Women's Branson Trip

Our Ladies Joy Fellowship took a trip to Branson, Friday and Saturday. At the last minute, only 6 ladies were able to go. Although our group was small, we had the time of our life. Women need a chance to get away and "let their hair down" so-to-speak. They face stress every day, and sometimes it is hard to smile through all the every day chores.

Friday night, after leaving the Pierce Arrow Show in Branson, we went to visit a friend who had recently moved from our church at PFA. We had a great time touring her 5000 sq. foot home, and seeing how much their children had grown. She shared that wal Mart was just a few blocks up the road. Well, you guessed it! We had to make a pit stop. Going down the Halloween isle, one of the new ladies in our group tried on a mask. Being the lady who "always has her camera ready", snapped a picture. Then everyone else had to take a picture with one. The outcome was hilarious!

It doesn't take a lot to make a memory, just a few minutes, hours, or days of your time. We will never forget the memory we made that night. Nor will we ever forget the great time we shared together. We all look forward to the nexr trip.

Consider The Onion Principle

1.) Layer 1 is the outer layer with smooth protective skin. Outside this layer is the world at large including the people we meet, do business with, work with, and with whom we have social contact.

2.) Layer 2 is the first inner layer. This is for frie3nds, pals and others we know and like.

3.) Layer 3 is the next inner layer. This isd for close family members, and close friends we know and trust.

4.) Layer 4 is for romantic, trusting friendship (boyfriend/girlfriend)

5.) Layer 5 is for embarking on a loving long-term relationship.

6.) Layer 6 is for the children if the onion is a parent.

7.) Layer 7 is for a total partnership of love and committment.

8.) Lasyer 8 is tthe innermost layer. It is your most personal, private inner emotional space.

Jesus wants to relate to you on the deepest level. If the innermost level is taken care of, all the other layers will be taken care of. What about the innermost layer of your life?

10 Things in Life that I Love

1.) Family - A loving husband, and two handsome boys. They are what keeps me going. God gave me such precious responsibilities, in return, they give me happiness.

2.) Happiness - There is an old saying; "If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't No One Happy". So true. Happiness comes from being at peace with yourself, and real peace only come through Jesus Christ.

3.) Keeping a Pure Heart - A pure heart, that's what I long for. Clean hands and a pure heart, for without a pure heart, no man shall see God. I do want to see Him.

4.) Being a Good Example - "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and looses his own soul"? I want to live a life that others can follow me all the way to Glory.

5.) Cooking - There is nothing more rewarding than seeing my family sit down to a good meal, and dessert. Or, making a batch of homemade cookies, or a good cup of hot chocolate. It brings a smile on my face to see them diggin' in and lovin' Mama's cookin'.

6.) Entertaining - I love to entertain in my home. It doesn't matter if it is 6 or 66, and believe me I have had that many in my home. I love to see them talking, laughing, eating and enjoying themselves.

7.) Church - I love my church family and do everything I can to lead them to the Cross. I want to make disciples out of them all, and that takes many people, joining together, to make it happen.

8.) Fall - The beautiful falling leaves, watching the mountains change colors, the cool crisp air, pumpkins, hay bales and the falling rain. I know that in just a few days, winter will be here.

9.) Snow - I love the snow! As soon as I see the first snowflake fall, I am in the window peering out. In a few minutes I have my snow boots on, my big bulky jacket on, toboggin and gloves. Away I go, outside to play in the snow. My most favorite time of the year. I have so many pictures, and with those pictures, there are many memories and stories to tell.

10.) Christmas - When October comes, it is all I can do to not drag out all the Christmas decorations and put up the tree. When Thanksgiving day is over, I usually try to put up the tree. Every year I choose a different color and a new theme. This year I am going to decorate in lime green, brown, copper, and gold. Can't wait. Most of all, I love to collect Nativities. I have many and can't wait to collect one more each year. After all, baby Jesus in the Nativity is what it is all about. Thank God, He is not a baby any more. If if never recieved another present, He is the best present I have ever recieved.

Getting Older

As I reflect back just a few days ago, I realize I only have one more year and I will reach the 50 year old mark. When you think about it, 50 sounds old, but it is true that; "you are only as old as you feel". I don't feel 50, I may look it, but age doesn't bother me. What bothers me, is that my oldest son will turn 25 on Sunday, Oct. 4th, and I can hardly bare that he is getting older. We feel like they will always be babies, but it just isn't true.

Aaron loves God with all of his heart, and he is so dedicated to God. Mistakes? Of course! But he strives to be his best. He is an awesome worship leader and I know that I am so very blessed to have him on my Worship Team. The sad thing is, one day I know someone will grab him away from me and take him to another place, another level in God, and fulfill the desires of his heart.

Josh, my youngest son, on the other hand, is just one year behind him. I know that one day they will find that "wonderful someone" and Mom will take second place. That is something that I am not ready to face, but know it is coming. My GOSH! Have you seen those two boys? I just hope that their new "wonderful" will let me be a part of their lives. I never had girls, so maybe they will let me spoil them rotten! LOL!

I hope as when they leave our home, I can look back over our lives and say; "we did our very best, Lord". The next best thing would be, that they get married and have me some GRANDBABIES.

Life is too short to not embrace every moment together with them, and capture every memory together.

College Days are Over

Wow! It only seems like yesterday, this handsome man, was a little boy, being cradled in my arms. After 12 years of school, and 6 years of college, that little boy has changed into a grown man.

There are many memories I will forever hold in my heart. I watched him, as he has followed the will of God for his life, and given up a lot, to be where he is today. Only God knows what the future holds for him. I just wish I could have him in my home forever, but I know that one day, he will meet the girl of his dreams and fly away from the nest, out into a great big ole world. I only hope I have given him spiritually what he needs to cope. If God always takes first place, I know he can make it.

So, as the doors of opportunity open for him. I hope he walks in the right ones. All I can do, is be the kind of Mom he can always look up to, believe in, and want to come home for dinner ever once in a while.

I remember one day, he was telling me that he was going to live with me the rest of his life. I ask him what he was going to do when he got married. His reply was: "I will build a house out behind our house and you can cook dinner for us all the time".

Well, I am sure that his wife will have different plans. There will probably never be a home built in our back yard, maybe just a "dog" house. But I hope I have built a home of love in his heart that he can never get away from.

So son, enjoy your life, your wife, your job, and all the fun! But, please, don't forget where home is!

The Church......One Yard From Hell

Wow! What an awesome message bro. Lynn preached last night. One of those messages that stirs your heart and lets you know that "you haven't already arrived". It's good to know that when you are persecuted for things that you take a stand against, that God would be proud of you for doing so. The church "One Yard From Hell" would be the ones to take a stand and not let people try to form you into their mold. This world does not revolve around us, or them, but to God almighty. In the end, we will stand before the Father. He will not ask us "how we enjoyed the ride", He will say; "Did you the will of the Father". God help me to always be a part of the body of Christ that lives the life of a church, "One Yard From Hell".

So guess I had better start my day preparing myself to be just that. A Church One Yard From Hell.

Update

Just to let you all know that I haven 't quit blogging, I have just been terribly busy. I just returned from a trip to Israel and absolutely loved it. It is definately one trip I will never forget. There was so many things that touched my heart that I can't begin to start to tell. Definately life changing!

We returned from our trip on Wednesday before Easter, so I hit the floor running. I plunged into getting ready for the Easter program "When God Ran", and proved to be a great success. There was approximately 10 saved that morning. Wow! What a touching service!

Since then we have been in revival with Lynn Wheeler and it has been awesome.

On Friday, we are headed to the mountains for the Williams Family Camp Out. We look forward to this every year. We always have a blast and also get to catch up on what the family is doing.

So, as you can tell, my life is "never a dull moment". I look forward to keeping up with all of you and hearing what is going on in your life.