Mountain Top Experience

Just a warning...it's going to be a long post. A long post that is going to leave you smiling and hopefully praying.
So sit back as I follow our journey through the seasons.
Some of you were not with us when we began this journey.
We left Covington, Louisiana last summer in July because we knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was calling us to these mountains.
Site unseen we reserved a place at a campground in the Waynesville, North Carolina area and headed out leaving our home in storage in Louisiana.
We arrived and this is the picture that I took from our campers front door.
What you can't see is that we are snuggled in between many other full time campers. I was a little discouraged but figured we would get used to this life till God moved us on. And we have!
Why did God call us to this area?
Because God had given us a dream to run a place in the mountains that would be for ministry to those in the ministry. I wavered in this at times as the months went by and Keith had no job and our stash of money was disappearing quickly.
What we did not know was that over the next 11 months God was going to use this time to heal our hearts and bind our marriage....not to mention teach us to walk by faith. I will say that most of the previous list was for me......the person who was most damaged and the biggest worrier.
Months went by and Julia settled into her school just across the creek and finally in November Keith got a job. God also led me to get involved with the Guardian Ad Litem program in our area where I met Elayne.........someone God has also used greatly in my life. Some of you know her as my work out buddy. That has kind of two meanings because not only were we working out our bodies but God used it also as a time to renew my spiritual strength.
Soon the picture from our front door began to look like this. Coming from our neck of the woods.... I was amazed at the awesome creativity of our God. He spoke to me often through what He was doing in nature. He was brilliantly bringing one season to an end and starting a new one.....just as He was doing in our life.
I will admit that when we got here I was ready and jumping to start using what He had planted in me. But God had different ideas. For months all I heard from Him was...Peace be still. And then the message changed just a tad to....Peace be still and know that I am God.
I finally got the message and started to rest and heal.
There were so many things in my life the past few years that had left gaping holes in my in my soul and spirit.
Some from my own mistakes and some from the people I was surrounded by.
I was not really aware of the extent of the accumulated mess I was dragging around.
And then as God opened my eyes we began to deal with those things.
And peace and joy came in such an amazing way. I would look out over the mountains here and I just knew how powerful He was. How powerful and how He was more than capable of taking care of all of the details of our life.
At this point I was able to enjoy the next new season that was upon us.
Winter.
Soon the picture from our front door looked like this.
I was amazed by the beauty of the bare trees against the white of the snow.
It was a time to snuggle in and learn to enjoy family....especially my husband who was home during these times because He could not work. We spent times with Julia roaming the mountains and taking pictures like the one below.

And I would spend times walking the creek talking to God about the beauty all around me and of course my relationship with Him and others .
I began to feel secure.....even though at times I would look at our account and think....O.K God, now you know how much we have left and if you want us to get a house you had better do something soon. And I will have to say here that my husband was a real man of God for putting up with what I put him through. I would hear people ask when we were going to get a house and it would get me riled and Keith would just remind me that when God was ready we would go.
And so as God remained silent we sat and the peace grew.

Around Christmas something new entered the picture. My brother told us about a ministry in the mountains not far from us. We tried to make contact then but got no response. And so we went on with life knowing that when God was ready He would reveal the plan.

I had begun attending music on Monday nights with my brother. It is a group of mostly retirees that get together at a local church and play all types of music. It is amazing how God used that time to bring a sense of peace and quiet.
Eventually a new member joined the group. I would later find out that Laura was the daughter of the man who began building the ministry in the mountains....the one we had tried to make contact with.
I knew that if an introduction was to be made between her and I.... God would handle it.....and He did.
A few weeks down the line we spoke and she suggested we go on up and see the place.
My brother went with Keith and I and we drove way back up in the mountains and looked around. Some of the area is still under construction and the roads are a little tight....just made me a tad nervous. :)
We left not knowing our visit not knowing what God was saying.
Eventually I called Holly.....the sister who has really been the behind the scenes person who is doing a lot of work on the place. We spoke a little but the conversation did not go far.
And for a few weeks nothing further was said.
Then Keith got laid off and I felt as if God was saying that we should call to offer help with the place. Keith thought it would be a great idea but I didn't get the feeling that the time was right to call. So I just waited. Then on Friday while Keith and I were out it came to mind again and Keith said to go ahead and call.
So I called and left a message saying we would like to help with whatever we could.
Holly called back the next day and said what a blessing it was that I called when I did because she had just met with someone on Friday who gave them some ideas on how to get the place up and going. They would like to get it open by the end of the summer
and she could use all the help she could get.
We met today after church and had a meeting at the lodge. We got the tour by Holly and Laura and got a chance to hear the dream that their father had for this place.
And then we talked about our journey and where we thought God was leading us.
Here are a couple of pictures I took today.
The picture below is of the main lodge. Those top windows are the main office and a counseling room. Then you go down the stairs to the main area bathrooms and the main hall.

The main hall is is mostly finished but still does have some work to be done.
Downstairs there are four rooms....all have comfortable seating, a bed and there is also a loft area that can also be used for beds. There are glass doors which have a great view to the great outdoors and would also be a great place to have a little quiet time with God in the morning.
There are no bathrooms in the room but the four rooms share two bathrooms on either end of the hall. The picture below is the main meeting and eating room on the entrance level.
The photo below is the unfinished kitchen. It has water and refrigeration right now. Still a good bit to be done before it would be ready to handle people.

The place has a great wrap around porch.....and you should have felt the breeze!
This would be a great place for eating...and meeting....or just sitting in a rocker and taking in the mountain scene.
And here is the scene you would take in. They are in the process of clearing a few trees so that the view is better seen from the porch.
There are a few other buildings on the property. One is a cute little chalet with a loft...it is a little down the hillside from the main lodge. And there is also a "bunk house" that could sleep around 6 to 8 with a bath house located not far away.
There are several acres with the potential for a few more little cabins and also some camping spots.
Laura and Holly's parents were given the vision for this place.....and although their father passed away this past December (I believe)......the girls with the help of spouses and many volunteers have continued the work. Praying that one day this place will be the place of ministry that their dad dreamed it would be.
Here is the sign that leads to their secluded spot.
We enjoyed our visit today....we believe it was God ordained.
Are we sure this is where God wants us to be?
That assurance one way or the other will come with prayer on their end and ours.
But till then.....we are going to help in any way we can. Keith I and feel that even if this is not where God is drawing us that you can't go wrong helping others complete the work of God.
And we do feel God is behind this ministry.

So if you would please join us in prayer we would really appreciate it.
Pray that God would show us where we should be.
And if this is it..... pray that God would give us the wisdom to step in where we belong.
Neither of us have worked in a faith based ministry.....kind of like a missionary.
But I do know that God is the God of all wisdom and knowledge-- and He is more than capable of providing for the needs of this place and providing for us financially.
He is Faithful!

A little of this and that

How do you get to the place where you rest in peace.....like Jesus asleep in the bottom of the boat.......even when life tells it should be otherwise?
We have been on this journey now for over a year.
There were times in the beginning where my emotions we in such a state of raw pain and turmoil that I really could not imagine life any other way. It had been that way for so long. Battles with a child, storms, challenges with our property, a death of a loved one, hurtful people at church, and a time without a job........what a mess!
And there were so many times when I thought that I would never be in a spot where I would find peace and joy. ( I have since learned no life situation will bring peace and joy that stays)
You know it is great to say you have peace and joy when life is good.
But can you walk in that peace and joy when things in life are topsy turvy?
Are we supposed to be able to do that?
I have often thought of Paul and the life he lived. Either he was a fake or there was something that had changed in his thinking. I mean really when is the last time you were lost at sea for a night and a day? Or you were beaten and left for dead? How about going without food or clothing? There was something so changed, so renewed in his thinking that he was able to go through those times with peace and joy.......knowing that although the times were not comfortable.......he could rest in the hand of the one who held him.
He has always fascinated me.
I have often thought how awesome it would be to have the walk he had.
And yet, I can't help but wonder if all the "hard times" were what got Paul to the place of being content in whatever state he was in.
Did he look back at a beating and time in jail and remember how God had brought him through and think......He was there and we made it through....He is faithful.
And so then as he floated on the open sea....no land in site.....was he able to rest in his spirit because he knew the presence of the Lord was there even then?
I can't help but think this was it. I think he finally got that if he submitted to the will of the Lord....nothing in life could take him down unless God permitted it. And with each new drama.....I believe his awareness of the power of His God working through him grew tremendously.
Eventually he was able to sit in prison after being beaten and sing praises to his God.
Goodness!
For a split second I think- oh God I want to be like that....and then my flesh jumps in and I think---back up just a minute you don't want to have to go through what Paul went through to get there!
But is that true?
There is something deep in my spirit that is drawing. Something that looks into the face of God and says-I don't care what my flesh feels...and no I don't cherish the thought of being beaten....but I would be willing to go there for You....for your glory.
And so life tumbles in.
Maybe instead of a physical beating the growing comes by way of betrayal and verbal abuse by someone who should be on your side.
Maybe instead of being lost on the open sea.....you go through a time of drifting where nothing seems right and there is no relief in sight.
I can not tell you when the change began to take place in me. I kind of think about it this way. Imagine that you are busy hammering a nail into wood when all of a sudden you miss the nail and instead hit your finger.
Expecting excruciating pain-like all the other times- you are amazed when it hardly hurt at all....just a little discomfort.
You think---How Cool!......and move on with the job you were performing.
That is where I am right now. We are seeing the hand of God make changes in our lives. And isn't that what growth is all about? It would be cool if those changes took place right away....but they don't. If we really are to walk in peace and joy......there is a working out of this salvation we have been given. Well, the salvation is ours....but where we go from there.....that is a joint action between God and our willingness ot submit.
And I think the hard times are the shortest route to God working in us the life of His Son.
This past week there has been some working out taking place. And it was good!
We got word that Keith would not be eligible for unemployment. And for a second I could feel my insides start to get a little hard. So I called out to the source of strength and He reminded me He was in control.....and after I listened...peace returned. He knows...and if we let Him- He will show Himself evident in EVERY part and in every detail of our lives.
It might not be a job loss....or discouraging news......it may be the people you live with or work with. He makes a way to abide in Him if we will just follow the truth.
He will keep him in perfect peace who's mind is stayed on Him.

So Keith went to check out the paper work we had gotten-six letters all saying not approved-
and yet when he went into the office....they said to disregard the papers he was approved.
It is just the little things in life that usually get us all ruffled and off tract.
And many times we find that what we thought was a bomb......was merely a test by our Father.
A test either to show us where we still need a little work or a test to show us the work that has taken place in us by the Spirit.

It has been a good journey.
We are not out of the tunnel yet.....but He is guiding us.
Even on things like unity between Keith and I. The time we have had together has been good.
We have fished and talked....some deep level stuff.
It is amazing what comes out when life gets quiet.

One little thing and I will close....promise ;)
We attended a meeting the other night at church.....it is called a Newcomers class. Neither Keith nor I have been sure if God wanted us to join the church we have been attending. We really love the pastor and the church staff...but we did not know if God was planning on keeping us here.
The meeting was just amazing. We listened to the pastor and church staff tell us about themselves and how they arrived at the church. They spoke of their passions for the work they were called to do and how they saw the evidence of God moving.
It really felt like we were having church....the presence of the Spirit was incredible.
We had a time of question and answer......also a great time.
And then we left. We had not gotten far from the church when Keith began to talk about what God was telling him. Now some of you may have husbands who have always been strong spiritual leaders in your home. Mine has been a little on the silent side...probably having to do with what God was doing in his life under the surface. But to hear him opening up like this really hit me. We both left the meeting knowing without a shadow of a doubt that this was where we were supposed to be. So this Sunday we will join with this body by our transfer of letter from our last church. (this is what Baptist do)
Of course we are already a part of this body because of the work of Jesus.....but this allows them to know that we want to join in the work and support the purpose of the church.

There is more....but I have already taken up to much of your time.
I will say this....God is FAITHFUL!
He has a plan.....and when we bow our knee to that plan the walk becomes amazing!

And this is for Melaniejoy....those flowers.....they do open in due time! ;)
And that is a lesson in itself!

Just had to

I have so much I want to share....but it is late so it will have to wait for another day.
But I got an email from my Mom tonight and she shared something that she had found on
one of her former students sites.
I just read it an went...OH MY GOODNESS!
So I am going to put it here.............. and let's hear what think YOU.
Yes that sounded strange but I am in a wildly excited strange mood.

Here goes....

"A woman's heart
should be so lost in God
that a man needs to seek Him
in order to find her." .

Now I don't know about you but that makes me just think how deeply I would love that statement to be confirmed by my husband. Lost in God!

Can you imagine hearing this.......
Well, you know I never really understood my wife couldn't really figure out where she was coming from. But I knew that whatever it was.....I wanted the same thing. And then one day that curiosity sent me in search of a deeper relationship with the ONE who could give me a new understanding of the woman I love. And that search brought me not only into a deeper relationship with God and but also the woman I am one flesh with.

Dear God may my heart be lost only in You!

Fa..la..la...la..la..la.......laaaaaa

Hear we are arriving at Turner Field in Alanta, Georgia.


It was kind of cloudy and overcast but we were excited to be there. We left early Sunday morning to get to the field on time....Julia and Voices in the Laurel were going to sing the national anthem at 1:00.

We arrived a little before the bus and found our seats. It was really a neat place. I had a great time watching the guys practice and all the people scrambling to catch the balls that made it over the wall. I was just glad that none came my way. I had visions of all the news channels reporting how a woman was knocked out by stray baseball.
Yes, we forgot to bring a glove!
I was able to use my little camera to see all the way to the home plate....it was pretty cool.
Then it was time for us to get Julia to the Hank Aaron ramp so that they could get ready for their time on the field. Keith had fun taking pictures.

Sitting in my seat I got a phone call from Keith letting me know that he was looking at me through the camera from the other side of the field. See you never know when someone might be taking your picture. I could have done without this picture.

Those are the teams that were playing.

Here is the group coming out on the field. The woman in the front is the choir director and founder. And then the third person in the back is Julia.....my girl!

Here they are ready to sing. Keith and I were pretty proud of her.
One of the women who plays piano for the group came up with a new rendition of the national anthem and it sound really fantastic. I was kind of wondering how we would be able to hear them on the field but the sound was good.

Here they were on the jumbo tron.

There is Julia in the back singing. By the time they got to .....and the home of the brave.......the place went crazy! I am glad that part did not come sooner in the song or no one would have heard them finish singing. :)
We had a great day. And I hope Julia will always remember this day. Of course we forgot to record it....she would have loved to have seen herself on t.v.

And since we are not baseball people...well Keith loves L.S.U....we left right after she sang.
I know...crazy.
But six hours on the road is enough to make one think twice about adding another couple of hours to the hind section wear time. :)
We left with some great pictures, some proud memories and a free hat and golf towel which we got after filling out a survey.
I might add that the golf towel will not be used for golf...it will become a worm rag.
Can you tell that we are not fans of the braves or golf? :)

Do you see?

Hey girl....hope your day was filled with His presence!
And that that presence brought a smile to your face.

Today was a hiking and fishing day.
We were supposed to do a ten mile hike but SIL got sick... so the fishing crew won out.
We took a small hike back in to the land of no habitation (well animals live there)....after a long drive that made me glad no one was coming in the other direction.

It was so quiet....the only things heard were the birds and the rush of the river we were walking along side.

I spent a little time trying to catch invisible fish and then gave up and pulled out my camera. There were butterflies everywhere......but I could not seem to move fast enough to get one in flight.
So I asked God to give me one that would sit still long enough to capture it.Did you see it?

It was so tiny...but it stayed in one place long enough for me to take about 4 or 5 pictures.
What detail......hidden from most eyes.
Then I moved on down the trial following Keith and his fly rod.
He was fishing for invisible fish too. :)
And then I saw it.
A bush with the most delicate flowers. I have never seen anything like it before. The flowers looked as if someone had air brushed the most delicate pink on wedding white.
I spent some time flipping the buttons on my camera so that I was able to capture their beauty.

I am sure that someone knows what these are.......but the creativity of God just hit me.
And that He would put these out in the middle of no where.......it just boggles my mind.
These creeks are not available by road. You must go out of your way in order to get to them.
And I am sure that most of those ducking through trees and stepping over- over flowing streams
probably are so glad once they get creek side....that they miss the beauty God put there so inconspicuously.

I thought how sad it was that something that God touched with His creativity- should be missed by anyone. That is the hand of God in action.
I was sharing these with a friend on flickr and shared my thoughts with her.
She then said something really insightful.
Her comment was about the people around us all the time
who are indeed one of God's greatest creations......and yet they live life feeling unseen.
And sometimes they are unseen.
I have felt like that at different times in my life....I am sure that some of you have too.
But what I want you to know.....if you don't....you are seen.
You are in the eyes of God who is watching over His beautiful creation.
He has the hairs on our heads numbered. Above all.....I want you to know that you are worthy to been noticed by all. You are His loving creation. If you are battling this unseen loneliness right now.....I am sorry. I could tell you I see.....but it will not mean near as much to you as it would if He shows you that He sees you right where you are.
Ask Him to show you.
He tells us that we have not because we don't ask. None of our request are silly to Him.
He is love....... and He is tender hearted toward us.
If He cares so tenderly for the flowers above...how much more does He care for you?
He breathed His very life into you.
You live because HE IS!
Have a great weekend.
And don't forget to look for the unseen.
He is faithful!

The Rock

Well helloooooo there!
Yes, it once again has been awhile since I have posted....God has been speaking and so I have been quiet. But if you don't mind I would like to share what He has been saying.
I think maybe I have got it!

I had a pretty neat experience on Sunday.
It was time for our new Beth Moore study to start and I decided to jumped in because it is only 4 weeks and there is no homework! \o/
I thought the study seemed familiar but decided to check it out anyway.
As soon as the DVD started I knew I had seen it before....not only that-- I have it and had done it with my girls back home.
And I was giving it one of those...... "been there done that" type of thoughts when God gave me a little loving nudge with His hand.
Almost like on NCIS when Gibbs gives Tony a little loving correction on the back of his head. :) You'll understand if you watch.
He reminded me that I was there for a reason.....a very necessary reason.
It is amazing what you can forget in a few years. And I don't know about you but there have been many times when God opened my eyes to a truth but somehow it got tucked away and never really used.
I think sometimes He has allowed those instances in my life because it was not really time for the teaching to take place.....life circumstances were not right yet.

Beth began her teaching from Isa 26.
I wish you could have sat in on this with me.
I want to try and explain something that she said that I thought was really well put.
Our time here on earth as believers is set to help point others to our God by testimony of the lives we lead.
Many become Christians and they look at God and they say...Yes, You are God. And yet they never allow Him to change their lives. Then there are those who learn to love Him and serve Him and their lives are changed.
They go through tough times and their lives shine with the glory of God.
During those times others who don't know Him-- look at them and want to know Who lives in us or how can we live life the way we do.
They hear what we say about our God (words can often just be taken as words)
...but when they see Him in action in our lives...they know...HE IS!
And often because of the testimony they turn and begin a relationship with Him.
She went on to ask where we were right now in our representation of God.
Had we lost a job? Had we lost a loved one?
Or were we just in a really rough spot in life?
Those kind of hit me. I was not even going to share the news here because I don't ever want anyone to dread coming here. Many are going through rough times with jobs right now...and Keith has joined the ranks of those who have been laid off.
Thank God for the provision as long as it lasted!
Beth wanted to know where we were in our minds. How are we walking through these times and remembering the truth? Sometimes it is hard.
And Sunday morning.....life hit me hard.
Not that I don't know that He is our provider.....I know that.
But my emotions just took over.
So Beth went on the talk about the scripture in Isa 26. She had Amanda come up and she and Beth sat on the stairs in the from of the church so that she could illustrate the following verse.

Isa 26:3------You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trust in you.

With Amanda sitting on a step or two lower than her, Beth talked about how when Amanda was little she used to come and sit and rest her head on Beth's lap. While there Beth would lovingly hold Amanda's head and speak to her.
See that word steadfast in the verse above? It seems to me that it would have something to do with walking a consistent walk...thinking on God consistently.
But what that word by definition really means is.....to prop or lean.
So imagine that you are sitting at the feet of our Daddy God. Imagine that(and you may not have to) life is a storm. With my visual mind I could not help but imagine me as a child running up to the front of the throne room....circumstances in life chasing me all the way. My Father sees me coming and He already knows what is going on. He rises from His throne and gathering His royal robes descends the steps and stops half way to meet me with arms outstretched. Sitting at His feet He reaches over and gently guides my head to rest on His leg. And as He begins to run His hand over my hair this is what He says.......Peace be still.
And perfect peace fills my heart and mind....because I trust in Him.

I have often found myself in the last few days with my head leaning to one side.
In my minds eye leaning my head on the knee of my Daddy God.
He is faithful to see His word brought to past.

She then ventured into the next verse.
It is all about our LORD being the rock eternal.
I won't go into all the details here.
But I will say this-- we stand on The Rock... but The ROCK stands firm in us.
We can stand on The Rock that will never be shaken!
I had to grin a little the next morning when I opened the devotional I have been meandering through and the topic was........... The Rock. And no, they were not talking about this rock.Sorry, just had to go there........don't know why every time I say, The Rock...that picture comes to mind.
Back to being serious now.
I think maybe He was just making sure I realized that He was speaking.
And today...you know how sometimes churches do a little wayside preaching by putting a little saying on their sign? Well, as I was picking Julia up from school the new message was.....
Come in for your own piece of The Rock. :) I hear you God....I hear.
That is now three times...One for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Spirit.

To wrap this all up.
If I want others to be able to look at my life in the stormy times and be able to see The Rock.....I'd better be found with my head on His knee allowing Him to speak words of truth into my ever wandering mind.
Hey, He had to say it three times.......I think I can now stand on it! It was a WORD.
You know-- all I want is to be found faithful. Not so that He will love me more.......I have all the love He could ever give right now.
But I want to do this thing so that when others in my every day life look at me......they walk away saying........HE IS!
So if you see me walking with my head tilted to the side.....no, it is not because I have a crick in my neck..........just leaning.
:)

HE IS FAITHFUL!

10, 9, 8, 7......explode!

I have had a little situation going on lately that has revealed my heart.....or the potential of my heart. :)
We were blessed when we moved here to be able to get Keith on with a new insurance company.
The insurance policy has an HSA account attached to it so that we deposit money and he uses a debit card provided to pay for any medical expense.
Now the whole set up process should have been fairly easy. They sent me an envelope with paper work to sign and a deposit slip to fill out and send to them....to use to deposit money into Keith's account.
And that is where the problems started.
Ops!, their bad..... they should not have sent out all the paper work with only one return envelope.....sorry for the inconvenience. And so instead of the paper work getting sent to the right office....it and the check disappeared into never never land.
Because they could not seem to find what I had sent ....they again requested the same paper work and a new check....promising that they would not cash the original check should it be found.
Can you guess where this is going?
Yes, boy oh boy......they cashed them both!
But of course I did not realize right away what had happened.......not until two days later I got another call from them asking....once again....for the missing signature card.
And somehow on that "sweet" phone call I found out that both checks had been cashed.
It is funny how the person on the phone kept changing the story and tried to keep getting me to repeat the facts. Meanwhile I went to our account to find that yes, we were indeed bouncing check$. But now on her end....oh yes, the computer was now showing the correct details and it would be sent to investigation right away!
I have to admit that after an hour....I was not getting any more patient.
No, I could not speak to a supervisor....and Yes, someone would call me back the next day.
After we ended that call .........
Yes, I had a little repenting to do. :(
Then came the day for the call back and at almost 7 at night I had still not received a call.
So....I called.
I will not share that call with you.....I was treated horribly. Or maybe you could say that I was treated as a horribly rich person who had thousands of extra money just floating around in our account for such a time as this.
Needless to say the problem did not get taken care of and the lady on the line basically told me to quit bugging them! I kid you not!
Can you share in what I am/was feeling?
So I told the woman thank you and I hung up.

About that time I looked down at my computer to see an email coming in from Charles Stanley.
Wanna guess at the title?

The Deadliness of Anger

And yes, if you would like to read the short devotional you can click on the title or the eyes.
God was going to make sure that I had no reason not to follow the instructions in the following verse.
“Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:26, 27).
He is faithful.

And so goes the life of a believer who is walking it out........"patiently" (sometimes) waiting for God to complete the good work that He has begun....and promise He will finish!
AMEN....and AMEN!
;)

Life In These Mountains

I know I am being a little sporadic in posting....sorry about that.
This week has been a tad busy and a little emotionally draining...but all is well....He is still sitting on His throne!
Amen?
I got the chance to try out my road legs on Tuesday and make a trip on my own. I had a meeting for my case in Hickory, N.C an hour and a half away. I have not even driven to Asheville by myself (45 minutes away) so I was a tad nervous. But all was well as I looked in the lane next to me about half way there and saw the parents of my GAL children ridding right along side me. They waved and then pulled in front so that I could follow them the rest of the way. I kind of viewed it as a little wink from God.....like He was saying....See I AM looking out for you girl!
I smiled and told Him thank you. He is the perfect gentlemen.
The meeting went well and I headed home on my own....with God and my GPS....and didn't get lost. \o/
Keith had been sick so I had time to run in and check on him before I was out the door for another GAL meeting.
This was a meeting with the psych people for my boy....my Gal boy.
Can you say....HOGWASH? Now I know I don't have a psych degree...but PLEASE!
Nothing I am capable of doing is going to change my heart or actions.....only God can do that.
Now there are some things that I can do to de stress so that I don't take things out on other people.....but ultimately.....only God can change a life. And I don't need a degree to know that!
But.....they are doing their best.
One thing that kind of urked me....and you can call me on this......I hated having our dirty laundry as a body of Christ aired in front of other who don't know Him.
Understand?
We sat there and talked about all the things that were going wrong and that needed to be changed......and then they gave us worldy solutions.
I don't know it just got to me. I could not help but wonder what God thought of it all.
It was good to get all these meetings over in one day....they exhaust me emotionally.
Can you imagine what they do to the parents?

Other news...... my body is finally starting to feel a little stronger....that's a good thing.
I have gotten to work out twice this week....which makes me feel better and I know it is good for me mentally and physcially.
The weather here has been mostly rainy....but goodness...the flowers and green trees are so worth it. So the rain has kept things cool but slowed the outside walking down a tad.
Oh, and today was perm day!
My hair had finally grown out enough after my HELIX cut...I don't even want to go there......and so I braved a perm at a new place. I think things went well....but I can't wait to wash it and get rid of the delightful smell.
Tried opening a conversation about God with the lady who was doing my hair...but you could tell she didn't want to go there. And since my head was still under her care....we moved on in conversation. :)

I'll leave you some pictures from our hike on Mother's Day.
Rememer He loves you and He is crazy about you.........PERIOD!
Hey...He created you for HIMSELF.....and that was after He already knew what you would be like....the good, the bad, and the u.g.l.y. ;)
Talk to Him....He loves you so!
My man being silly and my niece.
They call it a walking bridge.....I call it a LOG.
I just thought these two shrooms were cute...you could see where little animals had been eating on them.
Is that a blue sky or what? Over one shoulder was this and over the other shoulder was this-
Well, not in the sky over my shoulder.....it is an elk .

Have a great rest of the day....I'll be by to check on you all a little later.
I know I have fallen behind with my reading......but I will catch up.
WHY........cuz I care. ;)

A soapbox moment?

Good morning!

I hope that you all had a great weekend.
That you had some great times with friends and family and that you were excited about the chance to go to the house of the Lord.
Our service was really great.
When our pastor said he was going to speak on beauty not being skin deep....and that he was going to use Proverbs 31-----I'll have to admit that I was a little disappointed.
But the Lord showed up big time!
My heart was so touched. He spoke on the idea that our value to those around us has nothing to do with our outside appearance.
And as Mom's we often get stuck on the outside looks and to do lists.
I have had my share of failures as a wife and a Mom. And I have had those times when I felt I was raising my children the way the Lord would want me to and yet the out come was not what I had envisioned.
Those memories can put one in the dumps in the hands of our enemies.
We were reminded yesterday that the greatest thing we can give to our children and those around us is an evidence in our lives of a deep love for our Father.
Have I done that?
I know what I think...and the fruit will tell.
And will I continue if I don't see evidence of that right away?

I think we are all in the process of learning what the Lord requires of us.
Of course the greatest thing I believe I need to continue to learn is how to walk out a relationship with Him. I was just thinking the other day that it would be so cool to just be able to sit with Him knee to knee and just ask Him a few questions. To look in His face and see the change of emotion as we just commune. Goodness...can you even imagine.
On day!
Till then....I just need to walk with Him.
And sometimes yes, I let this world get in the way of my view of His face.
One of the things our pastor said that really got me was a word he spoke to the men about wives. He spoke about what a tough time women who work outside the home have. The balancing act between....husband, children, house and God. And just like that list most times it is the hardest for women who work outside the home to put God at the top of that list.
Yes, God understands......... but, He will not o.k it.
What he did tell the men is that many of the women working outside the home would rather be home as a wife and mother. But because of the greed in the hearts of men....many women were being pushed to be out in the work place. Ouch!
And I will have to agree that that greed can linger in both spouses hearts.
And although I am a SAHM now.....I used to deal with that longing or greed for bigger and better. A better that sometimes gets disguised as wanting more for our children.

There were many good points......and I shed a few tears...... but over all it was a cleansing service.
What is in our heart is between us and God.
But sometimes I think we need to ask our husbands what they see in us.
Do they see a woman who loves the Lord? Do they feel the Love of the Lord coming through us?
What do they think we need to work on?
Sometimes I think we are too hard on ourselves......and yes, maybe at times not hard enough.
Finding that balance......not always an easy thing. :)

Bottom line......

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
or
Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!. Proverbs 31:30


I think God wrapped life up quite neatly in that verse.
There are not many out there in society today that allow us to forget what the outside looks like and just concentrate on what we will take with us into eternity.
I will jump on up on my soap box right quick when I feel and hear societies
"you need to's...and you shoulds...and you have to".
I was so proud of a certain older actress the other day- who you could tell had not had any work done-tell an interviewer that she did not feel the need to cover or change what comes normally with age. And she went on to say that she thought it was sad that as a society we could not just enjoy getting older. \o/!!!!
If I had been in the audience I think I would have given her a standing ovation!
Do we like ourselves.....wrinkles and all?
And if not...why? Could it possibly be because we are not happy with the inside?

My worth to those around me is not that I dress in the latest, or that my hair is cut and dyed by the best professional in the area.....or even that I have all the social graces that this world deems necessary------------my worth is found in the Love of God that flows freely from my heart.
Because if I don't have that....I am nothing more than a loud hard GONG!

Do you love with the love of our Lord?
Then you are beautiful! I am beautiful!
Beautiful to those around us....and beautiful in the eyes of the Lord.
Truly beautiful...... really you are.
Look in the mirror today and ask God to show you what is truly important.
Ask Him this week to show you evidence of His love flowing through you.
And like the character from the book that I am giving away...let's ask God each morning before our feet hit the floor
to allow us to be a blessing to someone that day.
Let's touch this world with the Love of the Lord.
And then don't be surprised if you see something in their eyes that makes you want to look over your shoulder to see who they are looking at in that way.
:)
The glory of the Lord is very attractive!


So to end this post I will go ahead and give the book away by Jan Karon.
The winner is......Grey Like Snuffie!Send me your snail mail girl and I will get it in the mail to you.

Just a little giveaway for MONDAY!

If you noticed in my sidebar I have been enjoying The Mitford series by Jan Karon.
If you have not picked these books up for a good read....... I highly recommend it!
This woman has an incredible love for the Lord and it shines through her characters.
You will fall in love with the people of Mitford and wish you could hope in your car and run on over for a long visit with Father Tim and his wife Cynthia.
I'll bet Mrs Esther would even make one of her Orange Marmalade cakes for the special visit. ;)

Moving to this area almost a year ago I didn't realize how desperately my soul needed healing.
God began a work on my heart and mind and I believe He rounded things out when I finished reading these books.
WHAT!?
That is right...... God used something else besides the Bible to bring about healing in my life.
I did send a little email along to Mrs Karon.....I do hope she gets it.
I could just give her a big hug.

Now I have finished the latest book by Mrs Karon.....and I am going to give this gently read
hard back away.
It is called...HOME TO HOLLY SPRINGS.
It is first in the new series of the Father Tim novels.
I know some of you have read the Mitford series and if you have not read this.... you will enjoy it.
You'll get introduced to a whole new group of characters as Father Tim goes home to Mississippi for the first time in over 30.
God uses this time to bring healing to his heart and soul.
Healing for him and me!

If you would like to have this book...which you can still read and understand even if you have not read the Mitford series....just leave me a comment!
I will draw a name Monday and get it in the mail to the next owner.
Love you guys....thanks for being part of the healing process too!
Have a fantastic weekend.

Just checking in

Sooooo....not much going on here.
Did the deed yesterday and got the root canal...fun, fun!
NOT!
But it is done and once the sore works its way out.....I'll be fine.
Right now I am getting ready to go and take a nap.
It is raining and it just seems the thing to do!
I am sure I will have something a tad more interesting to report later on....but for now I got nuthin.
BUT.....I am doing good....content and at peace.....that is a good thing.

Found a cool website...thinking about a giveaway...waiting to hear back from them before I link.
Guess that is it for now.

Love ya!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ;)

An Ever Present Help

.

Now we know that when the body is under the strain of not feeling good...wither from hormones or sickness....that we may not all find walking the straight and narrow comes so easily.
This is one of those tales.
But hey!....it ends good for the kingdom.....I promise.

Yesterday was the first day I was really up and at em.
I was on the last day of the steroids and unlike what the "knowledgeable" ready med person had told me.....instead of becoming more relaxed as the meds wore off...I was getting more agitated.
I had done laundry, Wal Mart, finished my basket, fixed dinner, and then took THE call that took me out...well, almost out.
I found out by way of this phone call that all the testing that had been done for my GAL case came in yesterday......and the results did not look good for my family.
And the phone caller was only to willing to let me know.
And then she called for a meeting this morning to make plans.
I crashed hard emotionally. And yes, it could have been the physical and mental and emotional all thrown into the mix that tilted the apple cart. But my enemy knew I was ripe for the tipping.
I had one more thing to do last night and as I got ready to head out my body and emotions wanted to escape. Really I wanted to stop and buy something that would not make God or I happy in the long run. I was just flat angry!
I wanted to run and hide..... but still I so wanted to stand.
So I opened my mouth and told Him that I was having a pity party and I had no desire to stop......but if He would please help I would take it. Grabbing my purse and phone I headed out the door. Just as I was pulling out the campground a friend called.
And I was just honest with her as I told her that I was stinking and she probably didn't want to be talking to me right now. Hey!..... honesty is a good thing!
She laughed and told me that then if that was the case that she really needed to be talking to me. What would we do without friends. I am actually kind of proud of her...she is one of my mentees. And now she was getting to reverse the rolls.

I guess she had learned well.....she had a stubborn teacher. ;)
And as she listened I dumped the day.
And then she asked if she could pray. Have you ever had one of those moments where someone wanted to pray and you really didn't feel like it? Yes, this was one.
(and I laugh here..but I did tell her how I felt....good for her---- she prayed anyway)
And boy did she pray! I felt the Spirit right away. And even though I was headed down into a valley that should have dropped the call.....it didn't.
That was until she finished praying and said amen. How cool is our God!
He had carried me through.
I passed the place to stop and I didn't...He had provided a way of escape.

I came home and read some post.....and can I say--- THANK YOU?
There were a few post that really encouraged my heart last night.
Thank you for being used by God.
Then this morning Keith knowing what was waiting for us in the day stopped this morning before he left for work and prayed over me. He called down the favor of God on me and all those who came into contact with me today.
He prayed that the Spirit of the Lord would fill the room while we had our meeting.
Then I got up and made a pot of coffee and turned on my computer.
I checked emails and found that a precious sister had left me a sweet email with a prayer. And before I even got finished with the prayer
I got to talk to her in person when a little box popped up on my screen.......and there she was.
I was really blessed....blessed that God put us both there at the same time.
What an encouraging heart God has given her.

Now then for the meeting.
When we walked into the room there was something in the air.
I kept waiting for things to heat up....for the animosity to rise...it never did.
People spoke and shared and peace ruled!
I am not talking peace as in no one was screaming and yelling. I am talking peace like when the presence of God comes down and you just breath a little deeper to try and take it in.
God was there!
And really I thought it might have just been that I was surrounded....kind of in a bubble of my own. But then tonight the Dad of my GAL kids called me and was just thrilled.
He asked if I had experienced what he had and of course I had a hearty amen!....Yes, I did!
God is so good! He is an ever present help in time of trouble....He is a strong tower......He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! He cleared the room and kept it clear!

And yes, when two or more gather together in prayer in His name....He will answer them from heaven!
Thank you so much for being used by God!
Thank you for your prayers and being my sisters.
You will never know how you have touched my heart and been used by the hand of God in my life and in the life of this family that has no one to stand with them in public.
Imagine walking through something and not being able to have anyone walk with you publicly because you can not tell them what is really happening?
I know God brought me here for this family.
Keith and I have kind of joked about the fact that when this case was over maybe God intends to point us to the next town where a pastor and wife need someone to come alongside them.
Really I hope not....I hope we get to stay here....but I am His to use.
Guess that is what it means to be in the LORD'S army.
But God.....I love the mountains of N.C!!!!
You know...just in case you wanted to know. ;)

So girl, from this morning.....you know who you are.....and I love you!
Thank you for being used by God!
And you girls who I caught last night.....love you too!
Keep posting....you never know who's reading. Their hearts might need a touch too!