It's too bad heaven doesn't accept any earthly mail!

"Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." has never been one of my mottos. I'm more of a procrastination type gal. When I found out my friend was very sick, I did what I could to find out about her. I haven't seen her in years and years. With Mom's help, I was able to learn through her nephew how she was doing, and her address. I sat down to write her a letter. I wrote it and put it in the mailbox, but the mail had already ran. So, there it sat all night. I did get a phone number from her nephew yesterday evening, but I was in a hurry to get the family fed, and get to church. I didn't call after church because I was afraid it was too late. The Lord woke me up at 1:30 am with her and her family heavy on my mind. I prayed for all of them.
Now, above my computer, sets my letter, as a reminder, to "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." You see, my friend died last night.

Dear Heavenly Father, Please let my friend know how much she is loved, and missed by friends that haven't even seen her in years. Please bring comfort and peace to her family, as they have went through so much in the past few months, with losing her Dad and all. Please Lord, let your name be glorified in some way in this. I love you, Lord, and thank you. In Jesus name, Amen.


Rest In Peace
Eddra Rhea (Kingins) Landon-Sowell
Daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, aunt.
We love you, and will never forget you.

God owns it all

Mornin' Ladies!

"Mine" asserts the two year old proudly proclaiming his rights to a toy taken by a brother. Sadly, mine is one of the first words spoken. We don't teach children to be selfish. They are born this way.
"God owns it all!" is printed across the checkbook cover of a mother who has learned to trust God for His provision. What a contrast! Somewhere between toddlerhood and adulthood she forfeited her rights to God. She learned it was God who said, "Everything under heaven belongs to me." Too many of us think we penned that phrase.
Will the two year old one day surrender ownership not only of his toys but of his life? Have we? Could we print "God owns it all" across our checkbook? Our toys? Our children? If God took out our dearest possession away, would we be all right knowing it was never ours anyway? Forfeiting our rights to our toys and our checkbook is one thing. Giving our children back to God is quite another.


Lord, cleanse my heart of thoughts that anything belongs to me. May I mentally stamp "God owns it all" across everything I claim as mine. Thank you for my children. I know they really belong to You, and You can take them back at any moment. May I not live in fear of that truth but in trust. You assure me that if the worst happens Your arms will carry me through difficult days.
Thank You for my checkbook. On days when it is full, I seek You will in distribution of Your money. On days when it is empty, I thank You for Your provision to meet all my needs.
Thank You for my toys. I enjoy them. May I not be selfish with these gifts nor envious of the others' abundance. Thank You for my life. May I live each day knowing it is a gift from you. I surrender my life to You, Jesus.
Everything under heaven belongs to you. There couldn't be a better owner and that brings me peace.

SOS Bathtime reflections for drained Moms

Have a great day!

Death

Mornin' Ladies! Did my title get your attention? Death is something I've been thinking a lot about since yesterday evening when I got a phone call. It was from my Daddy telling me that a classmate of mine had 2 weeks to live. 2 weeks! She's the same age as me, I played basketball with her. I don't think I've seen her since we graduated (I'm not gonna say how long ago that was!) She has 2 small children. She could be me! If I had 2 weeks to live, there's some things that I'd want to get done. Some things that you may not even think about, some you may. I'd like for my house to be clean, so my legacy wouldn't be a dirty house. I'd want to write letters for my loved ones, maybe even do a video tape for them. I'd like to plan my funeral (to make it easier on my loved ones). I'd like to make sure legal things were taken care of (wills, etc.) Then, what? Well, I'd like to make the last moments I had with friends and loved ones count. Make sure they know how I feel about them. What would I want from a friend I haven't seen in years? Maybe nothing. Maybe a lot.

Live like you're dying. Tell people today. Don't wait until tomorrow, it may never come. Don't hesitate to reach out to a dying or sick friend.

I gotta see what I can do, or better yet, what God would like to do through me. Love ya'll!

How old do I look?

Ok, don't answer that! Seriously, don't. Good morning ladies! Yesterday, my daughter asked me if they had pop-tarts when I was a little girl. Now, she's asked me if we had the same "color" as the shirt she is wearing today. It's not like the days of my Mom when everything was black and white (Ha Ha, just kidding Mom!!)
Anyway, my daughter and I are very excited, we heard on the radio yesterday about a mother-daughter day conference type thing that is for 8-12 year olds (daughters, not the mothers, lol) It's called "Secret Keeper Girl" and it's at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville April 24th. We are so excited to have a girls day out. They are going to have a fashion show, and talk about the Bible, and things that girls "now-a-days" are facing. She was so excited, she offered to pay for part of the tickets, (if they were high, like $100 or something, she said) but tickets ended up being $14 a piece. If you are interested, or know someone who is, you can go to www.wayfm.com for more info.
Please pray for my Aunt Margaret, as she is having foot surgery today, and Happy Belated Birthday to Ms. Molly (It was yesterday). Fitzhugh twins are doing well, and Megan should be discharged today, please continue to pray for all of them.

Love Ya'll, have a great one!

Fitzhugh Twins

Karlie Ann Fitzhugh

Fitzhugh Twins

Kaidan Marcus Fitzugh

Monday

Good mornin' ladies! Good news! Donnie and Andy are going to get the tables and chairs for the basement this evening. The Fitzhugh twins are doing well, but please still keep them in your prayers.

This is for all parents, Sunday school teachers, those who work with kids,grandparents, or are around them (EVERYONE!!)

CHALLENGING A CHALLENGING CHILD
"I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope." -Jeremiah 29:11

He was the terror of the Sunday School. All of the teachers shuddered at thoughts of this disruptive boy being promoted into their Sunday School class. All but one. She didn't tremble at his misbehavior; she observed his character. Studying him, she noted he had an exceptionally bright mind, a quick wit and an incredible memory. She challenged this challenging boy to memorize scripture. He did. No longer a loser, he won scripture memory awards and free trips to scripture memory summer camps. Today, he is a pastor noted for his quiet, gentle spirit. He uses his bright mind, quick wit and incredible memory to serve the Lord. God had a plan, a hope, and a future for the terror of the Sunday School.
Mothers of Sunday School terrors can feel hopeless. The despair of raising challenging children can blind our eyes to the good qualities God has placed in each child. However, sometimes there is just no energy left in our tired bodies to focus on anything but our own fatigue.
During these "end-of-my-rope" moments, we need to wake up and attack. But first, we need to prepare for battle. Arm yourself with pen and paper. choose the right time for the confrontation, preferably when your little demon looks more like an angel. I suggest while the child is sleeping. Focus on your child and write every good character trait and ability you have ever seen in your little or big one. Read it often. Display it for all to see. Add to the list as years go by. As you and your challenging child focus more on good qualities than bad, everyone will be surprised at the positive changes. And, I expect, you'll be winning more of the challenges.

Splashes of serenity (SOS)
Bathtime reflections for drained Moms

Finally got it!

Ok, use the link on the side, and it will take you directly to the place to vote for Grace. It took SEVERAL times to get it to work, but I finally got it. Tell everyone you know! VOTE FOR GRACE BAPTIST!!

Love ya'll!

Vote for Grace Baptist!!

Mornin' girls! I just got an email from one of the Ladies of Grace saying the Stewart Houston times is having a "People's Choice" thing in the paper. And she suggested that we vote Grace Baptist the best place to worship!! HOW TRUE!! What a great idea! (So ya know it didn't come from me!! LOL!!) I'm not sure what we have to do, but I'll check into it and let you all know!

Till then!

Love ya'll! (I'm off to send some emails to the same effect!)

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning Ladies! Hope you are off to a great one, I however am not. I had my whole speech prepared for ya'll about how I wanted an emotionectomy. You know, to have God remove the nasty emotions from you. Like anger, selfishness, pridefulness, and all the other bad ones. (But you know, I really wanted to keep the good ones, like love, humility, gentleness, kindness, and all the other good ones.) Well, isn't that just like a flesh filled person?????? (If you can't tell, I'm a little peeved at my significant other.) Then, by chance (OR WAS IT????) there's the love dare verse that I just had to type out for myself. Wow!! I'm guessing God gave us emotions so we could experience the good ones, because he's love, and without our emotions, we couldn't really experience that, or a relationship with him or any other human being. And without the bad ones, we couldn't really appreciate how good the good ones are, could we??? So, I stand before you humbled this morning, and a little upset with myself that I'm not truly over it. Arrrrrrrr!!!!!
Anyway, hope you have a great one. Jackson and I are off to get groceries. Love ya'll.

Wednesday Wanderings

Good Mornin' Ladies! Hope you are off to a great day! The Lord has my spirit un usually quiet today, so I found a cool poem for us.

Others May-You May Not by G. D. Watson (1845-1924) If God has called you to be really like Christ in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility and put on you such demands of obedience, that He will not allow you to follow other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other good people do things which He will not let you do. Others can brag on themselves, and their work, on their success, on their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works. The Lord will let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hid away in obscurity because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for His glory, which can be produced only in the shade. Others will be allowed to succeed in making money, but it is likely God will keep you poor because he wants you to have something far better than gold and that is a helpless dependence on Him; that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day - out of an unseen treasury. God will let others be great, but He will keep you small. He will let others do a great work for Him and get credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work you have done, and this will make your reward ten times greater when He comes. The Holy Spirit will put strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings, or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign, and has a right to do what He pleases with His own, and He will not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle you in His dealing with you. He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and let other people say and do many things that you cannot do or say. Settle it forever, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that others are not dealt with. Now, when you are so possessed with the Living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this particular personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of heaven.


Hope this blesses you. Love ya'll. See ya tonight.

Think about it Tuesday

Mornin' Girls! Hope you're off to a great day! I tell you what, God is working this morning, and He's in the small stuff, too, ladies. Just keep your spiritual eyes open! He's there! All around you!

You know how I was telling you that my book "Having a Mary Spirit" was blessing me. Well, I laid it down for a week or so. I've usually got 2 books going at any given time. I have a Christian fiction and another Christian non-fiction book going. Well, I don't think there are any coincidences! It's going right along with our Experiencing God study, and I don't think it's any coincidence that we got put off for a couple of weeks on that either. I may have been the reason, I hate to say. God is definitely teaching me something. (To keep my mouth shut, and let Him work.)

Keep Me Sweet, Lord
Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from getting talkative, particularly from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject an on every occasion.
Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind from the recital of endless details - give me wings to come to the point.
I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others' pains. Seal my lips on my own aches and pains - they are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Help me to endure them with patience.
I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil.
Give me the ability to see good thing in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, O Lord the grace to tell them so.
----Written by and anonymous seventeenth-century nun


Remember, you don't just wake up a sweet old lady, you have to start now.

Love you all!

Monday with Meaning

Good morning Ladies!! Ahhhhh, the sound of a snow day morning, PRICELESS!! My kiddos are still in the bed! lol!
I don't know about you, but I sure am glad to be diving back into the Experiencing God classes! Have you done your lesson yet this morning? I have read it, I will do it with Donnie later. Did you enjoy the first movie? We didn't watch it last night, because we got the cart ahead of the horse last time, and watched it then. (oops) Anyhoo, I'm excited to see what God wants to do with us.
And, how about that sermon on spiritual gifts yesterday? Too cool! Do you know yet, which one(s) you have been given.

Ok, I must share something painfully funny with you. Something that has inspired me. Last night, my son sat in my lap (I was sitting cross legged on the floor), and when he sat down, he said "Oh, you getting bigger Momma!" I told you it was painfully funny. This is not even mentioning the part where my husband laughed hysterically!! But, it has inspired me to get off my hiney!! I have a challenge for myself. And I'm stating it right here for every one to see, so I HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE!! I will lose 15 pounds by Women of Joy!! Anyone else want to join me??????????? I'm gonna start eating right, and hopefully, exercise my belly off!! LOL!!
Last, but certainly not least, Thanks to my secret pal!! You're awesome! I'm drinking out of my mug right now!
Have a great day! Love ya'll!

Happy Birthday Aunt Margaret!!

Wishingfriends.com

Happy Birthday Karol!

Wishingfriends.com

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thought you all might enjoy a picture of me and Donnie when we were kids! LOL!! ;)

An early Valentine's Devotional

God's Conversation Hearts
A Valentin'es Devotional
Julia Bettencourt

"…blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11:28

I've always loved those candy conversation hearts at Valentine's. The New England Confections Company, otherwise known as Necco, says that conversation hearts are the most popular of Valentine's candy. I read the history of the candy on the Necco website and it was quite interesting how the sayings being printed on the candy got started. Can you believe that the concept behind conversation hearts was started back when Abraham Lincoln was president?

I like the taste of those little hearts and it's one of those childhood candies that give sweet memories. I also like them to decorate cupcakes and cookies with. What I like best I guess is those little sayings. "Kiss me!" "Be Mine" "Be True". I know today they say a few different things than the ones I grew up with.

Did you know that God sends us conversation hearts too? The things He left in His Word were left for us because He loves us. Each conversation heart from God is sweet to the taste. We just don't sometimes read or pay attention to them.

Here are some of my favorites…

BE MINE - God wants us to accept His love.
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. John 3:16

ALL MINE - God loves us and will keep us.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. John 10:27-30

TRUE LOVE - God loves us with true love as only He can.
I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

LOVE ME - God wants us to love Him.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Luke 10:27

I'M SURE - God's sure of His love and wants us to know we have a future with Him.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

SWEET TALK - God's Word is His love letter to us.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

BE GOOD - God tells us how to love Him back.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

FAX ME - God loves us so much He wants to communicate with us.
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

Conclusion:
There's more conversation hearts that the Lord left for us to see His love through. We just have to dig into His Word to find them.

So, have you missed out on God's conversation hearts?

Copyright ©2001-2009 Julia Bettencourt
Scripture References are from the King James Version.
www.juliabettencourt.com

FINALLY FRIDAY!!

Good Mornin' Ladies! Oh, me I've had a hectic past couple of days. Tuesday and Wednesday I had been giving Jackson tylenol because I thought he was getting sick. I laid him down for a nap and Austin and I got ready (on Wednesday). Austin had an eye appointment, she got reading glasses (they look so cute on her!!) Then I had to wake Jackson up to take him to Mom's and he was burning up. So, after Austin's eye appointment I went back to Mom's and exchanged kids, and took Jackson to Doctor's Care and found out he has an ear infection. Jackson woke up at 3am on Thursday and wouldn't go back to sleep, until I took him to Mom's, and he fell asleep in the car. Yesterday I went to a "Financial Issues" meeting in Clarksville, for the church. It was very informative, and mindboggling, let me tell you.
We have a church budget meeting tonight at 6:30. I'm glad it worked out that way. Wow! I'm on information overload.
Need to run today, gotta get info ready for tonight.
Have a great Weekend!
Thanks for missing the blog yesterday, Gina. It means a lot to me!! Love ya'll!

Wednesday Wanderings

Good Mornin' Ladies of Grace! Hope you're off to a good one. It's definitely still a snowy one out there!
I have a membership with Netflix. For those of you that don't know, you can rent DVD's and they mail them to you, for one low monthly fee. (Sound like a commercial? He He!) Anyhoo, I got a dvd "Be Still", it's about contemplative prayer. It was very good. They talked about how we need to "be still" and come before God. They talked about the importance of getting a routine, and a place where you regularly meet with God. They talked about some key points in spiritual reading that I'd like to share.

1. Read - simply read, re-read, re-read one or two verses, nothing long, read slowly and let them sink in.
2. Reflect - think, what jumped out at you about that passage? What touches your life today about that passage?
3. Respond - What is God inviting you to do?
4. Rest - Experience His presence, pray, sit quietly with Him.

I tried that out this morning with one of the verses they suggested. John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful." John 14:27 HCSB

Now, I'd like to share with you what I wrote in my journal this morning about that verse.

"Jesus is giving us peace - HIS peace - if we are not peaceful inside - it's like we say "No, thank you. I don't need your peace, Jesus." He doesn't give to us the way the world does. His gift is everlasting, it won't perish, it's not worldly, but eternal. It's not a "fluffy" present - it's one with "Meat" to it. Your heart MUST not be troubled or fearful is not a question , suggestion or an invitation - It's a demand. Jesus said DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED OR FEARFUL".

This verse took on new meaning for me after I did that. Try it, and share what you've experienced!!

Love ya'll. Have a great day!

Snowy Tuesday

Mornin' Ladies! Hope you are all home and snug and appreciating the wonderful sight of the snow that the Lord has given us this morning!! I LOVE IT!!!!! I wanted a "snow" devotional for ya'll today, so I went searching, and found one. Hope you like it!

White As Snow
by Dee Renaud
Isaiah 1:18 - Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. (NIV)

I sat at my window the other day, watching the snow falling gently to the ground, and enjoying the beauty of the world covered in a blanket of clean, white snow. One of my favourite choruses came to mind:

White as snow, white as snow
Though my sins were as scarlet
Lord I know, Lord I know
That I'm clean and forgiven.

Through the power of Your blood
Through the wonder of your love
Through faith in You I know that I can be
White as snow.

(Words and music by Leon Olquin)

God uses His creation to remind us of His amazing love. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus. We've been washed clean -- white as snow -- by the precious blood of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. May we live every day deeply aware of God's love and forgiveness!

Ephesians 1:7 - In Him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the beauty of Your creation, and that You can speak to us through Your creation. Help us to take the time to admire and appreciate all that You have created for us. We thank You that because of Your amazing love and the gift of Your Son, Jesus, our sins can be forgiven. We confess our sins, even now, and ask You to make us white as snow so that we can glorify You in all that we say and do. In Jesus' name. Amen.



Hope you have a "snowy" day!!

Good Monday Morning!

Wow! Mornin' Ladies! Is anyone else feeling the hecticness of this Monday. (Ok, there's probably no such word, but I bet you ALL know what I mean.) This is going to be a particularly busy week for me. I'm the stay at home type, if you haven't already noticed that.

Meeting Notes for those who weren't able to make it last night.
1. We are getting plastic tables and metal chairs for the basement, and after all the work is done in the basement, we will start to work on the Sunday School classrooms.
2. We will be purchasing 6 more Experiencing God books. Praise be to God, the others are gone!
3. I am going to see about getting a debit card for online and phone purchases and such.
4. The budget committee will be meeting this Friday to see about implementing a "benevolence fund".
5. Church approved the use of the basement and the Spaghetti dinner for the "Project Prom". Which, will be March 7th.
That's all I can remember. If anybody remembers anything, please post.

Ok, I have a little rambling to do. Well, you remember how when you were in school, your parents told you "You have the world by it's tail" or something like that. You don't truly get that point at the time. But later, you look back and realize that it's true. (Ok, Mom, don't miss this, I'm saying you were right! lol!) For example, I look back to my short lived basketball career in high school. I was scared, of things like messing up, not being good enough, missing the shot, and I let that hinder me. And, if like with that, and so many other things, if I would have just tried, or just forged ahead, who knows what would have happened. Now, let's fast forward to our lives today. Are we still afraid? I know I am of some things. I still think some people are better than me. I still avoid those people like I did in high school, because they were one of the "cool" ones. When, really think about it, put yourselves in their shoes. All they see is me avoiding them. They don't see my insecurity. They may think I'm stuck up or something, when I really think of myself as inferior. Now, fast forward to the end of your life, or when Jesus comes back (I'm not trying to be morbid. Just go with me here.) Will you look back and realize things that you couldn't see at the time they were happening? I think we all will, for sure. But, will we still think we approached things with that "fear" of messing up, not being cool, or whatever? I think my main thing to be "afraid" of needs to be what Jesus will say when He looks back on my life. Will he sit there watching the movie of my life and hit pause and say "see, there was your opportunity!" or "I told you to go" or "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Now, I'd like to quote something I read this morning from my Encounters with God Bible.

He's Coming Back
"Matthew 24 provides us with a pretty clear picture of Christ's second coming. Those who read the Bible and have studied such passages know that Christ will come back and take His people to be with Him forever. When that happens, some people will be left behind; others will be taken into God's glory. "then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left" (Matt. 24:40,41) Then Christ tells His disciples, "Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matt. 24:44). The exact time may remain a mystery, but the fact of His coming is common knowledge. So why "be ready"? If you knew a very important visitor was coming to your home, I am sure there are a few things you would do to prepare for the visit such as cleaning, straightening, and baking. If there was more time you might even plant flowers, paint the house, or repair the walkway. In the Christian life there are things that we do not want left undone when Christ comes back. We want there to be no regrets and every moment used for His glory before there are no moments left. Sharing our faith with loved ones, forgiving others and asking for forgiveness, repairing damaged relationships, or helping those who need a touch of God's love and grace could be on your "to do" list. Ask God today to help you know what your priorities need to be today to help you get ready for His return."

Wow! Something to think about, huh? Check out the Amish Proverb today. It cracks me up. Love ya'll! Have a great one.

Friday Challenge

Mornin' Ladies of Grace! Hope you are off to a wonderful day! I plan on doing my "weekly home blessing" today. Not sure what I'm talking about? Checkout www.flylady.net . It's really helped me out. I did, however have to make my own schedule. Boy, do I have some gems for you this morning!! Are you a person that's up for a challenge??????? I have a website for you!! It's awesome. I'm doing the encourage your husband challenge. She has several 30 day challenges, some you can download and print, some are emailed to you. They are all Biblically based. The website is www.reviveourhearts.com/challenge . They have several different kinds. One for praying for your pastor, and even one for praying for your pastor's wife. I'm so excited. I love challenges! I loved the "Love Dare", I even clean my house with a timer, for goodness sakes.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

The heart of her husband

Hey, just found a new series starting up at a virtuous woman. It's going on for 14 days, it started Feb 1st, it's going until Valentines day. It's called "The heart of her husband" Check it out! http://www.avirtuouswoman.org/tag/the-heart-of-her-husband/

Technical Difficulties

Oh, my. I thought I was gonna have to shoot my computer. Well, I actually did it myself, but it would be a whole lot less painful to shoot the computer! lol! I loved the Bible study last night. I kinda like it when we just let the Lord move, and speak as he will. It was awesome!

Ok, I read another book (it was short) It was called "Amish Peace" it was an awesome book!! It talked about how often we would like to have the "peace" that the Amish do. I think that's true, a lot of us would like that peace. But, if we don't have it, it's not because we aren't Amish. We can have the same peace they do. We serve the same God. It had a bunch of 2-3 page stories and a lot of Amish Proverbs. It really got me to thinking. I think they live an unhurried lifestyle, they work hard, probably harder than we do, yes, but they aren't rushed. They only have things they need or use. Honestly, that's been a goal of mine, and I'm still tryin'. (I'll probably go to the grave tryin' on that one!! lol!) But without all the clutter, and the hurriedness, and without technology that takes up so much of our time, I think we could have more peace. It's about choosing what's important.

Love ya'll. Have a great day! Hopefully, the computer problem is fixed, (even though I didn't do anything to fix it! lol)

Thoughtless Tuesday

Mornin' Ladies! Hope you are off to a good one. Why are we such thoughtless, selfish creatures? Why is it so hard to think of others first? I'm reading some books that are making me think, can you tell? Why is it that to be "good" we have got to go totally against our human, fleshly selves? And, why I'm asking questions, here's two more for ya. Why can't I control what comes out of my mouth? And, why is my "green" tea red? Some things for you to ponder on today. He He!!

I'd like to leave you with some thoughts from my devotional in Experiencing God Day By Day

Life's Seasons

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

"The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.
Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at ll the God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!
In God's perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity. He will also build in times of quiet and rest. There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day. But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings. By God's grace we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness. By God's grace, we will also over come the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring. Just as it is with the seasons of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us."


Hope you all have a blessed day. I spoke with Brother Joe about the Experiencing God study last night, and he says not to go any farther in it, until the next class, so we can all be together.

Oh, yeah, if I start talking like I'm in the 1800's, please forgive me. I have noticed myself doing that. It's quite funny. I'm almost finished with the book, we'll see if the talk lasts much longer than that! LOL!!

Monday morning

Good snowy mornin' to ya ladies! I loooove snow!!!! It's so beautiful, don't ya think??? And school is out! What a bonus. I did miss seeing all of you yesterday, but it was good family time. And, like Brother Joe says, we can worship at home as well as in church! So, hopefully, we all did that yesterday.

I have to let you in on something. (Donnie thinks I keep nothing from ya'll!) But this is just too good to keep to myself. I like to share! My Momma taught me well. (Can't say much for my brother though, LOL ;)! Just kidding!) Well, you know how I told you about my book Having a Mary Spirit, well, it has some books in the back that she calls "Resources for a Holy Makeover" and in that there was a book that you could download for free on the internet, so I thought, "there's no better price" and I have been totally engrossed in this book. It is written in the 1800's and it is a journal type book, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, and thought you might too. It's called "Stepping Heavenward: One Woman's Journey to Godliness" by Elizabeth Prentiss. You can find it at www.gutenberg.org/etext/2515 If you decide to download it, you will laugh, and be shocked at times. It's awesome, I haven't finished it yet, but it's good. And you can find lots more FREE books to download there!!

Does anyone know if there has been any decisions made about Ladies Bible study tomorrow night?? I suppose, we'll have to wait until closer to time.

Love ya'll and have a delightful snow filled day!!