Never Give Up; Never lose hope. Always have faith, it allows you to cope.
Trying times will pass as they always do.
Just have patience, your dreams will come true. So put on a smile, you will live through your pain. Know it will pass, and strength you will gain.
-God vine

Are your bags packed?

Well in two short weeks the Guatemala mission team from Calvary Baptist Church will be boarding their flight to Guatemala.  This year fundraising was a little on the light side as life was very busy for most of us.  However, we had a wonderful turn out at the yard sale.  The ride/walk/run event which was hosted on the same day tripled in size from last year.  Most of the riders cycled up to 36 miles while the others did the 16 mile ride.  If you have never cycled before I would suggest you try it if you like the outdoors and exercising.  Yes, the cycling outfits are a little awkward at first but you get use to it.  Lately I have found most of my deepest conversations with the Lord on my cycling bike.  He has completely unclogged my heart, cleared away thoughts, and brought me to a place where I want my relationship to continue to blossom with him.  Sorry to side track,  the two fundraisers above, along with a few generous givers we were able to meet our required amount for the mission trip.  Praise God!  So with all that being said, my bags (backs are what Guatemalans called our bags) are not packed as I am not going to Guatemala this summer.  It was a very tough decision for me.  I waivered for many months and went through the motions as I was going, however deep inside I knew differently.  My personal life has made a few turns which require my attention to be focused here.  So the team must go on.  The team will be building homes, food/clothing distribution and wheelchair distribution.  There are two new team members going this year which is very exciting.  Its also interesting to watch and listen to new members working in Guatemala for the first time.  So I will be anxious to hear their stories. 
In the meantime, I thank you all for your continued prayer. I ask that you will continue to lift the team up as they have some heavy work in front of them.  Its not only physical work but also mentally challenging. If you click on the link below the song is called Your Love Amazes Me by Michael English.  This song clearly states the God will never leave us no matter what.  He will continue to love us and the only way we can be save and forgiven is through him.  I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to the song with a clear mind. 

http://youtu.be/S_ubhKAVjW8

Happy 4th of July

sign the dotted line

After 13 years with the same management company my time has come to an end.  With much prayer, I have accepted and signed the dotted line with a new company.  More to come... 

Heaven questions

As Carson was swimming today he asked, "Mommy, what does heaven look like?" "What do you think I will do all day?" "Mommy, do you think I will have the same color skin?" 
Yes, a flood of questions without stopping. Before I could explain any of his questions he was under the water swimming.
 

burn baby burn

36 miles on my bike in 2 hours and 35 minutes.  Ahhh my love for cycling.

just in case you were wondering

six months until Christmas.

Carson's bucket list for the summer:

Go fishing once a week
Ride more roller coasters
Go on dates with Best
jump the waves at the beach
swim at Mommom's pool every day
read only one book this summer
skate board at night
travel to some place fun
eat lots of ice cream
visit the animal shelter
find lots of bugs
ride my pony every day
stay up until 10 pm at night

 

First day of SUMMER

Carson went fishing for the first time today.  He loved it.  He did not catch any fish but he did catch one crab. 

ahhhh

It's weird how certain songs can flood my mind with memories in a matter of seconds.

Psalm139:15-17 You, O Lord, know me inside and out. You know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing to something in my mothers womb. Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You; All of the days of my life You ordered and prepared before I'd even lived one day! How wonderful are Your thoughts toward me!

Listen to the words. what a powerful song.

Its been 7 years

Happy 3rd Birthday Cinderella

 

Me: Carson you have a science test tomorrow.
Carson: Yes I know.  I am ready.
Me: What is the test on?
Carson: A piece of paper.


Carson: Mommy can you google why is my skin brown and the bottom of my feet white?
Me: hmmm ok
Carson:  If you do not know something you just google it.
 

Just....

smile
say hello
wave
pray
Say something you are happy for
say you're sorry
think of one great thing that happened to you in the last 24 hours
search your soul
get on the floor and play with the kids
put your cell phone down
send a card to someone special
pay it forward
take a walk
be silent
watch what will happen....



 

Be still

God has this...
 

everyone gets a turn

As I am
  so you will be
      prepare yourself
         and follow me
-unknown

 

vestibular disorder

My 13 year old dog Kyndel was at the veterinarian hospital last week.  She was experiencing some very odd symptoms.  Her head was tilted, disorientated, rapid eye movement, stumbling and balance problems.  She was diagnosed with Vestibular disorder after a battery of tests.  Kyndel appears to be 60 percent better.  However with her other issues: seizures and arthritis its hard now to tell what is really going on with her. 

Happy Mother's Day.

Summer concerts for 2014 Lionel Richie in July and Rod Stewart in August.  It's going to be one hot summer.  woohoo!

Look at your life

are you a: getter or a giver?
Well...
The happiest people are the givers.  You will not be rewarded for what you get.  However,  you will be rewarded for what you give.  But, remember do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing.  

I love the song (Lyrics) below.  What would I do without my relationship with the Lord.  Yes, I will fall apart.  I need him every hour.  He guides my heart. 

 

 

Verse 1:
Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

Chorus:
Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Verse 2:
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Bridge:
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

 

God spoke

Tonight Carson walked into my bedroom and said, " I'm sorry for my bad behavior in years 1, 2, 3."  During the course of our conversation, I questioned him as to what made him say that.  He replied, " I opened my bible, started reading, got the chills and needed to tell you I was sorry. 
I love his heart.  I pray he continues to listen and obey the Lord.
 

Keeping it real

I really struggle with moms complaining about their children.  Yes we all have struggles with our children but what the heck.  Children are a blessing from The Lord.  We only have a few blinks to raise them so we need to focus on our children's foundation.  Stop worrying about what the neighbors have, who is going to have another baby and what the gender might be, etc.  refocus your energy on your child(ren).   There are many moms out there who desire to have another child but are struggling.  There are moms out there that wish they could do it all again.  There are moms out there who's hearts are aching for their child.  So with that being said, stop complaining, comparing and wishing the time away.  

God is in control.

All good things must come to an end.  We truly enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics this year.  Carson loved watching the speed skating while I enjoyed the figure skating and hockey.  What a beautiful closing.  

Ahhh sunshine

What a beautiful day.  We were outside all day and loving it.  

Three girls

Carson told me today, that he is in love with three girls plus his Mommy.  I just smiled and he replied not bad for a 1st grader.

Be careful who you trust, because the devil was once an angel. - unknown