2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 2!

Whoaaaa! Can you believe it is January 15th??!! Every year I am even more amazed at how quickly time goes by. My grandmother used to say, "Don't wish your life away, because as when you get my age, a year goes by like a day." At the young age of 15, waiting impatiently to turn 16 so I could get my license, I thought she doesn't understand, some days felt like weeks! 

A few years ago, I finally understood. The days go by so quickly, my children are growing up too fast, yesterday they were just toddling around. Time does fly when you are having fun, and even when you aren't, huh??!! 

Sorry.... I am in a rambling way today! I can't believe it is time to sign in with my next scripture. I haven't quite mastered my first one. I know I better get on it or I will have 10 to master! 

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 2!

 

This verse was one that the Lord put before me as I began searching scriptures to help me encourage others. Instead, I realized that it was for me. Many people make resolutions, I want to make changes that glorify Him. Changes that will benefit my family, my friends, my walk with the Lord and my faith. It is hard to always do what is right. No one else seems to concerned with doing right, why should I? Because, its IN HIS WORD. A command, that He now has placed before me. I am accountable for it. James 4:17 tells me "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Hmmmm, not easy to swallow, but necessary. So, as I continue this road, day by day, I need your prayers so that I will not grow weary, and not give up. Easier said than done, I know!

OH, LET'S GIVE THE LORD SOME PRAISE!!!!!!! Savannah had a PET scan yesterday and THERE IS NO CANCER!! Praise the Lord for His Healing!!! She still has some treatment ahead of her, but THANK YOU LORD for touching Savannah's cancer, her family and our community!! May YOU continue to get the GLORY in this situation!

 

This is for Kea.....

Dear Kea,

As I walked you into school today, I was a little sad that we didn't head down Kinder/1st Grade hall. But, you are so grown up now, that you just turned left, because after all you knew exactly where you were going. You even said to me, "I walked to that same classroom for reading group last year, don't you remember?" You are so funny, you make my heart smile.

Sunday night, when you said you were a little nervous, I was a little worried, but when we got to school, God wiped all that worry away. You didn't seem nervous, you acted as if you hadn' t been away all summer. You are growing up so quickly. We know that you have some fears that you are working at overcoming and you know that we are praying about them for you.

As we talked Sunday night about the scripture that we chose for you this school year, we wanted you to hide God's word in your heart so that when you become fearful, that you can draw strength from this verse.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong - be strong in God's Power!
and of a good courage - be brave (knowing God is right there with you)
fear not, nor be afraid of them - do not be afraid, God says it, so you know He means it
for the Lord thy God  - He is your Heavenly Father
he is that doth go with thee - He is with you every step you take
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee - He will never leave you, He is right there with you always!

We love you and we are so very proud of you. We are praying that you have a great year, that you will be kind to others, and that you will let your light shine for Jesus!! We thank God for you!!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this precious little boy, that is growing up way to fast. Lord, you know his heart and you know his struggles better than we do. Please help him to commit this verse to memory, and help it to be a guide to stay focused on you and not the storms and the weather that the enemy uses against him. Help him with school, friends, and help Him depend on you. Thank you for his sweet and kind heart. May he continue to live for you. In Jesus name,  Amen 

Bittersweet Times

A few months ago, you may recall reading this, about my brother & his family being called as missionaries to Venezuela. The time is really close now, and God has put everything into place for them. They are very excited to take this next step in their journey. They will leave in September for Costa Rica for a year of language school.

Family and friends met for a Mission Celebration for them yesterday. There was lots of love, hugs, laughter and tears. I managed to hold mine back. How? God's grace, I suppose. But, as I write this my eyes seem to be leaking a bit. Odd??

I guess the reality of it all is hitting me. Some of us talked yesterday that part of us didn't want them to go, which of course is the selfish part. My dad said, "I am not selfish, I just don't want them to go." Hmmm, Dad really?? He is so matter of fact. And then there is the part that is so very proud of them and their obedience to the Lord. Some can't imagine why and how they can do this. I can..... their hearts are soooo big and they have such faith, God has brought them this far, and ONLY God can do what has been done in their lives.

What is so amazing to me, is their children are so excited for this as well. God has something wonderful in store for this family. I am so blessed to see what God can do within a family. Although, I think I will have to send care packages to my nieces and nephews, because some of the food my brother was talking about.... well, all I can say is peanut butter crackers, please!!

If you don't mind add the Smith Family to your prayers as they follow the Lord. If you have a chance stop by their blog  The Venezuelan Voice  and leave them a note of encouragement and maybe even a donation of support, I know they would appreciate it. I know they would love your prayers as take the next step in their journey.

Paw Bob with his Grandbabies  - (3 and the great are missing)

Dad with 5 of his 6 children (one in Navy not there)

Mimi & Paw

B & Sis missing their Sunday afternoon nap.

Some really "tuff" kids!! 

Isn't she the cutest??

My Dad & his sister...The best Aunt ever!!

Disappointment

Life can be full of disappointment and when your child is going through it, it hurts a Momma's heart. 

You may have read about Bub here.

Just like his Daddy!!

 Well, unfortunately, his thumb is fractured. So he is out of baseball and playing drums for a month. He is funny, goofy, always cutting up and usually goes with the flow. But this has really bummed him out. He LOVE LOVES baseball and he was so excited about the opportunity to play Varsity. He has worked very hard to get where he is and now this has happened. 

I didn't really think about him being so bummed out over it at first. But, when he said, Mom, "you just don't know how it feels." That made me realize that this rough and tumble boy, is not as tough as he lets on. I felt a lump in my throat, because I felt so bad for him and that I didn't think of how disappointed he would be if it were fractured and he couldn't play. 

We had a talk, about everything happens for a reason, God has this in His plan. We don't understand it and we may never know why. But we know it is for our good and His glory. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, 

 to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

In our lives we face heartache, disappointment and defeat. But, we don't have to let it rule our lives or put us in a pit. Our trials are to make us stronger and to help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father. The enemy wants nothing more than to destroy us and to rob us of our joy. I am praying that Bub will remain strong, grow in his faith and that he will never give in to the wiles of the enemy. 

I do want to PRAISE THE LORD over his thumb!! He just has to wear a brace, not a cast, and it was fractured in such a way that no surgery is needed. So for all that we are very thankful. We are also thankful that his Coach is allowing him to be part of practices (other than any impact with his hand) and he gets to dress out for Varsity games. I think it will be good for Bub that he is still part of that team and hopefully other players will see something in him that is different. Praying God will use this in a way that only HE can!!!

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 22!

The LPM post for today says,

Three more to go!
Three more to go!
Three more to go!

(Hear that all cheerleader like)

 Wow, can't believe I have made it this far. Although I really can't say that and be truthful about knowing all of my verses. I mean, I learned them, but my memory is not the greatest, yet I struggle along, I am determined to finish this race I started!! I started this once before, but I didn't make it halfway. The enemy lurks and whispers the "you can't do this" and I tell him, "No, I can't, but with God all things are possible!!"  So I press on, because God has gotten me this far, I am not giving up now!!

I had another verse picked out to be my next verse, but today I was reading a blog and it was on a thankful heart. I know that I don't always have a thankful heart, but I have realized that with my family doing our Thankful Tree and taking time out of our busy days to do our Thankful Time, I have been so blessed by spending that special time with my husband and my children. I am praying about how to continue our special times together each month. At our Thankful Breakfast I decided, I want to be more intentional about Thanksgiving and what it means and can mean to our family.

Our family's traditions have been interrupted by marching band, plus Benny has to work, so we haven't been going to my sister's in several years. Bub will be marching in the Carolina's Carousel Parade again  this year, but because of the change in my heart, and the importance of being together, we will have dinner together after everyone gets home. I want our family to be together, as many that can come. As our children get older and have families of their own those times may be few. I want to make the best of our time together now.  I have sacrificed enough time for the world, and I want to change that and offer my sacrifice to the Lord!! He has blessed me so much, how can I ask for more???

I will offer to thee a sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:17

Ch ch ch ch changes! (Part 1)

Well, I have thought about this post since Friday. Not sure where to start or exactly what to say. There have been so many changes in the past several months. The merry go round I am on seems to go faster and faster. So the changes in our family mostly have to do with our precious baby girl, who is not a baby, but a lovely 18 year old young lady. In April, when she actually turned 18...it hit me like a ton of bricks. If you know me at all you know that since the beginning of her Senior year I have been a bit emotional, (yes I know that's putting it mildly). Months of up & down bittersweet moments. Many firsts and many many lasts. As her senior year began, so did her brother's last year in middle school, and if all that wasn't enough, our baby boy started Kindergarten!!! So if I have slighted you in the past year. I am really sorry!! I know I am a basketcase!

Since she turned 18 she got her license(yes, at 18, not 16 or 17~I will tell that story another day), began dating a great guy that she has known since kindergarten, graduated (with Honors!!), got a job and as of Friday she became a full fledged LR Bear! I have had so many emotions going on ..... I am sure more so than I ever did when I was pregnant with any of my children.

On Friday, she & I went to her Orientation (Dad wanted to attend, but due to family obligations he didn't get to). A topic they covered was for on campus students, talking about RAs, $$, getting involved, etc. She looked over at me and said, I have my own personal RAs, a cook, a maid, with a giggle lol!! I was fine until the parents & students parted ways. And as she walked up the aisle (thank God she was with a couple friends from HS) I was a proud Momma..with a lump in my throat & a tear in my eye, God gave me a peace and I knew she would be fine. As I walked out of that auditorium a mother clung to her son just sobbing, I thought my heart would break! Right then and there I could not imagine leaving her somewhere. Praise the Lord my daughter would be coming home to her own bed that night. Right then & there I thanked Him for sparing me that. (He is mindful of me!!)

Although, she isn't going off to school there are still some major changes going on with her and our family. She is a wonderful young lady grounded in the Lord. She stands strong and doesn't give in to many of the world's temptations. We pray that she will continue to stay focused on what the Lord wants. That night, she did come home and spent a little more time with her boyfriend, he left on Saturday to head to college himself(tears, yes). After I went to bed that night, she came in my room with tears flowing (don't know where she gets being soooo emotional) I once again held my sweet baby girl in my arms and comforted her. As I pillowed my head that night I thanked God for giving me that moment with her once again. A great reminder that she still needs her Momma and great comfort in knowing that He will hold us in His arms when we face changes in our lives and need Him the most.

The weekend was filled with lots of Orientation stuff and she was in & out all weekend. Some dear friends allowed us to got on the lake with them and she didn't get to go. For those of you that don't know us, may not think that's anything, for the most part all of us go together wherever we go..... so not having her was different. It has happened more this summer than ever with her having a boyfriend and Bub having a girlfriend. Do we like it? UH NO! So we will not get used to it. EVER. We still miss our oldest, her husband and baby C when they aren't around.

She did get to go to church on Sunday, and I WANT TO SAY PRAISE THE LORD!! I have been praying for weeks about my children returning to school and Preacher D must have been hearing my prayers! We are so blessed in so many ways. We cannot thank God enough!! No matter how old my children get I will continue to point them to the Lord.

(Picture is missing Big Sister & Wonderful SIL)

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Psalm 78: 4 & 7

I know this is long and I have many more changes to record, I may or may not get a handle on posting before I forget, but I will post again at some point with Ch ch ch ch changes! (Part 2).

Things are changing as I post!!

Piper :)