Grami x 8

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2011-02-07T20:02:00.002-05:00

Happy birthday to Allie, Caetie and Ben!!!!!

Today is Caetie's 16th birthday and I hope she has the best one ever. I love them all very, very much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my first grandchild. She will always hold a deep place in my heart. I can still see her rocking in my blue swivel rocker on Irma singing, "Going up yonder" We have laughed and cried together so many times and I pray we get to spend eternity together!

Grandchildren birthdays...

2011-01-31T18:55:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow will be Allie's birthday, the 7th will be Caetie's and the 21st will be Ben's! I hope they have the best birthday ever! They deserve the very best God can give them. They have been such a blessing to my life in the years I have been their Grami. I love them dearly and I pray for them continually. I pray they sense in their hearts and minds that no one can ever take them from my heart, no one can ever stop my prayers or my love! God's freedoms and ways of justice are beyond any words or actions I could ever muster.

Father, forgive them for they know not what they do and be it unto them according to their works are all new testament words. I will rest in a loving, merciful, good, all knowing and long suffering God. I desperately need him and don't know what I would do without his great grace and sustaining power.

I love you Lord and I lift my voice to worship you
Oh my soul rejoice
Take joy my king, in what you hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet, sound in your ear!

Randomness

2010-12-31T12:21:00.003-05:00

It's the 365th day of the year. I hope and pray that the God of all creation will bring forth miracles on top of miracles for us all this year.

Crazy how your mind works. I had a dream about a guy that I loved when I was 13, 14, 15 years old. Isn't that nuts? It happens ever so often that I will dream about past experiences and bring a new twist in the plot of the subconscious. Weird isn't it?

Continuing on my randomness streak here. This morning getting ready I had to tuck in the tag on the back of my blouse and all these random memories came flooding. It's so strange the simplistic acts that can trigger a memory. Eva Jackson used to tease me about my short arms and I have to agree with her. I have a difficult time with tasks with these short arms. An additional memory triggered was Charlie always helped me with tags, zippers, clasps, etc...So that triggered the thought of what minuscule seconds in your daily routine can flood your heart and mind, suddenly taking you way back in time. In an instant such a simple maneuver of tucking a tag brought 2 people, 2 situations to mind. I know that I am not the only one this happens too, but thought I would put the experience to print.

I returned back to my routine from Christmas with such a burden for people I love. Burdened for those that have strayed so far and don't even know it. Burdened for the loss of time that can never be redeemed, it's finished. But in the words of Brother Jerry, it may be finished, but it's not over. Of course he was speaking regarding Jesus being on the cross and saying "it is finished" and yet it wasn't over. I have needs, hopes, dreams, desires just like every one else and the older you get, the more honed your skills are at the proper perspective on life. Time is short, life isn't always fair, and you just have to place your life, your heart, your soul, your needs, your hopes, your desires at the feet of Jesus and say "here I am Lord, your will be done"! I can't control any of the situations that cause me the most heartache. I teeter and totter back and forth on whether to say something or just pray and let it go. If your loved ones were in a burning house you wouldn't question whether to save them or not, you would go straight into action. Yet I know I have done my part in teaching by example the priorities of having Jesus as number 1 in your life. He will have no other place. The world is pressing in ever so subtle, daily, pressing, pressing it's way into the lives of those we hold dear. God please have mercy and open the eyes of those I pray for and love dearly! PLEASE move in me, for me, and for the ones I love. Move us by whatever means are necessary to create a surrendered heart to you. Move us closer to you and that will automatically move us closer to each other. My heart longs for resolutions in so many areas. I pray I will do my part to be where God would have me to be for his perfect timing in all things. I pray I never contribute in any way, shape, form, or fashion to holding the hand of God back by disobedience. Clean hands and a pure heart, broken, humbled before him will get his attention. Keep me close to thee for the rest of my life here on this earth and let me stand in the gap for those you gave me to love!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-19T16:49:00.002-05:00

I would like to wish all the people I love and there are too many to list a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

God is so good to send us a Savior and he is still the light of the world. The holiday seasons are called many things to many people, but his birth is still celebrated around this entire world! God has such a great sense of humor. People get so distressed about being polictically correct. I want to shout from the rooftop HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This will be the first time that I haven't been allowed to give my grandchildren Caetie, Toby, Allie, Silas, Genesis and Ben something for Christmas. I won't go into the details of why other than that is what Danny and Wendy say. As each child gets 18, if they choose to have a relationship with me again that is what the parents say. I love those children dearly and hate they are caught in such situations. I pray God sends a healing balm to their lives and that they find peace in their hearts and minds. I will continue to pray for them as always. I pray God will always wrap his merciful arms around them through Godly people and keep them from the evil of this world. Heaven will be worth it all and NO ONE will keep me from anything God has prepared for me! Hallelujah, AMEN!

I don't really need anything except lots of things money can't buy and I will trust my heavenly Father who never fails!

Merry Christmas to my family, my friends, my co worker and to all the world. Jesus is still the reason for the season!

The God of the mountain is still God in the valley...

2010-12-04T12:36:00.004-05:00

What vulnerable creatures we are. How frail at times we seem to ourselves, to others. Then there are times when we feel like we could conquer the world with our pinkie finger. I am very thankful that God is still God while I ride the roller coaster of life. He is my one constant in all of life's ups and downs. Lately I have felt such a peace, such an assurance that God is in control, and I will not fret what man says or does where I am concerned. Sometimes it's so laughable to me that any man or woman would even consider that they had their own life totally in control. Yes, I make decisions every day, that is my part, to make the right choices each day. God did give that control to me. But ALL the rest is truly 100 percent up to him. How arrogant and haughty we humans can be in our own sense of righteousness! I know that without God's wonderful grace and mercy, and his word, I wouldn't have a clue what to do. So again, my stability in all the chaos of this life, I find such strength and refuge in God's ability to get me through this experience of life 'SAVED"! He is such a great, big, wonderful God. He knows my thoughts afar off, meaning before I even think them. Wow! He knows my down sitting, my uprising, he sees all the hungers, desires, wants, needs of this child of his. Wow! And the most wonderful part he cares. He is never busy, stressed, and distraught about my crazy mixed up world. He knows there are so many things I just plain don't understand. How can anyone say they love God and be cruel to others is something I will never understand and quite frankly don't want too. I have been accused of so many false accusations from my own flesh and blood. It leaves you scratching your head sometimes. Why can't people just talk it out, so that you can try to understand the others perspective? We all have things about us God helps us work on. If you say you have no weak tendencies or issues to work on, I am afraid my friend, you are deceived. The key is being willing to face yourself and ask God to help you make a conscious, concerted effort to change. Without God I can do NOTHING. I depend on him to change me, mold me, make me after his will. So many times we don't want to face that being like Jesus requires suffering. We soon forget the joys and benefits that come straight from the portals of heaven when we are bombarded on every side. Yet we will never know what we are made of without the trying of our faith. Most of the heartbreaking situations in my life are totally and completely out of my control to change. Why? Because God is the only one who can change hearts who are willing. I can't. I love my family, I love my children, I love my grandchildren and that won't ever change. The path of my life I walk each day is steadily being led to my eternal destination. I willingly place ALL of it in his hands. I place my heart completely in the hands of the God of all power both in heaven and in earth. I know he never fails. He is my God when I am on the mountains of this life and he is my God when I am in the deepest valley and see no way out. I praise him with all my heart and soul. Have your way Lord, get all the glory you can, just let me make it all the way to the end with clean hands and a pure heart.

I especially thank the Lord for being able to share Christmas from my heart and my pocketbook this year. It's really been fun to be able to buy this year. God knows those that I want to give to but have been hindered. He keeps good records. He see motives and intentions and I am truly happy to know that my God gets the final say. And whatever happens in my future, making heaven will be worth all the sorrow that here befalls!

Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant

Oh come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold him, born the King of angels

Oh come let us adore him

Christ, the Lord

My hope and prayer is that all your heart's desire is fulfilled in knowing he is still the light of the world and the king of kings. Come let us adore him!

LONG TIME NO BLOG

2010-09-28T12:34:00.003-05:00

It's been a very long time since I blogged. Wonder if I have anything interesting to say? I have been on a roller coaster lately with some health issues. I am still working for Vanderbilt Medical Group. I love my family, of course that hasn't EVER changed. So many situations in my life that only God could straighten out. I know I can't. The season changes these past few days have been absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, however with that being said, it also brings my most difficult days. The days getting shorter and the earlier darkness really affects me profoundly. I had no idea till I started keeping track of the pattern over the years. The actual lack of sunshine affects me, I know it's crazy, but true nonetheless. Ask my 30 year friendships. Anywho, I have some mixed memories this time of the year too. Some great family memories, some very, very sad ones too. The holidays are quickly upon us and I love, love being with my grandchildren. Yet there is a very big part of my heart missing at all times that brings some really strong emotions this time of year. PLEASE remember me and my family in your prayers. I know this is all over the place, didn't feel like separating each thought into it's own paragraph. Yeah, I know, LAZY! This coming up weekend is Family Retreat in Murfreesboro and I am so thankful for the inspiration that God has given me. Even though my family is broken, I STILL LOVE FAMILY related activities. Strong families make for a strong church, a strong community, a strong nation and I still believe this with all my heart! The next weekend Lance, Erika, Kailee and Maddie are coming to visit and we have some exciting plans made. I love memories with my family. With the health issues I am chronically facing these days, I know they will shorten my life and my quality of life, so while I have both I don't want to miss a second. I also want to leave this world with the only peace I have ever known JESUS!

Tears in my eyes as I listen to the song by Michael Buble " I want to come home"....O Lord how much I want my home restored!

FOXNews.com - Nature's Medicine Cabinet - Slide 1 of 10

2010-02-05T12:34:00.001-05:00

FOXNews.com - Nature's Medicine Cabinet - Slide 1 of 10

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God has given me peace...

2009-12-26T16:47:00.003-05:00

There are situations in all of our lives that bring sorrow. Decisions we wished we could have done better. My consolation in it all is that God knows the black and white truth of EVERY situation. God has given me PEACE and I praise him for it. In God's word there are circumstances that were insurmountable according to human capacity, but NOTHING is impossible with God. And he always triumphs over the enemy and those that are used of the enemy. I have confidence that he will ALWAYS have the final say. My heart is to be where I am supposed to be, doing what I am responsible for when he does have the final say. Let me always be on your grace and mercy side and not your wrath side! He is a mighty, mighty God. He is a loving Father to those that walk in his precepts, but he is a consuming fire to those that don't. The new testament states that if we fall on the stone, rather than the stone falling on us, we have hope. If we humble before God he is gracious to be our foundation through it all, but if we refuse to submit, then he will grind us to powder. The bible says evil men would wax worse, deceived and being deceived. I pray that my eyes are always open to his ways, his guidelines, so I can find the way home to be with my heavenly Father and the precious souls that have died in Jesus. I see loved ones over yonder, tears are gone and hearts are free. And from the throne my Savior beckons, the hills of home, are calling me. This house of flesh is but a prison, bars of bones, hold my soul, but the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open, when the hills of home, start calling me. This world is not my home, I'm only passing by, my treasures and my hopes are all up in the sky. Friends and loved ones wait, who have walked this way before, but I can't feel at home in this world any more. I getting ready today, moving out tomorrow, gonna say goodbye to earthly sorrows, I am looking for a mansion fair, I see the lights, I'm almost there!

Merry Christmas to all!!

2009-12-24T19:11:00.001-05:00

I hope all of you have a wondeful Christmas...I know I will....God is so good to see us through another year of life! I appreciate him for his heartfelt gift of life to me! All the hustle and bustle of this time leaves many stressed, empty and depressed because of unmet expectations...God gives to me all year long and it's nice to celebrate this time of the year as a celebration of Jesus...

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, Peace, good will toward men!

Praying that each of you will accept the peace in the inner man that Jesus came that fateful night to bring!

I praise God for peace, not as the world gives, but God's peace! What a gift was given and I say thank you, thank you, thank you!

Every day that I live...

2009-12-02T13:05:00.003-05:00

Plans change, marriages fail, children die, and so many other horrific experiences that we call life, can change in an instant. Life isn't always fair, but the only person who controls your reactions to life, is you. I have heard it said, life is 10 % what happens to you and 90% of your attitude about the 10 %. Every day that I live the scripture "man that is born of woman, is a few days and full of trouble" is becoming more real to me.
Has my attitude towards life always been what it should have been, NO, a thousand times no. I have been to the bottom of the pit. I have been to the top of the mountain. I have gone through the valley of the shadow of death. It's amazing sometimes how our emotions can go from one extreme to the other, even in a short span of time. But been there, done that, and will most likely do it again. Feeling is part of healing. The more we try to push down, don't respond, don't feel, the sorrows of our life, the longer it takes to heal. My consolation in this is another scripture. "yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me" and "he knoweth our frame, he knoweth we are but dust" This helps me to know, God understands my frailties and that he will go with me wherever this life takes me.
Hopefully you are seeing a theme in this post. There have been too many sorrows I couldn't avoid, and if I could, I would have. But the Word of our God, His comfort of the Spirit, His unfailing love and sustaining grace, has been my mainstay. If it had not been for the Lord on my side, tell me where would I be, where would I be? Is the Lord on my side when I am wrong, of course not! However if my heart will repent and turn to him again, he has been gracious to forgive and pardon all my sin. Pulling yourself up by the boot straps, humbling to your wrongs and making them right is what keeps me on the straight and narrow. With all my heart, after this life, I want to hear him say "Well done"
There is another scripture that presses on me today. "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children;" I loved being a wife and mother. Truly had no desire to be anything else, because it's the highest calling on this earth for a woman. God instituted the family for good and when it works according to God's plan, it's like having a taste of heaven here on earth. It troubles me to see women of today, who resent the responsibility of their children. Mine and Charlie's life revolved around our girls. He wasn't able to come to some of the things I wanted him to, because he felt the need to provide above and beyond what was needed. The tone that is used to talk to their own children, name calling and sheer neglect causes me a heartache I can't explain. Was I a perfect mother, well I wouldnt be telling the truth if I said I was. However, with the skills I had, I know that I tried my best to be there and care and teach my children the ways of the Lord. My heart was totally in it. In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, boy does that last a lifetime. When they are young they need so much from you to be able to eventually survive on their own. Time, love, affection, talking to them, being with them doing nothing, tells children, I am important to you. There are so many distractions to keep us from the people God will hold us accountable for. Turn it off, tune it out and listen to heart needs of those precious babies before it's too late. What priority is any greater than building strong relationships with the people inside your 4 walls? NONE! I pray today God awakens a new desire in each one of us to turn toward the people God has placed in our homes. The sorrows of child rearing, is your heart wants what is best for them till the last breath you draw. Watching your children make wrong choices, become people you didn't teach that way, that is where the sorrow comes from. Knowing the consequences of God's word, knowing the enemy doesn't wait till they are older to get a hold of their hearts for a lifetime. It's not the love of your children that causes sorrow, it's the not being able to change their direction when you see them failing in areas, that is going to cost them big time. Maybe if they were my rules I would want to bend them for the sake of my children. But that is why God is God, he loves us enough to say, this is where the line is and if you or anyone else crosses it, there WILL be consequences. He doesn't cave for anyone and I want to please him so much. There are needs in my life that only God can fix. If I fail to do what is right according to his Word, then I just tied his hands to do anything for me. Just like when your child refuses to obey, you don't reward bad behavior, you don't give in, because if you do, your saying the bad behavior is ok. So God in his great love and wisdom, lets us decide what we are going to do. Right brings blessings, right because it's right and no other reason. Wrong brings cursing and I don't know about you, but I've seen enough cursed lives to last me a lifetime already. I desperately need to be in right standing with God. It's just simple "if you will do all I say do, you will be a special people unto me above all people on the face of the earth and I will be your God" And that is all I have ever wanted. A family who loves God first, then each other and serves the Lord together.

Shock, faint and fall over...I have a blog...hahaha!

2009-11-27T13:15:00.004-05:00

I haven't blog in so long, people have probably forgotten that I even have one.

God has been so good to me and I am anticipating more of the same. According to Psalm 23, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever....Amen! That is encouraging!!

I am so very thankful that Wendy and Erika, their children, their husbands got to spend Thanksgiving holidays together. It's makes me happy for my family to be able and want to spend time together. Their facebook status updates have given me a glimmer of the fun they are having.

God knows the road I have travelled and where I have been and he also knows where I am going. The most important thing to me, is that God goes with me wherever I go. He has been patient, loving, longsuffering and merciful to me. I praise his name from the bottom of my heart. I start a new job on December 7th. I am so thankful for this.

I have been pastoring a sweet congregation of people in Milan, TN. I care deeply for these people and I ask that you pray about the future of this local church. I was asked to fill in till the end of December from our State Overseer, Bro. Cox. So many changes in my life suddenly. It encourages me that there will be more suddenlys in my future. At least that is what I am looking for. I truly need direction from God in everything I do.

The holidays are upon us and I really enjoy this time of the year, with all the special times you get to have with your family. This is the time of the year I miss my family truly being together. I pray for them daily and will continue until I leave this world.

We had an announcement last Sunday night that the Suttons were going back to Alaska. I hope the best for them. That means we are receiving a new Pastor at Antioch. I am thrilled that Bro Jimmy Frizzell and his wife Sis Carol will be coming to Antioch. We go back to when I was about 12/13 years old, yep back to the stone age. Ha! It's a new beginning for Antioch and I do believe it's going to be a great one! I look forward to what God has in store for us all in the work of the Lord. He is a mighty God, a mighty, mightly, God!

tried to post something....

2009-05-15T22:01:00.002-05:00

I tried to post something I got in an email and some how it messed my blog up...Sorry!

And while your reading this disclaimer to the error on my blog, say a prayer for Farrah Fawcett, she is on her last days with her battle with cancer and needs prayer....

stolen from em....love it...

2009-04-16T19:29:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k&feature=player_embedded

one of these days...

2009-04-15T11:23:00.002-05:00

One of these days I am going to really blog without reservations, then I think, what would that solve? Nothing, absolutely nothing...So ha!

Pray that we have a nice visit with Erika and family...

Pray for my family...

Pray for my husband...

Pray for the church...

Pray for our leaders...

Pray for our political leaders...

Pray for Brad Moore...

Pray for souls....

Pray for Jesus to return...

Pray without ceasing!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long time no blog...Gatlinburg trip

2009-03-29T15:31:00.005-05:00

I am a terrible blogger but anyway I have a few things to blog about...

Wendy and her family took me to Gatlingburg for my birthday and we had so much fun!!! Thursday and Friday night she cooked dinner and both nights it was really good! We went to an upside down house called Wonder Works and it was a hands on experience. That was fun too! We lost Ben and they called a code 7 and made an announcement all over the building. Of course Ben didn't know he was lost, which I always find interesting in little ones. We of course were slightly freaked for a few minutes. He had back tracked to find his parents and was at the door waiting for them and said "ya'll come on" ha! Saturday the Page family took me to an awesome off the beaten path restaurant, that was delish! Home cooking at it's best. Yum! Do you see an eating theme here? Ha! We watched "Pride and Prejudice" one night, then Saturday night Caetie and I watched "Australia" for my 3rd time and her 1st. Caetie slept with me in my king size bed and we laughed for way too long each night. I jumped subjects so quickly that she said "You are soooo random"! I said welcome to my brain. Mom, Kim and I took a scenic 6 mile ride up the mountain 1 way only and the signs said, narrow, curvy road ahead. That was an understatement, we had some skewry moments I tell ya! We got such hysterical laughter that both of my sides hurt. Of course we raided homemade candy shops, Kim ate at Fannie Farkles ( I was afraid it would tear my tummy up). Caetie, Kim and I walked the Gatlinburg strip while Wendy and Danny went another direction. I bought stuff to send to Erika since Lance doesn't like the Mt's like our family does. I took Kim back to her chalet (her and mom were in their own) and Caetie and I went to ours because Wendy and Danny weren't ready to go home. Later on when I went back to get them, Caetie rode with me and it must have been a full moon cause I was singing loud with the windows rolled down on the strip. Hollering at people and just being extra crazy!!! Wendy said "your voice carries" and I am wondering where she has been for most of her life with me? The chalet we stayed it was really, really nice. 4 king suites with jacuzzi bath tubs in each room. Game room, pool table downstairs, hot tub on the back patio, nice kitchen fully stocked with most everything you need, washer, dryer and on and on! Two extra funny stories and I will go: When the Page family left Saturday for the indoor water park, I stayed home alone. Well when they were leaving Danny said I am going to dead bolt the door, which was fine by me. So they all left or so I thought. Next thing I hear is a blood curdling scream. I said "Hey" and Allie is hysterical and says I thought they locked me in here by myself. She was shaking she was so tore up. As I unlocked the deadbolt I calmly said "Let me give you a tidbit of information, let's just say you were dead bolted in here by yourself, don't panic". Danny and them must have realized Allie wasn't in the van and about the time I unlocked the door Danny was there to get her. They didn't even know anything about it till they returned and I told them. Then while Caetie and I were watching "Australia" here comes poor Allie from downstairs and she is crying again and says "I know there are bears downstairs under my bed, I can hear them" I said I don't think so, but would you like for me to go see? Of course she said yes, so I went downstairs to turn the light on, get down on the floor and lift up the bed skirt to check for Smokey the Bear. Now that is hilarious. Isn't it amazing how when we think something and it scares us it doesn't matter how irrational it is? Of course I was glad to put the fear to rest for her. Of course I wanted to say, Allie how did the bear get in, how come none of the adults heard or saw it, and why do you think it chose your bedroom? And what makes you think a bear could even fit under this bed, it's too low to the ground for anything of that size to get under here. But no I did the grandmotherly thing to do and shooed away the big bad bear that was under that bed.

Can you tell I really, really, had a wonderful vacation. That part of TN holds many fond, family times in my life and I was glad to go back again. Oh I almost forgot, each of the grandchildren picked out and signed their own cards to give to me with money in each card. Wendy and Danny also gave a card that made me cry and usually our family cards are for laughter, it also had money in it too. I really appreciate the thought of this birthday gift, it was such a blessing!!!!!
I remember a couple of other things: In the Wonder Works house there was this tunnel that said if you are prone to motion sickness use the left double doors. Well that is where I was headed and Toby says come on Grami. So here I go and Toby says hold my hand (how sweet). I was trying to focus on anything except the spinning room and Toby was saying open your eyes Grami, open your eyes! It was too funny, he wanted to hold my hand and help me, but force me to watch the horror of motion sickness. Ha!
There was a sound lab in this hands on experience, so Kim and I decided to brave it. It lasts 6 minutes and you have your own private sound booth. There was room for 6 people. The ventilation was poor and it was stuffy in there, but anyway Kim says is everybody ready and pushes this button to start the sound lab. OH MY GOODNESS, that was the longest 6 minutes of my life. I tried for who knows how many minutes to talk myself out of panic. It was TOTAL DARKNESS!! Darkness like I have never experienced before. I was like oh boy if I try to find the door to get out, if when Kim pushed that button, we got locked temporarily in here, I am going to FREAK! I was closing my eyes since it was dark anyway and trying to wait out the 6 minutes, I couldn't do it. I got my cell phone out of my purse and flipped it open and shined it inside of Kim's compartment and say, "I can't handle this darkness" I shut it back but it wasn't but a few minutes later I opened it again and could not wait for that 6 minutes to be up!!!!!!!!!! I stood outside for a little while and watched grown men come out before the 6 minutes was up! HA! I was explaining it to Wendy so her, Danny, and Caetie went in! HA! She told me I realized I don't like darkness, she called it gross darkness lol!!!! She said if I hadn't of explained it to her, she couldn't have lasted either. Man what an experience that was!!!

Macon update...

2009-03-06T12:33:00.005-05:00

Thank the Lord Erika's surgery went well, it was definitely a rough week the first week...What was weird is the surgery center area was kinda small and I could hear them sawing and hammering on her back there...It was so strange!!! I asked to see her elbow they cut out, but they had already thrown it in the trash, the nurse went to see if she could retrieve it, but it was too late...I wanted to see what this disease does to your joints up close and personal...The girls were so sick prior to her surgery, that none of us got good rest beforehand...Kailee was sicker than Maddie, but both are now much, much better...

I worked 6 days while here and enjoyed it very much...Sabrina has been a tremendous blessing to me many times in the last 7 years...

Erika is doing better each day and she can already extend her right arm more even without it being completely recovered from the surgery....She has an ugly incision and quite a few staples...I really need to count them...HA! I like details...

I got out of the house for most of the day yesterday, it was a beautiful day and it really rejuvenated me...I went to get my oil changed and that is a story in and of itself....I like this jiffy lube so well and the manager Steve has been a great person to get to know...He is just a good ole boy, like Damon...He was friendly and I trusted him completely...I would wait almost 6,000 miles for an oil change just so I could wait to get it here in Macon, at his jiffy lube...I have been doing this for almost 7 years now...He is always there, he always had coupons, or car advice on who to trust with parts, repairs...You know your friendly vendor...Well yesterday when I went, I asked "Where is Steve?" The young man said, "Mam, he died about six months ago." My mouth flew open in utter shock...What happened to him I asked? I had waited so long this time that the last oil change was in Nashville and I probably hadn't seen him in approximately 6 months ago...I will have to check the date on my last receipt down here...Anyway my heart was crushed about this...He was 34 and a blood clot so forcefully shot from his leg to his heart, the blood clot punctured his heart...He had no idea he had a blood clot....He was stabilized and flown to a special hospital in Florida, where they tried to repair his heart, but when they opened him for surgery, his vital organs began to shut down and he passed away...I asked did he have a wife or children? He told me no mam on the wife, he had a 14 year old son who he raised without a mother...I said what about a girlfriend, he said no mam, he was dedicated to his job and his son....I said where is his son and how is he doing? He said, he is with Steve's mother and the son is doing as well as can be expected to lose his only parent....Oh my goodness this just kills me...I wonder if there is something I could have said to him in these last 7 years that could have made a difference in his life?...

I also went to the local fresh market to browse...

When I was getting a pedicure before Erika's surgery, I noticed the lady next to me....I really liked her cut and color, so I asked who did her hair and where? I found out, googled it for the number and made an appointment for yesterday also...I got a cut, color and subtle hi-lights...I really, really like it and I hope I can fix it as good as she did...HA! that's a joke...

Last night all of us (Lance, Erika, Kailee, Maddie, Vicky) went to see Kailee practice wee ball...She can hit the ball good, but isn't really into it at this point...She has resisted both practices and doesn't want to play her first game tomorrow...HA! Erika said I can see she is going to take after me where sports are concerned...Wendy loved sports and was really good at it...Erika tried it but didn't like...Wendy did quite a few extra things growing up, but Erika never seemed to be interested in team sports or activities like that...

Going back to a previous thought, hey it's my blog, just try to keep up....I don't know why it tears me up so about people I hardly know or don't know at all...Those NFL players and friends that were lost in the Gulf of Mexico, has really upset me too...I followed the breaking story, watched and read every detail of the news that came out....Life can turn in an instant...Please don't take your life or the life of your loved ones for granted, it can all be over forever in an twinkling of an eye....I hope all of you have a beautiful, blessed day and I can't wait to get back to my home, my bed, my friends, my church and my life....I love Erika and her family with all my heart, but the older I get the harder it is to stay with anyone else....I hope I have been a blessing to her life as best as I can....I know I can get on her nerves with my thoughts and opinions, but mothers and fathers who truly love their children never stop caring, never stop prodding and encouraging them along life's path...You see I have been there and done that and want to spare some heartache along the way if I can...

Stuff....

2009-02-20T20:31:00.002-05:00

For someone who loves to talk, communicate and openly speak my thoughts, I rarely blog...hehehe...Such a contradiction isn't it? Well that pretty much explains me...I took a psychology test and answered one set of questions completely opposite of the other questions...Ha! Why am I not surprised by that...Anyway on to the stuff...In case you wonder at all what's going on, a lot and nothing...Remember contradictions!!!! I am in Macon for Erika's elbow replacement on the 24th....I would appreciate all prayers for her...It's a serious surgery and she needs the Lord to be with the Drs and her....My previous boss Sabrina who I worked for when I lived here....Really the best job I have ever had except Capt Bly...She called me on Thursday a day or so before I was coming and asked me to come help her husband Spencer because his CSR had a heart emergency...So I came down to Macon early to work for him...I have been there a week today...He likes me so much, he wants me to stay and get my P & C license...He will pay for my training and pay for the test for my license...So I have decisions to make really quick...The CSR, Sheila got out of the hospital on Wednesday and she is coming back Monday...Whether she is physically able to work or not, Spencer wants me to stay....So pray for me to make the right decision...I took some tests in Smyrna recently and made 90 in English, 89 in Reading and 80 in Math and not so good in Algebra...lol!! for college...I am not getting any younger and I really want to get a long term career going for the rest of my working life...And last but not least, I am really, really, really in need of a miracle in some areas of my life....So please keep me in your prayers...I think turning the age I am coming up on has been the most difficult milestone yet...My life is closer to being over than ever before and I want to redeem every moment I have left...Please say a prayer for the depths of my heart and soul that only God knows about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Old Tabernacle on Keith Street 1988

2009-01-31T02:13:00.001-05:00

This seems like a lifetime ago...Great times!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUbed2jaClc

Jumping on the bandwagon

2009-01-14T23:25:00.003-05:00

Things I like, (in no particular order)

pleasing God
intercessory prayer
God's assurance
children's love
grandchildren's love
great sister
smell of a good candle
hot baths
clean sheets (off the clothes line)
laughter
friends
loyality
affection
good movie
good music
shared memories
inside jokes
nice hair
good skin
good food
kindness
tenderness
mercy
love
smell of coffee

Things I don't like (in no particular order)

loud aggressive music
unfaithful
lack of remorse
strong colonge
bad teeth
uncleanliness
foul mouth
disrespectful
sin
sin
sin
sin
abandonment
lying
cheating
smoking
drinking
arrogance
injustice
distrust
divisiveness
hiding sin
hypocrisy

Caetie is signing on Chris Sligh's video

2009-01-13T23:32:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ-TdEeg3v0

Is this great or what??

New Year, new opportunities...

2009-01-03T14:47:00.002-05:00

This is the day that the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it...It's my decision each day to rejoice in him...He alone is worthy, doesn't matter the circumstances...He is worthy...

"I love you, I love you, I love you Lord today, cause you cared for me in such a special way and now I praise you, I lift you up, I magnify your name, that's why my heart is filled with praise."

The saying goes, that your attitude is more important than what happens to you...I know from experience that there are usually 3 groups of attitudes...One you see only good and live in a fantasy world that refuses to face the harsh, stark realities of life, two you see the good and the bad equally, aren't afraid to state your feelings both positive and negative, and three you see only the negative, nothing pleases you, nothing satisfies...How sad to not be able to live balanced in this world...I don't want to be the extremes of these, I want to only see the reality of what God wants me to see!!!!! Life isn't always positive, but Jesus is positively with you through it all and if we will place our life humbly at his feet, he will bring the best solution to it all. I have staked my entire life on this principle. Doesn't matter what it feels like, what it looks like or if I am in desperation, I do know that God does make the impossible, possible for those that love him and abide in his word by their life choices! By his grace and mercy I have made it to this day and I know if I will continue to please him in all that I say, all that I feel, all that I do inwardly and outwardly he will take me down each path of this life I must follow. You see I realize I was bought with a price and his redemption of my soul came with a command to take up my cross and follow him. "Lead me Lord I'll follow every where you open up the door"Now that is my decision and I want to be made of the stuff that endures through it all with Jesus as my personal saviour! I know not the way, I know not how and I completely depend on him. And in all my 49 years he has yet to fail me.

Love remains the same...

2008-12-28T13:07:00.002-05:00

The next few days are the closing days of 2008 and here I am again with so much emotions to deal with. I try to be careful what I say in public blogs because, they are just that, public. What you expound here is for the whole world to see. Today I feel like being starkly open, which of course makes you vunerable to other people's judgements, yet the only judgement I care about is God's. His is the only one that truly counts.

It's been almost 7 years since my husband left and today it seems like yesterday. Time will go by so quickly at times without a care in the world and then memories come crashing in like a tidal wave of the ocean. There are moments in movies, songs, phrases, smells, the list goes on and on that remind me of a life that slipped through my fingers, that I fought so hard to hold on to. I have said this many times, after the Lord, my family being truly together was all I ever wanted. My immediate family matters causes me pain and sorrow only God knows the depths of. I miss my husband, doesn't matter the experiences we shared whether good or bad, I miss him. I doubt he has a clue how much he has shattered my heart. Most people who go do their own thing, don't really care the pieces they leave behind. That is what hardness of heart and selfishness will do to others who have no control over your decisions. This song I am going to post today rips my heart out at the core. It makes me cry out some things that are buried so deep. I believe tears are healing sometimes. If you happen to read my blog today or any other day and you have love, peace and unity in your family, say a prayer for mine. God holds all the records and he is the only one able to unscramble the shattered pieces of my life. I cling to him for resolution!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R8Qvm24dbU

passing it on!

2008-12-25T11:51:00.000-05:00

Thanks Sis Katie...

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary..

My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year.. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing yet? Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein, aired on CBS Morning.
Posted by Katie at 7:32 AM 0 comments

Before it's too late!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-15T20:11:00.002-05:00

I wished I could go in to details, but God knows...PLEASE help me pray for some urgent needs in my life...I NEED GOD TO MOVE! He is my heavenly Father and he knows my every need...I know he cares and I place my life at his feet...I place all my hopes and dreams at the foot of his cross! I long for his will, his perfect will...

I love romance, but it's rejected me...lol...

2008-12-12T00:59:00.002-05:00

I have watched and read quite a bit of romance lately...I love romance, but in my situation, it's quite heartbreaking...I saw a movie tonight I have seen many times but I cry every time...About a man who loves his lady so much, but never verbally tells her and then he is tragically killed...He is sent back from heaven to help her recover and move on...At first he just can't do it, but as the movie progresses he does...When you watch something over and over it seems that each time you catch something you missed before...Well tonight was another light bulb moment in the movie..."The love you hold back is the only pain that follows you in this life"...WOW!

The snow is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!! Kailee wants to see snow so bad, so pray we can have snow after they get here safely and they get snowed in a while...lol!!!!

Keep praying for something that means so much to my heart...Time goes by so swiftly and then it's over...I want to experience all the victories God has for me...I pray he will have mercy enough to grant my petitions before I leave this world....

And in case I don't blog again I pray each of you have a very Merry CHRISTmas!

hysterical...and thought provoking....

2008-12-03T10:16:00.006-05:00

As we age everything about our body and mind are not as sharp as they once were...No matter how hard we try to stay the aging process, it continues day by day...Kim, Momma and I don't hear accurately all the time...Momma is the worst, you can holler when she is in another room and she still can't hear...It makes for interesting conversations...You think they said something, they think you said something else and when you finally figure it all out, it's even funnier...Lately I have been meaning to say one thing and it comes out something else...For several days at Thanksgiving just about everything I said wasn't what I intended...It was absolutely hilarious and scary all at the same time...It started on the Saturday after I got back from Macon a week and 1/2 ago...I went over to Kim's to help her decorate and it was pouring down rain...I wanted to ask if it was going to be raining all week because of our upcoming trip to Macon...But instead I looked at Kim and said "Is it raining?" All the while the blinds are open and I am looking right out into the pouring rain...The look on Kim's face was priceless, she tilted her head to the side like a puppy trying to understand, with a look like she wanted to say, that has to be the dumbest question I have ever heard...And we just started laughing...Well those sort of incidences happened over and over again for at least a week or more...It makes you wonder what other breakdowns in mind and body are ahead...Anybody that says they are enjoying growing older makes me really wonder if they are telling the truth...hehehehe!!! Of course there are so many wonderful things about maturing, but that is different than the deterioration of mind and body...So many things you were uptight about in youth, just don't matter anymore...I have said it before and I will say it again, when you truly learn how to live, it's time to die...

My prayer is that we all learn how to live like God intended long before we have to leave...I can think of those whose lives are gripped with so much hate, bitterness and on and on...What a waste of time...If we spent as much time loving as we do the other negative emotions and feelings the world would be a better place...I want a clean slate with God and a clean slate with others...Not everyone is going to accept you no matter what you do...Jesus was hated and he NEVER did anything wrong...He was falsely accused, lied on, spat upon and hated to the point of murdering him...So don't think it strange when it happens to you, if with all your heart you are striving to live like Jesus...And remember good always triumphs over evil...It may be in glory that you get your justice and reward, but heaven my friend will be worth it all...No matter how loud and proud we boast of the love of God, if we don't show love in word, action and spirit to others, it's all in vain...I know we can't always have peace with those that don't want peace, but you can be at peace with God, having done all you know to do...God is able to break down all barriers if all parties will allow it to be so...Wars and rumors of wars will continue to plague our world, because when the love of God is void in the hearts of men, the only thing left is hate...We see that hate growing more hateful and violent as each day passes...The bible says he that despiseth, despiseth not man but God...So don't take it personally when you are falsely accused and hated...Rejoice for they despised Jesus also...I thank God for the peace that passeth all understanding that keeps your heart and mind, but oh how I long for PEACE that the world can't comprehend...I know that peace will be on the other side of heaven 1st and then here we will enjoy 1000 years of peace that the world refused to accept...I would to God that he would grant me peace in so many situations in this life...Peace, wonderful peace coming down from the father above, sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love...Peace and love even though a staple of the hippie generation, goes hand in hand... God's love brings peace and who doesn't want that in their life?

Something was said to me about wanting someone I love to be happy and I said I want peace...So many things in life bring everything but peace, but I am glad I know the peace speaker....I pray that those I love find peace, the peace only God can give...

Heros of the Faith...

2008-11-19T15:18:00.003-05:00

I want to say so much about this, but I don't have time...Erika is at the Dr and Kailee has to be watched like a hawk...Maddie is sleeping...

We that are familiar with the Bible knows that Hebrews the 11th chapter is about Faith...Heros of the faith...Those aren't the heros I am talking about today...There are heros of the faith today that will never be included in the Bible, but touch our lives just as much...When I think of the faithful prayer warriors that have already gone on in my lifetime, I really get concerned about it...Who is going to fill their shoes,??? We can see that letting down the standard in just my lifetime has cost us plenty...Evil is so prevelant in our society, a different kind of evil, no remorse, no conviction, no intention of admitting and forsaking...But for today I want to talk about a personal faith hero of mine...She isn't rich by this world's standards at all...She isn't a professor at the elitist colleges of America, but she is priceless in my eyes...When Nanny prays things happen, when Nanny says God is going to move or answer because she has prayed through to the victory, you can take it to the bank...Nanny is in her mid eighties and by the course of nature she is going to be gone soon...She has been a rock in my life...She called me today in Georgia and said "How's Erika? She said I have really been praying and fasting for her, for Charlie, for Brad...I really prayed yesterday" Now that is an amazing woman in my eyes...She has her own needs, her own family, her own life and she cares enough about me and mine, that she would fast and pray for my family...It really makes me ashamed, as much as I pray, as much as I try to fast, to really get in touch with God, am I willing to do this for others too??? That is where the blessing is...I know Nanny will be blessed every day she has left, for her life is completely and totally sold out to Jesus...I know something good is going to come from this prayer....I can't get over her calling me today....Just when we think we don't know what else to do to get an answer, something wonderful, something miraclous is just around the next corner!!!! Oh God let me be the next generation of prayer warriors to stand in the gap for souls and needs...Oh to tell all she said today that touched my heart...But God knows and bring it quickly Lord Jesus!!! Surprise us all with your great love, your great mercy, your great mighty power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My family needs it, I need it and God is able...Thanks Nanny, you have been a blessing beyond words in my life!!!!

Update on Erika

2008-11-16T11:25:00.003-05:00

The orthopedic Dr wasn't the right one...He didn't charge her and she really liked him...He referred her to another Dr who specializes in arthritic joints...He told her from the looks of the xray, she would need an elbow joint replacement...Her back it still bothering her too...Please continue to pray that God would lead in the right direction for every decision...That she would qualify for the prescription assistance program, that she will get an excellent, caring Dr...And if God so desires that we would see a complete healing of this disease...I know he is able!!!!

Calling on all prayer warriors...

2008-11-13T13:44:00.001-05:00

Erika needs divine intervention for her health...Please anyone and everyone call all you know who can get a prayer through for her...This Rheumatoid is crippling her quickly!!!!!!!! I know God can stop it!!!!!!!! Please help me bombard heaven for her health...She has a family to take care of!!!

Oh how I want to...

2008-11-09T21:00:00.003-05:00

You always try to be very careful what you say on a blog for fear it may be taken out of context. You can't read body language or tone from the written page 100 percent of the time. I may feel you are being rude, sarcastic or whatever other negative connotation and you may have meant nothing but jest. So with that in mind I try to season what I say with wisdom so as not to ever be found offensive.

PET PEEVE number 1, it's been less than a week since the election and I am going to probably have to not watch and block it all out. Because every word that is said negatively regarding your opinion of President elect Barack Hussein Obama looks like is going to be judged racist. That is already making me sick. I would like to say, I am sorry for all that has happened in our American history, I truly am, if your aren't, watch Roots by, Alex Haley. However, I have never owned slaves and I don't know anyone in my lifetime that was a slave. And just because as an American I disagree with Barack Obama's liberal, sinful, voting choices while in the senate, DOES NOT and I repeat DOES NOT make me racist. Whew... I don't care what race, nationality, or anything else, if you have a chip on your shoulder, that is a universal problem with mankind, not a color of skin. Martin Luther King said he longed for the day that man would not be judged by the color of his skin, but the content of his character. And that my friend is the truth. I based my decisions on the content of character and I stand by that decision. I will however respect the office of the president whether I am able to respect the man or not.

PET PEEVE number 2, have you ever felt vulnerable, weak, emotional and all the frailties of human emotions? And after you have done your own soul searching, praying, you call your friends for additional prayer support, only to get kicked in the gut...I know most people would never purposely say the wrong thing at the wrong time...We do try our best to say the right words when someone we love is hurting...I am not too proud to admit I have stuck my foot in my mouth more times than I care to remember, but with all my heart I have never in my life tried to be maliciously cruel to anyone...When someone is in need, don't use that as an opportunity to slam them or their character flaws or their family...For goodness sake if you absolutely cannot say anything nice, then just don't speak at all...Or use the phrase, I don't know what to say...Nothing gets me aggravated more than when someone is hurting or down and someone kicks them down lower...Shame on anyone who does that...Shame, shame, shame!

Now on to something good and positive...Last weekend when I went to Macon/Warner Robins with Bro/Sis Campbell, the trip was long, exhausting, but a good visit...It went above and beyond my expectations and for that I praise the Lord...The Johnson family showed hospitality and the girls loved the Campbell's...There wasn't any shy time or warm up time...You would have thought they had known them all their lives (ha they have) and that they were regular visitors...They played games, hide n seek and really paid the girls individual attention...Lance fixed a nice big breakfast for all of us before church Sunday morning! Bro Campbell realized he forgot his church shirt and he and Lance went to Kohl's to get one, then Bro Campbell forgot his glasses in the truck and Lance had to read the sizes, sleeve length, material content and so on...I bet that was hilarious! Bro Campbell's message was great with great boldness under heavy anointing...We went to visit 2 sick people at 2 different hospitals before we left, went by the Johnson's to change and say our goodbyes, which Kailee was very upset about and then back to Cleveland to pick up Cha and on to Nashville!

Last night I went to see my 1st cousin, Teresa's daughter Maren get married...Maren and Erika went to school together before Teresa moved to Brentwood...We don't spend allot of time with that side of my family unless it's a funeral...So Kim, Caetie and I decided to go and we really enjoyed seeing them in that setting...Maren's college friends filled up a row behind us in the church and I hit it off with them and they were a hoot and of course I can hold my own...They were beaming with personality and 2 of the guys met Maren at MTSU were from Chicago and they came all the way from Chicago to attend the wedding...Now that is friendship...When we left they try to persuade me to come back after dropping Kim off, but I told them I wasn't a party person...They were sweet and polite and said that's ok, come on back...I wanted to personally tell them goodbye and what wonderful personalities they had and I enjoyed the time I spent with them...One of the guys who reminded me of Josh Yohe, hugged my neck and we all parted...I will be sure and tell Maren how impressed I was with her friends if ever given the opportunity!

I think maybe my immune system may be over loaded or something, since I caught whatever Momma had several weeks ago, it seems I am having one nagging little something after the other...Keep me in your prayers!!

This and That

2008-10-27T19:40:00.005-05:00

I just made some homemade hot chocolate...Organic cocoa, whole milk, sugar and marshmallows...mmmmm good!

I had a nice time at the Johnson's residence...It really is nice to be wanted, needed, loved and respected...Kailee has such a high energy level...Whew she is like having 3 girls in one...Maddie is so sweet and laid back, but when you get her upset, she goes on and on and on, like she is practicing for a drama...lol...

I came home about the time Wendy brought Toby, GG and Ben...The boys were their normal selves, but GG was in extra talkative mode...Whew, I wonder if I was like that when I was little?...Example:

"Grami why is Kailee naked and have your glasses on?" (pic) She isn't naked, she is in her underwear. "You ain't s'posed to be naked in front of boys" She isn't naked in front of boys. There are no boys at her house only her Dad. "Well there is boys at my house, Toby, Silas, Ben and my Dad." "Why does that boy have earrings?" That's a picture of my half brother Tyler and he has his ears pierced. "Boys don't s'posed to have pierced ears. I can't have my ears pierced till I get big like Momma and Caetie" "Grami your shoes are s'posed to be in your closet." I do have shoes in my closet. "Why do you have them in the basket?" Cause I want too. "Well the basket is too heavy to carry" I don't plan on carrying the basket. All this was said in just a few minutes and there is much more, but you get the picture don't you? Kids are so funny!!!!

Erika really wanted me to stay for Halloween, but I have responsibilities I needed to take care of here...I will be going back for an overnight stay with the Campbells, when they go visit that local church there...

Well if I forgot to mention anything I will post again soon...

Please help me remember some very special prayer requests, some spoken, some unspoken...I need some answers from God about some things...One that I can mention is Erika's health, please keep praying for her and the decisions she needs to make regarding this crippling disease...Oh God she needs intervention...Please pray for personal things in my life...Again I need answers only God can give...

If I had only known...(song by Reba McEntire)

2008-10-15T15:46:00.003-05:00

If I had only known
It was the last walk in the rain
Id keep you out for hours in the storm
I would hold your hand
Like a life line to my heart
Underneath the thunder wed be warm

If I had only known
It was our last walk in the rain
If I had only known
Id never hear your voice again
Id memorize each thing you ever said
And on those lonely nights
I could think of them once more
Keep your words alive inside my head

If I had only known
Id never hear your voice again
You were the treasure in my hand
You were the one who always stood beside me
So unaware I foolishly believed
That you would always be there
But then there came a day
And I turned my head and you slipped away

If I had only known
It was my last night by your side
Id pray a miracle would stop the dawn
And when youd smile at me
I would look into your eyes
And make sure you know my love
For you goes on and on

If I had only known
If I had only known
The love I wouldve shown
If I had only known

HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM!!!

2008-10-14T11:14:00.004-05:00

There is no stopping place to seek the Lord. I am amazed at his timing and how he gives more than we pray for. If you have something in your life, like I do that you have prayed and prayed and prayed till you just don't know how to pray anymore. Keep diligently seeking him!!! His word cannot lie and he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. I am so happy for the Sutton's being able to see their foster children and their mother opening the door for continued communications. All they ask for was for bad weather for a chance meeting and God orchestrated something much more. Steve has been steady like a rock during what is the most difficult trial for a man, to not have a place of provision for his family. He was doing an extreme manual labor job for so much less than he was educated for. I have always respected him, but this trial has provided me with a visual of his depth, that maybe he didn't even know he had. We really don't know what we are made of till we are put to the test. Sunday morning I saw and felt the peace of God fall on an innocent child that the enemy was back to his same old lying tricks again. The Word that Bro Sutton has been bringing to us, has been so encouraging, convicting, empowering and refreshing. His interaction with the sheep has been so encouraging. I already deeply loved them as my close friends and now I can say there is a renewed depth to that love and respect for them. We have been so blessed at Antioch through all these years and God has given us his best, now why wouldn't we want to give him ours. I am truly thankful that Bro Sutton was sent our way. God is so good if we can just hold on and trust when every fiber of our being says "NO WAY THIS IS EVER GOING TO WORK OUT" I am telling you it's going to work out, IF we will do our best to love the Lord with all our heart and our neighbor as our self, lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge him and he SHALL direct our path. Many times in my life I have no idea where I am going and knowing that God is directing in ways I cannot understand keeps me steady, when everything under my feet, that I thought I stood on is gone.

Erika and her precious or should I say precocious family came to visit for several days. I am going to remind Lance of his bragging about 5 weeks vacation that he only comes for a long weekend here. I am expecting a week next time. Erika sang "I Surrender All" Sunday morning from her heart. I know God is going to provide exactly what she needs for her family. It may not be how or when she wants it, but it will be better than she can imagine, if she will just keep seeking, keep trusting, keep holding on. Unless you have been failed by very important role models in your life, you have no idea how difficult it is to trust that God has time for your needs. But that couldn't be further from the truth. His word says, when mother and father forsake me, the Lord will take me up. Who better to take care of you, who better to stand up for you, who better to fight for you and give you beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, peace for unrest and all the many wonderful benefits of serving him. All he is asking of us is to do right according to his word. It's so simple and it won't ever change, if we do our very best to do the right thing, God is bound by his word to deliver us from all the things in this life that causes us to cry out to him. The righteous cry and the Lord delivereth him from ALL his troubles. I just thank God for the comfort of his word that keeps my eyes on him waiting for him to fulfill his promises in my life.

He alone is worthy to be praised in all our circumstances for it is by him we live, we move and have our being.

Thankful!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-01T22:59:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for the keeping power of God. I came to a cross road in my life 28 years ago today. I struggled with my consistency in the Lord for many years before October 1, 1980. I know that God orchestrated every minute detail of that day to save me. The fear of God was put in me in October of 1978 and for 2 years I stayed away from the sins that so easily trapped me. On October 1, 1980 after 2 years of being good on my own, I decided I wanted to return to my sinful ways, the fear had worn off. I had made plans that night to meet a friend after Charlie went to school, a friend I had no business with. The plans were made for the evening, where we would meet, what we were going to do. When I came home that day, it was a Wednesday, there was a note on my front door on Rosedale Avenue. It was a torn off corner of a piece of scrap paper, it said "Call me, Vivian". Why I picked up that phone and called her, only God knows, but I did. We talked for 2 1/2 hours, I cried, we talked, I cried. That night when Charlie went to school, instead of going to meet my friend, I went to church on Foster Avenue to the Woodbine Church of God of Prophecy, where I was a backslidden member. As soon as there was opportunity to get to that altar, I went. I got saved, sanctified and Bro. Dupre the pastor, said to me "Let us help you". Thank God for all of the above happening exactly how it did. Not long after that wonderful night, I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. My reputation of not being able to stay saved followed me, but after 1 year, the longest I had ever stayed saved, we celebrated in my back yard on Southern Turf for my 1 year saved celebration. Today it has been 28 years. I know without a shadow of a doubt, I would more than likely be burning eternally in hell, if I had chosen the other road to take that night. I know my family would have been destroyed, my life would have been destroyed, my girls wouldn't have been raised in church and I wouldn't be where I am today. I know this is soooooo long, but I must tell everyone that knows me, that God miraculously SAVED my life from destruction. I thank him and praise him for his mercy.I pray that I can endure to the end and hear him say "Well done thy good and faithful servant"

Funny, Sad and Everything in between...

2008-09-30T20:03:00.006-05:00

You know sometimes I have lots to say and don't want to blog...other times I have absolutely nothing to say and blog away...You think to yourself, why would anybody care what is on my mind today??? Here goes nothing...
Let's start with the funny...5 of my grandchildren stayed with MawMaw Friday night and Saturday we were outside practicing some relay games for our Fall wiener roast...Well I sat down in the wagon and challenged the kids to pull me, knowing full well they couldn't, but wanted to see if they would try...Every one of them tried with all their might and could not budge me...Ben decided he wanted to try and he pulled so hard that he slid under the wagon and made skid marks on the gravel from head to toe...I am sorry, but it was hilarious, absolutely hilarious....All the kids did great with carrying an egg in a spoon from point A to point B except for Ben and he just couldn't keep the egg on the spoon...It fell and instead of trying again because it wasn't broken too bad, he took the spoon and smashed it and then rubbed it in with his foot...That was too funny too...One of the trees in MawMaw's yard has had bark to peel off in the shape of a heart...I took some red spray paint and painted a heart inside of it...Allie says "What are you going to put on there?"...I told her Vicky loves Charlie and she said "I thought you broke up with him" Is that hilarious or what? I said no he broke up with me...And she proceeded to tell me about her break up with Brandon and that Pastor Howie had told her to do it and she did and she cried....She is 7 years old and she is trying to compare break up stories with me...Now that is funny to me...Silas of course chimes in and says "Granddaddy says he broke up with you because you weren't fun anymore"...Which I said to him well he didn't see me in that wagon did he??? It's kinda sad for them to try and figure it all out, but I am glad we can talk about it freely...Kids need to keep trying to understand things that puzzles them...

3. Now for the sad repetitive story that sometimes I wished I could never talk about it again, but so far that ain't happening...I know merciless people who say, come on it's been over 6 years, move on sista'...All I can say to that is, I hope you never experience it and someone be so calloused as to say that to you...October is a very hard start to a very long season, although it's my very favorite time of the year too...I met Charlie in October of 1974 and we married in January of 1975...After 3 years of some rough times we renewed our vows on November 11, 1978...Then of course Thanksgiving and Christmas, which are the best family times of the entire year...So to say that this time of the year is hard for me is an understatement...Other people's lives and families go on, but mine stopped from the way it was to the way it is now...There have been many positive changes in my life in these years, I have travelled to places and met people that I wouldn't have otherwise met...but there is an emptiness that I can't explain to anyone unless you have been there...It gets really difficult to work family relationships around all the conflicting schedules too...I don't like that Erika is so far from home...I know her home is with Lance and I accept that, but I am talking about being close enough for her to have family, friend and church support...I am continually praying and fasting for God's perfect will in all these matters of the heart...I also don't understand why Charlie and I can't be friends and I never will understand that...I have never given him any reason not to be sociable...I understand he has chosen another life and I have not interfered in that choice...I know so many people who separate absolutely despise one another...That is so sad to me...I haven't agreed or liked a lot of the decisions that Charlie has made, ones that have forever changed my life, and without my permission or choice, but I could never despise him...He will always be a part of my life, living or dead, you cannot erase 27 years together, you cannot erase 2 children and 8 grandchildren...I pray for him each and every day and I will continue to do so...One thing I respect Charlie for above and beyond words is his work ethic...In 27 years, none of the 4 of us did without the things we needed, no repo's, no utilities cut off, no hunger ever!!!!!! I felt like he worked too much, but he was a wonderful provider and I will respect that about him always!!!!! He went to work sick as a dog in all kinds of weather, in all kinds of job situations, 0nes he hated, ones that mistreated him, he was faithful to take care of his family!!!!!!!! The only time I remember him missing a minute of work was when we were in a head on collision and for about 1 week we both were so stiff and sore we could hardly move...But that is it...one week missed in 27 years...Like I said I respect him so much for the financial provisions he provided for me and my children...Thank you God for the blessing of having Charlie provide for me and my children for all those years...I really appreciate it...I really do!!!!

4. It's different now at Antioch, not a bad different, just different...Change comes for us all ready or not...I love the Sutton's dearly and they have been wonderful friends to me...I just remembered as I am typing this blog that when Charlie first left, they invited me to their apartment for dinner and many other things through the years that I appreciate them for...The Campbell's have been some of my best friends in the world, we have been through too many difficult times together...Have there been tough times in our relationships, I would dare say yes, but through it all there is a deep abiding love and bond that still holds today...As I see the world turning darker each passing day I am striving with all my heart and soul to make heaven and spend eternity with the greatest people that this world is not worthy of...

5. And the Christians of all ages will join in that triumph song, Everybody will be happy over there...

6.Oh what singing, Oh what shouting, On that happy morning when we all shall rise, Oh what glory, glory hallelujah, when we meet our blessed savior in the sky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Random Ramblin'

2008-09-18T14:39:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I feel all domestic and I am going to try to make homemade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing...Homemade chicken noodle soup and on and on and on...When I get in the mood for cooking I make several things at once for some reason...lol...

In the past couple of weeks our neighborhood has taken an abrupt downward spiral...On the way home from Smyrna I drove by the shell gas station on Haywood Lane and there laid a dead body on the ground with lots of spectators, it was a horrible experience...Well today I went to Kroger for my domestic fix and someone shot and killed the person behind the counter at the liquor store next door around noon today...There were news crews and police every where...Man it's a crazy, scary world out there...You never know what is going to happen next...

Yes I know...random, random, random....food/death...lol...I guess the moral of this story is to eat well before you die...sick...

Don't we all have an opinion...

2008-09-18T14:39:00.003-05:00

I feel very strongly about this election...I know God is ultimately in control of all things, he nonetheless gave man the ability to choose and I choose to use my right to vote...I went today to make sure since I am no longer a Georgia resident that I would be able to vote here...Man how things change in a short amount of time...I used to go to Howard School on 2nd Avenue for years for many things, tags/sticker, business tax/licenses, electrical permits, etc...It has changed so much that I had to search for where I needed to go...I had to go through security to be able to get in the building, a once public building with easy access... Security to be able to register to vote? Come on!!! When I left, I asked the security person, "Do you have to go through security to pull permits now?" He said yes you do...I said "Man, what a world we live in!!!" I want to be ready, for in time when we think not, the son of man cometh! If you can't see the events of the last days unfolding before your very eyes, then you are deaf, dumb, blind and void of spiritual discernment....

I didn't open it, but the liberal media did a cartoon, making fun of Sarah Palin being pentecostal and speaking in tongues, while God was cursing not being able to understand her...Can we say blasphemy in it's lowest form, no fear, no respect and no fear of retribution...Oh God don't let the irreverent spirit of this world have one fiber, one cell of my being in Jesus name...

I love Fall, it's one of my most favorite times of the year seasonally...but it's also a sad time in my life, it brings to forefront memories that cause me great despair...I met Charlie in October of 1974, Thanksgiving is family time, Christmas is family time and it brings some of the most melancholy feelings out in me...So when you are enjoying your husband, your children, your grandchildren together at this season, say a prayer for my family...Thanks...

I went yesterday to see about going back to school and the college I inquired didn't give me good news regarding the course of study I am interested in...She said it's very competitive and it's very difficult to get in...Whew!!! So say a prayer about that too...

I would like to praise the Lord for answering prayer, he knows all about it and I praise his holy name...

Also my aunt Nadine told me yesterday that Mark Fisher went for a check up after his 3 0f 6 rounds of chemo and remember he was stage 3...They told him, he is cancer free...Isn't that awesome? I know his family must be ecstatic!!!!!!!!!

Thinking out loud for a moment...

2008-09-15T13:09:00.004-05:00

I haven't felt very good for several days...Since the Assembly I have done terrible when it comes to eating right and I am sure that is the main reason I don't feel too good...I have got to resume my healthy eating habits again...

A lot of people probably haven't even paid attention the financial market this weekend...Yesterday was black Sunday...Lehman Brothers filed bankruptcy, the company is 158 years old and it's the largest bankruptcy in American history...How does that affect you and me? Well whether we understand all about the stock market, brokering and all the other financial terms, we can understand that our economy is in bad shape...Unemployment, gas prices, storm damages that insurance has to cover and makes all our rates higher and on and on!!! With all my heart I believe Jesus is coming sooner than any of us can realize...What is going to happen till then doesn't look good for this world...Sis Connie preached about God's vortex and boy is the events of the past week proving more and more an ever spiralling out of control world...Yes, God is in control, but we have to face realty too...There were Christians in the great depression era also, but they were poor right along with the rest...My Nanny lived in a tent close to the river during these times...There was no welfare then...I know God is in control and that he will see us through whatever crisis is ahead, but to be blinded by an unrealistic view that we aren't going to be touched by any of it, is not very wise in my perspective...We can't say positive phrases enough to make realty go away...If that were possible my life would be totally different right now...That doesn't change the fact that all our hope must be placed in God and we must be living as close to him as we can get...I am afraid we are going to see some things before too much longer that we have never seen before...My part is to trust and hold on to God's unchanging hand...It had to take great faith to wait by a brook for a raven (a nasty bird mind you) to bring your food...then the brook dries up and your sent to a widow woman (the poorest of poor) to receive her last meal before her and her son starved, only to have God make the supplies last...The miracle working God who can bring water from a rock, manna daily, and even quail if needed...Just when we think it's a hopeless situation God is ever mindful of his own and yet we must be willing to trust when there isn't any help in sight...My heart longs for heaven and to be united with all the loved ones gone by and be with the ones here that I am separated from on a regular basis...That will be a homecoming of all homecomings won't it???

Keep the faith and the faith will keep you...In the midst of all doubt, trust God to see you through...I believe, Oh God help thou my unbelief is still a bible verse...God knows we need that extra boost on occasion...I pray that God keeps you wholly his till we all hear him say well done...It easy to stand when things are all going the best way possible, it takes a giant leap of faith when it's all fallen apart to stand...God isn't all together moved by our emotions, but God is moved by our righteousness, which only he can allow us to have by the sacrifice of his son Jesus...Our righteousness, the very best we can do, is still filthy rags before him...Every day I decide if I want to keep fighting this fight of faith, but there is no where else to go, Jesus has the words of eternal life and we aren't going to escape the fiery trials....We choose our fires, it's will be the fires of refining or the fires of hell...I would much rather go through a fire that God controls the outcome like Shadrach, Meshach and Abindigo, then to choose to go head long into the flames of an eternal fire that there is no escape....

A week of variety...

2008-09-12T23:40:00.002-05:00

I have been home from Macon for about a week and a week of variety it has been...The emergency of Megan going to the hospital so sick and then having their baby 6 weeks early...The Sutton's 1st Sunday...Helping Ricky/Megan with getting the house ready for a preemie... Wednesday night WMB service with Sis Annette in charge...Resting Thurs/Fri from all the hectic activity of the prior week...Tonight our immediate family Jimmy, Peggy, Vicky, Rhonda, Kim and Steve celebrated my parents 50th anniversary...It was sweet...Even though our lives have taken many different directions, there is a genuine love, admiration and respect for one another...We don't agree on lots of subjects, but our love runs deep and we have been there for one another as much as we possibly could under multiple circumstances in this life...For that I am glad...We have never allowed misunderstandings and divisions in our beliefs to keep us from keeping our relationships with one another...Although some of us are better at it than others, we love and accept each other flaws and all...It doesn't matter the hurts and failures among us, we all want our family together when it is all said and done...I don't care what your age, you long for home...Home is where Mom and Dad are together...We got to share our verbal attempts at saying we love each other...My Dad said he takes full responsibility for failing us as the leader of our family...It's so sad the years of regret we all live with wishing we should have, could have tried harder to keep us together like God intended...Forgiveness is a powerful act of our will...Feelings follow actions, not vice versa...I hope when my life is over that I lived my life as best as God gave me power and grace to live...Without him I could do nothing...Without him I would surely fail...Without him my life from this day forward would be hopeless...But thanks be to God who causes us to triumph over every situation that life throws our way...Against all hope, I hold on to the almighty God...Against the wind, I keep walking toward the goal of heaven...I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him...He is the keeper of my heart, my soul, my mind, my body, my hopes and my

dreams..He is my heavenly Father and he has never one time in this life failed me and I know he never will...

What a beautiful day...

2008-09-07T23:19:00.003-05:00

It was an outstanding day all the way around...Both services today were beyond description!!! To see Kevin and Cinda both services and for them to be able to stay for fellowship was an awesome blessing too...I wished I could explain today but I just couldn't do it justice...It just plain ole felt good to be there...God is working and moving in ways we cannot see...

Please keep Megan in your prayers, she has been soooooo sick and she needs God to really help her through this trauma...The baby is doing better than she is...She has been laying since Thursday and still hasn't been able to see the baby since she was born because she is so weak...And she really wanted to breast feed for health benefits and the expense of formula, but it just doesn't look like it's going to work out for her and that is going to be disappointing too...Her family has gotten to see first hand how very much our family and local church love Ricky and Megan and that has been a great blessing to watch...Megan knows and feels what is real and I am sure her family is watching too...

I am thrilled beyond measure to know God is working even when I can't see it and feel it...But for today, he let me see, feel it and experience his mighty presence in my life and that he is still working all things for my good...I was able to pour my heart out to God for some things that only he knows and I am going to watch him move, for I know he is and it's exciting to anticipate the results of praying, fasting and seeking God with your whole heart...He is such a good God and I love him so much...

I love my family and friends so much, God has blessed my life with tried and true, loyal, real people and I couldn't ask for anything more...(ha! yeah like I ain't gonna ask for at least one more thing, well ok more than one more thing)...All I know is he is an on time God and I feel something good is about to happen...

Worth sharing!!!!

2008-09-02T10:34:00.001-05:00

Dustin Washburn's testimony....

Things I've done differently since the assembly....

Things I've done differently since the Assembly... 1. Sold +- 9 XBox 360 games and 15 dvds back to Gamestop 2. Turned off the tv (It only comes on to entertain other people) 3. Got rid of 2 full boxes of books with violent themes 4. Thrown away 1 full box of secular music cd's 5. Deleted over 3000 secular songs from my computer (at least $4000 worth) 6. Spending at least one hour every night studying scripture & preparing messages 7. Studying Scripture during my lunch break when possible 8. Making it a point to be a blessing to my classmates and coworkers 9. Only listening to God-uplifting music 10. And praying and thanking God while driving for His answered prayers. You could say that Bro. Hawkins message got to me. Yes, even me. You can still touch a VLB by preaching it that strong--if you believe every word of it, and it's true. Before this years Assembly, and despite my heritage, TCOG Teachings, etc, I didn't think anything of having violent movies in my home or secular cd's in my room. It took a strong sermon to realize how far I'd let things go, and after getting victory over everything, God required those things of me. I didn't give up these things because one man had said so. I gave them up because God showed me the effect that they were having on my spiritual life. What I've experienced since the Assembly 1. Answers to Biblical ponderings I've wondered about for five years 2. A better understanding of the power of sanctification 3. A deeper understanding of what TRUSTING GOD really means 4. A THIRST for scripture ALL THE TIME 5. An anointing while just sharing kind words with friends that I've never had before 6. An increase in uncaffeinated energy as a byproduct of lack of stress & lack of frustration/depressing moments despite an overloaded work schedule, being shorthanded, and the week of college finals 7. A closer friendship with my Pastor and Pastor's wife 8. A closer friendship with my family and church friends 9. A LACK of weariness or desire for sleep while studying the scriptures or praying before bed 10. A new message every night that get's me fired up and encourages me 11. A MUCH greater desire for Missions 12. A greater desire to GIVE 13. Joy UNSPEAKABLE and Perfect PEACE What things are you willing to "give up" so that God can replace them with blessings upon blessings?
Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:35 pm

So much to say...

2008-09-01T11:43:00.001-05:00

So much to say and not enough time to say it...Will post more later I hope...Family camp was great and tiring all at the same time...

Kailee said she wants to go to the Assembly church with friends and eat...LOL!!!!

Tagged by Wendy....

2008-08-27T18:16:00.002-05:00

1. I am seriously considering going to college...

2. I miss being married more than any one on the face of this earth knows...

3. I worry about my children and grandchildren every day and I pray for them...

4. I wish I could fix Wendy and Erika's needs for their life, but then that would make me God to them and we can't have that, now can we....I wish I could do more for them...

5. I hate not having security with my present circumstances...I am secure in God or I would be insane...

6. I don't care who knows I love Charles Layne Bly with all my heart and soul and we will be one flesh till one of us dies...It bothers me to think about him dying...

7. I feel allot of frustration over things I can't change...

8. I have the best sisters in the world, hands down....

9. I am afraid of being too much like my mother in some areas....

10. I don't want anyone to go to hell...it scares me to even try to think about it...

***I have a sick sense of humor*** bonus info

2008-08-23T08:46:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeypOvsY91Q

On August 23, 1975, I gave birth to a 8lb 15.50 oz baby girl...I craved super bubble bubble gum and cola icees...She looked like the super bubble had stuck in multiple spots on her head...She had reddish brown hair...I had gotten married at 15, before I was even old enough to drive...

& now I was becoming a mother at 16...Needless to say I had no idea what I was doing, although I loved her and wanted to do my best...My constant prayer after I became a young Christian mother was to be a good wife and mother...Those were my only goals...Wendy and I are only 16 years apart and it seems we grew up together when she was a child...she was a good kid...It's kinda hard to comprehend that she is 33 years old...I don't want to accept that time is slipping rapidly away from us all...Time stands still for no one...I would love to go back in time to a better place and time for our family but time marches on....I pray God's perfect will for your life Wendy, nothing more, nothing less, all the rest is just the icing on the cake...Wish I were there to take you to Carrabbas....Hopefully I can do just that soon....I hope today is a great day for you...I pray your life is full of God's great mercy....Hope keeps us going when life is full of troubles and trials....I pray you always keep your hope in the God who can do all the seemingly impossibles of our lives...The deep desires and hopes from the depths of our heart, that only God knows and can do something about....HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEN!

Your one and only Mom....Vic

Help I've fallen and can't get up!

2008-08-18T07:54:00.006-05:00

I don't know what it is about Erika's house that makes me lose my equilibrium....lol...

1st of all they have a spider problem...Saturday a spider crawled right by where Maddie was sitting on the floor...I killed the spider.

When I am here I take Kailee's daybed mattress and put it on the floor so I can stretch out...I was sitting on the mattress plucking hair, when I saw something moving on the floor, which without contacts I couldn't tell what...So I got up quickly to get my glasses and turned around and it was a huge spider and it was running across both my mattress and the box spring that are side by side...The spider was almost off the edge of the box spring that is closest to the wall....It would have been gone and I wouldn't have been able to find it or kill it....That would have kept me awake all night with fear of a huge spider crawling on me...Ewwwww! So I sorta leaped with my flip flop in hand to kill that sucker and it must have known it was in danger and by george it turned around and started towards me very quickly!!!!!!!! So all in a matter of a split second with adrenaline rushing I smashed that sucker as hard as I could and as I was trying to leap forward and jump back when the spider changed directions...I lost my balance and fell back onto my running box fan and hurt my knee and scraped my left arm on the inside from top to bottom on the grill of the fan...I bent the metal frame of the fan and the plastic grill too...Needless to say the fan isn't square or level...It looks hilarious and yet it still works...I will probably have to lean it from here on out...I don't know if it can stand on it's own ever again...I wonder if the more you fall the more it shows your age or something...I am glad I haven't been hurt too bad and when the immediate shock is over, it CRACKS me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A good tired!!!

2008-08-11T20:03:00.002-05:00

The Assembly was great! Bro Smith is really doing a great job! I was very much impressed with all the good results this year! He is quite funny too! I will be sharing some of that humor with our TN Family Camp this year!

I am glad Erika got to be there this year! I know she enjoyed seeing friends and family! I praise the Lord for all those that came to me and are praying for Erika's healing! I am thrilled that Lance and Erika went through the prayer line together...That they had Kailee prayed for, which by the way scared her to death! lol!! To watch her march in the VLB march with her little flag made me such a happy grandmother! When Sis Mary Shelton sang run, run, run, just as fast as you can...Kailee had the flag and was running the aisle (she needed correction) and Lance went to get her and she said she said "run, run, run" and he let her...The little stinker...Oh Lord sanctify that child and her Daddy...

There are many changes blowing in the wind for allot of us...I came away from this Assembly more determined than ever to find God's will and place for my life...He has truly been so good to me and I love him and trust him with all that is within me and if there be any shred of doubt I pray God will remove that from me...

I have such an anticipation of victory for things that I have prayed and fasted about for years...I am so thankful that it is such a joy to watch God fight our battles...He is King Jesus and reigns supremely in my life!!!!!!!!!!!! Glory to his name!!!!!!!!!!

CAETIE PAGE IS MY HEADACHE TONIGHT...

2008-08-04T20:42:00.003-05:00

Excerpts from my evening with a bored teenager:

Caetie -I'm bored...I don't like you...If something happens to me tonight you will be sorry you didn't take me to drive...I'm bored...I hate you...You stink...Vister Sicky...Allie interupts "Caetie, Mom's here"... Vic - Caetie your Mom is calling you home...hallleluer.... Caetie - Should have took me driving...It's too late...It's too bad...It's so sad...Your mean... Vic - I love you too... Caetie - Need mental home...because you didn't take me driving and when your old and in the nursing home...I won't visit you cause I don't know how to drive...And it's all your fault...Wendy - "Come on Caetie" the end...

I haven't been feeling good for the past few days...Tonight MawMaw watched Wendy's crew...Caetie wants me to teach her to drive and I didn't feel like it...Now she has abandon me for a better grandma...lol...NOT...

We truly do have such a good time when we are together...It's easy, comfortable and peaceful...I enjoy her immensely and as each grandchild grows up they become an interesting individual to learn about....

I have some special requests for all of my family that God knows all about...I would like to ask for your prayers for them...Pray God's perfect will in each one of their lives...Thank you!!!

Pray for Charlie...he has been heavy on my heart lately...God knows all about his life and I pray he finds peace with God before he leaves this world...

Randy Pausch

2008-07-29T23:02:00.003-05:00

I can't watch anything of his legacy and not sit down and cry like a baby...He left an amazing impact on all who knew him...That is the kind of life I want to lead...I want to make an impact on all those that I come in contact with...He said tonight with Diane Sawyers, I didn't get married until I was 39 because up until that point I hadn't met anyone that I loved more than myself...WOW!!! With the me generation getting stronger every day, it gives me hope that there are still people out there like him...He had such a zest for life and his gusto for everything he tried should challenge us all to never, ever live a mediocre life...We get one shot, we never know when that shot is over...Some of us get to find out that we have only so much time left, some us will leave in an instant without even saying goodbye...Oh Jesus let me live each day with no regrets, that your love will shine through every fiber of my being to all that I come in contact with...Charlie used to make fun of me to others and say "Vicky is enthused" cause I was about anything I cared about!...I know that intensity has been hard for some people in my life to accept, but I am thankful that there is a fire, a fight, a desire to be all that I can be each day...

So much of my life has been the result of the negative choices of others, that I had absolutely no control over, but thank God that I have learned to be happy with whatever God so allows for me...I just recently realized and it made me smile, that I do get to be married again and I will have a home again...And I thank God for that insight...When all the men in my life have let me down in a big way, Jesus has been my rock and my salvation and never failed me...He is such a great big wonderful God and I praise him...

One of my pet peeves and there are many...lol...People who talk Jesus, talk spiritual talk, yet their life just doesn't jive with scripture...I sometimes want to say, we all need grace, we all are unworthy, but if you would just look at your life next to the mirror of the word and then try again to tell me about the God of the word...I truly understand why sinners have a hard time accepting a God who they see hasn't changed someone who does allot of talk and no walk...The bible plainly states if you love me you will keep my commandments and my commandments are not grievous...So every one that saith Lord, Lord shall not enter in, but those that do the will of the father...So talk is cheap in my book and it is in God's too...So do us all a favor and walk the talk or save it for someone one who wants smooth talking but no action...Your wasting your time with me...I know pull out the "your so judgemental part", well if God is a just God as I believe he is, then all will have to equally be judged by the same measure or God wouldn't be just...So if you expect your prayers and godly speeches to count, there has to be some lifestyle changes behind it or it's a joke and I am afraid a very costly joke on you...I have never seen such a liberal spirit among supposedly God's people...We are only fooling ourselves with our worldly affections, right out of the power of a holy God to completely change the world...Now don't get me wrong I enjoy good times too, but ALL things have to have the proper balance...God help us in these last days to be able to re-evaluate ourselves honestly before God...For there will be no fooling him by our fair speeches of piety when our lives are full of the excesses of this world...The bible still says, "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord"

Friday Fill In

2008-07-25T09:53:00.002-05:00

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

2. If you're good at something, you usually enjoy doing it.

3. Why so , how come?

4. Something is out there, it's _a great big wonderful God!

5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled _I put the funk in dysfunktional.

6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see _grass, trees, and the neighbor's back yard.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _having nothing to do
, tomorrow my plans include _organizing and Sunday, I want to feel the presence of God and assurance that he is working all things for the good that I am praying about!

MADD!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-24T23:03:00.000-05:00

Mother's Asking for Divine Deliverance....'nuff said!!!

This Mountain SHALL be removed....

2008-07-14T15:08:00.003-05:00

We had a wonderful convention this year and I am glad I was able to go...Erika called me on Saturday morning and I couldn't understand a word she was saying, she was hysterical...She was at the end of her rope in her situation...Sis Eaton was in the parking lot when I pulled into the convention...I asked her to pray for Erika over the phone and she began to pray in the Spirit for Erika and I told Erika I would ask for special prayer during the convention...When I walked into the church, Bro Jimmy Frizzell asked me if I was ok and I said yes and he said are you sure and I began to cry and tell them Erika needed prayer...Bro Jimmy said let's pray and Bro Andy Stephens and others began to pray for Erika...I told Bro Dupre Erika needed prayer...During the worship, Janet Talley sang "Not by might, not by power but by my spirit saith the Lord of host, not by might, not by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord...This mountain shall be removed, this mountain shall be removed, this mountain shall be removed by my spirit saith the Lord"...Bro Dupre asked us to bring those things that needed to be removed to the altar and make a hand motion of throwing them on the altar and I was one of the 1st ones to do so and then he called several by name from the audience to be prayed for that needed mountains removed and I was one of those whose named was called out...The Spirit of God was so strong and powerful in these prayers...I called and got a message to Erika's Dad...I tried to call Erika's cell and her home and Lance's cell and could get no answer...I didn't feel well and almost decided not to go to the evening service but decided to go anyway...I called Wendy to try and reach Erika, that I was concerned she hadn't returned my calls...And low and behold when I pulled up at the convention for the evening there was Erika, Lance, Kailee and Maddie coming to greet me...I was so surprised and thrilled at the same time...Bro Dupre called for Erika to be anointed and prayed for healing of this crippling disease of Rheumatoid Arthritis...The Holy Ghost moved in the prayer and moved upon Erika and God is moving in her behalf...She needs so much from God at this time in her life...Please keep her and her family in your prayers, but I know God is moving...She needs healing of her body and a move of God on behalf of her family... Wendy needs a healing touch from God too...God sees all and knows all that pertains to thier life and he is moving for us...I plan to continue to pray and fast as I have always done in behalf of those that I love...Charlie, Wendy, Danny, Caetie, Toby, Allie, Silas, Genesis, Ben, Erika, Lance, Kailee, Maddie and on and on and on...God is the only one that can and will move mountains for us... You can't force God's hand, but neither can you stop God from moving when he gets ready to move...So devil look out, my God is on the move...I praise his holy name...I also received great news from the dr today...My A1C went from 9.4 to 6.5 and I don't have to take diabetes medicine... They want your A1C to be below 7...My liver enzymes were normal also...She said my blood work was great!!! And that I should be their poster child for how well I have done in 3 months!!!! Yay I am thrilled about this!!!! God is good, he is good all the time, even when we are desperate in our needs, he is still a great big wonderful God...We must lay our lives at his feet and keep our hearts broken before him and he will answer for our best interest!!! I love him, I love my family, I love The Church of God...Thick or thin I plan to win!!!!!!

Vacation...

2008-07-05T18:58:00.001-05:00

There is no place like home...I had a wonderful time and maybe I will have time to share, but right now I am glad to be home safely...And I need rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prayer for Erika

2008-06-25T08:54:00.002-05:00

Today is Erika's contrast MRI, please pray we get a good report and everything is ok...Continue to remember her family in prayer...God knows our needs before we pray and he is able to make streams in the desert...

The Torrence family used to sing a song at Woodbine with part of these lyrics...Our heavenly Father knows our needs before we pray and you can rest assured the answer is on the way...Oh yes the answer is on the way, this I know, Jesus said it, I believe it and it's so...Our heavenly Father knows our needs before we pray and you can rest assured the answer is on it's way...

Hysterical...

2008-06-21T21:03:00.003-05:00

I cracked myself up today...I lost my footing coming up the stairs from down in the basement at Erika's today...When you fall you grasp for anything to break the fall and I started my momentum at the 2nd step and fell up about 3/4 more only to realize there wasn't anything to break my fall except the outside door that enters the kitchen....So I bust and I mean literally busted through the kitchen door, door facing, nails, wood, drywall and all....If it hadn't of been for that door to break my fall, I think I would have broken myself up pretty bad...And since I didn't get hurt, I cracked up and said I just pulled an Erika...You see when Erika and Lance went to get their marriage license it started pouring down rain and they were running up the courthouse steps and she fell up them...I think she was more humiliated than hurt, but that's where that saying comes from...All she said she heard was me busting through the doorway...She was sweeping up the mess out of the floor before I could even get to it....All this reminds me of Charlie, he used to wait till we were in front of people to tell the funniest things that happened to me that he never said a word about when it happened, like no response or even a chuckle...Then when he would tell it to other people, he would have us cracking up over my shenanigans...Once I got up in the night and ran squarely against the door facing and like to have broke my shoulder collar bone and Charlie was asleep I thought...But when he told it, he said I knocked the house off the foundation an inch or two...lol....I have always walked forcefully and once I shut a hallway door and had forgot about it and in the night I walked so hard into that door that it knocked the facing out and nearly broke my nose...I had this huge knot pop up on it and again Charlie never reacted or said a word till we were around friends or family and then he would tell his version of what happened and it would be sooooo funny....

On a serious note, please pray for my 1st cousin Mark Fisher, he attended Woodbine COGOP when we were growing up...He found out yesterday he has cancer and he is 43 with a wife and 2 boys, so please say a prayer for him...

And last but not least, PLEASE send up prayers for Erika, she is just not well in more ways than one...We need God to intervene for her in a miraculous way...God knows what she needs and how to answer...Her contrast MRI is Wednesday and she has to get blood work before that, so please pray for her....

June 17th 1998

2008-06-10T20:24:00.003-05:00

I just watched a camp video dated June 17th 1998...That is almost 10 years ago...I have cried and cried and cried and cried some more...The memories, the people there, the powerful service...Erika received the baptism of the Holy Ghost...Brandon Hale's miraculous deliverance, oh my goodness, you would just have to see it to believe it...Steve Fox is shouting...Ladonna and Jacinda were used powerfully to speak truth to Brandon...Brad is shouting...So many people I love who are there, that are now missing from among us...It's absolutely mind boggling...Oh God help us keep the fires burning in our hearts no matter what others may do...I am proud Erika is still holding on to the things she has learned and been assured of...God told us years ago, your life is in my hands and if she will stay in the hand of God, he has more in store for her...God is still on the throne, he sees what's going on and he will answer even when it seems the road is long, hard and lonesome...God still makes streams in the desert...PRAISE HIS WONDERFUL NAME...You cannot lose if you will just hold on no matter what it looks like or feels like...They read a Holy Ghost message and interpretation about God promising to save our children, to pull them from the fire and I was so encouraged by what I heard and saw on this video...God is good and he's good all the time and he is working for our good if we will just do our best to do what is right...He is our hope, he is our shield, he is our strong tower, our deliverer, in him we trust!!! I will see victory in Jesus, he never fails!!! I wished Wendy could have grown up in this camp atmosphere...

Trying for short and sweet...

2008-06-07T22:27:00.001-05:00

I haven't blogged in a while, but I have been so busy, I haven't had the time...After being on the road for several years now doing paramedical exams, I am tired...It's not about making more money when you have to be on the road so much, especially since gas prices are outrageous...Through a mutual friendship of many years, I was referred to a custom sign company...It's a partnership of 2 guys, one is young, one is middle aged and they do custom signs, custom neon and designing...They have national, as well as local customers...Their office is in a mess and really that doesn't describe it...If you run a business and you don't keep your paperwork properly, you will run into a disaster sooner than later...I have been hired to straighten it all out...Right down my alley...It's good money, good hours and many pluses I won't go into...I am thankful for this job very much!!! It has been an amazing journey to watch God always come through with what I need...

I spent last week at Erika's helping with my grandchildren...They are so sweet and full of energy!!! Kailee is very smart and rowdy, while Maddie is very sweet and quiet...It's hard work, but it's such a joy to be with them...All my grandchildren have their own special place in my heart...Since Caetlynn is getting to be a young lady, hanging with me is not always on the top of her list...We got to spend today together, something we haven't done in a while...We really had a nice time...We left out early and got home around 6:30ish...We watched old videos of our family...Caetie and Toby as well as can be expected understand about Granddaddy, but the rest of the children don't understand...Allie asked me how do I know Granddaddy? Now is that hilarious...Caetie wanted to watch the old videos and it's amazing how life can drastically change in a short period of time...I think we all enjoyed looking back for a little while tonight...It was also nice to have that time with Caetie...My main hope, desire and prayer is my children and grandchildren serve the Lord with all their heart and soul...Heaven will surely be worth it all...

So much ahead in the next few months, I am excited to be busy for God in whatever capacity that entails...I am also excited about many family activities too...Maybe I will have more to blog about as time goes on...

I recently went to a funeral of the father of an old flame...Now let me tell you that was an experience...He was really the true love of my young life...His family had a problem with my church affiliation and did not support our relationship...It was nice to see him and he is still a very handsome man...I was expecting a balding, pot belly old man...I was pleasantly surprised...Isn't is strange how at one time in your life you were so close to a group of people and now they are like strangers...It is strange sometimes how the twists and turns of life play out...

Well that is all for now...

God bless each and every one of you...

We have the power in the name of Jesus...

2008-05-25T14:21:00.001-05:00

There is power in the name of Jesus...There is power in the blood of Jesus...And today I plead your blood Jesus over my entire family...Protect, provide and surround the souls of my family...Keep them from the evil intentions of a depraved world...Watch over them and your perfect will be accomplished in all of them...I give you all the honor in your name Jesus...Let it be so...

Night sweats, cold cases, inspiration and memories...

2008-05-23T22:11:00.003-05:00

I hope every one has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day...It's a time to reflect on those gone before us to pave the way for our freedoms...Thank you to all the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom...It's also a time to remember those that have gone on before us, that have touched our lives...Those that have paved the straight and narrow way, those that have given their time and talent for greater rewards than this world will ever offer...

I am having your mid life night sweats...oh joy...I am going to try having the fan blow on me instead of just for noise...we shall see if this helps any...

I have inspiration...please pray for the multiple tasks I have going for the Assembly...I just want to be a blessing, nothing more, nothing less...I also want to see souls won to the Lord...Time is short and we don't have much time left to work...

I watched Dateline tonight and it was regarding cold cases over 25-28 years ago...Both were horrific crimes...The 2nd case was beyond words to describe the cruelty and those that have kept it a secret all these years...Justice was served as far as possible in the 2nd case, the 1st case goes to trial in July of this year...Can you even begin to imagine knowing who killed someone you loved and they got away with it for over 25 years??? I can't...One thing that stuck out about both cases is the hurt both families suffer even today from things that happened so many years ago...You learn to cope, but it never stops the pain...I can attest to that...It's been many years since my life drastically changed and to most people it's old news, but for me it's a part of my life daily...Yes, you learn to cope, but the pain never goes away...I don't know how any one survives in this life without the strength and comfort of God...How can you make it without Jesus? How can you deal with the pain of life without the comfort of the Holy Ghost? I don't know the answers to these questions and I am glad I don't...Jesus has been my sustaining savior in times of trouble...The power of the Holy Ghost to be near when all else has failed is a comfort words can't explain...So many people say, I will pray...So many people say they know Jesus, but their lives don't back up their words...Prayer without a personal relationship with Jesus is talking into thin air...People will say that is a judgemental statement but, I have his word to back it up...I want every one to know HIM but I know most don't want to...They would rather do things their own way...And God is the one that gave us free will...We can serve him or reject him, it's our own decision...I am thankful to know him and the power of his resurrection in my life...I could not have made it to this day without him...Without hope that he is in control and will perfect all things that concerns me...

Back at home...

2008-05-20T14:58:00.002-05:00

I got home around 11:00pm Sunday night. I stopped in at Cleveland to see those that attended Bible Training Institute this year. I went to eat at the Gondilier (yummy) and stayed for the evening service at Zion Hill. There was a wonderful spirit and presence of God there. BTI is a wonderful experience if you are ever able to go. I had a nice visit with Erika and her family. She is under a tremendous amount of stress with 2 children, a building project and her health. Please say a special prayer for her as oft as the Lord lays her on your heart. She desperately needs a miracle from God. We won't know anything about the seizures until the MRI and EEG on June 4th. I will be going down to Macon again to help with the children while she goes to the hospital. Her children are beautiful like all my grandchildren. God has really blessed me with some of the most beautiful grandchildren. I pray for my family each and every day. I pray God's perfect will for us, because I know that is the best life there is on this earth. We all have problems, tragedies, troubles, trials, sorrows and the list goes on. But when your life is surrendered to God you know that he knows best and even though you have dreams and hopes, you know his ways are always best. It's such a comfort to know that God is watching out for you and your family. Without that hope I couldn't make it. I patiently and not so patiently wait on him to perform his will in my life and the life of my family. Kailee loves me to pieces and one night when it was bedtime ( she always comes in my room to tuck me in) we make a tent with my quilt and talk about the colors that shine through the light in the bedroom. Then Erika comes to get her for her bedtime and she thinks she is big to turn my light off and shut the door. Well this night she decided, "Wait, you need pillows beside your bed, you might fall off." She proceeds to hunt down extra pillows to place by the side of the bed. The funny part of this is, I had Lance put my mattress on the floor so I could stretch out, Kailee has a daybed and I feel confined in it. So if I really fell off, it wouldn't even hurt, but isn't that the sweetest gesture? She didn't want me to fall off the bed and get hurt. That is priceless to me. She loves to take baths with me too. I know TMI. lol... They have a huge garden tub and she says I need to scratch your back. She puts her baby Aveeno on my back and washes and scratches it for me. Now I don't care who you are, that is the greatest loving care you could hope for. And before you think Kailee is going to sprout angel wings, just let me tell you she is one active, stubborn, strong willed, little stinker. It's constantly, you want to play play doh with me? You want to play paper, scissors and glue with me? You want to go outside with me? You want to go see the puppies with me? You want to go to Walmart with me? You want to play blocks with me? We made a picture collage out of leaves, pine cones, pine needles, some kind of moss and a stick. We were gluing the pine needles by putting glue down and then cutting up the pine needles so they would stick to the glue on the paper and I poked her in the eye with pine needles. Needless to say that was the end of that project. Madelynn wanted me allot more this trip, she would cry for me and beg for food from me. She is a cutie pie too. When I got home Wendy and her family come to see Mawmaw and I. Caetie and Toby got new glasses and they looked really dignified in them. Ben got a new buzz haircut, it was too cute. GG had a new boo boo, that poor child. Silas didn't say too much and then Allie was her typical sarcastic self. She is so pretty too, although it's hard to see the pretty through that 'tude she has . She cracks me up with gawdy ways. You would just have to see her to know what I am talking about. If there is a girlie accessory, she is going to wear them all at once, whether they match or not. I asked her if she thought it was pretty and I don't remember even getting an answer. It's soooo funny. Danny was limping and slow from his gout and surgery. Wendy seemed fine, only to read on Jude 2 before I went to bed that she was on her way to the ER with chest pains. Hello, can they have anymore ailments to come upon them?? IDK...She called me about 2:30 am and it was pluerisy and at least she found out the blood clots are gone. So I hope this helps Wendylynn to have a post about my trip. Oh I forgot, we fed the ducks while there and we had to step over downed phone lines from the tornado to feed them. We also rode around looking at the tornado damage and it was a massive mess. I wanted to take a picture of a pine tree that the tornado twisted like a corkscrew, but we didn't stop long enough. I have never seen anything like it before, it was a cool sight, but sorry no pic.

Live from Macon

2008-05-14T09:58:00.002-05:00

Not much time to blog...Kailee and I are watching disney channel...Erika isn't feeling well, so please say a prayer for her...She is so sleep deprived and that makes her sicker with the RA and now she feels like she may be having seizures...So please say a prayer for her today...

On a positive note, the IRS sent me my refund this year...What a nice surprise...

I know this blog is really short...but it makes up for the previous long one...lol...

Kim, Momma and myself spent our Mother's Day out of town and we had a nice time...Kim wanted to take Momma to a Japanese hibachi in Chattanooga...We went to Cleveland and we spent time with friends at BTI and it was really a nice day...It's nice to spend time with all of your life long friends, but more so when it's trying times...So many people locally and abroad are facing trials only God can answer!!!

Well over and out...

What an honor to be a mother...

2008-05-11T18:34:00.002-05:00

What an honor and a responsibility it is to be a mother. The best part of Charlie and I is our offspring, our love shown to the world in the form of children and grandchildren. Parts of me, parts of him, never to be duplicated ever again. They will only have one mother, one father for this lifetime. Our children will carry the good, the bad, the hurts, the joys that we tried to share with them in this life. I still make decisions that I know will affect them. I recently had a crazy proposition from a man. And I said that would not be appropriate, I am a role model for my children and grandchildren. I took a covenant for better or worse till death and I meant it. I love the Lord, I love my family and I am glad that is a priority in my life. Your children don't always do what they were taught, but my responsibility isn't over just because they are grown. I was married when my Dad left my Mother and I can still see me knelt on the floor of my bedroom on Burbank Avenue crying hysterically out to God. Funny thing is Charlie came and sat on the bed and said "Vicky it's going to be alright." Well it wasn't and I couldn't have been more devastated if they told me they died or something. Our family has paid over and over for my parents decisions during that time. What if Momma had of held on to Jesus instead of following my Dad into sin? Would her praying have made the difference? I told my Dad I want Charlie to have the peace that passes all understanding before he leaves this world and I pray for him daily. My Dad said "Vicky your prayers may be the difference in heaven and hell for Charlie." I don't take that lightly. I feel responsible to pray for him. I want to make eternal difference in his life, not temporal happiness. Happy and glad can be miserable and sad tomorrow, but the feeling of knowing you have peace between you and God and all your wrongs are cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus can only be felt by the participant. I want him to know God for himself. I don't know the answers to all the questions, but one thing I know, GOD has all the answers and I commit the end results of it all to him. I have had wonderful mothers in my life. My Nanny was an awesome, precious, Christian lady. My Mamaw was a rock solid Christian woman. Mamaw believed in the power of living a holy life, the power of the word of God and the power of prayer. She was a Holy Ghost filled 4'11" package of dynamite. She pulled no punches when it came to God's word. She told her own children the error of their ways all the way to the end of her 96 years on this earth. My Nanny was a student of the word of God and a quiet private praying lady. Nanny exemplified love in action. Nanny had a servant heart like I have never seen before or after. Nanny went the extra mile for all those she loved. I am so thankful for their influence in my formative years. What a heritage I have. Can you believe I grew up with no smoking, cursing, drinking anywhere around me? To look at what drastic changes have occurred just in my lifetime is mind boggling. My mother took us to church anywhere within a 2 hour radius of Nashville, whether it was homecomings, singings, revivals, youth camps, conventions, assemblies, you name it, we went. Later on in her life she left the Lord and today we are still feeling the ramifications of the decisions that were made while both my parents were in sin. My Dad and her divorced and our family unit has never been the same since. My whole life was devoted to my family unit. I never really wanted anything else. The highest calling to me is a godly family. I loved my husband, I loved my children and all the decisions I made and still make are to honor God and my family. There are no magazine covers I am going to grace, but I want to be remembered as living by Amazing Grace. I don't deserve God's grace, but his grace and mercy have brought me through, I'm living this moment because of you, I want to thank you and praise you too, for your grace and mercy brought me through. The bible says wide is the gate that leads to destruction and many there be that go in there at, but strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to everlasting life. The bible also says, if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? That heritage I grew up with still holds me today. That godly heritage is still rooted and grounded deep in my heart. Though the world as a whole has abandon any real semblance of integrity or morality and the religious world has abandon basic tenants of holy living. The bible still says that without holiness NO MAN/WOMAN shall see the Lord. You can't see it in this life or the life to come. The god of this world has blinded your eyes that you cannot see. God gave us free will, we can have it our way, but we will miss heaven. We can do what pleases us and makes us feel good regardless of the cost to others and miss heaven. Or we can stick to the bible, for it's precepts never change. I change not saith the Lord. He is the consistency of my life. All other ground is sinking sand. My personal, spiritual house is founded on the rock of ages. I don't want to move one toe off to the sinking sand of this world. My eternal soul is worth more than the fleeting desires of the flesh. I have tried the world and I have said many times, it wasn't worth the cost. I can't go back and undo the damage. I can't change the past, but I am still looking for that blessed hope of heaven. This world is not my home, I'm only passing by, my treasures and my hopes are all up in the sky. My friends and loved ones wait, who trod this road before. And I can't feel at home in this world anymore!! Are all my prayers answered? NO, are there dreams still unfulfilled? YES, but I am still moving forward, waiting on the God of all comfort to restore to my life what sin has taken. Do I know how it will work out? NO, but it doesn't matter if I know. I know in whom I have believed and he will do all things for my good. Not for the good of my enemies, but for my good. Because all things work together for the good of those who love God. And if you love him, you will keep his commandments. When I could take what time I have left in this life for me, I choose God's ways, when I could go after one last round of selfish whims, I choose HIM. I know he will keep all things I have committed unto him. I am so glad I want to change my life to measure to the bible and not make the bible measure to my fleshly desires. I used to have more financially, allot more, but I have learned some of the most valuable lessons of my life. Money isn't the answer. JESUS is still and will always be the answer. I love you Lord. I thank you for carrying me through the most difficult years of my life. You have been faithful. You have loved me with an everlasting love. I have never gone without something I truly needed. Not once. You even provided dog food when my dogs were starving from lack of finances. Oh the stories I could tell of monies, tires, jobs, refunds, etc that came just in the nick of time, because my provider decided to go take care of another family. I can still hear Charlie say, "Let the church keep a roof over your head." Well I declare unto you this day, I don't have a roof over my head that belongs to me, but I have had shelter, food, clothing, and too many assets to name and the church didn't do it, my God did. My heavenly father has been looking after me before I was ever born and I praise him for his protection and provisions. And I have a mansion just over the hilltop that no man in this life can ever take away from me. My Pappy and my Nanny are waiting to show it to me. My Mamaw and Papaw have many things to tell me about. I will see my son from the heart. I will see many, many others who are waiting just over the other side if I will stay faithful to God and his word. My Dad told me that everything was going to be alright during a crisis when I was about 14, my husband said he would love me forever, that he would never leave, and I have had fair weathered friends make commitments that didn't come to pass, but God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Ghost has never told me a lie and never given me false hope. What a comfort, what a refuge, what security I have in knowing he is working all things for my good. Thank you Jesus. Keep me being all that you desire for me to be. Keep my children and my grandchildren in the right path, and have mercy on them enough to bring conviction to them that they can't get away from. Have mercy on my soul and the souls of all I come in contact with. Let me be a blessing, truly a blessing. Don't let my enemies triumph over me and my seed. Don't let none who are willing to surrender all to you be lost in the precious, holy, name above all names, JESUS. I truly have enjoyed the honor of being the mother of Charlie's children. I love them dearly!!!

Being a copy cat...

2008-05-08T11:27:00.003-05:00

You can only use one word to answer the questions below:

1. Where is your cell phone?....... table

2. Your significant other? .......... gone

3. Your hair? ............................ dark

4. Your mother?.......................... hums

5. Your father? ............................ inspects

6. Your favorite thing? .................. family

7. Your dream last night?.............weird

8. Your favorite drink?................... diet

9. Your dream/goal?.................... married

10. The room you're in?................. bedroom

11. Your hobby?........................... none

12. Your fear?............................... alone

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?.... home

14. Where were you last night?...... sleeping

15. What you're not?...................... quiet

16. Muffins?................................... blueberry

17. One of your wish list items?....... reconciliation

18. Where you grew up?................ nashville

19. The last thing you did?............... ate

20. What are you wearing?.............. shirt

21. Your TV? ................................ off

22. Your pets?................................ none

23. Your computer..................... communication

24. Your life?................................ sad

25. Your mood?.............................. lazy

26. Missing someone?................... lots

27. Your car?................................. maxima

28. Something you're not wearing?....nosey

29. Favorite store?........................... Target

30. Your summer?......................... busy

31. Like someone?........................ many

32. Your favorite color...................... black

33, When is the last time you laughed? ........... yesterday

34. Last time you cried?..................... yesterday

35. Who will redo this? ..................... clueless

Randy Pausch

2008-05-07T23:20:00.003-05:00

Makes you wonder why he has to leave when he has so much to give...I saw him today on Oprah and he is just asking to be here for Father's Day...What a wonderful legacy he is leaving behind for his children.

Pray for Patrick Swayze

2008-05-07T12:11:00.002-05:00

Isn't it strange how a movie star over a space of years seems to become like a friend you haven't met? I only know about him what I have read, but he seems to play parts that seem genuine to me. And of course he's not so bad on the eyes either, lol...The saddest part to me is that he has studied Buddhism and Scientology...He was raised Catholic. Will there be anyone to help him spiritually with the truth before he leaves this world? I saw the latest pictures of him on the internet yesterday and it just broke my heart. Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive killer. He has lost so much weight and looks terrible. For some reason I prayed all night long for his soul. They had no children, they wanted them, but for some reason couldn't have them. He is from all reports pretty close to the end. He and his wife have been married since 1975. That is a long time for Hollywood marriages. So that shows even more the kind of person he is. She is going to have a really, really difficult time when he is gone. Just in the last few days he signed his entire multi-million dollar estate over to her. He said he loved her and couldn't have imagined how his life would have turned out without her. Isn't that just absolutely heart wrenching? Today on Oprah the guy that was on there sometime last year, I believe Randy Pausch is his name, is going to be on today, he is also fighting Pancreatic cancer and if you haven't ever watched him, you should watch today. Oh my goodness he is awesome. I have prayed for him also. It's not beyond God to heal both of these men, but he knows the larger picture and my biggest concern is for their souls. So please say a prayer today for both of these men...I remember how saddened I was when Bro. Pruitt announced Princess Diana's death at the General Assembly and we stopped and prayed. Oh how this entire world needs someone to pray. Lately I have cried more than normal and had such a heavy heart for so many situations in my life and the life of people I love. It's seems the enemy has pulled out all the stops all over with God's people. But guess what that means? Victory is near and it will be a sweet victory, beyond any comparison to the pain. I have so much in my heart to say, but I will save it for another day.

Thankful to know that people will pray today for this request and the many others we all have. Thank God for consistent, faithful, godly, prayer warriors. They are truly the world and life changers for our generation.

The Old Paths...take me back!!!

2008-05-06T13:39:00.001-05:00

OLD PATHS

I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home.
Dads were at work.
Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!

Crime did not pay;
hard work did;
and people knew the difference.

Moms could cook;
Dads would work;
Children would behave.
Wives were supportive;
and children were polite.

Women looked like ladies;
Men looked like gentlemen;
and children looked decent.

People loved the truth,
and hated a lie.

Hymns sounded Godly;
Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal;
and crying sounded sincere.

Cursing was wicked;
Drinking was evil;
and divorce was unthinkable.

The flag was honored;
America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!

We read the Bible in public;
and preached from house to house
To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called a Christian was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!

Sex was a personal word.
Homosexual was an unheard of word.
Preachers preached because they had a message;
and not afraid to preach the truth, even if it got on people's toes...

And Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY!

Preachers preached from the Bible;
Singers sang from the heart;
and sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED!

A new birth meant a new life;
Salvation meant a changed life;
Following Christ led to eternal life.

Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God;
being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord;
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus;
and being a sinner meant someone was praying for you!

Laws were based on the Bible;
Homes read the Bible;
and churches taught the Bible.
Preachers were more interested in new converts,
than new clothes and new cars.

God was worshiped;
Christ was exalted;
AND the Holy Ghost was respected.

Church was where you found Christians on the Lord's Day,
rather than in the garden, 
on the golf course, or
being entertained somewhere else.

I still like the old paths the best.
I believe it still is the only path to heaven

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms...

2008-05-04T17:17:00.002-05:00

Some of my favorite readings about Mothers:

When God Created Mothers by Erma Bombeck

When the good Lord was creating mothers, He was in His sixth day of overtime when the angel appeared and said,"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one"

The Lord said "Have you read the specs on this order? She has to be completely washable, but no plastic; Have 180 movable parts...all replaceable; Run on black coffee and leftovers; Have a lap that disappears when she stands up; A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair; And six pair of hands"

The angel shook his head slowly and said "Six pair of hands? No way"

It's not the hands that are causing the problems," said the Lord "It's the three pair of eyes that mothers have to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, "What are you kids doing in there?" when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, "I understand and I love you," without so much as uttering a word."

"Lord," said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, " come to bed. Tomorrow----"

"I can't" said the Lord. "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower."

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly and sighed. "It's too soft."

"But tough!" said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure."

"Can it think?"

"Not only think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator.

Finally the angel bent over and ran his fingers across the cheek. "There's a leak," he pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"It's not a leak, " said the Lord. "It's a tear."

"What's it for?"

"It's for joy, sadness, disappointments, pain, loneliness and pride."

A Mother's Prayer

Lord,

When they scribble on the walls, please help me to see a rainbow! And when I've said something a 100 times, please give the patience to say it a 100 more. And on those particularly annoying days when I tell them to act their age, please help me to remember they are! And while we're on the subject of age, Lord, when I begin to lose my temper, please help me to act mine! And through it all, Lord---the fingerprints and runny noses, messy rooms and unrolled toilet paper, destroyed things and broken knick knacks---please help me to remember this: Someday, these will be the days I will long to have back again!

Taking pictures with my Heart

It was an extraordinary moment at the end of an otherwise ordinary day. I was walking down the hallway of our home when I came upon the sweetest sight I had ever seen: my three year old son brushing his teeth. No, it wasn't the fact that Parker was brushing his teeth; it was what he looked like at that moment. With the aid of his well used footstool, he still had to stand on his tippy toes to barely see the mirror. Clad only in the his tiny white T-shirt and "big boy" underwear, the little muscles in his calves were clearly outlined. He looked so small, so innocent, and pure.

I froze in place. Looking on, I realized that someday soon that same precious little boy would probably be bigger than I was. He would be able to pick me up! So I willed time to stand still for a few marvelous moments while I soaked up that memory of what he looked like up on his tiptoes.

I thought of going to get my camera to capture the moment forever, but I couldn't bear to turn away. Instead, I did what mothers have been doing for centuries, I took a picture with my heart.

INSOMNIA

2008-05-04T13:48:00.003-05:00

It's a crazy family curse!!! This time of the year when the darkness time changes and then when we do it again in the fall, it messes up my sleep rhythm...You try all kinds of tricks, going to bed later, earlier, getting up anyway and sometimes it works, sometimes it don't...My sleep patterns are so messed up right now it's driving me insane...I know short drive...lol...You can't go to sleep when you need to and you can't wake up when you need to...I have tossed and turned for 2 nights and then died last night and couldn't get up...It's soooooo crazy...I have tried Roserem and it didn't work...I am trying something else on an as needed basis...Anyway I said all that to say, if you have regular daily sleep patterns, then you should thank your lucky stars for it...Well, that is a figure of speech but, be thankful for it...As we get older sleep issues along with everything else that wears out, gets worse...I can't hardly wait...lol...It's a wonder I don't have dark circles and bags under my eyes...As you can tell it's a very frustrating issue to have...I hate that both of my daughters have it too...It's terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it does affect you physically, mentally and emotionally to never get proper rest! Say a prayer for me and my family members who share this crazy ailment...I am thankful for what little rest I am able to get on the occasions I am able to sleep properly...

Devotion specifically for me...Thank you Jesus

2008-05-02T22:45:00.002-05:00

I Samuel 25:39

Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach.

Don't you just love it when there is no mistake that God has spoken directly to you regarding a need? I just want to say THANK YOU Lord for your word. It speaks to all things that this world and the enemy of our soul can dish. Praise the Lord.

Playwright and US Congresswoman Clare Boothe Luce (1903–1987) once said, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Sadly, it sometimes seems as if this aphorism is true.

David, soon to be king of Israel, had an experience that corroborates this idea. While hiding from Saul, he and his men watched over the property of a rich landowner named Nabal. But later, when David asked a favor of Nabal, he was met with scorn. “Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has,” said David. “He has repaid me evil for good” (1 Sam. 25:21).

Before David could carry out revenge, Nabal’s wife intervened and kept David from acting rashly. Soon, God struck Nabal dead (v.38). Then David praised God for keeping him from evil and for returning “the wickedness of Nabal on his own head” (v.39).

Perhaps you’ve had an experience when kindness was repaid with ingratitude, a generous gift was treated as an entitlement, kind actions were interpreted as an attempt to control, or well-intended advice was received with scorn.

David’s story reminds us that even when it seems as if we’re being repaid with evil for doing good, we don’t have to take matters into our own hands; we can trust God with the outcome.

This is my Father’s world

O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

My God, my redeemer, the lifter up of my head...

2008-05-02T15:42:00.003-05:00

I am glad he is my God and that he knows all about me and the whole enchilada as they say...His word is true and he cannot lie and I am glad I am rooted and grounded in him, his love...He will avenge my soul from the noisome pestilence...You know those little nagging things that never seem to have an end...I am trusting him in all things that pertain to my heart...

Psalm 91:3

3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

Abandoned...

2008-04-28T18:01:00.002-05:00

I would like to start this blog with a disclaimer that the truth is hard sometimes but it's the truth non the less...

How can a man or woman walk off from their own families to take up residence and care of another, while your blood family goes without??...Without your presence, without your care, without your support...It's like the needs of your own family mean absolutely nothing...Throw a little cash here or there and act like that is the end of your responsibility...I know when your children leave home they become responsible for their own lives, but I dare say that there isn't one person that hasn't needed the help and support of their extended family sometime in their life...Allot of couples get a good start in life because their family helped them get a step up on their way to adult responsibilities...If the Lord wills that I live to a ripe old age or he comes I will never for the life of me understand how you can forget your own family and go your own selfish ways...I hope and pray that God's grace and mercy and my own decisions will never allow me to ever get that selfish...How can a man or woman live with themselves who neglect their responsibility to their own children??? Our greatest ministry is at home...To keep a home for them, to provide shelter, food, clothing, care of their basic needs...Some people in the USA live like 3rd world country...I have been accused of being too particular when it comes to my home and yet I am glad I was and would be again if I had a home of my own...I cared for my children enough for them to be a priority in my life...I wanted them fed, clothed, sheltered, secured and so many other things that are more important, but wasn't able to provide all on my own...Such as a husband who loved and respected their mother, who loved her and the children above all of his own selfish needs...I still want that...And I believe my children do too...Keeping my home clean, organized and livable was a joy...I enjoyed cooking when it wasn't a struggle to please the picky one in the family...Take time to appreciate the mundane things of life, for you are raising another generation to love, honor and cherish their own family some day...And if you aren't doing these things, you will reap that also...I am truly thankful that God doesn't abandon, true family and friends don't either...

This one is for Wendy Lynn...

2008-04-24T10:44:00.002-05:00

Ok Wendy Lynn, you twisted my arm enough for me to take the time to blog...

Let's see this month was mine and Erika's birthday month...We celebrated together, which was really nice...She turned 26 and I am 29 for the 20th year in a row...lol...That is what I always tell my grandchildren...

I just got back from a trip to see Erika this past week and I enjoyed that...Kailee and Maddie are so cute and sweet, although they both can have their moments...Kailee was especially affectionate and huggy this visit...I took it as a special blessing to know she loves me that much...We ALL need to be held by someone we love...Starts singing in my head***Reach out and touch somebody's hand, make this world a better place, if you can"....lol...I crack myself up sometimes...Erika bought me my favorite undies for Mother's Day since they are expensive, they took me to breakfast and bought my lunch too...

I was able to be involved in helping Cinda get Sis. Dupre's room complete and it really turned out nice...Thanks to all that participated in this endeavor, I know the family very much appreciated it...One of my friends from high school (you know back in the stone age) came on Sunday with his brother and laid the carpet(free of charge)...He went above and beyond the call of duty (lots of heavy, heavy lifting/moving) and I pray God blesses him real good with eternal blessings, for those are the only ones that count in the long run...

One of the craziest senior moments I had...still cracks me up, even though it's terrible...Erika, Lance and Kailee went to the area Krogers to get 2 liter coke products on sale for .69 late one night, (the sale ended at midnight)...Maddie had already gone to bed and I stayed home with her...I asked Erika would she wake up and she said no, so I didn't think anymore about it...They were gone maybe 45 minutes...But in that 45 minutes, I finished watching a movie that ended at 10:30 and then got ready for bed...I had shut the door to my bedroom on the opposite end of the house from Maddie, turned my box fan on and crashed out for about 10 mins, when the door opened and Erika said "I know you didn't leave my baby in there by herself"...I said "You said she wouldn't wake up" and she did say that, but I had totally forgot to even go check on her...Can we say OH MY GOODNESS!!! If she had of woke up, I probably wouldn't be able to hear her until it was loud...Although I did hear them come back from Kroger...Isn't that terrible???...I forgot one of my grandchildren...It's like when Erika said she wouldn't wake up, she just left my mind...Now you see why God didn't intend for old women to have children unless it's an answer to a promise from God and I ain't no Sarah...lol!!!! For those of you who aren't familiar with bible stories, Sarah had a child when she was 90, because God had promised Abraham a son...

I have been working on several upcoming church projects and need any prayers I can get...Some of them come more freely and easier than others, but I still need God's direction in it all...

Sad note***I really can't put into words how very sorry I am about the passing of Bro. Clarkson...He was a behind the scenes kinda guy, the kind that ministers without others knowing about it...The best kind in IMHO...The prayer chain that he operated was such a miraculous tool used to minister to people all over The Church of God and the rest of God's kingdom...I don't know what Sis Clarkson is going to do about it, but I do hope she will be able to find someone as dedicated to it as Bro Clarkson, if she can't do it herself...Erika attended Bible Training Institute with Bro/Sis Clarkson and he especially adopted her...Over the last 5 years he has been a prayer warrior for my family and he isn't replaceable...I really appreciated the comfort in knowing in any situation I could email the prayer chain and all over this world Christians every where would pray...Every I time I received a prayer request via my email account, I would pray for whoever or whatever the need was...We need that in our lives...When people whose hearts are cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus call on his name in unity, God does hear and answer...Bro Clarkson's passing is a great loss to his family, to his friends, to The Church of God...My heart is just broken...Go rest high on that mountain Bro Clarkson...Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that has been changed!!! I pray God gives us more ministers like him!!!

Okay I could go on and on I reckon, but that is enough for now!!!

JESUS WILL STILL BE THERE!!!!

2008-04-11T18:35:00.001-05:00

Things change, plans fail
You look for love on a grander scale
Storms rise, hopes fade
And you place your bets on another day
When the going gets tough
When the rides too rough
When you're just not sure enough

(chorus)
Jesus will still be there
His love will never change
Sure as the steady rain
Jesus will still be there
When no one else is true
He'll still be loving you
When it looks like you've lost it all
And you haven't got a prayer
Jesus will still be there

Time flies, hearts turn
A little bit wiser from lessons learned
But sometimes, weakness wins
And you lose your foothold once again
When the going gets tough
When the rides too rough
When you're just not sure enough

When it looks like you've lost it all
And you haven't got a prayer
Jesus will still be there

Happy Birthday Erika...

2008-04-08T17:08:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Erika Patrice Bly Johnson!!!!

You have brought many happy memories to my life and I hope you have a great day!!

1/2 100 -1

2008-04-06T15:35:00.002-05:00

Yep that's me!! I have enjoyed seeing Erika and the girls this weekend...It's always nice to see them...I wished I could change locations for Erika, but that is in God's hands...I know he will work what is best for her and her children if she will hold on to Jesus for life...I had a nice weekend of birthday events...A surprise party on Friday night...I kinda thought something was up but when Kim picked me up and had her craigslist with her, it threw me off again...I sat in the car while Kim took Youth Convention offering to Viv's...She motioned for me to come in cause Viv wanted me to see her new paint, new furniture and new bathroom...When I walked into the back and opened the bedroom door everyone that attended screamed "Happy Birthday"...It scared me so bad, I screamed too...lol...It was nice to spend time with the ladies...Saturday our family celebrated mine and Erika's birthday...Wendy couldn't stay for it all because they have a hectic schedule right now...But we truly had a nice time together...I want all of my family to make heaven and I am praying to that end...

I am doing really well keeping my sugar under control...I am very thankful that I am able to do it...I pray I keep it up...

I don't have any profound wisdom to dispense other than, heaven will be worth it all!!!!

Calling all prayer warriors!!!

2008-04-01T23:48:00.001-05:00

Please help me pray for Wendy, she is going to the ER again with problems with her blood thinner...Please say a prayer for her...She needs God to intervene for her...

Thank you Jesus

2008-04-01T21:32:00.002-05:00

I would like to thank everyone who is and has prayed for me during this time of illness...God is sooo good whether we are sick or well, yet it's so much better to be well...I have diligently watched every thing I eat, keeping in the guidelines of my doctor and every time I see a healthy blood glucose level, I say thank you Jesus!!!!! I want to be able to eat like this the rest of my life, for that is the only way it will work...I have never believed in diets unless you plan to eat that way forever...If I can keep my blood sugars level, I don't have to take the meds and that is my goal, to not have to take the meds...So keep the prayers going up for me, I need them...Don't we all though...

Praise ye the Lord!!!!

Life goes on...

2008-03-27T09:09:00.000-05:00

oh blah dee oh blah da mmmmmmm life goes on...

I thought you might like that tune in your head!!! lol...

Less than 24 hours...

2008-03-25T21:59:00.003-05:00

In less than 24 hours I feel so much better!!! Thanks to all who have prayed!!!

Spring is finally here and I am thrilled to see all the pretty flowers, trees and grass signal the freshness of a new beginning... Isn't that how it feels to be cleansed from sin? Freshness of a new beginning...God is so good to allow us a fresh start when we are willing to surrender to him...He is a wonderful heavenly Father and I am glad he watches over me and my family...Thank you God for your love for me...

Stressed and blessed!!!

2008-03-24T18:50:00.004-05:00

I have had 2 of the most stressful/anxiety ridden days I have had in a long while...I think your body just decides sometimes to shut down...I know Wendy must really be feeling stressed too...I didn't even know till after 4pm that she had to go back to the ER today...Whew we are falling apart left and right...

I got worked in today because I just felt bad, bad, bad...The Nurse practitioner was really sweet, different than the one I saw last time...She told me Vicky we are committed to help you...Then she brought in the Dr who listened and asked many questions...He explained in details all of my blood work and what it meant and what he felt was going on...He asked about my children, my grandchildren, my son in laws, my x husband, my parents, my siblings, my friends, my church family...He wasn't in a hurry, he was very caring, patient and intent on what I had to say...Toward the end he said do you pray? I said yes I do every day and I have several times today...He said well then I want quote the scripture to you...I said the one that says all things work for good...He said no the one that says he won't allow more upon us than we are able to bear...I said well I am looking for an escape please Lord...He then asked me "Would you mind if we prayed with you?"...I am like this is a first and I said I don't mind at all...He gently took firm hold of my hand and the nurse took the other and he prayed the most gentle, sincere, reverent and caring prayer for me...It was obvious his genuine concern because he rehearsed each concern I had just told him back to God in details that only someone who truly listened and cared would do...It was beyond words...If you would like to know exactly what he said you will have to call me, because it was so personal, I don't want to share it here...Just know I was amazed at the prayer...He ended the prayer in the mighty name of Jesus...When we said amen, I said well in all my 48 years I have never had a Dr ask to pray for me...I am so glad that even when you are so sick and have prayed and got prayed for and you need medical attention that there are men and women who are calling on the Great Physician to help them care for people just like the Good Samaritan...I felt better just knowing I had a Dr who calls on Jesus for his patients and asks God to help guide the proper care for me...I couldn't have ask for anything better other than complete healing...I believe God still moves in mysterious ways, HIS WONDERS TO PERFORM!!!!!

He is alive...

2008-03-23T09:29:00.002-05:00

He's alive and I'm forgiven, heaven's gates are open wide, he is alive!

He lives, He lives Christ Jesus lives today, he walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way, He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart, You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart!

Thank God for the risen Savior!!!

After 2 meals from last night, my blood sugar returned to normal ranges within 2/3 hours after eating...This morning upon rising, my blood sugar was 102...I want to PRAISE the LORD for this...I have had so many prayers going up for me...Keep praying that all my tests will come back ok...I am not going to start taking insulin with blood levels the way they have been the past 24 hours and I want to thank the Lord...Every single time I see a good glucose level on that machine I say Thank you JESUS!!!I also have dropped 10 lbs this week by drastically changing what I eat...Only healthy items have went through these lips...lol...

Wendy needs prayer!

2008-03-20T23:16:00.002-05:00

Danny took Wendy to the ER tonight with severe chest pain...She has a pulmonary embolism in both lungs (blood clot)...It's serious to have this...She had an ovarian blood clot after Toby's birth that was a 2 week ordeal...Please keep her and her family in your prayers!!!!

Power of Prayer...

2008-03-19T22:47:00.002-05:00

I have staked my all on the power of prayer, in this life and the life to come...I was listening to the song Caetie has on her blog, about praising him through the storm and I just felt the overwhelming presence of the Holy Ghost to pray!!! I felt that prayer today from the depths of my inner being...God is going to move, I don't when, I don't know how, but I know he is!!! I could shout just remembering his goodness, his mercy, his presence in my life all these years...I have been down, I have been up, I have been all the places in between, but my God will see me through all storms of this life, if I will hold to him...If I will have the tenacity, the audacity to believe when everything says no way jose, then I will see the victory...Crying may endure for a night, or many nights, but there is joy coming!!! The inspiration of his Spirit calling me into his presence is a remarkable privilege...An honor to grace his throne in his Holy Spirit is beyond words to express...I long to be with Jesus and the saints gone before, family who lived the life and all the many wonderful sights to behold that await those who will dare hold on in the face of every obstacle...I know that God can say peace be still to any storm I face...I am thankful for my desire to serve him in the midst of every storm...I am glad he gives me the desire to strive to live daily for him and not expect him to come on the scene in an emergency, when before that emergency I haven't given him the time of day...I stand today because of his grace and mercy that has brought me through...I am living this moment because of Him...I want to praise God for bringing me to this time of my life knowing he is able to do abundantly more than I can ask or think...PRAISE you God for it all, the good, the bad, the happy, the sad, I know that I am who I am today because of every trial and temptation I have victoriously walked through...Glory to his name...I wait on you Jesus, knowing the answers will be sweeter than any heartache I have ever known...I love you Lord will all that is within me...Bless your Holy name...

I am glad to report no hepatitis showed in my blood test...I am drastically making lifestyle changes in my eating from here to glory with the Lord's help!!! Still don't know what may be causing the liver enzymes to be high, but for right now it's watch and wait...We will be dealing with the sugar problem in the next 2 weeks, so keep praying...My heart's desire is to be pleasing to God in all areas of my life...I want to be ready when it's my time and I want to go in peace...

Pray for Charlie...please don't ever forget him...He needs the peace of God in his life...People of this world can't understand how you could love someone who had a hand in the devastation of your life..However with God all things are possible and it is possible to love those that have hurt you...And I will never be ashamed to say that through all that has happened I will always love him...He has suffered a greater loss than I, for he has faced these losses without God...What a fearful thought to be without God...I don't want to be without my family, without my friends, without my church, but most of all to be without God would be the most horrible loneliness of all...

Thank you for your prayers...

2008-03-18T02:28:00.002-05:00

I wanted to let everyone know that is praying how much I appreciate it...I have received several phone calls, emails and voice mails to say people are praying...What more could you ask of God's people??? I received a phone call at 1 am this morning from someone who felt impressed to pray for me over the phone...I was expecting a phone call from Sis Sutton to give me her version of Kim's trip...They are 3 hours behind, so it is late sometimes when she is able to call...I had gotten to that sleep state where I didn't want to answer...Then a little while later it rang again and I looked at the caller ID and it was someone who hasn't ever called me at that time of the night...They are 1 hour later than me also, which would be 2 am their time...She prayed and then I asked her, had she heard about me being sick??? She said no, do you have this crud? She hadn't heard about me being sick, but couldn't get away from calling to pray for me...And pray she did!!!! God is still on the throne, he is watching what is going on and he is an on time God in every situation we face...It feels good to know people care for you enough to call your name out in prayer and it's good to know God is ever watching over us...I still don't know anything about my blood test, but keep praying...I have drastically changed my way of eating already and hopefully I can get better soon...

Please say a prayer for me...

2008-03-14T17:46:00.002-05:00

I haven't felt well for a long time....Today I found out my blood pressure is too high, I am diabetic and something is wrong with my liver...They are checking to see if I contracted hepatitis from 2 blood transfusions one in 1975, one in 1983...Blood pressure can be treated, diabetes can be treated, but the liver is something you can't do without...The upper abdomen pain that I felt like was my gallbladder turns out to be my liver...I will probably have to have more testing, so please be in prayer for my body...My heart and my life was shattered several years ago and the stress has just taken it's toll...God can do whatever is best for me and ultimately I know he knows what is best...

I gave it my all...

2008-03-13T00:55:00.004-05:00

Many times when you preach you have no idea how it came across to the listeners. From the beginning of the service there was confirmation in the congregational songs, then there was confirmation from the moderator of the service. I don't know about you, but I need God to reassure me that I am listening to him when preparing a message. Well, tonight was one of those nights. Thank you Jesus. I knew I was on target with the message and I praise the Lord, that even though in my body I was weak, I preached my heart and soul. I do believe that was one of the most powerful messages from the inside of me. I didn't know if I was going to be able to contain the anointing I felt without passing straight out. I love the Lord for allowing me to hear his voice, to know his word like he has revealed it to me. I felt like I was going to burst tonight with the anointing. We desperately need to take heed to the times and take heed to the simplicity of his word. The world is falling for every crazy doctrine that men can come up with. I am glad I am settled in his truth. I want to grow nearer to him and be ready when he calls or comes for me.

Say a prayer for me tomorrow I am going to the doctor at 3pm. I have been sick for several years with some problems and these problems are progressively getting worse, so please say a prayer for me. None of us know when our time here is up and as much as I want to be here as long as God wills, most important to me, is to be ready. Heaven will be worth it all, worth all the sorrow that here befalls. Nobody knows what life will have in store for them, some of us have it better in some areas than others, but whatever my lot, I want to be able to say with all that is within me. It is well with my soul.

I love the sunshine...

2008-03-10T10:16:00.001-05:00

As time passes I realize I really love the sunshine...It is so good for you and it has such an energizing affect...Jesus the son is so good for you and has such an energizing affect on your whole life...I am glad that winter is almost over...I loved the snow this weekend, although I will be glad to see spring...

I wasn't able to attend our district convention due to Momma being in the hospital, so we decided to go to support the other side of the state...They are smaller than we are in numbers, but great in spirit...It was a great convention, the word was timely, rich and the spirit was great...The weather hindered some, but those that did come, enjoyed a good time in the Lord...The Sutton family took their vacation to come visit this part of the country and they were going to be there also, so I invited Lance/Erika and the grandchildren to come...It's not as far as Nashville and they could fellowship with old friends Erika hasn't seen in a while, plus they need the word of God, the spirit, and the fellowship of the saints..Kailee hasn't ever seen snow and Cleveland never gets snow to hear them tell it, Macon either, so it was an added blessing for Kailee to get to see snow...I think Lance enjoyed the snow too...Kailee did really well considering she doesn't go to church enough to know to sit still...We spent some time in the nursery and I was worn out from her constant energy supply...She used almost all of my lip gloss for chapped lips and when she went to the other sunday school class to look for something, I went right in behind her and found her using the glue stick like it was lip gloss, it was too cute...I'm glad it's not toxic...hehehe...

I haven't felt well lately with life long intestinal issues and I needed a touch from the Lord...He is so faithful to help us with our infirmities...There were others who received a touch from God and it was a time of caring for one another during the altar times...Bro Werkheiser's, Bro Blaylock's, Bro Carter's and Bro Dupre's messages were anointed and right on target...

Pray for me, I have a sinus headache today...trips out of town take their toll on my sensitive digestive system and it takes a few days to recoup...

Yeah...yeah...yeah...

2008-03-05T21:50:00.002-05:00

Yeah...uh huh...alright...I see...hmmm..oh really...well...yada yada yada blah blah blah...anyway... you know...ha...can you believe it?...the nerve...well I never...

Three things...

2008-02-26T23:09:00.004-05:00

#1. Yahoooooo I may get some snow cream out of this one...Doesn't take much to make me happy...Sugar, vanilla, milk and snow and I can survive...lol...

#2. My favorite AI is David Archuleta!!! He has an awesome voice, he is so cute, last but not least, he is so sweet and did I mention adorable!!!

#3. I believe I am fully engulfed in the beginnings of men o pause!!! I don't remember when I have been so on edge about the silliest of things...Cry me a river...I have to pray to endure some of the things that before men o pause didn't even phase me...lol!!!I am getting on my own nerves!!! Slurping...teeth picking...criticism...tapping...competition...injustice...humming...things that I could easily deal with like water on a duck's back, are absolutely pushing me over the edge...HELP!!! None of these things are biggies in the grand scheme of life and eternal matters, but for some reason I am being pushed to the brink over the silliest of things...I think I may be pregnant or something...

Muwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!

If your wondering...

2008-02-22T17:53:00.002-05:00

Blogger block here...

my language of love...

2008-02-14T23:56:00.001-05:00

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Language is Quality Time

My Detailed Results:
Quality Time:	9
Words of Affirmation:	8
Physical Touch:	8
Acts of Service:	5
Receiving Gifts:	0

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!
Check out the Book

Testimony...

2008-02-14T14:04:00.003-05:00

I know more than the average lady about car repair...I was married to a mechanic for 27 years...We did almost 100 % of our repairs...Since Charlie has been gone, I have been at the mercy of who I could trust the most...Sometimes that works out and sometimes it don't...Anyway my check engine light came on and I put it in the shop and was praying all the time, for it not to be something too major...Economic reasons are the main source of stress and because of Charlie not obeying the court order he has ruined our credit...So even if I could afford a car, it wouldn't be an option right now...Well to make a long story short...lol...It wasn't something too bad wrong with my car, thank you Lord...That isn't the whole testimony though...Both of my front axles were completely shot and I had no clue...He said the boots that hold the grease to keep your axle lubricated were both gone, leaked out and the axles were deteriorating...My mechanie said I would rather see you repair the axles instead of the ignition coil on cylinder 2 (the original problem)...Well isn't God good, to allow the real source of danger to be made aware when you thought it was something else more important...I have put thousands of miles on my car going back and forth to Macon, GA the past 5+ years and this is a safety factor that could have cost me, my grandchildren and other innocent lives to be lost in a horrific accident that I wasn't even aware was a problem...It is so wonderful to know that God watches out for us even when we aren't aware he is even there...His grace, his mercy, his loving kindness, his longsuffering, his protection, and all the gazillion other things I can't name, are such a blessing to my life...The inability I have to express my gratitude for the many intricate detailed ways he cares for me personally, especially when you know that you don't deserve it a bit...He is a good God...He is the mighty God, the everlasting Father and he cares for me, faults and all...All I know to say is thank you God, thank you Jesus, thank you Holy Ghost...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2008-02-14T08:17:00.013-05:00

Older than I thought...

2008-02-11T21:44:00.000-05:00

Wendy let Caetie spend the night last night so we could spend the day together for her birthday...You have no idea how old your getting till you try to keep up with a teenager...I asked her last night if she would like for Morgan to go to lunch with us and she did...I was kinda glad she wanted her to, since these days ole Grami bores her to pieces...As a matter of fact my car is broke down and we took MawMaw to work so I could have reliable transportation for the day...Well we got back around 7:45 am and I wanted to lay down till time for Caetie's hair appt, but NO she was bouncing on my bed saying "I am bored"...Whew...she says she does this to her Mom and I am sure Wendy enjoys it about as much as I did...What is it about teens that they love to bug their elders???...lol...I don't remember being that way, but I am sure I was....I went to pick up Morgan since she lives on the side of town where Candace was going to cut Caetie's hair...She cut it in long layers and curled it for her...It was so cute...Then Candace volunteered to do Morgan's for free and they both had curled hair...I'd like to brag on Caetie, she paid with her own money to get her hair cut and gave a tip without my prompting...I thought that was very thoughtful of her...We then proceeded to Walmart for a comforter set Caetie wanted and they didn't have it...Walmart only had the comforter in a twin size...Maybe she can find it at another location...Then we went to the Cheesecake Factory...it was really good, but in my opinion a tad overpriced...We ate off the lunch menu and it was still tooooo pricey...Morgan took lots of pics, some of them were hilarious...Everyone knows I hate pics of myself, so the crazy one of me got deleted, thank you very much...I don't know why Caetie didn't bring her camera, she didn't say, but it was click, click, click!!!!! Then we came back to MawMaw's so Tam could pick up Morgan for soccer practice in Gallatin and then Caetie and I continued with our evening together....She wanted a blue streak of hair...it must be a new craze or something...We finally found one at Sally's close to her house, so she was able to get her blue strand of clip on hair...lol...Teenagers!!!! I told her as long as she didn't shave both sides and have a mohawk down the middle then I think this temporary strand would be ok...It's only hair...lol...When Wendy was growing up, she would blow dry her sides up and out as she sprayed Aqua Net, she always had wings...lol....Then Erika would constantly want to change hers...Allot of her haircuts I wouldn't like at first, then by the time it was growing on me, she would change it...I couldn't even start to tell you her multiple do's with perms, straight, long, short, and colors she had...I think recently she said at 25, her hair color is all hers...lol...Anyway I am so wiped out from entertaining a teenager...Isn't it strange how time flies and one minute your raising your own children, then your spending time with your first born grandchild to turn around and she is a teenager...Man time flies...Soon my time will be over and I pray I have lived it well in the eyes of the Lord, so I can go home to where some of the most precious family members I have are waiting....

PS When you get to my age, you would gladly go back and start over again with your own children...Those are the most precious of times and yet they are gone so quickly...Take me back to the bottle rockets taped to the TV...Turtles with my girls names and the date on them...One day I would really love to pick up a turtle and there would be their names, just like it was yesterday...Bed head rides to school in the morning...lol...I know my kids loved those mornings...Fishing off the pier at the lake...and on and on and on...Maybe if Charlie had of stayed I wouldn't miss it all so much and we would be making new memories with our children and grandchildren....It's so sad what fragmented families become...That core institution that God created in the beginning is such a great blessing to those that hold on to God and each other...I say to all of you out there, don't take your companion or the time with your children for granted, in a split second it could all change...

Memories of Charlie on his birthday....

2008-02-09T10:42:00.000-05:00

Not one day goes by that I don't think of him, pray for him and hope that he finds peace with God before he leaves this world...He has left a profound loss in the life of his family and we all miss him dearly....Happy Birthday Charlie, I love you always...

My hope for him:

Name of the company we started:

What I miss the most:

Things he enjoyed doing:

Favorite sport:

Favorite meal:

Our favorite vacation spot:

What he does for a living:

Worst habit :

Year we were married:

Our oldest daughter:

Our baby daughter:

Car we dated in:

One of his favorite holiday movies:

Age:

Grandmother of a teenager...

2008-02-07T06:49:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAETLYNN MARIE PAGE!!!!

It's hard to believe that Caetie is 13 today...It seems like yesterday she was a toddler...We have many happy memories together...She is a very special young lady to me...She has brought allot of joy to my life and I pray all her dreams come true...It makes me feel very old to have a teenage grandchild...lol...Thanks Caetie...I hope the next fews days you realize how much you are loved and appreciated for being you...I pray that Jesus will always be the center of your life...I know if you put him first in all things that he will lead and guide your every step...With Jesus on your side he will help keep you from the things of this life that try to rob us of him...Keep your eyes on Jesus and he will direct your life from your teen years all the way to heaven...I hope you have a wonderful time for your birthday and the rest of the activities planned to help you celebrate this time in your life...You are loved more than words can say...I love you dearly...

Continue to pray for Momma

2008-02-05T14:50:00.000-05:00

My Mom is home from the hospital and is still very weak...They told her she could go back to work Friday...I don't know if she is going to be able to do that or not...This has really knocked the wind out of her sails...She is a strong woman, but this has really zapped her strength...She has a follow up appt tomorrow and the endoscopy again in 6 weeks...So please keep praying for her increased strength...It's hard for her too, she thinks she is just going to go right back to normal and it's not easy being cared for when your used to being the caretaker...She has several ulcers and one of them had a tear in it...She lost enough blood to need 2 units of blood...I know that any time you lose that kind of blood even though they transfuse you, it takes a toll on your strength...When I was 23 I had to have 2 units from a ectopic pregnancy that had ruptured and I couldn't stand up straight for 2 weeks, so you can only imagine if you are 67 how much more difficult it is...I would like to say thanks for your cards, flowers, visits and prayers while she was in the hospital...And I will say that the entire experience with Vanderbilt hospital was excellent!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLIE!!!!

2008-02-01T11:31:00.000-05:00

Friends place today

Sport she plays

She has 2 sisters 3 brothers
She has 2 of these
Her personality
Her favorite food
Her favorite color
Her name
Her age today

Prayer for my Mom...

2008-02-01T07:25:00.000-05:00

Momma has been really sick since last night...I heard a crash this morning about 545am and Momma was semi passed out in the floor...I asked her was she ok and she could barely respond but respond she did and then she went limp and passed out cold in the floor...I couldn't get Kim and I thought I was going to have to call someone to help me get her out of the floor...She got well enough to get her back into bed...She vomited blood last night and not just from the strain of vomiting either...So please say a prayer for her...She is still soooo sick to her stomach this morning...And I can't get her to go to the ER...If she gets any worse I am going to call for an ambulance...

Revival in Pelham...

2008-01-31T00:27:00.000-05:00

Tonight was a great time of service with the Pelham Valley folks...Keep praying for the revival...My Mom has gone each night...Tonight we had a couple of visitors go with us...We enjoyed ourselves tremendously...Tomorrow night we are supposed to have a couple more car loads...All in all it's been refreshing to be with our Brothers and Sisters of this area...

It's a good kind of exhaustion...Praise the Lord for all his blessings...He is the mighty God!!!!

Me in pictures....

2008-01-28T11:05:00.001-05:00

These are a few of my favorite s:

My Father:

Favorite people:

Favorite vacation spot:

Place I would love to travel:Favorite movie:
Favorite food:
Where I live:
My name:
My age:
Who I love: