Over the past year, I have been blessed beyond measure. I mean, there have been times when I have been a little down, but over all I can see so many things that God has done for me. I am going to brag just a little today... one of those blessings has been the fact that God saw fit to bring a wonderful man into my life. I have actually known him almost 20 years (we went to high school together) but because of social networking, we were brought back together. The really odd thing is that I had a big crush on him in high school, but because I was not the outgoing person I am today (HA), I never spoke to him. We have been dating over a year now and it really has been wonderful. I know this because I have been in a ton of relationships that really were bad so it's easy to tell the good stuff when you get it. As great as it has been during the past year, I think there may have been a time or two that things got a little redundant. We have gotten so use to each other that the "awwwwwwwwwwwwwww" moments just became "eh" moments. So in order to make if fresh and fun again, we would make special plans and act like it was our very first date again. Talking and laughing like we have not spoken in years.

I read a devotional a few days ago that reminded me of the very thing that he and I were kinda going through. In it, she asked the simple question: "If anyone sort of let their relationship with the Lord lapse during the past year?" Basically if the prayers have stopped, Bible study has slowed down, we haven't been helping and serving as we should be, then maybe we need some along time with God to make our relationship with him like new again. We need alone time, no interruptions, no distractions so that God and only God has the attention.

I love spending time with my boyfriend, I love it when we take the kids places, laughing and talking. But if I can spend that much time with my family, doesn't God deserve that plus a whole lot more for allowing me to have all of them?? God doesn't just want to hear from us when we have problems and are down and out, He wants us to communicate with Him daily, good times and bad. So as the devotional said... Let's all start over again and stop neglecting God.

I pray you all have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. I love you and Lord willing, we will talk again soon!!

The end of time...

It's been a few days, but all is well. Hope you are all doing good too!

This morning I was scanning the WALB website and came across this article:

http://www.walb.com/global/story.asp?s=12545672


I can remember being in high school and one of my classmates telling everyone that the world was coming to an end within our 4 yrs in high school. I can recall people being really upset, some just blowing her off and some like me, who went home and asked my parents and preacher was she telling the truth. What they told me was the same thing the preacher in the article said....

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" - Matthew 24:36

Not even Jesus Christ knows the day the world will end, only God so I am wondering how these people feel like they know all the "signs" that are around them. I am no expert, but there have been earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, even other bad times in the economy before and we are still here. Things ARE bad right now in our world no doubt, but our time is not God's time and we just don't know. Further more, who really cares. Seems to me that instead of getting all worked up by movies like 2012 (which I DID see, and enjoy), we ought to make sure that when Christ comes, that we have done all we can do to ensure we go home with Him to heaven. We all need to make sure we are abiding in Christ Jesus, letting God be the main focus of our lives, live for others and not selfishly, know that trials and temptations are going to come our way but be patient and trust in God, knowing that He will handle it and hold fast to the teaching of Christ and not let Satan disillusion us in any way.

Jesus IS coming back one day but it is not for us to sit all day wondering when that will be. And honestly, it really does not matter when, as long as we are following His example and doing what we know is right...then we will be ready!

I love you all very much and Lord willing we will talk again soon!

I am a bundle of emotions and reactions on any given day. I can start out really in a slump and by the end of the day, can be so hyper you don't want to be around me. Or vice versa. I can give you all the positive advice in the world and then in a few hours forget everything I told you and be depressed. I guess it's just our human nature although being that way makes it really hard for the people around you because they really never know how to take you.

I do find comfort in knowing though that God never changes. Since the beginning of time, from everything we have read and know about God, He has been the same since day one. And the really cool thing is that if He wanted to, God could change His mind and do anything He wants but without change or any correction, He is our everlasting Rock. He is always going to be a constant when the world around us seems to change everyday. How much have you done and how has your life changed in the past year? Think about it. I have had tons of things happen to me and my family, so of those things have made me rethink how I need to handle situations and I have done a few things different. But through all of that.... the laughs, the fun times, kids, the heartaches and pain, God has not made a contradictory move one time. Like it says.. His love endures forever.

So when it all seems to make no sense and you don't know up from down, just pray. I had to be reminded of that a few times myself this weekend. Continue to pray for each other. The person may never know you are doing it, but believe me they will certainly feel it!

I hope you all had a safe weekend. It was really hot here and I don't think this weekend is going to be much better. Stay safe and cool my friends and until next time, Lord willing... Love you all!

Lean on me......

I am learning that no matter how I slice it, no matter how much I try to remain calm and be positive, I will experience alot of stress in my life. I think stress and life go hand in hand pretty much. We coast along and everything is all gravy and then BAM, something happens and it throws us off. Seems to me, in my case these days, it hasn't really let up, only gotten worse. And me, when I get stressed, I do a few things: eat, sleep and basically disconnect myself from people around me. I don't wanna talk because that only makes me have to think more about it, eating calms me down (go figure) and sleep, well, it relaxes me. So I will admit it.. I do NOT cope well with and under alot of stress.

I took the past few days off to have a root canal, go to a few appointments and take my daughter to the orthodontist. It was just not a good day in the end and I let it get to me, bad.

This morning just was really a spill over from last night but I had an honor's day program to go to for one of my sons. I told myself and I was determined not to let my mood spoil his special day. Normally at his school, each class sings a song before they give out awards. I had already been to one honor's day program so I knew the routine. Now i love listening to kids sing, but boy do the schools know how to drag a program out. But I sat, smiled and waited for his song. He was in front so he saw me and when they started singing, he had the biggest smile and I started to cry.

"Lean on me, when you're not strong. And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on...."

I think I was the only parent in the whole auditorium crying and I even got some strange stares from others around me. I honestly had no clue this was the song they were singing and as I listened I thought about my son, looked at his smile and remembered the day he started school and now he was about to go to the 5th grade. No matter what is going on, that is a true blessing and I thought, not everything is bad. I thought about those words they were singing.. I don't know if they even know or realized what they meant, but for me, it totally took me back. All I could think about was no matter how stressed I was when I woke up that morning, when I walked in that school, that the only way to really start to get a grip on my stress and anxiety was to turn to Jesus. He's the one that I (and all of us) can lean on when it seems like we are not strong enough for anything. I mean I talk about it all the time right, I men I tell you all that anyway. But what is the old saying " it's easier said than done sometimes". Well, that is me.

Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find much rest for your souls. For my yoke fits you perfectly and the burden I give you is light."

I have been humming that song all day long now and probably will the rest of the night. I wouldn't say it took all the stress automatically away, but it's just a reminder for me that when we really pray and ask for God's help and guidance, that our minds would work so that every thought and movement is set on Jesus. I told someone today that we were not told is was going to be easy I guess, but we did get confirmation that done the right way, we don't have to carry the loads alone.

I hope you all have had a really good week. And the root canal, after 2 1/2 hrs went okay except for the part about me getting REALLY sick from the gas. Still have more work to be done (in time) but it's all good. Melinda and Jazzmine... thank you (you know why) !!! Love you all bunches and Lord willing, until next time....

This past weekend was really busy for me, nothing new right? But we had a car wash for my daughter's basketball team to raise money for their summer camps in a few weeks. Car wash went fine and that night she wanted to go to the movies with her best friends, Brianna and Briana. Yes, there are THREE of them. Now she WANTED to go to the 10:40 movie but if you all know me, THAT was not happening so I agreed to let them go to the 8:30 movie. I figured I would still be in the bed by 10 or so, so it was all good. Well, movie was over at 9:45 and I get a text: " Can we walk to Mellow Mushroom to eat"? OK, I really think she was pushing me at this point. You know how they do.. call or text you in front of friends just so you can say yes. Well, as I hesitated, I said yes, BUT I will be there at 11 on the dot so be outside. She was not really happy since she thought she needed to be out past midnight, but my house, my rules. I even had someone tell me to stop being so protective. My NICE answer, was my house my rules although I really wanted to say something else to them!

So as promised 11 on the dot I am there and they are all outside. One of the Bri's was spending the night with me so they got in. Neither said a word but I knew MY Bri was not happy. Oh well..the joys of parenthood.. haha

Next morning, Brianna, Briana, and Brianna all went to church with me and it was quite funny watching them together. Someone calling out Bri and all three turn around or none of them move. After church they all went home w/ me before practice that afternoon and everything was good until I noticed my Bri go outside alone. Great, I guess they all made each other mad (maybe too much closeness) and either way, my child's attitude was not good. I asked what was wrong and of course no answer from her and the other two were just trying to talk to her but to no avail.


So I took her aside and basically gave her a "talk". I told her we just left church and her attitude was not very Christian like. That she could not invite people over and then just leave them because she is mad. People are going to upset you all your life I'm afraid and the way you handle it really makes or breaks you. I also reminded her that she was very fortunate in that she was allowed to do things that not alot of people could do and that she should really appreciate it more. As the conversation went on, I got a few tears from her, never a word though and she just walked outside. An hour or so later, the three Bri's seemed to be fine. Guess they made up and all was well in the land of best friends!

We read in Bible class that same Sunday morning Philippians 2:5-9

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name."

What a perfect example we have of someone setting aside how they should be treated and lived a life of sacrifice and humility. When we get to the point that our thoughts and actions are negative, we should focus on Christ and His words. We can't always have our way in life. But once again as I have said before and as I told my own daughter, it is not all about us. We are to live life as Christ did, serving and putting others before ourselves.

I pray you all have a wonderful Monday. The rain is great.. I read this morning on FB where everyone was not liking it but I say bring it on. I love it, very relaxing for me and if we didn't have it.. then what??? Love you all and until next time Lord willing.

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face and really, a song playing in my head. The kids were not really moving very fast so I hurried them along so they would not be late and I came back home to get ready for work. Popped in a CD and jumped on Facebook really quick (of course!) I posted something on FB this morning that I will say again:

Thank you God for loving me even when I am not so lovable. Thank you for making things work out when I cannot figure hem out, when I think that someone else needs to be doing it or when I think my world is coming to an end. Philippians 4. Today is gonna be a good, nope, a great day!

And it really is. Now next week, I may come back crying about how things are not going my way (all you gotta do is remind me about today, really!!) but right now.. I am so blessed and thankful that the people that are in my life are here. That is all because of God. I look back on my life and KIND OF see maybe some of the things God was trying to do with me. I see why I went through some of the relationships I went through, I see what I had to move away for a while, I see why some of the ending happened like they did. All for His purpose and plan and today, I love it!

Then I got my Purpose Driven Life message this morning and low and behold, what is Mr Warren talking about today: God Smiles when we Praise!!

And he said this:

"We praise God for who he is and we thank God for what he has done (Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 116:17). David said, "I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord" (Psalm 69:30-31 NIV).An amazing thing happens when we offer praise and thanksgiving to God. When we give God enjoyment, our own hearts are filled with joy!"

and that's exactly how I feel today. God is so good, all the time! My heart is literally filled with joy, it's a great day. I do pray though that I remember that everyday can be like this if I make that choice. No weapon formed against me shall prosper...

I pray that you all are having a great morning also and a blessed rest of the day and weekend! I am about to turn my music on since a few people are out today. Maybe I won't disturb them TOO much in the other offices : ) Until next time, Lord willing... love you all!

For the most part, I TRY, and I stress try, to stay positive. I realize all works out for good for those that serve Him. And then yesterday happens, and all that common sense goes in one ear and out the other. And it's really funny (and that's not HAHA funny) how your mind is saying stay calm, but the outside is showing anything but calm. I thank God for my friends though, seriously. The ones that can tell just by me saying " hello" on the phone that something is wrong and they remind me about everything I already know and just seem to have forgotten that very moment.

Satan really does go around like a roaring lion ya know. He hates seeing us happy, seeing us have calm in our lives. And the moment we give into the pressures of the world, he has us right where he wants us. Feeling defeated and lost.

James 1:2 -8 (from the Message, because I really like this version) says "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

God is good and perfect so there is nothing that He brings into my life that will hurt or harm me, it's just up to me to look beyond all the issues and stresses even though it seems really hard at the time, and realize that there is a new day coming, a new opportunity to start over and grow even more in my faith. All we gotta do is ask.

Today is a much better day. I love you all bunches and Lord willing, we will talk again soon!

Bittersweet Mom's Day

It was a wonderful weekend. I hope all you mothers had a good Mother's Day. You know, mine was good. My daughter fixed me breakfast in bed and they saved their money and bought me something from my favorite store, Bath and Body Works. Tony stopped by and it was really just a wonderful day. But it was also a little bitter sweet for me. I thought that this year I would get by and maybe think about my mom and go on. Funny how the brain works... because as good as the day was, thought of my mom popped up. And, well like I said, it was just bitter sweet.

Proverbs 31:25-31 (The Message) :

"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises! "

I cannot help but think when I read these verses about my mom. I know that we all think of our mothers in this way and I am not saying any one is better than the other, but my mom really was these things. I cannot help but think about how blessed I was to grow up with the parents God gave to me. Although not perfect, they tried to make sure that my brother and I were raised right and did what we were suppose to. They didn't give us any slack and there were times when kids use to tease us because my parents didn't always let us go and do what the other kids did. I look back on it now, and raising my own children now, I see why.

There are times when I watch other people in situations. I realize that maybe parents don't see things like you do and want to do it a different way, that's cool. Just remember, you only get one mom and dad.. cherish and love them while they are here. No one knows the time or place when we leave this earth... my mom was 51 when she passed away.

Jealousy is a sin. I know that, but I would be lying to you if I didn't say that there are times when I watch people with their parents, their moms especially and I feel that jealousy. I hate that my children don't get to do Grandparent's Day at school, hate that Grandma can't spoil them when I can't do it, or just that I can't call her when I just wanna talk and hear her voice. Love them now because I can tell you from first hand experience, I have felt no pain greater ( and I love my daddy too) than the day my mom passed away. There is honestly not a day that goes by that I don't think about her... all I have to do is look in the mirror because I am blessed also in the fact that not only do I sound alot like her, I am her twin.

So... Mother's Day only comes once a year, on the calendar anyway, but really, if your mom is still here, you are truly blessed and you should let her know it everyday, not just in May.

I love you all, be blessed and until next time... Lord Willing....

You know, we all have some thing that God has given us that can be used to build each other up or tear one another down, that can comfort in times of need or crush when we get anger or that can be used to sing praises to God or say awful things to people... our tongue.

I hate fussing at my kids and I have at times said things I should not have said to them and others as well. And in that moment it didn't seem like anything bad but I have learned as years went on, that the words that I may have said at one time are still there. I can remember going through my divorce.. .OHHH I said a whole bunch of things that people told me I was justified in saying (and doing) but as I look back on it now, not only was I acting like a person strung out on drugs, and as much as I hated what my ex was doing to me, it wasn't Christian like at all. I have since apologized to my children and my ex for that matter, but I am no fool.. I know the words are still there.

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken: - Matthew 12:36

So I read this verse and I won't lie.. it scares me because I know I have alot of explaining to do. Everything that we do, the words we speak are suppose to be used to build up the body of Christ, to being in lost and to show the world what is like to be a Christian. Kinda hard to do when every other word out of our mouths is negative or tearing someone down. We are suppose to encourage each other daily and I think maybe sometimes we forget that, well except on Sundays and Wednesday night Bible study.

I am the queen of texting. Well actually my daughter is way better than me, but I can hang with the best of them. There is not a day that goes by that I am not either getting a text or sending one. Alot of it is really about nothing. But if we can find the time to text, Facebook and e-mail, why not send an encouraging text to a friend. It only takes a second and you never know who you will impact that day. Just a thought....I pray that we will all start to think about and watch what we say to others and make the words that you speak are used for what God intended.. to glorify Him in all we do.

It's the weekend people and I get a night without the boys tomorrow. I shall be on the back porch, citronella burning and taking in everything around me. Love you all bunches and I pray you all have a good and safe weekend. Until next time, Lord willing!

Last night I was watching the news and something caught my attention. There is a judge in Lee County that has begun to start all of his sessions with a prayer. They interviewed him and he said that basically Christians have taken a back seat and it's time once again to stand up for what we believe in. He has hopes that maybe through prayer, it can change some of the people who come through his court. He also said, and I love it.. .he's not trying to push religion on anyone but if they don't like it, they can leave.

Then I started thinking about the many sermons I have heard in my lifetime about making sure we are doing what we are suppose to, letting our light shine, making sure we are always finding ways to bring God to people and I know that is just what this judge was doing. I have no clue what church he attends or what his beliefs even are, but he chose to make a stand and was not afraid or embarrassed to share it with the world. That made me smile and wish I was alot more like him.

A friend of mine told me the other night that people are always telling her (and me too) that the two things you do not discuss with people are politics and religion for fear of upsetting them I guess. But you know what, the truth hurts sometimes and I really don't understand how as Christians we can say " we can't discuss religion" and then try to teach God and save souls. Somehow that seems wrong. I think we HAVE to discuss religion, we have to make sure that people who don't know Christ know exactly who He is and what He did for the world. I do realize however that you can't go around telling people that what believe is wrong and they are going to hell for not believing what you do. But God does say in Mark 16:

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

I didn't make it up, it's there. In the USA today, we are not persecuted for believing they way we do or even teaching others like they are in some countries, so as Christians we need to take every opportunity to make sure we take as many people to heaven with us as possible.What are we afraid of? I mean if God is in it, it HAS to be and will work out for good.

I like that judge in Lee County. Who knows how many people he will touch with something as simple as saying a prayer.

I hope and pray you all have a really wonderful day. Please say a special prayer for my friend Quanda. Her grandmother passed away yesterday and she will be traveling back to NC this weekend for the funeral.. And as she said last night on her Facebook, lets not wait until people are gone to let them know how much you love and care for them.

Until next time, Lord willing,, love ya bunches!!

My daughter, is a bit of a drama queen and I don't think there is a day that goes by that something is not going on in her life that is " life changing", or at least for her anyway. And I really try to do what people tell me.. you know, remember what it was like in high school, remember what it was like to be a teenager, but the mom comes out in me and I am like " are you serious, buck up girl!!". See, I see things a little different than her and some of her "friends" I realize are not her friends and she has not gotten to that point yet. So that means, Facebook status updates everyday on how so and so did me wrong and how I thought this and that one was my friend. And its not just her. I am friends online with alot of her friends (good way to keep up on things folks!!) and they are all the same.

Yesterday was no different. I walk in the house and she has the LOOK.. the one that means please don't ask me what's wrong because I am not telling you anyway but me being me, of course I asked and asked until I finally got some kind of answer. And it was the same thing.. I just learned something about this person that I didn't believe or know and she didn't like it or how they did her. I hate for her to learn the hard way, but sometimes its necessary. Then I got an e-mail form someone and in it, she mentioned she had a song stuck in her head that we sing at church "Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, devouring everything in site......." and I thought about Brianna too.

High school is so very different now than it was 20 years ago when I was there and although Satan was working then, I see it so much in those kids at the school and I don't think they have a clue. They are not looking for it and honestly, he is the last thing on most of their minds. But not only is Satan trying to get us to fail and fall, and just like we say the kids today are our future, I think Satan is thinking the same way.

It is up to us to make sure our children realize that Satan is laying traps for them everyday to fall into. That what may seem to be real and right may not be the case and that even in high school, it's okay to be different and ask God to help them work through their issues too. Heaven is such a big far off place to most of them and they think they are going to live forever.. I know I did. But we need to tell them, let them know that Satan IS real and he is prowling around like the song says waiting for them to make bad decisions that could effect their eternal lives. They need to know that the only way they will start to see people and things for what they really are is constantly pray and ask God for help and make sure that the people they do hang around have the same Christ-like goals that they want to have. Probably not the most popular things to be doing in high school, but sure is the right one.

And then, when we are telling our children this, we need to remember the same applies to us as well. There is no age limit on who Satan tries to attack and believe me, he knows exactly what, how and when to do it. Things are moving long all peachy and then BAM, he hits us and we have no clue what to do or how to get out of it. He counts on us being thrown off and not know what to do or to try to handle it ourselves and mess it up. But the same rules apply to us that we tell our kids, we need to constantly be praying BEFORE things happen. We need to stay in pray actually and keep that armor on at all times so that when things do happen, we know who we need to turn too. No matter how the world tells us to handle it, if we are looking at things the way Jesus does, through his eyes, it may not work out like we always want it too, but with prayer and faith, it will work out the way God sees fit.

Keep praying for each other, our kids too. Satan is not a fan of sticking together and making sure God is first so I figure all the more reason to do it.

Love you all bunches and until next time, Lord willing ....

So, once again it seemed to me that the sermon Sunday morning was made especially for me. Isn't that how it always is.. stuff going on and you really don't feel like being bothered. You try and try to stay positive because you know it's for the best, but your heart just really is not in it. You would honestly rather be any place other than where you are so you can sit and sulk in private. And then he did it. We have been studying the Beatitudes and this week... yep.. " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God".

So Greg starts preaching on how if our hearts are not right, if we have all these things blocking us from receiving God and His Word, that even though we hide things from each other, we can't hide it from God because He knows no matter what we do. He said the heart is what makes us us. You know, there are many people who are easily impressed with "stuff". They look on the outside and see the houses, the cars, the jobs, the relationships and make alot of assumptions and use the outside appearances to measure a person's success or greatness. But if we really are honest with ourselves, none of this stuff matters. We can on any given day have our "things" taken away from us, but the inside, the heart, if it is pure, will never change and that is what God looks at.

Sigh......

So after lunch, I just prayed and had an honest talk to myself and yeah, I even answered back. It is very easy for me to get wrapped up in my own world and my motives become, well impure. I start to think about no one but myself and that double-mindedness keeps me from really seeing and feeling God. There is nothing I can do alone, including trying to maintain a heart that is right with God, but with Him all things are possible. I pray for all of us that we really try to focus and soak up all the positive energy around us (as my friend Jazz tells me all the time), not to let anything distract us from wanting to know God and open our heart totally to Him.

I pray you all have a blessed Monday. I think the weather is getting ready to get bad so be careful out there! Until next time, Lord willing...