Thank you sweet friends!

How can I thank you enough for your sweet kind words and love. It was very comforting to me and I cried as I read your sweet comments and heard sweet words of love and encouragement. I cannot share with you how much sweet friends like you are so important. God even allowed Michelle to call me right when I was breaking down and really wanted to talk to family but couldn't. Her sweet words had me bursting in tears and she was crying with me and encouraging me...Thank you for that Michelle. (this ones for the girls)

God sustained us as we headed home on a 16 hour trip. It was broken up. One of the hard parts was that a very violent stomach virus was spreading among the family who had been around Papaw the last few days. My Mom and Dad and Uncle Ken and cousin and my sister (literaturelover) were such troopers caring for everyone. They worked so hard and I was so wishing I was there to help. It was hard being away. When we finally got there I really couldn't be around them much because of the threat of sickness and our impending move. God so helped sis and me to sing for my Papaw's funeral and our husbands speak. They did an amazing job. Memaw was well enough to attend even though she was very weak. It was such a sweet service and a tribute to this precious man we love.

I am in the middle of finishing packing as well as having some time with a friend at the beach. (bttrfly1976). She has treated us to join her at the condo and it has been so nice to listen to the waves and know the vastness of God while also having such waves of peace and sadness. We are gearing up for more goodbyes this Sunday. Our church is having a going away reception for us. It is so sweet but hard too, goodbyes are never easy.

My husband's part in the speaking was about how every exit is an entrance. It is so true. Thank you again sweet friends for your kindness. Much love and hugs.

Sadness

Today is a sad day for our family. One of our favorite people made his way from this life to our real home. It was our Papaw. We love him so much that it hurts and at the same time we are happy for him to have relief. He was so many things to us. He was a support, encouragement, laughter, loving, kind, loyal. I would love to give a royal tribute to him but it may come later. Today I am dealing with goodbye. And my encouragement is thinking of his face to face hello.

Incredible

I have to share something so incredible with you.
My friend www.intothedepths-bttrfly1976.blogspot.com
did all the work to find this video and it was SO touching to me. I wrote a few blogs back about wanting prayers for new decisions. I just want to say thank you for your prayers. A new decision in our family has been made. I don't have time to write all about it but we are moving back to our previous home. We have peace about this decision and many factors in the reasons. We do not have things figured out for future but we are living on faith in our Father who is more than faithful. We would appreciate continued prayer support and I would love to encourage you by having you double click on the song above....beautiful message.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Today is the birthday of one of my greatest Heros! He is the man who worked two jobs to make ends meet so that my Mom could stay home with us. He is the man whose family WAS His hobby and we knew it. He is the one who was always there filming pretty much anything we did and promoting us to others like a promotion manager would do. He is not about being in the lime light and is a very behind the stage personality. He is a major Server and serves the Lord with a joyful spirit!! He is always sporting a big grin and His face just naturally looks loving and caring. He is a man so many others respect. He is consiencious (sp?) and detailed with financing and overseeing the affairs of the home. He is wise. He is a follower of Christ, not just in words but in deeds. He shines the love of God to anyone he meets. He is friendly and a hugger. He is also a teaser! He loves to jump out and scare or to do pranks. He also receives this back with laughter and fun. He has helped laughter always be in our family. He has shown courage, faith, love, hope, and peace throughout His life!

Dad, there is no way to adequately describe you. I do want to say that I am forever grateful that on this day many years ago :) you were born and have blessed and enriched our lives forever!!

I love you!!

No Ease

I have read some heart hard blogs as well as heard from people whose heart was heavy loaded. I too have had those times lately. It made me think about my life. So many good as well as painful moments. I want the good ones to last and for things to be ease for me, my family, friends. Even when I feel I am in a pocket of ease someone I love or care about may not be. I think I have hoped that there is that place where I will glide and be at peace not wrestling.

In ministry I have seen situations where people are totally obedient and yet things get hard and bad. Then there are others who seem to glide on to what we see as glory. I get distracted and off base by that. I want that. I'm realizing that is not my promise from Him. He doesn't want me distracted by the worlds view or even good people's view. He even tells me that I will have persecution. He promises He will be with me. He doesn't say life is about happy but rather joyful in Him. To accomplish the ultimate purpose.

Our time on earth is not about ease. I have had the priveledge of those short moments, but all in all it is about sacrifice, challenge, taking up the cross and following after regardless. This does not mean hopeless but how much more content and free would I be if I really expected trials instead of working to not have any. The real ease is life with HIM as well as our future home with Him in heaven. It makes me more hungry for Him and for my true home. It makes me realize that maybe that is the point, and Maybe the ultimate lie of the enemy is to get God's people striving for the wrong thing....ease.

Does Somebody Need a Hug? / Greetings!

A few weeks ago my Mom and I were talking about greeting others. I had written a little article about it and was sharing with her. She then told me a story that was so cute. She talked about a lady in the office who refused to be ignored or not greeted. She would speak to everyone and if they didn't even acknowledge her she would say something to the effect of "Does Somebody Need a Hug!!" and get up and hug them.

I totally laughed at this because I, myself, am a big hugger. I know the feeling of giving someone a hug who might not want it. After a period of time, she trained others to know that if they didn't speak or greet, then she would help cheer them by giving them a hug. Many people who do not speak are task people so they are not necessarily wanting hugs either. Turns out, they were able to find it within to begin speaking to her. They also became more pleasent. Isn't it amazing what just one person can do to change attitudes or environment.


How to Greet Someone

1. Look at them and speak! Have you ever walked in a room and people look at you but no one said a word to you? It is a bad feeling. On the flip side. Have you ever walked into a room and were greeted with a warm hello? It feels like a fresh drink of water.
2. Raise eyebrows and smile. I remember being in a seminar with Gary Smalley and John Trent and they talked about honoring someone. They raised their eyebrows and opened their mouths with a gasp. We all laughed but you know what, who wouldn’t want that greeting. It is as if a great leader or movie star walked into the room and you can hear the gasping and excitement. THAT is how we should greet others! With enthusiasm and excitement!
3. Words of warmth and excitement. Suzie, I’m So happy to see you! Julie, I am so glad you could make it! John, great to see you here! Hi! Hey there! What’s up?!! Hello! Welcome! Do you notice what kind of punctuation is being used on all those welcomes? Exclamation marks!! That is how we should be with anyone we greet!
4. How hard is a greeting really? NOT HARD. I actually think it takes more effort NOT to smile or speak than it does to just do it. When you greet you share a warmth with others. It is like passing a fragrant flower rather than a mildewed dishtowel.

So Go for it! The next person you see…Greet!

Head Spinning!

Have you ever had times when your head is spinning out of control?! My husband and I have a lot of decisions that we are in the midst of making. It is talking and talking and thinking and thinking and praying, praying...you get the point. I want to focus on other things but find myself consumed. I know that He wants me to "cast my cares upon Him" and "be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication let my request be made known to Him" and I am trying to do all that but still find it consuming me. I prefer to know everything that is suppose to happen RIGHT NOW!! That is not how it all works out though. I guess it is part of His plan to Grow me. But I don't have to enjoy it do I? Oh yea, rejoice in everything....hmmm. I do find though that when I do go to Him and get His peace I am able to rejoice in who He is but it is just getting to that point. I would really covet your prayers for our family and decisions being looked at and made at this time.

Top Five New Abbreviations!!

Drum Roll Please!! Here are the Top Five New Abbreviations for this blog:

cs-curtesy laugh
lhcb-laughing hard, can't breath
br-bathroom run
dul-deliriously uncontrollable laughter
idhtttuga -I don't have time to think up goofy abbreviations

Thanks to all who participate and won in my goofy abbreviation contest!!! :)
(see previous blog for credit to winners!)