Blogging and Christmas.....

There just isn't enough time for both. Seems like each night when I sit down to blog about my Christmas activities I am so tired I don't have the brain activity to write.
So here is a little summary of what I have done the past few days. Last weekend we went to see Computer Geek in his Christmas play at church. The play was called "Merry Lane". The scene was in a nursing home where 3 brothers in their 80s lived together. Computer Geek was Edgar, the brother that was a peacemaker. It was a great Christmas comedy! They performed the play on Saturday night and Sunday night. Monday morning Big D had to fly to Michigan for work. Monday night was Computer Geeks last high school Christmas Band Concert. This week since both boys were exempt from Semester exams. They started their Christmas break a week EARLY. Monday was their last day! So Tuesday we did a little Christmas shopping for Dad before his flight came in that day. Football Star has been a big help in making Christmas cookies. One day we made 106 peanut butter balls. The next day we made Christmas Chocolate covered pretzels and Christmas Crunch (caramel popcorn dipped in chocolate).
I also have been preparing for the children's Church Christmas program which is this Sunday. I also finally got all my Christmas cards done and ready to mail tomorrow!
Tonight Big D and I are going Christmas shopping and getting food for the Youth Christmas party tomorrow night. Oh and Big D has to go to Kentucky tomorrow and HOPEFULLY will make it back in time for the Youth Christmas Party! (Would be a good idea he shows up since he is the Youth Pastor LOL!)

And how are all your Christmas activities going?

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Let the Christmas parties begin

Tonight Big D and I went to our first Christmas party of the season. It was one of several Christmas parties for his work. I really enjoy going to this Christmas party because it is at a swanky Country Club. So we put on our "Sunday best". We started attending this Christmas party about 7 or 8 years now. The meal tonight was a New York Strip steak (mine well done-Big D's medium), baked potato, salad, and cheesecake. Yummmm! As always, it was a very good! Then after everyone is finished eating, we play "Dirty Santa" (the gift exchange game). Oh now let me tell you, I love to play this game, but I do NOT love to play it when they set NO limits! There were a few gifts that were the "hot" item (a flashlight, small tool kit and utility knife). These people were persistent in getting what they wanted. So these gifts went around I know 20-30 times! That is why I like the rule 3 strikes and the gift is out rule! It was fun but after a while its like geeze its a cheap $5 gift, if you want it so bad go to Wal-mart and buy it! Big D came home with a Cinnamon Apple candle (He knew he had made my night because I absolutely love candles!) and I came home with a $5 Wal-mart gift card. Anyway, like I said we had fun and had several laughs. As always, as long as I am with Big D, I have a good time.

Until next time....

God Bless~

Brr It's cold outside!

You never know how blessed you are until something happens to REMIND you. Yesterday morning we woke up to a broken Heat Pump. It was the coldest day of the year so far here in Tennessee. It was in the mid-teens. Not a good day for the heat to be out. It was very difficult to get the boys motivated to get ready for school. I don't blame them. I, myself didn't want to come from out of the afghan! But after they realized it would be warmer at school, I think they were ready to go! After the boys left for school, Princess Lacey and I decided to pile up on the couch with 3 heavy blankets and just watch tv. Forget trying to do housework and laundry when the house was 30-40 degrees. About 10:30 tho the sun began to shine and warmed up the house just enough where you could move around. Big D came home about 2:30 from work and replaced the breaker. I am so thankful it was just a $25 breaker not something where we had to replace the Heat pump. NO time is a good time to replace a $5,000 unit but Christmas time is the worse. But thru all of this, it has made me very thankful that I have a good home to live in. I have a wonderful husband that works hard to take care of me. (yeah I work too, but he is the bread winner)
I am very blessed. If it were not for the grace of God and a wonderful hard working husband, I could be as homeless as the next homeless person. Take time today to be thankful for the little things! I know I am as I sit in a warm house today!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Sick little Girl

I had to take Lacey to the vet this morning. When she woke up, she kept shaking her head and her right side of her face and ear didn't look right. I didn't let the boys know as they were getting ready for school that I was afraid maybe she was having a slight stroke. So I just picked her up and laid hands on her and begin praying for her. Yes, I said I prayed for my dog. The bible tells us that what concerns us concerns the Father. Our Heavenly Father cares even about the little things, even a dog. Bible also says cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you. Yes, there are many more important things I could pray for, but at that moment Lacey was important. As I finished praying, I looked up and Football Star was praying along. I knew Lacey would be ok. She just has a bad ear infection. So a few days of TLC and a few special treats, she will be back to new. When I told the vet about my thoughts of a stroke, she told me that is normal for dogs when they have an ear infection to look like they are having a stroke.

I am thankful that I can lean on the Lord even in the little things. I can't imagine life without Him.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.....

around our house. The guys got down the Christmas stuff a couple of days ago, but we have been too busy to decorate the tree. I can't believe there are only 24 days until Christmas. I love this time of year because its when my Savior was born. Sometimes we are so busy this time of year that we forget to take time remember why we celebrate this holiday. "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" that was my mom's favorite saying. As I make my Christmas shopping list for those that I love, I think about the one true gift. Jesus, God's gift to the world. The world would love for us not to remember Him on His special day. If it were not for Jesus, we would not have Christmas. As your schedule begins to get hetic with all the Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, and Christmas decorating, please take time out to thank God for the ultimate gift!

Keep Christ in your Christmas!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Showing God's Love

Tonight Big D and I have our last class. Every Tuesday for the month of November we have been attending a class on the book "Conspiracy of Kindness". This is a great book about the author's own experiences on how to show God's love in a practical way. I have always had a fear of street witnessing. It is the rejection that I have such a difficult time with. I know I shouldn't but I take the rejection very personal. A personal flaw of mine I guess you can say. But this book has given me hope how to plant seeds of God's love without it being so fearful.

So our last class is tonight and we decided as a group to go out and try a few of the examples in the book. We have separated into 3 groups. Our group has decided that the women will do free Christmas gift wrapping. While the ladies are wrapping Christmas gifts, the men are going to clean windows.When we are asked why we are doing this, we are to say "We just want to show God's love in a practical way." If they offer us a donation or a tip, we are to reject it and say, "We aren't here to raise money. We are doing this to let you know that God loves you." We live in a society today that when you do acts of "kindness" people wonder what you want from them. It's sad that we live like that. That is why this type of witnessing and showing God's love is easy compared to the old days of "fire and brimstone" forceful ways. We are only here to spread the word and plant the seeds. We should leave the rest to the Holy Spirit to draw people into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Who will reject free Christmas wrapping and getting their car windows clean??? I can't wait to go tonight and show God's love in a practical way!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Trying to Catch up~

Here are the pictures from POWERhouse. After we got home on Sunday night, I only had time to post pictures of the TTU visit. I had to wash clothes and pack all day Monday because we went to Indiana for Thanksgiving. I will post more about my Indiana trip next week.

Here is Computer Geek and Football Star playing the coveted Torpedo Ball. Torpedo Ball is the biggest thing at Camp Hickory Hills campground. All the kids young and old love playing it. It is the first thing everyone wants to do when they get there. It was the first thing our Youth Group went to do while waiting for time to check-in.

This is Ashley and Elizabeth waiting for service to start Saturday. Looks like they are having fun.


This is Masters Commission during Saturday night service. Let me tell you these are some very anointed and committed young people. Every drama they performed just blessed my soul! What they do for God is so POWERFUL!

This is Saturday night. Here are the Young People dedicating or rededicating their lives to be the "Promised Generation". What an awesome service that was!!! God was moving mightily!

After service Saturday night, Computer Geek played a game of chess with Fredrick from Masters Commission. Fredrick became very special to our family. The moment I saw him there was a drawing to him. Our spirits seemed to have a special connection. Sunday Morning he came to us and gave us his phone number. After his discipleship with Masters Commission, he does some internship. He told us to pray and he would pray but he felt like God wanted him to come and work with our church and teenagers.

We had a great time at POWERhouse. Can't wait for next year!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Tennessee Tech Band

What fun we had today! Computer Geek was given 4 free tickets to the Tennessee Tech football game. We went to see Golden Eagle Marching Band. We had no idea until we sat down that we were sitting right behind the band. Let me tell you it was so exciting.






This is the Golden Eagle Mascot!





I have never seen a Marching Band make a pyramid before. College Marching Bands are much more fun in their performances than High School!! The band members seem to have a great time.


Here is Computer Geek enjoying the game and wearing his new TTU hat!
So it looks like Computer Geek will be joining the TTU Golden Eagle Marching Band next year. We were able to meet the Band Director, Mr. Hermann. Mr. Hermann seemed to be a very nice man. He told Computer Geek to email him and he would see what he could do to help him get a Band Scholarship!

Although at times, I hate the thoughts of Computer Geek leaving next year for college. There are those times like today that it is so exciting to watch him as he begins to write the new chapters in his life!!

Until next time....

God Bless~

PowerHouse

Tomorrow Big D and I are taking 4 of the teenagers from church to Powerhouse. Powerhouse is a weekend retreat for the Youth. It is held at the Tennessee State Camp Grounds, which is 2 hours from where we live. It is an awesome time for the Youth. They have a concert for them one night and a coffee house another night. Our teens at church love to go every year. As much as I love to go to be with them, I feel my age during this weekend. The girls love to keep me up giggling and doing what we girls love to do best, TALK! I just can't handling staying up all night long. I am afraid I am getting old.

Also during this weekend, Computer Geek was given 4 free tickets to come watch the Marching Band at TTU. He is considering joining the Marching Band at TTU next year. So Saturday we will sneak away from Powerhouse for a few hours and enjoy TTU football game and check out the GOLDEN EAGLES MARCHING BAND. I am sure I will be posting pictures of both events!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Left Behind: World at War

In the wake of a global catastrophe that saw millions of people vanish from Earth, a man named Nicolae Carpathia (Gordon Currie) steps forward to provide leadership via his New World Government. Although U.S. President Fitzhugh (Louis Gossett Jr.) supports him, others -- mostly born-again Christians -- believe he's the Antichrist. Is it too late for dogged Christian journalist Buck Williams (Kirk Cameron) to persuade Fitzhugh to join the fight?


My family and I watched the 3rd movie in the Left Behind Series "World at War". I was a little leary about watching the 3rd movie because I heard it wasn't that good. But I thought it was absolutely great! It was not nearly long enough for me personally. There was so much more they could have put in, but I understand time and money they can't put it all in. Just like the books it leaves you wanting more. If you have not read the Left Behind Series or watched the Left Behind movies, I highly recommend you do!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Conspiracy of Kindness

It's November. So that means it is time for CBL classes (Center for Biblical Leadership). Big D and I went CBL classes tonight. Of course he doesn't actually need the credit hours like I do, but he enjoys going. The book this year is "Conspiracy of Kindness" by Steve Sjogren. Our instructor was Brother Winston Reid. Class was really good. Conspiracy of Kindness enables every Christian to become an effective evangelist by demonstrating with teaching, example and testimony how unassuming acts of kindness convince people of the love of God more persuasively than words. This book really excited me about evangelism because it offers suggestions of simple acts of service that I can do to show God's love to my family, and in my workplace and my community. If you would love to get some suggestions of how to do simple acts of services to show God's love, you need to read "Conspiracy of Kindness".

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Busy Weekend!

You would think I would get used to these busy weekends. With the boys finished with Band and Football, I thought my weekends would slow down some. Who was I kidding?? Myself, I guess. (Hee hee!)
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Friday was our annual Turkey Dinner Fund Raiser at church. Tho, I didn't help this year, due to work. I did take time during my lunch break to go pick up a few dinners for our family dinner that night. Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and dessert. Yummm!! The Ladies of the church raised $2,500 for our mortgage payment! PTL! The Church had some remodeling done in the summer. A new roof,a porch put on the porch of the Church, and some work done to our Heat/Air pump. So that $2,500 will sure take a nice little chunk out of the principle. God Bless the hard working Ladies at our church.

Computer Geek had a date that night with a cute little redhead named Katelyn. He took her to the movies and she chose Chicken Little. Ah, the price men pay sometimes when they let women choose! After the movie, they hung out at the local Sonic. Then when he took her home, her parents invited him in to watch a movie with them. Nice trick by the parents to get a better look at this guy that took out their daughter. I like their style! Computer Geek had a great time. From what he could tell Katelyn also had a great time. He plans to ask her out again soon.
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Saturday was our annual Youth Chili Supper and Hayride. Of course, the entire Church was invited but the Youth Department sponsor it. We had a flag football game at 4pm. Then at 6pm was the Chili supper. We had 40+ people. Then when it was dark, we had our hayride. It was a PERFECT night for a Hayride. So perfect that the kids didn't want the Hayride to end and it was the LONGEST hayride in our church's history. I believe the hayride lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes. I don't think there was much of that little community we didn't see. We had such a wonderful time of fellowship!
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Sunday, the church honored our Pastor. He had to take a medical leave of absence due to some health problems. This week is his birthday. So we had a "This is your Life" type program and a Sunday dinner in honor of him. As he sat in the chair before the entire church, at times getting so embarrassed his face was red, then at times so emotional tears began to come to his eyes, I was so in prayer for him. Everyone giggling and laughing and here I sit crying out quietly to God in his behalf. Such a young man to be battling cancer in his throat. I told him not long ago, that I REFUSE to believe that God is finished with him. He is such an awesome, loving man of God! I have no doubt that when this trial is over for him that God will not only bless him but will also double the annointing in his ministry. My God is good like that! Please help me pray for him. If your church has a prayer list, please add him.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Keep the Candle Burning

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."

I read this quote a couple weeks ago and it has stuck with me since. Even as we lit the candles for the Jack-O-lanterns this Halloween, I felt I needed to post on this subject. This quote is so true even for our Spiritual life. We lose NOTHING by leading others to Jesus. Proverbs 20:27 says, "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD" and Luke 1:79 says, " To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death". Our spirit is the candle of the Lord and we need to give light to them that sit in darkness. A candle that is lit doesn't go out when lighting another candle. Instead, have you noticed the flame even becomes higher and brighter?? No wonder the bible says "That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." One candle in the darkness shines bright, but 2 or more shine even brighter making the path easier to see. Today, I have been reading a book written by our State Overseer, E.C. McKinley called "Pulling Them from the Fire". This book is filled with accounts that have happened in his Ministry where God used him to witness to those that were lost. Some of the people came to know Jesus within minutes of dying. How close these people came to eternity in Hell. Forever being separated from God. It has inspired me today. I want to be use my candle and light others to know Jesus. I want to pull those lost out of the fire. I have so many lost family that need Jesus in their life. My family has been raised to know Jesus. I am not only speaking my immediate family. I am speaking of my extended family (Aunt, Uncles, Cousins, etc.) also. I know they know, they know they know, but it takes more than knowing! They must receive Jesus into their life as Lord and Savior. I pray God uses me in a mighty way to lead not only my loving family but EVERYONE that does not know Him. If you are reading this and do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, I pray that God speaks to your heart. Nothing would thrill me than to know that by you reading my blog, I was "Pulling them from the Fire".

Until next time.....

God Bless~

I ain't afraid of no ghost! I've been "Ghosted"

I woke up this morning. Just doing my routine blog reading. Little did I know that I had been "Ghosted" by YellowRose's Garden. So I followed her instructions in my latest comment box.

Do I believe in ghost?? No!
Am I a Christian? 100%
Should Christians be involved in a little Halloween fun?? That is your opinion. I don't personally think a little Halloween fun is wrong. If you blog, beware you might be next to get "ghosted". Just remember to check your latest comment box!


Until next time....

God Bless~

The Funniest Video

Last night Computer Geek comes to me and says, "Mom, you just have to see this video clip I found". Usually that means it is something lame (well to me anyway) that I don't want to see. But this one made me laugh so hard that I had him play it 4-5 times for me. So I decided I wanted to share it with my daily blog readers. I tried to post it so it would play on here for you, but I could not find the html code. So you will have to CLICK HERE to watch it. After you watched it, come back and finish reading my post.

Have you watched the video clip??? Read on~

Isn't that the funniest video?? His buddies make him think they are in a car accident. I love how they whisper to the driver then count down to scream in unison. His face is priceless! Then at the end, he squeezes his hamburger because they had scared him to death! Made me laugh even harder. I can't help it but I absolutely love that video clip!

I am off to watch it again!

Until next time. . .

God Bless~

Out of the Mouths of Celebrities!

I had a friend email this to me today. I found it so interesting that I wanted to post about it this morning. So here it is:

With hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and severe t-storms tearing up the country from one end to another, with the big quake in Pakistan, the quote of the month is from .....Jay Leno:

"Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

It is ABOUT time that people wake up and see what is going on around them. God is sending out warning signs of for the End Times. In Matthew 24:6 it says, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass...." (Also found in Mark 13:7 & Luke 21:9)
It can't be too much longer that Jesus comes back for His bride (the Church).

For someone like Jay Leno to actually say that means God is speaking to hearts. I can NOT express the joy and excitement I have when I hear thru the family grapevine that God is working within my own family. God promised my Mom that her household would be saved. God called her home before she could see the evidence of all her prayers, but I have had the pleasure of watching 1 by 1 accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
If you are one of my family members reading this and have not yet accepted Jesus into your heart, warning you are next!!

Ahhh. "Out of the mouths of Celebrities!"

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Googling My Life

I read this on YellowRose's Garden. It looked really fun so I thought I would google my life. Here is how you play. Go to Google and click on the images link. Type in the following and post the first (or your favorite) picture the search engine finds.


~ The name of the town where I grew up


~ The name of the town where I live now


~ My name


~ My Grandmother's Name


~ My favorite food


~ My Favorite Drink


~ My Favorite Song


~ My favorite smell



Well that was fun. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did searching it. Now you try it!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Happy Birthday Computer Geek!

Today is Computer Geek's 18th birthday. My heart and mind can NOT comprehend that he is 18 today. Doesn't seem possible that it has been 18 years since he was born. I know it was just yesterday that I nervously took him to his first day of kindergarten and I cried all the way home. Now today he is a man. Unreal. Not only is today special because it is his birthday but tonight is Senior Night at the Game. If you do not know what Senior Night is, it is where they honor the Seniors that are in Band, Football, and Cheerleading. So Big D and I will dress up in our "Sunday Best", walk down the 50 yard line with Computer Geek, in honor of his 4 years in Marching Band and all his accomplishments as a High School Student. What an emotional day for Mom! I will definitely have tissues in hand because I know I will cry as I am being escorted by my wonderful son! I am so blessed as a Mother!!
My prayer is that as a man, Computer Geek will keep God in the center of his life!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

*~P.S.~* Yes the boy's birthdays are only 5 days apart. Computer Geek also shares his birthday with Big D's Dad. (Happy Birthday Dad-in-law)

Happy Birthday Football Star

My baby turns 15 today! I can NOT believe it! As I think back today about that special day, at the time it was a day of a lot of fears and tears. Even tho he came into this world at a whopping 9 pounds and 13 ounces, he was 2 weeks early. I tried to tell the doctors that I knew he was due more toward the end of October. Oh but the ultra sound said I was wrong. See we had tried for a year to get pregnant with him. But stress had kept me from getting pregnant. When the doctors took him (c-section), his lungs were not fully developed yet. The nurses in the Neonatal nicknamed him "Eskimo baby" because here was this very olive skinned over 9 pound baby in the midst of all these 3-5 pound babies. It was a very scary time for us. We thought we were going to lose him. But God has a plan for his life. Most little ones raised in church know who Jesus is and will say they have them in their hearts. But with Football Star(FS) it goes a little deeper. At age 3, when sitting and discussing for the hundredth time where Paw-paw was (my father had just recently died). This discussion would be different. It would be a turning point in FS life. His little heart was broken and he wanted to make sure he would get to see Paw-paw in Heaven. So we said a very simple sinner's prayer that day. Not many can say at age 3 they became a Christian, but FS did. Now 12 years later, FS is nearly all grown up. Long gone are the days of dirty diapers and ninja turtles. He will soon be taking his driver's license test for his permit. Unreal how fast time goes. I could not ask for a better son. I am very blessed to be his mother. As he continues to grow, my prayer for him is to have a happy, wonderful life with Jesus at the center of it all.

Until next time....

God Bless~

Emotional Rollercoaster

Have you ever felt like your life was on an emotional rollercoaster? That is how mine has seemed since Tuesday.


Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I was in deep pray and worry about little Ashley not knowing what the outcome of her arrival would turn out to be.

Thursday was Football Star's game. His games always have me on the edge of my seat. Praying for his safety during the game. They lost their game. But once again God heard my prayers and kept him safe to play another game.


Friday morning, my sister called and said "we will have a baby by this afternoon". I felt like I was pacing in my prayers on her behalf. Then at 4pm on Friday my sister calls me with great news about baby Ashley. It was so hard to contain my excitement at the football game about what God had done. So here I am waiting for Computer Geek to go out on the field to march for the Red Raider Marching Band. All I wanted to do is run up to the announcer's microphone and let everyone one know how AWESOME my God is! His love for us is so unexplainable! I watch the band performed but don't ask me much about the varsity game!


Saturday was a very long and tiring Band Contest day in Nashville. And I didn't even march! But sitting almost 10 hours on those bleachers and in the hot sun. Sure can drain a spectator! I always get so nervous for the kids before they perform. They all work so hard. I hate to see one little mistake like the drop of a flag or a misstep ruin all that hard work. Last contest didn't go so well, but this time they would come in 1st in their class. Such an exciting time for us. I was still on a high from God's blessing over little Ashley! This just sent me over the top!

But Sunday would bring me back down to the realities of life. We had been so busy and not at home on Thursday thru Saturday. We could have missed out on something we would have regretted all our lives. But once again, our Heavenly Father looked down and knew our hearts and planned ahead for us. We so happened to have to go to Wal-mart before church because of a Potluck we were having. As we passed a funeral home, the name of our wonderful next door neighbor was there. Big D and I were both so shocked. We knew she was battle brain cancer but we didn't know she had took a turn for the worse. Thankful the visitation was Sunday and the funeral was today. Mrs. Meadows was a wonderful, giving lady. Even tho, we had some different religious views, I have no doubt that one day I will see her again in heaven. On the way to the funeral today, I had my Casting Crowns CD "Life Songs". The song "Life Songs" was playing. The thought came to me, What a wonderful "Life Song" Mrs. Meadows sung to those that knew her. Even her pastor said during the funeral, that the good Christian life she lived he didn't need to preach her funeral because she preached her own funeral. That is so true. If we live a good Christian life, we won't need someone over us when its our time trying to say all the good things we done because others will have seen what we done for the Lord. So may my "Life Song" sing as beautiful as this beloved neighbor and friend. May she forever be in our hearts.

Until next time.....

God Bless~