December 17, 2008
Just wanted to post my weigh in today. I've said good or bad, I will post. I lost .6 lbs. Not a lot to mention but for those of us trying to survive during the Christmas temptations, it was a blessing. I had prayed for 2 days, "Lord, let me have lost, not gained." I have a "mind game" going on with myself that I just cannot see a + sign on the scale. I think that would just be a stumbling block that would definitely bring discouragement to me. I could and would get past it, but it would be hard. I'm not so unrealistic that I don't believe the day will come when I post a gain; I just don't want it to be so early in the journey. I should have more time this week to focus on my exercising and meals so hopefully next Wednesday will be better. My coach will hold weigh-in session on Christmas Eve and I will attend. I have to hold myself accountable. The week of the 24th through 31st will be the hardest for me. We have several things planned including a trip and I may take a weigh in pass on the 31st. At weight watchers you are allowed one weigh in pass and I think for me, this may be the week I use it. Unless I can get some good exercise in before we leave and during the time we are away, I just don't know how well I can maintain. I look forward to the week especially with getting away for work and just being able to spend time with family and friends. My kitchen is a wreck but for a good reason. Jimmy gave me an early Christmas present. We are having the walls underneath the kitchen cabinets tiled so that my entire back splash in my kitchen will be tile. I cannot wait to see the finished product. David Beverly, one of the missionaries in our church that is home on furlough, is doing the work and he is doing an awesome job. He is taking his time and is very articulate with his work. I am pleased with the work so far but having any meals out of the kitchen have been difficult. I have managed to do some things in our crock pot but tonight will be eat out night. The teens are Christmas caroling tonight for the elderly and we are going to take them out to eat afterwards. I will try and get my girls to go to Subway. (good healthy choice)
I will quickly tell you about our picture experience this past Sunday. I've learned 2 things. First, don't have pictures done at a portrait studio anytime in the month of December. Our appointment was at 3:00 pm and it was 4:45 pm before we were taken back for pictures. We left the place at 6:15 pm and Rachael was the only one who managed to make it back to service late. She had a YAAC after church and really wanted to go so we dropped her off on the way back home. Second, when you have a good photographer that you have used before, don't stray. Andrea, I love you and wish I could have gotten you to take our pictures. I really did not know if you would even have time to do the pictures with such short notice so I scheduled them at a studio. I definitely will call you for the next ones if you're willing to take me back! We took a change of clothes and out of 39 poses, we only chose around 6. The pictures were rushed and Jimmy was not happy at all with the finished products. There is so many flaws in our poses and in some pictures we just looked outright ridiculous. We chose what we could find to be the most decent out of the 39 simply because it was so hard to bring everyone together for a family portrait. It took 6 months for me to find a date that everyone could agree on. I called the portrait studio on Monday and filed a complaint. They called me back today and said they would be sending me a "voucher" for a free retake and pictures. I don't know that I will be able to get everyone back together. For those of you that receive our Christmas cards, you will see one of the family portraits. Just keep in mind as you are looking at the picture, it is just another day in the life of the "Griswolds" or I mean the Tullocks.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What we did not know...
December 10,2008
Today has been a good day! I went to weigh in this morning and lost 3.4 lbs. This brings my total to 28.4 lbs and I am feeling good. It is so refreshing to feel energetic again and not so sluggish all the time. For the first time in a long time, I can lean over, tie my shoes, and not feel as though I am going to pass out! Laugh if you need to, but I am serious. I had gotten to the point where I could not even sit and cross my legs without being uncomfortable. I noticed last night as Jimmy and I were watching The Biggest Loser (my favorite show now) that I had my legs crossed as I was sitting on the sofa. It's amazing at what a 28 lb difference can do. I was walking and jogging on the treadmill last night and before I had realized what I was doing, I was already 2 miles into my exercise. I say all this to encourage others. Thin does feel as good as thin looks. Even if it is not "pencil thin" it still feels great! Just to have more mobility and to breathe without feeling faint. I am excited about the upcoming months and I still pray each morning for God to continue to give Jimmy and me the strength that only HE CAN GIVE to continue this journey. Jimmy lost another 1.5 lbs and he is doing well too. He is walking again on the treadmill and is increasing his time. I pray for him and his knees. They tend to bother him when he walks on the treadmill so he is doing a slower pace. I keep wearing my baggy clothes because I would like to hold out until spring to really start looking for some new ones. I am on the last belt loop and really need a new one but I am trying "bag & sag" for now until Spring. I have committed myself to losing for a year and then maintenance for the rest of my life. I will have to go to the meetings every week just to stay accountable. Maybe I'll go to work for Weight Watchers. HaHa! Today was my 10th week so I still have plenty of weeks left to lose additional weight. Union Grove played basketball at home on Monday and for anyone who was not able to be there, you missed some really good games. The JV team won, the boys JV team won, and the Varsity girls team won. The boys Varsity team came back from a 15 point deficit to gain a 5 point lead but still lost the game by 2. It was an intense game. Rachael really surprised us in the game and because she plays both JV and Varsity, she does not get much Varsity Play time which is expected for an 8th grader. However, the Varsity game itself was a very good game against Woodland Christian School. Our girls trailed for the first 3 quarters and towards the end of the 3rd quarter, Mr.Steinhaus subbed Rachael in for Allison. Rachael stole the ball and made a long pass to assist Laura Beaver in a 2 point shot. This tied the game up and we entered the 4th quarter. Allison came back in but Tiffany fouled again so Rachael was subbed back in. She stole the ball again and this time came down court all the way, weaving herself in and out between girls like a bullet and shot a lay up. It was awesome and Union Grove lead for the first time in the game. A few minutes later, I see Rachael coming up court again, having gotten the rebound, she shot up court and scored another lay up shot. It was a very proud moment for her parents and her brother who came to the game. Nick said later, "I did not know Rachael could play such good ball." After the games, the coach from Woodland spoke to me near the concessions and asked me if Rachael was indeed an 8th grader. I responded with a yes and he said, "she turned that game around and did it very well." He said she was a tall as the senior players out there and she would only continue to improve her skills. I thought that was very nice of him. It makes you feel proud as parents when others pay your children compliments. T.W.Bailey walked over to us at the game and asked us why we were hiding Rachael's talents. I asked him what he meant and he said that he had came over to the church Monday and heard singing from the Chapel. He went inside and he said Rachael was on stage practicing. He said that she had the prettiest voice and could not understand why she was not singing in church. I told him that we did not know she was singing and that if she knew we were ever listening to her sing, she would stop. I asked Rachael about coming to watch her sing on Thursday of this week because she is singing for Chapel services for Honor Society and she said that she did not want us there. She told me it would make her nervous if we were watching her sing. It is amazing at the things you do not know as parents about your children that you learn as they grow. I am going to go to the Church in the morning but stay in the vestibule so that she does not see me. I would just love to hear her sing just once. I met my sis today and we picked out a nice Mother's ring for our mother. We are giving it to her at Christmas. Her wedding ring from my dad and her mother's ring were stolen 3 years ago in a break in and never recovered. All four of us decided to purchase her a new mother's ring for Christmas. We are excited about giving it to her. Tonight is WOL teens and I am looking forward to seeing my girls. It is nice to talk with them and share God's word. I am studying in the book of Mark and just read passage this morning where Jesus is speaking of the breaking of bread and passing and drinking from the cup and he refers to his broken body and blood that will be shed for the sacrifice he will make for our sins. He and the disciples are at the Last Supper and he is speaking of his crucifixion that will soon come. He also refers to the betrayal that will occur (regarding Judas) and the denial from Peter. It has been an awesome message and I have enjoyed studying in Mark. It also goes to show each of us that we all can fall. Just as Peter said he would never deny the Lord, he did. We have to be careful about saying the word "never". We can stumble if we are not careful. That is why it is so important to hide God's word in our hearts. I love the LORD and I love being in his word. He is my Great Guide and Comforter! It is raining to beat the band so I am going to get some work done inside the office while I can. We have a busy week ahead. Church tonight, a Christmas play tomorrow night with friends, an outing with Friends on Friday, ball tournament Saturday morning, Grove Girls outing Saturday night, Lunch Sunday after church with family & friends, and family portraits Sunday afternoon. Wow, I will need lots of energy for all of this!
Today has been a good day! I went to weigh in this morning and lost 3.4 lbs. This brings my total to 28.4 lbs and I am feeling good. It is so refreshing to feel energetic again and not so sluggish all the time. For the first time in a long time, I can lean over, tie my shoes, and not feel as though I am going to pass out! Laugh if you need to, but I am serious. I had gotten to the point where I could not even sit and cross my legs without being uncomfortable. I noticed last night as Jimmy and I were watching The Biggest Loser (my favorite show now) that I had my legs crossed as I was sitting on the sofa. It's amazing at what a 28 lb difference can do. I was walking and jogging on the treadmill last night and before I had realized what I was doing, I was already 2 miles into my exercise. I say all this to encourage others. Thin does feel as good as thin looks. Even if it is not "pencil thin" it still feels great! Just to have more mobility and to breathe without feeling faint. I am excited about the upcoming months and I still pray each morning for God to continue to give Jimmy and me the strength that only HE CAN GIVE to continue this journey. Jimmy lost another 1.5 lbs and he is doing well too. He is walking again on the treadmill and is increasing his time. I pray for him and his knees. They tend to bother him when he walks on the treadmill so he is doing a slower pace. I keep wearing my baggy clothes because I would like to hold out until spring to really start looking for some new ones. I am on the last belt loop and really need a new one but I am trying "bag & sag" for now until Spring. I have committed myself to losing for a year and then maintenance for the rest of my life. I will have to go to the meetings every week just to stay accountable. Maybe I'll go to work for Weight Watchers. HaHa! Today was my 10th week so I still have plenty of weeks left to lose additional weight. Union Grove played basketball at home on Monday and for anyone who was not able to be there, you missed some really good games. The JV team won, the boys JV team won, and the Varsity girls team won. The boys Varsity team came back from a 15 point deficit to gain a 5 point lead but still lost the game by 2. It was an intense game. Rachael really surprised us in the game and because she plays both JV and Varsity, she does not get much Varsity Play time which is expected for an 8th grader. However, the Varsity game itself was a very good game against Woodland Christian School. Our girls trailed for the first 3 quarters and towards the end of the 3rd quarter, Mr.Steinhaus subbed Rachael in for Allison. Rachael stole the ball and made a long pass to assist Laura Beaver in a 2 point shot. This tied the game up and we entered the 4th quarter. Allison came back in but Tiffany fouled again so Rachael was subbed back in. She stole the ball again and this time came down court all the way, weaving herself in and out between girls like a bullet and shot a lay up. It was awesome and Union Grove lead for the first time in the game. A few minutes later, I see Rachael coming up court again, having gotten the rebound, she shot up court and scored another lay up shot. It was a very proud moment for her parents and her brother who came to the game. Nick said later, "I did not know Rachael could play such good ball." After the games, the coach from Woodland spoke to me near the concessions and asked me if Rachael was indeed an 8th grader. I responded with a yes and he said, "she turned that game around and did it very well." He said she was a tall as the senior players out there and she would only continue to improve her skills. I thought that was very nice of him. It makes you feel proud as parents when others pay your children compliments. T.W.Bailey walked over to us at the game and asked us why we were hiding Rachael's talents. I asked him what he meant and he said that he had came over to the church Monday and heard singing from the Chapel. He went inside and he said Rachael was on stage practicing. He said that she had the prettiest voice and could not understand why she was not singing in church. I told him that we did not know she was singing and that if she knew we were ever listening to her sing, she would stop. I asked Rachael about coming to watch her sing on Thursday of this week because she is singing for Chapel services for Honor Society and she said that she did not want us there. She told me it would make her nervous if we were watching her sing. It is amazing at the things you do not know as parents about your children that you learn as they grow. I am going to go to the Church in the morning but stay in the vestibule so that she does not see me. I would just love to hear her sing just once. I met my sis today and we picked out a nice Mother's ring for our mother. We are giving it to her at Christmas. Her wedding ring from my dad and her mother's ring were stolen 3 years ago in a break in and never recovered. All four of us decided to purchase her a new mother's ring for Christmas. We are excited about giving it to her. Tonight is WOL teens and I am looking forward to seeing my girls. It is nice to talk with them and share God's word. I am studying in the book of Mark and just read passage this morning where Jesus is speaking of the breaking of bread and passing and drinking from the cup and he refers to his broken body and blood that will be shed for the sacrifice he will make for our sins. He and the disciples are at the Last Supper and he is speaking of his crucifixion that will soon come. He also refers to the betrayal that will occur (regarding Judas) and the denial from Peter. It has been an awesome message and I have enjoyed studying in Mark. It also goes to show each of us that we all can fall. Just as Peter said he would never deny the Lord, he did. We have to be careful about saying the word "never". We can stumble if we are not careful. That is why it is so important to hide God's word in our hearts. I love the LORD and I love being in his word. He is my Great Guide and Comforter! It is raining to beat the band so I am going to get some work done inside the office while I can. We have a busy week ahead. Church tonight, a Christmas play tomorrow night with friends, an outing with Friends on Friday, ball tournament Saturday morning, Grove Girls outing Saturday night, Lunch Sunday after church with family & friends, and family portraits Sunday afternoon. Wow, I will need lots of energy for all of this!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 04,2008
Just wanted to post an update. I went to weigh in yesterday and lost an additional 1.4 lbs which brought my new total weight loss to 25 lbs. I met my first goal and my coach was very excited. She gave me a BIG HIGH-FIVE and at our meeting called me up and presented me with a bronze key chain. The key chain has the initials WW on it and I placed in on my key chain so I would always see a reminder of the success and encouragement to continue my journey. I was excited that I had lost weight over the Thanksgiving holiday and especially knowing that I had indulged in some really good food. I am still struggling with this cold crud and realized it has not been too long ago that I had this very same thing. I must attract any "bug" flying in the air. I am working on breaking this stuff up and getting it out of my system. I went to teens last night and I have to admit, it was different. It will take some time before I will get adjusted to not seeing the Pollards in the gym and having Jeremy as our leader. It is hard for all of us but I know God is holding us in the palm of his hands. Our lesson last night was on how we have an interceder through the Holy Spirit and that sometimes while we don't pray, the Holy Spirit is already interceding on our behalf. We don't even understand sometimes why some prayers are answered and the outcome of the answered prayer but down the road, the Lord makes it clear to us. Rachael gave me some news last night and it was confirmed this morning that our dear friends, the Browns will be moving to Asheville. I was quite devastated and cried when I first spoke with Yuri. I really had refused to believe all this time that it was even a possibility that they would move. I guess I just thought that if I didn't believe it would happen, then it would not. I struggle with showing emotions when people start talking about things that I know will bring sadness into my life. So when Jon and Yuri first mentioned the possibility of a move, I just refused to acknowledge it was even a possibility. I told Jon that we would be praying for God's will and we did. But I will admit, even in my prayers, I asked the Lord to leave them here because it was my own selfish desire for them to stay. I have no words to express the blessings that have been brought into our lives through our friendship with them. We alternate Sunday dinners at our house and I cannot even come to terms with them not coming. I know Rachael will struggle as well and my heart is heavy for her too. She has been going home with Yuri and the boys on Wednesday for years and she calls them her brothers. I cry even as I write this because we call them our family. I know that God leads us in directions sometimes that we don't even understand and I have to admit, I don't understand this. I know God has a plan but I don't see it yet. Yuri and I talked about how if our friendship is as deep as we have made it, then the distance will not change this. Hickory is a little over an hour for us and an hour for them. We can maintain this friendship and still enjoy the blessings of what God brought together. We will miss them more than any words will express but we will not let this be good-bye.
To Jon, Yuri, Mckinley, Seth and Wilson
Just wanted you to know
How special you really are
A friend I’ve relied upon
And hold dear to my heart
May God bless your day
In whatever you may do
And wherever you may be, my friend
I will say a prayer for you.
I'd like to think that we
Remain as friends for life
No matter what we go through
May our friendship never die
For true friends stick together
Whatever comes their way
And through it all, the friendship grows
Becoming stronger each new day.
God has brought you
across our path
That we may become friends
Kindred spirits
Knitted together
In Christ until the end.
John 15: 12-14 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
To Jon, Yuri, Mckinley, Seth and Wilson
Just wanted you to know
How special you really are
A friend I’ve relied upon
And hold dear to my heart
May God bless your day
In whatever you may do
And wherever you may be, my friend
I will say a prayer for you.
I'd like to think that we
Remain as friends for life
No matter what we go through
May our friendship never die
For true friends stick together
Whatever comes their way
And through it all, the friendship grows
Becoming stronger each new day.
God has brought you
across our path
That we may become friends
Kindred spirits
Knitted together
In Christ until the end.
John 15: 12-14 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
DECEMBER 2, 2008
It has been an extremely busy time since Thanksgiving in my house. We have put up the Christmas tree and decorations, (well almost all decorations), put up the fall decorations, worked concessions for the ball game, and entertained some friends. I started feeling sick on Sunday morning as though I were catching a cold and by Monday morning, I was feeling pretty bad. I have what Jimmy and Rachael were fighting during Thanksgiving. I have continued to work but today have not been able to make any customer calls because I have no voice. Thanksgiving was very nice at our home and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. We took a few pictures and I'll post as soon as my niece sends them to me via email. My mother came and seem to really enjoy her afternoon with Rachael. They seem to get along so well. I just wish she would come over more often. She shocked me by saying she wanted to buy me some new clothes when I reached my goal weight. I know she loves me, but she doesn't spend a lot of time with us so I was pleasantly surprised when she suggested we go shopping soon. I took Rachael shopping on Friday for her birthday. I know what you're thinking. "How is the world could I go out on Black Friday in that mob?" Well, we did not leave the house until around 10:00 am so the big crowds were already gone. The mall was still quite crowded but not unbearable. Rachael had birthday money and bought her some new shirts and sweaters. I took her to lunch and also bought her a white chocolate mocha cappuchino (her favorite drink). She really seemed to enjoy her birthday. We also met up with her dad, sister, and cousin at dinner and took her to Texas Roadhouse. She loves steak so she got all her birthday favorites. They made her sit on the horse saddle and they sang Happy Birthday to her. She was so embarrassed and the lady would not let her off the saddle until she motioned her hands like she was throwing a lasso. It was funny. We went to Best Buy afterwards and then headed home. We did not get back to our home until 9:30 pm. It was a long day. For the final birthday present, we had her a mini chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream (her favorite dessert). I think her birthday was nice and she seemed to enjoy herself. My mom came back over on Saturday and spent some time with Rachael and gave her a birthday gift too. The rest of the weekend was spent getting the tree together and decorated. Rachael has an away game today and I will not be attending. I wish they did not have to travel so far for some of the games but I know in order for them to play a lot of games, they have to travel. I would like to see all of her games but I cannot leave work each time. I am going to take vacation and will have a week off at Christmas and some time after Christmas. I enjoy being at home during the Christmas week. We are not going on the youth Gatlinburg trip after putting brand new brakes on my car. We just financially do not need to spend the money. My other expense is the tiling of the back splash in my kitchen. We are having David Beverly to tile the back splash in our kitchen and I am excited to see the finished product. He is supposed to start this weekend. Yuri and I picked out 2 different tile colors from Lowe's and I cannot wait to see them on the kitchen wall. I told Jimmy not to get me anything for Christmas since we were having the kitchen tile installed. I go to weigh in tomorrow and I am praying that I have lost. I don't care if it is one ounce as long as I have lost and not gained. Thanksgiving was the hardest temptation yet. I enjoyed all my foods as well as Rachael's birthday celebration. I have been walking on the treadmill so I am praying for positive results. I'll post tomorrow good or bad.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
THANKSGIVING!
November 26,2008
Thanksgiving is fast approaching and I have been thanking God each day for all my blessings. We did not get to attend the Thanksgiving service on Tuesday night due to sickness in my family. Rachael has the head cold "crud" and so does Jimmy. I have been battling what I thought was a 24 hour stomach virus that has now lasted for 3 days. We did not want to spread our love to anyone else so we decided it was best to stay home. Rachael stayed home from school and slept most of the day. She ate very little but watched a little television with us last night. Jimmy sounds as though he has a frog in his throat. He woke up this morning and said he thinks he might be trying to get better but just cannot get this stuff out of his head. I went on to my weigh in this morning even though my body did not feel like doing so. I ended up with a 5 lb weight loss. I truly did not expect to lose 5 lbs but I told Susan that I was battling a stomach virus and had not eat well for 3 days. My total weight loss is now 23 lbs. I really did not do a good job of monitoring my points this past week just because my stomach has "churned" for days but I did maintain control over things I was eating. We are spending Thanksgiving at our house tomorrow and Jimmy's family, my mother, niece, and a dear friend and her boys will be there. There will be approximately 23 of us giving thanks and eating dinner tomorrow. I have so many things to be thankful for and tomorrow we will give everyone an opportunity to tell what they are thankful for. I do tell the Lord each morning how thankful I am for my family, home, job, health, and protection that he provides to us each day. I pray that I do not ever take for granted how much the Lord has blessed me and my family. My sister and her family have gone to their place at the beach and my brother and his wife will stay in Florida. We will miss the ones that do not come but will enjoy the time we have with the ones that do come. I am not counting points tomorrow. I am just going to be in control of my plate and portions. If I am not feeling any better tomorrow, I don't think I will have to worry about eating too much. Kelli is home and staying with us through the weekend. Nick and Melissa will be at the house tomorrow too. I plan to take some pictures because we don't get together as much as we used to. Everyone stays so busy and involved in their own lives. I pray that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and I will be praying for safe travel for those of you on the road. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is fast approaching and I have been thanking God each day for all my blessings. We did not get to attend the Thanksgiving service on Tuesday night due to sickness in my family. Rachael has the head cold "crud" and so does Jimmy. I have been battling what I thought was a 24 hour stomach virus that has now lasted for 3 days. We did not want to spread our love to anyone else so we decided it was best to stay home. Rachael stayed home from school and slept most of the day. She ate very little but watched a little television with us last night. Jimmy sounds as though he has a frog in his throat. He woke up this morning and said he thinks he might be trying to get better but just cannot get this stuff out of his head. I went on to my weigh in this morning even though my body did not feel like doing so. I ended up with a 5 lb weight loss. I truly did not expect to lose 5 lbs but I told Susan that I was battling a stomach virus and had not eat well for 3 days. My total weight loss is now 23 lbs. I really did not do a good job of monitoring my points this past week just because my stomach has "churned" for days but I did maintain control over things I was eating. We are spending Thanksgiving at our house tomorrow and Jimmy's family, my mother, niece, and a dear friend and her boys will be there. There will be approximately 23 of us giving thanks and eating dinner tomorrow. I have so many things to be thankful for and tomorrow we will give everyone an opportunity to tell what they are thankful for. I do tell the Lord each morning how thankful I am for my family, home, job, health, and protection that he provides to us each day. I pray that I do not ever take for granted how much the Lord has blessed me and my family. My sister and her family have gone to their place at the beach and my brother and his wife will stay in Florida. We will miss the ones that do not come but will enjoy the time we have with the ones that do come. I am not counting points tomorrow. I am just going to be in control of my plate and portions. If I am not feeling any better tomorrow, I don't think I will have to worry about eating too much. Kelli is home and staying with us through the weekend. Nick and Melissa will be at the house tomorrow too. I plan to take some pictures because we don't get together as much as we used to. Everyone stays so busy and involved in their own lives. I pray that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and I will be praying for safe travel for those of you on the road. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Jesus does care!!
November 19, 2008
I know you are probably wondering why I titled this particular day of blogging, "Jesus does care!" Well, I will tell you, it has been one rough week for me. I have dealt with some physical issues that were brought on by my new lifestyle change (eating habits) and exercising. I tried for the last week to press through these things and not let them get me discouraged. However, by Sunday night, I will admit, I was deeply discouraged. I was not exercising anymore because of my pain and by Monday night I was in tears. I told Jimmy that I just could not understand that if I were doing something to better my health and to show the Lord that my body was his temple in every aspect, then why was I facing such difficulty. I was in a great deal of pain and had just given up. I even told myself at one point, "why bother?" "You will only gain it all back." I was in a pit. In my tears, I cried out to God. I asked him to help me because I could not do this on my own. I needed him to alleviate some pain but also to give me the strength and endurance that I needed to continue my journey of weight loss. I know there are people who are struggling with much bigger issues than weight loss but when you are faced with discouragement, in my opinion, there is no competition on who takes first place. I was so discouraged that by last night I was convinced that I would not even weigh in today. I thought, "what is the use?" "I have not been able to exercise and I know I have not been as committed this week." This morning, Jesus showed me how much he does care. First, he alleviated some of the pain I have been dealing with. I woke up feeling somewhat better this morning. He then gave me an encouraging phone call. My husband called me this morning and told me that he loved me and was proud of me. He also told me that if I had not lost any weight, that it was okay and that I would press forward with a new week and Jesus was with me. I was ready to tell him that I was not going to weigh in when the Lord used another person to encourage me. My friend, Wanda came to me and said, "are you ready to go to weigh in?" She attends weight watchers with me and is a big encouragement to me as well. She came to me in just the right timing. God's timing. I told Jimmy that I would call him back and I left to go to the meeting with Wanda. I told her my concerns on the way and she encouraged me to weigh in and no matter the outcome, to stay focused on the journey. Jesus knows how much this journey means to me and he knows my heart. He was good to me. I was still being the big pessimistic when I stepped on the scales and was astounded when Susan advised me that I had lost another 1.6 lbs for a total weight loss of 18 lbs. I just stood on the scale and praised my God for being so faithful. Even when we get discouraged and give up, he still cares. My mind immediately went to Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Again, I know this may seem a small matter to many, but to me, it showed how mighty my God is. Nothing is impossible for him.
I know you are probably wondering why I titled this particular day of blogging, "Jesus does care!" Well, I will tell you, it has been one rough week for me. I have dealt with some physical issues that were brought on by my new lifestyle change (eating habits) and exercising. I tried for the last week to press through these things and not let them get me discouraged. However, by Sunday night, I will admit, I was deeply discouraged. I was not exercising anymore because of my pain and by Monday night I was in tears. I told Jimmy that I just could not understand that if I were doing something to better my health and to show the Lord that my body was his temple in every aspect, then why was I facing such difficulty. I was in a great deal of pain and had just given up. I even told myself at one point, "why bother?" "You will only gain it all back." I was in a pit. In my tears, I cried out to God. I asked him to help me because I could not do this on my own. I needed him to alleviate some pain but also to give me the strength and endurance that I needed to continue my journey of weight loss. I know there are people who are struggling with much bigger issues than weight loss but when you are faced with discouragement, in my opinion, there is no competition on who takes first place. I was so discouraged that by last night I was convinced that I would not even weigh in today. I thought, "what is the use?" "I have not been able to exercise and I know I have not been as committed this week." This morning, Jesus showed me how much he does care. First, he alleviated some of the pain I have been dealing with. I woke up feeling somewhat better this morning. He then gave me an encouraging phone call. My husband called me this morning and told me that he loved me and was proud of me. He also told me that if I had not lost any weight, that it was okay and that I would press forward with a new week and Jesus was with me. I was ready to tell him that I was not going to weigh in when the Lord used another person to encourage me. My friend, Wanda came to me and said, "are you ready to go to weigh in?" She attends weight watchers with me and is a big encouragement to me as well. She came to me in just the right timing. God's timing. I told Jimmy that I would call him back and I left to go to the meeting with Wanda. I told her my concerns on the way and she encouraged me to weigh in and no matter the outcome, to stay focused on the journey. Jesus knows how much this journey means to me and he knows my heart. He was good to me. I was still being the big pessimistic when I stepped on the scales and was astounded when Susan advised me that I had lost another 1.6 lbs for a total weight loss of 18 lbs. I just stood on the scale and praised my God for being so faithful. Even when we get discouraged and give up, he still cares. My mind immediately went to Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Again, I know this may seem a small matter to many, but to me, it showed how mighty my God is. Nothing is impossible for him.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
CELEBRATION DAY!
November 12, 2008
Today is one of my friends special day. Today is Yuri's birthday. Happy Birthday Yuri! I am so glad the Lord placed her family in our lives. I will always remember how Yuri and I met. I started attending Union Grove Baptist Church in October of 2001 and started coming on Wednesday nights. I always felt a little uncomfortable coming into the church by myself and sad that my husband was not with me. Rachael would be in the Wednesday night clubs which left me trying to find a seat where I felt comfortable by myself. It wasn't that people were not friendly. There we a lot of people who made me feel welcome but I just had not made that personal connection because it was still early in my attendance at the church and I was still meeting people. One particular Wednesday night I came in and was looking for a seat. I was walking down through the center aisle of the church and I heard a lady say, "you can sit with me if you like". That would be the start of a wonderful friendship and light that my husband would see that would ultimately assist in him giving his life to the LORD. We began to sit together in every Wednesday night service. Yuri's husband, Jon was working in the Wednesday night clubs so that left her upstairs alone as well. We soon became good friends and she started inviting me out to events with her. She soon invited me on a "girls" only trip to the beach and her and I left on a Friday and returned on a Sunday. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and grew closer as friends. I looked to Yuri for guidance in a lot of areas of my life during a time of deep struggle. I had accepted Christ as my savior and was trying to live the Christian life but was in a deep struggle at home with my husband who was not saved. Yuri was there to encourage me and to listen to me. She would let me sit and talk for hours sometimes even through my tears, she continued to encourage me. She made me laugh and made me realize that God was still in control and knew every request that I prayed. Jimmy said he will never forget the first time Jon and Yuri came to our house and how Yuri made him feel comfortable around "Christians". You have to understand, Jimmy was still unsaved and other "Christians" made him feel uncomfortable. Jon had come over to help Jimmy with something one evening. Jon and Jimmy had went into one of the bedrooms and started looking at some electronic camera stuff and Jimmy said he remembered how Yuri came into the bedroom, jumped on the bed, and proceeded to just start talking away as though she had known him for years. Jimmy said in that moment he knew that they were just "real people" who were the "real stuff". They never pressured Jimmy about the Lord and Jimmy said they never had to say a word. He saw Christ in their lives in every way. He fell in love with their family and through them, he saw Jesus. They were many prayers, people and situations that God used to bring Jimmy to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He placed the Browns in our lives in his timing. Yuri has been taking Rachael home with her every Wednesday since around 1st grade. Rachael has grown up knowing the love of 3 other boys whom she considers to be her brothers. She calls Yuri her second mom and I know there are things that she feels more comfortable talking with Yuri about than she does with me. That's okay. I always want her to have a Christian woman mentor that she can go to and talk about anything. Sometimes parents are not the ones that kids talk to and I am thankful that Yuri is in Rachael's life and that Rachael feels comfortable talking with her. I pray that God will continue to use Yuri in Rachael's life. I am thankful for all the friends that God has brought our way and what they mean to us. There are many friendships we have formed and I'm sure through future blogs you will hear more about them. I went to weigh in today and lost another 3.6 lbs. Yeah!!! I have lost a total of 16.4 lbs now and still seeking God's strength in all of it. I had another chance today to be a witness to my weight watchers group and God opened a door for me to tell them about RU and my church. God is so Good! I had one lady to ask me what verse I had quoted in the meeting which was James 4:6&7. I told the group that I had to meditate on this verse and realize that in order to lose this weight I have to submit myself to God each and every day. If not I will eat for all the wrong reasons. We have a Grove Girls event today and I am looking forward to it. We are baking bread and taking it to the shut ins. I know smelling home baked bread will be a temptation that I will need prayer for so I have started praying this morning and making sure I have a satisfied stomach before I go. I have to get going and get busy. Lots more to do today before I can leave.
Today is one of my friends special day. Today is Yuri's birthday. Happy Birthday Yuri! I am so glad the Lord placed her family in our lives. I will always remember how Yuri and I met. I started attending Union Grove Baptist Church in October of 2001 and started coming on Wednesday nights. I always felt a little uncomfortable coming into the church by myself and sad that my husband was not with me. Rachael would be in the Wednesday night clubs which left me trying to find a seat where I felt comfortable by myself. It wasn't that people were not friendly. There we a lot of people who made me feel welcome but I just had not made that personal connection because it was still early in my attendance at the church and I was still meeting people. One particular Wednesday night I came in and was looking for a seat. I was walking down through the center aisle of the church and I heard a lady say, "you can sit with me if you like". That would be the start of a wonderful friendship and light that my husband would see that would ultimately assist in him giving his life to the LORD. We began to sit together in every Wednesday night service. Yuri's husband, Jon was working in the Wednesday night clubs so that left her upstairs alone as well. We soon became good friends and she started inviting me out to events with her. She soon invited me on a "girls" only trip to the beach and her and I left on a Friday and returned on a Sunday. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and grew closer as friends. I looked to Yuri for guidance in a lot of areas of my life during a time of deep struggle. I had accepted Christ as my savior and was trying to live the Christian life but was in a deep struggle at home with my husband who was not saved. Yuri was there to encourage me and to listen to me. She would let me sit and talk for hours sometimes even through my tears, she continued to encourage me. She made me laugh and made me realize that God was still in control and knew every request that I prayed. Jimmy said he will never forget the first time Jon and Yuri came to our house and how Yuri made him feel comfortable around "Christians". You have to understand, Jimmy was still unsaved and other "Christians" made him feel uncomfortable. Jon had come over to help Jimmy with something one evening. Jon and Jimmy had went into one of the bedrooms and started looking at some electronic camera stuff and Jimmy said he remembered how Yuri came into the bedroom, jumped on the bed, and proceeded to just start talking away as though she had known him for years. Jimmy said in that moment he knew that they were just "real people" who were the "real stuff". They never pressured Jimmy about the Lord and Jimmy said they never had to say a word. He saw Christ in their lives in every way. He fell in love with their family and through them, he saw Jesus. They were many prayers, people and situations that God used to bring Jimmy to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He placed the Browns in our lives in his timing. Yuri has been taking Rachael home with her every Wednesday since around 1st grade. Rachael has grown up knowing the love of 3 other boys whom she considers to be her brothers. She calls Yuri her second mom and I know there are things that she feels more comfortable talking with Yuri about than she does with me. That's okay. I always want her to have a Christian woman mentor that she can go to and talk about anything. Sometimes parents are not the ones that kids talk to and I am thankful that Yuri is in Rachael's life and that Rachael feels comfortable talking with her. I pray that God will continue to use Yuri in Rachael's life. I am thankful for all the friends that God has brought our way and what they mean to us. There are many friendships we have formed and I'm sure through future blogs you will hear more about them. I went to weigh in today and lost another 3.6 lbs. Yeah!!! I have lost a total of 16.4 lbs now and still seeking God's strength in all of it. I had another chance today to be a witness to my weight watchers group and God opened a door for me to tell them about RU and my church. God is so Good! I had one lady to ask me what verse I had quoted in the meeting which was James 4:6&7. I told the group that I had to meditate on this verse and realize that in order to lose this weight I have to submit myself to God each and every day. If not I will eat for all the wrong reasons. We have a Grove Girls event today and I am looking forward to it. We are baking bread and taking it to the shut ins. I know smelling home baked bread will be a temptation that I will need prayer for so I have started praying this morning and making sure I have a satisfied stomach before I go. I have to get going and get busy. Lots more to do today before I can leave.
Friday, November 7, 2008
A New Day!
November 7, 2008
Its Friday! Yeah. Its has been a long week and a busy one. I weighed in on Wednesday and lost another 1.4 lbs. This brings my total to 12.8 lbs. I am very thankful because I struggled over the Halloween weekend. I really ate more than my share at the hayride activity we had for Sunday school. But that is in the past and my journey continues. Jimmy has lost over 25 lbs now (yes, I would like to choke him sometimes because men can lose more quicker), but instead I like to hug him now. I can actually stand against him instead of our belly's hitting each other. Hahaha. He has been so supportive of me during this journey and we have been supportive of each other. We are learning new things about food each day and making good choices. Rachael has even requested prayers and "bragged on her parents" at school. I so thankful she sees us trying to set the right examples for her. I pray that she knows how hard we try to set good examples in front of her. I went shopping on my lunch hour and found her a couple of Christmas presents. I get so excited about Christmas because one of my spiritual gifts is of "giving." I love to give! Even if it is a kind word, a meal, a small token, a card, a hug, or just prayer. I think that giving is one of the most important qualities we can have as Christians. Jimmy is a giver. He would give you the shirt off his back. The one thing that "tears" me up every time is that when we sit down to eat a meal, Jimmy will let everyone else get all they want. He will eat just a little and he will offer the last of everything to everyone else. If there is anything left over and everyone has gone, he will ask me if he can have something else. That's how big his heart is. He will take his last dime out of his pocket at the ballgames and he will give or buy something for the other kids before he will buy for himself. I love that about him. I remember after he was saved and R.U. started at the church, there was a young gentleman that was coming to RU that started coming to the church. He did not have a lot of clothes and wanted to dress nice. Jimmy came to me and asked if he could give the brand new black suit that Rachael and I had bought him for Christmas to this young man. I went upstairs and spoke with Rachael and told her what her dad wanted to do and how much it meant to him and we both agreed that we were blessed enough to eventually get him another one. I remember seeing that young man come to church the first time in that suit and how tears welled up in my eyes because I saw the love of Christ in my husband. I have to reign him in at times because I honestly think he would give all we had away. His heart is that big! But as my Pastor has said more than once, you can never out give God. Tonight is BBQ night at RU. I will be very careful about my portion and what I eat. I walked this morning before work and will walk tonight when I get home from the daycare. Rachael is going to Confluence tonight on a youth activity and to a birthday sleepover. She has a busier social life than her parents. (we are just old and tired). She has been sick with a head cold but seems to be getting better (I pray). I have no idea what we are doing for her birthday. I thought I might just have a small birthday celebration at the house with some of her close friends. Last year we did a sleep over for her 13th birthday and there over 19 teenage girls in my home. I don't think I am mentally ready to handle that one again so soon. She talks about taking driver's education school now and how next year she will be eligible. I don't even want to think about her driving. It is so scary to think that she is going to be driving in 2 years. Time flies! I told Jimmy last night that we built this bigger house and now have no children to fill it with since Rachael is growing up and the other 2 are gone. I told him we should just adopt. He went silent. I don't think he is ready for the baby stage again. He keeps talking about the retirement age and how he wants to take weekend trips with me. That's so sweet! He is looking forward to the time that we spend together and so am I. Of course, I'll probably beg Rachael to live with us forever. I will be the mother who on the day Rachael leaves for college, I will be an emotional wreck. She mentioned the other day that she wanted to look at several colleges and they were all hours away. I mentioned Piedmont Baptist College (yes, I have an agenda) and she said, "that means I would live at home." Duh...that's what your mother wants. She is so not ready to be around her mother 24-7, at least during this time in her life. She was so sweet last night. We ate dinner at a friends house and she had made a pumpkin spice cake. Rachael told her that it was her favorite cake and that she just had to take "ninny" a piece or he would be upset. "Ninny" is McKinley Brown. Rachael has called him "ninny" forever and they have grown up together since K-4 in the same class. They are so much like brother and sister around each other and just the fact that Rachael thought of him was so sweet. She took him some pumpkin spice cake today for lunch. She loves the Brown boys and they are the closest brothers she has next to her own big brother who is significantly older than her. I have things I need to get done this weekend and really no big plans. I spoke with a dear friend last night who is having a difficult time and my heart goes out to her. I know the importance of praying for someone when you tell them you will pray. If we say we are going to pray for someone, then we should follow up and pray. I prayed for them last night and prayed for them this morning. I know that my God is Mighty and he can do Anything! He knows their needs and he knows our desire to see their prayers answered. I hurt when others hurt and I worry when others worry. I cry when others cry and my heart desires to fix it all but I know there is only one that can fix it and that is Jesus Christ. Proverbs: 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Its Friday! Yeah. Its has been a long week and a busy one. I weighed in on Wednesday and lost another 1.4 lbs. This brings my total to 12.8 lbs. I am very thankful because I struggled over the Halloween weekend. I really ate more than my share at the hayride activity we had for Sunday school. But that is in the past and my journey continues. Jimmy has lost over 25 lbs now (yes, I would like to choke him sometimes because men can lose more quicker), but instead I like to hug him now. I can actually stand against him instead of our belly's hitting each other. Hahaha. He has been so supportive of me during this journey and we have been supportive of each other. We are learning new things about food each day and making good choices. Rachael has even requested prayers and "bragged on her parents" at school. I so thankful she sees us trying to set the right examples for her. I pray that she knows how hard we try to set good examples in front of her. I went shopping on my lunch hour and found her a couple of Christmas presents. I get so excited about Christmas because one of my spiritual gifts is of "giving." I love to give! Even if it is a kind word, a meal, a small token, a card, a hug, or just prayer. I think that giving is one of the most important qualities we can have as Christians. Jimmy is a giver. He would give you the shirt off his back. The one thing that "tears" me up every time is that when we sit down to eat a meal, Jimmy will let everyone else get all they want. He will eat just a little and he will offer the last of everything to everyone else. If there is anything left over and everyone has gone, he will ask me if he can have something else. That's how big his heart is. He will take his last dime out of his pocket at the ballgames and he will give or buy something for the other kids before he will buy for himself. I love that about him. I remember after he was saved and R.U. started at the church, there was a young gentleman that was coming to RU that started coming to the church. He did not have a lot of clothes and wanted to dress nice. Jimmy came to me and asked if he could give the brand new black suit that Rachael and I had bought him for Christmas to this young man. I went upstairs and spoke with Rachael and told her what her dad wanted to do and how much it meant to him and we both agreed that we were blessed enough to eventually get him another one. I remember seeing that young man come to church the first time in that suit and how tears welled up in my eyes because I saw the love of Christ in my husband. I have to reign him in at times because I honestly think he would give all we had away. His heart is that big! But as my Pastor has said more than once, you can never out give God. Tonight is BBQ night at RU. I will be very careful about my portion and what I eat. I walked this morning before work and will walk tonight when I get home from the daycare. Rachael is going to Confluence tonight on a youth activity and to a birthday sleepover. She has a busier social life than her parents. (we are just old and tired). She has been sick with a head cold but seems to be getting better (I pray). I have no idea what we are doing for her birthday. I thought I might just have a small birthday celebration at the house with some of her close friends. Last year we did a sleep over for her 13th birthday and there over 19 teenage girls in my home. I don't think I am mentally ready to handle that one again so soon. She talks about taking driver's education school now and how next year she will be eligible. I don't even want to think about her driving. It is so scary to think that she is going to be driving in 2 years. Time flies! I told Jimmy last night that we built this bigger house and now have no children to fill it with since Rachael is growing up and the other 2 are gone. I told him we should just adopt. He went silent. I don't think he is ready for the baby stage again. He keeps talking about the retirement age and how he wants to take weekend trips with me. That's so sweet! He is looking forward to the time that we spend together and so am I. Of course, I'll probably beg Rachael to live with us forever. I will be the mother who on the day Rachael leaves for college, I will be an emotional wreck. She mentioned the other day that she wanted to look at several colleges and they were all hours away. I mentioned Piedmont Baptist College (yes, I have an agenda) and she said, "that means I would live at home." Duh...that's what your mother wants. She is so not ready to be around her mother 24-7, at least during this time in her life. She was so sweet last night. We ate dinner at a friends house and she had made a pumpkin spice cake. Rachael told her that it was her favorite cake and that she just had to take "ninny" a piece or he would be upset. "Ninny" is McKinley Brown. Rachael has called him "ninny" forever and they have grown up together since K-4 in the same class. They are so much like brother and sister around each other and just the fact that Rachael thought of him was so sweet. She took him some pumpkin spice cake today for lunch. She loves the Brown boys and they are the closest brothers she has next to her own big brother who is significantly older than her. I have things I need to get done this weekend and really no big plans. I spoke with a dear friend last night who is having a difficult time and my heart goes out to her. I know the importance of praying for someone when you tell them you will pray. If we say we are going to pray for someone, then we should follow up and pray. I prayed for them last night and prayed for them this morning. I know that my God is Mighty and he can do Anything! He knows their needs and he knows our desire to see their prayers answered. I hurt when others hurt and I worry when others worry. I cry when others cry and my heart desires to fix it all but I know there is only one that can fix it and that is Jesus Christ. Proverbs: 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Call to Vote
November 4, 2008
If you have not already voted, please let me encourage you to do so. I cast my vote today at lunch and did not have to wait in line. I went straight through and to my voting booth. I am not ashamed to say that I voted McCain/Palin. I will say that this time around I struggled with a vote. Not that I would have voted for Obama but that I would have liked to have seen a Godly man who stands Boldly for Christ. Sadly, I see our country in a direction where there is more world centered views than God centered views. As Christians we need to pray that our country will turn back to God. I pray that the results will be better than someone of us might expect. I had to go to court this morning and let me tell you, "It never fails to amaze me of the disrespect that I see in the courtrooms today." People dress as though they are going to work in a machine shop, they slouch in their seats, and they respond with an astounding "huh" when their name is called out. I am not bragging by any means but I was the nicest dressed person in the courtroom other than the lawyers and judge. Now you are wondering, what was I in court for? I was subpoenaed along with my mother. You see, back in May after my father died, we were visiting his place to do more packing and cleaning. When we arrived, I noticed a car pulled way back off the driveway and in behind his place. I blocked his vehicle in with my vehicle and told my mother to wait by the car. I called the police and told them I thought someone was in my dad's place. I then blew the horn (don't really know why) and a guy came running out the back door and went around to the front. He met me and my mom in the driveway and I recognized him as "Scott". I'll just say that Scott is a person that has a bad intentions and was one of the reason that there were boundaries placed on my relationship with my father. Scott got in his car and I moved mine (out of fear he would hit it) and he sped off. I picked him out of a photo line-up and today was the court date. He is charged with Felony B&E. He had pretty much destroyed all the packing that my mother and I had done in my father's place and it was heartbreaking to know that someone could be so cruel in a time of such sorrow. I don't make apologies for my relationship with my father. He was my father and I chose to love him regardless of his sins. God tells us to have compassion and to love the sinner not the sin. They should see Christ in us not matter what and that is what I chose to do. I did set boundaries and there were rough times in the relationship. Sometimes I had to make hard choices but in the end all that matter was that I loved him and wanted the best for him. Anyway, Scott did not show up for court and neither did his attorney so the court is supposed to notify us when they pick him up. I left court around 10:00 am and was able to go by and vote and then come to work. Jimmy called and he is going to try and leave a little earlier today and cast his vote before the lines get too long. Its been a busy few days and the weekend was full also. Friday night we went over to some friends house and enjoyed the evening with them. Yuri and I took the boys, Rachael and Jessica out trick or treating in a nearby neighborhood. I saw people that we have not seen in a while that used to come to Union Grove and I invited them back to church. I don't think they are going anywhere now and it is heartbreaking to know that they are out of church. We walked quite a bit and I got some good exercise in for the day. We went back to Kim's and hung out and ate some really good food. We stayed up rather late and we had to go to Charlotte the next morning to pick up Kelli. Kelli wrecked her vehicle 3 weeks ago and we went to look at a Jeep Grand Cherokee that she had found. She ended up buying the vehicle and she came back to Lexington with us to spend the weekend. She went to our Sunday School class "hayride" outing on Saturday evening and we had a really good time. She seemed to enjoy herself a lot and said she would like to come to church the next time she is home. I pray that God continues to open her eyes to the beauty of his love and that she will see he is everything that she needs and longs for! I know that Kelli is saved because we have asked her and she has assured us that she knows she is saved. She is struggling though, and I pray that she continues to see Christ through the love that her dad and I show her. Children can disappoint you, no doubt, but you can never stop loving them. Every time I saw the smile on her face this weekend, the laughter in her voice, and the love she showed, I knew that the love I have for her will always be more than the disappointments. She could never do anything that would change the love I have for her. That's why God sent his son to die for us. He loves us that much. No matter the mistakes we make, he still loves us. How could we not love each other? Church on Sunday was awesome. Our Sunday school message and the 11:00 message was great! I loved the music on Sunday morning. Our choir does such an awesome job. We fixed lunch at the house and Kelli ate with us. We visited a while and took her back to Charlotte. I hope she comes home again soon and comes to church with us. Rachael is practicing basketball now and made the JV and Varsity Team. It is hard wen they play both teams because they practice twice and get home later. They go to both games and this puts them to the test to get their homework done and to keep their grades up. I challenge Rachael a lot on this. Sometimes, I think I can be too hard on her but I know that she is so capable of doing more than she thinks she can. She can get lazy. Rachael has to be pushed. Some kids are self-motivated, others have to be encouraged. Rachael has to be encouraged but when she gives her all, she can do anything. She is growing into her own little adult and its scary but thrilling to watch her. I can't believe how much time has gone by and that she will soon turn 14 on the 28th of this month. She told me the other day that she just wants money for her birthday. With a teenager, that is no surprise. She wants money to take with her on the Gatlinberg trip that the youth is going on in December. I told her I would spread the word. Jimmy and I are still devoted to our weight watchers and tomorrow is weigh in day. I indulged a little on Satuday night with Mexican cornbread and dessert but I also walked an extra mile on the treadmill. Hopefully I walked the "binge" off. We will find out tomorrow.
If you have not already voted, please let me encourage you to do so. I cast my vote today at lunch and did not have to wait in line. I went straight through and to my voting booth. I am not ashamed to say that I voted McCain/Palin. I will say that this time around I struggled with a vote. Not that I would have voted for Obama but that I would have liked to have seen a Godly man who stands Boldly for Christ. Sadly, I see our country in a direction where there is more world centered views than God centered views. As Christians we need to pray that our country will turn back to God. I pray that the results will be better than someone of us might expect. I had to go to court this morning and let me tell you, "It never fails to amaze me of the disrespect that I see in the courtrooms today." People dress as though they are going to work in a machine shop, they slouch in their seats, and they respond with an astounding "huh" when their name is called out. I am not bragging by any means but I was the nicest dressed person in the courtroom other than the lawyers and judge. Now you are wondering, what was I in court for? I was subpoenaed along with my mother. You see, back in May after my father died, we were visiting his place to do more packing and cleaning. When we arrived, I noticed a car pulled way back off the driveway and in behind his place. I blocked his vehicle in with my vehicle and told my mother to wait by the car. I called the police and told them I thought someone was in my dad's place. I then blew the horn (don't really know why) and a guy came running out the back door and went around to the front. He met me and my mom in the driveway and I recognized him as "Scott". I'll just say that Scott is a person that has a bad intentions and was one of the reason that there were boundaries placed on my relationship with my father. Scott got in his car and I moved mine (out of fear he would hit it) and he sped off. I picked him out of a photo line-up and today was the court date. He is charged with Felony B&E. He had pretty much destroyed all the packing that my mother and I had done in my father's place and it was heartbreaking to know that someone could be so cruel in a time of such sorrow. I don't make apologies for my relationship with my father. He was my father and I chose to love him regardless of his sins. God tells us to have compassion and to love the sinner not the sin. They should see Christ in us not matter what and that is what I chose to do. I did set boundaries and there were rough times in the relationship. Sometimes I had to make hard choices but in the end all that matter was that I loved him and wanted the best for him. Anyway, Scott did not show up for court and neither did his attorney so the court is supposed to notify us when they pick him up. I left court around 10:00 am and was able to go by and vote and then come to work. Jimmy called and he is going to try and leave a little earlier today and cast his vote before the lines get too long. Its been a busy few days and the weekend was full also. Friday night we went over to some friends house and enjoyed the evening with them. Yuri and I took the boys, Rachael and Jessica out trick or treating in a nearby neighborhood. I saw people that we have not seen in a while that used to come to Union Grove and I invited them back to church. I don't think they are going anywhere now and it is heartbreaking to know that they are out of church. We walked quite a bit and I got some good exercise in for the day. We went back to Kim's and hung out and ate some really good food. We stayed up rather late and we had to go to Charlotte the next morning to pick up Kelli. Kelli wrecked her vehicle 3 weeks ago and we went to look at a Jeep Grand Cherokee that she had found. She ended up buying the vehicle and she came back to Lexington with us to spend the weekend. She went to our Sunday School class "hayride" outing on Saturday evening and we had a really good time. She seemed to enjoy herself a lot and said she would like to come to church the next time she is home. I pray that God continues to open her eyes to the beauty of his love and that she will see he is everything that she needs and longs for! I know that Kelli is saved because we have asked her and she has assured us that she knows she is saved. She is struggling though, and I pray that she continues to see Christ through the love that her dad and I show her. Children can disappoint you, no doubt, but you can never stop loving them. Every time I saw the smile on her face this weekend, the laughter in her voice, and the love she showed, I knew that the love I have for her will always be more than the disappointments. She could never do anything that would change the love I have for her. That's why God sent his son to die for us. He loves us that much. No matter the mistakes we make, he still loves us. How could we not love each other? Church on Sunday was awesome. Our Sunday school message and the 11:00 message was great! I loved the music on Sunday morning. Our choir does such an awesome job. We fixed lunch at the house and Kelli ate with us. We visited a while and took her back to Charlotte. I hope she comes home again soon and comes to church with us. Rachael is practicing basketball now and made the JV and Varsity Team. It is hard wen they play both teams because they practice twice and get home later. They go to both games and this puts them to the test to get their homework done and to keep their grades up. I challenge Rachael a lot on this. Sometimes, I think I can be too hard on her but I know that she is so capable of doing more than she thinks she can. She can get lazy. Rachael has to be pushed. Some kids are self-motivated, others have to be encouraged. Rachael has to be encouraged but when she gives her all, she can do anything. She is growing into her own little adult and its scary but thrilling to watch her. I can't believe how much time has gone by and that she will soon turn 14 on the 28th of this month. She told me the other day that she just wants money for her birthday. With a teenager, that is no surprise. She wants money to take with her on the Gatlinberg trip that the youth is going on in December. I told her I would spread the word. Jimmy and I are still devoted to our weight watchers and tomorrow is weigh in day. I indulged a little on Satuday night with Mexican cornbread and dessert but I also walked an extra mile on the treadmill. Hopefully I walked the "binge" off. We will find out tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Where did this energy come from?
October 29, 2008 I am on the fast track these days with bundles of energy. I attended my weigh in this morning at Weight Watchers and I have lost another 5.2 lbs. Yeah! I cannot believe I lost 5.2 lbs in one week which now brings my total weight loss to 11.4 pounds. I am gaining energy with each week and I am staying busy at home. Sometimes I don't know where the energy has come from but I pray it does not go away. I love my coach. She always ends our meeting with "belly be gone", and "bye bye thunder thighs." She is a wonderful older mentor. I do not know if she is saved or not and I am gradually introducing my faith to the group as the Lord lays upon my heart. In our meeting today, Susan (coach) asked me to share with the group what I had done this past week to lose the weight. I told them that I was planning meals that were healthy and exercising. I am walking up to 1.5 miles a day now and I told them that during my last 10 minutes of brisk walking that I would say over and over out loud, "I can do all things through Christ which strenghteneth me." Phil. 4:13 This is my adopted motivational verse in my journey toward weight loss. I know that God is in this and he desires for me to be healthy both physically and spiritually. My WOL devotions this morning was out of the book of Mark, Chapter 1:36-45. Jesus had great compassion on a man with leprosy and healed him but Jesus was seemed almost irritated by the fact that there was so much sickness and diseases (verse 43) and that God was so powerful that he could have changed all this but he then tells the man not to go and tell of the healing but to be right unto the Lord and have a testimony to show. The man did not do as Jesus had asked of him. I think about how self serving I can be just as this man was. We want Jesus to move on our behalf but do we desire to serve him in the same matter? No wonder he can be frustrated with us. But he shows us such great compassion. He loves us beyond what we can imagine. I got a text this morning that Jeremy and Tiffany are proud parents of Caleb Joshua Pollard. I am so excited for them and the picture of the baby is precious. I don't know if Jeremy will be there tonight or if he will stay with Tiffany. I am going to miss them so much. I really hope they visit us often. I have snacks tonight for WOL and we are doing sandwiches, chips, and cake. Stephanie Odell is helping me out and I appreciate it greatly. It is a lot for one person to take care of. I am saving money. I made the cakes myself and found some good deals on cake mixes and frosting. I have some pumpkin stuff to put on my table for our pumpkin theme. I spoke with my sister, Lynn today and she started crying on the phone. She is struggling with some things after my dad's death and I am praying with her. I always let her know I am praying for her. I know that I actually took some of the anger that I had towards my father and placed them on my mother. After my dad's death, I noticed that I was angry with my mother and God showed me that the only reason I was angry was that nothing really had changed from my father's death. I guess I thought that through his death, there might be some changes in the relationships of our family but I realized that if people are still in darkness, there can be no change. Christ is the only one who changes us on the inside and from that change we strive to be Christ-like. I am so far from it but I press on each day. My greatest prayer answered would be that my family (mother, sisters, brother) would all be believers in Christ and living our lives for him. My brother and I are the only ones that are serving the Lord and we are both saved. My sister, Lynn is saved but she does not attend a church. She has a place at the beach and the people beside her are Christians that were members of Union Grove. They have invited her to attend the church down at the beach with them and I pray that she will go and introduce her son, Tyler to Jesus. My brother and his wife both serve in their Church in Jupiter, Florida and they both work at the Jupiter Christian School. They have 3 boys: Luke, Isaac, and Caleb. They are handsome boys and I love them dearly. Janine is a wonderful sister-in-law. The best you could ask for. She is so giving and is not at all selfish. She always puts others in front of herself and she gives more than she ever gets. She loves the Lord and it is so evident in her life. I have more things to do and must get busy. Pray for my sister and pray for me.
Friday, October 24, 2008
October 24, 2008
Its Friday and I am looking forward to the end my work day. I am going to work the RU daycare tonight for a good friend. Her parents are coming to town an I want her to be able to visit with them. I don't have any big plans other than trying to get some laundry and housework done but it can wait. I once heard someone say, "there will always be something you need to do in your house, so just leave it for another day and enjoy the day that God has given you today!" I guess I have been enjoying the last week because my house is a wreck! I will work on it tomorrow. Jimmy called at lunch and he found some pumpkins for Rachael to carve. I am going to try and put out some fall decorations and her pumpkins. I don't think you ever get to old to carve a pumpkin. She enjoys doing this and we enjoy watching her. Jimmy and I went to the parent teachers conferences last night at the school and got good reports on Rachael. A few of the teachers questioned why we were even there, but I told them as parents Jimmy and I wanted to know how we could help them and if there were any areas of behavior that Rachael needed to work on. Mrs. Pressley is very sweet and gave us a wonderful report on Rachael. She said she loved Rachael very much and that Rachael was always very respectful to her. Mrs. Hartman echoed Mrs. Pressley and said that Rachael was very smart and was doing great in her advanced math class. Mrs. Hernadez also gave us a good report but wanted us to work with Rachael on studying more for her quizzes and keeping her notes organized. She seems to think that Rachael is sprouting a few wings and "gazing" on the boys. I laughed. She then proceeded to tell us that Rachael is a "social butterfly." I did not interrupt her, but I could have told her that Rachael was a social butterfly the day she began to talk. She has never had a problem talking. She loves to have fun with her friends and she loves to socialize. She must get it from her mother. She can be so hyper and giggly but I love that about her. I love that she loves life and I pray that she never looks back and wishes for more. I want her to know that her mom and dad loved her with all their heart and how very very blessed we have been to call her our daughter. I was not raised to show many emotions and hugs were few and far between in my home but with Rachael, God has made it so easy. She has a sweet spirit about her and even when I am ready to "pinch her neck off", I can still see the sweet spirit inside her. Sometimes when we have to say something to her about school or homework or her behavior, she gets mad and responds with a rebellious tone. I will look at her and ask her if (1) are we deserving of her anger? and (2) is God pleased with her anger? Of course, in her mind, the response to number (1) might be yes but she doesn't express it verbally but I can always see the humbleness come out in her to number (2). I can see the immediate conviction upon her face and she becomes quiet. Rachael loves the Lord. I see this in her actions and attitude. She desires to please him and I am very thankful for this. Jimmy and I were talking last night and we were on the subject of family. We talked about how Rachael really doesn't have any relationships with any of our family because sin has kept a lot of us separated but that our church family is her extended family. I don't know what we would ever do without our church family and our close friends. They love our daughter like their own and that means more to us than they will ever know. I really tread the days of dating though, and I know me and Jimmy will probably be hiding out in many bushes and trees. (ha ha) I miss Rachael being a child as much as I love the young lady she is becoming. I pray that she and I will always be close as a mom and daughter. I don't ever want her to question if she was loved and how valuable she is to me. I tell her and that is what I focus on; making sure I tell her so that she always knows the truth. Lord willing, I will be there for every aspect of her life. She is trying out for basketball this week and I am looking forward to the season. Rachael loves basketball more than any other sport and I pray that she does well. We are supposed to go to a chili cook-off at some friends Saturday night and Jimmy is getting his championship chili recipe ready. I hope that it is lowfat and not full of points. Haha! We are still going strong with our healthy lifestyle change and weight watchers. Please continue to pray for us. Kelli might come home this weekend and I pray that she does. We would really like to spend some time with her. Nick came by last night and we got to visit with him for awhile. I really wish he would come to church. We pray for him and Kelli but we also want them to know that the door is always open for them in our home. We love them very much. There has also been some sadness this week and celebration. Our youth pastor, Jeremy Pollard announced his resignation Wed. night from the church. He is taking a children's pastoral position at a church in Durham and we are happy for them but sad for us. We will miss them terribly and we don't always want to willing let go of those we love, but God is moving them in a different direction in their lives and we must accept this and pray for them. I hope they come to visit often. I did not know Jeremy and Tiffany very well when they first came to Union Grove but the last 2 years, Jimmy and I have come to love them very much. We enjoyed going to WOL camp with them this past summer and having them out to the house for dinner. They are a blessing and true friends. Rachael will have a hard time with them leaving. She loves them dearly and Stephen is precious to her. She tells me every morning she just cannot believe they are leaving. I just tell her to enjoy them while they are here and to pray for them as they continue to do God's will. I have used all my lunch time, so I am going to get back to work and get busy. Jimmy is calling (again). These city workers have "way to much time on their hands." ha ha!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Still going Strong!
October 22, 2008
This morning I went for my second weigh in with Weight Watchers and I was down another 2 lbs. This makes my total weight loss for 2 weeks to 6.2 pounds. I was a little discouraged that it was only 2 lbs and my coach (Susan) fussed at me. She said, "how in the world can you be so hard on yourself, you have lost 2 lbs." She then proceeded to tell me that I am never to feel bad again about losing or gaining but that part of my journey is to learn to accept the successes as well as the failures and to get back up on my feet and continue the journey. I can be quiet hard on myself and I think some of this came from childhood. I worked so hard to please my parents and to attempt to gain their attention. It took 40+ years of my life to realize that getting their approval is not going to make them love me. I had to come to the realization that God loves me and no matter what I do or don't do, HE STILL LOVES ME! I also told Susan that I had gone to the beach and eat out at 6 different restaurants and ate "cow patties" and brownies. She laughed and asked me if I enjoyed myself and I responded with a Big YEAH! She then looked at me and said, "its in the past, forgiven and now lets move on." She has a way of making me really look at my accomplishments as a success and not a failure. I am walking a mile now each evening on the treadmill. I walked outside yesterday evening just to get a change of scenery and I walked about 2 miles. It was a little chilly but I enjoyed it. Jimmy went down to the prison where he does his prison ministry on Tuesday night so I called one of my neighbors and we went walking down around her neighborhood. It circles around and has hills so you get a good workout. The volleyball team went to the state playoffs in Fayetteville and lost. Rachael called me yesterday evening and said they played real well the first game but did not play as well the next 3 games. She said it seemed as if everyone just ran out of energy and never regained the will to play. This means they will not play this weekend so I will probably take her out to get her new cell phone. Her contract is up on her old one and she desperately wants a new one. Jimmy and I reward her for her good grades so I will take her and let her pick out a new one and renew her contract. I am going to try and not "indulge" any this week and see what I lose next Wednesday. I am really starting to push myself and I purchased a weight watchers cookbook today that has some really nice recipes in it. I am looking forward to trying some of them. Tonight is church night and we are doing spiritual themes in the gym for the teens. I have got some presents I am going to put on the table and some small gifts for my girls. I love Wednesday nights and I love seeing my young ladies. I love seeing all the teens. They are such a blessing to me and I hope that I am a blessing to them. I see so much potential in so many of them and I pray that God uses everyone of them glorify his kingdom. I found a piece of paper on the ground today that looked like a paper out of a fortune cookie so I picked it up and it read, "you will soon be perfect." I cracked up. The first thought I had was, "I had better up my insurance because I have to die to be perfect." I'm glad I don't believe in fortune cookies or I might be making my funeral arrangements. All joking aside, when the Lord sees fit to call me home, I'm ready. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to hurry him up, but I look forward to seeing my heavenly father as well as my earthly father, grandmother, grandfather, and aunt. It will be a wonderful reunion. I must go now and get ready for tonight. Just wanted to update and post my weight loss. This blogging helps me to stay focused and on track.
This morning I went for my second weigh in with Weight Watchers and I was down another 2 lbs. This makes my total weight loss for 2 weeks to 6.2 pounds. I was a little discouraged that it was only 2 lbs and my coach (Susan) fussed at me. She said, "how in the world can you be so hard on yourself, you have lost 2 lbs." She then proceeded to tell me that I am never to feel bad again about losing or gaining but that part of my journey is to learn to accept the successes as well as the failures and to get back up on my feet and continue the journey. I can be quiet hard on myself and I think some of this came from childhood. I worked so hard to please my parents and to attempt to gain their attention. It took 40+ years of my life to realize that getting their approval is not going to make them love me. I had to come to the realization that God loves me and no matter what I do or don't do, HE STILL LOVES ME! I also told Susan that I had gone to the beach and eat out at 6 different restaurants and ate "cow patties" and brownies. She laughed and asked me if I enjoyed myself and I responded with a Big YEAH! She then looked at me and said, "its in the past, forgiven and now lets move on." She has a way of making me really look at my accomplishments as a success and not a failure. I am walking a mile now each evening on the treadmill. I walked outside yesterday evening just to get a change of scenery and I walked about 2 miles. It was a little chilly but I enjoyed it. Jimmy went down to the prison where he does his prison ministry on Tuesday night so I called one of my neighbors and we went walking down around her neighborhood. It circles around and has hills so you get a good workout. The volleyball team went to the state playoffs in Fayetteville and lost. Rachael called me yesterday evening and said they played real well the first game but did not play as well the next 3 games. She said it seemed as if everyone just ran out of energy and never regained the will to play. This means they will not play this weekend so I will probably take her out to get her new cell phone. Her contract is up on her old one and she desperately wants a new one. Jimmy and I reward her for her good grades so I will take her and let her pick out a new one and renew her contract. I am going to try and not "indulge" any this week and see what I lose next Wednesday. I am really starting to push myself and I purchased a weight watchers cookbook today that has some really nice recipes in it. I am looking forward to trying some of them. Tonight is church night and we are doing spiritual themes in the gym for the teens. I have got some presents I am going to put on the table and some small gifts for my girls. I love Wednesday nights and I love seeing my young ladies. I love seeing all the teens. They are such a blessing to me and I hope that I am a blessing to them. I see so much potential in so many of them and I pray that God uses everyone of them glorify his kingdom. I found a piece of paper on the ground today that looked like a paper out of a fortune cookie so I picked it up and it read, "you will soon be perfect." I cracked up. The first thought I had was, "I had better up my insurance because I have to die to be perfect." I'm glad I don't believe in fortune cookies or I might be making my funeral arrangements. All joking aside, when the Lord sees fit to call me home, I'm ready. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to hurry him up, but I look forward to seeing my heavenly father as well as my earthly father, grandmother, grandfather, and aunt. It will be a wonderful reunion. I must go now and get ready for tonight. Just wanted to update and post my weight loss. This blogging helps me to stay focused and on track.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Its been way too long
October 21, 2008
Hello and I might add its been awhile. I definitely have fallen down on this "trying to be faithful to blog each day." I have not done well at all but I will try to do better. Lots of different events have occurred since I last blogged and I'll try and cover a little of each in as much of a condensed version that I can. First of all, I went to see FireProof. Oh my goodness, I recommend this movie to all couples. It is AWESOME! I loved this movie and would definitely go see it again. Yes, I will buy it if it comes out on DVD. The movie has such a powerful message and speaks directly to trials that any marriage can go through. I was so moved by the message and the actors. Work has been really hectic lately, so I have been busy taking care of many things. I did get over my cold, well actually it turned into a nasty sinus infection but I got medicine and I am doing much better now. ("Thank you LORD") The varsity volleyball team did win their CCC conference game and are the CCC champs. The last time we held this title was back in 2004 so the girls were very excited to win. They are now going to the State Championship and I pray they are "GAME ON." Rachael is excited and she was so glad to be a part of the Varsity Team. She has played well this year and we are proud of her accomplishments. She has been in the Lexington Dispatch several times and one of my best friends have told me that I need to video tape her because she could very well be good enough for a scholarship to college. That would be awesome if God so desires. Financially, that would also lift a burden for me and Jimmy. This will be a matter of prayer over the next few years. I went for my first weigh in with weight watchers and lost 4.2 lbs. I was very excited and my coach was tickled. She kept praising my accomplishment in the meeting which gave me the incentive to keep it up. I really want to get healthy and stay healthy. Jimmy and I went to the beach with some really good friends and I must say, it was a wonderful time of fellowship. I know without a doubt, that God orchestrated this trip with exactly the right people in mind. We had such a good time of fun and laughter. Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones. I can tell you that even on the way home, I was able to share some real burdens that Jimmy and I have with good friends and get the encouragement that I needed. I know that our friends will pray for us and prayer is what is needed. I will not go into the burdens that we have out of respect for the privacy of our children. I will tell you that as much as we love them, we also weep for them. Every parent sees the deeds of their children as a reflection upon them, and Jimmy and I are no different. We have made mistakes in the past and God has forgiven us. We did not set the consistent examples that our older children needed growing up but we are praying that they see Christ through us now. There are going to be some hard consequences for one of them coming up and I just pray that God gives them comfort. Jimmy and I want so desperately just to jump in and rescue them, but that is not where God is leading us. God has clearly given us the direction and part of being a parent is allowing the child to reap the consequences of their actions. I can tell you, its very hard. Jimmy and I have struggled each day and our hearts are very heavy. Pray for us because God already knows the situation and he already has the answer. He is in control. We are busy this week and Rachael got her report card today. She called me on the way to a volleyball game in Fayetteville and told me she had 4 A's and 3 B's. I told her that we are very proud of her and that she is doing a great job. Rachael is smart and she can do very well in her studies. She gets lazy sometimes and we have to push her at times to do her best but we are well pleased with her grades. We always ask her if she has done her best. We ask her to search her heart before she answers and if she has done her best, then that is all that we require. She also got a call last night from the North Davidson Library that she had won a MP3 player. Yuri, the boys, and Rachael went to the library last week and entered into a drawing. Rachael got a call last night that she had won and they want her to come pick her MP3 player up and have her picture taken. She was excited last night when she got the call and I was excited for her. The weekend is going to be filled with the State tournament if they win but I don't mind too much because the weather is supposed to be rainy. You cannot get a lot accomplished on the outside when it rains. I usually try and work in the house and get some things done. I had better get off this blog and start supper. Next time, I'll try and blog sooner.
Hello and I might add its been awhile. I definitely have fallen down on this "trying to be faithful to blog each day." I have not done well at all but I will try to do better. Lots of different events have occurred since I last blogged and I'll try and cover a little of each in as much of a condensed version that I can. First of all, I went to see FireProof. Oh my goodness, I recommend this movie to all couples. It is AWESOME! I loved this movie and would definitely go see it again. Yes, I will buy it if it comes out on DVD. The movie has such a powerful message and speaks directly to trials that any marriage can go through. I was so moved by the message and the actors. Work has been really hectic lately, so I have been busy taking care of many things. I did get over my cold, well actually it turned into a nasty sinus infection but I got medicine and I am doing much better now. ("Thank you LORD") The varsity volleyball team did win their CCC conference game and are the CCC champs. The last time we held this title was back in 2004 so the girls were very excited to win. They are now going to the State Championship and I pray they are "GAME ON." Rachael is excited and she was so glad to be a part of the Varsity Team. She has played well this year and we are proud of her accomplishments. She has been in the Lexington Dispatch several times and one of my best friends have told me that I need to video tape her because she could very well be good enough for a scholarship to college. That would be awesome if God so desires. Financially, that would also lift a burden for me and Jimmy. This will be a matter of prayer over the next few years. I went for my first weigh in with weight watchers and lost 4.2 lbs. I was very excited and my coach was tickled. She kept praising my accomplishment in the meeting which gave me the incentive to keep it up. I really want to get healthy and stay healthy. Jimmy and I went to the beach with some really good friends and I must say, it was a wonderful time of fellowship. I know without a doubt, that God orchestrated this trip with exactly the right people in mind. We had such a good time of fun and laughter. Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones. I can tell you that even on the way home, I was able to share some real burdens that Jimmy and I have with good friends and get the encouragement that I needed. I know that our friends will pray for us and prayer is what is needed. I will not go into the burdens that we have out of respect for the privacy of our children. I will tell you that as much as we love them, we also weep for them. Every parent sees the deeds of their children as a reflection upon them, and Jimmy and I are no different. We have made mistakes in the past and God has forgiven us. We did not set the consistent examples that our older children needed growing up but we are praying that they see Christ through us now. There are going to be some hard consequences for one of them coming up and I just pray that God gives them comfort. Jimmy and I want so desperately just to jump in and rescue them, but that is not where God is leading us. God has clearly given us the direction and part of being a parent is allowing the child to reap the consequences of their actions. I can tell you, its very hard. Jimmy and I have struggled each day and our hearts are very heavy. Pray for us because God already knows the situation and he already has the answer. He is in control. We are busy this week and Rachael got her report card today. She called me on the way to a volleyball game in Fayetteville and told me she had 4 A's and 3 B's. I told her that we are very proud of her and that she is doing a great job. Rachael is smart and she can do very well in her studies. She gets lazy sometimes and we have to push her at times to do her best but we are well pleased with her grades. We always ask her if she has done her best. We ask her to search her heart before she answers and if she has done her best, then that is all that we require. She also got a call last night from the North Davidson Library that she had won a MP3 player. Yuri, the boys, and Rachael went to the library last week and entered into a drawing. Rachael got a call last night that she had won and they want her to come pick her MP3 player up and have her picture taken. She was excited last night when she got the call and I was excited for her. The weekend is going to be filled with the State tournament if they win but I don't mind too much because the weather is supposed to be rainy. You cannot get a lot accomplished on the outside when it rains. I usually try and work in the house and get some things done. I had better get off this blog and start supper. Next time, I'll try and blog sooner.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
October 9, 2008
Today is a good day to blog. The weather outside is cloudy, drizzling rain, and pretty much an inside day for work. I went out earlier this morning and got some things done and came back in for lunch about the time the rain began to fall. We went to the fair last night and the concert was wonderful. Mandisa and Matthew West did an awesome job. The weather was "blah" but the worship was AMAZING! Mandisa did all of my favorite songs and did a wonderful version of Amazing Grace. I would love to have her sing at my funeral (if any of you out there in blogging land have connections). Matthew West was great and he too performed a lot of our favorite songs including, Only Grace, You Are Everything, Next Thing You Know, and Something to Say. He also performed a song that is on his latest album release called The Motions. I really love this song. He speaks of the same discussion I had with my teen girls at my table in youth last week. Our relationship with Christ should be more than just the motions. The words say:
This might hurt, it's not safe But I know that I've gotta make a change. I don't care if I break, At least I'll be feeling something' Cause just okay is not enough . Help me fight through the nothingness of life I don't wanna go through the motions I don't wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,"What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?" No regrets, not this time. I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind. Let Your love make me whole. I think I'm finally feeling something' Cause just okay is not enough Help me fight through the nothingness of this life' Cause I don't wanna go through the motions I don't wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,"What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?" take me all the way (take me all the way)take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions) take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real) take me all the way I don't wanna go through the motions. I don't wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking, "What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?" I don't wanna go through the motions I don't wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking, "What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?" take me all the way (take me all the way) take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go) take me all the way (through the motions) take me all the way I don't wanna go through the motions.
There is so much truth in this song. We can get so consumed with our everyday lives and forget what our daily lives should be about. We should be doing God's work here on this earth while we still have the time in which to do so. I am guilty of this myself and I have opportunities and chances to witness to others and sometimes I walk away knowing that the Holy Spirit could have used me for a witness.
The kids seem to have a good time last night and enjoyed the rides. They rode even in the drizzle of the rain which was not that bad. Rachael and a few others got on this ride called Top Spin. This ride is unbelievable and my little daring, adventurous child stepped right up and got on this thing. It spins you over and over while the whole ride spins over as well. You have to see it to understand it but I know I would have to be knocked unconscious before I ever got on it. My crazy husband rode this thing last year with my sister and said he would never get back on it. Last night, I told him that Rachael rode it twice and he was said, "Your kidding, she got on that ride!" He could not believe that she rode it not once but twice. They enjoyed the concert as well and we had to make them leave the fair by 10:00pm so we could get them all home and in the bed for school today. Rachael got her first detention yesterday ever. She was humming in class. Yes, my child was humming. She has gotten into a really bad habit of humming and we are trying to break her of this habit. She hums when she eats, does her hair, brushes her teeth, and even when she does her homework. She saids she is not aware that she is doing it but we told her last night that it must stop. The humming is disruptive which is what the detention was written up for and Jimmy and I have explained to her that this is her one and only warning. She is serving her detention after school today so I am sure I will hear all about it when I pick her up from school. She will have to face the music with her volleyball coach as well because her detention time is also pulling her away from her vollyeball practice.
I still have my nasty cold and I asked Jimmy to make his wonderful chicken stew tonight because I love to have something hot on my scratchy throat. I can't seem to taste much of anything else and I am watching my points. I weighed in on the weight watchers and I go back next Wed. for my meeting. I'll blog my weight loss number (not my weight). If I lose, I'll post it and if I gain, I'll post it. Lets pray that there will be more losses than gains unlike all the people praying for the stock market. HaHa. Must go and get busy with more work.
Today is a good day to blog. The weather outside is cloudy, drizzling rain, and pretty much an inside day for work. I went out earlier this morning and got some things done and came back in for lunch about the time the rain began to fall. We went to the fair last night and the concert was wonderful. Mandisa and Matthew West did an awesome job. The weather was "blah" but the worship was AMAZING! Mandisa did all of my favorite songs and did a wonderful version of Amazing Grace. I would love to have her sing at my funeral (if any of you out there in blogging land have connections). Matthew West was great and he too performed a lot of our favorite songs including, Only Grace, You Are Everything, Next Thing You Know, and Something to Say. He also performed a song that is on his latest album release called The Motions. I really love this song. He speaks of the same discussion I had with my teen girls at my table in youth last week. Our relationship with Christ should be more than just the motions. The words say:
This might hurt, it's not safe But I know that I've gotta make a change. I don't care if I break, At least I'll be feeling something' Cause just okay is not enough . Help me fight through the nothingness of life I don't wanna go through the motions I don't wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,"What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?" No regrets, not this time. I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind. Let Your love make me whole. I think I'm finally feeling something' Cause just okay is not enough Help me fight through the nothingness of this life' Cause I don't wanna go through the motions I don't wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,"What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?" take me all the way (take me all the way)take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions) take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real) take me all the way I don't wanna go through the motions. I don't wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking, "What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?" I don't wanna go through the motions I don't wanna go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking, "What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?" take me all the way (take me all the way) take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go) take me all the way (through the motions) take me all the way I don't wanna go through the motions.
There is so much truth in this song. We can get so consumed with our everyday lives and forget what our daily lives should be about. We should be doing God's work here on this earth while we still have the time in which to do so. I am guilty of this myself and I have opportunities and chances to witness to others and sometimes I walk away knowing that the Holy Spirit could have used me for a witness.
The kids seem to have a good time last night and enjoyed the rides. They rode even in the drizzle of the rain which was not that bad. Rachael and a few others got on this ride called Top Spin. This ride is unbelievable and my little daring, adventurous child stepped right up and got on this thing. It spins you over and over while the whole ride spins over as well. You have to see it to understand it but I know I would have to be knocked unconscious before I ever got on it. My crazy husband rode this thing last year with my sister and said he would never get back on it. Last night, I told him that Rachael rode it twice and he was said, "Your kidding, she got on that ride!" He could not believe that she rode it not once but twice. They enjoyed the concert as well and we had to make them leave the fair by 10:00pm so we could get them all home and in the bed for school today. Rachael got her first detention yesterday ever. She was humming in class. Yes, my child was humming. She has gotten into a really bad habit of humming and we are trying to break her of this habit. She hums when she eats, does her hair, brushes her teeth, and even when she does her homework. She saids she is not aware that she is doing it but we told her last night that it must stop. The humming is disruptive which is what the detention was written up for and Jimmy and I have explained to her that this is her one and only warning. She is serving her detention after school today so I am sure I will hear all about it when I pick her up from school. She will have to face the music with her volleyball coach as well because her detention time is also pulling her away from her vollyeball practice.
I still have my nasty cold and I asked Jimmy to make his wonderful chicken stew tonight because I love to have something hot on my scratchy throat. I can't seem to taste much of anything else and I am watching my points. I weighed in on the weight watchers and I go back next Wed. for my meeting. I'll blog my weight loss number (not my weight). If I lose, I'll post it and if I gain, I'll post it. Lets pray that there will be more losses than gains unlike all the people praying for the stock market. HaHa. Must go and get busy with more work.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Its that time of Year!
October 07, 2008.
Well, It's that time of year. You know, the time when the season changes and us allergy sufferers endure our first allergy cold of the season. I woke up on Sunday morning feeling as though my eyes were matted together and had that "blah" feeling. I climbed out of bed, my feet stood still, but the room was spinning. I took my shower and felt somewhat better so I prepared myself for church and Jimmy, Rachael and myself went to services. We had a very good Sunday school lesson. Jack Holt taught on the dangers of being led away by false teachers and how we as Christians should avoid these wolves in sheep clothing. I had nursery duty for the 11:00 am hour so I was not able to hear much of Pastor's message. I did see them do a memorial dedication to the members that had died in 2007 and my father's name was read and his surviving children were named. Jimmy accepted the carnation from the church and as I looked at the television monitor from the nursery, I began to cry. It was all so real that it had been 5 months to the day that my father died. I am thankful that the church recognized him during this special homecoming day and I will forever be grateful to my pastor and his wife. We came home and ate a light lunch and I started to cook for our homecoming celebration at 5:00 pm. The longer I stood in the kitchen, the worse I began to feel until finally I told Jimmy I just could not go back to church. I had a horrible headache that was followed by feelings of nausea. I went to bed and awakened about 6:30 pm. Jimmy and Rachael had stayed home also and I think we were all pretty exhausted. Rachael slept until around 7:30 pm and I made her get up and start her homework. I went back to bed and on Monday morning called into work and told them I was taking the day off due to my sickness. I slept most of the day and Yuri called a Sunday night and Monday to check on me. She is such a good friend to me and I love her dearly. God has enlightened me a lot of what defines Christian friendships. We are to uplift, encourage, and hold each other accountable as Christians. We are to bear each other's burdens and pray for one another. I hope that I am a good Christian friend to others. I fall short sometimes and don't always remember to call or send a card but the amount of love that I have for my friends is always in my prayers and thoughts. Rachael has a volleyball game today and the tournament is this weekend. We are going to Pastor's house tonight to enjoy some crab cakes and shrimp. Kim's Aunt is in for a visit and we all get together and enjoy her cooking. She loves to cook and is very good at it. Jimmy, myself and some other friends are going to see the movie, Fire Proof this weekend and I am looking forward to it. I have heard that every married couple should see this movie. The big news in my life right now is that starting tomorrow morning, I will be joining Weight Watchers. Yes, I have to do something about my weight so anyone reading my blogs, please keep me in your prayers. Pray that I will keep the strength to change my habits to healthy eating habits and that the LORD will provide all the nourishment that I need through his word and not through my own devices (food). Food seems to be my outlet for all my emotions, whether I am happy, sad, excited, bored, or just lazy. I love to eat good food that is not good for me. I know that I can do this. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. This is the verse which I will adopt as my verse to give me strength through this journey. Jimmy is going to do this with me and we are going to walk together and on the treadmill at home. A friend of mine at work, Wanda Holt, has been a big encouragement to me and is the one who finally just asked me to set a date to start. I need others to push me and encourage me. My middle sister, Lynn has just recently had some knee surgery done and I have been calling her to find out how she is doing but I have not spoken with her in about 4 days. This is normally too long for her and I not to speak. Growing up, we were probably the closest 2 out of the family. I looked up to her for everything. She is my "big sis" and always took care of me. We have been through some pretty tough times together and lean on each other for support. I don't know that she will ever realize how important she is to me. I pray for her and her family and she has shown tremendous strength throughout her life in dealing with some huge obstacles. She has won victory over some very bad things in her life and for that I am very proud of her. She knows the LORD and he is her strength. She has some beautiful children and grandchildren. Yes, she is a grandma and proud of it. Her youngest daughter, Katie is expecting a baby now and Lynn is handling this latest news well. As a parent, you choose to love them unconditionally just as Christ loves us unconditionally. She has great resolve in her life and she is the rock of her family. I love her bunches. Well, I must go and run some errands. I have got to get some things and work doesn't stop for anyone. I'll try and blog again soon.
Well, It's that time of year. You know, the time when the season changes and us allergy sufferers endure our first allergy cold of the season. I woke up on Sunday morning feeling as though my eyes were matted together and had that "blah" feeling. I climbed out of bed, my feet stood still, but the room was spinning. I took my shower and felt somewhat better so I prepared myself for church and Jimmy, Rachael and myself went to services. We had a very good Sunday school lesson. Jack Holt taught on the dangers of being led away by false teachers and how we as Christians should avoid these wolves in sheep clothing. I had nursery duty for the 11:00 am hour so I was not able to hear much of Pastor's message. I did see them do a memorial dedication to the members that had died in 2007 and my father's name was read and his surviving children were named. Jimmy accepted the carnation from the church and as I looked at the television monitor from the nursery, I began to cry. It was all so real that it had been 5 months to the day that my father died. I am thankful that the church recognized him during this special homecoming day and I will forever be grateful to my pastor and his wife. We came home and ate a light lunch and I started to cook for our homecoming celebration at 5:00 pm. The longer I stood in the kitchen, the worse I began to feel until finally I told Jimmy I just could not go back to church. I had a horrible headache that was followed by feelings of nausea. I went to bed and awakened about 6:30 pm. Jimmy and Rachael had stayed home also and I think we were all pretty exhausted. Rachael slept until around 7:30 pm and I made her get up and start her homework. I went back to bed and on Monday morning called into work and told them I was taking the day off due to my sickness. I slept most of the day and Yuri called a Sunday night and Monday to check on me. She is such a good friend to me and I love her dearly. God has enlightened me a lot of what defines Christian friendships. We are to uplift, encourage, and hold each other accountable as Christians. We are to bear each other's burdens and pray for one another. I hope that I am a good Christian friend to others. I fall short sometimes and don't always remember to call or send a card but the amount of love that I have for my friends is always in my prayers and thoughts. Rachael has a volleyball game today and the tournament is this weekend. We are going to Pastor's house tonight to enjoy some crab cakes and shrimp. Kim's Aunt is in for a visit and we all get together and enjoy her cooking. She loves to cook and is very good at it. Jimmy, myself and some other friends are going to see the movie, Fire Proof this weekend and I am looking forward to it. I have heard that every married couple should see this movie. The big news in my life right now is that starting tomorrow morning, I will be joining Weight Watchers. Yes, I have to do something about my weight so anyone reading my blogs, please keep me in your prayers. Pray that I will keep the strength to change my habits to healthy eating habits and that the LORD will provide all the nourishment that I need through his word and not through my own devices (food). Food seems to be my outlet for all my emotions, whether I am happy, sad, excited, bored, or just lazy. I love to eat good food that is not good for me. I know that I can do this. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. This is the verse which I will adopt as my verse to give me strength through this journey. Jimmy is going to do this with me and we are going to walk together and on the treadmill at home. A friend of mine at work, Wanda Holt, has been a big encouragement to me and is the one who finally just asked me to set a date to start. I need others to push me and encourage me. My middle sister, Lynn has just recently had some knee surgery done and I have been calling her to find out how she is doing but I have not spoken with her in about 4 days. This is normally too long for her and I not to speak. Growing up, we were probably the closest 2 out of the family. I looked up to her for everything. She is my "big sis" and always took care of me. We have been through some pretty tough times together and lean on each other for support. I don't know that she will ever realize how important she is to me. I pray for her and her family and she has shown tremendous strength throughout her life in dealing with some huge obstacles. She has won victory over some very bad things in her life and for that I am very proud of her. She knows the LORD and he is her strength. She has some beautiful children and grandchildren. Yes, she is a grandma and proud of it. Her youngest daughter, Katie is expecting a baby now and Lynn is handling this latest news well. As a parent, you choose to love them unconditionally just as Christ loves us unconditionally. She has great resolve in her life and she is the rock of her family. I love her bunches. Well, I must go and run some errands. I have got to get some things and work doesn't stop for anyone. I'll try and blog again soon.
Friday, October 3, 2008
THEY WON!
October 3, 2008 Friday.
Yeah, the varsity volleyball team won their game against Woodland Christian School. We needed this win in order to go to into the tournament. Rachael played a good game as so did all the girls. They were definitely on their game and playing as a team. They have struggled this year with coming together as a team and with the "heart" to play. They travel today to Cramerton which is down around the Charlotte area and I always pray for safety for them when they travel. I am not going to make the game because I have the RU daycare tonight. The people that were scheduled for the daycare this evening cannot be there so I will be taking the daycare this evening. I am looking forward to this weekend. Rachael and I are going with the Grove Girls to a corn maze in High Point on Saturday and it should be a great time. The Grove Girls is simply the teen girls that attend our youth on Wed. night. Tiffany Pollard came up with the concept of the Grove Girls and is actively getting them involved in different ministries so that we can all grow together as women in Christ. I love Tiffany. She is so sweet and her family has definitely weathered some storms. Tiffany's husband, Jeremy is the youth pastor for our church and his family was involved in a head on collision last year that almost took their lives. We as a church are so thankful that the LORD saw fit to leave them here to continue to do his work. They are such a blessing and Tiffany is pregnant again. She is expecting towards the end of October and I am excited to meet Caleb. Sunday will be homecoming day for our church and as Baptist, we will eat and we will eat well. I am looking forward to the celebration and the music afterwards. I have some things I need to get done this weekend around the house and maybe I'll find some time on Saturday after we return from the corn maze. Next week will be filled with volleyball games and on Wednesday I am taking Rachael to the Mandisa and Matthew West concert at the fair. They are some wonderful Christian singers. I don't normally not attend our youth group on Wed. night but I am at peace with this decision to take Rachael to this Christian concert and worship the LORD. Yesterday evening at the game, I got to hold Claire for awhile and she is so funny. She is the daughter of my Pastor and his wife, Kim and I love them dearly. Claire is precious and she is talking now. She saids "Ray Ray" for Rachael and I am trying to get her to say "Ang" for Angie. I chased her around the gym after the game and she just laughed. She has a really cute laugh. She loves her mommy and anytime we got near to Kim, she would say MaaaMa. They are so blessed to have her and went through some valleys before they stood on the mountain. God has blessed them with a beautiful adopted Japanese daughter and she is so blessed to have them as parents. I am happy for them and love to just watch them together as a family. It is literally watching prayers answered and reminds me of how GREAT OUR GOD IS! They have been such good friends to Jimmy and I and when my father passed on May 5th of this year, I could not have faced the days without the support of my close friends. Pastor and Kim came down to my dad's place the day we found him and I could not have endured the day without their support and prayers. Jimmy had called them and was on his way down from work and I felt so alone at that moment but gained comfort from God. There are no words to describe how anyone will deal with the death of a loved one. Whether your relationship is good or whether it is bad, the outcome is still the same. That person is gone from your life here on earth, never to see them or hear their voice again on this side of heaven. I cannot go into full details of my relationship with my father because that would be a book to be written. I can tell you that it had its ups and downs. There was a very sweet, caring, gentle side to my dad and that is the qualities that I choose to remember. I had taken the good memories like the ones of him playing "dodge ball" with us kids growing up, taking us the store each time he came home from a trip (he was a truck driver), taking us to Disney World, Six Flags over Georgia, the mountains, and making us candy. My dad made the best homemade chocolate candy. He would take a cast iron pan and put cocoa, peanut butter, butter, sugar, can milk and some other ingredients and constantly stir the pan until the candy started to hardened. He would then pour the batter into plates and put them in the refrigerator. I can remember the taste of that candy like it was yesterday. It melted in your mouth and sometimes he would add pecans. All the kids in our neighborhood would always ask, "when is your dad going to make some more candy?" I miss that. I miss him walking up to my front door with a bouquet of flowers picked from his flower bed and giving them to me. He loved to plant flowers. He loved to be in the garden. He could grow anything and had a giant green thumb. Growing up, our yard always was the envy of the neighborhood. He passed his green thumb onto my sister, Lynn, and her yard is always beautiful to look at. I have his stubbornness and determination. I know that and I don't try and deny it anymore. Jimmy used to say to me, "You can be just like your dad." That used to make me mad, because he would tell me that when he was mad at me and we tend to view the negative attributes of a person when we are in a spat with our spouse, but now I am okay with that statement. I know that I possess traits of my father just as I possess traits of my mother. I inherited my father's stubbornness but I also inherited his determination and brains. My dad was a smart man and determined. When he set his mind to do something, well, he just did it. I know I have that because I refuse to give up or give in. I look at the glass 1/2 full and I hope beyond hope. My sister saids I am always hopeful and that I never give up on our family. Psalms 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. My dad also loved "fireworks." He also did the best firework display on the 4th of July and growing up it was like being at a "national event." He did not hold back and we loved watching the show. He introduced my daughter, Rachael to his fireworks show in South Carolina in 2004 and she was just amazed. She said, "Did you see Papa and all those fireworks?" Dad loved Rachael. He was the 3rd person to hold her after she was born next to me and Jimmy. He always told her how proud he was of her. I never heard my dad say that to me until a month before he died. He called me over to the hospital and we had not spoken for over a year. He told me he loved me and that he was sorry for things that had happened with us. He then looked at me and said, "I am so proud of you." "You and Jimmy have raised a good child and she loves the LORD." That broke my heart that day. But I will never forget those words said in that hospital room. I know that father is in heaven and I look forward to the day that I see him again. He assured me, Rachael and my Assistant Pastor that he had accepted Christ as his Savior and he knew he would be eternity in heaven. Those were some of the last talks we had in the hospital with him. I am thankful that I had so many church family and friends to support me when he passed. Missy Hege came to my house that evening and just spent the evening at my house talking with me. She dropped everything that she was doing just to come to my house and to be there. Yuri called and just let me cry. I am just thankful there were good Christian friends to hold me and my family up in prayer. That was the hardest week of my life. But GOD was so GOOD to US and sent love to us in so many different ways. I probably will not post a blog this weekend because I have so much to do. If I get a chance, I will but if not, I will post on Monday. Hope everyone has a great weekend and a wonderful time of WORSHIP and PRAISE on Sunday.
Yeah, the varsity volleyball team won their game against Woodland Christian School. We needed this win in order to go to into the tournament. Rachael played a good game as so did all the girls. They were definitely on their game and playing as a team. They have struggled this year with coming together as a team and with the "heart" to play. They travel today to Cramerton which is down around the Charlotte area and I always pray for safety for them when they travel. I am not going to make the game because I have the RU daycare tonight. The people that were scheduled for the daycare this evening cannot be there so I will be taking the daycare this evening. I am looking forward to this weekend. Rachael and I are going with the Grove Girls to a corn maze in High Point on Saturday and it should be a great time. The Grove Girls is simply the teen girls that attend our youth on Wed. night. Tiffany Pollard came up with the concept of the Grove Girls and is actively getting them involved in different ministries so that we can all grow together as women in Christ. I love Tiffany. She is so sweet and her family has definitely weathered some storms. Tiffany's husband, Jeremy is the youth pastor for our church and his family was involved in a head on collision last year that almost took their lives. We as a church are so thankful that the LORD saw fit to leave them here to continue to do his work. They are such a blessing and Tiffany is pregnant again. She is expecting towards the end of October and I am excited to meet Caleb. Sunday will be homecoming day for our church and as Baptist, we will eat and we will eat well. I am looking forward to the celebration and the music afterwards. I have some things I need to get done this weekend around the house and maybe I'll find some time on Saturday after we return from the corn maze. Next week will be filled with volleyball games and on Wednesday I am taking Rachael to the Mandisa and Matthew West concert at the fair. They are some wonderful Christian singers. I don't normally not attend our youth group on Wed. night but I am at peace with this decision to take Rachael to this Christian concert and worship the LORD. Yesterday evening at the game, I got to hold Claire for awhile and she is so funny. She is the daughter of my Pastor and his wife, Kim and I love them dearly. Claire is precious and she is talking now. She saids "Ray Ray" for Rachael and I am trying to get her to say "Ang" for Angie. I chased her around the gym after the game and she just laughed. She has a really cute laugh. She loves her mommy and anytime we got near to Kim, she would say MaaaMa. They are so blessed to have her and went through some valleys before they stood on the mountain. God has blessed them with a beautiful adopted Japanese daughter and she is so blessed to have them as parents. I am happy for them and love to just watch them together as a family. It is literally watching prayers answered and reminds me of how GREAT OUR GOD IS! They have been such good friends to Jimmy and I and when my father passed on May 5th of this year, I could not have faced the days without the support of my close friends. Pastor and Kim came down to my dad's place the day we found him and I could not have endured the day without their support and prayers. Jimmy had called them and was on his way down from work and I felt so alone at that moment but gained comfort from God. There are no words to describe how anyone will deal with the death of a loved one. Whether your relationship is good or whether it is bad, the outcome is still the same. That person is gone from your life here on earth, never to see them or hear their voice again on this side of heaven. I cannot go into full details of my relationship with my father because that would be a book to be written. I can tell you that it had its ups and downs. There was a very sweet, caring, gentle side to my dad and that is the qualities that I choose to remember. I had taken the good memories like the ones of him playing "dodge ball" with us kids growing up, taking us the store each time he came home from a trip (he was a truck driver), taking us to Disney World, Six Flags over Georgia, the mountains, and making us candy. My dad made the best homemade chocolate candy. He would take a cast iron pan and put cocoa, peanut butter, butter, sugar, can milk and some other ingredients and constantly stir the pan until the candy started to hardened. He would then pour the batter into plates and put them in the refrigerator. I can remember the taste of that candy like it was yesterday. It melted in your mouth and sometimes he would add pecans. All the kids in our neighborhood would always ask, "when is your dad going to make some more candy?" I miss that. I miss him walking up to my front door with a bouquet of flowers picked from his flower bed and giving them to me. He loved to plant flowers. He loved to be in the garden. He could grow anything and had a giant green thumb. Growing up, our yard always was the envy of the neighborhood. He passed his green thumb onto my sister, Lynn, and her yard is always beautiful to look at. I have his stubbornness and determination. I know that and I don't try and deny it anymore. Jimmy used to say to me, "You can be just like your dad." That used to make me mad, because he would tell me that when he was mad at me and we tend to view the negative attributes of a person when we are in a spat with our spouse, but now I am okay with that statement. I know that I possess traits of my father just as I possess traits of my mother. I inherited my father's stubbornness but I also inherited his determination and brains. My dad was a smart man and determined. When he set his mind to do something, well, he just did it. I know I have that because I refuse to give up or give in. I look at the glass 1/2 full and I hope beyond hope. My sister saids I am always hopeful and that I never give up on our family. Psalms 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. My dad also loved "fireworks." He also did the best firework display on the 4th of July and growing up it was like being at a "national event." He did not hold back and we loved watching the show. He introduced my daughter, Rachael to his fireworks show in South Carolina in 2004 and she was just amazed. She said, "Did you see Papa and all those fireworks?" Dad loved Rachael. He was the 3rd person to hold her after she was born next to me and Jimmy. He always told her how proud he was of her. I never heard my dad say that to me until a month before he died. He called me over to the hospital and we had not spoken for over a year. He told me he loved me and that he was sorry for things that had happened with us. He then looked at me and said, "I am so proud of you." "You and Jimmy have raised a good child and she loves the LORD." That broke my heart that day. But I will never forget those words said in that hospital room. I know that father is in heaven and I look forward to the day that I see him again. He assured me, Rachael and my Assistant Pastor that he had accepted Christ as his Savior and he knew he would be eternity in heaven. Those were some of the last talks we had in the hospital with him. I am thankful that I had so many church family and friends to support me when he passed. Missy Hege came to my house that evening and just spent the evening at my house talking with me. She dropped everything that she was doing just to come to my house and to be there. Yuri called and just let me cry. I am just thankful there were good Christian friends to hold me and my family up in prayer. That was the hardest week of my life. But GOD was so GOOD to US and sent love to us in so many different ways. I probably will not post a blog this weekend because I have so much to do. If I get a chance, I will but if not, I will post on Monday. Hope everyone has a great weekend and a wonderful time of WORSHIP and PRAISE on Sunday.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
I had a good birthday celebration yesterday and it ended with my husband and daughter taking me out to dinner after church. It is a privilege for me to serve with our teen department at our church and we divide up into tables. I lead a table with 4 teenage young ladies (11th grade girls) and what a blessing it has been to serve with them. The Beverly twins made me a birthday cake (yum, it was very good) and I received lots of well wishes and hugs. I also got a nice gift from a really good friend (Patty Fletcher) and she is always thinking of others. God gave her the "gift of giving." I enjoyed my day and as my friend, Yuri would say, "it was all about me." This morning in my devotions I got a chance to really understand the value and importance of prayers. In I Timothy 2: 1-7, Paul stresses the importance of prayers and the 4 main components of prayers being supplication, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks. It is very important that when we pray that we have the faith that God will answer those things for which we are praying for and to give him the thanks before he answers our prayers. I am so glad that God does not always answer our prayers according to my measure of faith. Sometimes I believe I would fell miserably if my faith in my prayer was the only thing that God looked at before he decided whether or not to move on my behalf. That is why it is so important that Christians pray for one another, to lift up one another in prayer and to encourage each other in our faith. I am so in love with Jesus Christ and I am so glad that he loves me! Last night at our Teen meeting, the message was on the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In our table discussion after the message, I wanted my girls to understand how important it was that we not look at our relationship with Christ as a chore or duty but to fully understand that as Christians, we must love Jesus Christ and fall in love with him more and more each day. To just "do go" as one of my ladies stated is not enough. We must desire to serve him out of our love for him and this is accomplished by abiding in him. We must stay in the Word for the Word to stay in us. I am understanding this more and more each day with my walk in Christ. The more I abide in his word, the more I love him and see how his mercy and his grace is the abundance in my life. I really enjoyed the devotions this morning and it gives me the strength I need for my day. Jimmy and I are going to Rachael's volleyball game this afternoon and my step-son, Nick is going to come. I am very thankful that Nick stays involved with his younger sister and that his loves is evident for her. If anything were to happen to me and Jimmy, I would want Rachael to know that she can always turn to her brother and sister for the love, support, and comfort that she would need. Nick will soon be 28 and he is dating a school teacher, Melissa. We love them and look forward to many memories with them. Nick is a hard worker, very smart, and has a sweet and humble personality. He can worry too much though and we have to help him find peace at times with things but he always has good intentions. I do wish he would find a good KJV Bible preaching church to attend and as his stepmother, I have expressed these desires and prayers for him. I know that Nick is saved and I know that he loves the LORD. Sometimes we lose our way but I cling to the verse in Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Nick knows the truth. I love him dearly and pray for him daily. Kelli is my step-daughter and she turned 23 this year. She lives in Charlotte and we don't see her that much. Kelli is a private person and much like her father in personality. She has a lot of his features and is a beautiful lady. She works hard and is very ambitious. She knows what she wants and goes after it. We always thought that she would be the one we would have to "push" out of the nest and then help support. She proved us wrong BIG TIME! She went to college at UNCC and in 4 years, she a degree and continued to live and work in Charlotte. She has never looked back since leaving home for college and sometimes we have to remind her that she still has family back in Lexington. We are very proud of her and again like Nick, we express to her our desires that she get back in church. They were grounded in their faith as children by their acceptance of Christ, the faithfulness of their mother to take them to church, and I believe that God will bring them back to that foundation. Jimmy and myself had to accept our responsibility in not setting the examples before them that we should have in their childhood, and we have sought their forgiveness. When your lost and living for the world, you never value the importance of setting the examples for your children. My dad used to coin the phrase, "monkey see, monkey do." I never liked being referred to as a monkey but I get the gist of what he was trying to say. ?" That's why it is so important to instill in our children at the youngest age possible, the knowledge of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We have to be the "example setters" as my husband would say. We must give them an example to follow. And as parents, we must never stop praying for them. I Thess. 5:17 Pray without Ceasing. I hope I did not "rattle" the cage too much but part of my blogging is to be honest. One day when God calls me home, I want my family to know the true feelings, desires, longings, and legacy that I pray I will leave with them. I've made plenty of mistakes in my past and I'm sure I'll continue to fumble my way through things in this world but the difference is that in 2001 I obtained the Pilot for my life, Jesus Christ!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
Wed. October 1, 2008. Today is my birthday. Sounds kinda "korney" to wish yourself Happy Birthday but I woke up this morning singing to myself. Psalms 144: 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Jimmy was next to sing and give me a nice birthday kiss. Rachael followed the room with sleepy eyes but never uttered the words. There are not many teenagers that I know that are morning people. She begins talking about the time I drop her off at school. Jimmy told me later, " don't be mad at her for not saying Happy Birthday because she has "big" plans for you later. " I'm not mad at her and even if I were, I could never stay that way. You see, Rachael is my joy, my sunshine, and the most precious blessing God has given to me. I remember when I found out I was pregnant with her. Actually I think I knew before it was confirmed. It was February of 1994 and I was flying back from San Diego, California with my mother. We had been on a week long visit with my brother and his family and were looking forward to getting home. I knew I still had a couple of weeks before I could "officially confirm" but I just knew. Sure enough, a couple of weeks later, I took a pregnancy test and it was official. I started my nine months of documentation, ob-gyn visits, and nesting syndrome. I loved being pregnant (at least for the first 7 months). My craving seem to center around chocolate milk. I would leave work at lunch and buy a 1 quart carton of chocolate milk and it would be gone before I returned to the office parking lot. At my 6 month check-up, I remember my doctor saying, "I don't know what you are eating, but you must stop eating so much of it. You have gained 7 pounds in 2 weeks." That would be the last time I would indulge in my milk habit. The memorable part of my pregnancy had to be my fall from the attic. Yes, I fell from the attic taking the attic frame and stairs with me. It was around the end of September and I was in my 7 month of pregnancy. My sister, Lynn was over for a visit and we were taking some items down from the attic that would be used for the baby. Without hesitation or thought, I climbed up the attic stairs and into the attic. Just as I had made my way into the attic, I heard a "popping" noise and down I went. I don't remember falling but I do remember the landing. I took the blunt of the fall on my elbows and behind. I remember thinking if I could just protect the baby. My sister screamed and soon was in a nervous shake, calling my husband to let him know what had occurred. I picked myself up from the floor and miraculously, felt fine. "God is Good!" I don't know how I managed to fall 9 feet from top to bottom, 7 months pregnant and not sustain any injuries to the baby or myself, but God does. He is always in control. Rachael was born in November of 94 and took our breaths away. She was a little over 7 lbs and was 21" long. She had no hair but was still beautiful to watch. Getting ready to take her home was a bit scary and I wasn't quite sure how to be a mom but as everyone told me, it will come to you naturally. The LORD must have known that Jimmy and I needed some lessons in patience because the next 6 months would prove to put us to the test. Rachael was "colic." She cried from the day we brought her home until 6 months later. The pediatrician said "it might go away in a couple of months or it could last a year." Thank Goodness, the Lord saw fit to teach us patience in 6 months. As much as she cried, she was still beautiful and she was coming into a personality of her own. She is daring, adventurous, sociable, talkative, hyper, determined, athletic, persistent, stubborn, and beautiful. She never slows down and she is sensitive to others. She loves children and the most of all, she loves the LORD. She witnesses to others and her dad and I love the way she brings up God in conversations with others. She once asked a cashier at the Dollar Tree, "do you have a church that you attend?" "Could I invite you to ours?" She begged me one evening after a long day at work to take her to the Sheets store so she could take tracts into the employees. I am so thankful that she desires to see others come to know Christ. She has to be reigned in from time to time (after all, she is a teenager), and times are not always filled with bliss in our home. She does get into trouble, mostly for not doing things that we have asked her to do and sometimes for expressing her opinion when no ones desires to hear it. But she is a hard worker, loves school, does well with her grades and loves sports. She sure can play some volleyball. She got her athletic abilities from her dad. It will be interesting to see what she has in store for me this evening. I'll post again tomorrow if the Lord allows me another day here. For now, I'll enjoy the blessings of today!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday Setpember 30th, 2008
I mentioned in my last blog that I would tell you a little more about my husband's ministry at our church so lets pick up from there. Jimmy is the Director of Reformer's Unanimous at Union Grove Baptist Church in Lexington, NC. It is a program that exist to help anyone find freedom from an addictive behavior through the truth of Jesus Christ. There are chapters all over the United States and even overseas. The founder is Steve Currington and his testimony can be viewed on the www.reformu.com site and more information is given about the program. How Jimmy became involved with RU is credited with our Pastor, Ken Harris. Shortly after Jimmy was saved, Pastor recognized the need for Jimmy to serve the Lord and also saw the desire in Jimmy's heart to serve. The Lord started to reveal many things to Jimmy after he was saved. I remember the first, being the desire to tithe. A couple of weeks after Jimmy was saved, we were driving home from church one Sunday evening and he turned to me and said, "I want us to sit down tonight at the table and budget our income because we are going to start tithing to our church according to biblical principles." I'll be honest with you, my faith in the ability to pay our bills and also give our tithes to the church was not as strong as it should have been. After all, I had been going it along for several years, just giving here and there to the church as I could financially afford so that strife within our home stayed to a bare minimum. Arguments over money were often the beginnings of bigger things in our home and God had to humble me many times after my birth in Christ. You see, in the initial stage of our marriage, Jimmy and I both indulged in the things of the world. This included addictive behaviors that only weakened our marriage and sought to destroy our family. Just because I came to know the Lord did not mean that everything just became "a bed or roses". I struggled at first in my spiritual walk and growth with God. I wanted my marriage to work so at times it seemed the lesser of two evils just to give in to the temptations that Jimmy was involved in so that there could be this peace within our household. Each time I chose to indulge in sins that were a stronghold in our marriage, conviction would overtake me in such a way that I thought I would surely die if I took another breath. (Romans Chapter 6 ). I stayed in prayer and sought encouragement from close friends. I remember the very first encourager that God sent my way. Her name is Yuri Brown. She mentored me in Christ and encouraged me in my walk. Yuri never gave up on me and she continues to be a dear friend. As my love for Christ deepened the desires of the world lessened. I no longer wanted to indulge in things of my old nature and God was dealing with my heart on many issues. He wanted to teach me humility and meekness in my marriage. Before I was saved, I had no problem confronting Jimmy and placing the blame on our troubled marriage in his hands. After I was saved, God began to show me that in order for Jimmy to want to become a new creature in Christ, he must first see Christ through me. As I continued my growth in the Word, God began doing a work in Jimmy. Jimmy would see me in prayer, watch me in my devotions, see Rachael and my faithfulness in church, and observe a more humble wife. I no longer wanted to place blame but to let Jimmy know that I loved him and would be praying for our marriage and our family. It still was not easy and I cried a lot but just when I, in my flesh was ready to give up, God answered prayers. Two weeks before Jimmy received Christ, God began using different situations and people to show Jimmy his need for salvation. I had visited with my Pastor and was in the bottom of my valley and my Pastor encouraged me and prayed with me. This lead up to the day of Salvation for Jimmy. What I did not know was that my doubts of having enough money to pay bills and tithes had already been taken care of by God when Jimmy got saved. You see, Jimmy had a "secret" fund of money that he had set aside so that he could use this money to indulge in his addictions. Once Jimmy was saved and God delivered him from the addictions, the money was already there for God's Glory. God provided everything that was needed to tithe, pay our bills and even allow us money to place in savings. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The other thing God began to deal with in Jimmy was his need to serve. Jimmy desired to serve the Lord in all things and still does. That is why I love him more and more each day. He desires to Serve the LORD. I remember one Sunday morning in church, there was an lady of the church that came in with a flat tire. She had mentioned this to Pastor and he made an announcement in church and asked, "Is there a man willing to change a tire for Ms. Phillips?" Jimmy immediately shot up from the pew, raised his hand and say, "I will Pastor". He started to leave the church, right then during service, in his new suit and change the tire. Pastor told him that he could wait until after the service. Pastor and his wife got tickled over that one and Kim said it was such a blessing to see Jimmy desiring to serve. The Lord placed the need of RU on Pastor's heart and God sent him Jimmy to help meet the need. Pastor asked Jimmy to go to a RU meeting in another local Independent Baptist Church and see if this was an area that Jimmy would be willing to serve in. Needless to say, 4 years later Jimmy is still serving as the Director of the RU ministry at our church. He is so faithful and he loves to tell others what Christ can do for them. RU meets every Friday night at our church from 7:00-9:00 pm and anyone is invited. I head up the daycare and schedule the workers for babysitting. I also serve as a daycare worker. RU is a part of my family's life and at times I admit I can be selfish in my desires of wanting Jimmy to myself. Giving your husband up every Friday night can put a damper in family planning but God has rewarded us for our faithfulness. We find family time in other ways and on other days and I know without a doubt that Jimmy is serving exactly where God desires him to be. This is just a portion of God's blessing upon our lives but I will continue with those tomorrow.
The other thing God began to deal with in Jimmy was his need to serve. Jimmy desired to serve the Lord in all things and still does. That is why I love him more and more each day. He desires to Serve the LORD. I remember one Sunday morning in church, there was an lady of the church that came in with a flat tire. She had mentioned this to Pastor and he made an announcement in church and asked, "Is there a man willing to change a tire for Ms. Phillips?" Jimmy immediately shot up from the pew, raised his hand and say, "I will Pastor". He started to leave the church, right then during service, in his new suit and change the tire. Pastor told him that he could wait until after the service. Pastor and his wife got tickled over that one and Kim said it was such a blessing to see Jimmy desiring to serve. The Lord placed the need of RU on Pastor's heart and God sent him Jimmy to help meet the need. Pastor asked Jimmy to go to a RU meeting in another local Independent Baptist Church and see if this was an area that Jimmy would be willing to serve in. Needless to say, 4 years later Jimmy is still serving as the Director of the RU ministry at our church. He is so faithful and he loves to tell others what Christ can do for them. RU meets every Friday night at our church from 7:00-9:00 pm and anyone is invited. I head up the daycare and schedule the workers for babysitting. I also serve as a daycare worker. RU is a part of my family's life and at times I admit I can be selfish in my desires of wanting Jimmy to myself. Giving your husband up every Friday night can put a damper in family planning but God has rewarded us for our faithfulness. We find family time in other ways and on other days and I know without a doubt that Jimmy is serving exactly where God desires him to be. This is just a portion of God's blessing upon our lives but I will continue with those tomorrow.
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