Blessings

Well, as I sit here in my house in Cleveland, I am thinking of all God has blessed me with. He is so wonderful. I haev a wonderful husband who I know loves me. I have three boys that are loving, thoughtful and sweet. I have parents that can't be beat in any area. I have a great extended family in OK that I'd like to see soon. I have a perfectly awesome local church family. A host of friends and a best friend that I can trust to be around when I need them.

I am not saying everything is perfect. That couldn't be further from the truth! Things are hard right now. Really hard. But, I know who I serve and why I serve Him. I know He will care for me in all ways. I love the Lord and He loves me too. His eye is on the sparrow. So, I know He watches me!

Mount Saint Helens

Well, never in a million years would I have been able to guess what my senses took in on our trip to Mount Saint Helen's with daddy yesterday!  I am still in shock at the devastation the 1980 eruption left behind.  Now, I fully expected lava deposits and such like, but that is not at all what we saw. BTW, if ever you want to see it, my daddy is a superb tour guide!
I can hardly wait to have time to put my pics on here and add them to this blog so people can see (a small portion) what I saw. It was a tree graveyard. Literally, tall trees that are bark, limb, leaf and life free standing still and erect like monuments in a cemetary. They aren't randomly scattered. Some aren't standing straight at all, but were leaned over almost to a fall, but not completely. It was soooooo very eeiry! I am shivering just thinking about it.
Oh, I don't have energy or words to describe the scene, but I will try in later posts. I must go to bed now. Rick is not feeling well. I am kinda concerned about him. I know he has  a lot on his mind and the upcoming move is weighing on him too. Good nite all!!

Beautiful Day

     It has been a gorgeous day! We woke to momma's cornbread riding on the air down the hall to our room! YUMMMMMMMM  We had a dinner at the Yakima church today so, the food had to be made this morning. She not only made great food for the dinner, she prepared an awesome Sunday School lesson too. She is a good teacher! I am so grateful to be able to sit under her this Sunday. God must really love me.
     We came home and had a little nap after the morning service. Tonight, I preached and was blessed by the Lord. Then, we came back to daddy & momma's and received a text from my sister-in-law, Penny. She told us to go to facebook and watch a video. We did. It was she and my other 2 sisters-in-law, Holly & Crystal and my neice, Jamie joining the Church!!!! We were thrilled! It made us sooooooooooo happy! Aint God good?!
     We also got word that one of our churches in Tennessee has another member ready to join and the potential of more in one of our smallest churches where the pastor is working so diligently! Praise God!
      As if it could get any better...we also got a text that another TN church was encouraged this morning after much turmoil and heartache! Also, one of our new field works is about to boom! It's first services will be Sunday at 2pm! God is sooooooooo great! Oh! That we could be worthy of His great blessings!

Washington Trip

     The plane trip left much to be desired at the beginning. The initial getting to the right place in Atlanta was a real pain! Then, boarding and seeing how tiny the plane is on the inside was terrifying! I think all that know me would be proud though. I did not make a scene. I didn't climb the walls or demand that I be allowed off for oxygen of my own. Nope, I stayed the course. I was beginning to adapt to the close quarters when the pilot announced we would be taking off. That lift off signaled for me the finality of this decision to fly. Did you know that once you are in the air, you cannot get off not matter what???? Yep. That was my second bout with panic. But, again, I managed to overcome. I think it was concern for my boys and the comforting of my sweet husband and momma that got me chilled out enough to continue. The flight itself was ok. The only real issue I had was the occasional bout of no air. I managed to get my mind off it along the way. My daddy kept asking momma if I was ok. Having my most precious people being concerned for me helped  a lot!
     We arrived at my parent's house around 4am. We were soooooo wiped out! It wasn't really until the next day that we begin to take in some of the beauty of Yakima. It is a rather dry (almost desert) place. If it weren't for irrigation of many forms, this place would be so barren that no life could make it. But, there are patches of beautiful green. I always thought Washington was known for apples and cherries and that was it. Turns out, hops, apples, cherries, corn, pears, peaches, milk, grapes, and mint are among their most common agricultural contributions. It has been so educational for my boys. They will hopefully get to tour a place where the apples are stored and preserved for shipping all over the world.
    We have so much more to see. So, off we go....

On The Road Again

Well, we are about to hit the road again! I love it, but this has been quite the whirlwind of preparations and packing and planning. We FINALLY closed on our house! YAY!! God is soooooooooooooo faithful. Things may not be answered right when we'd like, but He knows when, what and how! I love the Lord for His provision!

We closed on the house, begin movinga few boxes of stuff right away. The McGriff's brought over some furniture. Then, we received my parents for a visit until International Youth Camp which begins August 14th. I will be teaching a class then doing devotions for all the staff each night of that event. Then, we begin the general assembly on the 17th. Then when it is over on the 22nd, we come home and wash all the clothes and repack for the plane ride to Washington state. That will be fun!! haha

We will be packing for 5 of us for 2 weeks. We will be going to Deception Falls, the Pacific coast, Seattle, Mt. Saint Helens and more. We will be preaching in at least 2 churches and hanging out with my parents in Yakima. The boys are VERY excited!

This is sooooooooooooo much. Then, when we get home on the 7th...the daunting task of moving lies before us. We don't have too much to move, but all the re organizing, cleaning and such will be there waiting for us.

I love my life. God is good to me and I do not deserve Him. But, I thank Him!

Nothing Can Separate Me From HIS Love

     Ever wonder what could make you stop loving the Lord? I have. I recently evaluated some things in my life and tried to figure out what could make me stop loving the Lord. Would it be money? NOPE...never had it & don't see ever getting enough to be a problem. Power, perhaps? I seriously doubt it. I am a female minister in The Church of God and I do not want the responsibilities that accompany power. Maybe hatred toward my fellowman? NOPE...I honestly cannot think of one enemy. Family? Nah! I love my family, but distance and the work of the Lord has always been present and I have adapted to that fact.
     Well, this train of thought lead me to what would separate God's love from me? I read the passage and decided...NOTHING! He (for some unknown reason) seems to love me completely and with the kind of love I only aspire to have. He gave it all for me and keeps on giving! Thank you Lord for love unleashed . Love harbored isn't love. Love rationed isn't love. Love that cannot be severed, hindered or delayed is true love. I want to share the kind of love HE shares with me.

Maybe...Maybe Not

Ok.....Here's the short version...
We have looked at over 100 homes. We have had contracts on three since March 2010.  Now, we have a contract on a home and it appears things are rapidly moving toward an actual close and an actual move. I dunno. Maybe...maybe not. I know I am ready, but want God's perfect will for us at all cost. He is the only one that knows the future. Whatever He wises is what I desire above all else! If it is His will....our address will be 5060 Eagle Head Court Cleveland  Tennessee.

Summer Travels

I am packing for the KY youth camp. I am the evangelist and will be taking my boys and my friend, Chelsei. I have rather enjoyed all the summer travels. We have traveled a lot over the past ten years, but it seems to escalate each year. We have been to Tennessee camp and Alabama family camp and more. I am loving it!
My boys think they have died and went to camping heaven. I am glad they are enjoying it. I worry that they aren't getting enough structure, but they seem to handle it all in stride. I am so thankful that the church has such great outlets that offer fun and spiritual strength together.
Well, we leave for Chelsei's in Cleveland, TN tomorrow afternoon. We will stay overnight there and then we are off to KY.
Well, we are getting ready for bed.

Hello Blogging Pals

I cannot promise I will keep up with this consistantly, but I will try. I am rarely home long enough to do more than shower. hehehe