Splash Time.

These are splashes in no particular order:

1) Friday morning was a great surprise! The fellowship hall was packed with individuals coming to see their missionaries off. The energy in the room from all the praying and sharing was better than any drink could possibly provide. Please pray (or continue to) for our missionaries. And yes, my hubby and oldest son Austin are two of them.

2) There are no vans waiting in Kentucky for our missionaries as was planned for tomorrow. Thankfully, there still is the bus. PRAY!

3) The response to those affected by the flooding here locally has been tremendous the last couple of days. If you've participated somehow... someway... Thank you! If you live here and haven't yet.... what are you waiting for?

4) This morning I awoke to the realization that other than normal Saturday stuff - there was nothing else on my calendar. First time in 4 weeks. The younger boys and I enjoyed resting during the morning time. Little did I know the "meetings" that would happen later in the day.

5) Please pray for the check out girl. She is 7 months pregnant. And to think, we almost didn't go into the store. I shared with her about the group. I told her I would be praying for her and would ask others to as well. She teared up majorly. Please join me in praying for her, the unborn child and all involved.

6) The twin boys were at the pool today. And on my... were they being extremely loud. I decided to talk with them about it because they were clearly disrupting other individuals. One of the lifeguards thanked me as did the individuals involved. When the other individuals found out I wasn't their mother, I thought I was going to be told to just mind my own business. Quite the opposite...... When it was time for us to leave - I told one of the boys to take it easy. I also told one of the lifeguards to keep an eye on him. He was pushing himself way too hard to keep up with his twin brother. The lifeguard in question also has a twin brother. HE knows better than I do how to watch over them.

7) Kudos to the younger boys for being so great in the kitchen! Our lessons during lunch and dinner time went rather smoothly. There's nothing like sitting down with them at the table. Conversations are always so lively even when there's just the three of us. They teach me something new every single day.

8) Tonight I am working on a project for hubby. I am honored to be his assistant. He has called or texted me several times today. Not because of the project.... he is just that way. He loves me and our family like that. The coolest thing though - his love for Christ. I am thankful to come second after Him.

9) It has been hot, sunny and gorgeous here today. What's the weather like where you live?

10) The rumor that I am currently writing a book is just that for the time being. I do have a friend named Anne who is though. It's not just any book.... So, please pray for her and all involved.

URGENT URGENT REQUEST!

Our missionaires are on their way to Kentucky. They are in need of vans once they arrive there. If you can be of any help in regards to this, please contact me directly at cameybelieves@charter.net

Thanks!

(For clarifications: Our missionaires are students and adults from our church. Yes, my hubby and oldest son Austin are two of those.)

Where's Your Voice?

The other day I was asked when did I become so outspoken on some different things. The person asking me was not honestly aware that for years my voice really hasn't been silent. It's just been heard in places they were not listening. Not because they did or did not care to be - it just did not happen that way. And that's okay.

The last couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to visit with numerous people who did not know me at all or until just recently. I have found my self sharing with them victories, heartaches, and how God has never failed me even when I have Him. There was a moment yesterday when I stood in the garage and cried. It is a natural thing given where I've been in life and where I am today. As strange as it may sound to some.... there was twinge of guilt in not holding onto my daddy's hand yesterday as the parade was going through the square in town. Obviously, I could not hold his hand since he is no longer physically here. When one has been healed and another moves on from this life, this is a natural thing to experience. And without question, I know I am not alone in such.

Last night as we were hanging out with a group from church at some friends' campground, I found my self sharing stories with a certain couple because I knew that they could identify. Interestingly enough, they identified even more so than I could have ever even dreamed. The woman in particular said some thing to me that I will treasure because it was beyond unexpected. It gave me such encouragement and yes, made sweet tears flow from my eyes as we shared a hug as well. But you see, I had to get up out of my comfy warm seat first and walk over to where they were sitting.

My help comes from the Lord. For even though I am a shy person, He has shown me time and time again that if I just put my self aside....... He will hold my hand and speak more into living life than I could ever begin. He is the original author and no one can hold a candle to Him.

Where's your voice? And where does your help come from?

This. That. And Jeff

So, as I've stated before..... we live a very weird life. Most of the day yesterday was spent helping others. Then, before we knew what smacked us - to the clubhouse we were going... the younger boys to the pool and us to watch friends go by in the highly secure gated community's annual parade. Bicycles and golf carts decorated and individuals throwing candy...... oh my. It almost felt like we'd gone back in time.

The boys pooped out pretty quickly and back home they went. Hubby and I went out on a date. (read: you've gotta make time for stuff like that) We pooped out pretty quickly and were back home in an hour and a 1/2. It was a great kind of pooped out though. Funny how that works like that.

This morning the guys are heading off to walk in the annual parade down on the town square. They are representing the school that our oldest son goes to..... I will be hanging out with our best couple friends. And again, it will feel like we've gone back in time. I kid you not. Words cannot describe what all will take place down on the square today.

Later today, we're heading out to some friends' campground. The really cool thing about that is the fact that we have attached ourselves to the new couple I mentioned several posts ago now. They are coming along with us as well as our best couple friends and their family. Great way to have new friends meet several peeps from church. Gotta love that. It also answered the, "Camey? I've got plans for the 4th. What are you and your family doing?" asked by mom. Goes to show how annual plans can indeed change over time.

Now about Jeff....... He is a man that we met yesterday. He was a Marine. He and his wife Kelly lost almost every thing in the flood. Why did I say almost? As I was thanking Jeff for not only his service to our country.... I also thanked him for the privilege of helping clean up the waste that was once where their home was. Jeff cried..... He said, "God keeps showing me that He is still here with me." So while their material possessions are next to none..... Jeff is truly one rich man because he has the most important freedom of all... The freedom that can only come with Christ's love.

Happy 4th of July. Thank you Jesus for the real freedom to live life!

Thoughts This Tuesday

1) HIM! If you haven't spent time with Him yet, what are you waiting for?

2) Why did I post the link to Mad Church Disease and/or send it to you directly? Simple. I care about you that much or someone connected to you. 'Sides, Anne has a heart condition that I thought you might be able to really identify with. What do I mean by that? She is willing to go there, to get dirty. You either already have that condition or talk about wanting it. Time to put action to those words. If you haven't taken one of the surveys yet, what are you waiting for? If you're thinking, "I really need to send that to ..." What are you waiting for? What's that link again? http://www.madchurchdisease.com

3) Today at 10:00 a.m. a group of people (Student Ministry led) will be meeting at our local church building. We will be going to help individuals in the area most affected by the flooding here in G-town. If you own a truck, chain saw, or can be a body to help..... WE NEED YOU! Be prepared to get dirty. Most importantly, be willing to be the hands and feet of Him and to show His love right here..... If you're thinking, "Well, I've thought about getting involved?" What are you waiting for?

4) Making plans for the 4th of July? What about those neighbors you've been thinking about inviting over? What are you waiting for?

5) On that subject....... What are YOU waiting for today? Whose authority do you need the most? What are you waiting for?

Thoughts This Tuesday...

URGENT Request!

Please check out the following link if you are in ministry (whether paid or volunteer) or are connected to someone who is or perhaps was at: http://www.madchurchdisease.com

Thanks again, Anne for being willing to go there.

Where are Your Eyes Fixed?

Back when I was on staff at another ministry, part of my responsibilities were that of education coordinator. I had a real eye-opening conversation one day with the participants there. We were discussing how could the teachers of the various subjects make them come alive. It was then that I was so greatly impressed upon about visual aids. Just how different the generations (individuals in general) truly are in how they learn and process information. Those women will forever be etched in my heart and mind. Some have gone to truly grasp a hold of living for Christ and others are still struggling. And yes, pray for them.

Since that time, I have been asking God to help me in regards to visual aids in this new ministry; to help what I am teaching to come alive. It is easy for me to paint word pictures. It always has been. I do not take the credit for it... I know from Whom it comes from. Some times more than brushes with words are needed. I cannot fully describe how much time alone with Him means to me..... especially on Sunday.... reading His Word, personal worship, and printing for class.... It honestly makes me weepy just even thinking about it. This brings me to this morning.

As I printed... it was clear that that prayer of mine had indeed been answered yet again. To some - it may seem down silly..... and that's okay. If I appear foolish then, so be it. I was teaching today on 2 Corinthians 4:18 - the title of the lesson, "Where Are Your Eyes Fixed?" Not every thing I had sent to the printer printed like what was on the computer screen. For example: On the lesson sheet where the Scripture was to be, "temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" is all that printed. On the Praise sheet where they are to list praises... only what is written at the bottom of page showed up, "If you cannot come up with enough praises to fill this list.... Are you really paying attention to what is going on around you or in our world?"

We can so easily praise God when the sound and lighting work as they are supposed to... or when things print like we thought they needed to be or the congregation laughs at a joke the pastor makes. Yet, how easy is it to truly fix our eyes on Him alone? When things don't go the way we expect or want them to, how often do we chalk it up to it could have been better if they had?

Just like with the blank piece of paper lesson a couple of weeks ago, this one rocked. And yes, as is known to happen in class..... tears were cried. May God alone receive the praise! I ask you today.......

Where are your eyes fixed?