New Years...

I am not big on New Years resolutions...mainly because I never keep them!  But, there are several areas I would like to work on in my life and I vow to make these areas better in 2012.  I plan to study harder in God's word and to gain a deeper understanding of what I do study!  If you have any suggestions for studies I am always open for a new one!  I have just started reading Beth Moore's Praying God's Word.  Sometimes I feel like I read but then I don't know what I have just read!  I want to change that!  I bought David a MacArthur Study Bible for Christmas...I must say I think I am a little jealous and will have to sneak it away from him!  He has really enjoyed studying in his new Bible!  I would also like to serve more in church.  I am not sure where or what I would like or what God would like me to do but I am sure with prayer it will come to me.  Our Loaves and Fishes is going to start a soup kitchen one day a month. I would LOVE to help with this.  I am hoping I can work my schedule out so that if they need me I can be there for sure.  I am really excited about VBS.  Just got the call today that our pack has arrived and I cannot wait to get started on it!  VBS is tons of work but it is what I love! 

I am trying to get into better shape...isn't that everyone's New Years thing.  I plan to lose the rest of the baby weight and work as hard as I can at becoming physically fit.  I would love to run but with my back history it scares me a little to even try!

I guess my last area I want to work on which I feel always has room for improvement is being the best wife and mother that I can possibly be!  Spending more time with the kids and doing more fun things.  With four kids my days at home are often spent cleaning and doing laundry.  I am sure I am not alone!  I want to work on not being so much of a pain to my family about the house being just how I want it.  it needs to be clean but it doesn't always have to be perfect. Most days it isn't anyways!  I also have been working on a particular verse over the past year!  James (one of my favorite books) 1:19-21  My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

I will leave you with this:

James 3: 13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth,  Such "wisdom" does not come down from the heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Dylan turns 11...

 My boys!

 Dylan loves legos...he wants lots of pieces! This one had about 900 I think!  Thinking it might take him a few days to put it together...no...he had it together within a couple hours of starting it on Christmas Day!

 Love him!

Running!  Mason and Dylan have started running in 5K's this fall!  They seem to really like it!

Funny guy!

What a wonderful time we have had this weekend celebrating Dylan's Birthday!  I have been so very blessed with this precious boy!  Dylan is very sweet, great big brother, very strong willed, very smart, but most of all a very sincere and kind boy!  He is precious to his father and I!  I will never forget New Years Day eleven years ago when we finally got to meet that little red headed boy!  It was a long day but I wouldn't trade it for anything!  Precious memories!!!  This weekend we started with a little trip to Murfreesboro...we had some things to exchange at Toys R Us and decided to surprise the kids with Chuck E Cheese's.  We then went shopping most of the afternoon and ended the night at P.F. Chang's (my favorite)!  I really thought they would make it to ring in the new year with their daddy...momma cherishes her sleep right now with Noah still being a restless sleeper.  I knew I would be better off and everyone would like me more today if I went ahead to bed!  I think they made it to around 11 or 11:30.  This morning we got up and Dylan opened his presents.  More legos and some board games!  We headed to church and then ate at Outback (Dylan's choice) for lunch.  We came home to a very long afternoon of Monopoly!  Very very long afternoon of monopoly...and Dylan beat us all.  I am so thankful for Dylan! I am thankful for all of my kids and I hope not a day goes by that I don't tell God how thankful I am to be there momma and that he entrusted me with these precious boys!  I also hope not a day goes by that I don't tell them how important they are to me.  The most important thing to me is that my children come to know the Lord..so far three of the four have trusted their lives to Jesus which is huge to me!  There is not a more joyous or special occasion than the day your child accepts Christ as his Savior!  I pray that God will give me the strength, courage and guidence I need in the upcoming years of raising four boys!  We get to do this again next weekend for Mason's birthday!! Yes, we have another birthday in only a week!  So, I guess there will be more to come!

Fear...

Tonight I have a child who is full of fear...fear of the unknown...fear of sickness...fear of dying...fear of just about everything.  We have dealt with this fear for several years.  We have spent nights up talking, reading, praying...trying to get to the bottom of these fears.  We have come a long way but tonight they have resurfaced a little and I shared with him what I am fixing to share with you.

One thing that I have struggled with in the last few years is fear/worry.  I would have to say this fear or worry increased after losing David's father to cancer in 2007.  The fear that another loved one would encounter this horrible disease or that I would lose a loved one I most cherished.  This has been an ongoing struggle of "what would happen if I got sick" or "what would happen if one of my kids or husband got sick".  I have worked hard at turning this fear over to God.  It is hard sometimes when all around you someone is dying or just found out they have cancer.  If you have ever seen someone die from this horrible disease you know what it looks like.  It isn't pretty, it isn't nice, it isn't peaceful! The funny thing is that I know that any number of my loved ones would be in a much better place if something happened to them ,or if something happened to me I know that I will spend eternity with my Creator.  So, why do we worry about things.  Why do we put ourselves in this turmoil and work ourselves up for the unknown or for things that haven't even happened.  How many times have we imagined things and made ourselves nearly sick thinking about them coming true...when it hasn't even happened.  I doubt I am alone!  I have been reading a Beth Moore book that hit this fear subject on the head!  "I need to stop praying "Lord, I trust You to..." and start praying "Lord I trust You. Period!".  I am going to share passages from what I have been reading.

From Beth Moore..."Of course, I realize God would prefer for me to refrain from rehearsing those kinds of fears altogether, but He also knows my weaknesses and how deeply and subconsciously I associate love with risk.  As long as I insist on torturing myself with these terrifying possibilities, He seems to suggest that I think them all the way through to the other side.  The prospect of losing a loved one is horrifying.  I cannot imaging enduring it, but because I know God is faithful, I must trust that somehow I would.  Can you bring yourself to believe that you would as well?"

"Romans 8:18 promises that the future we have coming is so glorious that nothing we've suffered will compare to the magnitude and splendor of it.  We must not let the enemy of our souls get away with convincing us that anything can utterly destroy us.  If we do, we will hand him an engraved invitation to attend our constant torment.  Over and over Jesus implores his followers, "Take courage!" as if His hand is outstretched and His palm opened with offered treasure.  It's time we took Him up on it.  Do we really want to spend our time rehearsing deaths of all kinds rather than engaging in the effervescence of life?"

"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." Psalm 112:7-8

"I don't think the psalmist meant that the person described had a lifetime guarantee from God that he would never get any bad news.  Hard things happen to all of us, and they often come in the form of "news." It's part of pumping blood on this fretful planet.  The psalmist meant just what he said.  She doesn't live in fear of bad news.  Why is she free from such self-torment?  Stay with me here, because this connection is crucial: she is fee because she knows that "in the end [she] will look in triumph on [her] foes." Translation? God will work all things - no matter how difficult or devastating - out to her advantage.  Her enemy will not triumph over her.  It may hurt in the beginning, but it's going to be beautiful "in the end."

God knows my weaknesses...and so does Satan.  Sometimes no matter what I do I still have a set back and fear will get the best of me.  I have to remember that I am not in control.  I cannot let Satan win the battle over me and let fear win.  If something does happen to me, my husband or my kids...as long as we are a child of God we are in a  "win win" situation.  No doubt there will be heartbreak here on this earth but the glory and splendor of what is to come is unimaginable.

From Beth Moore...

"I, the Maker of heaven and earth, will:"

perfect everything that concerns you (Psalm 138:8)
work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)
contend with those who contend with you (Isaiah 49:25)
fight this battle for you (2 Chronicles 20:15)
equip you with divine power (2 Corinthians 10:4)
delight to show you mercy (Micah 7:18)
meet all your needs according to My glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
give you grace that is perfectly sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)
be your power in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)
do immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within you (Ephesians 3:20)"

That is some good stuff!  So, there are all of the "what ifs" and things that I am uncertain of...the unknowns. But I am certain that if I turn this over to God and give him the authority and put my trust in him...HE WILL SUSTAIN ME!  "Take courage!" I don't want any of my children to have this fear of sickness or death. Although we all know death is fearful because it is the unknown and there is no way of knowing when or how it is going to happen.  We do know our Eternal Father has our back.  He loves us and will take care of us on this earth and in Eternity.  All we have to do is give our weaknesses to him and let him give us the strength we need!

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

One of my favorite times of year!  CHRISTMAS! For several years I have helped organize a project at church known as "The Mitten Tree".  For the most part it is an angel tree where we help needy families during the holiday season. We start helping at Thanksgiving by delivering baskets full of food for each family.  We then get information from the families on what the kids need and want for Christmas.  This is an exciting time!  I look forward to it every year.  It is A LOT of work but it is good work.  You see, that is what it is all about!  We can get and buy so much!  How much can we give?  How much did Christ GIVE for us?  It is often said to me that people abuse this and know how to work the system!  I am sure they are right but that is not for me to judge!  I know from talking to some of these families that they are truly hurting!  Some are fighting cancer, some have lost family members, some have lost their jobs and can't make ends meet.  It is encouraging for them to know that their is someone out there who cares.  So, it is not just about buying these people gifts.  We bring them in and feed them supper and share the gospel with them.  It is a chance for us to talk one on one with these families and listen to what is going on in their lives!  Please pray for us as tomorrow night will be our "Mitten Tree Dinner" with these families.  Pray that we can touch the lives of someone who does not know Christ as their Saviour.  Pray that we can show Christ's love as Christ has shown His love to us!  Help us to show love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and Chistlikeness to these families!  Pray that they will see peace in our lives and long to find that same peace! 

One thing that I have often noticed when we are doing a big outreach like this...satan always seems to creep his head in.  There always seems to be something that happens to cause dissension or a disturbance in the plans you have made. I pray right now that we can overpower satan and not let him step in and claim what is not his to have. 

I guess our Christmas festivities officially begin this weekend.  We have had family get togethers the past two weekends but we have been unable to attend because of prior obligations.  This weekend we will have David's family up for Christmas and then attend an extended family Christmas get together on Saturday evening.  I love having family together.  Unfortunately, we do not get together with David's family as often as we would like because of the miles between us and kids going in all directions.  Looking forward to spending time with them all. 

Christmas in my house growing up was always a big ordeal.  We always started the morning by reading the Christmas Story...the one in the Bible!!  It was always a special time at our house and definitely a fun time.  We have always done the same thing with our kids.  When we get up on Christmas morning we read about Jesus birth and talk about the real reason we celebrate Christmas!  No doubt the presents are fun and watching the kids is more fun than anything for me!  I fix breakfast and my mom and dad come down and eat with us and play with the kiddos for a while.  It is a day to rest and enjoy our family!  We celebrate Christmas with my mom and dad, sister and her family the day after Christmas!  We spend the day at mom and dad's!  They always make is special for us all!  Mom always has a huge spread for breakfast...with her infamous stuffed french toast with raspberry syrup...it is the BEST!  Too bad we only get it once a year...but it is well worth the wait and always something to look forward to! 

Celebrating the season of our Saviour's birth and giving him the glory and praise for all that we have and all that we are.  This Christmas will not come without a few heartaches...thinking of the family that has passed on and are not here to spend this Glorious holiday with us.  We do have the comfort in knowing that Poppy and my father-in-law are celebrating this Christmas Birthday with our Saviour in person! 

Praying that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and truly remember the reason we celebrate!  It is all about Him...not so much about us!

Love you mom, dad & sis!  Thanks for being such a wonderful, loving family!  I couldn't ask for a better one!

The whole crew!

Aren't they cuties!

The LOVE of my life! My soulmate!

Love these pictures we had made a few weeks ago...hope you enjoy! 

Wishing you a very

Merry Christmas

from our house to yours!

Leave it all behind...and come to The Well!

I hope you listen...really listen to the words! I absolutely love this song! This has really touched my heart...especially in the last few days with some people in our lives that you know are searching but they aren't searching in the right places! They know something is missing but they refuse to listen to what is missing. They are down and out but they won't take it to The Well. Everything in the world is wrong but if they had Jesus...their lives would be so much different. You just pray and hope and wish that they could find Christ and experience what you have experienced and have the peace that comes with knowing Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

"I have what you need, but you keep on searching. I've done all the work, but you keep on working. When you're running on empty, and you can't find the remedy. Just come to the well".

We can search for all the rights...we can think we have it made...we can find security with wrong addictions...we can hope for a brighter tomorrow...we can search and search and search...but Christ has all we need...he has done all the work for us...all we have to do is come to him!

"You can spend your whole life, chasing what's missing. But that empty inside, it just ain't gonna listen. When nothing can satisfy, and the world leaves you high and dry. Just come to the well".

We spend our whole lives chasing things that don't matter. Thinking if we buy this or that..have more money, have a better car or have a better house we will feel satisfied. When that turns up empty and we still feel this emptiness and nothing can make it go away. When bad things happen...we lose money, we go bankrupt, our marriage fails, we lose our job and we feel we are left "high and dry"...take it to Jesus! He has the remedy! If you will only let him help you!

"And all who thirst will thirst no more. And all who search will find what their souls long for. The World will try, but it can never fill. So leave it all behind. And come to the well".

"So bring me your heart, no matter how broken. Come as you are, when your last prayer is spoken. Just rest in my arms a while. You'll feel a change, my child., When you come to the well."

No matter how broken you are...no matter how bad you think you are...it is NEVER too late! We think we have to wait until we are perfect and have everything where it should be before we can go to Jesus. Go to him NOW...let Him help you through whatever problem you have...drugs, alcohol, addictions of any sort, depression, anxiety...He can help you with it all if you will let Him. Take your problems to him and rest in his arms awhile. Feel the comfort of knowing Christ as your Saviour...He CAN save you! You WILL feel a change if you truly know him. Go to the well!

"And now that you are full of love beyond measure. Your joy's gonna flow like a stream in the desert. Soon all the world will see Living water is found in me. Cause you've come to the well. Leave it all behind and come to the well. Leave it all behind. Leave it all behind. Leave it all behind. Leave it all behind. Your pursuit of perfection (leave it all behind). Your fear of rejection (leave it all behind). Your temporary pleasures (leave it all behind). All your earthly treasures (leave it all behind). Dried up empty religion (leave it all behind). Rusty chains of addiction (leave it all behind). All the guilty that weighs you down (leave it all behind). Just leave it all behind and come to the well.

Can you leave it all behind? As my husband says...you go to the doctor when your sick...you don't wait until your well! Take it to Jesus! He can help you through any situation you may have. He has helped me through countless ones. I want you to experience Christ's unconditional love! I want you to experience satisfaction and happiness in your life that only He can bring. Will you let him? I am not perfect and I will never be this side of Heaven. I just want to share what Christ can do for you! You have to make the decision for yourself that you want to change. No one can do that for you. You have to decide that you are going to make God and church a priority in your life. No one can do that for you. I just want you to know that you can experience more joy and happiness than you have ever had if you will just come to the well! One of the things I hear most are "well, I am a good person" and there is no doubt in my mind that you are. But there will be a lot of "good" people in hell! People that think because they are good they have nothing to worry about. My friend, if you have not given your heart and life to Christ...you will not be in Heaven!

Thank You Jesus...

Jack was star of the week a few weeks ago...so Noah and I took a special snack and he was so proud to show his baby brother off! He is such a good big brother...I am very thankful for that!

A shout out to my big boys who ran the Drumstick Dash 5k... their first 5K and they did AWESOME! So proud! Dylan finished in 26:50 and Mason 27:41 (had to stop and tie his shoe..or he would have been on his brothers heels!)

"Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalms 100: 3-5

1 Chronicles 16: 8 " Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done."

1 Chronicles 16: 34 "Give thanks to teh lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in christ Jesus."

So many verses to look at about being thankful! Giving God the glory and praise and thanking him for all that I have. What I have on this earth is not of my doing...realizing that God has placed people, circumstances, places, things, etc...in my life for a reason! I didn't get to this point in my life alone...only by God's grace and will am I here today! I want to be a Philippians 4:6 woman! I don't want to be anxious about anything, worry about anything, I want to take it all to God and let him help me deal with whatever circumstance, problem or anything in my life that I might be struggling or need help with. I need to turn EVERYTHING over to him before I give myself a moment to get excited or anxious about anything! I want my boys to learn to do this also! I want us to learn together to not be excited or upset about anything before we take it to our Father...who will help us through any storm we may encounter! This morning one song keeps going through my head "I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter his courts with praise. I will say THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HATH MADE...I WILL REJOICE FOR HE HAS MADE ME GLAD...he has made me glad, he has made me glad...I WILL REJOICE FOR HE HAS MADE ME GLAD."

So this week Mason has taught Noah to say "Thank you Jesus". It is probably one of the sweetest things I have ever seen! He looks up squints his eyes and says...what we can make out to be..."Thank you Jesus". If only I would look up, squint my eyes and say Thank you Jesus every day for the little things, big things, all the things that he does for me. So many times I go through the day without thanking him where thanks is due! I vow to do better! God has given me another day on this earth for a reason...I WILL MAKE THE MOST OF IT! I will further his kingdom, I will spread his word, I will be his light that shines, I will shout from the mountains that he is MY KING, I will stand on his Word, I will teach his way.

Halloween Fun!!!

The doctor is in the house!

Mason the mime!


Ghostbuster Dylan!

Not sure who these people are!

The whole crew...almost (minus Noah)!

Mason, Dylan, Jack, Cole & Ellie

The finished product!

Noah getting in on the action!

Cutie!

ooyeee gooyee fun!

He isn't so sure about this slimy stuff!

So here are a few pictures from our Halloween weekend fun! We started Saturday morning with carving our pumpkins...two of which were stolen off our front porch on Sunday night! Anyway, the kids has so much fun carving them and cleaning out the guts. They were so proud of their work so I thought I would show off a few pictures. We went to Amy's for supper Saturday night so grandparents could see the kids all dressed up. Sunday was busy as well. We had Awana Sunday night and the kids all got to dress up...as well as a few of us grown ups! The kids love it when we dress up too! Monday was fall fest at church...couldn't bring myself to dress up Monday night! We had a lot of fun though! Hope you enjoy where four boys grow....