I took this picture and thought to myself GOD IS GOOD

WE HAD OUR SECOND MEETING OF THE WELL.
It was a great night and we talked about God's love. A lot of people don't realize that no matter what you do in life or how much you mess up God loves us unconditionally! Its never to late to turn to Him and lay all your "Stuff" at his feet.
I ran across this new verson of the "Footprints" story and I prayed that everyone I know and love can take this walk with God. I read it and got the best feeling. I am passed the zigzags of walking alone!



JUST READ IT!

FOOTPRINTS...A New Version

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.


But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.
For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently.

You and Jesus are walking as true friends!

This seems perfect, but then an interes ting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.
Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.

Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.

This g oes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.

You are amazed and shocked.
Your dream ends. Now you pray:
"Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You."

"That is correct."
"And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely."

"Very good.. You have understood everything so far."
When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way."

"Precisely."
"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."

There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.
"You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"

Supporting my friends

As you can tell I am such a supportive friend! My Best's Friend Kimy, whom I work with, shop with, hang out with, spend family gatherings with, cry with, laugh A LOT with, share secrets with and well, would give my right arm for. She'd have to give her left arm (She's left handed)and she would!
We think so much a like that we finish each other sentence. Our family history is so simular and well, we just scare ourselves on how much we have in common.

She and I act as if we are 12 yrs old and actually have been friends since we were 10 and 11. She is 1 yr older than me - had to put that in - but we have been through about the same things in life. Two failed marriages. Our first husbands we married out of high school and became mothers very early. (Both our 1st EX's names where Greg). Husband number 2 were alcholoics that were wrecker driver and business owner. (These were our bought with alcohol days) These were our try and fix them relationships, But, eventually knew we had to get ourselves and children out of such a toxic relationship. And get away from all the drinking.

I've been there and seen her two boys grow from babies to fine young men, I consider them my own kids. She's been there for the three of my kids. Thats their AUnt Kimy! We have just ALWAYS been there for each other in all phases of our lives. We can completely be OURSELVES 100% when we are together. (some times completely humiliating our children) We know things about each other our own mothers or husbands don't know. And our husbands just shake their head at us and know if we had to choose between the two - they'd be gone!ha So, they love that we love each other so much. (I think they really like the fact we bitch to each other about stuff instead of them!)

Okay so why the heck am I in her pants??? And whats the point here??? Well,when my friend Kimy lost some weight she was wearing these Gosh awful pants that were big enough for two people. So, I tell her to get rid of those pants, we are very honest with each other, they look like I can fit in there with her. She says "Get on in here then" SO I DO! Not to mention this is at our little sorority meeting where we are suppose to be fine young ladies of the community.....

Oh well, life is to short to not laugh and we do plenty of that (So, do the people around us) when we are together. Unless they don't know us and they just think we are crazy.

But, I really think one day she is going to be a minister to someone besides me. We talk about God a lot and how He put us in each others lives. I really truly believe He gave her to me. Now, I am working on her sharing her wonderful abilities to Minister to others. She has sooooo much to give others that I am willing to share her-nice of me huh?

With that being said, Our first meeting of "The Well" went really, really good. I see a place for her or anyone that needs friends like this in this group. I've not even asked Kim to come to a meeting. I'm still trying to even get her to come to Church. hint...hint... no, She is a very Spiritual woman that doesn't need my ways of worshipping to know she is defiantly a child of God. But, sense I share everything else in my life, I would love to share this with you too, Kimy?????

I just never thought that sense i had Kimy and Shannon (My other friends that I will blog about next)in my life, I didn't need any other friends. Boy was I wrong I have room for others....See I got to know these people in this Group "The Well" I realized their are different kinds of friendhsip and you learn and grow from all of them. I am truly blessed to have these people in my life. I've never felt so loved and have so much love for a wonderful group of people. If someone you know needs this kind of love, please let them know about this group that meets on Monday nights at 5:30. I already have one wonderful friend that I love dearly coming and would we have room for others.
You can always e-mail me at stephanieleighmarshall@yahoo.com if ever you want more info.

To all my friends - have a wonderful and blessed day!

Kimy, Don't kill me for blogging this, I love you!

One more thing to share

These are some of the people that are involved in "The Well". The picture that I am in, the red head, SPring has put her hard work, her heart, sweat and soul into this. I am so proud to call her my friend.
The lady holding the baby (her grandbaby) is my Mother Mentor, Kathy, I talk about and she has been such a blessing in my life! Can't say enough about her.
The guy in the middle of the group picture and the pretty lady in the red shirt with dark hair and glasses is my worship minister and his wife, Mark and Lisa. Lisa is Rylie's pre-school teacher as well. They are just wonderul people that I've been blessed with too.

I had one of my family members ask me, are you really okay? It being a very reasonable question-since two weekends ago I hit a hard depression for a couple of days. Then they read my blog and it sounds as if I have a perfect happy life.

I want any of you who read my blogs to know I AM HUMAN! I still have my battles and the devil works on me harder than ever. A lot of us that are leading this ministy have had some self doubt and feel like we are not adiquit to take on such a responsibilty. I mean we are messing with FRAGIL peoples lives here - we take this very seriously! But, after praying a lot about my "Breakdown" weekend Last Monday was my turn to give my testimony to the group on my past. After I did and I felt the love and understanding from the others and know they too still struggle, I KNEW this is going to be just as good for me as for others.
The main reason being - I have God to lean on now. As before I felt alone, scared, mad and hatetrid. Now when I go through my "Stuff" which I could be the Pope and still have "Stuff" its just so much better having God in my life and by my side. Thats all we want to do is share this with others. He CAN fix everything. But he won't! Thats just not how he works. He wants us to learn and grow.
Life will never be PERFECT for anyone. But, man God has made it so much easier.
The week I was refering to, I got to spend the weekend with my sister and neice. My Mentor Mother did every stitch of my laundry. My husband relaxed and lighten my load every way he could. My folks came to church to hear me sing. My kids gave me lovins and my life filled with joy once again. All I had to do was pray and spend some intimate time with God. Then I realised - God gives us these test so that we know that we have to get on our face before him. I did and probably wouldn't have in that way if my life was hunkie doory everyday.

Its been a while

If this video comes through - I hope it touches you like I've been touched!

I've realized that its been a while since I have blogged. This IS always therapeutic for ME. So, I should do it more often.

Lots of new things happening in mine and my family's life

Payton got Homecoming Maid and she is getting baptized Sunday SO BIG WEEKEND.

I will spend all day Sat. getting ready for the FBC Kaleo Fair where our praise team and choir will be singing. Its the 20th of Oct. and there will be a fun fest before we sing. Games, kiddy rides, prizes and holesom family fun. The "outdoors concert" willbe at 6:00. (Please come..hint hint)

My husband is looking forward fo basket ball season to get started.

I am getting ready and already envolved in a new Ministry. Its called "The Well" Recovery ministy. So far this group has allowed me to open up to others the struggles in my life. A group of us at Church are sharing our testimonies because the after the Kaleo fair on the 22nd of October we will be holding weekly meeting and Minister to people that are dealing with strong holds in there lives. We all have them - but others are really faced with some "stuff" From sexual abuse to drugs and alcohol to depression and eating disorders. We aren't certified counselors we are just people that have been in one of these awful cercomstances and has let God heal our hearts like he can do for others.
We just want to share what finding God can do with those struggles and to bring anyone out of these empty places. To let them know they are not alone. Its going to be a learning experience for me. Its also going to open up some old "stuff" that I've put to rest in my life. This scares me - but, in a good way. I want people to know I am human and I have sinned and God still loves me. We all need to know that. We all need to know that life can be so much easier with Him in it. I controlled MY life myself for many years. It didn't get me that far. I had hate, anger, depression, self destruction to show for trying to do things MY way. A year and a half ago I gave my life over to God and let me tell you.....I am at peace now. I NEVER thought I would be happy AND I AM! If only I could have put God in my life a lot sooner. But, I had to go through what I have gone through to get that. I know that, I know now that my spirituality and faith is sooooo much stronger today because I did endure some "stuff" in my life.(This blog is titled "Stephs Stuff") So, now I want to share with others what He can do for them.

I have made some wonderful friends through this ministry. Friends that I love so much and that would do ANYTHING for me and vice versa. I've learned that sowing seeds in other people lives is bring Harvest into mine. It just so awesome to see what God is doing in my life and to see what else he has in store for me and my family.

So, I am going to blog more - at least once or twice a month about this new ministry. Of course anything said in these meetings are strictly confidental - so you will never hear names and details but, to hear stories of what God is doing through us to others is going to be some good reading. So, if the whole 2 of you that read my blog wants to start sharing my blogs with others or if my blogging helps ONE person, I think its is worth my commitment to blog more and share the life I have been so graciously given!

I know there is curves in the road too. And I know God is with me now so, I won't ever be alone in what I am dealing with. Thats pretty dang cool.


I love you all!