HE is changing her heart!!

I was so thankful for the reminder this week that the Lord is working in my sweet little girl's heart!! As we were walking through Kohl's the other day, Mika was not behaving very well. She was begging for a toy, not staying with me, and was not respecting me with her words. For a minute I was letting this behavior slide when the Lord so graciously pointed me to my laziness in not correcting her. I knelt down in front of her to whisper that her behavior was sin and she was not bringing glory to God. Normally, Mika would stop the behavior, but it would be obvious that her heart was not changed. This time was different, she immediately became very repentent and asked to hold my hand so she could stay with me. I was excited about the quick change. That night at dinner as we were telling daddy what happened, I thanked her for her quick change in behavior. She told me and Mark, "When mommy said I was sinning, God told me He wanted to change my heart, and my heart started beating hard and fast. That is why I stop acting bad." Mark and I just sat and stared at each other. We were both soooo grateful that the Lord is opening her eyes. We knew that could only come from Him. I need to be more faithful and quick to discipline her, but God is the one that is changing her. I am in AWE of HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day! My husband and kids sure made it special for me!! Before church, Makenzie made an omelet for me. She did a great job and made me feel very special!! The Lord was very gracious to remind me through several words during church that it was by His strength and grace that I can be the mom He created me to be and that He died for the mistakes and sin that I frequently make with and against my children. PRAISE GOD that He did not leave to do this awesome task alone. After church, we had a great lunch and they took me shopping for a tennis outfit to begin playing in the neighborhood tennis league. I was amazed how patient they were as I tried on many outfits. Not one complaint!! The day did not end there, they all sat and watch the finale of Amazing Race with me that evening. I think this was my favorite Mother's Day ever!! (I think I say that every year!!)

SPRING TRAINING!!!

Caleb began spring training last week for tackle football. He has played flag football for a few years, so he was ready for the next step. He starts tackling this week. Not sure whether I shoud start worrying yet!!

Mark and Caleb's Fishin' Trip

EASTER PFUN

EASTER!!!

We had a great Easter!! After Easter baskets and church, we picked up subs and had a picnic at the park. Mark and I hid Easter eggs for the kids and enjoyed watching them hunt. Makenzie and Caleb did not complain about hunting since there was lots of money hidden for them. We finished the picnic with a round of frisbee golf on an actual frisbee golf course, which was quite hard since it was on the side of a mountain!! We finished the evening having dinner with great friends.

Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings Flow!!!

Yeah!! Mark has a job. It's not just a job, it's a great job!! We are sooo thankful to our Father for this blessing. We have learned so much through this trial, like learning to depend on the Lord and giving full and rightful control to Him. He is such a GOOD God!! I do not know how people go through trials without Him. We have also learned great things like the joy of not being in debt. I have been so thankful for a husband who has told me NO many times to silly things, so that we would not be in debt. I have found that leaning on Mark as the leader for our family is very easy. His faith in God has been unwavering and I am grateful for the many times during this trial that he did not let me give into self-pity and worry. He constantly pointed me to my Savior! We have both been very thankful to our family and friends for their love, support, and prayers. We are convinced that we attend the greatest church ever. The love that we recieved from our pastors, friends, and care group is unmatchable. We both have the best families ever!!

Three Treed BIG TIME!!!

I know this title may seem foreign to most, but most Sovereign Gracers know exactly what it means. Thanks to my very loving Father, who hates sin, my very caring husband, who is not scared to comfront my sin, and much examination, by me the sinner, I have unfortunately been producing some bad fruit recently in this trial. I do know how many times this week I have said, "I just want my life back." Which in turn the Lord so lovingly showed me that I was like the Isrealites complaining and saying they just wanted to go back to Egypt. I have always thought how silly that was, until I found myself begging for the riches of slavery and denying God's plan. (Numbers 11:1-15) I haven't stood up under the temptation and preached the gospel to myself in the last week. I have not let His presence be my yearning. I was so grateful because God did not let Mark stop there, we went on to look at 2 Corintians 1:1-12. Iknow in this life my trials will never be as hard as Paul's, but I am grateful that he wrote about them so that we can share in the comfort. Please be praying that I will see God's mercy and comfort (verse 2-4), His deliverence (verse 10), and His grace to affect my conduct (verse 12). That it would bear good fruit. It hasn't stopped me from praying for quick deliverence from the trial, but it has made me pray once again to walk in faith trusting in Him for deliverence in His perfect plan!!!!

Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer!!!

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing
With your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at your throne.

-"Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer"Music by Keith Getty; Words by Margaret BeckerCopyright © 2002 Thankyou Music

15 Years!!!!

It is our 15th anniversary!!! The Lord has really blessed us. I am soooo grateful for the wonderful, godly man of God that the Lord has given me to live this life with. It is easy to follow when God gives you a humble leader. I love you, Mark!!! I look forward to many more years together. It is a fun journey!!!!

Before the Cross

Last night in family worship, we sang "Before the Cross":
Before the cross I humbly bow
I place my trust in the Savior
Your finished work
Captures my gaze
You bore the wrath
I know the grace
After we sang I realized that even in the hardest trial, God has already filled my greatest need. He lived a perfect, sinless life and took the punishment that I deserved. Even now that my life is not as comfortable as I would like it, I can certainly say, "I am better than I deserve". It also brought joy to my heart as I listened to my children pour out their heart to God. They are really trusting in the Lord for provision. I pray the Lord reveals more of His great love to them and they always remember how the Lord met every one of their needs!!!

Facebooking with Daddy!!

As I was facebooking my dad, the Lord gave me this scripture. Isaish26:3-4 - "You keep him in perfect peace whose minds is stayed on you, because He trusts in YOU. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an everlasting ROCK!!!" I love what the ESV Study Bible says: The source of such peace is the righteous, sovereign, saving God - who will wipe away every tear, and who alone is worthy of trust. The vindication of faith is secured by the solid dependability of God. I love depending on the sovereign God. It is so comforting to know that my sovereign God knows my past, present, and future!!! And that my present situation lies in HIS very dependable hand!!!!

Joy in HIM!!!

My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory!!! I am finding great joy in my Savior!! I did not realize how much joy there is by trusting in Him to care for me and not in myself. It was exhausting before!!!
It seems before I can speak the need that is swirling around in my head the Lord has already taken care of it!! For instance, one of my concerns was what will I do when I need to have my hair colored. I know that sounds very vain, but it was a concern since I began graying very early in life. Well, I did it!! I colored my own hair. And I must say that it looks really good. It was just another way the Lord is caring for me.

Grace For the Moment!!!

"Grace for the moment!!" Thank you to my friends who continue to give this promise to me!! I have certainly sensed His grace today! Today as I was filling out my gorcery list and trying to be a good steward of the money we have, I had to battle hard not to get discouraged and remember that God is our provider. It has been hard to remember that His grace is there for the moment I need it and not for things my imagination may bring up for the future. When I got in the car the following song began playing:
BE STILL, MY SOUL; THE LORD IN ON THY SIDE;
BEAR PATIENTLY THE THE CROSS OF GRIEF OR PAIN;
LEAVE TO THY GOD TO ORDER AND PROVIDE;
IN EVERY CHANGE HE FAITHFUL WILL REMAIN.
BE STILL, MY SOUL, THE BEST, THY HEAVENLY, FRIEND
THROUGH THORNY WAYS LEADS TO A JOYFUL END.
He was definately there this morning to remind me that He had ordered and He will provide!!!!!

A New Journey

So many people keep asking how we are doing, so I thought I might journal some of the new journey. I guess right now I say, "It stinks"!!!! I never thought I see the day when I would kiss my husband goodbye on his way to file for unemployment. Mark has been such a trooper so far. His constant faith and drive to live what he has preached for so long has sooo encouraged me. Yesterday at church several prophetic words were given and I have found them popping in my head today when I feel I might get discouraged. One of them has been given to me three times now by different people. It is James 1:2-4, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces STEADFASTNESS. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be prefect and complete, lacking in nothing." That is my heart's desire as I sit and write this. Even though it stinks right now my heart is crying out for His full work during this trial be done in my life. And may HE alone receive all the glory before, during and after this trial!!! Another picture that continues to go through my mind is the Lord reaching His hand out to me calling me to leave the comfort of my life and walk in faith on water with Him. (Matthew 14:28-33) So if you see me looking at the wind, growing afraid and sinking, I welcome your encouragement to see the Son of God!!!!!

God often takes a course
for accomplishing His purposes
directly contrary to what our
narrow views would prescribe
He brings a death upon our feelings,
wishes, and prospects when
He is about to give us
the desire of our hearts
- John Newton

Our Gift!!!

In January 10, 1996, God gifted us with our wonderful daughter Makenzie. What a blessing she is!!!! There are many adjectives that are very fitting to describe our Rosie: beautiful, graceful, quiet, meek, calm, loving, caring, but perhaps our favorite is godly. Wow, how she has grown this year! She has grown in her love for the Savior and it has been very evident in the fruit that has manifested. She is very unselfish in her love for her brother and sister. She is always quick to obey and honor her parents. Her love for godliness as grown and is less affected by things of the world. This year she becomes a TEENAGER!!! Can you believe it? It is hard to imagine for us as well. We love you, Rosie! We pray that your love for the Savior increases, and that you know more of the riches of His grace as you grow into the teen years! Happy B-day!!

Another Favorite Gift!!!

On January 7, 1998, God gave us a miracle when Caleb was born!! What a gift he was!!! He has always given us alot of joy and laughs. God gifted him in athletics at a very early age. As we have learned this year his favortie sport is definately football. Everytime he is given a writing assignment this school year it has been very predictable: football. It helps that his favorite team, the TN Titans, is doing so well. GO TITANS!!!! There have been many wonderful memories this year from watching him play football and basketball to seeing him interact with his sisters and buddies. Our favorite has been seeing his eyes open to his Savior. The other day during family worship this was his prayer, "God thank you for gifting me to play sports. I know that I would not be good and fall on my face if it wasn't for You!" This brought tears to my eyes. If you know Caleb, then you know this is an awesome revelation for him. You are a gift to your dad and mom, little buddy. We are sooooo thankful for you!!! Happy 11th birthday! We pray we get to spend many more with you!!!!

Christmas Pfun!!!

We had a blast this Christmas! On the 21st, we went to Knoxville to spend Christmas with Mark's family. It was such fun to reconnect with them. We were very blessed by the gifts we recieved! We also celebrated Mika's b-day while there. We spent a very chilly evening looking at Christmas lights and eating cake. We came home on the 23rd and went to our friends home for a few games and laughs. I must brag that the girls finally beat the men in a game of Peurto Rico!!!! Yahoo!!!! Christmas Eve the kids exchange their gifts to eachother and we watched Prince Caspian. On Christmas morning, we had a great time as a family and sped off to see my family in Memphis. We had a blast!!! Two days of shopping with the money my parents gave us. DOES IT GET ANY BETTER!! Not to mention the late nights night of laughing, chair tipping into clocks, and cousins turning flips and headstands in the living room. It is hard to believe the holidays are over. This will go down in history as a time of alot of fun!!!!

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Birthday Pfun!

Mika enjoyed celebrating her birthday with her cousins in Knoxville!