UGH!

Ok, so Faith posted the video I was trying to download from Youtube on her site, so you'll just have to pop over there and watch it. However, I have a story to share about this song.

One of my FAVORITE parts of our family reunion is Sat. evening after the "festivities" are over and all the little ones sack out at my brother-in-law's house. It's his family, our family and Jimmy's 2 cousins and their kids all in this tiny little 3 bedroom house. (Thank goodness there's a full finished basement!) Usually there's 14 or 15 of us crammed in.

Anyway, my nephew Cody breaks out his guitar and we have some praise & worship time. He's the Worship Leader at his church and SOLD OUT to Jesus at 18!! LOVE THAT! Anyway, he LOVES Hillsong and tells me he's learned a new song he wants to share with me. It's "Healer". I hadn't heard it before that night and as he sat there singin' his heart out to the Lord the shekhinah glory of God filled that room! I mean it! Jimmy's cousin Pat has been having some health problems and the Dr's can't seem to find out what's going on. It's been difficult for him and for his family. He sometimes has to leave work just to go home and take a nap. (God has blessed him with a Christian boss who allows this) Anyway, they've been struggling.

So here we were listening to Cody sing and the Lord goes, "Pray for Pat. Right here, right now, in the middle of this song. Pray." So, I go to my man and tell him "We gotta pray for Pat....NOW". So right there in the middle of the den, with Cody singin' away, me, Jimmy, Greg (my brother-in-law) and Peggy (Pat's wife) pray. Now, this may not seem like any big deal, but you have to understand that Jimmy's family is a mixture of Catholic, Church of Christ and others and I have (in the past) been very quiet about my faith. I told you in a previous post how some of them were kinda rough on me - remember? But the Lord said "Go" so I went. Let me just tell you that it was one of the most precious experiences ever! To pray not just as blood relatives, but as relatives in the blood of Christ!!! AMAZING. In fact, the next day in church Cody stood before his congregation and shared how honored he felt to be a part of a family that was willing to love each other that way - unashamed!!!

God is good y'all. Please pray for Pat.

Jehovah-Rapha, I believe that You are my Healer. You are Pat's Healer. I pray that you'll strengthen him. Blow the Dr's away with his total healing. Restore him! You are His Portion - My Portion. You are More than Enough!! Nothing is impossible for you!! I believe.....

WHEW!!!!......

Land sakes. I'm finally home. Aaaaaahhh. Sigh of relief/exhaustion. Feels so good to be home, but my word I haven't hardly stopped. We didn't get in til late Sunday evening and by the time we got all unpacked and ate some pizza for dinner it was straight to bed for me. It's gonna be a crazy week as I had to work yesterday, getting ready to leave here shortly, have my Bible study tomorrow and work again, Thurs - I'M OFF thank you Jesus and then work again Friday. WHEW! Made me tired just typing it all. So, there may not be much bloggin' this week, but I'll do my best. Thanks for all your prayers for our family. God is good!

Here's a glimpse.....

At one of the most precious days I've had in a while.

(In case you're wondering - my sister is VERY country in her decorating so that is NOT a Christmas tree in the corner - the garland really makes it look that way but it's some kinda country thing! Not my style AT ALL but still cute! hahaha) This picture was the only one I got with my camera of Regina and Dewayne in their wedding clothes but here's the 3 of us.

The ceremony was right there in front of the fireplace. Yes, we were ALL barefoot and in jeans and shorts. Regina was barefoot too! Hey, it's WV what do you expect?! haha

Here's the new blended family......

(Front row) My BEAUTIFUL niece Rachel - (I mean really y'all isn't she the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?! I just love her!), Regina, Ally (Dewayne's grand-daughter), Jessie (Dewayne's daughter and my new niece!)
(Back row) My sweetest nephew in the WORLD - J.R., Dewayne, and Becca (Dewayne's oldest girl and my other new niece!)

So there's a couple of the pics from the BIG DAY! It truly was a beautiful time and knowing all they have been thru to see how faithful the Lord was in bringing them to this place was just about more than my heart could take!

Of course, the day wouldn't be complete without a pic of my sweet-ums! Can you stand how cute they are? Kayley was strikin' a pose and if you look over Josh's head you can see Chase's fingers givin' him bunny ears! Brothers! What can you do? ;-) Ally and Kayley are inseparable when we come to WV so Kay INSISTED that she get in the picture too. I mean, wouldn't even let me take it til Ally came in!! They LOVE each other and it's just the sweetest thing.

Y'all have a great weekend! My man just called and he's on his way!!! WOOOOHOOOOO!! Jesus, keep him safe!! Love y'all!

Almost heaven....WV

Well, not quite. I mean, I know those words are true for some and don't get me wrong it is just beautiful here but almost heaven......I don't think so! If so, we're in a lot of trouble friends!! hahaha Just kiddin'! It's a great place to visit but I wouldn't wanna.......well, I'd better not finish that sentence.

I love coming here and hangin' out with my family and visiting old friends, but I must admit that I'M 'BOUT DONE!!!! I'm ready to get home. I miss my family there. I miss my friends. I miss my church. Isn't it crazy that I've only missed one week and it feels like I haven't been there in MONTHS?!! That's how home is, I guess.

It really has been a good visit and we've got a BIG weekend coming - my in-law's family reunion - and that is usually a GREAT time. I must admit that my intro into my in-law's family wasn't really a good one. The first time I met MOST of them was at my (what would be future) Father-in-law's funeral. Jimmy's dad passed away about 2 months after we met. We had just started to get serious about one another when it happened and a lot of his family hadn't even heard about me so they were kinda like "Who's that?" (where they didn't think I could hear them) and some even were quite vocal in their opinions at how inappropriate it was for me to be there. Yeah. Special. Rocky start, don't ya think?

However, God being the Restorer that He is, healed hearts (especially mine), mended fences and taught me to love my "enemies" (that was exactly what they felt like to me). So this weekend truly is a celebration!! Not just of family coming from all over - making it a point to carve out a weekend together once a year - but of the Father bringing family together to show His love, to show His heart! I really am VERY excited about it. While the enemy does his best to distract me with his usual attacks on my insecurities this weekend, I know the Father will be faithful to remind me who I am, what He's done, and what He's gonna do thru our time together. So, with that in mind, I anticipate a blessing!!! I look forward to watching Him work!!! I can't wait to tell you guys what He did!!! Just you wait and see......

OH YEAH - My man is coming tonight too!!!!!!!!! WOOOOHOOOOOOO! I miss him SOOO much!!!! I love you, Baby!!!!!

What a day....

WHEW!!! I'm completely worn out but what an amazing day we've had. The wedding was quite possibly one of the most special days I've had in a LONG time. Everything went off without a hitch. The bride was just glowing, the groom was stary-eyed, the kids were.....well happy, but nervous as they blend their families, and the Lord's Spirit was felt in the room as Regina and Dewayne said their vows. I wish you could've seen my sister. She has never looked more beautiful - and for those who know her that's saying something, she's ALWAYS beautiful!

There was a moment about 2 hours before the ceremony started when my niece and nephew started thinkin' about their dad - and I'm sure Regina was too - but the 3 of them just had their moment together, prayed thru and went on. That's the funny thing about life....it goes on. When your world gets turned upside down, things go on. When you think you can't face another day, you wake up to another sunrise. So as the pastor spoke about God starting a new work and that love was a choice you make each day, all I could do was silently pray that each day the Lord would rain down fresh manna on the two of them - new every morning - His faithfulness truly is great!!

I'm gonna try to post some pics at some point, but we're gonna be doin' a little "playing" after church tomorrow so I'm not sure when that will happen. Just wanted to keep y'all up to date, and if any of you have tried to email me - the computer at home has had another TIA and Jimmy is diligently working on the problem - BLESS HIS PRECIOUS HEART!!! Thanks so much for your prayers. They were heard and answered!!

BY THE WAY - Jimmy started his new job Friday and though it was mostly paper work and the like, he really thinks he's gonna be happy there. In fact, they told him he was overdressed in his khaki's and button-down and sent him home for lunch to change into some jeans and a t-shirt!! OH YEAH, you know my redneck man was LOVIN' that!!! hahaha Thanks for those prayers as well guys! GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME - AND ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!!!!

"Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get married"

I'm leaving in a few hours heading to WV to go to my sister's wedding. I'm so happy for her. She has had such an amazingly difficult few years with her husband's death and then meeting someone new and falling in love and teenage kids...UGH. Most of you know the whole story but suffice it to say that it's not something I think I could handle - it would certainly be in the Lord's strength alone. Anyway, the wedding is Saturday but they're not leaving on their honeymoon til the following Saturday so I'm gonna hang out up there all next week. Plus, my hubby's family reunion is next Saturday so it seemed like a good time to get away.

Not sure how much I'll get to blog up there, but here's something I'd like to leave with you. How often do you read the Word and shake your head in - well, basically judgement - of people? For example, the Israelites, they had all those miracles - walked across the DRY sea floor for Pete's sake - and still they wandered for 40 years. Then there's Rachel and Leah, especially Leah, knowing her hubby was in love with Rachel but willing to settle for a crumb of affection here and there. Let's don't even start with the disciples. I mean Jesus was right in front of them! How in the world could they NOT get it? Lately the Lord's been having me turn that judgement a bit inward so I'm hoping to share some of that. Think about it. It's so easy in our air conditioned, beautifully decorated, concession stand churches and look down on them, but do you think they're looking down at us now shaking their heads not in judgement but in pity?

Anyway, I hope to talk to ya soon about how the Lord is really cleanin' my kitchen lately only to give Him the glory for doin' the work!! He's so awesome y'all!! Take care.

Blessed Be His Name!!!

HALLELUJAH You're worthy to be praised!!
Hallelujah You're worthy to be praised!

Oh, y'all can't tell that I'm singing the Brooklyn Tab song can ya?! haha Well believe me people, I have a reason to sing this morning!! MY MAN GOT A JOB!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
YAY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He'll be working for a company that sells automotive software to dealerships nationwide for their service departments. Something he's quite familiar with. WOOOHOOOOO!! Y'all, here's the truly funny thing. I had (for the most part) been at peace about this whole situation but I think the reason for my "freak out" yesterday was because in my mind I was saying "Lord please give him a job by the 15th. I won't start losing it til the 15th. Please Lord the 15th. So since yesterday was the 14th and there were some things out there "in the works" but no definite answers - I admit I started to waiver. So what happens, 4:00pm the call comes. Job offer!!!!!! On time, every time kinda God!!!!!

So girlfriends, thank you so very much for your prayers. They have meant the world to us. This has seemed like the longest 15 days of my life!!!! God is so good, y'all!! Turn on some P&W and join me in dancin' for Jesus!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS - Don't you know my spellcheker is goin' crazy with all the woooohooooooooooo'S!!!! hahaha