Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Blueberry Junior

Most of you never had the privilege of meeting Blueberry Senior before he expired on Monday, September 7th, 2009 (Actually, he may have expired a few days earlier. We're really unsure. But judging from his appearance he was either Cajun fried or had been lying "in state" a couple of days before we found him!) He was a good fish. He never jumped out of the tank. He always tried to be entertaining, and he never, not one time, complained about eating only dried blood worms for every meal. Beloved pet of Master Thomas Sessions of Montgomery, Alabama. He will live on in our hearts, though his body may be in the sewer, for years to come. He is survived by his aquarium rocks and special plastic tube-thing in which he slept.

R. I. P.
BLUEBERRY
July 31st-September 7th
2009

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am one of those mothers. You know the kind...the ones who try to spare their kids from reality until they are "old enough" to handle it. Yep, that's me!

Upon climbing into bed Monday night Thomas reported that something was wrong with his fish. I asked him how he knew.

"We-e-ellll," in the slowest, most drawn-out southern he could muster, "he's not moving."

"Is he on the bottom or the top of the tank?"

"The top."

*momentary silence*

"Okay. Well, I'll check on him in a minute. You go ahead and get into the bed and go to sleep."

I waited until he looked like he might be comatose, then tiptoed over to his bookshelf where I discovered the deceased. I gently lifted the body and it's tomb and slowly turned to exit, praying that I would not trip or step on any deadly legos or micro-machine airplanes. Successfully entering the kitchen, I dumped the remains, cleaned the crud, and grabbed my purse and keys.

You see, just a few days ago, my son captured a caterpillar (no, nothing that moves and is smaller than him is safe) and put it in his butterfly cage. We took great care to feed the caterpillar grass, tomatoes fresh from the vine, enough water to thrive, but, alas, the little fella just decided he'd go on to meet his Maker instead of forming a cocoon. When we found him fully involved in rigor mortis, my sweet little boy dropped his head and buried his face in his tiny hands...tears streaming down his face. He was mourning the worm!

And Blueberry was his fish! Blueberry had been around much longer than the worm. He'd slept next to him every night. Thomas fed him and took care of him. He proudly introduced him to our company. Every day he would announce from his bedroom just how cute Blueberry was! Thomas and Blueberry were tight! If saying goodbye to the worm was that bad, we were DEFINITELY NOT going to be saying, "Sayonara," to the fish!

Praise the Lord, Petco was still open! I looked through about 35 Crowntail Betas that night until I found the one that most closely resembled Blueberry...Senior. Thankfully, no Petco employee was feeling helpful. I really did not wish to reveal my impending deceitfulness to the teenagers working the night shift. I made my purchase, drove home, replaced the fish, and repositioned the tank without even dirtying up my superhero mask or cape!

The next day Thomas informed me that I should clean Blueberry's tank more often because it made him feel GOOD! He was swimming in circles and jumping through hula-hoops...well, maybe that last part is a little bit exaggerated! ;)

Blueberry (Junior) has made the transition from the pet store pancana of betas to treasured family pet and resides in the former home of the esteemed Blueberry Senior atop the bookshelf in Thomas' bedroom.

So please, dear friends, if you stop by my house, please refer to our piscatory friend by his first name only so as not to upset the locals! And, in case you're wondering, the moral of this story is never say what you will never do for the love of your child because I have indeed become one of those parents!!!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Another One Bites the Dust

This was Rachael's second time to ice skate and Thomas' first time. Overall, I was pretty impressed with them both! They did a lot better than I would be able to do!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Orange, the Olympian

I looked in disbelief. I was pretty sure I saw what I thought I was seeing. But maybe I should ask someone else just in case.

"Steven," I whispered, "Do you see that?"

"What?" He said much too loudly.

I was afraid the sheer volume of his voice would cause the scene to vanish before he could validate its certain absurdity.

"Oh!" He exclaimed.

And then we both sat in silence for a few moments taking in the oddity.

Thomas finally peered over the edge of the examination table to check out the object of our attention. Being thoroughly 4 and thoroughly impressed, he hopped up and grabbed it before we could stop him.

We were at the Children's Hospital waiting to see if the doctor could fix a mild internal defect Thomas was born with. He had already been through so much that day. His little body had endured some really traumatic testing, and this was the first sign of excitement he'd shown the whole time we'd been waiting for results. But I have to admit, I wish we'd been a little bit faster and snapped a picture of this before it was too late.

When we arrived that morning Thomas was given a comic book, some coloring sheets and a small package of crayons. He clung to them all day even though he wasn't very interested in playing. While he was resting on top of the table, he accidentally kicked off one crayon- I believe it was orange.

It fell down and landed perpendicular to the floor- NOT on its side and NOT on the big end. The thing was standing on its drawing tip. A brand new, unused crayon had fallen off a table and, without bouncing, landed on its tiny end and STAYED!!!!

Orange stuck its landing without so much as a wobble! I expected it to throw up its waxy arms in salute to the judges' table and wave to the television cameras as it made its way to the Olympic platform to claim its gold medal. I mean, WOW! This crayon could do it all!

Luckily Steven and Thomas were there to keep me from re-enacting this whole Olympic Fanfare scene. Otherwise, they may have sent me to another hospital in Birmingham...one with doors that lock behind you. I digress.

I've meant to blog about this crayon incident before...I've meant to just TELL people about the crayon before. But I've forgotten. And as far as I know, this is the first time I've talked about it to anyone except Steven. But I had an epiphany-type moment earlier this week with God having to do with the crayon...much like the moment when God spoke to me (in my heart, not audibly) through my bagel at Judson- but that will need to be for another post.

Anywho-

It doesn't matter if you are the pink crayon or the cornflower blue crayon; if you are from the kid's meal package of four or the classroom pack of 800; it doesn't matter if you are Rose Art or Crayola- there will come a time in your existence when you are hurtling through the air so fast and furiously there will seem to be absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. Some crayons may have taken this plunge on their own, but most have been kicked off the table without a choice. The detriment befalling them will occur no matter what they do.

So what do we do?

When life-altering situations arise and we are powerless...
When we are asked to bear hurts that seem impossible...
When you know God is capable of healing but He chooses not to...

Life happens. We can't stop the pain of it. So what will you choose instead?

I want to be like Orange. I want to choose to stand straight and tall even in the hardest position possible. I want to look over at God's judgment seat with my hands raised up in victory! And I want to feel His arms around me when He, like Thomas, looks down from the examination table and snatches me up because He's too excited about me to leave me there! And I will know He is impressed with me because HE made me just the way He wanted me...the exact shade, the perfect balance of waxiness and pigment, large and washable or a glittery Twistable! And the best part is, all I had to do was choose to be what He made me and stand up for Him.

In closing, I will share one last thing that probably sums up what I'm saying better than anything else:

When Steven's best friend died unexpectedly earlier this year, Neal Hughes, a dear friend and worker with the North American Mission Board, came back home to preach at the funeral. He read Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." He talked about how glorious it is when you feel like you're flying with God. But then sometimes when you just can't fly, HE still gives you the strength to run. And then, if you just can't run, He still gives you the strength to walk without fainting if we but WAIT on Him.

This year we, as a family unit, have known pain, hurt, betrayal and trials the likes of which we have never experienced before. I know many of you will say the same about your own situations. And so many times, I have not had the strength to even keep walking. But, I STAND. And, in the name of Jesus, I WILL STAND.

And, every time I see a box of crayons, I will be reminded to just keep on STANDING!

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND." Ephesians 6:13

Friday, June 5, 2009

baHA!!! The hubby as Beckham!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Born May 29, 2009, 4:23 a.m., Our Nephew

Carson Joseph
7 pounds, 20.5 inches, Strawberry Blonde hair, absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!! Lizzie is doing great also!


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Wordless Wednesday...6

Monday, May 25, 2009

Our Sweet Granny

Monday, May 11, 2009

another flood image


Down the street from us...
Who needs a car to pick up your kid from school? Fishin' boat works fine in Montgomery!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

I LOVE PICNIK!!!

Where has this editing software been all my life?!?!?! And it's free!!!!!!





Thursday, May 7, 2009

Less than a Quarter Mile away

more pics

down the street from us about a mile

Bridle Brook Farms- East Montgomery

Pics from today in Montgomery


This is the backyard of a friend of mine's daughter...yes, the inside of her house is flooded too.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Gallaxhar...

My little man has a good eye. He rarely uses this talent because he thinks his sister doesn't want him to draw. Yes, I know it's sad, and I've tried to rectify the situation...but, alas, he refuses to draw if she is here.

So I am always amazed when he brings home pictures from school. I brag on him to try and encourage his skill. He will tell me about his drawings...but still, no drawing at home is his rule!

He brought home the picture below, and I immediately knew what it was. If you have not seen the movie Monsters vs. Aliens then this might look like a jumbled up mess- but it's not! It's Gallaxhar from the movie! He is not allowed to see the movie, but he got a Happy Meal toy of Gallaxhar last week. TaDa! Here is Thomas' masterpiece:



I am including a still from the movie so you can compare. Sure, his eyes arenot in the right spot...and his legs are on top of his head instead of underneath his body...and the shape of the head is kind of upside-down...but all-in-all, for a 4 year old, I think it's fabulous! After all, he IS my son! ;)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

John 4:35

"Tough"does not come close to describing these young ladies. They have street smarts a small-town girl like me can't even begin to comprehend. Most of them have lost a family member in a random act of violence. All of them have at least one person they love in prison. The ones who are regulars in my Team Kid class have been walking to church by themselves for years; often with four or five younger siblings in tow. One of my fifth or sixth grade babies pushing another baby in a stroller with toddlers walking behind them- that is a regular scene on Sunday mornings at our church. The construction developers call this area "Midtown," but those who attend services there will all agree- this is as inner-city as it gets!

We've been at Highland Avenue Baptist Church almost four years. Every Wednesday night for the past two years, I've spent with my girls (5th and 6th graders.) They are rude, impatient, greedy, stubborn, and full of anger. They are also innocent, fun-loving, loyal and hungry for Hope.

In the beginning I was hesitant to love them. I really didn't want this job. I was more "told" that I would be teaching them than asked. And, let's face it, they are NOT easy to love...until you get to know them. I spent my first year with them wanting to walk out and never come back. It wasn't until last spring that I was even able to pray for them. This year MY attitude has been better, but theirs got worse!

Most of our meetings this year were spent on keeping things quiet enough to just start the lesson! Add to this noise the occasional fist-fights, curse words and obscene dancing, and anyone would understand why we may have finished only three or four lessons out of the twenty we started!

That is why tonight's Team Kid meeting was so amazing.

The next lesson in our book was on Jeremiah. We studied Isaiah the week before, and everyone just had a horrible time trying to understand what a "prophet" is and how that's any different than the lady down the street who reads tarot cards. So rather than spending another week on a prophet/tarot-card-reader (from their perspective, these people would be one in the same) we skipped ahead to the next story...Daniel and the Lion's Den. Aha! Something concrete! Laws and lions- they'll get that!

The Bible story was read. All the review questions were answered. And we still had twenty minutes on the clock before snack!

*insert brakes squealing here*

Extra minutes! This has NEVER happened before! What now?

ENTER: GOD...

In a moment of Divine Intervention (i.e. God's grand entrance above) I asked my girls if they thought Daniel was afraid; possibly more afraid than he'd ever been before in his life. The majority concurred that the Lion's Den would definitely be frightening in the extreme! Then I asked, "What are you most afraid of?"

Answers varied from violence, death, being robbed, losing a family member...
Then one of my newest students said, "Going to Hell," and several others agreed.

I asked them if anyone could tell the class the only way to avoid going to Hell. I got so many different answers, but none of them said Jesus. (Which, by the way, is a sad commentary on my teaching skills during previous lessons!)

I was praying so hard!!! I looked at Susie (my helper,) and I could tell she was too.

Then I asked all of them to listen harder than they've ever listened to me before. I asked them to keep their mouths closed and not talk to me or their neighbors.

I am still in utter amazement of the stillness and attentiveness that followed.

Not a word was spoken while God gave me the opportunity to share Jesus with them. I got to tell them how much God loved Jesus, and how He was willing to give up His Son for us...how the innocent blood of Christ would cover up the ugliness of our hearts...how we can live righteously through repentance...how God's Power can keep us even if we mess up...Romans 3:23...Romans 5:8...Romans 6:23...Romans 10:10-13.

I got to share my Jesus, my sweet, precious Saviour...the One I love!

I asked them to not only close their eyes but to put one hand completely over their eyes. I summarized briefly all that we'd discussed, and gave them a short time of silence to talk to Jesus is they needed to. Then, before they removed their hands from their eyes, I asked them, if they were brave enough, to raise their other hand if they'd asked Jesus to be their Saviour...

And every hand went up...

All nine...

And nobody was even peeking!!!

I prayed for them. I thanked God for them. I thanked God for HIM, Jesus, who made all of this possible!!!

In the middle of my heart crying out in praise to Him, I am also whispering a "thank You" to Him for one more detail...

Tonight was my last night with them. Steven and I have accepted the call to another church, and this was my last chance to speak about Him to them...my children, whom I love.

I am humbled and honored that God was able to use me for His glory. And I am so grateful that He allowed me to share in the reaping His harvest.

"...open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." - John 4:35

Sunday, April 19, 2009

My Precious step-sister and Rach

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Wordless Wednesday...Sandi Patty

Monday, April 6, 2009

Read This First

If you are actually going to take the time to read the small book in the entry below, you should be aware this is the newest part of what God's been doing in my life. If you haven't read the first part, this will make much more sense if you find the entry entitled "Transparent" from last fall. Thanks! Sheri

Transparency, Part 2

It happened in a hotel room.

We were enjoying a women’s conference in Pigeon Forge when my friend said, “Oooh…the next speaker is talking about forgiveness!” With that statement, she looked at me as if to say, “The next hour will be spent talking about what’s wrong in your life!”

“What?!” I shot back, eager to defend my innocence, “I don’t have any bitterness in my heart towards anyone!”

“Really…hmmmm,” she said.

I did not like this discussion at ALL! Obviously she disagreed with me, but the conference was beginning. I informed my friend that this conversation would be finished later.

Session ended. Lunch was over. We wasted more than enough time at a local pottery shop. It was time to revisit our discussion from earlier. As we drove back to the hotel I asked her if she really thought I had not forgiven my mother.

Her answer was one word, “Maybe.”

I explained again that I harbored no bitterness towards my mom. The problem, as I saw it was dealing with fresh pain; the new wounds that were being inflicted at a very steady rate. I had to find a way to deal with them as they came. I was becoming numb to everything. It’s just easier that way; with one exception:

I missed “feeling” God.

Years- That’s how long it had been. With one precious exception…

Three weeks earlier my husband’s very best friend died unexpectedly. His death occurred just a couple of weeks after my best friend lost BOTH of her parents in a week’s time. Also, in that month, because of some bad choices he made and several lies he’d told, my church family lost our pastor. This particular Sunday morning was the day after my husband’s friend died.

We both struggled through the song service- me, from the choir loft, and him, from the pulpit…he is a Music Minister. He was hurting so terribly. And the songs he’d picked on Thursday (before losing his friend) for worship this week were all about Heaven. During our fellowship time I left the choir loft to hug him.

I was coming back to my seat when I “felt” God. Tears were flowing down my face, and I heard the other soprano’s voice. It sounded so pure and rich. The altos broke into harmony, and time stood still. I know it was only a few seconds because I never stopped walking and my chair was only a few steps away. But it seemed to last for an eternity. I sensed Him near; so close I could breathe Him in. The sound of the voices singing pierced my soul. And then, as quickly as it began, it was over.

The heaviness covered me again, and there was nothing. No feeling at all. Complete numbness. I was back to what had become my emotional “home” for so long now.

By this point in the conversation we had been in the hotel room for quite some time. I was a blubbering mess of emotion from reliving this one experience and sharing it with her. Because she is such a close friend, she regularly asks invasive questions. She was “Johnny-on-the-spot” that day too!

“So do you love God?”

I did not like that question. Of course I loved God…right? I am a minister’s wife! I teach Bible stories to children every week! I’ve been a Christian for 16 years! I never miss a service at church unless one of my children gets sick. I sing solos at least once a month. I must love God. I must…

Being the persistent friend that she is, she asked again, “Do you love God?”

Why couldn’t I say it? Why couldn’t I admit that I love Him? Furthermore, why wasn’t I able to give her words like adore or precious to describe how I felt about God? I thought I had healed more since September when I was actually able to pray again for the first time since my parents’ divorce. Yet, how long had it been? When was the last time I’d just said to God, “I love you?”

I couldn’t remember.

I wasn’t expecting the roar of emotions that screamed silently inside me. There was a battle happening. A line was being drawn, and I needed to decide- do I love Him?

I know what I wanted the answer to be. I knew what the answer had to be, but fear gripped me. Why was I afraid?

Isn’t He the Lover of our souls? Didn’t He promise to protect us and shield us from our enemies? Didn’t He give up His Son…for me?! What was there to fear?

As these thoughts swam in my mind, I silently prayed, “Why am I afraid?”

And He answered.

The dam burst, and a waterfall of insight and knowledge rushed through me. I understood what was wrong! I could see it!

I couldn’t love. Not just God, I couldn’t love anyone! I could provide plenty of cheap substitutes. I could pretend to love all day long. I could serve all day long. As long as I was “doing” it looked like love. But real love…

Real love is risky. Real love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Real love never ends. Real love does not keep a record of wrongs. Real love knows fully, and still chooses to love fully. No holds barred. No self-preservation. No choice of persons. No fear…because…

Perfect love casteth out every fear.

I couldn’t say I loved God, because what if I wasn’t good enough? What if I’d already given Him everything I have, and it STILL wasn’t enough? What if I’d done everything in my power to “be” the “right” kind of person and He still thought I needed to be more…to be better? What if I was already the best mom, wife, friend, sister or daughter I knew how to be and it wasn’t right enough? What if I trusted Him with everything again, and He pulled the carpet out from under me? If I admitted I loved Him, would He even love me back, or would I just be left with nothing…no relationship. Would I feel even more empty inside?

Then I realized, God is not like my mother. I don’t have to be good enough for God! He died for me before I was even born- before I could even work on being good enough! God doesn’t want me to be exhausted from giving everything I have…He wants to give me HIS strength to give! He doesn’t want me to be “right” by anyone else’s standards…He wanted to show me “right” Himself and then share His might with me so I could become that person! He loves me for myself! I KNOW He does! He CREATED me just the way I am! I don’t have to be afraid to trust Him! He won’t betray me! The Bible says He is close to the broken-hearted and SAVES those who are crushed in spirit! And as far as being left with nothing…that’s impossible! He will never leave me or forsake me!

I had been listening to the lies of satan; for WAY too long!

Knowing now that it is safe to love God, I made a choice. Do I love God?

I couldn’t speak so I nodded my head, “Yes!”

It hurt intensely. I was wrestling with the Prince of Darkness. I was letting go of so much pain and internal sickness in one simple “yes”. My friend was praying over me. I was sobbing.

She read my mind and asked me if I wanted to pray! I knelt down beside the bed, and barely uttered, “I love You,” weakly at first. Then again, “I love you, God!” Then again, and again. Such simple words. Such empowering words. Words of FREEDOM. “I LOVE YOU, GOD!”

Later on, our roommates came back from an afternoon of shopping at the outlet malls. “Did you guys have a good afternoon?”

Wow. How do you answer that question?! There was so much to say and so few words came out,

“Yes, we did!”

I briefly told them we spent the afternoon crying and praying then crying and praying! I promised more details would follow soon. And the details are still following. I am a Babe in Christ again. I am growing. I have been given new eyes and new strength. I am learning to walk with Him all over again. I am reminding myself to get up every morning and start my day by simply saying, “I’m here, God. What do You want today?” But the best part is, I am loving.

I am thinking about who I am with, and what I am communicating to them about Christ from the time they spend with me. I am loved, and I can “feel” God again. Not always the strong, booming way that is so nice to experience every now and then; but the still, small voice that constantly whispers, “I AM, and I am here!” I have peace. I have God and He has me. What JOY!

For those of you who read my last letter in the Fall, you will appreciate this last question from my friend that day in the hotel:

“Where is God now?”

“Right here. Kneeling beside me. With His arm around my shoulder.”

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Wordless Wednesday...little boy, big school

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Well, the Spelling may be off, but the Meaning is THERE!

As all parents of toddlers do, Steven and I spell to avoid sure and sudden conflict with the small fries. Earlier today, my hubby walked through and said, "Do you want to go to the Z-O-O?" Since we had been trapped inside the house, if not the hallway with pillows, for about 24 hours, I agreed that fresh air and animal antics would probably do us some good.

Obviously, we were not leaving the house in a timely fashion because Thomas suddenly announced, "I want to go to the K-O-S! Now! I want to go to the ZOO!!!"

Well, alrighty then!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

I Am Angry

At first I was shocked, then confused. A few days ago I found myself sad. But now, I'm just flat out angry. Many of you know that we finally found a pastor last November after searching for 2 and a half years...YEARS! We were told his wife had severe rheumatoid arthritis and would not be able to make the move here with him. She was also staying behind to care for her elderly mother. Understandable...if it were true!

Last Wednesday night, our illustrious pastor had a "friend" sing a solo at church. He then introduced her to us as "the woman he intended to marry on Feb. 28th at 1:00 in the afternoon". Did I mention he followed that up with asking the deacon body to be his groomsmen?

A. When and why did you get divorced?
B. When were you going to tell us you got divorced?
C. Does your wife know about this?!?!?!

OK, I know C. is obviously not the point...but it does cross the mind when you hear a "married" person is going to "get married". This past Sunday he resigned. We are now without a pastor again...AGAIN! Am I angry that he's gone? No way! We could never have him as our pastor again because we could never fully believe he was being truthful!

Last night at church a large meeting was held with *unfortunately* an open microphone for those with questions and statements. The good, the bad AND the ugly came out then! Our sweet, sweet church administrator who was also on the pastor selection committee has been lied to and put in horribly awkward situations due to his lies now for the last few months...to the point that she is physically ill. And a dear, precious choir member thought all of this was her fault because she and her husband were the first to see the marriage license announcement in the paper. So much raw pain and heart break filled the room.

SIDEBAR: In the middle of the pain, two women decided to use the open mics as opportunity to discuss the choices of a man in the church post-mortem. One of them being his ex-wife and the other his lover (by the way, she decided to inform the church that she has no remorse for breaking up the marriage and is not sorry for the fornication---- can I just say, I was feeling the urge to break and run before the ceiling fell in or lightning popped her!)

So I don't feel sad anymore. I'm just mad. Mad that a supposed "man of God" could proclaim his love for Jesus and in the same breath cause tremendous disrupt and agony in Christ's Body, the Church. He will answer to God for this...maybe we'll let him stand beside the fornicating woman...

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wordless Wednesday...no, I did not do this to her.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Wordless Wednesday...one day late!


Saturday, January 31, 2009

Two of the Most Amazing People I Know

Don't pictures like this,

and this,


and this,

just do your heart good?

They've been married for more than 30 years. I've known them for about 10 years. And they just seem to grow in love for one another more and more every day.

I pray our marriage will be like theirs.

By the way, these are my in-laws, Robert and Susan Sessions. They are so precious and dear to me. I can't imagine what my life would be without them or without their example!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

From our TN trip...Wordless Wednesday

Monday, January 5, 2009

Thomas' Christmas Program

There's only so much behaving one can ask for from a hyperactive 4-yr.-old boy! Plus, at his preschool they always dress-up the kids in animal costumes for the Christmas program. It's a precious idea and they all look so cute...but it's a little much for Thomas to handle! He lives in his costumes at home...and his personality instantly changes to suit whatever costume he's donning as soon as he puts it on! Needless to say, these are just a couple of pictures from a very eventful event where Thomas was dressed as a raccoon! Enjoy!


Sunday, January 4, 2009

Need a pick-me-up?

We can't see Him the way we wish we could all of the time, but we can lift our hands to His and do what He longs for us to do....walk and believe...




This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe...
Romans 3:22



The above is photographed and written by Angie Smith...wife of Todd from my favorite group "Selah". I swiped it from her blog "Bring the Rain" which is by far one of the best, most well-written, heart-wrenching, joy-filled, faith-inducing thing on the internet! Check it out for yourself! See my link on the right! Have a great day!

Friday, January 2, 2009

2008...the year in review!

An unexpected blessing ~ my Father remarrying...I've gained a wonderful friend in my step-mother and a precious step-sister who already mean the world to me!

Feeling important ~ when my sister-in-law was planning her wedding this past summer, she asked me to be her matron of honor...I was surprised! I love her so much and have always known she loves me, but I didn't realize that I was that important in her life! It really did make me feel special!

Craziest thing I did ~ Got a dog...nuff said.

Smartest thing I did ~ There is a person in my life who is extremely unhealthy...or toxic as my husband puts it. But it is someone I cannot dismiss. When the time was approaching for me to see this person, I decided to concede my will to the Lord's will and just see what He would do. Things went sour, as they always seem to do, and in the end, it was my fault, as it always is, according to said individual. But, I say this was the smartest thing I did because in choosing God's way, I have no guilt...I KNOW I am completely innocent. And that peace and assurance is a priceless gift!

Sentimental moment ~ The Thanksgiving Feast and program at my little boy's preschool...when I was snapping pictures all I could think about was how this was going to be the last one of these I get to attend at his school before he's all grown-up and starting K5 next year!

Most enjoyable gift ~ For our anniversary last year, my hubby asked me what I wanted. This is always a tough question for me because typically the things I want are either so ridiculously expensive that I dismiss them or they are experiences requiring time and resources that are just not there...so I also dismiss them. So I told him what I really wanted was to see my precious friend from Tennessee. Both of her parents require constant care right now, and she never has a moment to herself. She works full-time, goes to school and in her spare time (yeah, right!) she takes shifts taking care of a dad with horrible emphysema and a mom who fell 2 years ago and suffered significant brain damage. My husband kept the children and sent me away for a wonderful weekend with my friend and we BOTH got time off!!! It was fabulous!

Craziest purchase turnabout ~ This is not exactly what this question means, but when asked what they wanted for Christmas, my kids had a standard answer for a couple of months...tents. Nothing specific other than "with Lightning McQueen" or "with Cinderella on it!" So now they have been given not one, not two, but SIX tents between the two of them! Did I mention our house is only 1125 sq. ft.? If we put them end to end, I do believe it would take up most of our house!

Moments of maturity ~ "This year has proven that no matter how much you try to love someone and protect someone, sometimes it just isn't enough." This quote is Nancy's answer, but I'm using her words because I think the answer is the same for me!

Huge answers to prayer ~ My step-mother passed her Real Estate exam, my son came through surgery with flying colors, I'm actually able to pray again!

Consider yourself tagged! Please tell me about your 2008 or leave me a comment so I can visit your blog! Happy New Year!