Devotions | Proverbs 31 Ministries

Had to share this devotion today. Man did it step all over my toes!  Thankful for the Word of God that still speaks to my soul!

Devotions | Proverbs 31 Ministries

Look How Time Flies

My boss forwarded me this picture this week. She was cleaning out her email and found it. It was taken at our Welcome Eli "Baby Shower" at work about a month after Eli came home. I LOVE it! My boys have all changed so much. Jason has lost ALOT of weight, Noah is a preteen, almost as tall as me now and Eli is no longer in diapers and has lost that "baby" face!

I had to share it!

Awesome Devotion from this morning!

http://www.proverbs31.org/devotions/s-what-friends-do-2012-10/

My new love

Never in a million years did I think I would say this, but I am in love with these :

And my love for Outlet shopping does not help me! But I was VERY good today. I didn't buy anything but I sure wanted to! My favorite Coach piece I have I got for my birthday from a very special friend. I LOVE it.

St. Augustine

Today has been our second day of vacation. Yesterday we traveled all day and I was feeling very under the weather. But thankfully today has been MUCH better. We slept in, ate, shopped, did some siteseeing, shopped a little more, ate some delicious dinner at Outback and shopped a little more! WE can't stay this close to an Outlet Mall without checking out EVERYTHING!

We are so excited about getting to Disney tomorrow. I am going to try really hard to stay up to date on my blog this week. Here's some fun pics from today!

Happy Birthday Kaleb

Hard to believe that our little man would be turning nine this weekend! We took new Summer flowers to Kaleb's grave yesterday before we left.

I Can See You !

We are off! A day early departure means an extra day to relax and kickoff this much needed vacation before we arrive at DW. I think we get more and more excited with every passing year. The past few months have been trying, stressful and tiring but we have also seen answer to prayers! Some we have been praying for quite some time. I'm so glad that God is never late. He's always on time. Last night Jason shared an awesome illustration during his bible study about a young boy who was trapped on the roof of his home that was engulfed in flames. The boys father was on the ground yelling to his son to jump and he would catch the young boy realizing that if his son didn't jump he would perish in the fire. The little boy yelled down to his daddy, "daddy I can't jump, I can't see you! " all the smoke and flames we're blocking his view and he was scared. His daddy screamed back to him, " but I can see you!" That's what our heavenly Father is saying so us as we walk this life of faith in Him! Regardless of where we are or what the situation is we find ourselves in..... He never takes His eyes off of us.

My sweet boys at Breakfast this morning

Graduation

Seems like just a few weeks ago we brought him home. But last Wednesady he FINISHED pre-school!
Such a proud moment for this mom and dad [and big brother]! He's a pretty awesome kid!
Love him more than I ever imagined I could!
Go Eli!

Keep Planting

There is an older song we use to sing alot when we were youth pastoring at our church. It was a chorus that we would sing with the choir:
"There is a healing in Jesus
No matter what your going through
Come to the table of mercy
There is a healing for you "
That chorus has been on my heart the past week or so as I have started the journey of healing in my heart. After a episode in my life where I have never really found myself before, a period of time where honestly I have just become jaded by the continuous cycle of things and situations that never seemed to change I realized that I didn't like how I was beginning to feel. Disappointed, hurt, angry, without understanding, pushed away and just abandoned all left me with one feeling.....the beginning of bitterness. Several weeks ago on a Sunday morning I felt like the Lord spoke to my heart and said its time to step out of the way and let me begin to heal you. Wow! It wasn't really until that moment that I realized what I was becoming. But no one can reveal to you who you really are and what HE really see's but the Lord himself. As humble as I know how I said , " do it Lord" !
Another week passed by full of more questions and struggles and more hurt. As I kept going back to the Word the Lord gave me I begin to question how He can heal when it's still coming full throttle. Yet I trust Him!
Yesterday during worship service there was such a freedom and presence of the Lord with us. I just felt like I laid back in His arms and rested. The sermon was awesome and referenced us being found faithful. (you can listen online at www.libertycog.org). I confess that it's been a struggle to not want to walk away from all of it at times. But each and every one of those things are committed to God and covered by his Word in prayer. As the altar service began I felt a drawing to go and to pray. The Lord encouraged my heart and the Word of the Lord spoken by his prophet was , "keep planting, keep planting, don't quit! A break through is coming!"

Today I stand on HIS Word. I don't understand everything, I don't know what I will face tomorrow but I know that God has called me to lead by example to teach his Word and to help shepherd His flock with my husband. Along the way I know I will face heartache, trials and tribulations not just as I work in church but also in my personal life. I have to trust and believe that it's all for a greater purpose.

If you feel like you are becoming weighted down with anger, hurt or bitterness. Or maybe you just don't understand where the Lord is leading you. Do not become weary in well doing. But just keep planting! Keep running the race. We are almost HOME!

Celebration

This weekend we celebrated Noah's big number twelve. Its hard to beleive its been twelve years since we welcomed that sweet baby boy into the world. I'm a proud momma. Words cant express how much I love this kid!

Thomas Girls

I'm forever grateful that the Lord saw it fit to be a "Thomas Girl" ! I have the most amazing mother in law who loves me just like her own daughter. She adores her gran babbies and I was priveliedged to give them their first grand child and first grandson.

I had the priviledge to spend seventeen years learning and gleening from Granny Thomas. She taught me how to take a can of green beans and make them taste like they were fresh picked from the garden, how to make the best cole salw and mexican cornbread and she instilled in me that there is nothing greater than a praying wife who walks beside her husband and encourages him daily!

I have a beautiful sister in law in Jaime who gets me and loves me just as I am. She adores my boys and she understands my Eli. She shares with me the pain of losing a child through miscarriage and understands the struggle I faced with having children. I know that one day she is going to be an amazing mommy too. And I trust the Lord's plan will be unfolded in her life.

I have a partner in ministry in my sister in law Jennifer.She understands what its like to juggle a job and be a minister's wife. She has also given us two beautiful nieces. I am without a doubt blessed to be apart of this family.

A Must Have

I received this wonderful gift for Mother's Day! I must say I am LOVING it!

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was a pretty wonderful day. Despite the rainy day, it was by far one of the most relaxing in a long time. We had a wonderful morning at church. It was  our second annual Mothers DAy Breakfast in Children's Church hosted by Carla and the kids. It was so sweet! Everything was decorated pretty in pink ( my favorite) ! we enjoyed a delicious breakfast and she shared a wonderful devotion on making a lasting impression on our children. Somthing the Lord has already been dealing with me about. Definitely an on time Word!

Probably one of the highlights of this year for me was the special music Sunday Morning. Nothing made me prouder than to sing in the choir and witness my two sweet boys singing for the Lord. Eli was awesome, well behaved on stage and sang his little heart out. And Noah..... wow! He did awesome on his solo and didn't even use the sheet music. Tears of pride and joy! Jason said it best after church Sunday to him.....there is nothing, not a sport or game play that would make us prouder than what he did that morning. Standing in the prescence of the Lord, before people and testifying of God's goodness and love though song! Thats something to be proud of. My prayer is that my boys will see the love of Christ in our lives, and they will continue on their journey and follow Him all the days of their life.

After church, we had Kathy, Terry and Daddy over for lunch. Jason grilled BBQ Chicken and we enjoyed the afternoon around the table with them. We laughed [at my exspense] and just loved being together. I did miss my mom being with us. This is the first Mother's Day in my life that I havent been with my mom :(  but I know that she is where she needs to be with my aunt.


After the kitchen was clean and everybody went home... we did absolutely NOTHING and it was wonderful! A much needed Sunday night off and full of REST!I even took a little siesta on the couch. So thankful for the times of refreshing!

Back in Action

Im enjoying Eli's T Ball adventures more than I imagined. The kid is a natural.... I must share a few more pictures of him in action!

Appreciation 2012

This past Sunday our congregation honored us as they do every year with Pastor Appreciation. It was a very special day for us and we were overwhelmed by love. The scriptures, prayers, poem and words that were spoken truly touched our hearts.
Jason was surprised with an iPad ! He is loving it. He actually used it last night to teach from.

It was a special day and I'm so thankful for a loving church.

Saturday's

Saturday with little to do ? It's a rarity but I was so thankful for it today. Typically we have Praise Team practice on Saturday mornings but we took this week off because we are only having one service tomorrow and only doing one song. So this morning I laid in my bed until 10:00 am. Well actually I got up started laundry and then crawled back in bed for a little while. Jason had taken the boys for haircuts and I just enjoyed a quiet Saturday morning.

Around lunchtime part of my women's ministry team and I met up and delivered a benevolence meal to a precious family in our church who is grieving the loss of a loved one. I love being able to do something to help a family out in a time of grief. Even though its just a meal it is one less thing they have to think about as they go through the process.

After lunch Jason had a wedding. Noah and I decided to take off for a little while and just hang out. We dropped Eli off with Papa C and we headed to Wally World. We listened to our new choir music and Noah practiced his solo, we laughed and ended up in a downpour as soon as we pulled in the parking lot at the store. We grabbed the Disney umbrella, shared it and laughed all the way in the store. It was just a Walmart trip to start out with but ended up being a much needed time for the both of us together. I'm so thankful for these moments. I have a really awesome tweenager!

Our afternoon consisted of some good family time with just the four of us and ended up with a spontaneous Sonic trip with friends.

There is one thing for sure, there aren't many Saturdays that I am not pulled and stretched. And I don't mean that as a complaint. I love my life and I am so thankful God counted me worthy to serve in ministry with my husband. So when these special moments do happen I never ever want to take them for granted! Tonight I'm so thankful for my family.

SlapStick Comedy

I am not a fan of SlapStick Comedy. My boys LOVE it. Especially my husband. I have tried to like it, even endured watching it with them on tv when we have family night because they enjoy it. But it's just NOT in me. Knowing all of this when we saw the preview for the new movie, The Three Stooges, I shuddered at the thought. They on the other hand were ecstatic!
They begged me to just "try it" I would like it. Well I took one for the family "team" and let me just tell you I still do not like SlapStick Comedy. We went to the movies last night after Eli's tee ball game and the BEST part of the movie was the popcorn! I will give you this much there were a couple funny parts but I can never get back that hour and a half of my life. I love that I was with my sweet family and friends but I will never purchase that DVD or sit through it again. I just honestly don't find much humor in slapping and poking people in the face, hitting them with hammers blah blah blah. I'm not saying that I think there's anything wrong with that kind of humor I just don't think it's entertaining. HOWEVER my guys laughed their heads off and LOVED it. And seeing and hearing them have so much fun it was worth it. There was not one foul word, no sex, no mockery of God, no drugs .....nada! And for that I was grateful and thankful. So kudos to a movie my family can all watch together on a Friday night at the movie theater. And that my friends matters. Garbage in garbage out PERIOD!

Garnet and Black

Had the best time in Columbia !

His debut!

Eli had his debut with Tee Ball Monday! One of his biggest fans came out to support him. He did awesome. I think this may just be his thing !

Romanian Friend

Tonight after choir practice we decided to head to Easley for a Sonic moment :) its been a crazy week and nothing makes you feel better after a rough week like ice cream right ?

While were there we met a guy who was from Romania. I recognized what sounded like a Bulgarian accent. After asking him where he was from he began to share his testimony of how he escaped from Romania and came to America for a better life. He was sharing about his life, the struggles and a lot of what he had experienced while in Romania. It absolutely broke my heart. At that very moment I realized that despite all he trivial crazy mess we deal with everyday we are so amazingly blessed to live in America. We don't know the struggle that many face daily just to survive. Let alone to serve Jesus. Its unbelievable.

Tonight as I lay my head on my Pillow I realize how precious our faith is, how powerful the Word is and that God has been so good to us. And I'm thankful.

Oh How He Loves Me

Several weeks ago we attended a youth conference with our students. It was an awesome weekend and I went prepared to see our youth transformed and drawn closer in their walk with Him . Little did I know I also would receive a "Word" from the Lord that would change me.

The focus of a lot of what the Minister shared with our students was dealing with the lie the enemy speaks to them and to all of us as children of God. Many are led to believe because they are told constantly at school by peers or at home by parents that they are losers, stupid, not going to amount to anything, ugly, fat and the list could go on and on. All weekend I listened and watched as the Holy Spirit moved in our kids heart, even my sweet Noah. I prayed and took every word in. On Sunday the students were given an opportunity to testify about what the Lord had done for them. One by one students got up and shared awesome stories of deliverance that had come to them over the weekend as they realized they were sons and daughters of God. And they refused to believe the lies the devil had told them.

This teenage girl got up, took the walk from the back to the front, took the microphone and began to share. She was NOT a blonde hair, blue eyed, size 4 Abercrombie girl, with a fake tan and too much eyeliner. She was different. She looked a lot like I did when I was 14! And I immediately connected with her. She said, " I know I don't look like most of you" and when she said that she had me! She began to share the struggle with her appearance, her body her hair and fitting in. How the enemy had told her she was nothing! But went on to share that the Lord had reminded her that weekend that she was BEAUTIFUL and that she was HIS daughter! He accepted Her exactly how he created her. And He loved her. I can not tell you the courage it took for this young girl to stand before this group of kids and be as transparent as she was. It was awesome. She was my hero! At that very instant I began to cry realizing at 36 years old even I still struggled with that. And at that moment the Lord began to speak to my heart and remind me how much He loves me. And if I can not embrace who I am and love myself no one else will either. I have walked in this word for the past few weeks and will continue to walk in it. This doesn't give me freedom from being responsible for me and keeping the temple pure and holy. I have to take care of it. Exercise and eat healthier. But no more will I allow myself to be poured into a replica of what I see on magazines or movies. Or even my friends! I am learning to be comfortable in my own skin. And love me.

Oh How He Loves Us So! I will never sing that song the same again. It feels good. Really really good!

Homebound

Well its finally Friday. I do beleive its been one of the longest weeks of the year. I have been sick since Tuesday and lets just put it this way ... I am so over being in this house! I am VERY thankful that I am finally feeling better. Still a little dehydrated but I am honestly drinking as much water as I can. I MUST get out of this house tomorrow!

After all the tummy drama we have had around here this week, I get a phone call from Eli's school this morning telling me that he needs to be picked up because he is complainging of a stomach ache. REALLY? Are you kidding me??? So I hang up call his daddy and share the news. He has to leave the hospital where he is trying to do some visitation and go get Eli.

Let me just tell you..... Eli is FINE! The first thing he got when he walked in the door was a stack of oreos and a Capri Sun. I said whoooh! We do NOT want to see that again. You don't need to eat that if you are sick, he replies I AM NOT SICK! Apparently Eli had shared how sick I had been with the teacher this week. She either was paranoid she would get sick or didnt want to fool with my son today.

I am telling you the count down is on to get him out of that place! I HATE it!

Bring on Kindergarten ! We are ready. Well after Summer Vacation of course.

Nothing Like A Little Excitement

Apparently we have nothing better to do on a Wednesday night immediately after bible study than to take a trip to the ER because that's exactly what happened last night

I was on day two of a stomach nightmare when things took a real bad turn. At about 7:45 while I was all alone waiting on my boys to get home from church I started having horrible stomach pains. So much so that I nearly passed out in the bathroom. Fortunately Jason got the message I needed him and no question once he saw me off to the hospital we went. Three long hours later, an IV, nausea meds and pain meds and I was headed home on an all water diet for the next 24. Diagnosis: the stomach flu! Well yeah ;(

Today I've slept, taken pain meds for the stomach cramping, sipped on H20 and slept some more and now I'm venturing out to blog, Facebook and Pinterest. I still have NO appetite but I'm hopeful I'm on my way to being on the mend.

Moral of this story....if there is a stomach funk going around I always end up with it. Tomorrow I will begin probiotics. I can't do this every month. This is the second time this YEAR! By far this was the worst one though.

Here's to dried toast and a banana in my near future!

It Is Time

So excited that Monday is Eli's first T Ball Game ! Let's go Braves. I don't know whose more excited. Him or us ?

I Am Baaaaaaak!

Well if you wondered where we went..... our blog was removed :( don't know exactly what happened except the email address it was connected to was the email address that was set up for Noah and well he's not old enough to have a blog ....long story!

But this is our new "HOME" !

Stay tuned !