. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; then reduce heat to low.

Shred the cooked chicken by pulling it apart with two forks, and add it back into the broth. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

Warm flour tortillas by placing them between two damp paper towels and microwaving on high for 45 seconds.

Spoon a portion of the green chili (about 1 1/2 cups) into each bowl, top with a spoonful of diced tomato and a tablespoon of sour cream.

Fold a warmed tortilla, and place it beside the bowl of chili for dipping.

This stuff is great even without the toppings. This is a healthy meal.

OZ Pizza Fire

2010-02-11T12:29:00.004-05:00

Will cried this morning when I told him about the OZ pizza fire. From the way the news reported this morning, it sounded like it started there. Pics from the noon news show the involvement mostly to the left of the restaurant. This building has been there for over a hundred years. Will's football team has had fundraisers there. He LOVES old buildings. He is a major history buff. The building is across the street from school. Our family has eaten there and made memories. I spoke to Will about things on this earth being temporal and how that God is sovereign. We will continue to pray for the people who will be looking for jobs. Uncertain what the future is for that part of the building. It's just a building, I know. It just has special memories of this brief time that we have been back in GA.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purposes." Romans 8:28

Fire Ravages Fairburn Retail Center FOX 5 Atlanta myfoxatlanta.com

This Blog ....

2010-02-09T08:49:00.003-05:00

Well hello there (If anyone is still there after my very long absence). I considered a post title of this blog sucks (quite vulgar and not positive). I have had blogger's block. I haven't posted much on facebook lately either. Reasons: A) I have been trying to limit my time on the computer and with help from God do a better job at mothering and housekeeping. B) I have found myself feeling that my posts would be boastful. I just couldn't think of anything that wasn't. Not that we are full of great successes around here right now or anything, but I just haven't felt comfortable posting the pics of "those good parts" of life. I take far more pics of those things than the occasional pic of my daughter covered in something because her Mom wasn't watching her closely enough or the many spills and broken jelly jars I cause. I have never taken a picture of my son to remember the time he brought a note home from school because he chose to mimic another child's hand motion (no not that one - we got that one out of the way a while back). I am certainly not saying that blog posts about these things are boastful. In fact, I plan to do one of my marathon catch you up pic posts soon. I was just feeling that way. Not sure why, I'll leave it at that.

I am hoping to be able to manage my time more wisely and be able to fit some blogging in. I don't scrapbook, so this IS our family's scrapbook. Thanks to the friends and family and anyone else who takes the time to share in it. I plan to share a recipe with you soon for a healthy and oh so good green chili. (I am stingy with recipes. No I am not one of those freaks that will REFUSE to give you a recipe. I will just ask you not to bring certain ones to things in the same circle as me. I mean who wants to bring their lasagna to a new mother the night after someone else has brought the same thing- trivial I know - or the week before you plan to bring your Apple Dumplings -Well not really yours but PW's- someone else beats you to the punch - again trivial ).

Well I've already spent more time than I should here. Thanks for reading and thanks to all you fellow bloggers for being generous with beautiful pics of your families, recipes, general know how, meditations on the Word and YOUR TIME! These things take time. We do them primarily for our families I'm sure but they are often helpful and encouraging to your readers.

Daddy, Thankfulness and Family

2009-11-25T08:37:00.003-05:00

My Daddy is in the hospital on a ventilator. He has pneumonia and is likely septic. My Mama is a mess. The family is stressed. I pray that we can all seek the peace that only God can give. I pray that we are all refined through this. I pray that Daddy be healed if it is God's will.
Bill and I prayed together for a long time last night. So many people were in our joint prayer. The fact that I can and do pray with my husband and can approach the Father because of what the Son has done... That is what I am most thankful for. My salvation and how it is part of my life now, not just my get out of hell free card.
We are dealing with stresses in the Lawton family right now too. We are trying to find a time that we can have our Christmas gathering together. Tensions are rising. I'm not sure if I should be mentioning this on the blog or not... My intention is that my friends who keep up with me on this blog will pray. I also want to document this very stressful but thankful time in our lives.
Bill and I are thankful that anyone even wants to see us and try to have the family together in one place.

2009-11-16T11:37:00.000-05:00

A post is coming soon.... Lord willing

Life isn't always pretty...

2009-10-13T19:52:00.004-04:00

Well, I have lots of pics to share when the creative bug hits me again. But not now. We have had 3 quite interesting weeks. We have been sick! Well we all started with this respiratory illness on the same night, a Sat night three Sats ago. We haven't ever all gotten sick at once before. Well the kids got better quickly, Bill and I however, did not. Approx 9 days later I woke up with my eye matted together and decided that I had more than a cold. I went to the PA and got some oral antibiotics and a refill for the antibiotic eye ointment that I had from the last time I had conjunctivitis. Then two days later I had severe pain and tearing in said eye and the Ophthalmologist confirmed a corneal abrasion (scratched eye). That day Bill got abx (antibiotics) from the PA. 2AM that morning Will knocks on our bedroom door, "I just threw up". He has a loft bed and just leaned over the side....SPLAT! The next morning I began to throw up and realized that I had been having chills the night before. The next day Bill gets a fever and then has severe tummy troubles for a day. The whole saga ends?? with Laura Ann getting conjunctivitis a fever and diarrhea. Oh yeah Bill got conjunctivitis (pink eye) in that span of time too. Bill missed most of the week of work. Will missed two days of school and 1 football practice. Bill was unable to coach football for several practices and two games (at least). We all missed small group once.
Switching gears here. I get calls. Drama filled calls. I won't mention where they come from. Some that know me know. These calls upset me. I mean heart racing, stomach in knots ready to cry upset me. It should be as simple as not answering the phone but it isn't. I pray, not as often as I should, to respond in a Christ-like manner to these calls. I fall short. Life isn't always pretty, but Jesus is always my Savior. Praise God. One day these calls will stop or be replaced with different calls from another person. I pray that through my sanctification that I will glorify God in the next call. I hate the disruption to my family. (When Mama is upset...)
Funny thing, these calls always make me more thankful. I am so thankful for my protective, loving, sweet, giving, humble, (I could go on and on) husband that pursues holiness and is a wonderful father. God scooped me up the day that He called me to himself. Some years later, God used Bill on this earth to provide a safe, peace pursuing, God honoring home for me. Those strong arms and shoulders love me. God blesses me through them.

Life isn't always pretty, but Jesus is always my Savior.

1st Game of the Season - Landmark Christian

2009-09-12T14:37:00.005-04:00

You can't tell in the pic but I pieced together some blue and gold attire. I even had on GOLD eyeshadow. I mean really GOLD. I really try to watch the game, but it is hard as you wrangle Miss Laura Ann in the stadium. I spent most of my time trying to figure out where Will was. He played center and some other line end type thing (still learning my positions). He was also part of the kickoff team. Coach Lawton was out of town but will be back for next week's game.

After Game Prayer

LA and I couldn't make it down to pray with them. I love how they start each game with a prayer as well (over the PA). Our school's youth program plays with a rec league and no one has stopped the prayers yet. Praise God!

"Because I'm tough Mama"

2009-09-11T13:54:00.003-04:00

Mama: "Will, why aren't you smiling?" Will: "Because I'm tough Mama"

Sweet Daddy is in this pic, one of the coaches this year!

Will's School Project

2009-08-12T20:15:00.006-04:00

Will is supposed to bring in some pictures or postcards frm his summer vacation fun. Our printer is acting up and will not print on photo paper so I decided to make a blog entry. I will hopefully be able to print this to plain paper.

Point Park, Lookout Mtn, Chattanooga, TN

Rock City, Lookout Mtn, GA

St. Andrews State Park, Panama City Beach, FL

Cypress Spring, Vernon, FL

Broken

2009-08-11T18:28:00.003-04:00

Sunday evening I watched as my little toddler was getting down from this very chair while holding this very pencil and paper. She has maneuvered in and out of these chairs hundreds of times carefully and without incident. This time holding on to her writing materials was a little too much for her. It looked as though she had fell flat on her back. I scooped her up and she didn't stop crying as she normally does after falling down. She cried unconsolably for 15 minutes. I did an assessment on her and found a little bit of bruising and the slightest bit of tightness in the skin of her left forearm. The swelling wasn't even visible at that time. I put her princess cold pack on her arm gave her some Motrin and started brainstorming. Meanwhile the swelling became noticeable. Bill and I were hoping for a sprain or deep bruise. The swelling made me concerned that we might be dealing with a fracture. We called the Ped after hours clinic, they don't do XRays. Meanwhile Laura Ann has stopped crying but is holding her arm and saying OOWWW, BOO-BOO. She is left handed and would not use that arm.

I called the Pediatrician on call ( I thought). They now filter their calls through the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Phone nurse. Frustrated, I answered her questions and listened as she told me not to give any more Motrin but to use Tylenol. I told her that I indeed wanted to speak with the Pediatrician on call. I received a call from one of the docs that I used to work with at both the clinic and on the Peds unit. She helped me brainstorm and reminded me that an ER would only splint a fracture and wait on the orthopedic surgeon to see her on Monday. I remember working nights and evaluating children with their splints waiting for the cast the next day. This wait also helps with swelling issues. Casts that are put on when there is increasing swelling end up having to be cut off and reapplied.

After talking to the doc, I applied Mama's homemade splint ( An ice peri pad left over from Laura Ann's delivery) and wrapped with an Ace type bandage. We kept ice on it as long as possible (of course no longer than 20 minutes at the time) and elevated it as much as we could. I gave her some Tylenol and a dose of Benadryl and put her to bed. I did the same thing for her that I did for my patients in the hospital. I did round the clock checks on those fingers and made sure that the arm above the sling wasn't swelling too much. I did skip waking her to ask her about sensation (Do you feel that?) She is a little young for that. It is not like I could sleep any way! Praise God she slept through the night.

I took her in the next morning to see our wonderful Pediatrician Dr. Jackson. I could get an earlier appt with him than the Pediatric Orthopedist. I made an appt with ortho for 2pm just in case I would need it. Laura Ann was such a sweet compliant patient. She sat for her Xrays without wiggling. Dr. Jackson looked at the images and found that her radius and ulna ( the two bones of the forearm) were both fractured. The growth plate was not involved and it would not need to be manipulated or "set". Dr. Jackson said to keep my splint on and to see the Ped Ortho that I already had an appt with. Meanwhile a sweet friend Erica had Mr. Will. He was picked up before we ever ventured out for our day of Dr. Appts. He had a blast.

Laura Ann fell asleep in the car after seeing Dr. Jackson. He gave us an RX for some Pain meds. We had a little time before the other appt. We met a couple of sweet friends for lunch and then met Daddy at the next doctor appt. The doc sent us for a cast and told us to come back in 4 to 4 1/2 weeks to get it removed. He also said that Motrin would be the best thing for pain relief. I told him about my advice from the nurse.... He said use Motrin.

Laura Ann was a sweetheart during the cast application as well. It was hard for me not to help.

We have had a challenging time trying to keep the cast clean (especially during meals) and dry (imagine bath time). It takes two of us to bathe her now. She is more fussy than usual and I am having to do her coloring for her so far. She sits and shows me what color she wants... I am working on getting her to use her well-non dominant hand. She wants me a lot closer right now and needs more help. Well it seems that my attempt to put her to bed early was ineffective. I am being summoned.

Please pray that God knits the fracture up and that it will be completely healed. Please pray for pain control for Laura Ann and patience for Bill, Will (who starts school tomorrow) and I.

Jesus Thank You

2009-07-22T08:32:00.005-04:00

Jesus, Thank You
Words and music by Pat Sczebel
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend The agonies of Calvary You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Your blood has washed away my sin Jesus, thank You The Father’s wrath completely satisfied Jesus, thank You Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table Jesus, thank You
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near Your enemy You’ve made Your friendPouring out the riches of Your glorious grace Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Lover of my soul I want to live for You
© 2003 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).

Happy 8th Birthday Mr. Will!

2009-06-27T22:47:00.001-04:00

Laura Ann's First Time in a Pool!

2009-06-16T13:07:00.006-04:00

Today was day two of Will's swimming lessons (level 3). Will still says schwimming instead of swimming quite often. It was Laura Ann's very first time in any pool! They have a 1ft baby pool with a fountain at the pool that Mr. Will is taking lessons at.

Brother jumped in after his lesson was over. He sure loves lil sis.

I love the ruffles!
Whew I'm Tired!!

I didn't take one picture

2009-06-13T08:40:00.005-04:00

Our computer died. It was ressurrected by our church's resident teenaged computer genius. I haven't checked email or blogs for two weeks. It was actually freeing. I most missed mapquest (we don't have a car GPS unless you count my awesome husband) and I have all of my nursing books in storage so I missed looking up info on the internet. I found that I have replaced textbooks with trustworthy medical sites for the most part. Oh and Biblegateway. I so missed it!!! Where is that scripture?? Is that even in the Word? A search of Biblegateway will help you out. Sorry no link. I'm still learning here.
I also didn't take a picture, not one. No VBS pics, no Basketball Camp pics, no pics of the playdate with Dallas C. No pics of Pa doing a front flip in the livingroom. He is in his upper 70's I might add. I love to document our lives in pictures but sometimes it interferes with life to do so! I am not done with pics for sure and I have some to post from the busy period just before the demise of our computer but for now, words are it.
Now to get to the things that I was doing while my computer was dead....

Squirming And Smiling In The Pew

2009-05-26T15:12:00.006-04:00

How do you feel when your pastor makes you squirm? I am thankful to say that my pastor made me squirm Sunday. I am thankful that I was able to get the fact that "God loves me so He is correcting me" pretty quickly. The excerpt below also talks about how the letters to the first century church are useful for the church today. I provided the link to the entire article/post below if you would like to delve in deeper. I realize that some men may read this and I am not trying to "teach" here. I am sharing a post from Sproul, Jr. and how God is working in my heart right now. (PCA woman disclaimer :)

The following quote is taken from R.C. Sproul Jr.'s column Seek Ye First: Love Letters
Text color emphasis added by me.

"If we would understand all the epistles to churches in the whole of the New Testament, we must first understand the wisdom of this bit of Old Testament wisdom literature: "there is nothing new under the sun" (Eccl. 1:9). The churches of the first century were not models of orthodoxy (right doctrine) and orthopraxy (right behavior). Neither, on the other hand, were they beyond the pale. Instead these churches were weak, worldly, and wishy-washy -- just like us. Surely the church as a whole has ebbed and flowed over the years. But she has, from the beginning and to our own day, not only been a mixture of wheat and tares but also a body wherein even the wheat often behaves like tares. That is, our problems in the church are not merely that there are unbelievers therein, but the unbelief of the believers therein.
This, friends, ought not to discourage us. We certainly do need to remember God's judgment as we face up to the bold preaching against our sins that we find in the epistles in the New Testament. But we must likewise remember how these letters begin and end. These are not letters of divorce. They instead implore the churches to repent, to return, and to believe. Paul writes to the saints he loves, not the sinners he is finished with. He begins his letters with love and ends them in the same way. The book of Revelation is much the same. The whole purpose was to encourage the saints to righteousness in a context of hardship. The whole purpose was to remind the saints of their first calling -- to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Were we wise we would hear these prophetic utterances as addressed to us. Indeed, were we wise we would welcome the same from our own pastors and elders. We would know that as our sins are challenged from the pulpit, they are challenged that we might grow in grace. We would know that our pastors are piercing our hearts and rocking our consciences precisely because they love us. We would receive rebuke as we ought -- as kisses from a friend. That is precisely what they are, kisses, ultimately from the friend we have in Jesus. This is love, that our Savior has not only redeemed us but that He is also daily about the business of purifying us, making us a bride without spot or blemish. It's a painful process, but it has a glorious end."

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/2009/05/love-letters.html

What scripture did pastor preach on Sunday? Philippians 2:14-18

"14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

He also mentioned the phrase "being real" and said that some could use this as an excuse to live as the world instead of pursuing holiness. (My paraphrasing - not a quote) I have been reading Steve Brown's "A Scandalous Freedom" and he talks about the masks that we wear for unbelievers, one in particular - purity. I have struggled with the "ruin your witness" mindset vs. "being real" and letting others know "Hey I'm a sinner too" - not hiding sin. As pastor pointed out we are told in the Bible to confess our sins one to another. I'm not sure of where I will end up on that but verse 15 is pretty clear about shining like stars in the universe. I just pray that I can be honest and, as a friend put it, still "pursue holiness".

No, Mr. President: John Piper's Response to President Obama on Abortion

2009-05-13T13:29:00.001-04:00

Life

Laura Ann

2009-05-07T13:08:00.002-04:00

17 Years Ago

2009-04-24T13:43:00.005-04:00

Today is my 36th birthday. On April 24th 1992 I went on a blind date. I had talked to this man that my girlfriend from college told me about once on the phone. I asked him if he was a Christian and he said with emphasis "Yes Ma'am!". He asked if I would like to go out and the date he offered happened to be my 19th birthday. I prepared by having my outfit dry-cleaned and wore my favorite perfume. Holly and I took the trip from Milledgeville to Stockbridge (ATL) after we finished classes that day. He showed up bearing a small coffee cup of flowers. That man that I went on the blind date with 17 years ago kissed me goodbye as he left for work this morning. The picture below is the first one taken of us. This was only weeks later. Four months after we would be engaged, four months after that we would be married.

The coffee cup is still in use today. He took me to Olive Garden, but I really couldn't eat. We sat there talking, him looking at me really so deeply. He was saying things that made me laugh, smile and sometimes raise my eyebrow. Then it happened: I heard "This is your husband" It was in my head, but I heard it - out of nowhere. I immediately said excuse me and slipped into the bathroom. I remember clenching the counter and looking in the mirror and thinking: "I didn't ask for this, I'm not looking for a husband.. I'm 19 What? What is happening?" I composed myself and went back to the table. I sat down and saw the most gorgeous blue - green eyes and this confident grin. He was charming me and was just irresistible. He kept making comments about my hair..my eyes.. . My cheeks started hurting that night and continued to hurt for some time from smiling so much!! Sparks were flying that night. I had never had a date like that. My heart was racing and he held my hand later that night and it just felt like home.

A few weeks after that first date the picture was taken. Four months later we would be engaged (Although he bought the ring some time before that - for me), Four months after that we would be married. Sounds crazy. I am an indecisive person about many things. There was no indecision when it came to Bill. There was no doubt in my mind that I was to be his wife. There is still no doubt. My birthday is special to me as it is the date that I first set eyes on my husband. Marriage is a lot of work and so is parenting, but it is also beautiful. He still gives me goosebumps when he kisses me or sometimes with just a touch of my hand. I still adore his beautiful blue-green eyes. I am so thankful that I met this man on that day back then, what a beautiful present.

Thank you God.

I know What Boogers Are

2009-04-23T18:14:00.008-04:00

"Mama....." "What Will?" "I know what boogers are." "Oh you do?" "They're just dried up snot!"

My boy has lost two teeth in two days and three in the past week. I told him I would check the price of Lego City Police Station for him. We don't do the "fairy" thing but we do pay him for his little dentitious treasures. Well it is $90.00 and three teeth will not pay for that! We plan to get him the helicopter that goes with it and wait until his birthday to get the Police Station.

Judging, Judgement, Judgmentally

2009-04-14T11:21:00.005-04:00

There is probably some unwritten rule about not having entire posts citing another's post but I just wanted to share this as I am dealing with trying to understand others today.

2nd Cor 4:13
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,

Judging Judgment JudgmentallyJanuary 25, 2008 By: Abraham Piper Category: Commentary
When we’re dealing with people who are different than us (everybody?) and trying to decide how to interpret the things about them that baffle us, we sometimes forget how fundamental beliefs are to the way we all act. As Paul wrote, “We also believe, and so we speak.”
Seth Godin points out that everyone has a tendency to misunderstand other people, because we don't pay attention to what they believe. He notes that when you are dealing with someone “who is bitter, vindictive, loud and out to cost you your job,” it’s important to keep in mind that this probably does not stem from faulty judgment, but different beliefs.
He suggests that in these situations we should remind ourselves, “If I believed what [they] said when [they] wrote that angry blog post, I probably would have written the same thing.”
So before we judge others, accusing them of bad judgment, it's good to consider what beliefs are motivating them. Then we can admit that if we believed like them we may very well have thought and acted that way, too.
This is humility, and it’s essential if we want to be compassionate (or even just tolerable to be around). It keeps the focus on what really matters when relating to others: understanding what they believe, instead of judgmentally judging their judgment.

Fun for Boys

2009-04-08T20:59:00.006-04:00

One of Will's buddies from church spent most of the day with him. I was so thankful that he came. Will had a blast. Drumming in the "multi-purpose" roomLots of fun at the park

One tired chicky chick

Binge Blogging, Catching up Again

2009-04-04T09:41:00.025-04:00

I ordered these pics chronologically except the first one. I had to let this be the first thing you see on this post.

What a Spring Beauty!! She can finally wear this 12mos dress that I got at her baby shower!

My attempt at Ma-Ma's cornbread. I miss her so much. I made it in her pan. There is no telling how much cornbread she made in that iron skillet. She made it every day, yes EVERY day, that I knew her until she was ill. I cried when I put this on the table. I look forward to seeing her again in heaven!!

Laura Ann is NOT ready to use dishes. Notice the bowl on the floor.

A common occurrence.

2009 Carriage Lane Presbyterian Musical

Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace

Lots of unscripted Valentine Love

My attempt at Valentine Goodies for teachers, Will's "special girls", and a few family members.

Hail storm '09

The Volvo needs a new windshield. The house needs a new roof. Insurance on the house, not the car.

I am not surprised that the snow looks like it is melting around him. Sizzle!

The next day... The snowman has seen some wear and tear.

Only Will can turn a snow day into a WWII battle.

Yes that's GA bulldogs gear our baseball player has on. We are quite sick about it, but love his coach and the coach's family. Go Gators!! and I guess go dogs, uh dawgs..TYBA baseball that is!

Will's ANT Science Fair project ( made from recyclable materials)

I decided to splurge on take out from Outback one night. This is my "medium" steak. Can you say moo? Well, I got to pray with the take out girl about her broken foot. I thought twice about complaining (until I received a free meal) as I usually do in times like this. I did let the manager know that we didn't receive our salads and Bill picked those up the next day. What should Christians do when they receive bad service? Comments please if you have them. Also, when I got my Blue cheese chopped salad the next day....no blue cheese.

Aren't they beautiful? These are two of my new friends. The one in stripes (Elizabeth) coordinated a Birthday Girl's Night Out for the one in the shawl (Erica-Birthday Girl). I could say so many great things about both of them. I am truly blessed to call them both friend. I can't wait to get to know them even better.

I am really in this picture and no I wasn't hiding on purpose. SO many lovely ladies in this picture. So much love for Christ in those hearts. This was just last night. My sweet Bill is coughing terribly but cared for the little ones so that I could go out. Oh how I love you, Bill!

One last thing Whooping Cough, yes Whooping Cough. None of us are contagious thanks to antibiotics and an awesome Pediatrician that is a man of God. The inflammation will stick around for weeks we are told, though. Little Laura Ann is quite demanding with her ear infection bothering her. I would be too.

It is a sunny day today, ....finally.

The Camera is Downstairs, The Water is Running

2009-03-29T20:48:00.003-04:00

Still no pictures. Honestly the camera is downstairs and by the time I respond to emails I just don't have much justifiable computer time. When my man is out of the shower this screen will be black!!
I am so thankful for the Word of God right now and how God has been putting a hunger for it in me lately. I do have seasons where that isn't so. Right now I can't get enough. I want to delve into things I've never understood and consult Sproul, Keller, Piper, and Brown for their take on it.
Well the shower just stopped!

Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Cracked Rib...

2009-03-26T10:42:00.004-04:00

I haven't left the blogosphere. Words like Pneumonia, coughing, and doctor have been spoken in our home way too often over the past three weeks. Bill is recovering from Pneumonia and I am recovering from Bronchitis. Bill even cracked a rib coughing so hard! I have lots to catch up on. I would love to take some time to post some pics and let you guys know the other things that have been going on in our lives. (Maybe Saturday...hmmm, I'll ask hubby to give me an hour...maybe I can trade an hour of guitar for an hour of blogging.....hmmmm)
Was the snow really three weeks ago? No pictures yet?
It is important to have clean laundry and feed your baby though. Also, reading 10 little ladybugs at least 15 times a day is a must. Also, it is important to pick up the trash from the floor after your 16 month old pulls it all out of the can while you were in the bathroom. I was wondering why she wasn't knocking on the door!! These things make for little time to blog. Doing all of these things while coughing...
I am not the most efficient housekeeper and have to limit my computer time, in fact, goodbye. I really have to study Deuteronomy now. Bible Studies are great accountability tools!

Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Goin' Down Down Down

2009-02-10T15:13:00.003-05:00

I am so glad that Bill sold our stock award when he did. The market looks horrible in response to the "stimulus" passing. I am also glad that our hope is in El Shaddai who is all sufficient!

Sometimes you just need to rock.....

2009-02-07T10:33:00.004-05:00

Sorry if I scared you! I was getting ready for Bible Study on Friday and the kids and I were jamming to Boomin' by Toby Mac. Bill, Bridget and I went to a Toby Mac concert when I was pregnant with Laura Ann. Barlow Girl opened and they all rocked Ozark for God!! This song has been on my heart. It is pretty simple. It talks about having a heart full of God and worshiping with the diverse family of God. It rocks! Hope that I didn't get anyone in trouble with autostart! (And yes I really love to sing the opera part at the end and Will can't stand it!)
A post is in the works.... OVERHEARD

2009-02-02T19:57:00.003-05:00

Looks like we need a thermostat for the car. It should be around $10 for the part. The labor..courtesy of that man I was thanking God for. This little job will compete for his time preparing to teach our Sunday School class this Sunday. Praise God in this also!

Thank You God

2009-02-02T16:22:00.002-05:00

My car was running hot this morning. Turns out that it only needed coolant as it was bone dry in that area. Thank you God that I have a husband who is handy and can figure out these things and much more complicated issues. Thank you God that we don't have a major expense just as it is time for the enrollment deposit for school. I also thank you for the times that we did have major expenses all lumped together. They made us very aware of our total dependence on you.
Romans 8:28
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.
Even if it turns out that something else is wrong with the car, even this little thing is for our good.
Thank You God. Thank you.

100th Day of School

2009-01-27T12:39:00.003-05:00

Today Will's 2nd grade class is celebrating the 100th day of school. They were told to dress up like old folks. Bill reminded me last night after he put Will to bed. I really had no clue what to do. The little guy isn't smiling that much in these pics because the... cute can hardly see your eyes little boy squint smile... didn't go with the theme I thought. He also brought some bright green flip top sunglasses. That is Johnson's baby powder, idea courtesy of his teacher.

I love this little boy.

Thanks to the 43rd

2009-01-20T12:29:00.002-05:00

Thanks W!
I am thankful for your service. May God continue to richly bless you.

I now pray for President Obama, that he will make godly decisions as he leads our nation.

Catching Up....

2009-01-12T10:57:00.027-05:00

Fall Fun Day

2008

Landmark

Another Mom and I did the face painting. Little Laura Ann was great. She sat by me in the stroller.

Will is a scarecrow.

The Toughest Man on the Team
Landmark War Eagle #15

after his last game and awards ceremony.

Pilgrim Hat Cookies that I made for the Thanksgiving Celebration at Will's school.

My Little Indian and Puppy Cow

That is the Thanksgiving Turkey that she can't wait for and that seems to be a mullet that she is working on growing!

I wish that I had taken a picture when they were both in the cabinet, one on the shelf!

Donating my hair to Locks of Love

This pose was much easier to get with a one month old than a one year old.

(Christmas Eve)

(2007)

The stockings and bag? were hung by the chimney with care...

Bill and I can't find our stockings. Bill borrowed Laura Ann's and I was sporting the lovely bag.

My Favorite Christmas Memory

Advent

There was a special day in this span of time that I plan to post on later. As you can tell...it takes me a while sometimes!

You can click on any of the above pics for a closer look.

Drawing

2009-01-01T15:13:00.001-05:00

http://bluebirdhill.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-giveaway-happy-new-year.html

Leave a comment on the above blog and enter the drawing for a chance to win free clothes.

Happy New Year!!!

75 Is Not Enough...

2008-12-23T17:09:00.006-05:00

I ran out of Christmas Cards. I didn't even send any to our new friends at Will's school and sent very few to our old friends in Dothan. Several other friends got shafted, sorry. Well in case you read the blog... Merry Christmas and please accept this electronic version of our Christmas Card!(And no you aren't 76+ in importance, we do Christmas cards in groups, work, church, etc, the order is quite random for the most part....You can click on the picture to get a closer look) Laura Ann is calling as I write this post. Will I ever get to upload some pics and catch you guys up?

I'm about to go get Laura Ann and try (in reliance upon my Savior) to prepare for our Christmas celebration keeping in mind what truly matters. It isn't gifts, a perfect meal and decorations or even the new acceptable idol of family. (I've heard on several occasions this season that Christmas is about family) A king born in a stable that died on a cross as payment for my sins, that is what matters.

Giving gifts, time with family, and a well cooked meal are all good things that can glorify God. Let us worship the giver of good things this Christmas and not the gifts.

Merry Christmas!!!

A Post Is In The Making....

2008-12-11T16:40:00.003-05:00

I hope that you like the title picture change. This is Will and Laura Ann last year about this time. Oh how I miss her mohawk!! I have many pics to post from the Fall season but just can't justify doing it until I get a little more caught up on my housework. I've already been playing with my playlist and changing the pic, so I'd better get to it!! Laundry here I come!

Better!!

2008-11-17T18:19:00.001-05:00

Sweet Baby Girl is better. She went to church on Sunday as well as Small Group on Sunday night. Thanks to those who prayed!

103.7

2008-11-11T10:08:00.003-05:00

That was little baby girl's temp when she woke up from her nap.Rapid breathing, flush cheeks, and a limp girl were my clues before I even touched her hot skin. The Tylenol brought it down. I bought her some Pedialyte, came back home, picked Will up from school (we thought that Daddy was going to but he worked over) and then took her to the doctor. He did a chest xray to make sure that it wasn't pneumonia. He thinks that it is probably a sinus infection. She is on antibiotics and seems to be improving. She actually ate some yogurt and cereal this morning. She loves the YoBaby yogurts with fruit and cereal. She likes to point at the baby on the cup.
Last night was rough. She had another fever in the evening and was up a good bit last night (she was not up without her buddy Mama). We are both tired. I am thankful that she seems to be improving and that we have a good doctor and that we have health insurance. I am thankful that Daddy came home last night and held his little girl so that I could finally go to the bathroom alone!

The Headlights Are On

2008-11-10T09:31:00.002-05:00

I couldn't sleep last night. I got up and did some Bible Study and reading. So, while I'm sleepy, the headlights are on.
Laura Ann now drinks whole milk. She is still using a bottle because she seems to just sip from a cup. She drank 9 ounces of milk after some coaxing. She didn't want to drink yesterday. So, like I said, she drank her milk after some coaxing this morning. Well, only a few minutes later... She threw up all of that milk, all over her, all over me, and some was even in my chair that I protect from dirty little football players. We were off to the shower together. Mothers, isn't that a major talent we have? I would have opted for the bath but she is congested and could use the mist.
You want to know what really makes me feel bad? Well, last night at church, Laura Ann and another little baby were playing on the floor and spilling Goldfish and Cheerios all over the floor. We were having small group and didn't have any organized babysitting. Well I opted to let my child eat the Cheerios and Goldfish that had fell on the floor. Mind you this isn't a common occurrence, I just know how successful that I would be trying to keep her from eating the food that I knew that they would continue to spill. So, the pediatric nurse let her child eat off the floor and her child is now vomiting. I know it isn't from that, it is too early. Also, she was exhibiting symptoms by not wanting to drink before that. I had just already started feeling bad after recalling how another Mom was pointing out how dirty that floor must be!
Well the baby is sleeping in her crib. I'll listen to her chest when she wakes up. Her cough got better but now seems to have worsened. Please pray for my little sweetie.
It is so good to have the headlights on!

Blessed Be Your Name

2008-11-07T12:34:00.006-05:00

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out, I'll
turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out, I'll
turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out, I'll
turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I'm gonna say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord Blessed be Your name

OK, I'm pretty down this week. I decided that today is the right day to at least start my long promised post about the title of this blog and the song Blessed Be Your Name. I am quite frankly mourning what seems to be the loss of a great friend, not by death.

Blessed Be Your Name

I am wondering if I will ever again experience the level of fellowship with believers I enjoyed a couple of years ago.

Blessed Be Your Name

I am just tired. I wonder if our holiday plans will satisfy mine or Bill's family. This has been a source of stress since our marriage. You know the where to go when and how long to stay kind of thing. I'm sure I'm not the only one worrying over that. (Yes I know worry is sinful, but I'm honest, it has far past the line of concern)

Blessed Be Your Name

I am thankful that my husband truly finds me beautiful, even though it has been a year and a half at least since I have had a haircut!

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your Name is a special song for Bill and I. We have left two homes (and two rentals), three congregations and many friends in the past three years. God has given many beautiful blessings to us and has taken away many blessings as well. Our bank account has went up and down. Our level of patience with life in general has went up and down. God is constant. He is always who He is. Circumstance does not alter that. This is of great comfort. I have to be reminded of how His mercies are new each morning. There are times that I do not dwell in the Word. These times are so dark for me. I guess it is like going through life with the headlights off. I have had one of those weeks where my Bible Study has been sparse. It shows. Sure there are things in life that have me down: I continue to be concerned for my parents and little sister. My father broke his leg last week. There are many things that I pray for them. I just know that when I am not in the Word, I despair. That is just it. Where are we without God's promises? We are without hope!

So... Blessed Be Your Name.

I guess it was about a year and a half ago, Bill and I were singing this song in Alabama during a church service. At that time in our life, we were finishing up the remodel of our now beautiful home next to the lovely school Will was to attend first grade (before the move). I was pregnant with a sweet baby girl who did not have Down Syndrome despite the "high likelihood" of this from a blood test. We looked around at a church who had really shown love to especially me. Wonderful friends: Meals when you are sick, pack your boxes when you move, and make you get your butt up and move when you're whining kind of friends. Pray with you, I mean really pray with you, kind of friends. We were singing this song. I was looking around at the people that I was about to move away from. I thought of my newly remodeled home. I thought of the blessing of my child's health. Then, I remembered. I remembered just how sad I was to come to this place that I now loved. How I looked around at the congregation in another church with tears streaming down my face. How that even to this day I haven't returned to my first home because it pained me so much to leave it. God got me through that didn't He? He gave me another group of people that love Him to cherish. He provided another home. He got me through living in a rental that had mice and roaches and I survived. I survived horrible depression and had a greater knowledge of my utter dependence on Him.

Blessed be Your name, on the road marked with suffering

though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

He has shown His faithfulness over and over. He LOVES me! Yes, we were yet again about to leave friends, family, home, school, church, job... It was heartbreaking and still is at times..

You give and take away

But God was with us. He gave us each other and two children, one that was still in the womb.

My heart will choose to say

Lord blessed be your name

A few days ago, a church wide email went out asking for prayer for my father and asking for prayer for Bill and I as we try to show love and concern across distance and through a strained relationship (with my father). That very day, my new friend brought chicken and dumplings and the yummiest Broccoli and Cheese Casserole ever. She also brought hot chocolate mix! Again, I remembered the pastor at that first church that I cried about leaving. "Misty, God's people are everywhere."

I don't get five hugs before I can make it into the sanctuary as I did a few years ago, but that took time. Here was a sister in Christ, showing me love. Praise God.

Every blessing you pour out I'll turn back to praise

Sometimes it is hard to wait for relationships to mature and life to finally be settled again.

When the darkness closes in Lord still I'm gonna say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

I know my God and I know the plans that he has for me.

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I am reminded of perspective as I talk about the people and things that we have been called to leave behind. One of those friends that I moved away from has lost two babies during pregnancy. She will not hold them until she goes to meet her God in heaven. This song is precious to her. She remembers singing it in that same church the first time she returned to worship after the death of one of her babies.

Also, there is Job. After learning of many losses he is finally told that his sons and daughters have now perished. This is his response:

20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. (Job 1:20-22)

You give and take away

I have not suffered losses like these. I have seen pain. I have lost people I love. I have worked to build and then sold or sometimes had to give away possessions. I have seen the refining power of God in this pain.

I have been richly blessed. Foremost in my salvation through Jesus Christ. I have a husband ... I cannot put into words how much God has blessed me by giving my husband to me, Oh how God has used Bill for my good. I have been blessed with children. All of my needs are met.

I do not know if I am about to be richly blessed or be called to suffer. All I know is.....

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

I talked to the friend that lost the babies yesterday. She is pregnant for the second time since those two losses. The first pregnancy brought a healthy boy and I prayed with her across the miles for the health of this little one.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

No matter where I am or who or what I have...

Blessed Be Your Name

Please listen to the first song on the playlist.

Whatever is true...think about such things.

2008-10-31T13:08:00.003-04:00

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phillipians 4:8-9)

Happy First Birthday Laura Ann!

2008-10-29T09:36:00.009-04:00

October 26, 2008

A great day!

2008-10-26T19:15:00.003-04:00

(Blue= Bill speaking) Today was a great day! You already know from below that Laura's birthday was today and we had a little party planned. So we woke up a little earlier than usual and got things going. Sunday School starts at 9:30 and we were a little late. That's only a concern for Will's elementary assembly that starts promptly at 9:30. Our class doesn't seem to get going until @ 9:50 or so! We were all in a good mood all through the morning wishing Laura a "Happy Birthday!" over and over.

Sunday school was very good. One of our Elders is leading a study on Joel. It is very interesting how Joel illustrates the locust invasion and the reason for it! We were blessed to see some people back in class that have been ill or absent for some time. We have been praying for each of them and I felt it was an answered prayer.

On to church. Today we had a special service that gave recognition to the anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation on 10/31. All of our Pastors went over each of the reformer's five solas; Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone), and Sola Christus (Christ Alone). Each subject section began with Scripture that emphasized that point, then the Pastor gave a homily on it and then we sang a hymn or song that emphasized the point. All of them were great and it made for an intriguing Sunday worship service.

Now, on to why I'm posting in the first place: the fifth point, Sola Christus (Christ Alone). We covered this near the end of the service so the song we sang was our closing song. We sang "In Christ Alone" (of course!) which was written by Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty. If you've listened to Contemporary Christian music in the past few years, you've probably heard the version I have on the playlist to the left sung by the Newsboys.

I have to tell you, this is one of the most powerful songs EVER written to me! I know a lot of Christian songs and hymns, but to me none of them speak the whole gospel so well and succinctly as this song. It's not the most powerful music or melody, it is the words. Listen to it. Please!! Misty and I were clutching each other near the end where it says, "Jesus commands my destiny.". Tears streamed down my face as I sang of Jesus standing in victory after taking on my sin. Me, my sin. Why? How? How could He? Why would He? Because He loves me (+you) that much! How awesome! How humbling. How can I not devote everything I do to His glory? Because I am a sinner. I want to write out the lyrics for you, but that would be a lot of space here. PLEASE, I don't think you get the full effect by listening. Do a search for the lyrics and read them as you hear/sing.

In the afternoon we had Laura's party. We were expecting many that couldn't make it. That's OK, some folks that we hadn't expected came. My Dad and Mom came from LA (Lower Alabama) and my brother and nephew came from Auburn, AL. One church friend and her daughter and one neighbor stopped by. It was great! Laura had a blast! Everyone was clapping with and for her! She was laughing and smiling the whole time! Will loved seeing his sister enjoy herself. The weather was wonderful to top it all off. Will got to throw his football with his "Pa", Uncle Jack and cousin John Cooper.

Lately I have questioned God as to why I am where (geographically) I am. I made a prayerful decision a couple of years ago to move my family back to the Atlanta area. Since then I have not seen the clear acknowledgement that what I did is what He wanted me to do. Maybe He will never give me that clarity. Today fortified a truth to me that gives me peace: if I pray to do the correct things and act on what I feel I am led to do, God will honor my prayers. That no matter where I am or what I do, "No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand". That God will prosper me and make me grow in Him no matter where (geographically) I am. I have two healthy, beautiful children, a healthy, beautiful, loving, forgiving, wife that cares for those two children and I am healthy and have a job that I love. We live in a very nice neighborhood and attend a healthy church with other believers that wish to give God the glory He deserves.

Now let's remember all these things this week. Praise the Lord!

Almost One

2008-10-25T20:54:00.012-04:00

She will turn one tonight as she sleeps. This little baby girl I love. She had a fun bath with lots of splashing fun. I have spent the day preparing for a drop in Birthday Party tomorrow. At first I thought that it might just be our little family, but it seems that we might have quite a few people here tomorrow.

A Year Ago Tonight

I was to be induced, but was already in labor. We're on our way to Atlanta Medical Center to deliver a beautiful baby girl!

Powerful

2008-10-25T08:45:00.001-04:00

A friend posted this on her blog. It speaks for itself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdXX6lzbo78

Pictures From Our Walk

2008-10-20T15:37:00.006-04:00

In my last post I took a stab at an experiment with exhortation. So far I've had no takers on comments. I was asking for people to comment on one thing that they have prayed about and feel is beneficial to stop and "make happen". You know, one of those "I've really got to do that" things.

Well I took that walk. Not a very big deal, I guess. It was a big deal for me. I had wanted to stop and breathe in this little part of creation around me instead of just driving through it. I wanted to let my sweet girl look at the wonders of trees , flowers, and a bright sun. We spend some time outside, but this was intentional. I wanted to get those walking muscles going again. I prayed and this I believe was beneficial. I listened to my Ipod part of the way. I was singing My God's Enough and Never Alone by Barlow Girl and Agnus Dei by Third Day.
I certainly don't want us all to be bogged down by our little lists nor do I think that we have to cross off all of the things on that list. I just think that there are certain things that we, especially those of us that seem to procrastinate, should "make happen". Even this Stay At Home Mom of two kids, one in school, is pretty busy, but I want to intentionally ask God to show me the things that I should "make happen" and free me from those things that are unnecessary.

Here are a few pictures from our walk:

Starting Out

Across The Street From Our House

The Neighborhood Swing
(Laura Ann is too little just yet. She is working on removing her footie.)
I loved the way these trees looked against the fence.

Almost Home

Happy After Our Walk

A Challenge And Offer For Prayer

2008-10-20T09:23:00.002-04:00

Today I plan to take Laura Ann on a stroller ride through our neighborhood. We have wonderful sidewalks and even a golf cart path into the next neighborhood. I have walked with the entire family but haven't taken Laura Ann on my own. When I lived in Dothan, I was a regular walker. It helped to have some really wonderful sisters in Christ to walk with. I remember when it got really cold and I thought,"Surely we won't walk today, because of the children" (my friend's children -Will was in school). Well Amanda said: "I'll meet you at the mall today" Might I add that she bundled her weeks old baby in the stroller and we soldiered on outdoors for a while before that!!
I got out of the habit of walking when I got pre-eclamptic (high blood pressure and related issues) again in probably the 5th or sixth month of my pregnancy with Laura Ann. The doctor actually told me to stop walking. This was the doctor in Dothan. My doctor here probably would have had me running and lifting weights the hour before I delivered! I'm just joking, I think. He really wants me to "build muscle!".
Walking with Laura Ann in the neighborhood is one of those things that I have been letting slip through the cracks. You could say that I haven't been a good steward of a good gift that God has given me. Walking with my little girlfriend is one of those "I've got to do that" things. I have a lot of them. Finishing baby books, putting pictures in albums, figuring out how to fully utilize my expensive (to me) digital video camera, reading something besides assigned school and church work with my son, going on a date with my husband... the list goes on and on. I'm sure that we all have some lengthy lists. I'm sure that there are some things that we shouldn't really bother with, but what about those things that are from the Holy Spirit's prodding? Today I'm picking this one thing. I'm sure something in the daily routine will not get done. It is OK. Laura Ann will enjoy some time outside with just her Mama. God has given me a gift in a beautiful daughter, legs that can walk, lovely sidewalks in a great neighborhood, no job outside the home that competes with my time to walk with her (unless you count my volunteer lunch lady job :)) and a neat stroller that my sister gave to me.

What is on your list? I challenge you to pick something. Pray for the Holy Spirit to enable you to do it if it is beneficial. Pray that the burden to do unnecessary things is lifted. I plan to pray that right now.

I would love to get some comments from anyone about the one thing on your list that you have prayed about and feel led to do (or just spend 10 minutes starting the process) this week. I know that there are some readers that I don't know personally, but comment away. I would love to pray with you about it! As you can tell I don't get that many comments and I probably have partially selfish motives for requesting them but if prayers are sent up that is great!

Now for my prayer... I'll let you know if we go on that walk. I believe that we will!

While I Was Blogslacking......

2008-10-18T08:04:00.005-04:00

The boys attended a "big football game". I hope that Bill will get a chance to post on this later.

Will had his first girlfriend, a blonde cheerleader.

I had my worst Sunday morning ever. Bill was out of town for a golf tournament and both kids were screaming crying as my liquid makeup exploded all over me and the floor.
I got to church anyway!!!!

We celebrated Bridget's 18th Birthday.

My lunch hit the floor, I'm not sure what day it was now!

ALL of these people spent the night in our house(minus two of the adult men and maybe one of the boys). That's 30 souls, and it was a blast!!! (Girl Scout Field trip to Atlanta)

Will was FDR for a day at the little White House in Warm Springs, GA for a school project.

The cocktail sauce hit the floor on the Thursday that I planned to post. I mopped with old fashioned Lysol in the brown bottle and my house smells like a hospital.

And life went on and on and on.... We are striving to live as followers of Christ in a busy hurried world.

Life is fun, hectic, hurried, exhausting, rewarding, exciting and hopefully lived to the praise of His glorious grace. Well duty calls, Someone doesn't want to take an evening nap and my threshhold for crying time has been hit. Now I will scoop her up and comfort her and try again at bedtime for sleep. She will turn one next Sunday. More thoughts on that later......

OK so I failed!

2008-10-17T13:42:00.003-04:00

I wanted to post and catch up on things so I put a stay tuned on my last post for accountability. Well, it didn't work. When I get to post the pics (one taken yesterday) you'll see how I keep getting tripped up!! My little sister showed up last night so I really need to hang out with her until she leaves for the youth retreat this afternoon. It will be a joy to post whenever it happens! I marvel at you bloggers that seem to keep up your blogs so well and live such full beautiful lives. Maybe I'll be that organized one day!!

I haven't left.....

2008-10-14T09:39:00.002-04:00

I haven't left, I'm just a blogslacker. I've been doing silly things like cleaning and unpacking boxes, Bible study and the like. (That's sarcasm.... I'm told that my joking is somewhat unclear at times) OK, so my goal is to post something by (hmmmm) Thursday night!!! My baby is in only a diaper after her bath and is crinkling some plastic packaging (too small to do any harm and I am watching her!)Ok I just had to finger sweep a sticker from a package out of her mouth. (She loves to eat paper) (I apparently love writing in parentheses). I really have to put some clothes in the dryer and try to get enough laundry done so that I can justify going to buy some liquid makeup. I sing with praise team Sunday and I really need some make-up to cover the new crop of bumps that I have. Some of us go through that part of puberty quite late I guess! Hope to see you by Thursday!!!

What Life is Like

2008-09-03T10:43:00.005-04:00

No, I didn't put her in the basket. She accomplished that all on her own.

Will LOVES football! He told the coach "Don't you know that they play college football in the rain?" the day that he had to cancel practice because of a tornado watch. He even wants to play football in the yard with Bill when he has spare second even though he has practiced for hours that week in the heat. His handwriting is improving (when he takes his time) and he has a wonderful teacher yet again.

Confession time... I know the words to several ACDC songs. Bill once hid his Thunderstruck cassette from me in his glovebox when we first started dating. I don't think that he wanted his new girlfriend to get the wrong impression about him. We now rock out with Third Day instead of ACDC. I mention this because Bill picked Will up from school the other day looking like this. I couldn't find a great picture of Angus from ACDC but you get the picture. By the way, Will doesn't go to school looking like that but he sure comes home differently than we send him a lot of the time!

July 27th, 2008

2008-08-22T20:05:00.009-04:00

July 27th

Laura Ann's Baptism

21 "As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD.
(Isaiah 59:21 NIV)

39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
(Acts 2:39)

An excerpt from "How Our Children Come to Faith"

by: Stephen Smallman

"If you are not part of a tradition that baptizes children, you can at least respect the sincere conviction that lies behind that practice. It is true, unfortunately, that baptism is misused. In too many instances, the water of baptism is given virtually magical powers to transform a child. For others, the baptism of children is little more than a family celebration. But there are also many, many examples of parents' bringing their children to Christ as an act of faith to ask for his blessing on them. As they see the water applied outwardly, they trust that the Spirit will also be at work inwardly. It is God who will save our children, not baptism, and we can pray that he will start that work in their hearts early in their lives."

In case you read this one day my dear Laura Ann,

You must know how awesome our God is. You only have to look around you or to the intricate workings of your own body to see it. We promised in humble reliance on our Lord Jesus Christ to raise you in the love and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ on the day that you were baptized. You have been set apart. You are special and have a special purpose to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The first time that I knew that you were growing inside of me I wanted you to be a woman of God and trusted His promises for you. Your father, brother and I love you very much, but the love of Christ far outweighs our love. We will disappoint you at times but He will not. He is always with you. Your father and I pray often for your relationship with Christ and we even pray for your future husband if God wills that. You are asleep in your crib, unable to get out without being scooped up. This is how salvation works. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters" Psalm 18:16 I know that God will finish the work that He has begun in me. I fall so short of being the woman of God that I want to be and always will until glory. I continue to pray that my life will be a living sacrifice. I pray that by God's grace the sanctification process will have produced many more fruits of the spirit in my life by the time that you are able to understand this. I have been sharpened by my relationships with godly women and I pray to be an example to you of how Christ's work in our hearts can enable us to live as becomes followers of Christ.

I love you but more importantly God loves you.

Sincerely, Mama

Take Heart

2008-08-01T07:40:00.006-04:00

Please click on "In my Arms" by Plumb and listen. I found it on a friend's blog just this morning as I was contemplating motherhood and God's grace. This song has a dual meaning for me. I want to be just the mother that God wants me to be. I believe that includes being a safe soft place to fall for my children as well disciplining them. The song also makes me think of our heavenly father's promise to never leave us or forsake us. We are truly safe in His arms, and only through that can we attempt to provide any real comfort or safety to our children.

I still have plans for many posts about football practices, baptism, life in general for the past few weeks. I still plan to do the post about Blessed Be Your Name. I wanted to interrupt my plans to have chronological posts for this one.

This morning I was trying to plan our Fall schedule... football, church, school for a 2nd grader, a nine month old, a 17 year old little sister, a 40 year old man in college.......

I wasn't sure how much that I could handle and still be the mother and wife that God calls me to be. I want to be a good mother. I love both of my children very much and now feel even more of motherly responsibility to my little sister (who now lives with us). Our son Will has been at the forefront of my mind. This is part of an email that I sent to my husband this morning:

"He is so important to me. I want to do even more for him. These years will pass by like lightning. I only have one chance to do this. Oh what an awesome responsibility. Only through Christ can I even attempt it."

He replied with this:

“Take Heart”
Posted: 01 Aug 2008 12:00 AM CDT

“God’s grace means that I can rest assured that I’ll have everything I need to be what he wants me to be and to do what he wants me to do in the situation in which he’s placed me.
I’m no longer restricted to the limits of my own strength and wisdom. By his grace, I’ve a new identity and a new potential. I’m a child of God; the risen Christ now lives inside of me. I need no longer fear people or circumstances; I don’t have to feel weak in the face of suffering or temptation, because I no longer rest in the resources of my own ability. I’m in Christ and he’s in me.
This new identity gives me new potential as I face the realities of life in this bent and broken world. God’s grace gives me reason to ‘take heart.’”
—Paul David Tripp, “Psalm 27: Take Heart”

My prayer is that I provide the safe place that the children that depend on me need while doing all of the things that God calls me to do. May they feel safe with me because we are all clinging to Jesus. I pray that I reflect on God's grace as the anxieties of this world and our enemy call on me to stand down.

My Father in heaven, may I truly find my rest, safe in your arms.

Psalm 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, [a] when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Exhausted....

2008-07-29T11:44:00.003-04:00

I have many things to post. I cannot, however post them at this time. I must get dressed!! It is 11:46AM. NO, I didn't just get up. I was up at 3AM. No, I can't blame it on little Laura Ann. I plan to get dressed and empty at least one box today and I pray to be patient and loving though my mood does get less than beautiful with little sleep. I just posted a playlist/link to the song "Blessed Be Your Name", also the title of this blog. Listen and enjoy. It is a preview of a post that I look forward to writing in the future (after I catch up on many events!)
Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!! Sleep or no sleep!!
M

Trip to D.C.

2008-07-11T11:45:00.004-04:00

The Wright Flyer
ME 262

(German Messerschmidt)

Airplanes, Kisses, and Milk

2008-07-09T07:21:00.003-04:00

Well,the boys are off to D.C. Bill is taking the little guy to the Air and Space museum, particularly the WWII section today. I can't wait to post some pictures. A lot happened before the sun rose, the travelers were up and Will's cereal and milk were spilt all over the jeans that it took us 10 minutes to find. (They grow quickly at 7 and always seem to have their knees on the ground!) Well Will wasn't happy with a comment I made. I had just told Bill that I wasn't going to kiss him anymore. Yes, I said it. Well, Bill likes to conserve dishes. He had a snack of cereal last night and rinsed the bowl afterward and then used the same (dirty according to me) bowl this morning as I was trying to get a clean one out of the cabinet for him. It's not like we were camping or didn't have a clean bowl. It was milk! Will was just about to jump up to defend his buddy when his hip hit the straw part of his straw bowl and kaploosh! Well we found some other jeans that actually looked better.

Will loves all of us very much. I am particularly touched by how he loves his father. He has so much fun with him. "I'll ask Daddy, he'll know about this" is heard quite often around here. (I say it, too.) I love to see the boys worship in song together. I see them both tear up at about the same time. Bill does his best to include Will on projects. My heart is full as I just watched my guys pull out of the driveway for an adventure that I'm sure will not be forgotten. I am so thankful that I have a husband and father to my children that first and foremost is a man of God and from that flows his love for us. He shows father-like love to my little sister, too. He met her when she was two. He has taken her to Disney World, springs, etc... He takes time to counsel her and I hear him pray with Will every night for her. He wants his children well taken care of and is man enough to discipline them and actually LEAD this family, which is no easy task. (I've been told that I have a strong personality). Well I guess I've made my point, I could go on and on. Just one more thing, the smile that Laura Ann reserves for her Daddy. You should see how she reacts when he comes home.

So.... I will kiss him again and again and again. I think Will knows that, too. He has to see the light in my eyes as I look up at that tall handsome man.

Happy Independence Day!

2008-07-04T23:36:00.008-04:00

The Best Of The Best

2008-07-01T21:25:00.004-04:00

Yep, that's my boy with a Blue Angel Pilot. I am so thankful that my little guy got to meet and get autographs from most of them. He even got career advice from a couple of them. The Meet the Pilots night was by invitation only at the Saturn V area of the space center. We had Hors D'..... (Appetizers) heavy enough for supper and Will saw his first 3D movie. We had a blast! Laura was once again a great girl. We had to get another battery after church on Sunday. We had the minor inconvenience of having to be jumped off Saturday night. That was the first time in 15+ years of marriage that we were on that end of the jumper cables. Thankfully the Space Center had some kind of charge pack.

A quick note on your next breath. It is not guaranteed. Only God knows the number of our days. Every breath and heartbeat is from Him. The Sunday that we left Huntsville the air show was scheduled to wrap up. A storm burst blew in without warning. A little 5 year old boy died as the wind blew a generator over on him. If you are waiting to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, don't. It is just that simple. This is not scare tactic evangelism, just the truth.

What A Blessing!!!

2008-07-01T20:55:00.003-04:00

We were blessed to be special guests for a weekend in Huntsville. PPG Aerospace and Red Eagle Air Sports invited Bill and his family. On Friday night we had dinner with other PPG and Delta families as well as the Red Eagle team of pilots and their families. I wish that I had the camera with me that night. It was wonderful! Dinner on top of a mountain! Those country club people sure know where to dine. It was Will's birthday and he was sung to twice, once with a cake and once with a special candlelit parfait. One of the Red Eagle Pilots pinned an airplane pin on him that night for his birthday. The above pictures were from Saturday's Air show. We saw Will's Red Eagle buddies perform as well as the Blue Angels and many others. The man holding Laura Ann is one of the pilots, the one that pinned Will. It sure is sweet to have the VIP bracelet at an air show. A tent with drinks and lunch right at the edge of the airfield can only be beat by the air conditioned tent that the airport authority had! The picture of Laura and I looking pooped was taken right after she nursed in absolutely the most challenging place ever. The wind was flapping the corner of the tent as airplanes flew by. I would not like to do that again!! She was a trooper though. She nursed but would look up at times when an airplane flew by. The stroller picture shows that she left the ear plugs in!! How funny. Thanks again for the great stroller Aunt J. I should have had ear muffs but who knows where they are and I had already packed the rest of the house!! My next post will be about our special meet the pilots night.

What a blessing indeed. Our vacation opportunities are few and far between and we greatly appreciate how God fashioned the perfect gift for our seven year old who would love to be a pilot!

Membership Has Its Priviledges

2008-07-01T16:00:00.003-04:00

June 22nd

We are now members of the church that we have been worshipping at since about Sept 2007. We took the inquirer's class (the third in as many years) and did all of the required paperwork. I have just finished reading The Communion of Saints Edited by Ryken. In it he stresses the need to be a member of the church that you worship in. He likens involvement in a local church without becoming members to living together without getting married:

"Two people who only live together want the benefits of marriage without its safeguards. As a result, they lack the one thing that is crucial to a successful marriage (or to genuine sexual intimacy, for that matter): an unbreakable commitment to a mutual, inviolable covenant before God."

"The same might be said of regular attenders who never join the church. They lack an unbreakable commitment to the church and its ministry." (pg 54-55)

Well we are no longer living in Sin! We are now members.

Also from the book: "Martin Lloyd-Jones went so far as to describe church membership as 'the biggest honour which can come a man's way in this world.' There is no union with Christ apart from the communion of the saints. Nor can the saints have true communion without belonging to one another by belonging to Christ in his church. The communion of the saints is for members only."

I think of the last two churches that we were members of and know that one day we will worship together without ceasing. I praise God for providing a true church within less than ten minutes of the house that he provided for us. May we work diligently to build His kingdom!

It's windy up here!

2008-07-01T15:44:00.004-04:00

We went to Roan Mountain to spend some time with Bill's parents and leave the daily grind of trying to sort through our treasures and move in to our new home. Did I mention drywall, plumbing, paint....... Little (much taller than I am) sister Bridget flew in the week that we took the winding roads to the mountain. Laura Ann is being held by her Daddy at a stop at the grocery store for supplies. It was so windy! Will caught Rainbow Trout with his Pa. Bill, Will, Pa, Bridget, Laura and I hiked Bald Mountain. Yes you heard me right, I hiked the mountain. We carried little Laura Ann, she was a trooper even though it was quite chilly. This all occurred two weeks ago but it is where I left off posting. Enjoy the pics!

Fighter Pilot Hair

2008-06-09T19:56:00.002-04:00

This was taken after Will's last haircut in May. He told the barber that he wanted fighter pilot hair. As it grew longer it looked more like surfer guy hair if we gelled it. We hope to get another haircut soon. Doesn't he look tough?!

VBS Missions Fundraiser

2008-06-05T13:06:00.003-04:00

Our little Will had his first lemonade stand!! This year's VBS (Vacation Bible School) missions fundraiser is to benefit Ranch on Jesus Orphanage and Primary School in Uganda. We sold lemonade and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies (2 per bag) for $.50 each. Will was very excited and waved at everyone that passed. He yelled LEMONADE!! as they approached. He made $21.00. We only received one extra dollar from one customer. These were actual sales. I got the idea from friends in south AL.

Will really gets why he was doing the stand. He is most concerned that the kids in the orphanage have "lectricity". OK he is about to turn seven, so he says it the right way sometimes but I still enjoy seeing my little boy in this young man that is maturing before my eyes as a man of God. He did want to leave to swim with the neighbors who kept calling him away. He said "You guys can handle this ." We informed him that this was his lemonade stand. He told the neighbors that he was busy and charged ahead with a glad heart.

Experiences mean more to us when they are accompanied by sacrifice, I think that we can all attest to that.

Please pray for the work at Ranch on Jesus and the young hearts that will be touched by this ministry.

http://pearlministries.org/

Friends, Family, and Fun with Grandpa

2008-06-04T20:24:00.005-04:00

Well last weekend was fun and exhausting. Aunt A and Uncle J came down from NJ. The rest of the family came on either Saturday or Sunday. Bill, Will, Laura Ann and I got a special treat Friday night. Our dear friends had a backyard barbeque welcoming us for our visit. We lived near Bill's parents for almost two years and made these precious friends while we were there. The kids had fun on the slip and slide and the adults caught up when not protecting our little ones from tiki torches or wiping spilled drinks or food. My friend JJ had tea spilled on her foot, I think a plate spilled on her foot, possibly another plate on her clothes?, and then she sat in her cake that she didn't get to eat before she had to leave, oh life with little kids in tow, (At least one of the spills was due to my 7 month old kicking my plate over) It was a delightful time. These are wonderful families striving to live as becomes followers of Christ daily. I love you all!!

Uncle J always serenades me with Misty on the trumpet. It never fails to make me blush! I don't blush easily. Aunt A always starts a debate. I stayed out of that one!! I could tell that the folks from NJ really enjoyed Will and Laura Ann. We all enjoyed our long distance family.

Fun with Grandpa

Will played in the pool with Daddy, Pa, and Aunt A. He had the best time. I love to see Will with his Pa. Fun time without the distractions of projects and chores are priceless times. Chore times can be fun too, Will held his cucumber picked from Pa's garden all of the way home. (He forgot to pack some toys!) Well Larry the cucumber (as he called him) would have to do until we gobbled him up Monday night YUM!!

I'm a few days behind, next post I'll update you on this week: VBS.....

Faith Award

2008-06-03T07:00:00.001-04:00

Here is the video of Will's Faith award.

Sister

2008-05-28T10:56:00.005-04:00

This is Laura Ann fooling around on the floor with brother and Daddy the other day. I've had a request for a close-up of our cutie-pie. Daddy tried to catch her laughing at brother but she kept bobbing her head down. It's hard to explain. It is a "Oh I'm so bashful" kind of thing.

Home at Last? ... not really

2008-05-27T10:59:00.008-04:00

Well we have moved in. We are no longer renting and owning a home at the same time. We do, however, still have belongings in storage. Also the garage is full, (not of cars). We pray to God to live more simply. We have been touring the southeast and South Atlanta (moved four times), and have renovated a home and sold it, learned to work on helicopters, birthed and nursed a human being, got a six year old into and through the first grade in a very competitive school, got a septic system working with minimal outside help, and so on..... so give us a little grace on the storage building thing. Again, we pray to God to live more simply (with less stuff) and work on unpacking things that have been in storage since 2005. Some things longer (Baby) It is not simply a matter of unpacking. If you have ever used non climate controlled storage in the south you know what I mean. Let's just say I have been washing in hot water and sanitizing quite a bit. Everything has to be washed or wiped down, or in some cases thrown away!!! This takes time. "Just have a big yard sale" Well this takes preparation as well. Pray with us for strength and perseverance.

We have a beautiful home. We have projects in the works. Bill is constantly working on our lawn and the lack of lawn in the backyard after he got the drainage project done almost singlehandedly. I hope to post more pictures on this later. Bill is working on prepping the walls in Laura's room for paint. It is dark purple with bumpy past sheet rock repairs. I am continually working on stains on the carpet. We will probably be saving for my dream hardwood floors for some time (Tuition is due in July for Will, not to mention my college boy: Bill!) so spot patrol here I come! These are not our spots mind you, but someone or something that previously lived here. (Laura does spit up orange at times.) The carpets have been cleaned but I have found that I can get out some things that the carpet guy can't! We have at least 3 light fixtures to buy and replace. I mention all of these things for a reason, not ungratefulness but humility. God has refined me in that department a great deal over the past years journey. Oh how prideful and offensive I have been in the past! (Yes I know.. I'm still offensive in many other areas.) The continual sanctification process is a beautiful and painful thing.

We have a beautiful son. He received the faith character trait award on Friday. God is good and is greatly to be praised! We have been supported by many in teaching Will to grow in the love and admonition of the Lord. We thank God for everyone who has spoken God's Word and lived it in front of this young man. See for yourself what God is doing:

I had planned to post a video here. Until then: Will's teacher said: "Out of this little package God's Word flows."

Hopefully I can get that video posted or a link.

I must close for now... there is much to be done and Laura will awaken thirsty any moment. Maybe it won't be over a month until my next post. This post was a small victory over my continual fight against someday syndrome.A quick note about the not really in the Home at Last title. A brother in Christ is really home now. C. B. died this month and is truly home. As I've moved around I've become much more aware that this life is temporal, we are here but for a time. Also, you never know when God will pluck you out of your current circumstance into one that you had never imagined. Beware if you are a believer striving to do the will of God at all costs or are devoted to one. The reward is sweet, deeper communion with God as you realize that this earth's treasure is nothing without Him!!! So... we are home for now but never know when our King will call with orders. God be glorified in this and all things!

2008-04-11T14:21:00.004-04:00

What? Start a blog now? It is April 11th and you have to be moved into your new home by the 15th. Well here I am anyway. I always seem to send out many e-mails with pictures to update friends and family. A sweet friend of mine has a blog that I really enjoy so I took her cue and here is my attempt.

Well Laura (sometimes known as Laura Ann, sometimes chicky chicky, sometimes sister) is sleeping on my left arm as I write this. This first post will be short. I plan to try to put her down for the rest of her nap and do some laundry. Bill is at the new house. He hired some help to finish the drainage project, as we are down to the wire. Hopefully tonight we can use the toilet and wash clothes, dishes, even bodies (ours I mean) in our new home!

Bill is 40! He had an eventful birthday. He dug up the yard to make a french drain (ground water was filling the septic tank). He was showing Will how the big boys work. He had just discovered cracks in one of the tanks and surmised that we would be out $5,000 when Will, who insisted on keeping his cell phone "safe ", dropped Bill's phone into the tank, PLOP!

Well we don't have to replace that tank after all, but it will be an expensive repair. However, it won't be as bad as we thought. Praise God in this also!