Wow----June already?

So yes, I know I'm in trouble and haven't posted in well 6 months! I'm sorry---things have been so very very busy,,,,but I'm learning more and more that is just what life is. So what have I been up to: It's hard to think about everything that has happened. I've been cleaning out my garage and a bunch of stuff this weekend from my parents house and wow- it's amazing how you lose track of time and what happens when. I'm finding stuff from when I was 5 years old---other pictures and items through elementary and middle school. Tons of things from high school and college and everything that went along with all of those years from FBC Moss Point--GA's, Acteens, Fuge Camps and VBS, to FMCBC - to mission trips, student life, then all of the FCA events, Happenings and so much more. ! Wow- it brought back so many memories. It's been a fun journey looking back but I'm even more excited about what now. It's not a secrete that the past couple of months have been very difficult. God been active and moving and providing such hope through it all. I've known life is short- but goodness I'm seeing it now a nd it's time move on.

So to catch up here are a few pictures of the past couple of months and then we will quickly move to the here and now.

Thanks for all who support my friend Dan. Please continue to pray for there family as there are still moving forward with everyday life without Ady. Southern Belles remember Adyson Cheramie!

Greater things are yet to come----I've sang it, said it, written it, facebook it, twittered it, and will still believe it. Here are two of the quick shots for Christ City Church and the amazing journey that God is doing in the Birmingham area with them. I've been so excited that God has allowed me to travel a little bit back and forth to the events. The first was Good Friday- and WOW! It was amazing! God is up to something huge and I hope I can continue to be apart of it. The whole idea of the church is transforming. Be Christ in the city as a church sums it up and it just happens to be in Birmingham. As many people as why Birmingham- it's the Bible belt and there are hundreds of churchs and a lot of them are doing great things. It needs to be thought of as why not Birmingham? Chrity City desires to be the church --a group of Christ following believers and live life outside the walls of a building but in a needed community. TO BE CHRIST! It's exciting and gives me so much encouragment, hope and passion to reach people. Either there or in Mobile- God is unleashing something Great and I beleive and will live as there are greater things are yet to come!

Please be in prayer for Christ City Church as the developing days are still in progress. God is working out a lot of details about the who, when, where, how and why's.

So with all the traveling back and forth to Birmingham and Jackson it was noticed that Bertha (the Pilot) wasn't going to be the best item for me to make the travels with. She perfers the streets of Mobile and short distances. Not road trips at 3am! Considering a lot of trips are held at crazy times---it was better for the pocket book and the highways and my mom's mental health that we trade Bertha in on a newer model. Goodbye 2004, Hello 2008 Toyota Highlander. I haven't named her yet as we are still getting to know each other, but we are doing that pretty quickly. Only a month old to Tiffy, and she has been faithful for two thounsand miles! (Good thing, I didn't do the 12k lease) She has already made a trip to Birmingham, several to MS and FL- been to funerals, birthdays, graduations, about to head to a wedding in Jackson.

SO those are really the old pictures I have for the past six months- kinda sad but I really don't take pictures at the office. I should have earlier this year as that is where I slept, ate, and lived for two months when we bought Targeted. Thankfully we sold!

Anyway- so that sums up the past couple of months....now I will try to do better with postings.

Happy New Year!!!

Women's Retreat

1. God is who He says He is.

2. God can do what He says He can do.

3. I am who God says I am.

4. I can do all things through Christ.

5. God's Word is alive and active in me.

Guess who was chosen? CC was one of a number of Mobile companies were named to the Inc. 5000 list of rapidly growing businesses released this week. Guess this shows a a few of the reasons, I'm so far behind on the blogging world and everything else. I'm a little busy with work. Excited for different reason over the next couple of weeks as my position within the company will be changing some to allow me to work with people more and build the relationships that is needed. Please continue to pray for the company, leadership, my position and part in the team. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice! Trusting in not my plans, but His! As always I need your help!

9-11

I guess I have been in the reflecting mood as I continue thinking back and seeing where we have been and yet am now. Sometimes it makes me proud and then other times I just hang my head in shame as we could have done more. I could have done more.

Anyway, another time to remember has occured this past week. 9-11.

It was intresting to see on friends facebook as they ask do you remember what you were doing when you heard the news? YES! It was my senior year of high school, I was an aid in Mrs. Baxter's computer editing class. We were watching channel one news when it happened and they made the annoucment. My first though- MY BROTHER IS FLYING TO NEW YORK THIS MORNING~~ I immedatly ran out of class in her office and was trying to get my brother and couldn't. I tried my mom and couldn't reach her either. Even as I type this, I have the emotions running through me. After calling for what seemed like a million times, I had to go to another class. They called me out of the class into her office, my mind thinking the worse as I ran there. It was my mom crying saying everything was okay. Donny didn't go! He cancelled the trip late lastnight as he wasn't feeling well. He was suppost to be in the buildings for a meeting! But he is alive and okay in Jacksonville! I was so thankful to hear those words, but yet had to hear his voice for myself. So I kept trying to call him- let's just say everyone in the family and his coworkers were trying to call him b/c they knew where he was suppost to be. However, God had other plans, I was thankful for that time we talked more so than ever before. I think my sister hugged him tighter for all of us that night as she in Jacksonville with him. Oh the memories! God also had it planned for me to do a mission trip that Decemeber, in New York. The sweet memories of that trip, as we prayed with the families at the memorial. Meet with the fireteams and on and on.

Here are a few pictures I took last August of Ground Zero.

Now I have a dear friend Steve, who celebrates his birthday on 9-11. This year though not only has he always severed many as he was my youth minister at FBC Moss Point. He now serves again in the Amy and this year he celebrated his birthday in Iraq. Praying for you Steve! I'm so thankful for the men and women that fight for our freedom.

Katrina

The house next door to my parents during the storm.

Our backyard and gazbo during the storm.

Me and a sweet lady, after the storm. She hung on during the storm to the train after she road out of her house in the refrigarator.

Memories of August 2005! Seems like yesterday but then again so long ago. I'm thinking how the time has past and the healing that has given. Family are rebuilding. You can still see the damage as you drive through the coast and even down my street. However, people are different and they will always remember. Everyone has memeories of this storm. You have images you picture, smells you remember, feelings sometimes you still might feel. Some remember and are still dealing with it more than others. I'm thankful of the time and healing that has past and looking forward to seeing the future as it continues to rebuild.

Glory Revealed

It's not a hidden fact I don't like to wait and well I've done a lot of it over the past two years, but I'm so glad I'm seeing God's hand work throught it. Wednesday night I was able to go to Glory Revealed and had an awesome time of fellowship and worship. The service was wonderful!!If you haven't heard of Glory Reaveled, check out there website, www.gloryrevealed.com. It's the word of God put as worship songs to make it easy to learn, site and worship through. It's been a huge part of my life as this is there second CD, and I've almost memorized all of the scriptures on the CD's. Anyway, Great things are yet to come and I'm super excited about DNO.

So excited

WooHoo---- Can I tell you how excited I along with a thousand other people are within Mobile? You might be wondering why? Well I'm giving God all the glory for everything He has done. Over the past 17 months, Dayspring has been without a Senior Pastor. We have had many ups and downs, and through it all I have trusted that God is the God of all and greater things are yet to come. With that being said, let me add that there were times I wanted to throw in the towel. I wanted to run just like many others who did. However God never released me or moved me. So guess what that means, God moves. And He is doing just that. Dayspring has announced the potential pastor of Brett Burlson. He is here this week and preaching Sunday and I'm so excited. God is about to do something so big! I pray that God moves, and moves the people that are standing in the way. Greater things are yet to come for Mobile.

Can't stop laughing

Alright friends I don't know if you have heard or not but there is a new show starting this week called, MORE TO LOVE. Yeah you guessed it, it's same concept as the Bachlor but it's based for "real women" like myself. Ha Ha :) Yeah so I had a friend suggest it to me, WHATEVER! I couldn't believe it- yeah I'm a real woman with a lot more to love---but I don't think i want to go on national television to share or show it. Anyway, it just was the icing on the cake for the past two weeks and I have laughed so much.

So let me tell you about it, I'm not going ot metion names or place of employment b/c you'll be able to get the story. So two weeks ago I had a schedule appointment to get an price quote for a new requirement for the house. So a guy came and then his supervisor came. First let me say it was a very stressful day, we had an outage at work and I was completely worn out and out of it. so anyway this guy gets here and let's just say I thought he was cute from the time he got out of the truck door. Well he came give me the quote and then ended up talking for a while outside we shared about our employement (after all the blackberry was going off like crazy) and I kept saying how i had to get back to work. Well he made the comment/question, You really don't want to go back to work do you, you rather go to dinner with me? HELLO, can you please repeat that? I was intrested and not trying to play hard to get but really had to go back to the office to make sure everything was good and close a lot of tickets through the day. So he ask if he could call later, my response was sure why not. I didn't think he would call but he did. we set up a time to meet a couple of days later b/c I had family coming in town. It was pretty funny, as I grabbed dinner that night I saw friend Tom and Linda. We were just chatting for a few minutes when Tom said how i needed a man. Thanks Tom! I wasn't going disagreebut shared with them about this and Tom big brother role and ask, he is a christan right? He isn't married or have kids right? Yes, no, no! Well when I got home that night I had a request on facebook and it was him. So wow- he took the time to look me up. So anyway, with the request was a message. I have to admit I was very very excited! I opened the message and my jaw dropped, the message and I quote, "So here it is and now you know . . . . I'm married." WHAT? Are you serious? Anyway so needless to say we didn't meet. :)

I share that story to say how proud I am that my heart belongs to Christ and He is the only true friend and man in my life. Yes I still desire a relationship but am so glad I'm not where I was a few years ago. I live to be married and have a family. Yes, that is still my desire but I live for Christ and His purpose. It is because of Him I have more to love with others-- My love isn't complete but His is. He gives more love us every day.

Giving up on Perfect

So I'm slow and behind! I know it and I'm sorry. I'm giving up on being perfect! I'm realizing that I'm different and it's okay. I'm human and make mistakes- it's okay. I'm going to fail and let you down- it's okay. It happens and I'm a sinner. I'm not giving up on trying to be perfect and with that I mean like Christ. However, I am giving up on filling others ideas of what "perfect" is in there mind. It doesn't work! It won't satisfy them. Always more. Always something else. Always not good enough. However, I'm giving up on that and giving it to God. I'm doing the summer study online through Beth Moore's blog, "Me, Myself and Lies" It's amazing the lies we tell ourself over and over again and then believe them. Wow-God's got a major project in mine but that's okay because He isn't giving up on me! He's written His name on my life---now I just got to continue living like it for Him, not others. So thankful for the way God has worked through the Godly women in my life that give me the tough love sometimes and make me realize and think about things that are so right in front of me.

So let's catch up on the past month---

Spend a good bit of time at my parents, between Mother's Day, Father's Day, my sister coming in town and then next weekend my aunt Lisa and Uncle Mike are coming in town from OK. It was great seeing my sister! She looks amazing! She flew in Thursday, July 2, and then we had lunch and then I had to go back to work, so she spend some time with my parents and then I went over Friday night late after work and then July 4- we just really hung out and slept. I was on call and so it was stressful trying to work between family and the attached blackberry but we made it. Kristi came back with me and spend the night in my house which was fun- we went to the lake and even played in the park! She had to fly out Sunday moring at 5, so fun fun!

Robin flew in town the week before that and was able to stay with me which I enjoyed as well. I was sadden by the circumstances she had to come, her best friends mother passed away, however I was glad she was here and I was able to spend some time with her.

I am hopeing to get to go to Jackson and Brookhaven soon to see my friends there.

Church- They have finally annoounced we "have" a new pastor. His information is being presented at the end of the month, and then he will be preaching in view of a call Aug 2. Hopefully, this man is more thatn just a wonderful man and great person but a Christ filled, God driven, Word of God teaching man. We need a man that stands firm in the word of God and isn't swayed by others. I trust God has someone like that for us and I pray this is in fact the man God has for us.

Work- Another tabled turned. So we are starting on a new leaf. For the past couple of weeks I've been working closely with our new customer support manager, Richard Garcia. He is in fact wonderful and a Godly man that I hope continues to fight the good fight and take us to the next level. We've lost a couple of other employees which has made it more difficult, (that says it mild). I've worked everyday from 6/6:30 am- till whenever- at the office till 8:30/11pm. It's been overwhelming but it's part of me realizing who I really am and what my purpose is.

Personally- The house is wonderful! I haven't been home like I would like to, and I need to do the things in it that I desire to fix up. However, I know the time is coming. It's just a few little things- hang the curtains in the study, get the new light up in the entrance, fix up the guest bedroom, clean the garage and get it painted, and finish the deck. Plus I'm really wanting to get into a routine- getting up, doing quite time, working out, getting ready for work and then working to come home and cook and have sometime to myself and going to bed. Right now, it's getting up, jumping in the shower, running to work with rollers in my hair and putting makeup on while I stop and the 8 red lights and then working and grabbing dinner on the way home or just saying forget it and getting in the bed as soon as I get home. :) I'm worn out, can you tell? I did take a couple of hours two days for myself two weeks ago. David Nasser was doing Student Life camp in Orange Beach and so I went and meet him and his family Tuesday night and then again Saturday night. So thankful for that time!

I think that able covers the past month- work, on call, church, work, work, on call, run to Moss Point, church! :)

Hopefully again, it won't be another month for a post. It's seems like I do most of my writtings while babysitting Doug's kids. Yes, I forgotten to mention I do still find time to do that. I got to get my baby love some way. Today, I had Ava from 10-5 and then Kyle and Emma from 5- until they get home. It's been a great day, and more and more I desire to be a mom, however, have no worries about it b/c I've turned it over to God and truthfully can say that I trust in His time and haven't worried about it. Aren't you proud of me? Anyway- I love the "One more hug Tiffy"

Anyways- until another day . . . .

Wake up call

Wake up call has come- better late than never! No, I'm not talking about within a hotel room, I'm talking about a life wake up call. Below you see a picture of my friend Miranda and I. Yes this is a couple of years old, I know I don't look like that anymore and that's part of the problem too. I got a phone call Thursday night while walking through Home Depot from Miranda's dad. Miranda had a stroke, and he was calling to tell me about it. HELLO! She is 23 years old and I'm 25. Miranda and I were very close when I lived at home but since I moved over here we haven't kept in contact like we should. Anyway, I was speechless as he was telling about how she at first for couldn't move the left side of her body for two days and on and on. What had happened? She had complained about headaches and been to the ER twice for them but they gave her medicine and sent her home. Then she woke up Sunday morning and couldn't move- just like that! Thankfully David was sharing with me how it was such a God thing b/c she was recovering and they thought she was going to be okay. He wanted me to know so I could be be praying for her recovery but also that she would take care of herself. Then he added the dreeded words, like you need to do too! Thanks David, I know they were said in love!

Can I share my thoughts?

Personally, I see how life is so short. I've been to way to many funerals to count for people not my grandparents age but my age. I've been in the ICU holding a friend's hand praying they wouldn't give up and keep fighting to live. I see it, hear it and try to deal with it. However, once again God sends me a wake up call b/c I lost focus on things that matter. I haven't taken care of myself as the temple God created me to be. I'm not losing the weight I need to or working out. I'm not sleeping at night. I'm not saying no to things to spend time for myself. I'm having to get two steroid shots in a week, b/c my body can't fight off the infection on its own. HELLO! What am I thinking? Why can't I just do right and take care of myself. Anyway, I'm starting off again saying Great things are yet to come and I'm gonna change it. I want to live and run through life being everything God wants me to be. I want Him to be glofied in me as his Temple and it's time to live that way.

So are you with me? Are you taking care of yourself? Join with me and let's do this together.

So--questions???

Alright- some people (I pray I'm never one of them) just always seems to ask the wrong questions. Seriously it never fails- that a woman in my church will find every prego lady that has a special glow about her and tell her that her nose is spreading---which I'm finding out happens but it's a nightmare for most women. Why would anyone do that? Or say she has gained a lot more than baby weight. WHATEVER!

She is just one person but I can think of a bunch of others that ask questions and make you go, really are you asking me this?

Moving in the house I am use to questions. I have ask a millon and wish i would have ask a thousand others (electric or gas... :)) Anyway, people are also asking me questions. Some general- where is the house? Are you excited? What are your feelings? Are you settled? Then there are some people who I seriously have to stop myself before the sinful nature in my takes over. One has really stired in my for a couple of days now. A person approached me and with the comment of, Oh I guess your settling down and giving up on God to have anything else for you. As if that wasn't enough, continues by telling me that he was suprised I would give up on getting married top by buying a house by myself. Excuse me? Well as much as you want to get married I can't believe your giving up on that too. WHAT? (Can you hear my voice go up---yes I had one then) Well if your buying a house, means your settling and satisfied were you are and don't need anyone else and not looking to get married. So I couldn't hold it in, the question came out, I said really? Not in the believing way- trust me! So then it started back and forth. With him also saying, well at least your around older people so when you don't get married you can just stay there forever. Okay- this went from chitchat to war! Don't know what I didn't but I guess I'm glad I stired up satan for him to attack me like this. So I finally made all of my points clear.
1. God is amazing and providing everything and I'm completely trusting in Him. Doors have opened and doors have closed and I'm okay now with all of them. It's been a road, but goodness who doesn't travel up and down hills. God is showing me each and everyday more of Himself and I'm completely in awe of Him. I'm not in the slightest giving up on Him- but on myself maybe realizing that I can't live or do things on my own.
2. I am very happy in my house, wouldn't change it. I understand and fully believe without any questions what an amazing God thing it was. I'm getting settled in my house but not settling in life to not change any and everything.
3. Finally, my point about marriage which I have shared many times. I right now don't have time for a relationship. Not because of work or anything but because I'm not where I need to be. I don't have time to focus on someone else in that way but instead continue to let God clean and pruify and prepare me. I have no doubt that when I'm ready God will provide and bless me with the Godly man and leader that I so desire. Until then I'm trusting, not giving up, not- not believing.

You might be asking why are you sharing all of this? Well truth is I had to get it off my chest. I let it eat me alive for too long without putting it out there. I started doubting myself and letting Satan have a moment's thoughts. I need your prayers please. I don't want to be beyond questions at all. In fact, I like questions and to be challenged and made think about things that sometimes we just fly through. I don't have a problem with that at all. Maybe that is what this person was trying to do. I don't know and maybe need to ask. However, I desire God to continue change things within me. I don't want to be on this journey alone without you or Him. So please pray about what ways you can assist and pray that these will continue to be works not only that I say but that I continue to live and breath.

Thanks-

God speaks

So I have many points so hang on with me for the post.

1. I'm so glad God knows me and loves me enough to speak to me in a way I can understand. I'm such a visual person I have to see it to get it sometimes. Several weeks ago around Easter I was praying through some situations of disapointment and frustration. I just wasn't able to make sense of things going on and understand the feelings and thoughts I had. So I had faithfully prayed that God would show me what I was doing to make me feel this way and why wasn't he removing it. Then it happened- He did what only He can do and showed me. As I was backing out of the apartment, headed to church one Sunday morning this lady was pushing a stroller. I had seen the women several times before but she was kinda old and I didn't know she had kids. Well the closer I got to her, I realized she didn't have a child in the stroller. A stroller is normally something you place your most precious posection in and secure. Well this woman had another idea. She put her trash in it! Yes, you understood, she put her household trash, a couple of bags in it and was pushing it; just like a proud mother would do her child. God clearly spoke and said---"That's you!" I rememberly clearing saying outloud, WHAT? I heard over and over again, "That's you!" As I came to the stop sign I'm still following the woman as she dumps the trash in the dumpster and walks away to the mail box I am driving out of the complex. I noticed though she forgot a bag under the stroller, I wanted to roll down my window and tell her but was speechless at the same time trying to figure out how that was me. Then just like a light switch it hit me and I became overwhelmed realizing that was me. I had just seen myself clearly the way God does sometimes. I push and carry trash with me for so long and let it build up till I become attached to it and want to hold it tight and secure. I want to display it as a badge of honor instead of a badge of humlity and brokeness; after all were talking about trash! Just when I don't see clearly and can't understand why...thinking to myself I've given everything. Within some crack of me, I'm holding on and hiding something. I might not have it my visual area with my arms streched out wide to it, but nonetheless, it's there. So as I might have mentioned before I'm a slow learner. I thought about this lady, wondering why she put push her trash in a stoller, does she even have a kid, was she a Christian, on and on. So now several weeks later, I'm still thinking about this women and how she was used in my life. I'm asking God to search ever part of my life and find that trash that I might not be aware of. It's a good thing- hard but good! I think it's too cool how God knew what would make it click for me. Now I will never forget the picture in my head of that lady and try daily to replace it with myself.

Are you holding on to your trash and securing it close to you?

Better hurry quick

Since May is quickly coming to an end I'm not doing much better on the blog; so I thought I better hurry quick and make a post. Wow what a crazy six weeks it has has been with the house. However less than a week ago I signed on the house and I am sitting in it now, moved in and almost settled. I love it!

I love my cross wall. Still working on some of them but this is the far side of the den befor you walk in kitchen.

Front bathroom.

View o part of the den looking into the kitchen, I love how open it is!

Kitchen with door and window going to the outside deck.

Front of the house with my garage---can I say I love being able to pull up and not have to worry unloading my car or anything.

I will be posting pictures of the other bedroom, study, back yard and then my bed and bathroom soon. Still working somethings and hanging pictures and that type of stuff but for th emost part I'm settled.

April

I can't believe I didn't post at all in April. What a crazy thirty days it has been. I'm hoping for my personal life that the showers and storms that have been expereinced will bring the sweetness for the next thirty days. I've pretty much had all emotions for the past couple of weeks. Here are just a few of the things:

1. Work- Can I sum it up by saying OVERTIME! Not really, but as far as hours yes! Doug was out of town for two weeks, Theo for a week and half, and then Amanda is part time so there were many days it was ME! Not to mention that Robert and Michael are nolonger Callis employees. I made it but don't want to go back to those long days. There were two week that I didn't make it home before 9pm when I went at 6:30am. Some nights it was between 11pm-1am. Thankfully, hard work paid off and I made it! I didn't kill anyone, kept all customers and even made them happy! Now if I can just make myself happy while being on call. Yes, this weekend again, amazing how I started April on call, was on call the middle of April and and on again- seems to be it's every other week. Am I wrong? On another note: We are doing "The Five Dysfuntions of a Team" every Tuesday night as a company. It's been intresting to go through and very rewarding in hopes to see changes but very challenging as it gets more personal. To be continued as we get further with the book.

2. House- Okay I started looking at house b/c I totalled how much I spend in rent a year and then also since I've lived here- OH MY! Anyway, so I found one that I completely loved and have been fighting for it ever since and am now in the accepted offer stage pending inspection and apprisal. It's been an emotional, physical, mental and spiritual battle for so many reason and still is. As I am writing this now, I'm waiting for a phone call to see if they completed the items that had to be address from the inspection. Fun Fun! Anyway, to be continued. Many of you have been praying during this process- THANK YOU! Please continue and if it's not the right one, please pray that God will still shut the door. I'm at peace in Him, not the house or apartment, completely in Him. So if it falls through even now when I'm so close, I'll be alright with it. Please pray for safty for me though as I live here in the apartment. Last week, I can't explain the protection of God's hand on my life and also my friend Jennifer. Our God is Mighty to save! We had seven cars broken into and a man held at gun point at 8pm. Thankfully we had just left before it happened, and came back while the cops were here. Remember me please as I am in and out at all hours for work. I find great peace in singing God is bigger than the boogie man, even though I feel like I'm four years old! Child like faith!

3. Personal- The first weekend in April I had the privilage of going to New Orleans with my friend Elizabeth and her friend Melanie for a Beth Moore retreat. Wow- it was amazing! I'm thankful for that time to escape and be filled. I learned from 1 Thes 5:1-20 the following things: 1. The essense of holiness is wholeness.

2. I can't be a whole person without other people.

3. Wholeness releases persistant joy.

4. Wholeness relates to persistant prayer.

5. God is wholly faithful and I am found in Him!

I wish I would have taken better notes as I don't remember the different backgrounds with the spellings but none the less I am so thankful I can be found in a faithful God.

So that is a quick summary of April, I'm gonna try to do better in May. Plus I really want to to complete the post about the dump I s tarted in March. Wow, I'm behind.

The Dump

Have you looked at the picture? Seriously, look at the picture? What do you see? How does it relate to your life? What is the first thing you think about with it?

I'm intrested to know if anybody is where I'm at. So many thoughts have gone through my head since I've been home from VA and goodness this is it, but it wasn't until this morning I realized it. Let me know thoughts and I'm gonna start typing out story.

Trip to VA

So I noticed today how my post have gotten few and far between. So once again, I'm gonna try to hit some of the highlights. Last weekend I was able to go see my family in VA. I flew up there Friday morning and stayed through Monday. It was a wonderful trip to see them, have a sleepover party with the girls, travel around the city, and then have mom/dad/daughter talks. Needless to say it was a wonderful time together and very much needed. I was able to go to church with them Sunday and see the exciting things God is doing there. It was so wonderful sitting there watching them interact with people and hearing them talk about the different things going on and what God has done and is doing. For the first time (still with tearfilled eyes) I'm okay with them being there. They are without a doubt right where God wants them. I miss them already and have started saving again to fly out there sooner than later.

If only words could tell

Well I really didn't mean for this to be just a two part entry, but it will be, sorry! I got a phone call yesterday morning from my mom who was very upset and crying. I couldn't understand her but I had no clue what could have happened. She kept saying she was so sorry, so sorry! At this point, I'm thinking the worst things but trying to figure it out. Finally, she got herself together and told me that my pottery had busted. I was almost laughing because she was so upset about it. Praise got for them busting- after the things I thought, but that's beside the point. 

Anyway, the bottoms were too think and solid that it busted all over thing (can't think of the firebox that they bake them in) Both piece she said did it, and the broken pieces were everywhere and on every other piece there. She said she had already spent a couple of hours trying to get it off her other pieces but no luck. Oh well, I had fun anyway trying to make a piece, nothing I could do about it. She kept saying over and over again how sorry she was. Finally I was like Mom, it isn't that big of a deal, I'm sorry that I messed up your pieces to sale. Anyway, she explained that she thought I would be upset as I had shared about being a broken vessel. I replied without a pause and said how something would come from it and it would be okay. Well after we talked for a few more minutes I had to go b/c Ava woke up. Well as I was rocking Ava, I kept thinking about what a mess I'm sure it was to clean up. However my thoughts turned quickly, it was surely a God thing. It busted on purpose! The base was solid and thick- just like our lives are  to be with our faith- solid foundation. Our joy is to overflow into others and stick with them giving them something to think about, a glimpse of hope and love so they will keep coming back to see what makes us different. Just like my bowl busted and on all other pieces I pray that God uses me to stick on others and not be removed. So do my idea of a broken vessel still work and touch me- more than I planned. Life is short, God molds us and we live for Him. I'm being gripped in his hands how. He molds the flaws out of of me daily- YES, he is very busy! But through each day, I am thankful He does! I have something better to strive for- to be like Him. Wow-standards are high!  Let's do it together, are you being broken and sticking to others? 

Take all of me, I lay down my life

Yeah I know again, it's been forever since I've posted. So much has been going on and truthfully I'm just worn out!



The picture below explains my life the past several months - being molded. God is mending, molding, bending and breaking me! It's been a crazy ride but as long as I look more like Him, I'm okay with it. "Take all of me, I lay down my life"

Sidenote: I've checked and ask my roots don't look that bad normally. Not sure what happened.

When God Ran

I'm so God loves me enough to run after me. God ask me everyday, "Do you know I still love you?" No matter what I do, no matter how bad my attitude is, or what happens- GOD runs to me! This past Thursday Brandy and I had the chance go to go a Philips, Craig and Dean concert. I have to be honest and say I had my doubts that we were going to get there, it took us 2.5 hours to go an hour---gotta love I-10 being closed, and then Mapquest that leads you down dark roads to a deadend! :) Anyway, we finally made it- I say that like we were late, but we really got there at 6:58 and it started at 7pm. It was a wonderful worship time and fellowship time for Brandy and I. I realized how much, you just have to escape even if it is for a couple of hours.

Sidenote: PCD might not be the newest Christian group, and yes I made jokes when we got there about them being a little bit older, however they were awesome in leading worship.

When God Ran

Almighty God, The Great I Am Immovable Rock, Omnipotent powerful Awesome Lord, Victorious Warrior Mighty Conqueror, Commanding King of Kings And the only time, the only time I ever saw Him run Was when He ran to me, Took me in His arms, held my head to His chest And said "My son's come home again". Looked in my face, wiped the tears from my eyes With forgiveness in His voice He said "Son, do you know I still love you?" It caught me by surprise when God ran The day I left Home, I knew I'd broken His heart I wondered if Things would ever be the same, Then one night, I remembered His love for me And down that dusty road, ahead I could see It was the only time, the only time I ever saw Him run Was when He ran to me, Took me in His arms, held my head to His chest And said "My son's come home again". Looked in my face, wiped the tears from my eyes With forgiveness in His voice He said "Son, do you know I still love you?" It caught me by surprise, It dropped me to my knees When God ran Holy God, Righteous One Who turned my way Now I know, You've been waiting For this day