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