Tiger Cubs, 39 for the 7th time, Johnny Appleseed, & Extravagant Love

Unless you live remotely close to my world, you are probably thinking...thats a stupid title?? I couldn't come up with anything creative, sorry that's the best I could do!! 

The past week has been full of things...busy, wonderful, GOD FILLED, hectic, lovely, blessed, funny, cute and more. I just can't get it all together enough to post. Each day I wanted to post something but didn't have take time, not because of my busyness, but in preparation for our Women's Retreat. (more in a bit or much later). I had resolved myself that I needed to take as much time as possible to focus on Him, pray and get myself together for the retreat.

So now I am attempting to write this post, although it may be lengthy, I may have to split in parts, and I definitely don't have time to write  it at once.

Monday was a Monday, much like the others and I loved going home and not having to go back out!! Everyone was home and I actually cooked!!

Usually I come in the door and Kea yells, Mommy! and comes and give me the best hug in the world. But uh, that didn't happen Tuesday. He does yell, Mommy....and as fast as the words can fly from his mouth he says, can I be a Tiger Cub?? They shoot BBguns, go camping, hiking, derby car races and more fun stuff. I really want to can I can I??? Seriously?? You need to breathe! I mean really? Tiger Cub?? Shhh don't tell him, but that's not in me at all. My idea of camping is like a camper type and that's pushing it....to be truthful its more like Holiday Inn. Nice bed, indoors, running water & electricity.Well, Buzz we will talk about it in a little while....... secretly hoping he forgets (NOT likely  I know, a girl can dream can't she??) maybe I can figure out something to distract this idea. I might as well go ahead and tell it. Where was I on Thursday night? Signing up for Tiger Cubs. (There was a box on the form to check to be a Den Parent. Let's just say I skipped it.) And thats my story. I am sticking to it!!

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On Wednesday something happened that no matter what, was going to happen. Well with the exception of the alternative. Actually my last birthday was 39! And after that year I decided I would have anniversaries of my 39th... this was my 7th Anniversary.... sure saves calling the fire department when they light the candles. I have my wonderful husband to thank for a great dinner. It was Wednesday and we had church so when I got home there were steaks, salad, & fries (with seasoning salt,  YUMM)waiting on me. I have the best gifts!! I can't ever ask for more.... my husband and my children!! I can't thank God enough for them!! Each year on my Birthday I again thank God for the many blessing he had given me! No material gift could ever take the place of my family. The best gifts are those that come straight from the hand of God!!!

My greatest GIFTS!!!

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Cloth Pot Hat and Apple Seed Bag courtesy of Granny Jo!!!



Do you remember 1st grade? Well, I vaguely remember a few things but I don't think that we actually took a couple weeks to study the life of Johhny Appleseed. It doesn't matter what they are learning, Kea is all about it. He digs deep into whatever it may be. We have had apples galore, apple cider, applesauce, dried apples, and well you catch my drift.... he was so sweet that he gave me an apple for my birthday and it would not do til I cut it and we shared it....he is so thoughtful!! Anyway Friday was Johnny Appleseed Day and they were having a parade. He was all about some Johnny Appleseed, as you can tell.

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The most amazing part of my week was the Women's Retreat. Ohhh there is so much to tell that I will just have to make it a post of its own. I will give a glimpse of it..... Extravagant Love. In depth study of God's Word, praise, time of fellowship, fun, friends,  full of hugs and encouragement, a visit to Billy Graham Library, more study and sillyness. Overall a wonderful time in the Lord, spent with wonderful sisters in Christ. What refreshment, what joy!!! What an opportunity!!

Until next time!!

Piper :)

Behind the Name.......

This song is the behind the name of my blog. Need I say more?

Thank you Lord!!

Piper :)

Friday Flashback!

(I know this is 2 posts today, but I didn't post my SSMT yesterday.....so HAPPY FRIDAY!!!)

I was looking through some picture files and so many just made me smile. What better place to store them but on my blog!! I love snapshots, silly faces & all. Some are from days past, but they still make me smile.....(or seriously crack up). 

1st Christmas

They are too cute!! Precious girls!!

A day in the mountains...

True colors revealed....lol!!

She stills  loves cake!!

Hollywood BFFs!!!

So where do you have those pictures that make you smile!!??

Piper :)

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 18!!

God has led me to each verse that I have picked for 2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team. Today's is no different. (well yesterday's).

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

A few weeks ago our Assoc Pastor taught on denying ourselves and taking up his cross daily and following Christ. At first, I was thinking, that is soooo hard. Things of this world pull you in & drag you down and sometimes you just think this is hard. But, I have prayed that God would show me in what ways He wants me to live out this verse. Since then, I have said that to myself repeatedly. In times when I am overwhelmed with my to do list, when someone asks me to do one more thing, when the laundry pile is never ending, when the clock says its 11pm and I just want to go to sleep, when someone does or says something that just grates my last nerve, when my kids are fighting, when I think I just want to quit, when I want that pair of shoes, when I want that brownie.... He has spoke to my spirit.... and sometimes I have to say it over & over.....deny yourself Piper. Take up your cross and follow Him.

Sometimes (most of the time) it takes me a while to "get it" and God usually has to get my attention in more ways than one. Well, He did just that on Sunday morning. And I haven't forgotten it. He hasn't let me. And I don't think I want to.

Preacher H shared his burden for WV, with tears flowing, he told of a man that was killed in in a 4-wheeler accident. He had shared the gospel numerous times with this man. Yet, he never accepted Christ. He was so heart broken over this. God used this for His Glory, 13 people accepted Christ at the funeral. He has prayed for several years that God would send someone there to start a church, and through this tragedy, Preacher H is starting the church for those in Jenkins Jones, WV. He is denying himself and choosing to follow Christ.

A true picture of Luke 9:23!!
Pray for Preacher H!!!

How this man blesses my heart!!.... while he was telling us I realized that Preacher H is a true picture denying himself, taking up his cross and following Christ daily. Without a doubt this man does this daily, along with love, faith, compassion, grace, passion & desire to do His Father's Will.  Please pray for his health, strength, financial obligations of a church and for his family....& his precious wife Miss M!

So I must make a daily choice to deny myself, and take up my cross (whatever my suffering and my trials) and follow CHRIST! How about you? How do you apply this scripture to your life?

God Bless!!

Piper :)

I Want to Thank Him One More Time

Yesterday during morning worship the quartet sang "One More Time". When they got to the chorus..

"I want to thank Him and I want to Praise Him His grace has been sufficient
and like before He's given victory one more time
He was always standing by my side when the valley was low when the river was wide
So I want to thank Him and I want to praise Him one more time"

...tears began to flow. After last week, you know my  Keeping It Real.... post. Well, I felt so guilty, overwhelmed, unworthy, redeemed, loved, all in one moment. Immediately, I wanted to praise Him for ALL He has done for me. His grace is sufficient. He has given me Victory soooo many times. He has always been by my side even when I didn't know He was there. He deserves so much more praise than I can ever give Him. 

I have so much to be thankful for and this post contains some of God's blessings on me..........  (I would never go to sleep tonight if I began to post everything)

God's greatest gift...my best friend!




God's precious gifts!

More precious gifts!! (& a grandblessing, too!)

The Whole Clan!! Love it when we are all together!!

Poppy Tom & Mom

Dad & Mimi

Grady & Joann



I have sooo to thank Him for.....I just want to PRAISE HIM ONE MORE TIME!!!!



Piper :)





In Remembrance of 9.11.2001.......

Keeping It Real.....

I would like to say that I haven't posted because I haven't had time..... and I really haven't had time to sit down and try to post. But, to be real honest, I haven't felt like I have anything to post, or to write home about, so to speak. It has been a topsy turvey week for me. Yes, I had Labor Day off, and it was a blur. But, the work week has been crammed because of that day off. Not to mention, we have had something every night this week. I really need to get a routine. I know that's how the beginning of school is and it just takes time.

Do you ever have a week when you can't think straight, you don't feel very good, not sure what is wrong, if there is even anything wrong, I am fearful, of what?I am edgy? Am I going crazy ? Well, if you don't ever feel this way consider yourself blessed!! When I feel this way, I am usually headed for a Pity Party. But, I know exactly where this is coming from...... from the king of all lies. Every time that I am doing something for the Lord, the liar shows up, and picks and pulls me in every direction to take my focus off of the Lord. I know this. This is nothing new to me. But, I still allow him to rob me of my joy, making me want to go home, crawl under the covers, and not come out until the storm passes. Then I make a CHOICE I CANNOT ALLOW HIM to do this to me. I try so hard, I pray, I listen to worship music, I try to be still....... so that I can get out of my "funk" as I call it.

I have turned to some of my SSMT verses to focus on God and allow HIM to pull me out of my funk. I realized how far behind I am in memorizing my verses and that I have been grumbling & complaining without telling God first. I usually listen to praise music on my way to work, but yesterday I decided I am going to take that 10-15 min drive down 40 to go over my verses. Each one has come with a story of how I chose it. Unfortunately, I hadn't ever given thought to writing those "stories" down. Now I wish I had started my blog so that I would remember where God had me when HE gave me HIS words HE wanted me to know. Anyway, when I got to " the Lord hath been mindful of us, He will bless us" Psalm 115:12a. I actually had written in my spiral " the Lord hath been mindful of us (ME!), He will bless us(ME!)"

BAM!! A light bulb went off..... He knows exactly how I feel, He knows my heart, He knows what is going on, HE hasn't forgotten me. And through all of this HE WILL BLESS ME!! I would like to say that in a split second my whole attitude changed and that my joy was fully restored, but not exactly. What I got was a HUGE reminder that HE is with me even when I am in my "funk" and there are times that I need to be right in the midst of my "funk" so that HE can remind me He is there for me. And Isaiah 43:2 reminds me that the waters will not overflow me.

He pours His grace out on me daily, I thank Him that His mercies are new every morning. I know there is a reason that I am in this situation and I thank Him that He will not leave me here! He loves me! HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!!!

Do you ever find it hard to be "real"?

Piper :)

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 17!!

I know yesterday was September 1st, but I as usual I am running behind. There is so much of God's Word I would love to be able to hide in my heart and I have such issues when I have to decide "which one" I want to memorize!! I have been so busy with changes in our lives that in my quiet times I haven't been settled in on any certain scriptures. Knowing I had to decide, I looked at my list and I just couldn't pick one just to say I did it. Well, in my prayer time I have asked God to help me with lots of things lately. And He will, if I will allow Him to work....I know everyone that may read this always allows Him to work and is "still" while waiting. BUT I rarely do. (being honest here people!!)  

This morning I still hadn't settled on a scripture and I was thinking, well maybe it's best. I am having a hard time keeping up with all of them anyway. So maybe I will just let it go. It's just one more thing to worry with. I could hear a friend's voice in my head. Don't you quit now! I quickly dismissed you (and you know who you are!!) And of course all of my excuses were straight from the kings of lies!! he was loving the fact that I was giving up. he has tried since I started. The Lord immediately convicted me and I realized I need to do this for ME and I would have to trust Him to give me what He wanted me to know. Shortly after, I opened an email devotion from Girlfriends In God, it was titled God Confidence by Sharon Jaynes. Today's truth is

".....apart from me you can do nothing" John 15:5

I didn't have to read anymore. Right then & there He was speaking to ME! I can't do anything without Him. EVER.The entire verse is “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5. 

I have read it many times...it has been preached on many times... yet this morning this stuck out to me... I guess because the first part of the verse usually focused on more... the bearing the fruit lesson is too, but it is one of those verses you just sorta know YET this time I was reminded that without Him I will surely fail, and that I need to be able to focus on these words that JESUS spoke...".....apart from me you can do nothing" John 15:5

When I think I can't.

When I think I can't handle anymore.

When I can't deal with one more "to do" on my list.

When my schedule is so full I can't see straight.

When I think that noone cares.

When I think I am really losing it.

I NEED IT to remind myself that without Him I am nothing.

I need Him for my next breath.

I need Him when I am busy.

I need Him when I am tired.

I need Him when I am sick.

I need Him when I am sick & tired.

I need him when I want to scream.

I need Him even when I don't make time for Him.

Yes, this is my verse for SSMT. Not only that, I believe that this is the verse I need for this season in my life. I need to focus on His(these) words daily.

How about you? What are your whens? And why do you need Him?

Thank you Lord for speaking to me LOUD & CLEAR today!!

Piper :)