Apple picking

Thanks to my neighbor, Maryanne, who gave me this great idea about apple picking... Chris and I took the family to Ellijay this past Saturday for some apple picking. We had a blast, got some great pictures and came home with a TON of apples! We went to a place called BJ Reece Apple House. It was really fun spending time with the kids, watching them run around and spending quality time as a family. Here are some pictures from our day...

Morgan loved climbing to the tops of the trees to get some big, juicy apples!

Gavin enjoys a fresh picked apple. I'm not sure if we were supposed to eat them on the spot or not, but we did enjoy one or two...

Ivey tries hard to get that apple off the tree!

Chris and I enjoy a silly moment. That apple WAS yummy!

Chris could barely carry our bag of apples. We had packed the bag with as many as we could fit. Now, I'm off to find some great apple recipes!

Mom and I headed down to the Auburn game Saturday. Auburn was playing Arkansas at home. I love going to the football games. I used to go with my family as a kid, but it really is so much more fun now than even then. I went to a local college that doesn't have a football team and because I had a baby, I didn't really get to have that "college experience." So, for me, going to Auburn football games is a way to have that experience, to enjoy and take part in the traditions and to enjoy the college atmosphere. My dad, mom and sister all went to Auburn, so we've been Auburn fans my whole life. Anyway, mom and I had a great time just hanging out, going to Tiger Walk, watching the band, shopping and, most of all, cheering for the Tigers at the game. It was a great game and lots of fun. Unfortunately, we lost... but every team is bound to have a bad season at some point. Here are a few pictures of our time in Auburn.

Auburn fans hanging out before the game.

I LOVE to watch the band - it's almost as exciting to me as watching the game itself. I especially love watching the drumline, since I was a drummer in high school.

At Tiger Walk - an Auburn tradition. Fans line up in street to cheer on the football team as they walk from the athletic dorms to the stadium. Here, I got a picture of Tommy Tubberville.

Here we are - my favorite part!! The band runs on to the field to do the pregame show. I love it!

Mom and I had seats in the endzone, on the 5th row, right across the stadium from the band and student section. When the teams were on our end, we could see really well. I was hoping to get a picture of an Auburn TD, but not so much...

Mom and I enjoying the game.

Psalm 78:32 - 39

In spite of all this (the miracles the Israelites witnessed in the desert), they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror.

Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again.

They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.

But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him. They were not faithful to his covenant.

Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

This is what I read in my quiet time this morning. How often I do not believe in his miracles even when I witness them time and time again. How often I doubt God's ability to deliver me or other people from the muck and the myre that we so often find ourselves in, usually due to our own decisions. So, God undoubtedly and relentlessly gets my attention and I go running to him. I cry out to him. In my weakness I beg him to change the circumstances, I get mad because he isn't doing it... Then I remember that he is my Rock and my Redeemer. He's the reason that I sing. He's my Strong Tower, my Deliverer, my Shield, my Strength, He's my God. Yet, again, I walk away from him little by little. I get complacent. I get comfortable. I forget who he is and what he's done. I see my circumstances. I'm blinded by my wants and desires. Yet he is merciful. He holds his wrath from me. He restrains his anger and remembers that I am but a passing breeze, a vapor in the wind.

Lord, may I glorify you during my short time on this earth. May I praise you and worship you and know you for who you are. May I remember the miracles I've seen you give, may I bring honor to you in all I do. Let me not to see my circumstances from underneath the tapestry, where everything looks like a big mess, but from above the tapestry where every string, every knot, every loop makes a beautifully woven piece of art. You are my Rock and my Redeemer.

Another day...

Well, after running several errands this morning... the wheels of my brain were running a hundred miles an hour trying to think of things that people would actually buy. With the economy the way that it is right now, people aren't buying much of anything... but a girl's gotta make some money. So, this afternoon I started making baby bibs with a monogrammed saying, bows and a matching hair bow. I must say they ARE really cute, but who knows... I'll put it on etsy or ebay and see what happens.

On another note, I enjoyed watching the presidential debate last night. Although, I must admit that most of the time they were talking WAY over my head... all those BIG words... YIKES! I think God put some sort of block in brain when it comes to vocabulary.

Anyway, so what's up with me? I'm still frustrated that money is tight. We have been VERY blessed and this year has been a great learning experience for me monitarily speaking. Things could definitely be worse. I'm thankful that I AM able to stay home with my kids, we ARE able to put our little ones in preschool, Chris DOES have a job, we ARE NOT starving, we DO have clothes, we DO have enough money to go to the doctor, we ARE able to eat something other than ramen noodles... I guess things really aren't that bad. Thanks, God. You're awesome. You provide food for the birds of the air, how much more you provide for me because you love me.

What's going on?

I can't believe it's been several weeks since my last post. Of course I've been busy "doing things", but what's really been going on? (Thanks, Bud!) Honestly, I'm not really sure. I read all of these beautiful posts by people who really know how to write. But, me? I just know how to put my thoughts down and that's about it. So, here's what I'm doing...

I'm currently praying hard for a marriage in our family to be reconciled. I'm praying for my husband's business to flourish. I'm praying for my oldest son's achievements in school, wisdom to raise him and to keep an open relationship, and that God would bless him with a God-worshipping wife in later years. I'm going crazy that my youngest isn't potty training, but, after all, that really isn't at the top of my priority list right now. I'm frustrated that Chris and I have dug ourselves into a medium-sized hole of debt from our early marriage that we've spent the last 6 months and will spend the next 6 months viligently paying off. But, that means no new clothes, no new shoes, no extras and living on a VERY fixed cash flow each week. I'm frustrated and a little depressed that I want and need to make some extra money, but can't seem to get anything off the ground. I've made hairbows and handmade dresses, tried my hand at monogramming and have only sold ONE item - twenty dollars isn't really going to make a dent into anything. I'm loving my children and having a great time playing with them. I'm trying not to focus on the incoveniences of life right now, trying to enjoy the time at home and being with the family, but, well... you know. I'm loving my Lord and trying to honor him in everything. I'm enjoying reading the Bible - I'm in Psalms and Proverbs right now. I'm sure there's more... Anyway, that's the honest truth about what's going on with me right now.

Much accomplished

Yesterday was a great day! I got two major projects accomplished. While the kids were at preschool yesterday, I went running with a neighbor for a little while and then came back home to clean out the playroom. I even had time to take a shower before leaving to pick up the kids. Those of you with kids in preschool understand what I'm saying - I think the clock goes mysteriously faster when the kids are at school! I went through EVERYTHING and threw away a ton of stuff. Our neighborhood is having a garage sale this Saturday, so I'm trying to find stuff to sell. I reorganized the whole playroom and only kept toys that the kids actually play with. All the missing pieces, cheap happy meal toys and other toys considered by me to be "trash" was gone! It feels so good! Then, last night after dinner Chris and I cleaned out the garage. Although there wasn't much to throw away, we got everything back in it's place and made a pile for the garage sale. Hopefully after we get through with the sale and take what's left over to Goodwill, the garage will look even better. I love it when I actually get things accomplished!!

The last couple of weeks, I've been struggling to have a daily quiet time. I have decided to take this one day at a time because it just seems easier that way. I try to read my bible in the morning because when the day gets going I normally don't slow down until late at night. So, yesterday morning I read something that really struck me and I wanted to share it. Even though I don't always have a quiet time with God every single day, even though I know the importance of it, I love the Lord with all my heart. I think it's important for others to know that I don't have it all together and that I don't always do the right thing. I'm not a perfect Christian and I struggle just like every one else. But, I do know one thing. Jesus Christ is my Savior and I will live for him the best that I can. I often lack the words to express my feelings for my Savior, but I thought David did a good job of it in Psalm 62.

Psalm 62:1, 2, 7, 8

"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. On God rests my salvation and glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

My baby girl turns 4!

Ivey weighed in at 9 lbs!

On Saturday, Sept. 20th, we celebrate Ivey's 4th birthday. She's such an awesome little girl. She constantly makes Chris and I laugh and then shake our heads. She is the most mothering little girl I've ever known. She loves to take care of other people, especially kids. Sometimes she's a bit bossy (I have NO idea where she gets that...), but she loves to help take care of others. I'm excited to see her grow up and to see what God has in store for her life. Here are a few special pictures from the last four years...

This one I made for my new neice coming in November. It was made out of an old pillow case that belonged to my mother-in-law.

This is an autumn dress that I made for Ivey. It's really cute, but it was my first one so it has a few minor mistakes.

This one, I love!! The paisley is adorable and the colors are even prettier in person.

This one is made out of a light courderoy material, although you can't tell in this picture. I also need to get more fat white ribbon instead of using the skinnier ribbon. But, my friend, Kala, picked out the apple fabric and it really is very cute!

THIS... is what I've been up to! I've decided to start making pillow case dresses!! Although only one of these was actually made using a pillow case, I found some really pretty fabric to use for the other dresses. Kala and I went to Hancock Fabric yesterday and I bought some really cute holiday fabrics. I am going to make a bunch of them in varying sizes to sell at craft shows and to friends and, hopefully, make a little bit of extra money on the side. I was just thinking last week about how I could make a little bit of extra money without having to get a "real" job, so I think this is it. I've shown them to a lot of my friends and neighbors, so I hope they'll catch on soon... (hint, hint). :-)

Anyway, I'm excited about it and it's really fun to just get creative with embellishments and stuff. I bought a beautiful royal blue fabric that it a light courderoy and I'm going to monogram it with Ivey's initial, add some ribbon and some pom-pom fringe. Adorable!! I'm also going to try to sell some dresses on etsy or ebay. We'll see what happens. If you're interested in me making your girls some dresses, please let me know. You can pick out of what I've already made or you can buy your own fabric if you want something specific. I'm really looking forward to this because it's a way for me to be creative, to have fun and to make a little pocket money, too!

We're leaving for the beach tomorrow, so I probably need to get going with that. I'm super excited to be spending some time on vacation while Cherokee County is out of school next week. We're going with some friends from church, but I wish all of our friends good go!! We will be coming back on Thursday, so I better get goin'! Talk to you later!

It's been a while since I've updated my blog. I've managed to keep myself very busy the last couple of weeks. MOPS started last Friday, so last week was spent getting shirts made and sewing fabric to get ready for the first meeting. We are leaving on Saturday to spend a few days at the beach with a few of our close friends, so this week has been used to sort of get ready for that. Today, I've been working on a couple of projects that I will unveil in a few days. I want to be sure they are completely finished before showing them off! Tomorrow morning I plan to go to the gym and I don't know what I'll do on Thursday but I'm sure I'll find something! Anyway, please know that we are all doing fine and managing well.

My favorite bible verse for today:
Proverbs 11:12 "Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent." This verse speaks to me today because God has been teaching me lately about not jumping to conclusions. I find that my mind finds the worst-case scenario and then runs with it before I even have a chance to find out what really happened. God has shown me that I need to be more understanding of others and remain silent more often.

It's football time!!!

I just initiated the 2008 football season! I yelled, "Get 'em!"

That's all I really know to yell since it's all I ever heard during football season at my house growing up. So when my team is running down the field I yell, "Go! Go! Go!" and when my team needs to make a tackle I yell, "Get 'em!" and if I really mean business I yell, "GET HIM!" (over emphasizing the H-I-M.) Sometimes they listen and sometimes they don't.

Most of the day today has been spent watching football. We went to the mall for a little bit this afternoon to buy Ivey some new shoes - yes, we have to spend a fortune at Stride Rite because she still wears an EXTRA WIDE shoe! Those of you moms out there whose children have feet that are abnormally wide or narrow know what I'm talking about! It's absolutely rediciulous how much those children's shoes cost! However, there's not much guess work in it because they usually only carry ONE black dress shoe and ONE tennis shoe in XW. Anyway, they were having a buy one, get the 2nd 50% off, so we took advantage of it. I mentioned to Chris when we left that the mall isn't as busy now that football season has started. I kind of like it. I guess most people are at their own children's football games or at home watching there favorite college team play. Anyway, today kicked off a great football season. So, GO GET 'EM TIGERS! WAAAAAAARRR EAGLE, HEY!

Catching up

Well, I haven't written much in the last week. I didn't feel like I had anything overly exciting to write about... just life going on. The younger kids started preschool 3 days a week last week, so that's been really nice. The mornings go by super fast when they're not here - funny how that happens. But, nontheless, I have had a chance to get some things done that would normally be a nightmare with them around trying to "help."

I'm super excited about this weekend because college football season starts. The other night I was reading off to Chris what teams were playingon TV this weekend and next weekend and then I found myself continuing on...and on...as if he really cares who's playing on TV in October! I was just so excited I couldn't help myself!

Anyway, we have gotten some really good rain here and I hope that has helped our drought situation. I know it's been good for my plants and flowers.

Lastly, I have started taking a class on Sunday nights about parenting. It is specifically a study on a book called The Blessing. It is a really good book - a few things are questionable - but overall it's the only book out there that approaches the idea of giving your children, spouse, family members and friends "the blessing" like in biblical times. The five "steps" are:
1. Meaningful touch
2. A spoken message
3. Attaching high value
4.Picturing a special future
5. An active commitment
This class has truly been a God-send for me because it has really made me aware of making sure that I bless my children as they grow. This has become especially important to me with Morgan since he's the oldest, but of course it's very helpful for Ivey and Gavin as well. Two Sunday nights ago we talked about "Meaningful Touch" so I decided that I would try something with Morgan that night. I have to admit that it was a bit awkward and I had to just decide to humble myself and do it. As he was laying in bed and we were talking, I put my hands on both sides of his face and said, "You are very special to me. Did you know that you are special to me?" He said, "Yeah. I think it's like a kid instinct." Yeah, I guess so. Even though I parent much like my own mother did, there are certainly a few things I knew that I wanted to do differently with my children. One of them is to ALWAYS tell them I love them. "I love you" just wasn't something that was said in my house growing up. Not that we didn't love each other, but it was just assumed that we knew, but, unfortunately, sometimes it wasn't. So, I am always telling my kids that I love them. Another thing that I have changed is praying with my kids. Chris or I try to pray with Morgan every night and now we have prayer time with Ivey. We really try to model praying - adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication - and not just offer some sort of general, thrown-out-there prayer. Taking the class has really opened my eyes to the importance of the words we speak - in love or in anger. This week we are studying "Attaching High Value" so I'm excited to learn more about that. Just wanted to share a little bit about what I've been learning...

The chore assignments.

Gavin is armed with the Endust, Ivey with the Windex and Morgan gets ready to vacuum. They look excited, don't they??

Tuesday we had a fun evening together. We laid beach towels on the carpet and ate a "picnic" dinner consisting of grilled cheese sandwiches, beans and potato chips. I was trying to butter everyone up for the chore list I had made earlier in the day. I was tired of bits and pieces of the house being clean at different time, so I decided that I wanted the whole house cleaned at once - and what better way to do than for everyone to help! So, after dinner everyone got their assignments, we turned up the music and everybody cleaned. We got just about the whole house cleaned in about 1 1/2 hours. There were a few, small things that were missed, but I finished those up this morning. It was a great way to get the house cleaned and for everyone to help take care of our home.

Where's Gavin?

I took this picture a couple of nights ago. I know it doesn't look like anything except a messy bed, but actually it's how Gavin sleeps. In the picture, it's about 10:30 PM and Gavin has been asleep about 2 hours. He wants to have the bathroom light on so he "can see his toothbrush." But he sleeps better in complete darkness because it's the way he's slept since he was born. So, I just thought it was funny that he gets completely under the covers to sleep. ISometimes he gets all the way to the foot of the bed and we have to pat the covers to make sure he's really under there. Usually I check on the kids before I go to bed, so I normally close the bathroom door and pull the covers off of his head so he doesn't suffocate. (Not that he really would, but it's mom thing ya know?) I didn't worry too much about the flash of the camera since he was under the covers.

Braves game

Ms. Gwendy, Grammy and Morgan

Happy Birthday, Grammy!!

Gavin is getting an airbrush baseball on his arm

Morgan got an airbrush A on his face

Riding to the Braves game

Watching the Georgia Tech band

At the game - Go Braves!

Daddy and Gavin

Mom and I

Our family went to the Braves game this past Friday night to celebrate Chris' mom's birthday. Sandy's actual birthday was Friday, so we got tickets for the family (and her closest friends) for the Braves game. We took all three kids and the little ones actually did very well. They stayed in or near their seats the whole time, ate a bunch of junk food and had a great time. We stayed for the entire game and even watched the Friday Night Fireworks afterwards. The Braves lost to the Giants, but that's okay. Ivey actually got her picture on the big screen. They started playing the theme song to full house and then put up camera shots of look-alikes in the crowd. They compared Ivey to "Michelle". We had a good laugh and she loved seeing her picture up there. It was also Georgia Tech night at the game. Before the game, they interviewed some of the athletes just inside the main entrance and had the cheerleaders there. Then, the whole Georgia Tech marching band came out. When I hear the drums start playing, I just get so excited - it doesn't matter what school they're from. I absolutely LOVE the band and would almost rather watch them than the actual football game. I was in the band in high school (drumline, no doubt!) and had the best time ever! Unfortunately, I went to a universitythat didn't have a football team or band, so I didn't get to continue that experience in college. But, if I had it would have been AWESOME! Anyway, Morgan and I just love watching the band, especially the drummers, so we had a grea time with that. Just hearing them made me fired up for the upcoming football season - WAAAAAR EAGLE, HEY! (I just had to get that in!) Anyway, we got home around 11:45 PM and, of course, the kids had all fallen asleep in the car on the way. We had a great time and enjoyed spending time with the family.

I'm sitting here checking my email and Chris is watching TV. The kids are playing and riding on the alligator seesaw. Ivey came up to me and said, "I'm going to talk to God. I need to tell him something." She climbed up beside me, crossed her legs, folded her hands and closed her eyes. She stayed very quiet and very still for a few seconds and then opened her eyes and got down. She said, "I just needed to tell him something." I thought to myself, "You go right ahead, honey. He's listening." I almost asked her to tell me what she needed to tell him, but I didn't. I'll let this one stay between the two of them. I wonder how God feels when the little ones to talk to him. I think he hears them and smiles. I think it puts a little "hop" in his step. Ivey likes to pray at the dinner table to bless the food. Tonight, this was her prayer, "Dear God, Thank you for today. Thank you for sending this food all the way down here. Thank you for keeping everyone in the whole world safe. Amen." I'm assuming she thinks God sends the food from heaven. He did in the Old Testament, so I guess he could again if he wanted to. Chris and I hold each other's hands and squeeze to keep from laughing out loud. It's just so darn cute!! And, I can't bring myself to tell her that everyone in the whole world is not safe. Everyone in HER whole world is safe, for the moment. But, she'll realize the realities of life soon enough so I just let her be. I love to hear her talk to God. It's just so innocent.

I also changed her dance day to Tuesday so that she'll be with other kids. She went again on Tuesday and had a great time with the other little girls. One day I'll get in there and take some pictures to post.

Today was Ivey's first day of dance lessons. I went to drop her off this morning and our car was one of two in the parking lot. At first I just figured everyone was late, but then, as we entered, we learned that actually Ivey is the only one in her class right now. I kind of felt badly for her, but she didn't really care. She doesn't know any different so she enjoyed her private lessons today. We'll see if some other kids join the class in the next few weeks. If not, then we'll probably switch her to a new class. I went to run some errands and then came back about 15 minutes before the end of class. She was so cute! I did realize that I need to buy her a leotard that's a size bigger because her little cheeks were hanging out - she comes by it honestly, poor thing. But, she had a great time learning some ballet and tap moves and can't wait to go back next week.

Please pray for Chris' side of the family. They are going through a very difficult time right now with a particular situation. Pray for openness, healing, reconciliation and restoration. I just finished reading an excellent book called When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakeable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances. At the time I didn't know why I was reading it, but I knew that it was no accident that God put it in my path. Just a couple of weeks later, I know now why I was supposed to read that book. God may allow us to walk through circumstances or experiences that we don't like and that we don't want. But, he is sovereign and he never leaves us. Sometimes we have to sacrifice our "control" and let God work - just like Abraham was willing to do when he was told to sacrifice Isaac. The outcome may be what we want it to, like God providing a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac, or it may not. In the times where God doesn't provide a "ram" for our "Isaac", we still must trust that He knows what He's doing. He IS sovereign and we are promised that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose.

Catching up

Okay, so, since my pre-teen parenting woes are starting to get old... yet, non-relenting... I must find something else to blog about. I have plenty of things to share, but I don't really want everything announced to the whole world. So, let's see.... Ummmm...

I signed Ivey up for ballet/tap classes today. She's going to take lessons at Off Broadway Dance Center just behind the McDonald's at Crabapple. They have a very reasonable monthly price there. She has asked me about it several times and I kept brushing it off. But, I really think she would enjoy it and just thinking about watching her try to do ballet or tap makes me laugh (in a good way.)

Gavin is so big now. He still isn't potty training although he totally knows what to do. He's going to be one of those kids that doesn't really care about whether or not they have to wear a diaper. He told me that it was bothering him the other day and I said, "Well, if you would go pee-pee in the big potty, then you can wear big boy underwear." That's the last I heard about that...

Morgan has decided that he doesn't want to play sports this fall which is kind of good and kind of bad. I really want him to have a hobby that he's interested in, but I have to admit that not having to tote the family around 2 or 3 nights a week to practices sounds really good! I'm still hoping that he'll find a hobby that is relatively inexpensive, yet is something he's truly interested in. Maybe it'll be school.... NOT!

Chris and I are doing great. We are starting back our routines of having date night on Thursdays. We can't do it every Thursday because of other things coming up which is fine. But, we look forward to the time to be by ourselves and talk about things. And, I believe it shows our children that mom and dad come first. They can thank us for that life lesson if a few decades. Chris is totally busy with work and I'm just chugging along here at the house. The little ones will start preschool three days a week on August 19th. Is it wrong to be excited about that? I surely don't want to wish away their childhood years, but it is nice to have time to myself. Of course, I'm already filling it up with things... Tuesday is Bible Study, Wednesday is housecleaning and Thursday is errands.

Other than that, I guess there's not much to tell right now. I'm still working out and running. I've tried to talk a few friends into doing a 5K with me on November 8th - we'll see which of them actually signs up. The race is the Big Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk. They are giving away a free long-sleeve technical (moisture-wicking) t-shirt to all runners. So, if you'd like to join us, then sign up on http://www.active.com/.

Parenting... sometimes I could do without it, but the good times far outweigh the not-so-good times... I think.

Having a preteen in the house... Lord, help me

One minute we're laughing and cutting up, the next minute I'm repremanding Morgan for something that I can't help but ask, "What were you thinking?" He pushes the buttons of his little sister, a three-year-old for crying out loud, just to hear her scream. Then, when I can't take another minute I decide to get involved and, miraculously, no one did anything wrong! Absolutely amazing I tell you. How hard is it to make your bed? Apparently, too hard for a 6th grader. He's part child and part adolescent. He still wants smiley-face stickers on his chore chart and he can't seem to be the "bigger person" in arguments over whose balloon his whose, yet he wants to stay at home alone and get allowance. So, how does this whole parenting thing work? I have absolutely no idea. I feel like whatever I did, whatever choice I made, whatever discipline I implented - it was the wrong one. So many questions, so few answers. By the time I figure this parenting thing out, they'll all be grown and married. Will he actually grow up to be a decent human-being that can keep his room clean, brush his teeth and take a shower without being asked to? Probably. Will he love the Lord and understand His grace and mercy? Hopefully. But, how do I get him to that point? I have no idea.

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories. ~John Wilmot

I have a "Youth"!!

Chris and I had our first "I can't believe this" moment as a parent of a 6th grader. Morgan is now a part of the youth group at church and went to his very first youth overnight event on Wednesday and Thursday. To be honest, I was a bit nervous but I knew it would be good for him in many, many ways. As we were getting his bag packed the night before, I was reading off the items that he should bring while he retrieved them and put them in his bag. About three items down on the list I said, "Ok - you need your bible." He immediately said, "What do I need my bible for?" HELLO!!!! This is a CHURCH event!! Where's your brain, child?? I think Morgan was concentrating more on the tubing, rapelling and ropes course part of his trip more than his spiritual development and growth... go figure! So, anyway, I explained to him that he would have bible study and worship time, so he was cool with that. I was thinking,"Boy, we sure do have a LONG way to go..." Sometimes I don't think the nerve endings in his brain exactly connect, but I guess that comes with the territory of having a pre-teen boy. Of course, being first time youth parents, we loaded the whole family in the car to pick him up at church once they got back. The first thing he said was, "That was awesome!" Thank you, Lord! I prayed so hard for Morgan while he was gone. I guess I feel like sometimes that's all I can do. I can feel the "letting go" starting to take place, little by little, and it's quite scary. I realize that I can't control everything he does anymore and that he'll have to find his own way sometimes - whether I want him to or not. So, I pray that God will grab Morgan's heart and not let go. I pray that Morgan will form close friendships with kids from church and that he'll enjoy being there and not another thing I have to "make" him do. I pray that he will love the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength and that he will want to serve him in daily life. Oh, I'm not sure I can handle this whole growing up thing...

Back from India

The trip went well. As most of you already know, the project was shut down on the first day of the second week due to some problems we had witha local political party in Hyderabad. The instance made 3 newspapers and a broadcast on the local news channel. Everyone was fine and unscathed, but, spiritually and emotionally it was a bit difficult for the first day or two after the incident. Thankfully, the US Embassy called the very next morning to see if we needed any assistance (which we didn't) and we left the country at our appointed time on Friday evening. I am SO glad to be back home with my family! Back to "normal", a routine and just the everyday modern conveniences that the Lord has blessed us with. I love the USA! Anyway, I've spent the last couple of days trying to catch up on chores, "to-do" lists and getting ready for Morgan to start school next Monday. Thank you to everyone who thought about us and prayed for us while I was in India. And a very special "You'll-never-know-how-much-it-means-to-me Thank You" to all of you who entertained my children and my husband or brought food to them while I was away. It was so comforting to know that so many people helped to look after them. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

One week down, one to go

This is what we look at every day - hundreds or even thousands of children. We teach them songs, do a skit and then share a short message of salvation through God's Son. Here, they are doing the actions with us to one of our songs.

A Muslim woman riding on the back of a motorcyle with her husband. Covered head to toe in a burka. The burka is on top of her normal, everyday clothing in 95 degree weather.

I thought this little girl was adorable and she wanted her picture taken so badly. They were precious and loved to sing!

Here a woman is knocking on the window of our van asking for money. Beggars are everywhere in India and many of them carry children with them, so that they will get more money. I don't know if this is really her baby or not - it's 50/50 chance. Begging is sometimes an industry in India, much like prostitution. People put beggars on the street and then take the money they are given at the end of the day. Of course, I gave her money hoping that she would keep it. The ones with the children just get to me. I don't know what the true situation is, but Jesus tells us to be generous and to take care of the needy.

I left home 9 days ago, 7 more to go before returning. Everyone is doing fine and the trip is going well. I look forward to being back home with my family and eating some good food!!! Here are a few pictures so far...

Weakness

Well, I've debated about what to blog about...nothing really exciting is happening here. That's okay, the ordinary, every day life is exciting to us and we are quite happy with it. I'm getting ready to leave for India tomorrow. It's a bitter sweet feeling. Of course, I'll miss my family and friends, but I'll have the company of a few other friends and the blessing of sharing Christ with tens of thousands of people. As I was reading my Bible this morning, in my feeble attempt to spend time with God while kids are playing and the TV is blaring Dora, I was reading in Matthew chapter 8 about the two men who were willing to follow Jesus, but not understanding the cost of which to do so. In verse 18, a teacher of the law tells Jesus that he will follow him wherever he goes. You wouldn't think that anything is wrong with that and it's not. But, Jesus' answer implies that the man was probably a little to hasty in his decision, without properly understanding that this wouldn't be an easy task. Jesus replies, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Next, another follower of Christ said to Jesus, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." This comment has perplexed me time and time again. What's really wrong with wanting to give your dead parent a proper burial? Is there really something wrong with that? No, there isn't. But, the problem is that it wasn't the right time. I looked up this verse in Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary of the Bible and he states ever so beautifully,

"This seemed reasonable, yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. Burying the dead, especially a dead father, is a good work, but it is not thy work at this time. If Christ requires our service, affection even for the nearest and dearest relatives, and for things otherwise our duty, must give way."

So, that's why I go to India. People have wondered and asked me before, "Why do you go to India? It must be so hard to leave your family, especially having small children."

Believe me, it is.

I can't tell you how many moments that I'm on the verge of tears, feeling guilty about leaving my family. But, you know what, this is what God has called me to do... right here, right now. It's not convenient, it's not fun, it's not pretty, it's not comfortable, it's not gratifying, it's not my will. But, no matter the reason, no matter the cost, I will go. I'm not trying to sound righteous because I certainly don't feel that I am. Actually, I feel the least qualified, the least equipped, the least ready, the least... the least... the least... everything. But in my weakness, He will be glorified. In my weakness, He makes me strong. In my weakness, only He can do it. In my weakness, others will hear about his saving grace.

1 Corinthians 12: 9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Thursday and Friday, The Peachtree Road Race

Chris and I before the race

Me running - probably around mile 4.

Almost finished! These are the cameramen taking pictures at the end of mile 6.

Chris and I had a blast running the Peachtree this last Friday. First, we went down on Thursday night to the Peachtree Roadrace Expo and walked around for a while. We then went to a nice dinner and stayed in a hotel just down the street from the start of the race. It worked out really well because we woke up Friday morning, ate breakfast and literally walked about 2 blocks to the start of the race. We had to wait about an hour before our heat was allowed to start running. They stagger the heats so that everyone doesn't end up trampling each other. We were in heat 7, so it took a while to get to us. But, that was fine because it gave us time to get our nerves out and go potty. Chris and I ran the first three miles together. The idea was for us to stay together the whole time, but Chris starting getting leg cramps at mile 4 so he said it was okay for me to go on. He caught up with me and we finished the race about a minute apart. There were water stations at every mile marker, people cheering us on and a few bands playing. We really did have a great time and will probably do it again next year. And, yes, we got the coveted t-shirts!

Nesting

I'm not pregnant, I assure you, but you would think I am if you came to my house. I've been nesting lately - pretty badly! I want my house clean and for everything to be put in it's proper place. We've also painted and re-done Gavin's room and are now in the process of painting and putting up some new decorations in Ivey's room. Morgan's room is next on the list, but will probably have to wait until I get back from India. I still have more things that I want to do to the house, bookshelves to put up and such, but I'll stretch it out over time. I don't really know why I'm in this weird mode and I'm sure Chris would love for me to get out of it as soon as possible since he does most of the painting after I tape and trim. Oh, well! I'll post pictures of Ivey and Gavin's new rooms as soon as they're finished.

One more day til Peachtree 10K... oh, no!

New favorite thing

My neighbor introduced me to http://www.etsy.com/. Some of you may already know about it, but it as officially become my new favorite thing. The difference between etsy and ebay is that everything sold on etsy is handmade. Everything! My new fascination is with vinyl decals. I have now bought a handful of things. One of them is the family of birds that you see above. I put it above the doorframe in the kitchen. And, since I've decided to start collecting birdhouses to decorate above the cabinets, the birds are the perfect touch! So cute and unique! I've also bought an "S", Gavin's name, some ladybugs and a saying for Ivey's room and something for Morgan's room. It arrives on transfer paper and you rub the decal onto the wall. It looks like it's painted on, yet it comes off when you're ready for a change!! Really cool! I thought I would just share it with you. They have some really awesome things. Just go to the website and search for vinyl decals (add more detail as you like) and you can see all the unique things to decorate your home!

P.S. Shannon, don't buy anything until after your birthday! ;-)

I'm back from Deeper Still

This was Philips Arena Friday night and Saturday. 19,000 women joining together to hear these phenomenal speakers and to worship our Savior

Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore

The Deeper Still women's conference at Philips Arena this weekend was amazing!! God has gifted Kay Arthur, Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer with such amazing abilities to teach the word of God and to write bible studies and books that we all want to read. They are hysterically funny, articulate and have an uncanny ability to teach scripture. But, they were the first to say that we (as Christians) shouldn't look to them for some sort of spiritual insight, bible knowledge or word from God that, for some reason, we think we can't get for ourselves. They were the first to say that we should go directly to the Bible ourselves to hear from God and to understand his truth. God is available to each of us just the same as he is to them. It's so important for them to make that point clear in an audience of 19,000 women because bible teachers can become idols or gods in our lives without us even realizing it. We must spend time on our own alone with God, digging deeper into the Word of God and praying for discernment and wisdom. Priscilla Shirer said something this weekend that really struck a chord with me. I wrote it down and will probably always remember it. She said, "Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. Discernment is knowing the difference between right and almost right. See, this is the thing... Satan knows scripture, too. But he uses it out of context and in ways that confuse us. We think, "Well, this book has scripture in it or this person is quoting scripture, so it must be okay." Not so! Does the book or the person's statements line up with biblical truth? Are they consistent with God's character? And, how else would we know other than to study the Bible and know it for ourselves. That's the difference. So, anyway, it was an absolutely awesome weekend! I'm so glad I was able to go! It was such a time of revival in my life at just the right time. It was a time of remembering what God has done in me and through me and for me, and thanking him and praising him for that. And, not only praising God the Father, but praising and worshiping his Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. Jesus is the one and only way and he is MY One and Only.

2 more weeks

So, I guess I was trying not to think about it... but, my pastor emailed me today to make sure my passport and visa is up to date. I leave for India very soon (I don't want to post the exact dates for security reasons). The sharing of our faith is not against the law in India, but it is strongly discouraged among some of the militant Muslim groups there. Also, since we will be farther north this year, we will probably be facing a little bit more resistence than I've seen on past trips. I have to say that I'm not as nervous as I have been the last two times I went. Part of that is due to the fact that I don't have the fear of the unknown anymore and because my precious little ones are big enough to actually talk to me on the phone while I'm away. Also, I trust my pastor with my life and know that he would do everything in his power to protect me if that's what it came down to. Last year, I made Chris video tape me reading books to the kids so they could watch the movie at night and remember what I looked like. Crazy, I know! But, the thought of "What if I don't make it back?" is always in the back of my mind. I'm trying very hard not to let Satan discourage me or scare me with the "What-ifs." We have a very reliable young lady coming to stay with the kids during the day while Chris is at work, not to mention all the help from great friends and family. Everything will be OK.

So what exactly will I be doing in India? Our team will meet up with a team from Dallas, TX in the Frankfurt, Germany airport. From there we will all travel to India to meet up with a group of Indian bible teachers, missionaries and college students. We will divide into three teams once we reach our destination. Each team will have a set schedule for the week with about 3-4 schools to visit each day. While in the schools, we will do a drama, sing and give a short presentation of the Truth. Three to four schools may not sound like a lot, but there aren't schools on every other street corner, so sometimes a bit of travelling is involved. Please pray for us and for our families while we are away. There will be a total of 9 Americans on the trip and we would all like to make it safely back home. Thanks!

Wow... of all my friends and family who are Christians and no one wants to share their testimony... who's going to be the salt and the light?

Cardboard Testimonies

My friend, Paula, sent me this link to one of the most awesome video clips on YouTube that I've ever seen. I want to share it with you. She sent it to me several weeks ago and I'm still thinking about it. These are one sentence testimonies that are true to those who wrote them. Check it out and make sure the volume on your computer is turned up. It truly is awesome and proves that God can save ANYBODY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ
(If it doesn't work when you click on the link, you may have to copy and paste it.)

My cardboard testimony:

Looked for love in all the wrong places, Found Jesus who loves me like no other

If you'd like to share your cardboard testimony, please post it in the comments section. I'd love to share them on a blog once we get several back. Let's not be ashamed of what God has done in our lives. God is real! Jesus is real! And He changes lives!

Deeper Still

Me, Teri, Beth and Shannon (yes, mom, I know that's not correct grammar) are going to the Deeper Still conference this weekend at Philips Arena. I am so excited!! The speakers are going to be Beth Moore, Kay Arthur and Priscilla Shirer. I am looking forward to learning more about God this weekend and just getting a breath of fresh air. God has used each of these ladies in an incredible way in ministering to other women and this will be the first time that I've seen Beth Moore and Kay Arthur in person. It'll be a time to relax, have fun with some friends and spend learning scripture. Most of all, I'm excited to see what God is going to teach ME!

The rest of the summer is going to fly by for me. Chris and I are running the Peachtree 10K next week and then the following week is when I leave for India. I'll share more about that as it gets closer, but please pray for me in the mean time. India is a very difficult place to be and to minister. God ALWAYS stretches me when I'm there and sometimes that's not so fun. I get homesick the minute I step on the plane - knowing that my husband and babies will be without me for so long. And, of course, Satan always throws the "what-ifs" in there - as if I need something else to worry about. But, I know that God has said that I am not to worry. I need to focus on him and trust in him. His plan is not my plan. If God feeds and cares for the birds of the air, how much more does he care for me!

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to unto you."

Very busy week

We had a very busy week with VBS and other projects we were doing around the house. We took Gavin out of his crib and put him in his "big boy" bed this week. The furniture is very light colored - as is the walls - so of course I had to paint!! We also rearranged our office so that Chris can have his computer stuff and I can have my embroidery stuff in there. The basement was getting awfully lonely... :-) Anyway, with all of our projects plus just normal life we are very tired tonight.

Ivey asked me a very interesting question today. She asks me stuff all the time that I'm just amazed at. At her age, she's very curious about dying and heaven. Today, this was our conversation:

Ivey: Mommy, how do our bodies get to heaven when we die?
Me: (As usual, I pause for a moment to get my wits about me before answering her question.) "Well, we have a thing called a soul inside of us. It gives us our personality, makes us funny, makes us laugh. When we die, our soul leaves our body and goes to heaven. (All the while I'm thinking that I'm giving a half biblical answer, picturing Patrick Swayze's soul leaving his body in the movie Ghost.)
Ivey: Well, does our soul walk to heaven?
Me: I don't know. Maybe it flies to heaven.
Ivey: Well, who comes to pick them up so they can fly?

The conversation pretty much died off here. Sometimes, I don't even know how to answer her questions. I try to answer them the best I can so that she can understand, but some times, it's about something that I really don't understand myself. How DOES our soul go to heaven after we die? I think mine will run.