On Prayer......

As I was driving Austin to school this morning.... we were talking about individuals in our lives who we are praying for.. well, not all were mentioned for in ministry at times that is not possible or permitted.... but that's not the point..

As I have stated numerous times before and will continue to until my last breath is breathed.... prayer is that to me.... it is life sustaining and life giving... it is a connection with Him like no other can be.. And I mean - no other can possibly be.

For it when listening and talking with Him that I am changed the most.... it is in letting go of my plans... thoughts... assumptions... whatever the case may be... It is in taking others before Him and laying them down at His feet and truly meaning.... whatever His will be done....

I know for some, praying, is not some thing that is easy to think of or to do.... Yet, I would give my life for those to experience for themselves the ultimate benefits of spending time with Him in prayer. Oh, wait.... Jesus already gave His life so that we have direct communication with/to Him...

If Jesus prayed while here on earth.... and the Bible says He did.... He must have thought it ultimately beneficial.... Shouldn't we then too?

On prayer...... let Him speak to you... and may you also speak to Him on behalf of others.

You've been prayed for today......

Valleys. Mountain Tops. In-Between.

This morning as I sit here reflecting over the many many conversations during the day and night.... the hugs, tears, deep pain, being fine, smiles, and dancing reminds me greatly of valleys, mountain tops, and oh yes... even the in-between..

I don't normally actually eat lunch with Ms. Mae. I fix her lunch and sit with her while she eats. Yesterday, it was clear to me that this bothered her tremendously. At first I wasn't sure why.... then, it struck me. Ms. Mae does not see me as just her servant.. she sees me as a dear friend. So, I didn't fix lunch for one.. It was for two.... the look on her face was priceless and she asked me if I'd pray for "our" lunch instead of her automatically praying like she has done. Love her like Jesus.

There's another woman who comes and stays with Ms. Mae in-between the time that I leave and when one of the immediate family comes. She came earlier than normal and I couldn't figure out why at first. Then, it struck me.... She is craving conversations with other women and not just her husband. We got to talking about the water therapy that Ms. Mae is starting today. I shared how much I had benefited from this type of therapy. The woman did not know that part of my story. The smile on her face was priceless along with the changes in her face due to a stroke she had years ago as I shared of how the Great Physician healed my body. Love her like Jesus.

Years ago we had the privilege of meeting a man and a woman at their home. We had been invited with my folks and my brother's family to share the 4th of July with them and numerous others. It became a tradition our whole family had until this year. Our friendship is deeper though the last couple of years than just the once a year visit. This man and woman are in such deep pain. Her mother's health is failing quickly. As I was in my Wednesday place in the foyer... I shared with him how our family could understand what they were going through... and he knew that all too well.... The look on his face.. the hugs..... Love him like Jesus.

The precious girl that now has a "spiritual birthday" was dancing in the foyer as she talked with her mom and my self. She was beyond excited about learning Bible verses and all the new friends she is making.... even the "adult friends"...... The look on her was priceless.. her dancing in the foyer... even more so.... Her life is not an easy one away from church... Love her like Jesus.

For those who were "fine".... there is always the question of, "Are they really?" And yet..... there are moments in life were fine does adequately describe where one is at. It can mean good.... it can mean not so much so..... it can mean a sort of limbo between bad, good or ugly. Love them like Jesus.

Who do you need to love like Jesus today? this very moment?

Where are you? in the valley, on the mountain top.... or in-between?

Jesus loves you wherever you are this very moment.

Listening As The Sun Rises

As the sun rises, there is a voice to be sought
It is found through open lines straight from your heart
Inside the pages of His Word breathes true life

Whether the sun be behind a cloud or in plain sight
If the wind blows hot or cold - perhaps sits still
Listening as the sun rises with hands up in the air

A JOB! A JOB!

Austin starts his job at the highly secure gated community's little store this Friday. Thank you to those who prayed for him and/or were willing to be references for him.

If you live in the highly secure gated community, make sure you look for him when shopping there. He's looking forward to the pleasure of seeing familiar faces and being of service to you.

Signed,
A grateful mother

Thoughts for Today..

The last few days have been so incredibly busy... This morning came and I found myself not wanting to leave the house. Hubby and I walk through our day together as a part of our morning time with each other. He prayed not only for me but for the women who were going to be sitting in the class with me today. He also said that he knew something really powerful was going to happen because it so often does when I am at my weakest.

This morning started the parenting Bible study in which I am facilitating this semester. There were 3 women signed up officially... That's not how many ended up being there... It was tripled with the word that 6 more are due next week. Since I knew ahead of time that two of the women who had originally signed up weren't going to be there... I didn't want them to be behind next week especially knowing their stories.. I asked the Lord for guidance on what to do today.... for and with those who would be there... The answer came and I went with it...

When class was over.... it was apparent, yet again. When I let the chains fall away... and really let Him be in total control... there is such incredible freedom. I am no expert as a parent. I have made my share of mistakes. I have asked for forgiveness from not only God but my hubby and whatever child(ren) involved.

I started the class off by sharing from my heart and had everyone go around the table and share from theirs, and the room was filled with His presence. I could have started with the DVD right when the clock ticked 9:30 a.m.

My thoughts today..... He always knows better than I do. And sometimes He uses my hubby's encouragement and prayers to help guide me.

I believe, we, as Christ-followers, are called to be of encouragement to one another.

Be of encouragement to someone today. It just might make them want to leave the house instead of going back to bed and hiding under the covers.

May He truly receive all the praise and glory!

On Growing Up...

This morning Austin and I had another bonding experience. Since he officially turned 16 yesterday, it is time for the all important step of getting his first real paying job. He called or email the individuals that he hoped would be references for him. Upon their agreement, he filled out his first application. (real mommy moment there... shhh don't tell him I said that. lol)

He proceeded to get himself ready and looked rather sharp. (no, I'm not the slightest bit biased. just speaking the truth according to his mom.) We drove up to the place in which he hopes to work. Since he does not have his license or permit - I got to drive. Sorry, Austin. Good thing I have had a change of plans today work wise... Oh wait, being Austin's chauffeur still is one of my jobs at the moment.

We walked in and spoke to the various managers that were present. Austin will be meeting with the store manager again on Monday to see what they can work out. It is okay for a parent to go with their *cough* child... when asking for and/or turning in their first application. After that... all bets are off unless otherwise directed.

Overall, it was a very positive experience. I'm sure one of these days, Austin, will enjoy sharing how he handled his mommy's growing up days.

Thanks, Austin, for holding my hand. It's easy to look up to you... Oh, wait. I have to any way given your height. Can someone explain to me again HOW that happens?

Prayer Requests

1. Mo...... and her little boy especially...

2. Ms. Mae is having x-rays made this morning. Appears she may have a fracture..... Given her age... that can be bad... She is such an amazing woman. I am privileged to be one of her care givers... The 10th marks the year anniversary of her 88 year-old husband's passing...

3. Ms. Mae's family.... What a dear and precious family.... they are going through so much...

4. "No-name"...... Issues within the leadership of the church he is pastor of.

5. "No-name"...... That he would let go of past hurts and get out there.

A Son and Mom Moment....

On Tuesday afternoon, Austin and his mom went to the foot doctor. We were sitting in the waiting room having a good time talking. We are incredibly blessed with a great relationship with each other... But Tuesday afternoon..... well......

Suddenly... this mom noticed one of the women behind the window checking out her son... I mean totally checking him out... It will remain one of the weirdest moments that he and I have ever shared. Shared? Yes... you see I pointed out to him that she was checking him out. I also later on pointed out to her that he was only 15..... Oh.... I can be such a mommy.....

Yet, it is in openly talking about such things with Austin that makes us closer....... that truly provides the jumping board for real in-depth conversations. Now, I know that some might say that I should have never pointed that out to him. But had I not... we would not be even closer now... this moment... I'd rather be a fool any day than to not have open lines of communication with him.

I have his permission to share this with you. He hopes it will help other parents want to talk with their child(ren)... especially if they are a teenager. He also hopes that it will help teens want to spend time with their parents... You never know what real benefit will come from it..

Oh.... Austin is 16 today! There are times when he teaches me more than I ever could him.

Today! ATTENTION!

Today is the day. I officially put back on the bacon hat on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I will be gone from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Have you ever tried bacon cooked in the oven? Yummmmmmy. Hubby cooks it that way. lol

ATTENTION: Those who are listed as contributors here... please feel free to post! If you're not listed but would like to.... send me an email at cameybelieves@charter.net

You've been prayed for today...... God is good ALL the time!

Pool. Thunder. Teacher. Her.

The younger boys and I went to the highly secure gated community club pool for one last time this afternoon. After today.... the pool is officially closed for the summer. This summer has definitely been different as far as the pool goes. Why?

Thunder..... Yep. We had only been there a short time AGAIN today... when THAT all too familiar sound was heard not only by yours truly here but by Ben - the main lifeguard. "EVERYBODY OUT OF THE WATER." Good bye pool for the summer. Thank you to all the lifeguards who came every time the pool was open even though it seemed to have been closed more so than not due to the thunder/rain. That is Texas weather for you.. especially THIS summer.

I ran into the little store and walked down to where the bread is kept. There was this woman standing there. She looked at me. I knew immediately who she was but since today is a holiday and school just started... I wasn't going to say a word to her. She turned around and then said, "I know I know your face. I just can't remember which child you belong to." When I told her I was Park's mother.... she began to smile. (Note: THAT'S always a good thing as a parent!) She talked about what an old soul he is... Funny... She has a good handle on him already. We had a good but short conversation... Parker just smiled when I told him who was in the store.... He and Trav were sitting in the van eating lemon chills. They had been on sale in the teen room as we were leaving the pool... Ahhhhh the end of summer.

When walking up to the check out line... I saw her behind the cash register. I've posted about her before. She is a teen, pregnant and yes... of course... single. I asked her how she was doing and we talked for just a bit. She remembered me from the couple of times before. She looks so tired. I know some of it is the strain of standing on her feet all those hours. Yet..... well... that's enough said for now... Please continue to pray her. For while she knows who I am and about the group..... there is that fear of judgement... That's not something she has to worry about with me or the others in the group. That's not my job or theirs...... Please continue to pray for her. Our arms truly are open wide.... His are far wider than ours.

His love is deep. His love is high. His love is long...... His love is wide..... What about yours?

Grateful Offerings.

This morning as I sit here reflecting back over the weekend... and especially Sunday.... Grateful is how I am found the most.

When walking out to the vehicle I drive on Sunday mornings... one of our sound/video guys was with me, Travman and Park. He said to me, "While I was waiting for the service to start, I was looking at everyone in the sanctuary. I looked where you normally sit and found Park immediately. I looked beside him and there you were. WOW! Can you really see all your gray hair from the sound booth." We laughed.... and I was beyond grateful. Why? It was Austin. He has started taking a class called Tech Pro that is taught by our dear Andrew.. Andrew has Austin working with him during the first two services now on Sunday mornings. He will not allow Austin to work the third service because that is when the students have Bible study classes. Andrew is truly being of encouragement to Austin in learning how to use sound/audio in ministry.... and especially in worship. Way too cool.. Thank You, Lord, for Andrew... and yes.. for Austin. Austin turns 16 on Thursday....

The four of us were talking about the morning and laughing while driving to meet some sweet friends for lunch. (Oh... the lawn pastor works some on Sunday afternoons/evenings as needed. It all depends upon whom is requesting him and their schedule as well. So.. he was not with us. Thank You, Lord, for the lawn pastor and the lawns/gardens/lives he tends to.) As I was walking through the buffet line, my face must have been tellin on me... Next thing I know.. the manager, who is a buddy of mine, said to me, "What do you want that you're not seeing?" I told him what I wanted and he brought them out to me... Three pieces of the most delicious Canadian bacon and black olive pizza I've ever eaten. When he was standing there at my table... he said to me, "If your group needs any thing at all, you let me know personally. It is always a pleasure serving anyone you're associated with." Please keep in mind here that I eat with sinners and saints alike. If you know what I mean.... And he knows that.. if they are needing extra food to take home... he always takes care of them. Thank You, Lord, for his servant's heart as well.

The sweet friends we were eating with are such tremendous blessings to our family. We have much in common and the conversations flow with ease. The head of the family is a widow... then there's her two daughters, one married and with kids.. the other single and has worked with my brother for years. Their living arrangement is similar in some ways to our own. The one daughter who is married has two teenage sons that the five of us have a blast hanging out with. Oh... One is Michael S. He shared a testimony here on the blog not long ago. Every single member of that family we've met thus far... it is like we've known them forever and a day.... Thank You, Lord, for the gift of this family. For each individual that is a part of it.....

Later in the afternoon, the phone rang.. It was one of Park's buddies... He had been gone most of the summer and now that school is back in session, he is able to hang again. While it was not originally in my plans for the afternoon/evening... saying no was not in this mom's vocabulary at that moment in time. His mom brought him over... he and Park ran inside and took up where they had left off the last time he was here... I talked with his mom for a while in the driveway.. I won't share the majority of the details... except to say this.. I'm beyond grateful for the house we live in. It is not ours as was the house before... but in so many more ways.. it is the best house we've lived in. Park and G. hung out a few hours, and then Park's dad and mom took G. to find his mom. The highly secure gated community has a celebration at the main clubhouse every holiday... that is where she was found.. G. said he enjoyed riding around with us and talking. I had not called his mom before we left the house... If I had... we would not have had to drive around looking for her. I'm thankful I didn't call first. G.'s face spoke volumes when he and I walked to where his mom was. Thank You, Lord, for plans being changed.. For G. and his family..... for friendships that come with being a child and having children.

After we had found his mom... hubby and I went to the little store... Hoover's girlfriend decided to stay at home... therefore, the woman of the house was expecting dinner. Nothing fancy mind you... We came home and he immediately started cooking everyone in the house dinner. We all sat down together and ate... the six of us... He cooked dinner? Yes, he and I take turns cooking dinner. Thank You, Lord, for a son-in-law/hubby/dad who considers it a blessing to cook for his family. I couldn't ask for him to love You more.... or us....

This morning... these are just a few of my grateful offerings..

What are you grateful for? Stop... and give an offering... of praise and thanksgiving.

Shaken. Stirred. Poured.

Yesterday was the service for Josh Fant at our church. According to Wiley's Funeral Home... it was the biggest funeral Granbury has ever seen. The same, obviously, is true for our SP and our church..... There was standing room only even in our foyer.... Count probably around 1,000 individuals or so... The amount of tears even higher... Weeping.. sobbing... Please continue to pray for his family, friends, our town and our church... Shaken.....

The last couple of days, I've been stirred.... I had been fighting to stay away from a certain type of part time job. As some of you know..... I am a part of the bringing home the bacon for our family. While I am a full-time so many other things... I too work outside our home. It is a conviction of ours that whatever I do outside the home must go hand-in-hand with being a pastor's wife and women's minister. The meeting on Friday was about being a caregiver for a precious woman in her 80's... I start on Wednesday. This particular job is only for the month of September.. Yet, upon calling the family to let them know I would take the job.... a real peace came over not only myself.. but my hubby and my mother about it... While it was okay for me to have some time away from giving someone medicine... bathing them... whatever the case may be... that time is over. This job works well with all the many other hats I wear. I consider it a privilege, honor, blessing and a responsibility to not be taken lightly.... I have no doubt that this amazing woman and her family are just the first to come my way this time... this season....

Today our SP, John, preached on waiting.... I couldn't help but smile and laugh.. That's okay to do... Seriously.. it is.. The summer months I was requested to let go of the bacon hat. I did what was asked.... our schedules were crazy enough on their own... The summer was the waiting. Now it is time to pour out what has continuously been poured inside of me... I am full...

Yesterday at the service for Josh... when I was ministering in the foyer... in walked this woman. We immediately walked over to each other and hugged. She had not forgotten me or our family.... definitely not my daddy.... She works at the hospital he was in... we spent so much time together. She said she had wondered if she would see me at the church... When I told her that daddy had indeed passed on.. she wasn't surprised and said she had continue to pray for our family. She also shared what a difference we had made in her life during that time.... That she had really felt cared for.....

It just goes to show.... One can be a caregiver no matter the circumstances... What truly makes the difference though in the care given is who truly is giving it and where it comes from. My help.... my strength... my HOPE comes from HIM alone.

Where does your help, strength and hope come from?

How long has it been since you've been shaken, stirred and poured....... out?

Josh Fant Memorial Fund

The fund is set up through the First National Bank of Granbury. The following sites have placed donation cans at their locations as well to help this family:

1 Valero (JJ's Fastop at the light by Wal Mart)
1 Wings and more
1 Mr Sparkle
1 Firehouse Café
1 Movie Gallery
2 Mi Familia
2 Montana’s
1 Cotton Patch
1 Grumps
1 Mobil across from Cari's
1 Jovi Wireless
1 Chicken Express

A Meeting.......

Sitting here, right now... this moment... I am beyond thankful. This afternoon hubby and I had a meeting with a family. The circumstances that brought us together are not necessary for me to speak of yet..... What I can say is this......

The Lord works in mysterious ways... I would rather be guilty of seeming like a fool than to not listen to His voice any day....

Lord? What can I do for you?

How long has it been since you've asked the same? Are you willing to look like a fool?

On Grief.....

There are so many hurting right now over the death of Josh Fant. While many find comfort that Josh was a Christian..... naturally that does not completely take away the grief that is felt from the loss of someone special to them.

My sista in Christ, Kat (reGen) left a comment on the last post. I hope you will take the time to read it. Thank you dear woman!

There are stories that tell of grief over losing someone special... My personal favorite story is that of the women who came to Jesus' tomb after he had been beaten and died upon the cross. WHAT? Seriously? Seriously. Why? Had it not been for his death, burial, and then resurrection.... what point would there have been to life? We would have been separated from God forever.... eternity. Not just for a moment.......

The women were the first to find out that Jesus was not there.... HOPE was alive and well.... They came to his tomb expecting to find Him... He was not there.... Death had been conquered! He was truly alive!

In my own personal story of grief.... The fact that Jesus died for me (and you) means more to me than any one else dying... Do I know the pain of losing someone near and dear to me? Yes, my daddy. Do I know the agony of watching him have highs and lows with numerous nights and days spent in the hospital? Yes, I do... Yet, had Jesus not died.... Honestly? It would matter not about my own daddy.

I know you're reading my words and thinking to yourself perhaps.... "Man! Is she ever in denial about her daddy dying." Nah.... My daddy was just a man. An amazing man but still just a man. Jesus is Jesus.... He is/was God. And nothing or no one can compare.

There is grief that comes with the death of someone special. Grief can be overwhelming... no doubt... But it is what we learn from our grief and how we live on in and through grief that counts so much..... Grief can make one bitter... Don't let it keep you that way.....

God is there for you...... And that my friend is the best source of help any one could ever have or receive.

There Is A Time....

The times are as follows:

Visitation... Wiley's, Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Service....... Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at our church building.

Fant Family Fund:

Friends of the Fant Family have set up a fund to help pay funeral and hospital bills. Please consider donating to this fund. More information coming...

Thoughts:

Last night as we gathered at our church building at 10:00 p.m. - you could cut the grief with a knife and never come out with the sounds like what was heard. From txt msgs to cell phone calls, within a hour, there were over hundreds there.. This is one thing our community and town gets right. We gather together... as one body.

And Shelley and Ryan? Thank you for loving God and loving people... especially students. And pointing them to Jesus.... Josh was a Christian.

Keep praying! Thank you.

Josh Fant. 08-29-07.

Please continue to lift up the family and friends of Josh Fant.

He passed on this evening. His fight is over.

Thank you.

Testimony - Love Granbury - Kayla

Hello, my name is Kayla, and I was one of the many youth that participated in the Love Granbury weekend. The Love Granbury weekend was where youth from different churches across Granbury participated in random acts of kindness throughout the town. We did things such as: mow lawns, highway cleanup, run a full service gas station and help people out with their groceries, just to name a few.

One of the things that I did was hand out water bottles on the square. As we handed them out we would usually say things like, “Jesus loves you!” or “God bless”. Some of the responses that we received were really surprising. We heard people say things from, “Oh, thank you so much, keep living for Christ!” to “What do you mean it’s free? I don’t get it, no really how much is it?”. Some people even stopped to talk to us for awhile, usually saying things like, “Why are you doing this?”, and that just gave us a better opportunity to speak with them about God.

The one other thing that I did was help in the cleanup of yards that were basically destroyed by the floods that came earlier this year. I was amazed to see the horrible condition in which some of these homes were. A few of the homes were actually picked up by the water and moved to the other side of their lot. To mow some of these yards, first we had to clean up all the trash in the yard itself. When the water rose, it was actually in these houses and brought almost everything out into the yard itself. We picked up not only trash, but also in the midst of all the litter were things like, old Polaroid Christmas pictures, and other priceless family pictures that at one time probably meant a lot to the family members who lived there. But all of these items our now sitting in their yard, just waiting to be destroyed by the Texas heat.

I guess that the main thing that I learned from this experience was that this happened in our own city, not another state, not across the world, but in our own city. It really shows you that there are mission opportunities all around us. We just won’t take the time and look for them.
I came into Granbury Love weekend not really knowing what it was all about. In the end, I realized that there are so many people in this world who don’t know our loving Savior. I also learned that you don’t have to go to Africa or some other foreign place to find people who are desperate to know him. I thought that this was a great event, and I hope that we realize that we can do this any day of the year. My prayer is that we would strive every day to reach out and do the little things that make a big difference.

Kayla

Prayer Requests...

Please pray for the following:

1) Josh Fant & all involved..... he has blinked his eyes and nodded. They have found a medicine that they think might help him. He is surrounded by numerous family and friends. And Fox 4 - our local news will continue to follow his story.

2) Found out last night that my mom's brother Joe has prostate cancer. Joe has been a pastor for many, many years. Most of the time as a bi-vocational pastor.

3) A couple of other pastors who are going thru a really hard time right now.

4) Hubby's brother David. I'll leave it that he is a Marine.

5) Joy..... no not a person.... that more individuals will find joy in living life because of Jesus Christ. Not happiness... JOY! (Thanks Leonard)

Stay tuned..... A testimony about Love Granbury from Kayla coming up!

Josh's Story...

Josh Fant's story is going to be on Fox 4 at 9 and 10.

At this moment.. he is still hanging on.. They say there's nothing else they can do for him.

Keep praying!

URGENT Prayer Request Update

Josh Fant is a freshman in college. Within the next hour or two he is expected to pass on.

Please continue to pray for this family and all involved.

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for Josh Fant. He passed out during baseball practice last night & is now in a major fight with his body. He is Mo's best guy friend.

Life Itself.

Life Itself is a song by Aaron Shust. As I sat in the parking lot of the front circle of the highly secure gated community waiting for Trav's bus to arrive.... I spent time talking with Lisa via cell phone.

In the midst of her continuing battle with Lyme Disease.... Lisa's love for the Lord is beyond encouraging. While we no longer physically live close..... it is like we're in the room with each other. I'm not really sure who encourages who more.... With the type of real friendship we have.... it can be exchanged freely and without reservation.

I ask that you continue to pray for Lisa and her family. The battle is raging strong right now and the outlook of her husband being without a job in a couple of months is becoming more of a reality.

Life Itself..... Lisa would tell you that the Lord is good to her. Amen Lisa.... Amen!

Keep Singing...

Last night as I was studying.... the phone rang. On the other end of the phone was a woman who I had not talked with in a couple of months. Every time I've thought about stopping by to see her (them).. there's been a vehicle in the driveway. She's given me permission to come by even if she has company but, I try to limit visits like that. So... she rang... I went....



I will not share the details of our conversation except to say..... This woman lives with her husband who has been ill for many years now. While she is physically healthy, she considers herself homebound like her husband. As we sat in the kitchen drinking white tea out of china cups..... I couldn't help but think of a song by Mercy Me called "Keep Singing"......



Her dedication to her husband is beyond words. Yet, it is her love for God that keeps her singing more than any thing else. Actually? I believe it is His love for them both that truly creates the music in the silence.



This color represents the artist in her that uses charcoal to create masterpieces. Some thing she has time for since they are homebound.

It's OFFICIAL!!!!!!!!!!!

Today has found me making a stunning announcement.....










Austin misses his brothers who are back in school today! He's only been up an hour... lol

Trav, his dad and the Smithee

They are on their way to the Ranger game courtesy of a certain pitcher that the Smithee knows.

Remember I said what a HUGE Texas fan Trav is.... Yep..... He's going to a Ranger/Mariner game all decked out in what else..... Texas gear... and not the Ranger type.... lol

This is totally cool... Trav is our sports nut. His dad loves him so much that he literally stopped being the lawn pastor to be his 13 year-old son's dad when we got the call at 4:30 p.m.

As I said.... they are on their way NOW. Yes, I know school starts tomorrow at 8:25 a.m. A boy is only thirteen once in his life..... There are times when going to bed late is acceptable... and priceless.. You should have seen Trav's smile!

Thank You Lord for the blessings that come out of the blue when we're least expecting them. Thank you for the Smithee, his wife, their daughters and some pitcher too!

And thank You Lord that for as much as Trav's dad loves him... YOU love him even more.

Trav & Marissa's Story

Thirteen years ago two babies were born. One was a girl. One was a boy. The girl was born first. Years later they became friends through their church. One day their moms were talking in the workroom while preparing for VBS. Trav's mom mentioned that he had a birthday coming up soon. Marissa's mom asked when. "August" was the reply. And so the story goes.... it turns out they were born on the same exact day. Marissa is older than Trav by a few hours. It is with permission that I share this story.....

There's been one thing about Trav that has embarrassed him for a few years. There has also been something about Marissa as well. Circumstances in life brought about the need to be in a grade at school twice. Speaking here for Trav.... he had started school a year early on purpose due to his mother's (my) health and for his own well-being at the time. It was planned before he started school that he would do 1st grade twice. If you ask Marissa - she can tell her part of the story...... Regardless of the circumstances.... they were each convinced that it was some thing to be ashamed of and a source of embarrassment... Until it was discovered that the other one had gone through the same thing. And suddenly......

One thing that held them back in their own minds..... was set free to fly. It helped them both to accept that it is okay to go through a grade twice... There is no shame in it. It also goes to show the extent of God's grace and mercy..... He knew that they each would need a friend to come along that had experienced such a thing to help them to move on and let go. To truly be the 7th graders that they are now..... today.... Not last year had they not repeated a grade... But tomorrow as they walk into the doors of their middle schools.

Today at the "End of the World" party, the fact that they had been in a grade twice was not what gave the party its name..... It is the fact that school starts at 8:25 a.m. in the morning. Trav and Marissa were sang to and there was a huge birthday cake that was devoured by the students and adults who participated. Those students were primarily 7th and 8th graders.

His mercies are new every morning. And today there are two thirteen year-olds whose true bond is the love of God and theirs for Him. We are thankful for their lives and the friendships that have come with them.

And yes... pics are still to come....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAV & MARISSA!

Happy 13th Birthday to our middle son Travis! You're an awesome kid! (Did I ever mention that Trav is a HUGE Texas fan? Notice the orange?)

Happy 13th Birthday to our sweet friend Marissa!

Their story later today along with some totally embarrassing pics......

WE LOVE YOU!

Testimony - Daniel S.

While in Pikeville Kentucky I was given the opportunity to meet some of the friendliest people I might ever come in contact with. The people of the hills of Kentucky are not rich. By most American standards they are considered very poor. However, besides their lack of material possessions, they do not show it. It was a real blessing for me to spend a week with people who, even though they have little, live as though they have everything. We did repairs on the house of a widow named Ms. Bevins. Her house was in bad shape. The mountain was literally about to fall on it, and her patio was so rotted that a few of us fell through it at times. Yet even though she had no money or nice things, she had a smile on her face and a great attitude. Her generosity went beyond what she was even reasonably capable of giving. An example being the three meals she cooked for us even though she was not required, let alone financially able to provide anything for us. It was clear to see where her generosity came from, for just as the widow with three mites, she gave to serve her Lord. After introducing ourselves as from Texas she asked us if we were from the area that had been experiencing flooding and upon hearing that we were expressed how glad she was that we were ok and that she had been praying every day for the victims of the Texas flooding. It was amazing to see how God worked it out that before we even arrived to help Ms. Bevins she had been praying for us not knowing we were the ones who would be coming.

Daniel S.

People. Life. Living. Loving.

People: Park and I saw hundreds yesterday. The contacts made, doors opened, and etc..... Not to mention the hugs from some of the little children we met through Healthy Kids. It was a great way to utilize 4 hours of a day. At one point, a man walked up to me while I was talking with a woman. I thought he wanted to speak with her. He didn't. After the woman walked away, the man said to me, "You're Larry's daughter aren't you?" He then went on to share with me about his friendship with my dad. He talked about the fact that he still misses him every single day. We hugged a couple of times. He said, "One thing I always appreciated about your dad was the initiative he took in inviting people to do things.. like play golf." He then proceeded to talk about the fact that he doesn't play much any more because no one ever really calls him to. This is where it's funny... I then said, "This is where I am like my dad was... Why don't you take the initiative yourself?" He hugged me again with huge tears in his eyes. And we both laughed. Park and I are thankful and grateful for the privilege and blessing of being a part of yesterday's huge community event.

Life: Grandma and the three grandsons that live with her went to one of the golf courses in our highly secure gated community this morning. The boys all wanted to play some golf. You should have seen the purple golf cart driving out of the driveway with the four of them. I'm not sure who was smiling more.... While there, Austin saw one of his sponsors for mission trip. They also saw several of their adult friends... Golf? I don't claim to understand the attraction to the game itself.... I do understand about the friendships that can be made as a result. Our lives are full of them from all over the US. Yet, it never really has been about golf. For those who don't know.... my parents had a golf ministry. Mom will say that she still does and the boys do too.

Living: Please make note of the names that post here. As I've stated before... different people have been and will continue to be invited to post here. These are individuals who are a part of living life in the ways in which we're connected. God is good!

Loving: Earlier the lawn pastor and I were talking about what I was going to be cooking for dinner before he headed off. He loving said to me, "You know? I think we need to invite your mom and Hoover to eat dinner with us." Hoover had surgery earlier this week.... and there's this running thing about casseroles. As a part of loving my husband, my mother and even Hoover..... I will be fixing and serving dinner to seven tonight. Actually? I think it all has more to do with the love of God.

People. Life. Living. Loving. - Do you give thanks every day for each of these?

Prayer Request

Please pray for Noel and her family. Noel attends SFA and was hit by a truck. Her parents are members of our church.

More details as I get them. Request via Katie.

Rumor Report!

Rumor has it that our SP, John, was seen in his workout clothes last night. It has been reported by a couple of the students in the student ministry that this was "just plain weird."

The rumor is true. The report is true. "Just plain weird".... well, personally, I think if he were to wear his workout clothes on Sunday morning... now THAT would be "just plain weird."

This has been a public service announcement.

Conversations. Laughter. Excitement.

Late this afternoon, I set out on the golf cart. There are some women and men around the highly secure gated community who I visit from time to time. Frankly? It was overdue. Here's just a tad of the adventure...

1) A wild kitty cat. She was determined that she needed to play with my foot while talking with one of her owners. It didn't stop us from having a really good heartfelt conversation.

2) A man hiding out in his home office because he couldn't come out..... Even though I was technically visiting his wife... I had a question to ask him before I left. Let's just say that I never saw his face... just heard his voice. His wife and I just laughed when we realized why he couldn't come out. He didn't have any pants/shorts in that room. That's what people get for working at home in their underwear! (And no..... I won't be sharing his name... well, except that I shared it with hubby of course.)

3) There were two men standing in a yard talking. I thought to myself that one would immediately call hubby upon seeing me drive by. Sure enough...... Good thing I was in the golf cart..... I couldn't have possibly been speeding.

4) Excitement...... Well, actually that occurred after I left the highly secure gated community this evening. Been given permission to go somewhere tomorrow and do something that I had been praying about! I know many others have been praying about it as well. Keep praying!

Speaking of prayers...... The woman of the house just returned. She drove some today and plans on driving some tomorrow too. While I enjoy being a chauffeur among the many hats I wear and am thankful to do so.... Her driving any at all is an answer to prayers. Keep praying!

Why Don't I Part II

Okay.. Now I'm truly having to laugh...... I had just finished writing that last all too important post when Park came into the room.....

Why don't I take them to the driving range? I did... I did....

Life is weird people. Two out of the three boys had no interest in playing golf just a couple of days ago. Austin found his clubs in the attic yesterday. We thought his grandpa had sold them over a year ago. Guess he thought either Austin would change his mind about playing golf and would want them or that they would serve Trav's needs one day. It is a blessing that he did not sell them.

As the three boys were getting out of the golf cart..... a man walked up and gave them the rest of his bucket of balls. They then proceeded to line up in order from oldest to youngest and started smacking away..... I sat in the purple golf cart in the shade just smiling. While I do not have a golfing bone in my entire body.....

Life is a gift that keeps on giving even when it is least expected.

Why Don't I?

The last couple of days I've been asked why don't I __________. For those who have asked or are wondering here ya go.......

1) Why don't I share the lessons I teach on Sunday mornings here on the blog? That's not what I am supposed to do at this time. That may change but not for right now.

2) Why don't I share more about the girls/women in my group? I do as I think it is appropriate for me to do so.

3) Why don't I write the book? Again...... The book isn't to be written yet. I'm good with that.

4) Why don't I share more about grief and grieving? We all express and experience these differently. I do share at times and other times silence is more golden.

5) Why don't I work for certain organizations/ministries? Because they require traveling and that is not something that my family needs right now.

Okay... Now look at your own lives and ask yourself..... Why don't I _________? Otherwise... I might have to ask you....... (read: laugh people... life is a gift)

Testimony - Krystal H

wow....its hard to sum it all up into one big story. God has done amazing things for me lately, and always had just i havent always noticed it was a good thing. Well...i have grown up in church all my life. My parents didnt have a very good childhood, and wanted to make sure that we got that experience they never did. When i went to student life camp this year, God just amazed me. He opened my eyes, and i have never felt so connected to him. I got the chance to get a lot closer to some of the youth that i never really talked to. He just spoke to my heart, and made me realize i needed to stop doing some of the things i was doing. I had a hard time for awhile with God. I was one of those people who just thought the bible was just another book, and what if all this heaven and hell stuff is just some myth people believed in? Well i got some help. My mom found some things that really helped me. I didnt want to believe that God loved me, because of all the rejection i have had in the past. But i know God loves me. Its hard each and every day to make sure I'm living my life the way i should be. Many of you know that I live at HHF. That has been a whole new struggle and experience in itself. Even though i gave MANY things up when i moved, i believe this is where i should be. I think lots of people need me here. One of the things i still struggle with is accepting that God has to test my faith. That has been the hardest thing for me. But I'm reading the bible more and more each day. I have a lot of questions, but I'm trying to figure them out still keeping in mind that I'm never going to know all the answers. God is just amazing. Mission Trip was a very good thing for me. It was fun and exciting getting to see God work through us and through the little things. For example, like when we were able to cut all the pieces of our house perfectly to fit in place. I now have a new view on "when things go bad". On mission trip, Shelley was supposed to get us vans so we could drive around and get to the places where we needed to go. But God had a different plan. One of the other churches offered to help us in that situation. They said they felt it was God's calling to drive us around. I just think to myself....if we would have had our own vans, that other church wouldn't have felt like they did what God wanted them to. Then they ended up having a whole other crew of their won to help us finish our house, and they had all the other supplies with them that we couldn't bring with us. So the job got done a lot easier, and we all thought that we weren't able to do anything. Now when something goes wrong, i just think to myself....well there is a reason this didnt turn out. God has a better thing planned. If you don't listen to God, he has this funny way of putting things in front of you until you listen to him. It takes a lot longer, but in the end you will end up doing what he asked you to in the first place, plus all the things you went through. So save yourself some hard times, and listen to God the first time he asks you to do something. He knows what hes talking about. Another thing on mission trip that was JUST AMAZING was that our whole youth group got along. We fell out of our normal "clicks" and just all had fun together. Now our youth group is ONE WHOLE. I love it! I thank God for these trips we get to have to serve him, and get closer together as a family of one. Lakeside has made me feel so much better and welcome. I never had a church like that. Youth group is a MAJOR part of my life and my heart. I don't know what i would do without you guys. I love you so much, and thanks for being there for me. I'm still learning and listening to what God has to teach me. It's fun and exciting, and I've never been so connected with God. I love him with all my heart....my complete everything. Another thing he has taught me is not to worry about who you are going to be with. He will give you someone when the time is right. True friendship is the most important of all. Be patient...don't rush into things. True love waits when the love's for real. The choice is in HIS hands....

Thank you,
Krystal H (JEREMIAH 29:11)

Whispered and Shouted.

Our trip to Amarillo last week was definitely successful. The Lord really used the time we were away to speak into our lives. The time with hubby's parents was good for all of us. His dad was sick... yet.. especially with that..... His presence was felt... no doubt... Just as it is sitting here right now... this moment...

When hubby first suggested that we go to his folks' to see them and as a vacation... I must confess - I was not excited. Hubby kept gently talking to me about it.... HE changed my heart with whispers. Little did I know what the week would hold.... Man, I love it when that happens.

I am a mother to three boys and yet have also been in a season of being like a mother to my own mother. For those of you who keep telling me to put her in "time out" - I know you understand what I mean. Going to Amarillo meant not being here for days/nights.... My weaknesses were totally dependent upon His mercy. What's new there??

On our very first night there.... hubby took a walk with Park, his mom, and the dogs. I sat on the balcony alone with the night air gently blowing.... Little did I know what the Lord was truly up to.... It is like peeling back layers of an onion. It can smell... make one cry... and yet can be used for recipes to satisfy the soul... Man, I love it when He exposes yet another layer...

While out on their walk, they came upon a man and his wife. Park and his grandmama returned. Hubby didn't for a while. In truth... I got a little tick. I faced it later.... I was being selfish. Here we were on this trip that I hadn't really wanted to take and hubby was off somewhere. I should have known there were reasons why.... HE always knows better than I do....

We spent time over the course of being there with this man, woman, her mom who lives with them and their twin sons. I won't share all about them except to say this..... they had been completely turned off from God. Yet, by the time we said goodbye to them on Thursday night.... hugs were given all around and the "Your family is welcome here any time" was said to us.

We ventured out numerous times to look around Amarillo and to shop. Some of the time we had the boys with us and other times it was just hubby and his wife. We all enjoy going to Lifeway stores. We truthfully can spend hours there if we're not careful. I had passed by a section on our first trip in there and had seen some material that I thought looked like a possibility for my group. When hubby and I were sent out of the house on Friday so grandmama and the boys could make our anniversary cake - I finally decided to purchase said material. I started reading it and without a doubt - will be using it..... In fact, I started talking with the girls about it yesterday morning. It was the deepest class we've had as of yet... Hmmmm the trip that I really hadn't wanted to take ended up yielding something that I had been looking for and praying about... Man, He is soooooo good like that.

As I mentioned in the first paragraph, Art was sick while we were there. He wasn't just sick... He had pneumonia. I knew he had it when sitting at the table for dinner that first night - I could hear that all too familiar sound. And he didn't get onto me for feeding Sarah and Sally under the table. Park said to me at one point.... "I'm not scared of you getting sick any more mom." Hubby used to freak out when I was around anyone who was sick... especially with pneumonia that once was the great enemy. It's amazing how an enemy can turn into more blessings and some of the greatest learning moments of life and living. God is so loving that way.....

Where we live..... we do the cleaning, cooking and etc. This past week... I wasn't allowed to do any of that. Neither really was hubby.... This was good for us. Weird and hard at times and yet good for us. It was a vacation in those areas. It truthfully caught me off guard. Man, I love it when He surprises me like that. It was refreshing.... and yet, as strange as it may sound... I came away appreciating cleaning and cooking even more. Now THAT has to be Him.....

Our time with hubby's parents went the best it has in years. They had asked us to come and visit them. I had to ask forgiveness for not wanting to go when their asking was definitely an answer to many, many prayers prayed. Confession and forgiveness are tremendous blessings... and do more for life and living than we can honestly ever truly grasp.

There were times of shouting... One night as we sat on the back porch which happens to be on a ladies' tee box of the golf course they live on.... Sarah was let off her leash... and boy did she ever run after those rabbits! Watching her run free and then come back when her master shouted for her to return to him.... Volumes spoken... and heard clearly.

These were just some of the moments... And I am thankful and grateful beyond measure..... More to come.....

What is He whispering and shouting in your own life?

Rumor.....

There's a rumor going around that I was seen carrying some gorgeous flowers today....

That rumor is true. Today is our 18th wedding anniversary. More to come this week on love and marriage....

Signed,
A Blessed Wife

Update!

So........ it's Saturday.... time flies by...... we're back in G-town. Wow....

Okay.. So pics & videos were taken, posts will be written about life in the moments since Monday, and more testimonies will be shared...

Stayed tuned!


But first... please join me in wishing a HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY to Juls. She was 40 on Thursday...... Juls - you are loved woman!

I Can Feel It.....

As we are preparing to leave tomorrow instead of Tuesday for Amarillo.... I thought I would share a few of "I can feel it......"

"I can feel....... teens and adults alike gathering together to worship as ONE church... The Church."

"I can feel............ G-town having been hit with God's love through some of the most incredible teens and adults who are The Church and are madly in-love with HIM..."

"I can feel........... Mike as he and hubby walked into the lake yesterday afternoon... and as Brother G (aka hubby/Dick) lowered him into the water and then brought him back up...."

"I can feel as people were watching from the lake and its shores...."

"I can feel as we celebrated the Lord's supper today - His body.... His blood..... Grace.... LIFE"

"I can feel ..... that little baby boy asleep on my shoulder with his mommy sitting beside me sharing life this morning in class."

"I can feel...... HIS SPIRIT all around."

What can YOU feel? And is it truly more than a feeling? WHO does your heart beat for?

Healthy Kids. Love G-Town. Texting.

Healthy Kids - It is officially over today but it has truly only gotten started. There are now faces, names, and stories to go with the staggering numbers. Seeds have been planted and I have no doubt that they will continue to be watered. To all who have helped in this vital life saving and life changing ministry - thank you is not enough. I know for our family.... this was some of the best way we have spent the summer. Doors have been opened......

Love G-town - Now lets take what we've gotten started with Healthy Kids and take it to the next level..... Come be a part of this weekend of showing His love to those in our town and surrounding areas. Hand out some water... serve some dogs or burgers.. help fix things that are in need of repair.... work with other churches and get to know individuals that you may only see around G-town. Check out http://www.lovegranbury.org/ for more details. If you live here locally - SEE YOU THERE!

Texting - Mo and I have been texting each other this morning. I feel so old. Texting is just another example of something that I never thought I would do as a part of ministry. Goes to show that He truly does have a sense of humor! Man, I love being challenged. What ways are you challenged in ministry?

Heads UP! Tuesday thru Friday, the five of us will be gone to Amarillo. I'm expecting some posts to be put up while I'm gone peeps. And remember - I know where you live.... This is a part of being accountable.

Prayer Request!

There is a guy named Jeff who is in need of prayers.. Please join me in lifting him up right now...

The Bench... and its Views.

Thank you again to all who contributed to the bench. Here are some pics as promised.

Construction Zone.

On Tuesday, one of our oldest and dearest friends came into town with their son. When we first met - our oldest children were one... They are turning 16 soon. We then each went on to have two more children.. She is like a second mom to our boys as I am to their daughters and son. It was so great to see them. Man, talking on the phone just isn't always the same as sitting across the table.

Park went back to their house Tuesday afternoon. So, Wednesday found hubby and I driving to where we used to live to go and get him. How things around there have changed and yet some is still the same..... Their house is under construction due to remodeling and adding on...

There was a swing set and fort in their backyard where much time was spent over the years... It is now gone and something brand new is being built there instead reflecting growth and change. I couldn't help but let that speak to my soul. In truth, while I may have appeared to be standing there in the midst of the piers and beams.... I was face down on the floor covered in sawdust.. worshipping Him..

Michael S. - Give All the Glory to God

I got the opportunity this summer to go on mission trip to Kentucky. we went to a place where just about everyone lives below the poverty line but none of them are poor. they are all rich with life and love and they are very proud of where they come from. We got to put on a VBS for the kids of pikeville through the YMCA. We set up everything, taught the lessons, sang the songs, and even ate lunch them. We spent our church group time every night working on the lessons for the next day which none of us wanted to do but it paid off more than we ever thought it would. After lunch we were split into two teams to go out and work on houses. My team had the privilege to work with a church who provided the tools we needed to work on the house. We forgot our tools at home because we were more worried about our van situation. When we left for Kentucky the van rental company bailed on us leaving us with only a huge a charter bus that could not make it to the homes. Shelley explained our situation at the leaders meeting the first night and a man from epworth baptist church in Georgia told Shelley that he was driving the vans for his church and since we did VBS in the mornings the timing was perfect and he was able to drive us to our job sites. And his church was finishing up a house that had been working on the previous so they finished the first day and were able to come help us the rest of the week. this is a perfect example of how God works. We were so blessed and God was definitely with us. And When we were out working on the houses the only complaining that went on was when somebody didn't have something to do. Everybody was worn out by the end of the week but we never slowed down. The only reason we didn't finish our house is because the doors and window's we ordered did not come. It was the best mission trip i have ever been on. The Lady at the YMCA said we were the most prepared group the had ever seen not to brag on us because God helped each of us as we taught, as we played the games, and as we sang the songs so all i can say is give all the glory to God. This a very successful trip and i am looking forward to next year.

Michael S.

Cyndi J - Middle School Testimony

God has really changed my life. Before I accepted Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, I really didn’t like doing anything. I never obeyed my parents and tried to bad things but didn’t. I was also mean to my friends and some other people. I accepted Jesus into my heart at eight years old. I was very excited because I was a Christian with my family. I didn’t really get the whole being a Christian after I realized what I had done.
I started to not treat my friends nice again. I realized that I was in trouble. I wasn’t obeying God either. Something wasn’t right.
I went to camp as soon as school was out. I had a great time. While I was there, God was really speaking to me. He was telling me that I should rededicate my life to Him. I thought what he had told me over for about a day or two. Then the Wednesday during worship we had a thing were we went and placed our problems at the alter. I went down there and place my problem on the alter. That was a very good night. Then the Thursday during worship, the speaker said something that really made me think about rededicating my life. I went to church group time and told my youth minister that I wanted to rededicate my life to Christ. From Camp down to Mission Trip down to now, I have really watched how I treat people. I am so glad I really got to accept him into my life!!!

cyndi j.

A Few Items.

1) Please pray for Austin today as he is finally having toe surgery. He'll be off his feet for a couple of days at least.

2) Love Granbury - please check out www.lovegranbury.org Come be a part of showing others His love! Check back here later in the week for more specific details....

3) Testimonies! More to come.... if you're sharing one, you may send it to me via email at cameybelieves@charter.net or thru myspace. Now... if you're Ryan.... you can submit it directly here. (RYAN!! Get er done.)

4) Hoover (aka my mom's boyfriend) had eye surgery yesterday. It wasn't completely numbed. OUCH! Please pray for him as he heals and prepares for another surgery in a few weeks.

5) As always..... feel free to comment, submit prayer requests and etc..... If you would like to have some thing posted here for your specific area of ministry - just let me know!

HAVE A GREAT DAY! If you need a laugh.. Check out the pics at the end of Imperial March or Imperial Sugar.

High School Mission Trip

I agree with Austin when he says it is hard to put into words just how good God was on high school mission trip. I also agree with Courtney that I would not change a single thing.

God amazed me this year in how attentive He is to details. Things that seemed so "insignificant" at the moment turned out to be God working in huge ways. There are several ways this was seen. First of all, this was the first year both Dick and Brad came with us on mission trip. There knowledge of construction was greatly needed. To be honest I did not ever "seek" them out to go on mission trip...they came and found me. Of course, I always need adults but this year I needed THESE adults. Prior to departure Mitchell George was not sure if he was going to get to go due to work. But he was able to go. I am not sure that we would have been able to do the construction side of our jobs without these three men. God was good in providing the leadership that we need.

Secondly, many of you prayed about our "van" issue. I have planned countless mission trips as both the youth leader and a missions coordinator and I have never had a car company call and say "sorry we are overbooked. Figure it out." I have also never seen the lack of availability of cars. But God knew if we had vans His plan would not come to pass. If we had vans we never would have met our friends from Georgia who drove us all week. We also never would have gotten the manpower and tools that we needed at our house. By having to ask for transportation we met an awesome sister church who became our partner in missions. Both churches say it was the highlight of the week to see the body of Christ work together. Where wer were weak they were strong.....and vice versa.

Thirdly, the youth that went on this trip were the ones that needed to be there. Every person had a role. Every person had a gift. Every person was used and needed. IT was amazing to see the kids work together and while we had "minor" issues because we were tired...this was the easiest mission trip I have ever done. Each day working with these kids was a joy. They made my job easy. I am so excited for mission trip next year. And the word is out...we have adults and students lining up to be involved next year because they want to be involved in what God is doing. The small taste of mission trip this year has made others hungry to be involved in what God is doing through missions with our students.

Thank you to everyone that prayed. Thank you to the sponsors who made it financially possible. This was not just a youth trip but a church trip. What a joy to see our church come together to do work for the Kingdom. God is good!

Courtney S. - God IS Great!!

Going to Kentucky was a lot of fun. it was new scenery new experiences and a totally different way of life for these people. I worked on a lady's house named Mrs. Bevins. she was a sweet heart she was so happy to see us, knowing we were there to help fix her house. she opened up her house and everything she had for all 20 of us working on her house. what i thought was really neat was how when we got there she asked where we were from and we told her texas. she was like is that where all the flooding has happened and we told her yes and she replied ive been praying for you..it was amazing to see how God had her praying for us..and the same time we had been praying for her since we found out we were doing home repair..it just shows how big God is and how everything in his plan works together...we also did a vbs at the local YMCA. it was a lot of fun. there were a lot of kids...who loved us being there...one time my group was outside the front door teaching the bible story..and one of the parents had just dropped their kid inside and came out and asked where we were from...we told her texas..and she was astonished we came all the way to kentucky to teach a vbs to these kids we didnt even know. but just seeing how greatful these kids were was incredible...i wouldnt have changed anything about the week..God IS Great!!


Courtney S.

Austin - To Define in a Single Word

To define in a single word how this week was is simply an impossible task. You may study it, question it, and try to wrap our puny human minds around the very concept of the magnitude of the events that took place that week. Nothing will change

Someday you might come up with an answer.

It will be flawed.

There is no word. At least, not in proper English that can put all the words like ‘amazing’, ‘awesome’, ‘astounding’ in one word. And that was just the ‘a’ section of the list. There are still 25 more letters.

The reason we cannot come up with a word? Because the Lord worked so much in that week that He won’t let us come up with a proper term, nothing short of ‘the Lord was ever present and worked hard in everyone.’

This was my first mission trip with a church, and as much as I want this and hope this to be true, I hope every other mission trip is like this one. You drag yourself out of bed, and you’re tired. You eat breakfast, and you’re tired. You arrive at VBS, and you’re exhausted. The kids show up, and you’re dancing and singing and bouncing off the walls with energy you never knew you had. The kids thought we were kings. To see their smiles as we gave them a tunnel entrance was worth it. They got pumped and so did we. They enjoyed the music, the games, the crafts and the stories. Well, VBS ends, and after hanging around the kids for a few hours, you feel like you want to take a nap, and somewhat unwilling to get on the site and work. Well, when you get there, you feel like you can chop down a mountain with the energy that come from nowhere, well, God. Speaking from my site’s perspective, yes it was hot, and yes there were hundreds of stinging wasps and bees and yellow jackets, but we didn’t care. Just seeing the smile on Mrs.Bevin’s face every day was more than worth it. She would wait for us every day for us to come out and work on her house. At the end of the week, some of the workers and I made a new sign for her house, and she cried when we presented it to her. During the week we got to know her better, and while we had been praying for her, to hear from her that she had been praying for the Texan’s in the flooding areas for a while now brought to us a happiness that only the Lord could provide.

It would take me a while to explain all the marvels the Lord did that week. Sadly I have no time left, and I want the other students writing a testimony to give their views. My hope is by the time you’ve read all of them, you will get an idea about the week. And it will inspire you!

God bless,
Austin G.

PS- Mrs. Bevins made THE best biscuits and fried chicken you can EVER taste. If you wanna talk about heaven on earth, her cooking was a good example.

Children's Camp

Our 1st - 3rd graders are officially on the road this morning to camp. Please pray for Jim and Dawn, along with all the children and sponsors. They left at 7:00 a.m. and will be back around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night. The camp is down by Lake Travis. There are going to be around 600 campers from various churches.

As parents, we are thankful that our local church body has an over-night camp for these grades. It truly helps prepare the children for the week long camps that come with growing up. We also greatly appreciate those adults who make time for the children.

Please pray that during this time, each child and adult will come closer to God. That if they do not already have a personal relationship with Him... that this time will be the start of a beautiful and lifelong one. May HE truly ROCK their worlds!

Testimonies. AWANAS. Fall.

Testimonies: They are coming. Please be sure to watch for different names at the beginning and end of posts. We've got some amazing guys and girls in our student ministry. Please pray for the ones who will be sharing their testimonies here. Actually, continue to pray for the student ministry as a whole. They are exciting to watch and be around!

AWANAS: Last night was another training session for this exciting adventure! Our family can personally testify to the impact AWANAS has had on our whole family. Please consider being a part of this vital ministry. Next training session is Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in the DMZ.

Fall: There are many new exciting things happening in the fall. Where is the fall going to have YOU? (ask yourself this whether you're here locally or not)

Off to serve meals as a part of Healthy Kids now.... Looking forward to getting all wet!

While Riding in the Golf Cart.

Earlier this afternoon, Parker came into the living room where I was working. He wanted to go to the little store, as we call it, to buy some batteries for his grandma's hand fan. She uses it to help her keep cool when playing golf. She has talked in the last few weeks of getting really hot while playing. I couldn't go right then. Instead I gave him a job to do to keep him busy for a bit. He went outside and swept the driveway. Oh those pecans......

Hubby hadn't been home long when Parker and I decided to go on the golf cart to the little store. Hubby informed P that he had already bought the woman of the house her batteries for her fan while in town this morning. Parker had earned a little money for sweeping all those pecans. So, we decided to go anyway.

When my folks got the purple golf cart, we had to laugh. My brother is an alumni of a school whose colors are purple and white. Did I ever mention about the purple counter top in the laundry room? Too funny actually. So, instead of just Parker and his mommy going on the purple golf cart to the little store, his daddy went too.

As soon as we backed out of the garage, there it was again. That horrible skunk smell from a few weeks ago now. Funny how I've been in and out of the garage a good amount lately and hadn't honestly smelled it. But wait..... I was going from inside the house straight into the garage. Most of the time, the garage door being closed. It is amazing how badly it can still smell after all this time and given the fact that the skunk itself is now completely gone.

As we made the turn onto another street and yet still has the same name as ours, a diesel truck decided to pass us. Frankly, given the fact that it is a battery operated golf cart and, therefore, goes incredibly slow, I didn't blame him in the slightest. Again, there's another lovely smell in the air.

As we passed by more row and row of trees..... again other smells start tickling our noses. While driving past one of the driving ranges, the smell of freshly cut grass was almost overwhelming. I must confess that it is weird to see the range after it's been mowed..... talk about being able to see the grass even with a couple of balls. Most of the time, the grass is covered like a blanket of snow.

Our trip to the little store was productive since I had promised P that I would take him to buy a treat. He also got to spend some time with his mommy and daddy. Of course, we came away with more than just his goodies.... there is also a pecan pie for the new neighbors. If his favorite had been cherry or apple - I could have made one with my eyes closed. It is still a pie.

On the way back to the house, there were more smells to take in whether we really wanted to or not. This is what happens while riding in the golf cart. Just remember - I don't have a golfing bone in my body and neither really does Parker. But we do enjoy riding on the golf cart because we are spending time together and at times use it for visiting others as well.

I'm sitting here eating peanuts that I purchased at the little store. Again, there's another smell. It reminds of me of baseball.... and why the golf cart is purple. Some stories will remain in the dugout.

Imperial March or Imperial Sugar?

Just a few minutes ago, I was sitting in a chair at the side of my mother's bed. She was sitting on the bed. We spent some time chit chatting about various things in life. We even laughed some. In fact, she just came out into the living room where I'm currently writing at and shared about an email she had received... And we laughed again.

This morning, Parker was in our bedroom talking with his dad. Hubby said something to Parker and P's response was, "Don't keep using sarcasm on me." The three of us just laughed. Of course, Parker's dad kept it up for a bit just because of that. I'm laughing again even thinking about how silly those two are together.

Yesterday, while at the science museum seeing........ all things Star Wars related.... I couldn't help but laugh. One of the exhibits was labeled, "Naked C-3PO" ....... Then right across from that was Darth Vader's head broken down into three parts: the helmet, the jaw piece, and then the rest of the face. The jaw piece consists of numerous wires and such the same as looking at a naked C-3PO. This struck me as funny because in the movies, Darth Vader was suppose to mean darkness, fear, and evil. C-3PO was suppose to be helpful, amusing, and well..... a robot. Of course the most laughter occurred when the 5 boys took turns acting like they were run over by a sand crawler. They were to look like they were hurt or dead..... instead they couldn't, for the most part, keep a straight face - especially our hams...er sons..... There's one pic of me that made everyone in our group laugh. If we can ever figure out how to post pics on this thing - I'll put it up so you can laugh with us.... on me... You know how I like to share things.

Last night at dinner, watching the ten of us all eat together definitely provided for more humorous times. The kids all thought it would be interesting to know how many packets of sugar and such were on the table. They had them all laid out in order to count them. Parker leaned over to me and said, "Those pink packets kinda reminds me of our kitchen counter in the mornings where you and dad fix your coffee." And then, he topped it with... "You know? All over that part of the counter?" Okay.... so maybe you had to be there and/or see our counter in the mornings. It's okay... The maids always clean up after us.... Oh, wait.... that would be us cleaning up after, well, us.......

I've been making noises and saying one liners associated with the movies while typing this. And yes, laughing at myself.... I'm trying to control it.... I know... I know... "Use the force, Camey." Where did I put that lightsaber again?

What makes you laugh?

Conversations on Monday.

This Monday morning has found me already involved in numerous conversations. Some easy and some not. That is life in the moments....

My mom came home Sunday night. Long/short - they had changed their plans from coming back on Saturday to Sunday. She thought she had told us of those changes. She had not. This too is life. Parker and Travis sat around her bed listening to her talk about the trip. By the time I came into her bedroom, Parker was able to say to her, "Grandma? Tell Mom about....." They had a good trip. They are still a couple - just not married legally. They are more like companions in life. Or so that's what I've gathered thus far. She is taking him to the eye doctor this afternoon. So, she will be driving today. Okay.... When you pray for one to be freed up - you gotta remember to not complain about when it starts to happen. Oh, lessons in life daily. It had been awhile since the boys had sat around her bed and talked with their grandma. I am thankful for this morning's time with her even if it was not a comfortable conversation in every single detail... whether mentioned or not. Parker and Travis have to go thru my mom's bedroom to get to their room. It was originally mom and dad's study. We are thankful that our sons were used to sharing a room. Totally see Him all over that!

Another conversation took place with a sweet friend. Funny thing is..... the lines in our friendship are more connected than ever. It comes in part from loving our families and wanting what is truly best for them... even if it means at times taking unpopular stands. We had not talked via phone in a while. I felt refreshed after talking with her and she said the same thing in return. We were of encouragement to each other. That's how I believe real friends should be. Not just full of fluff and tickling ears.... but able to dig through the difficult stuff and try to offer a hand to hold or to bring up.

In a couple of hours, the five of us are heading out to the big city with our "running buddies".... There's five of us and five of them. While we have many things in common - at times it is our differences that make for some of the most fascinating conversations. There are things we will probably never agree upon.... Yet, that does not stop the depths of our friendships. We're going to see an exhibit at a science museum. I cannot wait to hear the conversations that will take place while walking amongst each piece displayed and through the hallways. Then afterwards we will all eat together. Again, cannot wait to hear the conversations that will transpire.

This has been a different sort of Monday and it's just 10:24 a.m. at this moment. And yes, other conversations have taken place... the best one has taken place on my knees.

Where are you found having the best conversations of your life? And how long has it been since you've truly been on your knees?

Time. Mystery. Porch Swings.

For the last few weeks, I've been teaching on Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. The title of this series of lessons being, "What Time Is It?" If you have a Bible, I encourage you to open it and read these verses. If you don't have a Bible - I encourage you to get one and dive into it. What time is it for you at this very moment?

Mystery. Is time a mystery for you just waiting to be unwrapped like a game of Clue? Or is time something that you think you can plan every single minute of and in the ways in which you think it ought to tick?

Porch swings. Parker and I just spent some quality time together on the back porch swing talking about life and our walks with Jesus. How long has it been since you've sat on a porch swing and listened and talked with another about Him? Would you even have time for such things in this season of life?

Time. Mystery. Porch swings. Thank YOU God for the blessings of these things.

It's Sunday Morning.

Okay. So Austin made it home last night but so far no sign or word from my mom.

Hmmmmmmm.