Dandelion ... A wish waiting to happen.

What do you think of when you see a dandelion? When I see a dandelion I think of wishes. When I was little my mom taught me to blow the dandelion seeds and make a wish. Such a simple act, yet it has always stayed with me. Over the years I have shared this tradition with Olivia and to this day when she and I see dandelions we pick them and blow the seeds. I had the joy of babysitting two little girls this past weekend. While playing ball with them I stopped and picked a dandelion. Amazingly and without any instruction the younger girl came right up and blew all the seeds into the wind. It's like the unwritten rule that you blow the seeds from the dandelion. A simple joy from a weed. I can't help but thank the Lord for dandelions. In the midst of the trials I am dealing with He gives me the opportunity to stop and make a wish. To stop stressing and to let go ... When I pray I'd like to equate my stressful situations to those Dandelion seeds flying in the wind ... like the Lord relieving all my struggles. As much as I love the Lord and trust Him, I honestly don't allow myself to give Him all my Dandelion seeds (if you will). I sometimes catch hold of a few and hang on to them. I want to let the Lord take care of that situation for me, but being the control freak that I am I often take my stress back. Yes, I say I am giving it to the Lord, but that's not as easy to do as it is to say. I need to remind myself of the Dandelion seeds floating away. Satan is constantly attacking our family, our child, our finances, our minds, our health, and our world. He is like a roaring lion seeking who he can tear apart. Oh don't get me wrong I know in the end, we win, BUT right now we are on the battlefield. Yes, you are too. We have to arm ourselves with the word of God or we won't be able to stand, must less fight. Satan wants your children. Have you heard or read the lyrics to some 'popular' songs? If you watch TV you see all the filth there. This world is anti-Jesus and people we must get on our knees and cry out to the Lord to protect our children and to rescue us from this junk. We need to make calls, write letters, send emails let our voice be heard to whomever is necessary to make changes to clean up the TV, radio, the world. Don't sit back and think your voice won't make a difference because it will.

Wishes are fun, but prayer is powerful. Join me in praying for our families, our children and our society. Let's pray in the holy and powerful name of Jesus to help each other. Start now, start today.


Go be a blessing ...

Reflections of my life

I bet you didn't know this about me, but I am 42 years old and I've never been on a Ferris Wheel OR flown in a plane. I write out a daily schedule and have multiple calendars for all of our family activities. I like a routine and think it works best for me, HOWEVER, I have days that I wished I could throw it out the window and do something spontaneous. I like long hair and pony tails. My worst flaw is being critical of others. I struggle internally and let the Lord deal with me. I seek Him to restore my mind to thoughts I need to have and not being critical.

When I was in 8th grade I was in homecoming. It was one of my happiest days that turned into my worst nightmare. A drunk man driving an 18 wheeler loaded with batteries ran into the back seat of my mom's Ford Thunderbird while on our way home. We were in a six car pile up and landed on a bridge. We made the front page of the Spartanburg Herald and mom and I had our first ride in an ambulance. No broken bones, but lots of pain and soreness. For weeks I was terrified to ride in a car; I kept hearing all that metal crashing around me.

During my first semester of college at just 18 years old I found a lump in my breast. After failing at draining it with a huge needle the doctor sent me for an ultrasound and a mammogram. I was told I was the youngest person in the area to have a mammogram. None of the tests gave the doctor the information he needed so I had my first ever surgery on Dec. 28, 1988. The doctor did a bilateral mastectomy removing 3 lumps and tissue. I recovered at home. Praise the Lord no cancer was found.

In college I fell in love and had my first big heart break. The Lord sent Chris to pick up the pieces and we're going on 16 happy years. We worked together in his computer business, built a 3000 square foot house on 11 acres, had a baby and then decided to move to a neighborhood. We have been blessed with our one daughter and love her so much, pre-teen years and all :) We embarked on foster parenting last year and have enjoyed caring for 3 precious little girls.

On this life journey I have seen things I wished I hadn't seen, like children suffering and being hungry and neglected. I get frustrated by not having control over situations, but the Lord in His wonderful guidance is teaching me daily to lean on Him and trust Him. I've faced some challenges in my life and had my share of pain and heartache; through it all I've always relied on the Lord. Jesus has been my closest friend and He has never let me down. Please don't start this new Year without Him.

God bless you and your family. Thanks for reading. I hope in the coming year to write more, complain less and be a better servant to the Lord. Oh and just maybe I will overcome my fear and hop a plane or at least a Ferris wheel :) Happy New Year!

My Red Christmas book :)

I want to share with you my red Christmas book. When I was in the 9th grade my favorite English teacher, Mrs. Babb, gave us an assignment to buy a book with empty pages. She wanted us to write about our Christmas experiences from birth to 9th grade. Being the writer that I am I remember being thrilled with that assignment. I have continued to write about each Christmas since then. It was a lot of work in the beginning, but now it is one of my most prized possessions. I not only write about each Christmas and how I celebrated, but I have tucked memorable cards, pictures, church bulletins etc., in my book. So it is a scrap book of Christmas memories. It is not only a joy to write in, but also a joy to read and reflect. Let me encourage you during this very busy season to stop and reflect. We are told from God's word that Mary the mother of Jesus, "pondered these things in her heart". Stop and think about why we celebrate Christmas. What does it mean to you? Write it down. Share the love of Jesus; after all He is reason for the season.

Merry Christmas :)

The World as I see it ...

Newsflash !!! Victoria has NO secret. Glam is all the rage. Falsies are in. If your nose is crooked, surgery can straighten it. If you hips are to big, lypo suction can reduce them. If your smile isn't perfect, porcelain veneers can change them. If your nails don't grow, you can buy acrylic ones. Tummy's can be tucked, wrinkles can be pulled, breast can be enlarged and lifted, buns can be enlarged and lifted, cheeks can be implanted, eyelids can be lifted, ears can be tacked, brown spots can be faded, lips can be puffed up. The list could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. The world wants you to think perfectionism is the way to go, that unless your body is perfect you are worthless. Well I have good news for you, the Bible tells us in Psalms 139:14"that you are fearfully and wonderfully made." God knows the number of hairs on your head. He even knows how many are gray :) After watching TV I have been bombarded with commercials showing half naked women in their panties walking around in high heels. That does not make me want to run out and buy panties, but instead it makes me want to toss my TV in the trash. How in the world did we as a society let things go this far? Why are those vulgar and disgraceful ads on TV? What makes me even sadder is the fact that most people think they are ok. They are quick to say if you don't like them just turn the channel. Those people think I'm a prude. I say I am a mother who wants to protect her child from a false sense of identity. My goal is to teach her the ways of the Lord. I want her to embrace her tallness and inner beauty. I want her to seek the Lord with all of her heart and to know that He created her just the way she is for a reason. I don't want her to compare herself to someone on TV who isn't real. Proper lighting,extreme makeup, and many hair stylist account for those looks. We live in the real world, not their world. 1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." Wow !! That's where I'm coming from.

If you are mother to a daughter I want to recommend a book I just completed called, 5 Conversations you MUST have with your daughter by Vicki Courtney. It's from LifeWay. I have spent the last several weeks in Bible study at church with many other moms going through this study. It's a must read in our world today.

Go be a blessing and encourage your daughter to be one as well ...

Reflections

Lately I've been pondering church and why we do things the way we do them. For instance church is so different these days. You can attend a traditional service where most people dress in their "Sunday best" and go to Sunday school followed by preaching. You can attend a more contemporary church where people don't dress up and they drink coffee and have refreshments. You can attend a church that offers contemporary and/or traditional worship depending on the time you come. You can attend church in a school gym, a remodeled mall, a metal building or a traditional church building complete with stained glass windows and a sanctuary. Once you get to the church you may see people in all types of clothing and shoes. Those same people will have their Bibles, but the versions will vary as much as the people. There's the King James version, the New King James Version, the New International Version ... and the list goes on. Most churches not only have an organ, but now have drums, trumpets, well ... a full orchestra. Some churches still have a choir and choir robes. The main thing the church needs is to invite the Holy Spirit to join in the midst of those attending. The church needs to have a man of god who preaches from the word of God. The church needs sinners who want to be saved by Jesus' blood. What does church mean to you?

When I was a little girl mom made sure me and my brothers put on our Sunday best and we went to Tucapau Baptist church. We sat on the 3rd pew from the back, left side of the church. I absolutely loved looking out of the beautiful stained glass windows. Each window had someones name of dedication. We sang hymns and actually held the hymnal ( sharing the hymnal with my mother was something precious). We knew everyone around us and made sure to greet any visitors. We read out of the King James Version of the Bible and I'm sure we all had the same version. It was where I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart and where I was baptized. I lived next to Startex Mill and on Sunday the mill was shut down. That meant peace and quiet; no noise of the looms running or people talking or traffic in the parking lot. Sunday was a special day, set apart. It was a day of worship, respect and reverence. I wonder if it will ever be that way again? Sadly, I believe that time in our history is gone ... I miss it. I wish my daughter could have experienced a Sunday like I did.

Reflecting ...

Mountains and Valley's

Have you ever been to the top of a mountain? Isn't it neat how clear and far you can see? Unfortunately though mountain tops are for picnics and hiking ventures. Once you've been there for a while you return to the valley. Life is a lot like mountain tops and valley's. Where ever you may find yourself as you read this, know this, God is with you where ever you are even when you don't "feel" Him. I posted a very personal blog a week or so back about my daughter's first days back to school and anxiety. I have sense deleted that blog, not for any reason other than the fact that is was personal and I feel like those who needed to read it, read it. I will move on from this point and just praise the Lord for His goodness in mountain times and valley times.

I am saved by the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ. I know He loves me unconditionally. I am not perfect, just forgiven. I make mistakes and sometimes learn from them. Sometimes I make the same ones over and over and wonder if I'll ever learn. No matter, being a child of the one and only King is enough for me. If you find that life is difficult and your struggles seem to much to bear, remember Jesus gave His life for you. That is the ultimate gift... a FREE gift that you accept. You don't WORK for it, you just accept it. Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20
New King James Version (NKJV)

20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." What ya waiting on?


If you need more information or if you are unsure about this message me and let's look at God's word and get it cleared up for you.

God Bless You.

My daughter, who I love so much, did great last week in school. I give God all praise for releasing her of the anxiety; she is like a new kid. Over the weekend she helped her dad collect food for "Food From the Heart", food drive our church held. She was in and out of a motorcycle trailer (pictured above) loading and unloading bags of food. When she got home she said her ear was hurting and from her voice I knew her sinuses were draining. Well, unfortunately we had to go to the doctor yet again on Monday. She was given a shot and an antibiotic for her sinus/upper respiratory infection. Again she had to miss school, thus more make-up work. I am praising the Lord today that she has been in class the past 3 days and seems to be much better. Today is her last day to take the Z-pak and hopefully after a long weekend she will be on track with all of her classmates next week. I don't expect any special treatment from her teachers, but if you'll pray for them to at least be understanding of the fact that we didn't choose these sicknesses ... they have come on her and we just have to deal with them. After homeschooling for the past two years and not having to be accountable to anyone (other than 2 yearly letters) I can say it is a little stressful for me. Continue to pray for our family and this adjustment. She may be their 7th grader, but she will always be my little girl :-)

From the heart of a momma.

2 Corinthians 12:9 "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength I made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Lessons from flower pots.

In the few short weeks that we had "Libby" I was so busy chasing after that sweet bundle of energy, that I completely forgot to water the flowers on our front porch. After taking a walk yesterday morning I came up on the porch and cleaned out the dead plants from the two pots just above this post. I noticed a little life in one of the 3 plants on the middle of my porch so I watered it. Then I couldn't help but notice the plant closes to our front door and directly beside the word of God. You see it up there? Scroll up and look at it ... some of the leaves are yellow, but the flower still has a bloom and overall looks good. What does that tell you? It tells me that if you stay near to the word of God you will remain alive (yes, you will bare some yellow leaves that will need to be plucked and you may get droopy), but you will NEVER be alone. God will give you the strength to stand in the midst of trials and hardships. I am reminded of a song I sang as a child; The B-I-B-L-E yes that's the book for me, I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E. It's amazing how much you can learn from a few flower pots. :)

Go be a blessing . . .

I love this passage ...

Philippians 2:1-11

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Roller coaster with loops ....

So, I posted one thing this morning and all I can say is my roller coaster ended up with loops. At 10 minutes until 2:00, just before leaving for the car line, I got a call that the paper work showed up today and Little One would be returned to her mom TODAY. Ok, I wasn't ready for that, but with the strength of the Lord I have survived it. As of this moment she is back home and I am mother to one again. Yes we cried and hugged and cried and hugged, but she is where she is suppose to be, with her mom. That was always the plan and our job is done. God is faithful and I thank Him for His peace. I will update in the days ahead, but for now I will reflect in silence.

God bless...

Hold on, it's a roller coaster ride of emotions :)

The journey continues ... Last week I got the call I knew was coming, but I was dreading. I was told Little One would be going home this week. She was suppose to be with her mom last weekend, but we requested having a "last weekend" with her. Her mom was kind enough to let her stay with us. We got up early Saturday and went to a DSS sponsored indoor Easter egg hunt and magic show. We followed that with lunch at the mall and seeing a movie (Rio in 3D). We went back to the mall for shopping, then home. Sunday we all went to church, then Little One hopped in the boat and fished all afternoon with Chris (that was what she wanted to do). During that time I tackled the task of packing ALL of her sweet little belongings. Oh how I cried and hurt inside. How could it be time for her to go? With each fold of each article of clothing I could picture her wearing that outfit and was flooded with memories and emotions. We ended the day gathered around a bonfire making smores. We all loved it. Monday afternoon I got another call, this one saying there was a paperwork issue and Little One would be staying with us another week. Since she is our first foster child I am learning by trial and error that nothing is as it seems. I am a type A personality...I am a list writing, plan to the last detail, always be prepared, pack everything you need, kind of girl :) The uncertainty of fostering has changed me and I am learning to loosen up.

One thing I have noticed throughout this post is the overuse of the word "I". "I" wouldn't be on this journey if it were not for the Lord's calling. He deserves all of the glory for enabling our family to do this amazing work of fostering. Webster's dictionary defines fostering this way: to give parental care to; nurture. To promote the growth or development of; encourage. (You know be a mom, a dad, a sister to a child in need :)

The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 4:9-11 to "Be hospitable to one another without complaint." As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

This is what I want to do ... I want to speak and serve my Lord; He alone deserves all the glory for His excellence. This is His plan and we are just being obedient to the call. Yes, fostering is like a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs, but it's worth it to see the joy on that Little Ones face when the ride is over. It's time for us to get in line for the next roller coaster, yes there will be ups and downs again, but the Lord will be right there with us. He has the track mapped out and He alone is in control. We are thankful for this journey. Prayerfully consider fostering, you will be the one blessed.

Go be blessing ...