Shout out to my "Sweet Tuesdays"

I want to say a huge "THANK YOU" to all my Sweet Tuesdays who shared from their hearts tonite at Bible study. You may not have not noticed but for the "first" time ever since I've been coming to this Bible study group for over 3 years now did I sit there in complete silence the entire night with tears periodically coming forth.

Me and God had some great times together this week during homework each day, however each page is so fresh with what I'm facing in my life for the past year that it was difficult for me to share out loud. I'm so thankful for how God is growing me thru it all, and I look so forward to where He will take me through it all too.

Thanks for allowing me to sit and "hear" you, as each thing you shared help me get a little closer to God's plan for me, and each thing you shared is helping my growth and my relationship with Him, which will also grow my relationship and love for others.

I want to "Love God", "Love Others" and "Do Something about it"
not just sit back and float through life.

Again thanks to all of you for sharing your life and your heart with me and helping me to grow.

And to finish off this post from Jerri's message to us all.....
"remember, someone is watching us"

I want to ensure that the people who are watching me are "SEEING HIM"

I love ya'll

my mind in a million places.....

WOW, I can't even put together my thoughts for you tonite because my mind is roaming in a million places right now.... thinking about one thing, then another and another and another....

get it.......

I have many friends who are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually and all of them and their circumstances keep coming to my mind.....then I start praying for them one by one....then more start popping into my mind....and more praying.....

whew!......

Count your blessings name them one by one......through each circumstance my friends and myself face everyday...there is a BLESSING awaiting us...thank you Lord!

Stopped praying....you kidding me...

I read something from someone on the internet today that said they have "stopped praying".

I thought to myself how in the world could someone stop praying for others, or themselves?
We may not get the answers from God that "we" want, but the answers we get are exactly what we need.

Check out many verses in the Bible that I found just from thumbing through His Word and from verses I already knew that helps us to know for sure we can count on Him. People, these are not all the promises from His Word, but enough for you to know that "GOD HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYERS"

1. I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me. Psalms 120:1
2. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill. Psalms 3:4
3. I prayed to the Lord and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4
4. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me, He set me free from all my fears. Psalms 34:6
5. The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help, He rescues them from all their troubles. Psalms 34:17
6. I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. Psalms 40:1
7. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1
8. The Lord is faithful in all he says; he is gracious in all he does. Psalms 145:18
9. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. Psalms 34:15
10. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me. Psalms 66:20
11. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16
12. So we fasted and petioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:23
13. They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to Him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him. 1 Chronicles 5:20
14. He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them. Psalms 145:19


OK so I could keep going with so many more, but I think I will just let you research in God's Word for yourself to "His answers" to "your prayers"

Don't ever give up on praying to God on behalf of others or yourself, He is waiting to hear your pleas. Psalms 102:17

Experiencing God as He spoke....

Well, my sister and I came here to Myrtle Beach on Thursday night for our yearly "sister trip" that we go on every year. It has been exciting to experience what God has brought into our hearts while we've been here.

The things He has shown us and brought to our minds has been amazing. He has spoken to us in many ways, through His Word, through our daily devotions, while sitting and listening to the ocean roll in, by watching others.

I'm thankful for what He has taught me the last few days, and the things He has laid on my heart that I need to change.

Thanks Lord for these days and for how You have spoken to me...go with me now as I obey your direction and path you have chosen for me this year.

Is this what it feels like?

So this is what it feels like not to have kids at home anymore. Kevin is gone for 3 days to visit his sister and brother-in-law in Conway.

Well let me say to the whole world. I don't like it!

I've heard people say forever, "it will be so nice when our kids grow up and move out then we can do so many things we haven't been able to do since we got married"

Phooey! I love my kids being at home with us and I miss them terribly.....

Complaining / Pouting....what does the Bible say about it.

In our Bible Study this week Day One was about pouting.....

What do you do when things go wrong? What do you do about it? Do you just accept it and move forward or do you complain?

Sometimes it is easier to be a whiner but it's not a beautiful character trait. The Bible gives us some help to understand why we shouldn't complain and pout.

1. Complaining Can be a Sign of Being Ungrateful

From day to day there are times when we find ourself complaining even about the "smallest" of things (like "I asked for extra ice in my tea mam"). When things don't go the way we want we start complaining and whining.

Complaining shows an attitude of ungratefulness and bitterness. Complaining tests God’s patience.

1 Corinthians 10:10 - And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
Job 10:1 - I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.

2. Complaining Sometimes leads to Disobedience.
3. Also after complaining then comes the pouting.

The more we complain the more we lose sight of the many good things that God does in our life every day. This will lead us to an attitude where we lose faith in God and we can cause others to lose faith too.

Psalm 106:25 - They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD.

We need to be Keeping a Positive Attitude as much as possible, not let "things" bother us to the point of complaining/pouting.

Things will go wrong in our life. We can spend our time complaining, taking our eyes off of God, or we can find a way to make things better. We can remember all the things God has provided and blessed us with and not only will we be happier, but we will be a positive Christian example to everyone around us

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

I have to admit I have had my share of complaining and pouting in my life, but I'm sick of it.
God has really shown me for about a year now how to rid my life of both. No I'm not completely there yet but I've made tremendous progress and intend on doing everything I can to get rid of it forever. I want to make "positive" influences on others and let them see Jesus in me, so that they will want Jesus in them.

I know that I will not be able to completely rid myself of complaining and pouting because I'm human and Satan somehow finds a way to show his ugly horns in all our lives.

But I can say "I'm giving it my best", Thank you Lord for what You are teaching me and how You are leading me.

What does it take?

So what does it take to move on.......

Looking around the house...for Kelly

I was sitting around the house today thinking WOW it seems so quiet.
I'm so used to Kelly being home during the summer when she gets out of college, but guess what? not this summer!

Because she is now married and is living in her own house with her great husband.

I started looking around for signs that she lived here. 99% of her belongings have left our house and are with her now, and all I have are pictures, memories, closet doors with paint on them, a wall in her room with all kinds of sayings/quotes/etc. written on it, a self-portrait of herself she painted in college this year and gave to me, a few knick knacks here and there.

But, she is not here......I am so exicted for her and the life God has now given her
But I miss her so.........I cry at least once a day......then God gives me joy......

Kelly I love you so much and I will pray for you every day.

God, thanks for allowing "Me" to be her mother.

Satan makes me sick.....

Why does Satan think he can control everything and everyone? I'm sick of him...

He finds all kinds of ways to slither into people's lives from the smallest of things and many times people don't even realize it's him, he is so conniving, so sly, so sneaky.

That's why we have to be on the mark, ready, set, GO! and rebuke him when he comes anywhere close to bringing us down. As Barney Fife would say let's "Nip it in the Bud"

Don't let Satan control you.....give your heart and life to God and give Him control and watch Satan see "another one snatched away".

Thank you Lord for not giving up on this world and continuing to knock on people's hearts, so that we can see Satan defeated once again...

Joy regardless......

Does everybody know what this is? Yep you are right. It's a Smile.



Why don't we see more of them?
Its easy to do just curve the corners of your mouth upward.
There should be joy regardless of what you go through and face everyday.

We all know that we face hard times, tough decisions, difficult tragedys but God has given us something called a "smile" that helps us move past all the sad so we can be glad and joyous and leave all things in His lap to handle and get us through.

I have two friends that whenever they send me an e-mail, text message or comment on my blog or facebook they always end it with :)smiles. Thanks to you two for keeping me pumped up!

A smile brings joy, also makes your face prettier. We may not always feel like giving one or having one but just try it and you will see how much better your day gets as each moment goes by.

"Proverbs 17:22 - A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

The Happy Couple....

For the ones of you who read this blog and either don't know or have never met my daughter (Kelly Leanne) and her husband (Matthew James). Here is a picture of the happy couple. Mr. & Mrs. Brown

They are on the way home from their honeymoon. Pray for their safety and every day of their life together.

Well the Big Day Came and went.....and God got the glory yeah!

Big news everyone.

I officially have a son-in-law now Whoo Hoo! Matthew James Brown. Welcome my son to our family.

At Matt and Kelly's wedding yesterday God was glorified, God's name was praised and "Two" yes two souls got saved, after Matt shared God's Word and gave an invitation to receive Christ. How much better could it get! The only thing better "heaven".

Saturday May 2nd was just one of the greatest days of my 48 years of life.

I praise you God for bringing these two together the way You planned it from the very first moment. You have been at the center of their relationship from day one and have led each moment and grew them exactly where You wanted to take them, and I know You will continue taking them down Your paths.

Thank you Lord for giving me Kelly Leanne and now for my new son Matthew Brown.

What to write about hmmm.

As I was sitting here tonite trying to decide what to share in bloggy world.
I just thought hmmm.....

So busy in my life right now and so many wheels turning in my head I can't get focused.
So here's what is going on in my head...

• quiet time
• wedding
• wedding music
• wedding programs
• when will tuxes be here
• pick up wedding rental stuff
• vacation next week
• work
• worrying
• smiling
• crying
• empty nest feelings
• new family member
• dress
• wondering
• cut the cord? hmm.. (might be a long one to cut all the way to Conway)
• college degree
• her new home (how excited for them)
• when wedding over searching schooling for myself
• 50 mile walk coming at end of May
• new Bible Study next week (whew! what does God have for me?)
• remodel the empty room in my house (that was just emptied out last weekend)
• trip to Colorado
• trip to Memphis
• trip to Maggie Valley
• trip to Hilton Head
• my son dating

ok, ok my brain is overloaded.....I have to stop now....

I'll come back later when my brain has had time to rest!

Another Precious moment for me....

Well when we got the last boxes unpacked, furniture unloaded and placed where it goes, washer and dryer installed, dishes washed and put up, at Matt and Kelly's new home there was one last thing that needed to be done. Check this out...


Yep that's right she let me install the "special" bear light switch plate in her new home. It's been with her since day one of her birth and I'm so excited she's letting it stay with her now. It really made my day to be able to place it in her "new" home where she will spend her life with her husband. My soon to be son-in-law.
Oh how sweet a moment this day was for us. Our little baby has grown up. And in 13 more days she will be married! WOW....this moment seemed like it came way too fast.....

A Precious but sad Moment for me tonite....

What a hard time for me tonite as I was packing and loading up the car to move all Kelly's belongings to her new home in Conway SC. She and her soon to be husband have now found them a place to live and we are beginning to move their stuff in tomorrow.

As I was getting down to the last few boxes and stuff there was one last thing left to take down that she told me she wanted and you can see it in the pictures here. On the back side of the plate I had written her birth date, her name and Love Mamma and Daddy.

This is her special light switch plate that I put up the day she was born and has been in her room since that day March 10, 1988. And now it's the last thing I took down from her room to take to her new home. I know it will still be about 16 days until she is actually living in her new home but she will have one special piece of her "old" home in her "new" home.

Kelly I hope you continue to use it and enjoy it the rest of your life and maybe one day even use it for your children.

I love you Kelly!

Giving Thanks.....

Wanted to give a shout out to you yes "you" the one who opens her house up to us each week for us to study God's word and get to know Him more.

And to your family who endures putting up with us and allowing us to have you for several hours.

It is just awesome the way God has moved in your home and each of our lives since you started these little sessions.

I can't wait to see what He has for our futures.

We love you and thank you!

10 days.....and now on his way home

For the last 10 days my soon to be son-in-law has been in India teaching and sharing Jesus.
He is on his way back home, and is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I can't wait to hear about his trip and all that the Lord did while He was there.

Thanks God for the last 10 days and what you've done in and through me too as I've continually prayed for him. You've changed me by using him.

My God you are an AWESOME God!

30 years ago I took mine.....

30 years ago I was taking my wedding portraits around this time of year and now tomorrow morning I drive down to be with my daughter while she is getting hers taken.

I am so looking forward to spending this time with her and seeing my beautiful girl during her "moment".

Can't believe the time is almost upon us....what 22 days left......whew I might need to go ahead and stock up on some kleenex....tears of joy though! I'm really excited for her and the life God has in store when she becomes Mrs. Matthew Brown....

Love ya my sweetie and ready to spend this great time with you tomorrow!

Friends....

WOW, what great friends I have.

Thank you Lord......

Growing up.....

Why is it when our kids are around 1 yr. old we are ready for them to start walking and talking.

Then as they get between 2 and 3 we want them to be potty trained so we don't have to "deal" with diapers or pull ups any longer.

Then at age 5 we are ready for them to go to kindergarten.

Then when they are in elementary school we are ready for them to go to middle and junior high so we don't have to help them with homework anymore.

Then we they get to high school we are excited that they can drive to school and we don't have to be their chaueffer any longer.

Then when they graduate high school and either go off to college or get married etc. we then wish.....

"they were younger again" and not leaving home......

Ok maybe not you who are reading this but this Mamma feels like that about her kids. One will be 21 in 10 days and one who just turned 18 a few months ago.....noooooo......come back......

Ok my kids if you are reading this I'm ok....I stopped crying finally....I love you both