Showers of blessing....

Thanks to each of you who sent such sweet messages on my birthday!! I asked the Father to bless each one of you in return!! I had an AWESOME week. Yes, my birthday celebrations tend to last for a week! haha Last Friday my sweet girlfriends treated me to dinner at Red Lobster and yes I CHOWED on some biscuits! YUM!! Then the sweet lady who does my hair treated me to a surprise touch-up on my roots and a haircut. She also gave me a TON of free products and then threw in a beautiful necklace and earrings just for kicks! I love you MaryAnn!!

Our air went out last week - yeah SPECIAL! We rent our home and the landlords aren't planning to replace the system so we were kinda stuck. Long story. Anyway, that's not the point. Thursday I spent my birthday at the DMV getting my license renewed, then went with my family to the pool. We came back to the "oven" and my friend Beth called for me to come have dinner at her house. We went over to eat and then played on her Wii and oh land sakes, what fun!! I spanked my man at bowling and then knocked him out in the first round of boxing. Of course, I won't tell you how badly he beat me at tennis and baseball!! hahaha

Friday my sister Regina came down and took me to breakfast and then to dinner. While we were at dinner she took my picture and then began announcing to everyone within earshot that it was my 40th. Everyone was wishing me Happy Birthday and ribbing me about being 40. It was hysterical! Then Saturday my sweet friends and prayer partners Lisa and Pam treated me to a manicure and pedicure! Can you believe that?! After I came home my sister came over to the oven and after an hour or so said "Let's go" and went to Lowe's to get us a window air conditioner! She's the greatest!! Such a blessing to me!

Yesterday was our Celebrate America program at church and it was really amazing. Each year, I admit, it's not my favorite program. I've never enjoyed singing patriotic music - I know, I'm just weird that way - but this year was really a good show. PLUS, all 3 of my babies were in it with Jimmy and I. I'm sure that's why I enjoyed it so much.

So, as you can see I was truly showered with the Lord's blessings thru my family and friends this week. He is so good to me and I'm so grateful to each one of them!! All of you are so special to me. I love you!! So, this week is looking promising. Jimmy has 2 interviews and a few other things lined up that look good. Keep praying y'all! Thanks and I love you too!!!

Can it be true????

Land sakes. I woke up this morning. I looked at the calendar and sure enough, it's June 26th. It's my birthday. In fact, it's the big 4-0! UGH! I guess it was inevitable no matter how much I denied it. ;-)

It's funny because I'm usually psyched about my birthday. I was really depressed when I hit 25 for some reason, but every other birthday has always been great fun. This one, however, has really been a struggle for me. It's not that fact that I'm 40, honestly it's not. I think it's just the combination of all the events going on in my life that the enemy is doing his best to make me feel like a failure but I know better. All I have to do is look around, close my eyes and listen to the sweet giggles coming from the other room and I know better. Sure, in the world's eyes I may not have much. I may not be much, but who cares? I'll take my Father's eyes any day!

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Ps 62:5-6 (emp. mine)

Have a great day y'all and I know you meant to wish me a happy birthday right? hahahaha That's pitiful isn't it?!

It's getting closer and closer...UGH!

Can I just tell you what an AWESOME day at church we had yesterday? Our North Campus pastor was preaching - Rev. Steve Livengood (that's a long i sound)- and can I just tell you that he BROUGHT IT!! Oh my word! He preached from Eph 1:15-23 which just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite passages! I heard Beth Moore speak on these verses and you all know what fresh insight the Father gives us thru her - or at least He does to me - and I tell ya I was rollin' some "Amen's"!! (in the words of Roc Collins!)

So you don't have to go look them up - though you should have your Bible handy young lady! hahaha - here's the verses for you.

" 15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way"

Oh come on, you know you wanna roll an AMEN!! LET IT GO GIRL!!! Woooooooo! That's some good stuff. The thing that really hit me when I did this study under Beth was in verse 19. God wants us to know and understand the power we have access to. The same power where God reached down with His Mighty Right Hand and raised Jesus from the dead, well when we call on Him, that same Right Hand comes down on our behalf. Ok, now I hope you know that I don't mean that we can call down His Hand to strike down someone who hurt our feelings or cut us off in traffic, but we have the power to call down that Hand to stop whatever the enemy throws our way!!! Now I don't know about you but that makes me wanna SHOUT!!! In fact ..... WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Listen to how Eugene Peterson puts these verses in The Message.
15-19That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
20-23All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

Isn't that great? I love the line "He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything." I don't know about you but that gives me such joy and peace! Knowing that even though the enemy meant to hurt Jimmy and I with this job stuff - Jesus Christ has the LAST word and WILL work it out for our good!!!! Can I get an AMEN from SOMEBODY? Melissa, I know you wanna roll me one girl!!! hahahaaha

Anyway, I titled this what I did and I had every intention of talking about my birthday - imagine that? But I'm just gonna shut up now and go put on some praise music 'cause "I just wanna praise You, I just wanna praise You"!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!
(Sorry for all the yelling girls!)

Help....I've been tagged! ;-)

Ok, so I've been tagged by Melissa and since this isn't one I've ever done before I'll play. Here we go....

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

Let's see. 10 years ago this day I was getting ready for my 30th birthday. My brother's birthday is the 19th of June (HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!!) and mine is the 26th so the celebration of my b-day usually has to hold off til after his! Yes, we have a WEEK LONG celebration of MY birthday! hahaha That's really just a joke. I was spending the summer with my firstborn son who was 7 mths at the time. I had just left my position as Clinical Coordinator to stay home with him and having a ball with my parents and my oldest sister both living in Charlotte. Since then my dad has gone to be with Jesus, my mom moved back to WV and my sister divorced, remarried and moved to New Bern, NC. Wow.

2. My favorite snacks?

100 Calorie Fudge Stripe cookies - oh my word! LOVE THEM. Celery and peanut butter - I know BORING! Chips. Any kind (except salt and vinegar - GAG!)

3. 5 Things on my to-do list today.

1. Start laundry.

2. Go to the pool.

3. AVOID a sunburn.

4. Get ready for GIRLS NIGHT OUT!

5. Go to Red Lobster with my GIRLS tonight to kickoff Valarie week! hahahaha

4.Things I would do if I were a billionaire.

Oh my word. Ok. Tithe, obviously or it would all be gone in a year! haha I would buy our church a new sound system and my man a set of drums for church and for home. Then I'd buy a home for us that's just big enough to have a sound proof room in the basement for him to play! haha I'd also buy him a new Ford F150 Supercab because his little toy truck is about to go any time! haha I'd get my mom and mother-in-law set in a home they're happy with, pay off my sibling's homes and secure my children's educations. (I'd like to say that I'd just give them the rest, but I really want them to learn the value of their hard work not expect a handout) I'd immediately go get me a baby girl from China! Then I'd buy a beach house big enough for my family to vacation in and I'd share it with all my friends too!! The rest would go to local rescue missions and homeless shelters because I know what it's like to not know where you're going to sleep or where your next meal is going to come from and that's NOT good feeling. If there was anything left I have to admit that I'd buy about 365 pairs of shoes!!! hahahahaha

5. 5 jobs that I've had.

1. Wife, mom, homemaker.

2. Clinical Coordinator/CMA.

3. Hostess at a five-star restaurant.

4. Waitress at Chi-Chi's. OLE'!

5. Preschool music teacher.

6. Five places I've lived.

1. Charleston, WV

2. Philippi, WV (college)

3. Ocala, FL

4. Seth, WV

5. Charlotte, NC

7. 5 Random things that people don't know about me.

1. I'm an AVID reader.

2. I've had the same best friend since 7th grade. (My best friend Kelley!)

3. I'm having a hard time thinking of things no one would know because I'm such an open book and will tell you EVERYTHING!

4. I broke my collar bone doing cartwheels on the stairs in Elementary school.

5. I know how to make myself faint. Haven't done it in years and it requires no special tools, just me and enough room to fall down!

8. 5 CD's that I would have to take on a desert island.

1. Travis Cottrell

2. Kirk Franklin - Girl will HAVE to dance!

3. Brooklyn Tab - Girl will HAVE to praise!

4. Luther Vandross - Girl will HAVE to miss her man!

5. Sade - Girl will need some beach music while I'm tanning! ;-)

Ok, so now I'm supposed to tag some people too. I forgot how many but here goes.

Mandy

Lisa

Marina

Kim

Leah

Have fun girls!

Praise Him!

I only have a sec, but I wanted to pop on and say a great big "THANK YOU" for all who have been praying for Jimmy and I. There's still no change in the circumstances, but last night there were some BIG changes in my man. We got in bed and were both laying there waiting for the other to start praying - or so I like to think - and it was total silence. I was a bit upset, mostly at myself for not starting things but sometimes you know you just like your man to take the bull by the horns. ;-) Anyway, as I lay there pouting to God Jimmy says "Babe, I've just been laying here praying and all I can tell you is I feel this burden being lifted from me. For the first time since the 1st of June I am at COMPLETE peace with whatever God has in store for me." Then he goes "Will you pray with me now?" So we prayed together and it was just AWESOME. It's so unlike my control-freak,(just kiddin) I mean, loving wonderful husband to completely let go and be at peace that I can assure you all that your prayers are being answered. So, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

Father God I ask you to pour out a double portion of blessings on each and every person who has lifted us to your throne. Thank you for putting us on their hearts and in their minds and now I would ask you to reward their faithfulness with your blessings. Father I thank you for Jimmy. I thank you for the work you're doing in both of us. I thank you for this refinement and I praise you for whatever the outcome is!! Thank you for loving us and for caring enough to take our burdens and carry them for us. I love you Father. In the name of Jesus I ask these things and expectantly await your answer. Amen.

Say the Name.....

From God Calling June 17:
"'Jesus.' Say My Name often. It was in My Name Peter bade the lame man walk. 'In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth arise and walk.'
'Jesus.' The very sounding of My Name, in love and tenderness, drives away all evil. It is the word before which all the hosts of evil flee.
'Jesus.' My Name is the call for a life line to rescue you from temptation.
'Jesus.' The Name banishes loneliness - dispels gloom.
'Jesus.' Summons help to conquer your faults. I will set you on high because you have known My Name.
Yes! My Name - 'Jesus.' Use it more. Use it tenderly. Use it prayerfully. Use it powerfully."

Doesn't seem like I have anything else to add today but Jesus....Jesus....Jesus....Jesus!!!!!

No Other Gods

Is anyone doing Kelly Minter's study with Beth Moore? I'm starting with a group of ladies tomorrow and I tell ya - I about can't WAIT! We've been doing this church-wide study of the Old Testament and I have been LOVING that, but I think God made us girls with a need to get together with our siesta's and dive into the Word! Maybe I'm wrong about that, but I know I sure need it! I need to know that there are other's dealing with issues I'm dealing with. I need to have someone squeeze my neck once in a while - just because. I need girlfriends who love Jesus more than anything and who want to do more than just show up at church Sunday morning. So, I'm starting this study and so excited to see what the Lord is going to clean out of me! Not looking forward to the process of it - because it's often not much fun - but I've learned to trust Him in the work.

What about you? Do you have summer Bible study plans? Are you winging it or do you have a group of girls you're diving in the Word with? I have a best girlfriend who is a loner. She likes to be social, but always jokingly says she doesn't do the "girl thing". She's not big on retreats, she's not big on group studies, it's just not her cup of tea. (Don't you love how the Lord mixes us up sometimes?!) So she's doing a study on her own this summer and says she MAY join a group in the fall. Y'all pray for her because I don't care what she says - she NEEDS some "girl things" - there's just something not right about that! haha (just kiddin'!)

One more thing - thanks so much for your prayers for our family. They are being felt! Please continue to pray that the Lord will swing a door wide open for Jimmy. He's really starting to get kinda bummed over the whole situation and that's not a good thing. Thanks so much.

My how time flies!

I can't believe Tuesday was the last day I blogged. Thought for sure it was just yesterday. UGH. Time is truly flying.

First, let me thank all of you for your prayers. Jimmy's had 3 interviews this week and still has some possibilities coming up at Wachovia so the Lord is answering! Thank you so much. Also, he had some vacation time to burn so he took a couple of days off this week so go on these interviews and yesterday we just went to the pool together. For a while, our family were the only ones there and it was just what we needed. So, thank all of you for your prayers.

If you think of it this morning, say a prayer for Caroline. She's having a little procedure this morning and if you've ever had to turn your child over to a Dr. and walk away you KNOW how that feels so pray for Melissa and Steve too. Thanks so much.

So, I've had a busy week and have an even busier weekend planned, in fact, this entire month is just jam packed with stuff. Not sure how that happened, but it has. July isn't looking much better, but God will make a way. I know He's filling me with "stuff" to do so I won't have time to sit around and let the enemy trick me into worrying. I'm a prime example of "if the hands are idle, the house leaks"! Ecc 10:18. So, I've gotta get busy but I wanted to ask for your prayers for Liney and thank you for lifting my family to the throne! He is faithful!!

PS. If you haven't heard the news, be sure to lift the Moore family as well. I know what it's like to lose a pet you love and I'm sure they'd appreciate your prayers. Thanks.

Blessed be the tie that binds.

Have you ever faced something in your life and felt totally alone? I know I sure have. Maybe there's been times you've gone thru things and it seems that no one in your "loop" is facing anything like it. We all know the Sunday School answer that we serve a God that knows. A God who has been there. All of that is true and believe me, I'm not slighting Him in the least here, but sometimes it's good to look into the face, or to actually hear an audible voice say "Girl, I know how you feel".

I remember when I lost my first baby. I knew lots of people who had lost a baby, but it just seemed that no one "around me" understood. I kept hearing "Just be thankful for the ones you have" - like I wasn't already. But then the Lord brought some friends into my life who were already mom's who had been where I had been. It just made things easier knowing someone "got it".

Well today the Lord brought 2 more of those people into my life. He introduced me to 2 ladies who shared a bit of their testimonies with me and I can tell you - I sat there with my jaw hanging open! As they shared things like - losing their homes, parent dying from cancer, moving somewhere they never thought they would - I was blown away at how good God is! How He so beautifully takes the things in our lives and turns them around for our good. AMAZING!! If we could only shift our focus from how bad things seem to seeing our problems as an opportunity for His glory - oh the pain we could spare ourselves!

So, what about you? Has the Lord placed someone in your life recently who has walked where you're currently walking or they're on a path you've been down before? Would you be willing to leave me a comment and give Him a "shout out" for it? (doesn't have to be too detailed) I just love to see the Lord's hand moving and given all we're dealing with, I just need to focus on praising Him and this seemed like a good avenue to explore today. So let me know and let's give Him some PRAISE!!

It brought the old hymn to my mind

Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like that to that above.

(To my new sisters, if you're reading this, know that I'm honored to lift you to the throne and blessed to get to know you. I look forward to seeing the Lord use us for His glory!!)

Are you kidding me?

So it's very LATE blogging for me today. Can't believe how fast this day has gone by. It started at 6:00 and this is the first chance I've had to sit at the computer. UGH.

Jimmy had some vacation time he HAD to take before the big day so he's taking today and tomorrow off to job hunt so he's occupied the computer/phone most of the day and I've been trying to stay quietly out of his way. Not an easy job for me! haha Just pray, y'all. That's all I'll say about that.

Our whirlwind weekend went by without any major complications, but land sakes, what a time we had. Friday night we had recital practice and let me tell you that this little church where we take dance takes their recitals VERY serious!! We were not allowed to sit and watch - or so we were told at the onset - but since it was pushing 100 degrees outside they changed their minds and graciously let us in but told us NO pictures!!! (Enforced it too!) Then Sat morning began with the hubby making me a great breakfast, then I went off to choir rehearsal, came home for a couple of hours then off to recital we went. Now, the princess was AMAZING! I mean, I just don't know how I could've been any more proud of her! SO cute! Then it happened. We had to leave early because my 3rd grader's teacher was getting married and he was invited. (Of course we HAD to go because he loves her so much!)

Like I told you, these people took this recital VERY serious. When I went to the area where all the dancers were being "held" after they performed, I was greeted by a mom whose job it was to keep them all together and she was NOT happy that I was leaving. I mean, I truly can't remember the last time I was treated so rudely (in a church none the less). You would've thought that I was asking the Principal Ballerina of the New York Dance Company to leave the stage during opening night! RUDE I tell ya! So, needless to say, I didn't exactly show her much Jesus, but just looked at her and said "I'm sorry, but I have a wedding to go to that starts in an hour so we HAVE to leave" and I gathered up my baby and left. She was hot on my heels barking about not following instructions, etc. and I just kept walking.

So, I leave there mad as a wet hen (as Jimmy says) and I get home, change and then go to the wedding which was THANKFULLY uneventful. Actually, it was amazing. Josh's teacher had her reception outside (which was miserably hot) near an old historic site where they have an old school house. When the new couple arrived at the site, she had all the girls in her class throw rose petals on the ground and had all the boys ring the old school bell. (how sweet is that?) Then after the first dances, she immediately called all the students to the front of the schoolhouse and took a picture with all the kids. Now THAT is a teacher who teaches because she LOVES it!! AMAZING!! It's a night Josh will never forget!

Ok, so back to the point of all this. Then Sun morning we get to church and God has a little something to tell me about forgiveness. You see, over the years God has changed my name so many times. I was bitterness, I was jealous, I was self-absorbed and about a year ago He told me I was unforgiving. I thought I had already dealt with that. Then yesterday He reminded me that the tendency was still in me. I hadn't forgiven Ms. Snippy from the recital. So, right there in the middle of Dr. Rummage's sermon I had to stop and get some cleaning done! The funny thing was I felt the Lord tell me "You know what, maybe it's been a LONG time since she's had anything in her life to smile about." So that became my prayer. I've asked the Lord to give Ms. Snippy (and I really don't say that in a mean way, it's just all I know to call her) something to smile about. Something to make her happy. Something to make her heart sing. I sure hope that He did because He was faithful to give me something to sing about too! He's just so funny, don't ya think? I love that about Him. I'm sure my name will be changed again soon. It's not much fun, but I know it's worth it.

Shameless!!

I know sometimes people get tired of gloating parents, and if you're one of those people, then I suggest you read no further!! Can't help it, but baby girl has her recital tomorrow and I just HAD to share a pic of her all dolled up in her costume!! LOVE it!!

Distractions, distractions........

My what lengths the enemy will go to in an attempt to distract us. He certainly has been busy in my life this week. So many distractions. It's been difficult, I admit, to stay focused with all the noise he's thrown my way. Things have certainly been noisy around here.

My baby girl came home from school Monday with a fever and an allergic reaction to the sunscreen I had put on her face and neck for field day so she's missed the last 2 days of school. I ended up taking her to the Dr. yesterday morning and lo and behold, strep! UGH! She's feeling better with her meds and her fever is gone, and it was a taste of what my summer will be like. UGH...again! ;-) I love Melissa's blog from yesterday, and I know those of us who are mom's can testify!! Even if you're an Auntie who keeps your niece/nephew for more than 2 hours, you can testify!!!! haha

Anyway, with strep bouncing around my house it makes my lupus start to act up. Can't explain it, but lupus and strep are like kissing cousins or something - when the 2 come together they just LOVE to dance around which wreaks havoc on my body. Double UGH! Like I said, distractions! It was all those "I choose" comments that did it! I start claiming to choose and the Lord decides to let the enemy test me to see if, in fact, I will choose! ;-)

So, today, I'm in Luke 8:40 - 9:9 and I'm reading again about Jarius and the woman with the issue of blood and today what really hit me square between the eyes was "Don't be afraid, just believe." Jesus' tender words to Jarius about his sick daughter. Don't you know that Jesus just took this distraught man's face into His hands and said "Don't be afraid". Can you imagine, looking into those eyes, feeling the warmth of those hands, smelling the sweet aroma of His Presence and hearing those words? That's my prayer today. That each time another pain hits my hips and legs I'll hear His voice "Just believe". That each time my kids ask for ANOTHER snack or drink I'll hear His voice "Just believe". That each time I begin to worry about Jimmy's job and the floundering housing market I'll hear His voice "Just believe". Are you listening?.....

On time every time.....

Doesn't God just crack you up? I mean, He just blows my mind day after day!! Lately it seems that so many are hurting and suffering losses that just seem impossible to get my mind around that I have been reluctant to share our burdens at all. Then God - in His love for me - just comes along and whispers in my ear, "I'm here. I know. I care and I'm working!" Don't you just love that about Him?!

If you've been under a rock or just so wrapped up with life that you've missed the Wachovia hoopla lately, my man is gonna be out of a job by mid June. UGH! Barring some sort of Divine Intervention, he'll be out. Please pray for the Lord to either swing open a door in another area, or to swing open the door to wherever He's sending Jimmy. These are HARD times on my man!!

So, God yesterday sends me a couple of sweet little kisses thru Faith's blog and then thru the Beth Moore Romans study online. I'm WAAAAAAYYYYY behind on that study - or so I thought - but it seems our on time, every time God had me RIGHT where He wanted me! I opened the archives of the study and guess where we were? Can you guess where in Romans? Come on, just take a WILD guess? ............ ROMANS 8:28!!!!!! I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!! God sat me down last night at 10:00pm and He wrapped His precious arms around me and gave me a big ole' Abba Daddy hug!!! AMAZING!!!

He reminded me that He is a "Present Active Participle God" and that all things in my life - every circumstance - is working at His Company for MY BENEFIT!! They aren't just working for Him part time, or a seasonal employee, but my circumstances - past, present and future - are working - together - for my good!! This whole job thing - it's for my good! This whole moving thing - for my good!! This whole music ministry thing - for my good!! This whole Sunday school teaching thing - for my good!!! ALL WORKING for my benefit! Does that just crack you up? It does me! It gives me such hope and peace!

Father - thank you for your Word. Thank you for loving me enough to whisper in my ear and remind me who I am, your daughter, your child! Thank you for painting my life with a multi-colored masterpiece of events that will glorify You!! Thank you for seeing me as worth the effort! I choose You! I choose to trust You in ALL things! I choose to KNOW that all these things are working for my good and that You have plans to prosper me and give me hope and a future! I love you Lord and I bless Your Name!!!! Thank you Father, thank you!!!!!

My sweet angel.....

Happy Birthday to my sweet angel!!!

It's hard to believe you're 6! What a big girl you're becoming. You bring such joy to my heart and you have since the first time I heard your heartbeat inside me. Your sweet smile, your eyes, your songs, everything God made special in and about you brings me joy! I'm so honored to be your Momma, Kayley! Thank you for always making me smile!

Your life began during a time that wasn't easy for us as a family - Pawpaw was so sick and so many other things - then you were sick too. I thought my heart would explode the night I had to drive away and leave you in that hospital! But God was so faithful to hear my prayers - and the prayers of so many friends - and to heal you quickly because He knew your Pawpaw was going to be healed by going Home!

You have continued to grow and have done such a GREAT job in Kindergarten - even telling everyone how your Momma cried all the way home your first day! I am so proud of you, reading, writing and doing addition! WOW! Such a BIG GIRL!! Then watching you sing to Jesus for your first musical at church, along with your bothers, was just about more than my heart could take. I was supposed to be helping ALL the kids, but I just couldn't keep my eyes off the 3 of my babies up there worshipping the Lord!! Thank you for wanting to participate in that!!

My prayer is that you will love the Lord MOST in your life and that you will serve Him all your days. I pray for the one the Lord has picked out for you - he's gonna have to prove A LOT! haha You are such a blessing to me and your daddy and I love you more than you know!! Stay close to Jesus, sweet baby!! You are my punkin' butter bean!! Happy Birthday!!!

I love you....

Your Momma