Grieving Daddy on Facebook

     Recently,  two good friends of mine lost the fathers.  Angela Braach lost her sweet Daddy on November 23, 2014 and Katie Taylor lost her dear ole dad on December 2, 2014.  As I've watched and prayed  for for my friends and their families,  I've been taken aback 9 years to when my Daddy died on July 10, 2006.

    My daddy was sick for about 16 years with kidney issues.  I went to bed many nights just knowing that I would get a phone call before the sun rise; telling me that he didn't make it.   He was on Dialysis for the better part of those years - 3 or 4 days a week.

     I wish I could say that my daddy and I were always close and that I was always there for him.  Our life, our family's life, was quite complicated.  I spent years being angry at my daddy.  He made some choices in his life that I felt devastated from.  They were choices that not only hurt me as a daughter, but also as a Christian.  It is hard for a daughter to see her father sin and make mistakes.  I knew my daddy loved me and he knew I loved him, but there were things that I couldn't get past, & know I'm kicking myself now because all that did was wasted precious time that I could have spent with my Daddy.  Time that I can never get back.

     As hard as it is for a daughter to realize her daddy made mistake; it's even harder to think of her daddy not being in Heaven waiting for her.  I can remember a couple of Christmases before he died talking to him; pleading for him to turn to God and seek forgiveness.  He said no, that he had committed the unforgivable sin and had grieved the Holy Spirit.  It was then that I began to reverently pray that he  would turn  back to God.  I was so relived and rejoiced when Lisa told me at the funeral that two night before he died he asked for forgiveness and accepted Christ.

     God and time has a way of healing a broken heart.  Although I still greatly miss my daddy, I can now look back  on his life, and on our life as father and daughter,  and can truly see God's love and work and can say that I know and believed my daddy in walking in the presence of God.
     While I'm unaware of the struggles that my friends Angela and Katie had with their on fathers, it is my prayer that they can look pass them, they they can see their father truly for who God truly made him to be.  They are grieving now, but I pray that will wake up one day and  the sadness will be replaced with only sweet memories.  I love you both dearly and you are both in my prayers.

A New Year Has Dawned...

...Yes I do realize its already January 16, but it's not to late to start with new beginnings. I think the thing I want to do most -alwaays- is to renew my relationship with God; to read my bible and to pray more.  All you gotta do is turn on the news or even log into Face Book to see how desperate this ole world.  I want to be as close to the Creator as I can get so that He can shield me from the evil one.  I want him to guide my every step; least I fall in to temptation.
      I want to eat better and walk / exercise more.  I want to have more energy and not so much.  I'm being treated for sleep  apnea.  I have a CPAP machine and we are suppose to be getting our Sleep Number bed next week; Thursday!!!  Bobbye Sue Girl Scout troop is also starting to work on their badge: Eating For Beauty.  Hoping this will be inspiring.
     I want to keep my house clean and stay on top of things such as laundry & meal planing, etc. 
     I want to write, journal and blog more.  I know this is my most passionate and creative out let and I need to use it more.
     I want to read more.  Been watching way too much TV lately.  I have so many books I've order and haven't read (mostly from my favorite online book store CBD!)  Plus I have a tablet with a Kindle app.  So, I'm definitely not "book poor".
     I want to be kinder to others and to encourage them more.  I believe that one of my spiritual gifts is to be  encouraging to others and I need to be more faithful in doing this.
    And the last one, I'm almost afraid to write down.  For the last couple years the thought of being an inspirational speaker has crossed my mind.  I've prayed about it some and need to pray about it much more.  This calling HAS to come from the LORD.  I really think it be a cool thing, but only if all the glory goes to God

So, that's it.  I have a lot of work and a lot more praying to do!  Please pray with  and for me that I will become the person god has called me to be!

Putting my Christmas Tree up Early

Why, yes, we did start decorating our Christmas Tree tonight  -Nov. 9th - had to keep up with Stacia Hay!  I know a lot of people have posted about how they don't like how people decorate and stuff so much before Christmas.  But you know what?  I Love Christmas!  We live in a free country and I have the right to start decorating whenever I want.  If you go into some place playing Christmas Music and you don't like it; most of us have phones with ear buds outlets that you can use to listen to anything you want to.  I personally don't like the music a lot of businesses play throughout the rest of the year.  If you don't like the Christmas display and decorations; ignore them.  God knows their are a lot of displays and decorations that should be ignored the rest of the year.  I don't not overlook Thanksgiving.  When the kids were young we always did the Thanks Living Box, now they are older we always talk about the first Thanksgiving and share what we are thankful for. I think businesses should choose for themselves weather or not they are open.  I must admit, we have gone as a family to Wal-Mart on Thanksgiving.  I do feel bad that some people have to work, but many people are just glad they have a job.  You may not like celebrating Christmas so early and that's fine; but don't you dare try and tell me when I can and can't start celebrating.  I know the reasons I celebrate and no, I'm not tired of them at any point.  If you do tire of Christmas, you may want to check why you celebrate in the first pace.  As Scrooge said; "I will Honor Christmas in my heart and will try and keep it all the year!"

Another news story has caught my eye.  This one is about a mother who says she regrets not aborting herr baby when she was told that he would probably be disabled.  She and her husband had already told the doctor that "...we didn't want a child who wasn't going to be able to ride a bike and do things that normal children do."  Life News  

     As a mother,  I can not get my head around this..Yes, I want a child but only if he or she is perfect.  And as a woman with a disability I am totally appalled.  

     I know parenting a disabled child is difficult; it can expensive; it can be hard on marriages ( I was told a divorce was my fault).  It can be difficult for siblings; (on of my brothers' depression was blamed on  the fact that he had a disabled sister).  Plus all the uncertainty of the disability:  How much care a disabled child will need.

Disabilities are not easy, but is anything in life easy?  Would this mother want to go back and abort this child if they don't make straight A's in  school or if they grow up and choose a different path than she wants them too.

One of the worst things you can say to a disable child, or anyone for that matter, is that they aren't wanted.  We already live in a society we being different can be taboo.  A mother is the one person that every  child should be able to go to and be loved; no matter what they do or who they become.  Even if this mother never lets her child know she thinks this.  It will be felt; every deep sigh, every angry voice, every time she's moves or touches him, he'll  be able to tell how she really feels about him.

Please, please treat your loved ones with care.  Just because they're not who you want them to be doesn't mean they're not who God wants them to be.

Praying For Strangers

A story caught my eye that week that has not only pulled on my heart strings, but has also made me questioned some of my core beliefs.  But above all, this story has reminded how importain it is to pray for others; even for those we don't know.
Brittany Maynard is a 29 year old recently married woman in Oregon.  Right after their wedding, she found out she had terminal brain cancer.  She has decided to end her on November 1st.
Now, while I believe suicide is wrong, I am compassionate of the reason she has chosen to end her life: she's facing a very harsh and painful death.  She also wants to make it easier for her family.  I do respect her decision, I just don't know if I agree with it.
However I can pray for her.    I can pray for her healing, for peace, for comfort and understanding for her family and friends.  I don't have to know or even to agree with her to pray for her.  Some people think that to pray for someone is  to say that you agree with them.  I say sometimes this is true, while other times this can't be further from the truth.  If we are praying for someone's salvation we are obviously not in agreement with them if they believe there is no God.  Sometimes the best prayer for others; strangers or not; is "May God's will be done."  Isaiah 55:8 says "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.'"  It can be very hard to pray  for God's will to be done because no one but God truly knows His will.  So therefore, we can pray for others even those we don't agree with them.
I can remember when I was little, my mama used to tell me to "people  watch" to cure boredom whenever we were out having to wait.  This is not only a great source of entertainment, but it's also a great opportunity to build you prayer list: we can prayer for the harried clerk at the local supermarket who's been yelled by many customers even though she's not to blame for the long line in her lane.  We can pray for the mother in the park who's trying to gather up her kids to go home and take a nap even though they don't want to go.  We can pray for the businessman  who is sitting alone in the food court at lunchtime; massaging his temple with one hand and trying to balance his check book with the other: Working 18 hours a day, 6 days a week is causing nothing but migraine headaches and only a few more dollars to work with when deciding what bills to pay first.
The truth is everyone has a story.  The chance that we'll ever know a stranger's story is slim to none, but it doesn't take away the importance of their story.  When we pray for them, we are lifting them up to God and pleading for Him to have mercy for them.  We may be the only person that will ever pray for them.  Sad, but true.  
Pray for strangers, and remember,  "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have showed hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

Disabilities Aren't Always a Bad Thing

I've been having a discussion with a group on Facebook about what's good about being in a wheel; about having a disability.  Now many people, both those who are disabled and those aren't, see this question and laugh.  Surely, there can be nothing good about having a disabled.  Uhm, I may beg to differ, depending  on the day.  I  was strangled at birth by the umbilical cord That caused me to have Cerebral Palsy.  I'd like to think that before I was born that God asked  me if I would be disabled for a reason.  I hope that through my struggles, I have inspired others.  I can look back at my life and sees the path that my disability has sewn: It's the reason my  family became Christian, the reason  I got to go to college, the reason I chose to major in Social Work, the reason I met my husband and so forth.  Most people see disabilities as negative, and while most disabilities have negative aspects that go along with them; but then again most people who breathe life encounter negative aspects that goes along with that life.    We all have two choices; we can either spend our life complaining and hold a self pity party with the negatives being the hostess with the mostest; or we can take the negatives and try to make our life a little bit better because of  them.  I know many problems in life seem massive and people think that nothing go can come of them.  And if we simply look at them with the naked  eye; we can't.  However, when we break down our negatives (at this point forward I'll refer to them  as disabilities), we can see thing that we might be able to when we look at them as a whole.  There is an old saying;  "How do you eat an elephant? One piece at a time, of course."    There are many thing we may not be able to do, we must concentrate on the thing we can do.  Even the simplest thing as smiling at a caregiver who may be having bad day; maybe you cheered  them up.  We are not on this earth to live solo lives.  God created us to have relationships and to help and to love others.  Hebrews 13:2 says "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware."  We should never let our disability hinder our ability to do God's will.  It's not even a choice.  it is our duty to  do what God calls us to, no matter what cost to us.

Tribute to my Daughter

 She is a very beautiful and caring daughter; both inside and out.  She has the patience of a dove and the strength of a lion.  She had to learn at a very young age to be both self-efficient and caring towards others.  Not because her mother was mean or neglectful  as was the reason too many other children had to mature faster than their years; but because they were simply thing that her disabled mother needed help with.  She always had a cheerful heart and if the burden of helping ever became to much, she didn't let it show.  At times, her mother was sadden by the thought that maybe her daughter's childhood had been stolen from her.  But just as she did; her daughter would do something silly to remind her mother that she was still just a girl.

Long After The Thrill Of Living Is Gone

As a child of thee 80's, one of my all time was John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane".    We were getting haircuts the other day and that song came on in the salon.  For some reason the line "O yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.", really hit me and I began to think about it in a way I never have before.

     When the song first starts out, it about 2 teenagers who are madly in love with each and their life is peachy king.  By the time, the quoted line above takes place;  they are most likely are in their mid-to-late thirties.  They probably have a  couple of kids and their  life is probably CRAZY!   Between raising kids, working, marriage and everything else that goes along with this phase of life, it does sometime seems like the thrill of living is gone.  You don't always get to do you please.  You have to choose the well fare of others over what you want.  Not that it's a regrettable chore, but it can become a long haul road.   When you are in the midst of  the business of life it can seem that you will never again enjoy life as you did in your youth.  And you right, you won't.  Not because you'll never enjoy your life again; you probably will.  But as you age, your values and your interest change.  You will probably find that what thrilled you as a youth has faded and that new desires have taken their place.  I think many people will find that once that get through this hectic part of their will once again enjoy live, to some extent, to the way they had before.  

Stumbling Blocks

When I learned to walk, it was not like other kids walked, I more or less just stumbled about wherever I went.  (Not much has changed in 30+ years)  As I grew, I graduated from a walker, to crutches and eventually to walk on my own; yet, actually, I just became a better stumbler.  My favorite aid to assist me in the process was my father.  Daddy, in his prime, stood six-feet-seven-inches tall!  He was known among my friends as "The Giant".  Daddy was a very strong guy and this really showed when he was walking with me.  I can't remember ever falling; somehow he always managed to catch me and keep me steady.  Although Daddy couldn't physically keep me from stumbling, he did everything he could to keep me from falling.  When I did fall, Daddy did whatever he could to encourage me to  encourage me to get back up and try again.

        I have another Father who does the exact same thing!  This is God.  He is so big and strong.  He holds me in His arms at all times.  Even though He doesn't always remove all the stumbling blocks from my life, He does guide me down the path and He is there to pick when I fall.
                                                                              It has been a long time since I've gotten to stumble beside my Daddy. I grew up, as little girls do, and my paths did not always cross with his.  I suppose the last time I got to stumble with him was down the church aisle at my wedding when he handed me over to the man that I will stumble my life away with.  After I had my two precious babies, I had a hip replacement, which has helped my stumbling a lot.  My daddy is no longer here on this earth to stumble about with me.  And even though when I reach heaven, I won't be stumbling any more, I know that both my Fathers will be waiting to walk me down those streets of gold

TO MEDITATE IT TO BE CREATIVE

When I can truly focus on God and can  pour my hear out to Him, I feel alive.  Nothing else matters.  I'm not bound by my physical life.  I don't owe anyone anything.  I can be who God truly wants me to be.  I'm free; It's a freedom I know can only come from God's grace.  While it may only be for a short time now, I know it'll be for an eternity one day

CRIES FROM A MAMA'S HEART

As a mother there very few things I would not do for my kids.  That being said; as a mother with a disability, there are quite a few things that I physically can't do for my kids.  Now, mind you, this is nothing new; we've been dealing with this for over 15 years.
However, as they start each new phase of their life, we (OK, mainly I) have to readjust to what I can and can't do with and for them.  They're both at a point in their life where they do want to and have extra curricular activities.  Dalton is doing some form of fashion of basketball practice.  at least 5 days a weeks.  Bobbye Sue's in Girl Scout, plus she wants to pursue archery and student council.  (Yes, she may be a bit ambitious!) I want to be  that ultimate "soccer" mom who's at every game, who knows all her kids friends, teachers and coaches.  In my  heart, I know what an unrealistic version of a mom this is.  Even if I could drive and do things a "normal" mama could do, I'd still have a big problem: There's only one of me and there are two of them.
Years ago I was crying out to God about this very issues and said; "Why does my Cerebral Palsy have to effect my kids?  It's not fair!"  God quickly rebuked me and said; "Don't you think maybe I wanted your Cerebral to effect your kids!"  This was, and still is, such a powerful statement!  My kids truly have not suffered because of my CP.  It may even be a blessing.  In fact, as I write this Bobbye was reading over my shoulder and said; "You  know Mama, it really doesn't effect us that much."  
As a mother, I have to keep my eye on the prize; which is to be able to look at my kids and to know that they love God and that they are kind and helpful people.  As far as their extra curricular extra activity goes; I trust that God that He always lead them in the paths they should go.

Rambling Monday- Needing to get Healthy

Every feel like you need to write not ssure what about?  I do that all the time.  I want to be careful (because I feel like this blog it a service and a part or my worship to God)  I don't want to write just to write.  
     That being said, I have been thinking a lot about my health lately.  I'm not getting any younger and there are things that I need to do NOW in order to get back on track to ensure that the next phrase of my life.  I do need to lose some weight, I'm not say how much.  I need also to exercise more and work on tuning up my muscles.

So, please pray that God gives me the strength and helps me to do what I need to do to get healthy!  Thank you/

Why Women Need Fellowship

This is what we doing for our first Women's Bible Stud tomorrow night.  I tried to give credit if I used something that's not mine.  All the scripture is from Bible Gateway.  It's a bit long, but I wanted to include The 8 Qualities of a Good Friend by Jennifer Cotti 

WHY WOMEN NEED CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

What is fellowship?  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us; "Two are better than one,  because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down,  one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls  and has no one to help them up.  11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.   But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered,  two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Why do women need fellowship?  Everyone needs friends.  Women often times find it difficult  to find time to fellowship with  other Christian women because things like husbands,   jobs and kids.  But sometimes we need to reach out to other Christian women for encouragement.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Romans 1:11-13New International Version (NIV) 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,[a] that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

8 Qualities of a Good Friend

by Jennifer Cotti
1.  A good friend is faithful.  Fair weather friends are MANY!  A good friend sticks closer than a sister!

-Prov. 14:20 "The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”

-Prov. 18:24 "There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother."

-Prov 19:4,6,7 "Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away.  Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts!  The relatives of the poor despise them; how much more will their friends avoid them! Though the poor plead with them, their friends are gone."

2.   A good friend will be honest, instead of using flattery.  This is big to me because I’m an encourager or a “replenisher” by nature and it’s often mistaken as flattery.  There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLATTERY AND ENCOURAGEMENT.  Flattery is a lie used to manipulate and it’s selfish in nature for your own benefit.  NOT godly or Christ like behavior!! The enemy is lurking behind that.  Encouragement only uses TRUTH to BUILD UP others, pouring strength, courage, into the other person.  Whatever the need is that God has revealed your friends heart needs.  Encouraging another is selfless with pure motives.   I love 1 Thes. 5:11 “So ENCOURAGE each other and BUILD EACH OTHER UP, just as you are already doing.”

-Prov. 29:5 To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet.

-Prov. 26:28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.

3.  A good friend rebukes when necessary.  This is self explanatory really but when I did this study the Lord put #3 and #4 together.

-Prov. 27:5,6  An open rebuke is better than hidden love. Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

4.   A good friend is thoughtful and tactful to your heart. I grew up with Pastor Sam branding into us “Be steel wrapped in velvet.”  “It’s not what you say, but HOW you say it!!”  God has a right way to say things and man has a wrong way about speaking and justifying it. We need to examine our hearts.  Examine our motives.  Are you wanting to rebuke, scold, get even, humiliate, embarrass or be the first to tell them off?  Are you angry? Is there unforgiven sin in your own heart?  What would Jesus do?  God’s nature is to be redemptive, restoring if possible.  How much time have you spent in prayer or maybe in tears over this subject or this person?  Have you tried to feel their pain and understand them?  How would YOU want to be treated if you were in their shoes?  Some people look forward to “setting them straight” and giving them a piece of their mind. But God has called us to give them a piece of your heart AND God’s heart!  Let God use you in the right way and at the right time to someone whose heart may need to hear loving words from a gentle heart.

-Prov. 18:21   The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

-Prov. 27:14  A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse.

-Prov 25:20  Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.

5.    A good friend sharpens us.  Meaning a good friend will bring Jesus “out” in the other so they can have an edge to live victoriously in Christ.  A good friend will challenge your faith and walk to go deeper.  Without that sharpening a person loses their edge and becomes dull in their walk, their faith, and in the kingdom.   A good friend lifts you up “to stand on their shoulders” and propel us to go higher.  This is where a friend’s strength can help the other during their weakness or a down time…providing you are HONEST!!  It does NO GOOD if you aren't honest, aren't real or caught in a cycle of sinning WITH a friend and covering it up together.  That’s not sharpening and that’s not a good “friend”!

-Prov. 27:17  As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

-Prov. 20:5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

-Prov. 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

-Prov. 22:24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.

6.  A good friend offers WISE COUNSEL.  This is kind of obvious.  I have personally learned over the years it’s best to have more than one close godly friend to share with.  Right now I’m single and feel it’s not wise to have ONLY 1 godly woman speaking into my life.  When I’m married that will change and it will be between Jesus, my husband and I.  But I believe God is a God of balance and from time to time I’ve learned to stop and look at my heart and my friends.  Sadly I had a horrible experience of “friends” who had lied or use their tongue as a knife and I learned what qualities to look for in people who I let close to me.  I am SO fortunate!  God has blessed me with a small handful of INCREDIBLE godly women who are strong in the Lord.  They all desire to please HIM with their friendship and have my heart in mind even when speaking truth in love. They are EXTREMELY emotionally, mentally and spiritually stable.  None of them have any selfish motives and that makes me feel safe.  In turn, I have made a covenant with each of them that I would be honorable and trustworthy with their hearts and friendship, always lifting them up in prayer.  On occasion I might ask a couple of them for thoughts if I get stumped but my rule of thumb, which I learned the hard way is to work things out with the Lord on my knees.  He ALWAYS guides my path, He has never let me down.  He has become my husband and best friend…and He’s NEVER failed me!!

-Prov. 27:9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

7.  A good friend respects you and doesn't mold you to their likeness.  It’s easy to offer advice saying “if I was you” or “if it were me” or “I think”.  And human nature is to listen and act on it believing that’s the road to take, but the truth is God has a plan for YOU.  I've seen lives ruined because people listened to advice of others and ran with it.  Be careful! The same plan for you isn't the same plan as your friends.  God didn't make you a cookie cutter of your friend.  You are uniquely and wonderfully made and there is nobody like you in the entire world.  What may have worked for one may not work for the other.  God doesn't work the same way for every person.  The stirring, the passion, the desire for something in YOUR HEART is for intended for YOU. It’s not meant for everyone to understand and it’s not uncommon if people don’t understand.  We serve an audience of 1 and it’s not man.  In this study the Lord parked me on Noah and Abraham and I came away seeing their CONFIDENCE was in GOD.  They were secure in themselves and in the Lord.  They weren't so insecure they needed the approval of others around them.  They were confident in God.  Noah did what God told him to.  He didn't delay asking his BFF for advice.  I’m sure it sounded insane but he did it and what did he lose?  Can you imagine if he went to his friends and listened to bad advice of “friends” with wrong motives?  I can’t fathom the gossip if he had confided in one of the people what God revealed to him.   Abraham didn't ask anyone’s opinion when God gave him instructions to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.  Gen. 22:3 says early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey and took with him two servants and Isaac.   He didn't ask around for opinions, it was between God and Abraham.  He ACTED in obedience, confident in God, believing He would raise Isaac from the dead.  Wow!  He had faith God would work it out in the end.  He obeyed God and left the consequences to Him.  The Lord spoke to Abraham his instructions, not Sarah. The Lord spoke to Noah His plan, not Noah’s neighbor.  The Lord has a plan for each person and a friend may not understand the choice, or like the choice, but if God has stirred your heart then that is between you and the Lord.  Sometimes it’s not popular choice or the easiest route (just ask the Israelis in the desert roaming for 40 yrs)!  As I typed my notes the Lord reminded me of this example: I’m single and had been praying about my brother moving in with me.  I discussed it with only ONE person and as we talked we concluded it may not be wisest choice.  But God would NOT let it go to the point it was driving me nuts! I went into DEEP prayer and the Lord revealed to me He was going to use it as a time for me to break old patterns, to teach me to take care of myself and learn new kindnesses in order to prepare me for my future husband.  I had things to learn and patterns to break from my prior marriage. God was going to use this time AND He was going to use me, if I let Him, to prepare my brother for his future wife as he had kindnesses to learn.  I finally had PEACE!  I knew what God’s direction, purpose and plan was and didn't discuss it with anyone further because I didn't want to touch the Lord’s final word to me.  I was confident in God and trusting Him to come through.  Here I am 2 yrs later and it’s not been easy to break old patterns but when I get married my future husband will appreciate it SO much. He will reap the benefits of my obedience!  God has done so much AWESOME work in me and my brother.  SO worth it!

-Prov. 16:28  A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.

-Prov. 12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray

8.   The qualities of a good friend should be qualities found in a good mate!    I think this is pretty self explanatory.  Nobody wants to find they married a person they would have considered a horrible friend.  Your spouse is the only relative you get to choose, so chose wisely!  Here are some good introspective questions to check your own heart:  Are you loyal?  Do you stand for what is right or do you look out for yourself first?  Do you listen to rumors about your friends or do you walk away?  Do you participate in gossip about them behind their back?  Do you believe the best in them?  Do you trust them?  Do you even have faith in them? Look out for them?  What kind of character and INTEGRITY do you have…when nobody is around?

-Prov. 27:10 Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father’s.

-Prov. 17:17  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Rambling Monday - My Fall Goals

Last week, I blog about how the start of each new school is like my "new" year.  I also  like to redo my  goals at this time of the year..;So here goes:

HOMEMAKING:  - Make my bed every morning.
                                  -Work on one room in the house each day:
                                              -Monday-my bedroom
                                               -Tuesday-bathrooms
                                               -Wednesday-Laundry room
                                                -Thursday-kitchen
                                                 -Friday-living room
                                                 -Saturday-catch up
                                                 -Sunday-Family day
                                    -Clean the kitchen every night before bed


PERSONALLY:          -Walk more
                                    -Blog at least 3X a week
                                   - Do some more blog hops
                                    -Read at least one book per week


SPIRITUALLY:        -Read Bible daily
                                    - encourage others on purpose
                                    -Journal regularly
                                    -listen to/ watch  inspirational speakers
                                   -memorize scriptures, especially those of praise

WIFELY                   -Pray for Barrett daily
                                  - Encourage him
                                   -Don't talk back
                                   -RESPECT him

MOTHERLY           -Pray for Dalton and Bobbye Sue daily
                                  -Listen intently to them.
                                  -Count to 10 and pray before I react to them
                                  -Encourage them daily
                                  -Make it clear that I'm 100% behind the
                                 -RESPECT them

What God's Been Teaching Me

      So, lately I've been getting a bit too big for my britches; figuratively; (we're no even going to touch my weight issue). I've been letting pride run my life instead of the fear of the Lord. I've been more concerned with “being right” and “always having the last word”, than I have been concerned about trying to do what's right in the eyes of the Lord.

     We all struggle with pride and wanting to control everything and everyone around us. While this is our human nature (part of the results of the fall). But as a wife, I am called to a life of submission. I'm not saying anyone should be a doormat, but you have to pick your battles. I've got to decide if me being right is worth hurting the feelings of my husband and children and upsetting the balance of our home. I have done this for way too long. I want a peaceful home. I know the personalities of my family and I need to pray for the wisdom of how to relate to them, rather than howto attack them and make their lives miserable. I have to remember that they we designed by God and in His image.

     I have to trust God to be my defender and will take care of me when I feel mistreated. Usually, when I stop and really think about the situation, most likely after I've reacted horribly, I realized that my perception of what had gone on was obscured and that I've reacted with my emotions and not with a clear understanding of what had just occurred.

     People say, be careful what your pray for and what you ask God to reveal to you; because He will and it will cut you to the core; but I am asking God to keep revealing to me ways that I incorrectly respond to situations because I don't want to live my life with regret; or being responsible for killing the peace in my house.

Happy New School Year

Today is the first full day of school.  Summer flew by.  I think every year it goes faster and faster.  Dalton is a freshman and Bobbye Sue is in middle school - 6th grade this year.  I don't know where my babies went.
For many years, I  have celebrated two New Years a year.  This may sound insane to some people,   but Mamas everywhere know what I'm talking  about.  It's a big change to go from the lazy summer mode to that full force school mode.  Not only do your kiddos  have to get back into habit of going to school; many times you have to reestablish bed times, you may have to look at their chore list and see if they need to be revamped, and perhaps most important you have to reign in supper time.  It's been a fun summer; eating whatever you want whenever you want and often time wherever you want  (ex. in front of the TV).   But it is time to star planning supper and eating together as a family at a more set time.    It's an exciting time of the year for me.  Because it's a kick start thee motherhood in where it may have became stale and repetitive.  I want my kids to know I'm 100% for them.  My job as a mama is to love them, encourage them and make sure that they know how precious they are not only to me, but that they are even more precious to God.

So with that, I wish you all  a Happy New School Year!

VBS PUPPET SHOW DAY 3

VBS PUPPETT SHOW DAY 3

David : Hey Casey. Are you excited for the final day of VBS?
Casey: Yes, but its kinda sad that's its the last day with all of our Holly Grove friends.
David: Yes, I Know it can be a  bit sad.  But I heard that the folks at Holly Grove have a lot of cool stuff going on tonight.

Casey:  WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?
David:  I'm not sure, but I do know someone who will know;

Casey: Who?
David: The ring master of this whole VBS, Brother Frank.
Casey: Oh yes, Brother Frank does know EVERYTHING!

Bro Frank: Casey, you better believe it.  Boys and girls, we do have a lot going on tonight.  Not only are we going to go to arts and craft, games, music,s Mission and stories, where tonight we going to learn about that ole Doubting Thomas.

David : Brother Frank, Brother Frank, Why did Thomas doubt?
Bro Frank:  Now, that I do not know.  We'll have to find that out when we get to Mrs. Vivian's class.  But we have some other fun stuff going on tonight.  It's going to be a blast.

Casey: OOH, What is it?  What is it?
Bro Frank:  Now I can't tell you everything, but I can say it involves bubbles and snow cones.

Casey:  I love BUBBLES
David: And I love snow cones.  Let's go to the carnival and meet the Lord under the big top!

COVERED BY GOD'S PERFECTION

As a Christian, I know the facts - or at least my mind does.  I know that Jesus came and died for my sins.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know all that!  But my heart's a little on the slow side.  It's hard to believe you're faultless when you feel like every time you turn around your being blamed for something you've done; especially when you feel like you've done everything the "RIGHT" way."
Growing up with a disability, I felt like somehow I deserved it.  However, at the same time, I was angry.  Why was I disabled, when others weren't? I felt like I owed people because I was such a burden to them.  Every time I fell or made a mess of my self while I was eating I felt like I wasn't doing the best I could.  My favorite word was-and still is- is "sorry"..  I feel like I constantly need to apologize for myself and everything I do.
This is a lie from Satan.  Yes, if I truly wrong someone and I will need to apologize and try to make things right.  But for the most part, I need to just trust God and rely on Him.  I can't control what other people think of me.  If I've done what I truly believed God has asked me to do, then I just have to let those people work out, with God, for themselves.
I'm a people pleaser.   I have been all my life.  And, truthfully, I'm pretty good at it.  I always want others to feel comfortable and loved.  This is not always a bad thing; we are suppose to love others as we love our self.  But loving other and always pleasing them are two different things.
There's and saying; "You can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time!"  The only one that we need to worry about pleasing God.  Now, God desire perfection and we on our can never master perfection, it's neither in our nature, not is it in God's design.
God gave Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins.  It is through His blood that God see us as perfect.  No matter what we do - or fail to do - can change that.  God's blood cover all our sins - those that our intentional and unintentional.    This means that we can feel freedom, because our sins our covered by the perfection of Jesus.  I no longer have to feel bad every time I mess up.  I don't have to apologize for being who I am  because this is who God made me.  I'm not perfect and I will make mistakes,  but as long as I live in Christ and am covered by His blood of perfection I don't have to always feel condemned.    In fact, when I do feel condemned and guilty I am allowing Satan to still the peace and Joy that I can only get from God.

VBS DAY 2 PUPPET SHOW

                                                             VBS DAY 2
Jordan: Tara, you're here, you're here!  I'm so excited for the second night of VBS!

Tara: Me too!  What was you FAVORITE part?

Jordan: UHM, I'm not sure.  Of course I loved Mrs. Casey's food.   Then we had games. arts and crafts, games, stories and music!

Tara: And mission.  Don't forget missions.

Jordan: Oh yes, mission.  I really enjoyed learning about the veterans.  But I am kind of confused over what we are suppose to be collecting for the V.A. hospital? 

Tara: Yes, I'm a little confused.  Maybe we could ask  Mrs. Leslie to explain it to us. 

Jordan:  Oh Yeah!   Mrs. Leslie!  Mrs. Leslie,  could you please come up and explain to us about the things we are collecting for the Veterans?"

{Mrs. Leslie comes up and explains about the collections for the Veterans at V.A. hospital.)

Tara: Thank you so much, Mrs. Leslie, for explaining us about what we're collecting.

Jordan: Yes, thank you Mrs. Leslie.  Now can we please go and look for the Lord under the big top! 

Tara:  Yes!  It's time for the 2nd night of the Holly Grove Carnival!

VBS Day 1 Puppet Show

OK, It's been a while since I blogged & even longer since I've done any script writing - how long have I  been out of high school???.  I am writing the script for the puppet shows this year for VBS.  Please tell me what you think.  Thank you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tara: I'm so excited!  We get to go  the Holly Grove Carnival for 3 nights in a row!

Jordan: Yeah, I can't wait.  I wonder who we'll see.  Maybe Brother Frank and Mrs. Teresa?

Tara: Yes, and...

Jordan:  Or Brother David and Mrs Casey

Tara:  Yes, and ...

Jordan: Ohh, Ohh.  The Deberrys, the Boones, the Pulliams and everyone else  from Holly Grove?

Tara: Yes, yes, we'll see all our friends from church.  But we're going to find someone else there too.

Jordan:  Who? Who?  The President?

Tara: No, not the President.  We're going to find the Lord under the big top.

Jordan:  Yay, the Lord.  The Lord?  How are we going to find The Lord under the big top.  You find the Lord at church on Sunday morning, not at a carnival!

Tara: No Jordan.  The Lord is always with us.  No matter if we are in church or at a carnival.  We just have  to look for Him.

Jordan: How?

Tara:  He'll be there when we're eating, when we're playing games and when we're making arts & crafts.  We're going to learn about how Jesus healed a blind man in stories and we going to learn about Veterans and about the V.A. Hospital in missions.

Jordan: What are Veterans?

Tara: Veterans are men and women who have served in the military.  We have a great Veteran's hospital right here in Murfressboro, where Veterans can get good medical care.

Jordan:  Cool! I'm ready.  Let's go to the Carnival!

Tara: Let's go meet the Lord under the big top!