I came into work this morning not expecting to hear the news I did. One of my co-worker's nephews was killed in an accident sometime this past weekend. I am not sure of the exact age, but I think he was around my boys ages. Just breaks my heart. Last week, my daughter's classmate was killed. Another friend who had friends lose an 8 or 9 year old son a few weeks ago in a sledding accident.A month ago, two babies died in Albany, from accidents.

No one really expects children to pass away so soon. I know I don't. I just always think there is time for them to grow and learn and experience life. But like I have said before and you all know, we are not promised to live until we are 75 or 80 and watch our kids have kids. If we actually make it that far, we are truly blessed. I celebrated my middle son's birthday this past weekend. He had some friends over and just had a really good time and not once did I stop to think that this may be his last birthday with me. And it's not to be morbid, but just honest.

Then I got an e-mail this morning again, reminding me to just stop TELLING people I love them and show them by my actions. (John 3:18) And then God tells us to bring up our children in the discipline and instruction of the the Lord.

And through all of this I am reminded that it is our job, MY job to teach my children what God expects of them too. From day one actually, we are to let them know that not only do we love them, but God does too. We can't hold back on teaching about Jesus to our kids because we think they may not be ready or mature enough. They may not fully understand some of the difficult concepts, but kids know truth when they hear and SEE it. And it's up to us to show them.

We spend alot of our time making sure our retirement is in order for when we get old, that our kids make straight A's so they will get into a good college and make lots of money (I am guilty of this.....), that they have the best of friends, play all the sports they can ( again, me....) and just get as much of life there is to offer. And not that any of those things are bad, because they aren't, but I wonder do we make just as big a deal about the spiritual lives.... we may not have as much time as we think...

My heart really breaks for all these families. It really does because I cannot imagine losing my kids now. BUT and I know alot of you hate to hear it, God works in everything.. good and bad and we have to just keep praying.

With so much sadness in the world, it's hard to find positive sometimes but I really do pray you can. The weather is beautiful, God is good and has given us another day to do His works... lets not waste it.... until next time , Lord willing....

"The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." - Psalm 37:23-24


Remember those who are hurting right now, those who may not have jobs or homes to go to, those who have no food to eat, those who just need a friend. Be blessed and always be a blessing!! Until next time, Lord willing....

Yesterday, my daughter lost a classmate. He was a Senior at AHS, going into the military after high school so I heard. He had just bought a car and was at a car wash when someone pulled a gun on him, robbed him, took his keys and then shot him. As I looked on Facebook, and listened to Bri on the phone talking with some of her friends, needless to say, they were all in shock and very upset. As was everyone else that knew about it. It's one thing to steal from someone, but to take their life...well, it's senseless.

So I talked to Brianna about it, trying to see if she was okay and maybe if she had any questions. She really didn't, but her FB status said it all: " RIP Robert, this shows you that you can never take life for granted. Make sure you tell your loved ones you love them."

I don't think that any of those kids thought up until that point that they would not make it to see their high school graduation. I don't even think as adults, as much as we say it, really believe that this may very well be our last hour. We live like we have all the time in the world to make things right and honestly, we really don't. The time is now to make sure that we have done everything that God wants us to do. This life we have, it's not ours, it's God so lets not waste it. Let's seek to really fulfill the purpose God set for each one of us to have.

As I dropped Bri off at school this morning, I saw the kids walking in, most dressed in black as a remembrance for Robert Purvis. My prayer is that they all remember this day and from this point on, start really showing kindness and concern for each of their classmates. My prayers are with the Purvis family today.


Until next time, Lord willing...

: ))

I am a basketball mom. Some days I love it, some I could really do without. The coaching on our team has not been the best and I have had my issues with the coach. But through all of that, through the girls always telling us how they really don't want to play with her anymore, the parents have tried to tell them that no matter what anyone says, you all are a team and you have to stick together... then things will change. And with it being a girl's team.. well, you know how it is when a bunch of attitudes get together... chaos all the time! So the whole season, the scuffed through, only winning 2 games in the region the whole season but even with that every teams STILL gets a chance to play for a spot in the region. So... last night we are up against a team who has won WAY more games than we have, but our girls are pumped! They told us before the game that even if they lost, they were gonna play hard, together since it might be the last game of the season.

Last 10 seconds of the game, the other team has the ball and our girls literally did something they have not done ALL season... they played defense and stole the ball. Lisa grabbed it, took off down the court and made a perfect layup. WE WIN by one point sealing our spot in the Semi finals this week AND State Playoffs next week! I had one of those head rushes that you get when you drink something cold really fast! They talked to each other throughout the game, if someone made a mistake, you could see them saying to each other " its okay, lets get back in it", and not letting the other people phase them or make them take their eyes off the prize. Just a little encouragement....

It was a good night for them. I pray that you all are having a really good week. It's not Valentine's Day anymore but I hope you are still showing encouragement and telling the people in your life how much they mean to you. Until next time, Lord willing be blessed...

OHHH and just in case you missed the clip on the news, our boys and girls are featured in it from last night.. It's Albany High, we are at the end of the clip and you will even catch a few glimpses of my baby, # 40 : ))

http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=14029623

I think at any given time, a person can be pushed to their breaking point. And what you may think is yours, may not be mine and vice versa. I also don't think that God wants us to stand around and let people run all over us. I just don't. I mean doing good and what is right is what we are commanded to do, but letting people use is going a bit far right? Last night was it for me. I told you before, I don't handle stress well. I make no bones about it. When I am mad, I am mad. Case closed and I pretty much don't want to hear anything else. I get from Tony and a few people who have been around me when this happens how I need to "calm down" and all that jazz, but it's funny, cause when it's them, they are not listening to "calm down" from me. And then from my anger, cause that's what it is, things just start to flow out of my mouth. Not things I would normally say, but they do. Not good.I just don't like people trying to or even thinking that they are getting over on me nor do I like the feeling of being used so why bother.

and THEN I got on Facebook this morning and a friend from church posted this verse:

Proverbs 15:1-3 - "A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense. God doesn't miss a thing— he's alert to good and evil alike."

UGHHHHHH .........as much as I don't like to do it (cause I like defending myself if I have too) sometimes, it's just better to say " ok" and move on and not let it fester. God expects us to show Christlike attitudes all the time, not just when things are working in our favor, but even when people tick us off. I still honestly don't think God wants us to be doormats, but He probably does want us to handle every situation like Christ would. I gotta work on that, cause truthfully, that's a hard one for me. So, I am glad David posted that this morning, I sure needed it as a reminder that it is STILL not about me and to let God handle His business.

Relax, release...... it's going to be a good day. Our Region basketball tournament starts today... GO INDIANS AND SQUAWS!!! I love you all, and until next time, be blessed!

Valentine's Day... ughhhhhh

I don't like Valentine's Day, never have to be honest. I cannot tell you how ill I get at Christmas time when on one aisle, you have Christmas decorations and on the other, Valentine's candy. I mean really??? It doesn't get more commercial than that to me. One day that folks run out, to buy candy and cards to tell that person "I love you". I would personally like my significant other and friends to be telling and showing me that everyday and not just that day. I like flowers, cards and texts for no reason and not just cause other people are getting them. I liked to know that I am loved, even when I may not be so lovable....

So instead of being negative this morning (cause I felt it coming) I got on the computer, read some devotions and came across a verse in Isaiah 43 where God was talking to the people of Israel. Even though they had done things that were not pleasing, God said to them:

"Don't be afraid. I made you and I will take care of you. You are mine."

Just like those candies that the kids are passing out today with all the little messages on them, God says " You Are Mine". Just like the people of Israel, we are disciplined when we do not do what God wants us to do, but even through that, He loves us unconditionally. Not because we happen to be good on one day, but just because. There really is no greater love (or Valentine) than that.

Make sure you are showing Christ's love everyday, to everyone. I really do love you all (and not just cause it's Valentine's Day). I hope you all have a wonderful week... it's going to be a real busy one for me.. Until next time, Lord willing....

So of my many pet peeves, the one that is really close to the top of my list is getting advice from people who think they have all the answers but have no clue because, well frankly, they haven't been through anything. Like kids.... I love my non-parent friends dearly, God bless 'em, but please don't give me any advice on how to raise my kids until you have your own, been through some of the issues I have and have the scars to prove it. I don't need or want really to know how you would discipline (cause all kids don't respond to the same discipline the same way) or what you would say because you never know until you get in that situation. TRUST ME. And that's just one example, I have many many MANY more, but that one just recently happened so it was stuck in my head.

Not that people who have not dealt with the same issues cannot be there to listen to you when you need it, because they can and actually should be. I think that many of us just find it easier to talk to people about our issues who have actually traveled down that same road before.It just tends to ease our burdens to know that someone else went through the same thing and came out on the other end okay.

James 1:2-4 (from the Message) 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."

And then once you face those trials, God says in 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

See, those hard times we face, even though it doesn't seem like it at the time we are dealing with them, have a purpose. When we get to the other side of our problems, we can be there for others who are going through the same thing. That doesn't mean that you have all the answers and that their situation will come out like yours did or didn't, it just means that you can be there for them the same way God was for you. You know, like Pam says "be blessed and be a blessing".. that's what God wants us to do.

I love you all and until next time, Lord willing....

So a friend of mine sent me a devotional this morning and the scripture was Proverbs 18:21 (The Message) - "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose."

And I thought about a conversation I had with another friend yesterday who was upset. And honestly, I understood why she was upset, I had been there and done that. And what she said I had said all too many times. But then I also remembered that as mad as I was then and she was yesterday, being negative would not help. Actually it would hinder us both in what we needed to be doing. The more negative you put in your head and let out of your mouth, the more negative things would happen to you. We can't change what people do around us and we can't make them into who we want them to be.. some people are just not nice (and that's putting it nicely) but what we can do is change our attitudes, thoughts and words. Hard I know but totally necessary if we plan on moving forward in our lives and want to receive the blessings God has in store for us.

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day. Until next time, Lord willing....

I saw a FB post last week that kind of disturbed me. Seems that a very close friend of Brianna's dad (someone I knew but was not close close friends with) had a heart attack on his way to work and died. He was with friends the night before, he was fine, no issues at all. Next morning, he was gone. He was 44.

I looked at all the postes from friends of his and even text my ex to see if he was ok. The consensus was the same pretty much around the board. They were just all in shock, not really understanding what or why and very anger. Been there, done that so I understood.

But it also, once again, made me realize how short life really is. He was in his early 40's and no known health problems and if he was anything like Brianna's dad, thought he was gonna live forever. Alot of us though think like that. But not a one of us know when our final seconds will be. All we know is that we are to be Christ-like while we are here. We can't live as the world lives no matter how good it looks, we have to treat others like they should be treated, help, live out the teachings of Christ and share His word with others. That way, when the times comes to leave this earth, we will be ready to meet God.

It's also a reminder to me to just not be so bogged down by "stuff". To make sure that the people you love know you love them every single day and there are no regrets.. no woulda coulda shoulda's. Our days are numbered folks, and God's time and ours is very different so there is no better time than NOW to makes necessary changes.

I love you guys bunches. I honestly get through most of my days knowing that I have wonderful friends who are always behind me. "Be blessed and always be a blessing".. you never know who you may touch!


OHHH and sorry Michele and Melinda on that loss last night... I was thinking about you! : ))

My daughter is really big on having braids in her hair. It actually makes it alot easier for her while she is playing sports during the school year. But for as easy and convenient as it is, it can be very damaging to her hair. As a teenager though, I am clueless and she won't listen to me. So basketball will be over soon and she decided she wanted the braids out and to get her hair relaxed (that's a perm for those who don't know). So after seeing the damage, I told her, its gonna have to be cut. And I mean that means no more ponytails cut. She was fine. As a matter of fact, she said to me " cut it all off, it'll just make it easier".

Now, as a woman, a black woman, let me tell you MY feelings on hair.... I can make it long, short, curly or straight. I can grow my own, buy it or sew it in. Doesn't matter to me. BUT for me personally and alot of my friends, hair for us is like it was for Sampson... seriously... if it is not how we like it, we lose power. I know it seems silly and a bit trifling, but for me, it is what it is.

So I went to pick her up. She was fine. All smiles. The girl styled it and it is SOOOOOO cute! But then, Bri looked in the mirror and it hit her. I can't put it up anymore (well for now at least) and well, its different and she lost it right there in the chair! I knew the feeling all too well so I started trying to comfort her immediately. She did not want to hear it and as a matter of fact, decided right then (as her Facebook page says) that she is ugly. And I don't think she actually thinks she is ugly, but well, its just a big change for her.

So I left my room, and called my hair dresser. I have been growing my hair out natural for over a year now so its pretty long. Today, I have an appointment to get it cut.... just like Bri's. God could care less how we have our hair, what clothes we wear... all He cares about is what's on the inside and how we live our lives for Him.

You know, sometimes we think that we can only comfort and support people when they have big things going on in their lives. Sometimes, the simple things are the ones that matter. And no, I don't have to cut my hair to make her feel better, but sometimes people just need to feel better. I doubt there is a verse on this one in the Bible, but it's just what's going on in my life. : )

If you see my daughter, ahhhhhh please don't tell her I told you any of this, but some encouragement would be nice.

I pray you all have a blessed and wonderful day and until next time, Lord willing... love ya!

My friend Pam is an awesome writer, not to mention a really great person and friend. I love reading her blog because she quite honestly, tells it like it is. And God is always her guide, you can tell through her writings. So the other day she had a post on being accountable and basically how we as Christians need to have a friend (or two) to hold us accountable for the things we do. You know, checking up on us, making sure that we are doing our best to stay on track. Whether it be Bible study, exercising, praying, raising kids or getting along with your mate, we all need someone who will help us. Making sure that that someone is of the same mind set as you, meaning that God is first and the ultimate goal is heaven.

Scripture tells us in I Corinthians 12 that Christians are all part of the same body - the body of Christ - and each member needs or belongs to the other. So as believers in Christ, we need to have someone that we can go to in good and bad times. It also says Galatians 6 (The Message)- "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." And one of my all time favorites, we are to "encourage and build each other up."

There are days when everything is seemingly going right for me and then there are days when everything I touch seems to end up in a mess. I need to be held accountable for my actions, should have someone that I can go to. We all should. So, thank you Pam for that blog.... I am going to do just that.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up…" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I pray you all have a really good day. Its been a good week so far, thank you God!! Until next time, Lord willing, "be blessed and be a blessing!!"