I love my family!

I sure am going to miss these sweeties! I leave Sunday for a week and I am excited but, I will miss my family. I have posted my worship minister's blog to keep up with what we are doing during this next week. He will be posting pictures and things on it to keep up with what we are doing if anyone wants to check it out. http://me-log.blogspot.com/

So, blog buddies-have a great 4th of July and I love you all.

No matter what happens each day the sun still sets

Its been a while since I've blogged and I have a lot to blog about.
First I just want to brag Little on my Kids!
Payton is off to Europe where she will be going with her Meme (her dad's mom) to Spain and then to London. She will be gone for 2-1/2 weeks and I am going to miss her so much. But, its such a wonderful experience for her. She went a couple years ago to Ireland with Meme as well. Very lucky Girl. She is my angel. I really see her making a difference in this world. She has the heart of gold and very open and accepting of others. She just amazes me everyday.
Rylie is becoming such a little man. He is out of Day care this summer and he and Daddy are spending some quality time together. He will start the Mothers Day Out program at our church this fall. The only thing is its only three days a week and Thur. and Fri. I will have to find someone to keep him. So, I am praying it all works out. He has been so loving and sweet lately.
Zack, I haven't spent a lot of time with him lately. During the summer he pretty much lives out at his Dad's parents house. There is so much for him to do out there that he stays to busy for his ole mom. We played in the final baseball game last night to see who would get first place in the league. WOW what a game. We were down 5 to 1 and came back to tie them 6 to 6. We had to play a extra ending in overtime and we had used our two pictures so, Ryan put Zack on the mound(he's been working with him on pitching) and boy was I nervous! He strikes the first two players out and grounded a ball and threw the other one out at 1st. 3 Up 3 Down!
Then it was our turn to bat and we had bases loaded with 2 outs. Guess who's up to bat?? ZACK - so what does he do? He knocks the fire out of it and hits a grand slam home run to win the game! Man am I a proud momma or what!

So, enough bragging-I am now getting ready to leave next weekend for my week long trip with my fellow Praise Team/Band leaders. We are going to Texas and will be experiencing wonderful things like, singing with Martha Munizzi in a Mass choir. We will be praising and learning great things to bring back for leading FBC congregation. And spiritualy growing. This is my first time and they say its a life changing experience. OH did I mention 5 of us (Adults that are big kids at heart) will be going to Six Flags with no kids!
The thing is we were sadden to learn the Man (Pastor, teacher, christian musician/song writer, author, leader of God's Kingdom) that has been with International Worship Institute for 21yrs is stepping down as the Lead minister due to some immoral transgressions in his life. Talk about disappointing! We have even had small group classes on one of his teachings and have heard him preach the word of the Lord.
The Bible talks about Great Kings like King David that were followers of Christ and how power and wealth (AND SATAN)turned him against God's ways. But, he eventually found his way back to God and stayed true to Him until his death.
So, after much praying and thought. A good friend of mind hit the nail right on the head when she said "We should not worship people only GOD!" Maybe this is a sign to remember, there is no other God than God Himself! We are human and we fail, fall and sin. That is why Jesus died for us.
So, I pray for LaMar Boschman and his family through this time in his life. I pray that God uses him in a way to teach us things and bring him closer to God.

Schools out for the summer

Man, has this year flown by or what. The kids are getting out of school and ready for summer break. Kids these days are not much different than the kids we used to be back in the day. But, things that these kids experience so much younger than we did are so scary. They are having sex earlier. They are doing drugs and drinking way earlier. Shooting up people at school. I don't know what this world is coming to.
Here in our little town of Hooterville we've had a scare from a boy we all know to be a very good kid. Has wonderful family and is very athletic and popular. Seems to be the All American boy. Well it seems these kids are taking a over the counter cough and cold medicine in LARGE quantities for a high thats been compared to PCP. They get this "Triple C" from the shelves at wal-mart and ingest anywhere from 5 to 30 pills at a time. Because it is a legal drug they think it won't be a big deal. Well, Ellis Jr. found out different when Monday morning, after he and some other boys had a night of popping pills, his dad goes into his room and finds him unresponsive and breathing very shallow. You see this drug he's been taking for the past couple of weeks pretty regularly has the ingredient Tylenol in it. You may know the prolonged use or extensive use of acetaminophen will damage your liver and kidneys. Thats what was happening to him his liver and kidneys were shutting down and also had some damage to his heart. He had also taken hydrocoedone and because his liver wasn't filtering like it should it had put him in a sleep his body couldn't wake him up. If he'd laid there any longer he wouldn't be here today. The other boys knew something wasn't right with him that night but, was scared to say anything because they had taken some too and was afraid of getting in trouble. He as taken to Childrens Hosp. but on dialyses and a breathing machine. After 3 days of not knowing if he'd even make it, I am so happy to say he is off all breathing and medical machines and is in a private room.
We have learned more than half the football and basketball boys were involved in the same thing and even getting prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, zanix, and what ever else they can get there hands on.
The community is coming together to keep this from happening to there child. We all met last night and discussed what us parents need to do to be aware that this could happen to ANYONES child. And that it IS Happening.
I'm scared of what there is to come of this world and these children. There are so many peer pressures and things going on that we have no clue about. These kids are dealing with things that I never would have imagined.
This makes me want to keep my kids locked under my house and I know you cant do that. So, I just pray that God guides these kids to make better decisions and that these kids put God in there lives more.
I really don't know what else to say...

Schools out for the summer

God is Good!

I want to just share what putting God in your life can do for you. It has totally changed my life. Of course I always loved God and prayed (mainly when "I" need something) but, it wasnt till last summer that I starting living and learning the "Word" of God and man, has my life changed.
I want to list a few things that has happen since this day of MY Revelation.


1. Starting using what I love (God and Singing)and leading worship through music!
2. Meeting new people that I truly Cherish and love. These relationships have brought new meaning to my life. (you know who you are-one reads my blogs:) )
3. Got My best friend a job here at Tar-n-Tube and get to see her everyday.
4. Gotten my kids into church and they love it. Get to do lots of neet things too.
5. Sister got a promotion at work.
6. Ryan got the Clarksville Girls basketball job so he can be home more and this will help in so many ways. Especially with our relationship-which has gotten stronger the passed year.
7. Zack and Payton have both been successful in school with their grades and activities. (Payton has become the little actress and she is going to do some modeling through a agency in Fayettville (out of 60 girls to audition she was in the top 15)
8. Zack has exceeded in his abilities to play sports (he's been my little allstar!)
9. Rylie has grown so much and become such a sweet little boy (he can still be a pill)But, he is such a joy.
10. Payton gets to go to Spain this summer!
11. My mother in law had cancer removed from her leg and they got it all!
12. I'm getting to go to International Worship Institute with my praise team worship leaders this summer (we are going to Six Flags too! whoohoo)
13. Made a decision to spend more time with my family and we've been having lots of fun doing that!
14. Sang a song at Church that meant a lot to me and blessed some to tears. So they say??
15. Lost 15 lbs and have become health contention and feel great!
16. Prayed for lots of people and have had great results. (still praying for some)
17. Been given more responsibilities at work and I can truly say - I love my job.
18. I feel something is going to inspire me that I may be able to minister to-just a great feeling????
19. I have help some people in my community that have needs through my small groups and just wanting to give instead of receiving.
20. Changed my out look on life which transformed me from an negative, hurt, angry person to a person full of love and laughter.

These are just "some" of the things I have experienced this year. The best thing I've done is become closer to God. Without Him non of these things would have happened or I wouldn't feel the love and peace in my heart that I do today.

GOD IS GOOD!
Have a wonderful Memoral Weekeand remember our soliders!

Ephesians

I have been reading The book of Ruth and Ephesians and I have been reminded of how some things in my life have such room for improvement. Of course we all have some room and we wouldn't be human if we didn't. But, to read about how Christians not only need to talk the talk but, walk the walk. We have to sharpen one another like you sharpen blades of an ax. By not only living in a way that people will be touched and blessed but,to do so in a way thats appeasing to others. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone say, Man, she is a living like I want to live. No, I'm not talking about living with material things. But in spirit-I'm telling you its contagious. I am not talking about being so successful or wealthy and people want what you have. I'm talking about having wealth and riches in your spirit. The way you love and live for Christ. Where people want to be around you for your positive and enriching way of living life.
We so many times go to church, pray and worship. Just to walk out the door and do what "we" want to do. Not what God wants us to. We want to be in control of our own lives! We want to make our decisions based on what is in it for us. But, we aren't in charge of our lives. And the sooner we learn this the better life will be. Most non believers will say being around a person that calls themselves Christians to find out they are hypocritical and go to church once a week but, live in sin and not by their own words has turned them away from God.
That's why we have to let God be in charge and live like he would want us to. Not how "we" think we should live. Some people will say, "I've done just fine on my own." But, have they? I can tell you I didn't do to good being the one in charge of my life. I was defiantly one of these people I'm talking about at one time. I thought I could make my own decisions in life and didn't need anyone telling me what to do-Well, I know now that wasn't the case! I have proof of that. I didn't know what I was doing and it showed in lots of my decision making and mistakes I call "learning experiences"
Ephesians tell you talk nice to others and infront of others. Don't use profanity and ugly talk. The people that are mean to you, don't like you and are mad at the world. Be extra nice to them. Don't give up on the stubborn friends that keep making bad decision. Love them and guide them. Don't talk about others. We all have faults.
You can lead by actions not your words. You don't have to preach-show people how to treat others and live God filled lives.
These are hard things to do sometimes and I am guilty of them myself. But to live like this, I KNOW will make life easier for me! Cause thats what we have to do if we are truly Christians.
So blog buddies I love you all and have a blessed day.
Do something out of your comfort zone today like saying something nice, e-mailing, calling, give an appology, giving a smile or just a pat on the back. It may be a person that has hurt you in some way or is just a misserable and unhappy.

Prayers

I'm asking for prayers. As you know my husband has been driving back and forth for 2 years to Mountainburg to work. It is an hours drive and he has sacrificed this so I can work here and the kids can go to school where they have grown up and my mommy and daddy are her as well. He's really enjoyed his job and the kids love him. But, its so hard on us for him to have this commute and especially during ball season. I am basically a single mom with the three kids. Its around the Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years) and its a hard time for me emotionally as well.
So, we have been praying a lot lately to help find something closer to home. I didn't get to go but to a couple of his games last year, because my kids play here on those same nights. So, to be able to support him and have him home would be great.
There are a couple of jobs around this area that will be coming open (we think) one is the Clarksville Jr high, 7th grade girls head coach with asst. Sr. high. He applied and interviewed for this last year and was told he was the front runner for the job and a woman applied at the last minute and they gave it to her-they like women coaching girls- So, tomorrow he has a interview for this job again.
There are mixed emotions because they have had 5 coaches quit after each year. Schools can be political. Also, he would have to change his demeanor a bit, because these are hormonal girls-not BOYS like is used to.
But, the biggest thing is a young boy that played ball and graduated with honors at Clarksville, has applied and is the Asst. Principles son in law and related to a lot of the faculty through this marriage has an interview as well. He is very liked and a very good kid. Thats just it though, he has no experience. But, that didn't stop them from hiring the Dean of Students son for Sr high boys right out of school.
Anyway, I know what is meant to be is meant to be. I know that God puts us where he wants us. I also know he is the giver of wonderful things too. It would be wonderful if he would keep us in his favor and guide us through this time in our life to bring our family closer together. Even if it isn't with this particular job-just put us in a situation that we can be together next year.
So, please pray for us!
Love you all