Jesus, Take my Baton!

Stay the course!

2011-09-03T01:25:00.002-05:00

Psalm 119:33-40 "God, teach me lessons for living
      so I can stay the course.
   Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
      my whole life one long, obedient response.
   Guide me down the road of your commandments;
      I love traveling this freeway!
   Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
      and not for piling up loot.
   Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
      invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
   Affirm your promises to me—
      promises made to all who fear you.
   Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
      but what you say is always so good.
   See how hungry I am for your counsel;
      preserve my life through your righteous ways!" The Message

Teach me...Give me....Guide me...Give me...Divert my eyes...Affirm your promises to me...Deflect my critics...See how hungry I am for your counsel Lord. I want to be all that you want me to be. Help me to be who you want me to be. I want to stay the course....the path that you have laid out for me. Even when that path is bumpy, rocky and just down right hard!

So thankful that my daddy has big arms to carry me down the path at times.

What about you? Is he there for you? Are you letting him carry you down that bumpy path? He's waiting for you to ask him to help carry you. Don't put it off! You will be amazed how easier that bumpy path can get if you just TRUST HIM to carry you down the path.

Still wanting to stay the course,

I'm on the mountain with HIM!

2011-09-01T12:56:00.003-05:00

Psalm 144: 1-4 The Message
^1-2 Blessed be God, my mountain, who trains me to fight fair and well.
   He's the bedrock on which I stand,
      the castle in which I live,
      my rescuing knight,
   The high crag where I run for dear life,
      while he lays my enemies low.

^3-4 I wonder why you care, God—
      why do you bother with us at all?
   All we are is a puff of air;
      we're like shadows in a campfire.

I'm standing on my "Jesus" which I stand. As I read this verse about us being a puff of air to Him, I started thinking about how nice it would be to be able to breathe easily when I go out doors. I love the outdoors! I miss the outdoors! For some reason right now God has me indoors. I'm in an anonymous season in my life right now, according to author "Alicia Britt Chole". ~Anonymous~ Our hidden years are God's sacred spaces to be rested in, not rushed through and most definitely never to be regretted."

So God my mountain, I refuse to feel like I'm in a valley! I'm on the mountain with you! You have trained me to fight and I will continue to fight this battle of lung issues I've had for the last year, you are my rescuing knight and I trust that you will continue to lay my enemies low!

Waiting because He is Worthy! Learning to BE STILL and REST!

How about you? Are you trying to rush through a sacred space that God has placed you in? Try to Be Still and Rest and see what it is that God is going to teach you through whatever it is that you are going through. So glad he cares! Thank you God for caring for ME!

Resting in HIM,

Cathy

Proud to be a CHILD of the KING!

2011-07-05T13:56:00.001-05:00

I am proud to be an American but most importantly today I'm proud to be a CHILD of the KING!

^{Ephesians 3:12} In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ.¹³ So I ask you not to become discouraged because of the sufferings I am having for you. My sufferings are for your glory.

Are you PROUD to be a CHILD of the KING! After just celebrating INDEPENDENCE Day I want to talk about our FREEDOM to come to CHRIST and what that FREEDOM can be like.

I struggled as a child wanting to know where I belonged, I knew there had to be something I was missing in this thing called life. I didn't fit in! My last name was STOVER, so my nickname became ROVER, the dog! I could have very easily turned to drugs and alcohol to cover up my hurts because I was hurting! However, God kept me from all that! I have no clue as to why he kept me from that because believe me I was tempted. I am so thankful that when I was 20 years old I was given the opportunity to accept Christ through faith as my personal savior! Romans 10:9 "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Do I still struggle? Yes at times, but not everyday like I did before I had this FREEDOM! Am I still tempted? Yes, but so thankful I can turn to my DADDY and ask him to help me, and he hears me! I'm so thankful to be a Child of the KING!

Do you have FREEDOM today? If not, Just take this time to Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved! Then your everyday sufferings will be for HIS GLORY!

If you need to talk, I'm here for you.....just email me! You can have FREEDOM even in the midst of suffering!

Speak up with what?

2011-06-28T12:47:00.002-05:00

I'm BACK after 3 1/2 years! When I read the last post I have posted on this blog I'm amazed at the words I chose. When I wrote "Mom and Grandma" I had no idea that just 2 short weeks later my life as Mom and Grandma was going to take a different road from a one night choice.

I just came back from a "SPEAK UP with CONFIDENCE" seminar in Grand Rapids Michigan and it gave me the courage to start blogging on this personal blog again after all this time. I'm so excited to put into practice everything I learned at SPEAK UP but I'm a little confused about the CONFIDENCE thing! Is it speak up with Convenience? Consonants? Continuance? Consequences? I hope that I figured it out. I'm so glad that we were SPARKED up with the excitement to share HIS story through OUR story!

So stay tuned if you want to hear HIS amazing story through MY story as wife, MOM, Nana, and Fill in Mom to several hurting boys.

I am so thankful for this woman, the leader of the seminar I just participated in. She encouraged me as a "far away" mentor and "seasonal" mentor when she didn't even know she was helping me.

Me and Carol Kent!

A week before my life changing day, I signed up for a E-Women Conference out by my friend, Amy, whom lived in North Carolina. I wanted to do something special for her. Her birthday was coming up and she had just lost her 25 year old daughter through complications after a surgery on January 1st. When I signed us up I asked her, "Have you ever heard of Carol Kent?" She responded with, "No, I haven't but I've heard of all the other speakers!" I didn't research Carol's testimony at the time, however, the day after my son's arrest someone told me I needed to read a book called "When I lay my Isaac Down" by Carol Kent. I couldn't sleep that night so I got on the internet was reading every devotion, articles, or Bible verses I could find on Hope and Encouragement. Then I remembered the book mentioned to me, so I looked it up. Her picture and name sounded familiar so I pulled up my conference info and sure enough it was that lady I had never heard anything about before. I started reading everything I could find about Carol, then I was trying to decide if I should buy her book or not that night online. The thought came into my head do you really think you will have time or want to read her book at this time in your life? So I didn't order it. Did I ever tell you that Our God is a BIG GOD? The next day while in the shower, I decided that I was going to tackle this day with out crying all day and TRUST that HE was going to carry me through this. I walked out to my kitchen and from far away I could see a book with a bow wrapped around it and a card covering the whole top of the book. But I knew that MY GOD showed up because I saw the color of the binder on the book. Here came the tears, but different tears. If this woman of God can continue on going through what she was going through in life then I could do this too. She gave me confidence!

Three and a half years later I wrote on her facebook wall thanking her for encouraging me because I finally shared my son's story in front of 100 women at a Mother's Day talk. She encouraged me to come to "SPEAK UP with CONFIDENCE" seminar and I'm so thankful I listened to God and went! I'm also thankful that I asked my BEST FRIEND, Brenda, to go with. We had a GREAT time with other women of God and God HIMSELF! It was AMAZING!

Hebrews 3:1-6 "Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,”bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory."

Mom and Grandma!

2008-01-24T01:04:00.000-06:00

As I wrote when I first started this blog it is not easy being a parent. After the joy of having my little grandbaby, I had to watch my good friend say good bye to her beautiful daughter after complications from a surgery. Then a couple days after they left, our daughter ended up in the hospital with an infection and had to be on IV for 4 days with 3 different antibiotics. I was having a hard time, knowing what my role was suppose to be. I wanted to be with my baby girl at the hospital, all the time, but she has a husband to be there with her, and I was needed as a Nana most the time here at home.

We got through that, and Colton is doing well, he is growing like a weed. Here is a picture of him from last night. He will be 3 weeks old already Friday. Wow, where does the time go?

Cassie is doing better, she has a nasty virus right now, can't hardly talk but doing much better than she was.

My son, Cory is going to come home for a late Christmas, the 1st of February so looking forward to seeing him and his wife Charly. It will be the first time we have seen them since last August for me, and last April for Jim.

My son, Curtis, could use some prayer about a relationship he is just starting. I just ask you to pray for God's will to be in this relationship. He made me proud with something he told me today. Then I wanted to turn around and tell him what he should do, but I didn't. He is an adult and I just need to trust God to finish raising him, but did I ever tell you that this part of parenting is the hardest.

I love being a mom though, I would never want to change the fact that I am a mom, because I love my children with all my heart, I just wish I could still tell them not to do that or this, because it might hurt them down the road. The best part of being a mom now though is being a NANA, I love being NANA it is so much fun.

Discipline

2008-01-11T00:16:00.000-06:00

As I was looking at pictures to show off our new little grandson, I couldn't help but laugh thinking about how this little guy

wanted to hold his little brother right away but when we put him in his arms it was 30 seconds and he was ready to get down. Then it was please..... baby...... back up on the chair or bed..... with his arms held out. He couldn't get enough of him but he can't sit still because he might fall asleep. Dylan is so jealous of our new little grandson; Colton Bryce who weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz and was 21 in. long on January 4th. But even though he is jealous you can still see the love he has already for him in this picture here:
It is so tiring chasing after Dylan and watching him act out because this new little guy has taken away some of his thunder. It seems like we are constantly having to discipline him because he is so jealous. When I think of this and how tired Cassie, my daughter, must get when no one is home to help her it makes me think of this; God looking down "thinking, that is nothing, what do you think I go through looking out after all my children?" Our God is so awesome, he is so loving, so forgiving, so powerful, that he can love us all unconditionally at the sametime. He sometimes has to Discipline us also. Deuteronomy 8:5-6 "Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him." Lord help me to walk in your way and revere you so my walk will be an example to these little grandchildren you have blessed me with. Isn't he precious?
Oh, I forgot to add something about this grandma posting this is having a hard time fitting her head through the door these days. While visiting this precious bundle of joy at the hospital, I was ask if I was my daughter's sister, then when I told them no I'm her mom, they came back with you can't be you are too young to be a grandma.

Time to weep, Time to mourn

2008-01-03T01:37:00.000-06:00

Ecclesiastes 3:4 "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,"

It is so hard to understand sometimes. Why God? Why would you take a beautiful young girl who only wanted to serve you at such a young age. It is so hard. I weep, for this family, I hurt for this family. It is time to mourn. But why for this?

I know that you are in control and you see the whole picture, but sometimes it is just so hard.

Our close friends of several year are going to have to say good bye to their daughter as she has gone home to her heavenly home. A beautiful home, one like nothing what her earthly father could give her here. But oh, it is so hard, to let go.

Please pray for our friends as they go through a very long week, waiting to lay their daughters body to rest, they know her soul has already gone to be with Jesus, but they will still weep and they will still mourn. We mourn with them. Thank you for praying for this family and helping us stand in the gap holding this family up in prayer.

Relaxing! or Worrying?

2007-12-29T00:20:00.000-06:00

Christmas is over and my hubby and I are having a great time of just sitting back, doing a whole lot of nothing, while the boys are home with their families. All though we are sitting on the edge of our seat waiting for the CALL........ Our daughter is due January 11th but the doctor said on Wednesday that she probably will see her in the hospital before her next appointment on the 2nd of January. So we are waiting........ waiting............. wondering.............. maybe a little of worrying......No I didn't just say that, did I? Well tonight, at about 5:00 my daughter wouldn't answer her phone, her husband is at work, and I tried again and again and again but no answer. So I took off with our SUV because there was several inches of snow on the ground and our dead end road still hadn't been plowed to go 4 miles to her house to check on her. She had her phone on silent in the afternoon when she was holding her sleeping, little 19 month old who has ear infection. She forgot to change the ring, so she missed my 10 calls I made to her. She just laughed and her husband told her over the phone that I needed to take a chill pill. Okay mothers out there, would you have done the same thing? Come on I need some help out there. I know God's word says Matthew 6:25 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?" But I truly am human is there any other human out there? Especially a mom. I sure hope Dylan's medicine kicks in for that ear infection before she has to go have his baby brother, because he will be pretty cranky without him mommy for a couple days. I sure hope the weather cooperates when that little guy decides to join us. I.......... oh there I am doing it again. Sorry, I guess I really am human. If you can, please say a little prayer for me while I'm sitting back relaxing doing a whole lot of nothing but thinking about when this little guy is going to join us. Thanks hope you all have a Happy New Year! If I don't come back before the new year to show off our little bundle of joy.

What would you put in the box?

2007-12-06T23:48:00.000-06:00

This little guy just loves to get inside the toy box and play with the toys inside the box, isn't he so cute?

Looking at this picture tonight reminded me of a new tradition I want to try to start this year for Christmas. Why do we celebrate Christmas? Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Do I give Jesus a birthday present since it is his birthday? We used to make a birthday cake when our children were little, but I think we need to start doing something differently. I am going to wrap up a beautiful box and put it under the tree and before opening up presents we are going to write on a peace of paper what we are going to give Jesus for HIS PRESENT and put them in the box! Then we can go on with our tradition of finding baby Jesus, the Christmas Story and then open presents. Then maybe it will seem more like Jesus' Birthday. What about you do you have any Christmas traditions you would like to share with me? I would love to hear about them.

Old not Young

2007-12-05T23:20:00.001-06:00

I've really been feeling like a grandma lately because I've been down flat on my back. When I did get up to walk I was bent over like an old lady or sometime I would even crawl to get from point a to point b. My little 18 month old grandson would just stare at me. He didn't know what to think. I think I'm on the mend after the last three days of being so doped up on muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory pills and pain pills that I wasn't sure where I was. I am going to have to go off the muscle relaxers tomorrow during the day, because I have got to try to get something accomplished. Hopefully I don't overdue it. Just wanted to write a little about how I have been feeling like an old grandma lately not a young one. God put me flat on my back so I remember to look up to Him. I thank Him for bringing me out of another back flare up without surgery.

Temptations

2007-11-07T22:08:00.000-06:00

I am so amazed to watch this little grandson of mine and see that even at his young age he is already struggling with temptation.

He will go to throw his food while sitting in his high chair and we will say no, and he will stop and then act like he is going to throw it again and look at us to see if we will say no again. The sin nature is so very real even in this little 17 month old.

I read a devotion today that really opened up my eyes to the temptations we face daily and our whole goal should be that of "RUN THE OTHER WAY!"

Lord, as I face my daily temptations, help me to run into your arms. Amen!

It pleases grandma!

2007-10-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

Colossians 3:20 "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." It is so awesome to watch our little grandchildren grow up learning about how to please the Lord.

The other day, Dylan, our little 17 month old grandson sat down at our table in his high chair and folded his hands waiting to pray. This wasn't the first time he did this but it just hit me that day how awesome that he is already learning to obey his parents, and pleasing God at this young age.

He has been throwing little tantrums lately so his mommy and daddy have been sitting him down and holding him down on the floor when he does this and tells him when he is done he can get up. After a couple times of this, one day he was screaming at the top of his lungs and then it was total quiet and he made the sign language sign of all done and started to get up. Is that a smart little guy or what. The joy of grandchildren! It is so much harder to discipline my grandchildren than it was my own children. However, it is so pleasing to know that these grandchildren are being taught to obey their parents, for this pleases the Lord.

It is so fun being able to be a true grandma now, with a couple of the grandchildren close by. This little 17 month old is going to be a little jealous in about 2 to 2 1/2 months because he has a little brother on the way. I can't wait to get to hold that little bundle of joy.

God,

I just pray that you would help me to obey you and live the life you would have me to live. I thank you for being my daddy that never leaves me, always listens to me and is so forgiving when I do mess up. Help me to be an example for my grandchildren, my children, the boys that you have entrusted to us to try to make a difference in their lives, my friends, and people that are watching my every move because of being in ministry. Thank you for being so awesome and letting me get to know some of my grandchildren in a more personal way and thank you for the man you gave me a little more than 25 years ago to make it possible for me to have these grandchildren to hold today. I love you. In Jesus Name, Amen

I'm back after almost 5 months!

2007-10-27T01:30:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try this again. Keeping a little journal about the joys of being a Grandma, especially now that I have some of them close (as in 4 miles instead of 1200 miles.) It is awesome!

I'm not going to write a whole lot right now, just wanted to change the look and let you know I'm back after a long time.

Maybe I will get some visitors maybe not.

TORNADO!

2007-06-03T22:57:00.000-05:00

There was a huge tornado that hit down about 20 some miles from my home on Friday June 1st, there are several people not able to live in their homes, from this tornado. We are just praising and thanking God that there were only minor injuries. I have never seen anything like this before. Please pray for all the people that were affected from this torando. I am going to be selfish now and especially ask prayer for my neice, her husband and their three children ages 3, 5, and 12, who are one of the several families affected by this. Their home, garage, barn and several trees were completely destroyed. They lost everything! It is so amazing to see what a tornado can do, their belongings are strewn about fields all over about a mile and a half. My neice has been very sick over the last 3 years with a flare up with her Crohn's Disease, in and out of the hospital several times, on highest doses of prednizone possible, & pain meds, they have just found a shot that has finally got her crohn's somewhat in control and the shot cost $1,500.00 a piece and I believe she has to give herself once a week. When she first started getting these shots the insurance would not pay for these, so I'm sure you can see that they have accumulated several medical bills, and now this on top of all their medical bills. My plea of prayer is for one, that the stress this has brought on would not cause her Chrohn's Disease to flare up. Two, that they would find strength from God above, maybe even gain a personal relationship with HIM. Three, that I would be able to be an encouragement for them through this time they are going through. It is so sad to see, all of their personal belongings in heaps and scattered in a mile and a half area, but I'm so thankful that they left their home 10 minutes before this happen, (not even knowing there was a torando warning) because they would not have survived being in their basement. Please remember my neice Jennifer and her family in your prayers. Her little three year old was ask by a reporter, do you know what is going on here. She responded with, "yeah, a big tomato came through and made a big mess of our house." After you look at these pictures you can see the big mess this BIG TOMATO made of their house. Please spread this around so we can have as many prayers as possible. Thank you all for your prayers!
Please ignore dates on the pictures my camera date was messed up!

Photo Hunt ~ Art!

2007-06-02T00:19:00.000-05:00

These are a couple rocks I painted! I love to paint but, finding the time to do it is a challenge at times. Hope you enjoy my photo Hunt and make sure you go visit other Photo Hunters over at T nchick

Thankful!

2007-05-30T23:04:00.000-05:00

I'm so thankful that we have been able to be around this little guy 5 times in his first year of life, living 1000 miles away, I am thankful for every little time I get, even if it means I have to change dirty pants and take care of a whole houseful of sick people with the flu. It is just so much fun to be able to hold him, rock him to sleep, sing to him, read to him, play with toys with him, take a walk with him, and kiss his little cheeks. We had a rough trip but it was well worth being able to be around him. Just check out these picture and you will see what I mean! Sorry it's been so long, been busy since we've been back!

Don't pay attention to the dates on the pictures, somehow the date got changed on the camera, oops! Didn't have time to crop them all!

I'm thankful it was DEHYDRATION!

2007-05-17T23:13:00.000-05:00

Arrived here in Texas yesturday at noon, my grandson was having quite a few loose stools. My daughter woke up this morning feeling nausiated, we were wondering if she was starting to have morning sickness. She was sick the whole pregnancy with Dylan. The day went on and she was vomitting all day and started to join Dylan with the loose stools, then we were pretty sure it was the stomache flu. Dylan decided to join mommy with the vomitting. We decided a couple hours ago Cassie needed to be checked out, she wasn't keeping anything down, and she was having pain in her back around to her stomache. They put her on an IV and did some blood work, to check her counts for galbladder, pancreas and liver. The bloodwork came back fine other than having a urinary tract infection, and they said she was dehydrated from the stomache flu. We were a little concerned about the baby, because she had a miscarriage before Dylan, so that's why I'm thankful it was DEHYDRATION! She is on her way back home, and will need to be in bed and on a clear liquid diet for tomorrow. So I'm here to take care of my baby when she needs me. Dylan hasn't vomitted for about 7 hours now, and is sleeping peacefully so hopefully he is about over this. Please continue to pray for our visit here in Texas, it has started out pretty crazy. But so thankful we are here to help out!

2007-05-15T22:52:00.000-05:00

Off to TEXAS a year later after the birth of our grandson Dylan so we can be there for his ONE YEAR Birthday Bash! Can't believe he is already a year, where does the time go? We just got word the other day that we are going to have another grandbaby to love on. How exciting!Cassie and Scott you are going to have your hands full! Here I say that but Dylan and his baby sister or brother are going to be about 20 months apart; and Cassie and her brother were only 16 months apart, so I guess I got her beat on having her hands full. Well I suppose I should try to get a little sleep, since it is already past 11:00 and I have to get up at 2:30 to get ready to leave for the airport. How am I going to sleep? Too excited! Look at him when he was born a year ago and when I get back or maybe even while I'm there I will post pictures of him now! This picture is my favorite!

There is heartache in being a mom of a prodigal son!

2007-05-12T22:52:00.000-05:00

Happy Mothers Day! To all you mothers out there praying that someday your prodigal will come home I feel for you and I will pray for you. It is hard, wondering when and if your son, will grab hold of what he was taught while growing up under your roof. I love my son, very much, but it's on days like today, that I hurt and wonder why?

I received a mothers day card from my daughter - in - law (my prodigal son's wife) today in the mail and it goes a little like this.

"What "Mother" means to Me
Whenever I hear
the word "mother,"
I hear your cheerful Laughter
in response
to something funny
I share with you....
or your calming, soothing voice
when I need comfort,
Whenever I hear the word "mother,"
I see your birght, sweet smile
and your caring eyes...
I feel the warmth
of your hugs.
Whenever I hear the word "mother,"
I realize how important
it is to have you
in my Life
and how very grateful
I am for the special gift
of your Love.
Happy Mother's Day" HALLMARK

Her own writing say's, "This card truly explains it all. I now know what I was missing by not having a mom, you are so amazing and the best mom anyone could ever ask for. You will always be my mom and NO ONE will ever replace you or compare to you. You guys will always be a part of my life and I love you guys so much. No one will ever love your son as much as I do, please don't forget that when he replaces me. Please promise that you'll always be my mom and never forget me. I love you so much and I will miss you guys more than you'll ever know."

Wow did I cry when I got this card. My son is not thinking right now and he is going to serve this awesome daugter in law of mine, that I have grown to love like my own daughter, divorce papers, after only a year and half. The only thing I can do, is pray that my son will not go through with this, and realize what he is throwing away.

I once again hand this baton of parenting over to my GOD who is in the Miracle Business of healing marriages.

Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be a mother, not only to my three children, but my in-laws, and the boys you have placed in our home over the last 15 years. Even through the hard times it is a joy to be called MOM.

I will make it through this trial because He will not only take my baton but he will pick me up and carry me in this race. James 1:2-8, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

I'm believin that He will give me the wisdom, to know how to handle this trial, and He is going to work mightly in the life of my prodigal son.

Happy Mothers Day to all you Mothers. God Bless you ALL!

Photo Hunt ~ Five!

2007-05-12T11:21:00.000-05:00

Our family of five several years ago, and then our family of five about 3 years ago before we became a bigger than five family due to those precious Grandchildren!

Visit more photo Hunters at TNChick!

Breathing a little easier?

2007-05-07T23:45:00.000-05:00

If you want an update on the stolen vehicle go on over to the MIRACES DO HAPPEN Blog!

Photo Hunt ~ Childhood!

2007-05-05T21:36:00.000-05:00

This is a pencil drawing I did in High school, of me when I was a little girl. The picture I looked at is in the bottom left corner. Do you see the tear in my eye? I guess I had bronchial pneumonia a lot when I was little and had to go to doctors offices and hospital's and thought the photo studio was a doctors office.

Want to view more photo hunters visit TNchick

Need a miracle!

2007-05-05T01:25:00.000-05:00

We need a miracle tonight for the Miracles Can Happen Boys Ranch. Please go on over to the ranch blog and read this post. We can use all the prayer we can get. Thank you all for your prayers in advance.

There goes the phone in the toilet!

2007-05-04T00:11:00.000-05:00

Isn't this the cutest picture, he just looks so innocent doesn't he? This is my youngest grandson that will already turn 1 on May 23rd. Where does the time go. My daughter and son-in-law have their hands full with this little guy. He is walking all over the place and gets into everything. He pushes one of his toys over to the counter, stands on the counter, and pulls off whatever he can get his hands on. The other day Cassie, my daughter, called and said, "Grandma, do you want to know what your grandson did this morning." So I said what did he do now? Well he got into the cupboard, got a can of coffee out, opened it up with his teeth and had a handful of coffee in his mouth. Then she called me a little later and said, "Do you want to know what your grandson did now." What now? He disappeared while his daddy was watching him, and threw my cell phone in the toilet. My husband and I are flying out on the 16th to go be with this spunky little guy for his one year birthday, can't wait. I look at his picture and just thank God for his little personality. I think back to two years ago this month, when my daughter had a miscarriage with her first baby, and remember the questions I was asking God. Why would you take my daughters baby away, when she remained pure until she got married, but my oldest son had a perfect heathy one month old out of wedlock. I just didn't understand. Now, I'm at peace, knowing that some day, my daughter, her husband, and Grandma and Grandpa, will see that little baby in heaven, but if that miscarriage did not take place we would have never met this little guy. Sometimes we don't always understand, why things happen the way they do, but we just have to remember "To trust in Him at all times, Oh people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8 If my son wouldn't have had a baby out of wedlock I never would have been able to love on this little guy who just turned 2 last month. He is so precious, so mild, and so loving. I have always loved him dearly even though I questioned God, sometimes we just don't understand why things happen the way they do. But we just need to trust in Him at all times.

Photo Hunt ~ Rare!

2007-04-28T01:03:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my youngest son, his senior year in 2005. His baseball team ended the season 42-0. The rare thing, "the sign is made out of styrofoam cups stuck in a chain link fence." Also the rare thing is, not too many teams can go the whole year undefeated. I'm proud of him too, just like I was proud of my hubby last week in the photo hunt!

Visit more photo hunters over at TNChick, while you are visiting the photo hunters don't forget to say a prayer for TNChick!

Photo Hunt ~ Steps

2007-04-20T22:51:00.000-05:00

My hubby is the one standing on the #2 step, this was his senior year, we were engaged, and this was his first lost for the whole year. His senior record was 33-1. He wasn't in a very good mood, but he did have an excuse. He hyper - extended his elbow the match before the finals. I was there as a cheerleader, however, I was cheering for his rival school, only 5 miles away. At least he didn't have to wrestle against anybody from my school in the state tournament, because he already beat him out before he got there. It sounds like I'm a little proud of my hubby of almost 25 years, well I am! Now he still uses this God gifted talent rolling around on a wrestling mat in our basement with the boys we work with or to restrain them when needed.

Helping another boy!

2007-04-18T22:08:00.000-05:00

My husband and I are in the process of interviewing parents, getting ready to fill an empty bed in our home for at risk boys. As I sat this afternoon listening and observing a hurting mother, I could not help but think about my own son and me as the hurting mother. Here I am trying to continue on with our job, ministry God has placed us in to help at risk boys and am wishing I could find the heart of my son that use to live with us for 19 years and has been running the wrong race for 4 years now. He was strong-willed yes, but he cared about others, he respected others, he wanted to please us, he had goals, he was a good student, he had his own part in this ministry, he loved God, he loved his family, where are you, son, please come back, I miss you. You see, my son told his wife last Sunday that he was going to serve divorce papers to her this week. They have only been married a year and a half, she called me right away to tell me. I let her talk, I listened to her, I cried with her, for about an hour and a half, she loves him so much. She made the comment that she don't know how she will live with out him. I didn't know what I was going to say to my son when I talked to him. Well he took care of that for awhile, because he called me later that night, and said,"It's my life, I will do what I want, stay out of it, and don't call me back because I won't answer your call." and hung up the phone. I have still not talked to him, however, I have talked to our daughter - in - law everyday, and she is not doing well. My daughter, had her flown to her house, to spend a week with her and is going to try to get her out of a very depressed state. My daughter works at a childrens home in Texas and just so happen to be having a conference while she will be staying with her called "Helping the broken-hearted!" Is that a God thing or what? Our son is not willing to work at this marriage, however, he told us a couple weeks ago that he was miserable, at the time they had decided to seperate for a while. We told him, well she's not there and you are still miserable, because you are running from the Lord, until you get back with the Lord you are going to be miserable. So my point is, please pray for my husband and I as we are having to make a decision which parent to reach out to and help, when we would like to help them all, because now we really feel their hurt from a personal level. I know my God is a Big God and He is going to send someone to reach out to my son, someday he will pick that baton back up that he's handed off to the worldly ways and run to Jesus with his whole heart. Psalm 97:9-12 "For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name."

Photo Hunt~ Hobby!

2007-04-13T22:16:00.000-05:00

One of my hobbies is painting, I love to paint, and really just started doing it again the last couple years. I haven't really done a whole lot since I was in High School, 25 years ago this May I graduated, so that tells you how long I put this hobby down. Some of you may have already seen this on my site another day, because I was asking your opinion of what to charge for a painting like this 7" x 7" canvas. But I couldn't resist putting this back up since the topic was Hobby for the Photo Hunt this week.

Visit more Photo Hunters @ TNChick

Losers make us Winners!

2007-04-13T09:45:00.000-05:00

I Corinthians 16:19 & 20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

We had a fitness center in our area put on a biggest loser contest, with 47 participants. These participants were trying to see who was the biggest loser and they lost a total of 899 pounds. Before they started this they were explained that the money they paid to enter and the money they had to give for not reaching goals, was going to go to the #1 winner (loser) to be given to their favorite charity. There was a tie, so the #1 winner and #2 winner had to share the money to give to the charity of their choice. Guess what, we the Miracles Can Happen Boys Ranch, were both of their choices. So because they were the biggest LOSERS we were the biggest WINNERS and recipients of $1,010.00 to help us run the race God has placed us in. Our God is an Awesome God and uses people in very creative ways to help us continue doing His work.

Play Time and Story Time!

2007-04-09T21:56:00.001-05:00

Well, we made another quick trick 500 miles to see our grandchildren again. My husband and I are all wore out after a night in a motel room with just two of our grandchildren. We have one that will be 2, April 22 and one that will be 1 May 23. Our children decided to go out together and we had fun with the grandchildren, but I don't remember it being this much work when I was parenting. I'm only the age of some mothers these days too, that's pretty bad, I feel so old and tired after running after a very active 10 month old. He is walking a little about 4 or 5 steps at a time, but he can crawl very fast and he gets into everything. We are cherishing this time though, just 2 days, and back home. One of our board members called us while we were giving baths and getting them both ready for bed, after talking to him he said it sounds like those grandkids are more work than taking care of 4 troubled teen age boys. At the time the little one had crawled back into the bathroom got his pj's soaking wet and the other phone was ringing, and I was trying to get a diaper and pj's on the older one. I really don't remember it being this much work and I use to babysit somedays 12 children at a time about 18 years ago. I guess I'm use to the mouth problems instead of changing diapers, falling down on things getting hurt, or picking something up and putting it in their mouth that shouldn't be there. But I wouldn't trade this time these 2 days for nothing it is so much fun, to cuddle, rock, and love these grandkids. Here is a picture of grandpa holding them both at a show we went to this afternoon, and grandma reading them their bedtime story.

Can't wait to spend another day tomorrow with these precious little ones that God has blessed us with. We will get to see the other two tomorrow too. I think we are going to a pizza play place. Hope you all had a Happy Easter!

Photo Hunt ~ Clean!

2007-04-06T16:06:00.000-05:00

Look at these beautiful CLEAN milk cows of ours. We started milking 24 cows in September of 2006, but my husband grew up on a dairy farm all his life milking 135. Our cows stay in the barn so they stay a lot cleaner than running out in the pasture. The boys at the ranch take turns milking these cows, and this has opened up the door for some great one on one talks in the barn. God is even using these cows to minister to the boys we work with. Have a Happy Easter!

Photo Hunt is hosted by TNChick. Go visit other photo hunters and enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday ~ God's Beauty!

2007-04-04T00:04:00.000-05:00

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Your Opinion?

2007-04-01T23:45:00.000-05:00

My husband and I don't make a whole lot of money, in the ministry we are in and I keep trying to think of ways to use a gift God has given me to make a little extra income. I painted this, 7" x 7" abstract painting for our Pastor and His wife and I was wondering if I could sell different paintings like this. If you were to purchase this painting, what would you be willing to pay for it. Please be honest, I need to see if it is worth it to come up with a bunch of scripture paintings like this. Thanks so much for your opinions.

Photo Hunt ~ Water

2007-03-31T23:20:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my oldest son and my oldest Biological Grandson. I can count on one hand the number of times I have gotten to see him. I look at this picture and remember how much fun it seemed my son was having with his son on this day. I wonder today why he doesn't take the time to spend more time with him. I always thought he would be a great daddy, but my heart breaks today because his mom told me just the other day that the last time he had him was when my husband and I were down there 6 weeks ago. I don't understand, how can a daddy not miss his own child. I could see there are some situations where they live too far away but my son lives in the same town. Why?

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Never Stop Praying, Always Believe!

2007-03-29T23:14:00.000-05:00

When I started this blog my first writing was Take my baton, JESUS. I really need to focus on that last line right now, as I'm struggling to know what to say to my prodigal son right now. If you could please remember my oldest son in prayer right now as he is running the wrong direction right now in his life. Please pray that he will make a U-turn soon!

I haven't posted for awhile because I just haven't known what to say, then when I did think I knew what to say, I wrote a long post and my computer turned off on it's own. I guess that was God, telling me I didn't

need to write all that. So this is just short and sweet and to the point.

Wordless Wednesday~ Day on the Beach!

2007-03-21T01:12:00.000-05:00

View more WW here

I want to keep running Lord!

2007-03-19T23:42:00.000-05:00

Jesus,

I do want to keep running this race I'm in, but some days just seem like I have to run longer and jump more hurdles than other days. Why, can't this race be easy? Wow, here I am asking why this can't be easy and look at the race you had to run, my race doesn't even compare to the race you ran. Please forgive me to even question, I know I just need to run, keep on keepin on, and finish this race you have placed me in. You told me in your word that the key to this race is to keep my eyes fixed on you, help me to do that, I'm in the wrong lane, and I have knocked down a few hurdles the last couple weeks, dealing with these boys that you entrusted my husband and I with. It just seems ever since we let one of our boys go, due to some choices he made, the other boys are trying to do anything they can to see if we will send them home. That hurts, to think that they really believe we will give up on them that easy. It hurts even more when I realize that I just missed my hurdle and skinned up my knee because, I took my eyes off you. It's so tiring trying to show them that we really do care for them, it has got to be very tiring for you when we as your children ask you why can't this race be easy? I know you love me Jesus, and I know beyond a doubt you have placed me in this race, and I know I want to finish this race, so thank you Jesus for enduring the cross, scorning its shame, and sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God. I'm handing my baton of perseverance over to you right now and I know you are going take that baton and help me not to grow weary and lose heart.

In Jesus name,
AMEN

I normally post scripture in NIV but I decided to read the scripture I want to post in THE MESSAGE and I thought it was very helpful in my race today.

Hebrews 12:1-3 "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! " The Message

I can't believe I did what I just did!

2007-03-16T23:59:00.000-05:00

My, husband loves me dearly, but sometimes I really wonder what he thinks when he thinks about our 25th wedding anniversary coming up. Is he thinking, if I wouldn't have married her, maybe I would have played pro football. You see, back in 1982, my hubby was an awesome, running back in football, and several colleges were looking at him. But, instead of going off to college, he stayed back to milk cows for his dad. His dad had just remodeled their milk barn and expanded and was milking 135 cows. Jim felt it was his responsibility to stay back and work for him. Well I forgot to tell you that I think I was a little pull in the decision, too, because we were in love, and we got married in September, right after we graduated in May from highschool. There's times when I watch him while he is watching football, and I can tell he is wondering, could I have made that run. He has been a rams fan since he was a young boy, and guess what? He has never been to a Rams game. I thought last year, for his 24th wedding anniversary I would splurge with money we really didn't have and buy us tickets to go to his FIRST Rams game. (I told him, in the back of my mind I was thinking, I'll take you to a football game you have never been too, for our 24th, and you can take me to a cruise, that I've never been on for our 25th) It was all planned, I bought tickets for the game over thanksgiving weekend, while the boys were home for a long weekend. He was so excited. We were going to go to his family's house for thanksgiving 6 hours from here on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Then we were going to leave there Sunday morning and drive 2 more hours to the St Louis Rams home game. Well the Friday night we were suppose to leave Jim came down sick with the flu. He was finally better Saturday night, so our plan was to get up at 5:30 Sunday Morning and drive 6 hours to the game in St. Louis. Well, for some reason, God didn't want us to go to the St. Louis Rams game because I woke up Sunday morning and couldn't walk, my back was out. So to make a long story short, Our tickets are in frames on my husbands Ram decorated office wall. I felt terrible! Well here's the thing that I can't believe I did what I just did! I just emailed Marshall Faulk, and ask him to come over to our house this summer, to surprise my husband. I told him the whole story! Can you believe I just did that? I found his website and it said email me a question. So I emailed him "can you come over to my house?" I'm sure nothing will ever come of this, but I can't believe I just did that. Can You? By the way this would make my husbands day if he would, so am I wrong in asking you to pray for this to happen if it be God's will. I love my husband dearly and it would be so neat to surprise him with something like this. I actually invited him out for a camp we are putting on this summer, kind of like a boot camp, 20 troubled boys, for a week. We will try to scare them straight! It will be very primitive, we have a campground out in the timber, tent's, outhouse, bag showers. We have Pat Militech, Ultimate Fighter, coming out to do the calistetics every day, they will work on the ranch throughout the day, play some organized football, (I thought maybe Marshall Faulk could toss the football around with them), then we will have worship music around a camp fire and dynamic speakers in the evening, telling their testimonies. We are looking forward to this, it is our first time to try something like this, so we could use the extra prayers. (who knows how many different gangs we might have on our property, that week,) but I do know I belong to the biggest and best gang in the world, the JESUS Gang, so bring them on, let the Jesus Gang break the tough spirits, into new creations.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Spring is in the Air!

2007-03-14T16:09:00.000-05:00

It's not about me, but all about Him!

2007-03-12T21:12:00.000-05:00

Why do I care what others think, because it's not about me, but it's all about Him. It hurts when a troubled boy that we have learned to love living in our home, would want to end it all. Why after all we have tried to do for him, would he want to end it all? Last night, my husband and I sat up all night watching one of our boys, after returning from a home visit, because he voiced that he wanted to end it all. We, talked, sat quietly, listened, cried, and prayed. It hurts to watch a young man, struggling so much, running from God, ignoring all our words God is giving us to share, confused, and scared. The thing that really hurts is when this young man tells us the only reason we are doing this, is to get rich, live in a nice home, and have an easy job. Why does it hurt so much when I hear these words, because believe me, we are not getting rich doing this! Yes, we do live in a lovely home God has blessed us with after living in a single wide trailer house, that was beautifully decorated with rat and mouse droppings, brown polka dots on the ceiling, hanging tiles to give it a rustic look and no running hot water. By the way if this is an easy job, I definitely don't want a hard job, because I will definitely throw in the baton. Am I the only one that cares about what others think? I know that it's not right but why does it bother me so? I love these boys like they were my own, but it hurts, when they can't accept our love for them. As I'm writing this, I am in tears, knowing that Jesus has to hurt so much when he looks at our fallen world. He loved us so much that He gave his life for us, and there are so many in this world that won't accept His love.

Jesus,
I hurt because you hurt, for this lost soul, please help me to remember daily in this ministry that it's not about me, but it's all about YOU! You have put me in this race and you will continue to help me pass the baton of faith and perseverance over to you, to help me run this race. Thank you for loving me and choosing me as your faithful servant to serve you in this ministry. I love you!

In Jesus Name, AMEN

Photo Hunt ~ Architecture

2007-03-09T22:21:00.000-06:00

hosted by TNChick

This barn and house was built with hands of troubled boys, my husband and I, our children, and volunteer help. When we look at these buildings we are amazed at God and what he can provide. The boys that live with us, come to the ranch, with very destructive hands. It is music to our ears when we hear one of the boys while giving a tour, I built this wall over here. They are so proud of what they have acomplished and begin to feel like they are being successful.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Front Door View!

2007-03-06T23:26:00.000-06:00

Come on in! I'm having an Open Blog!

2007-03-04T20:04:00.000-06:00

It's time for the big blog party, and I am looking forward to meeting some new blog friends. I don't know how many will find my blog, but if you have found it please feel free to come on into my blog of parenting, grandparenting, and ministry. I could probably write a lot more about my life and ministry but I just can't find the time somedays.

Please feel welcome and be snoopy and go into different post and try to get to know me a little.
I'm hoping to find time to visit some new sites this week. It is so encouraging to stumble along somebody's blog that is going through the same type of trial I may be going through, and read how they have jumped their hurdle or handed their baton over to Jesus, in their race of life. I continue to hand my baton over to Jesus, in my life of parenting, grandparenting and ministry. I pray that God will give me the strength to continue running in the race he has placed me in and that I may be able to encourage maybe one person, through this blog.

I want to thank 5 minutes for mom for hosting this big blog party and if you are interested in joining the party, just click on the button on my sidebar and it will take you to all the information needed. They are even giving away prizes if you join the party, so come join the fun.

Please leave a comment if you stop by, and take a cup of French Vanilla Coffee with you as you go onto the next party.

Photo Hunters ~ Salty

2007-03-03T15:03:00.000-06:00

hosted by TNChick

Mark 9:50 "Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

These salty tears were seasoning to this Grandma that wants to fly 1000 miles everytime I look at this picture. I just want to pick him up and cuddle him.

Help each of us this week to have the qualities of salt that we might live in peace with each other.

Wordless Wednesday - Charlotte's Web

2007-02-27T23:09:00.000-06:00

Prayer Request!

2007-02-25T15:02:00.000-06:00

Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Readers Version) "The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He'll never desert you. So don't be afraid. Don't lose hope."

We just did a very hard thing here at the ranch, something we have only had to do 3 other times in the last 15 years of this ministry. We just had to let the #34th boy go from this program, he was only here 8 months and because of some choices he made, we decided we can't help a young man that doesn't want to help himself. Some of the last words we, Jim, Cathy and Curtis, said to him was:

Curtis said, "You hurt me bad it really hurt me but...... I forgive you and I love ya, man"

Cathy said, "I hated your actions but I love you and the only way you will ever make it in life is if you turn to Jesus, because HE is the only true one that can help you."

Jim said, "I really don't feel like hugging you right now but I'm going to anyway, I'm giving up on you, but Jesus will never give up on you."

We learned to love this young man through Christ's love and it is very hard having him as a part of our life trying to teach him right from wrong, and then having to let him go, knowing that he was choosing to still go down the wrong path. We know though that our GOD is a GOD of MIRACLES and HE used US to plant the seeds and HE will send SOMEONE ELSE to water it and HE is the only one that can make it GROW!

I Corinthians 3:5-7 "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

Lord, Jim and I, know we are nothing, you have just chose us as your servant to be your tool, to just touch a portion of this young man's life, but we know that you are EVERYTHING to us and we trust someday you will be EVERYTHING to this young man, because you are a God of MIRACLES. Please just watch over him as he leaves our home, and put you arms around him and give him that hug everynight that we are not able to do now. We thank you in advance for what you are going to do in this young man's life and we thank you for letting us be a part of his life for the 8 months he was here. In Jesus Name, Amen

Laborers for Christ,

Cathy (for Jim and Cathy)

Photo Hunt --- Soft

2007-02-24T09:10:00.000-06:00

hosted by TNChick

My little 4 lb Chihuahua decided she wanted to crawl into a pile of soft, warm towels that just came out of the dryer. How adorable don't you think?

Prayer!

2007-02-23T10:51:00.000-06:00

Please go over to a new blog that I started for the ministry that my husband and I have been in for 15 years and read this post we could use all the prayer possible for this young man. I feel that we have thrown him out to the wolves and he needs covered in prayer. Please join up with me in prayer for this young man!

My Cowboy Hat is Back On!

2007-02-21T23:24:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm back from seeing, holding, loving, rocking, and singing to those precious grandchildren and my heart already misses them. But I have my cowboy hat back on so you better sit back, grab a cup of hot coffee because I'm pulling out the pictures! I hope you enjoy! I can't just share one I have to show you two of each. Sorry, I'm just a proud Grandma that likes to show off her pictures.

Wordless Wednesday/Precious Grandchildren!

2007-02-21T00:35:00.000-06:00

The Open Window! (My First Sawblade)

2007-02-17T16:25:00.000-06:00

About a year ago, I painted my first sawblade. When I saw that Kathleen was starting The Open Window I thought I would share some of my paintings. I thank God for the gift that he has given me, and I pray that I will be able to use this gift more now that I am kind of an empty nester. I hope you enjoy! Thank you Kathleen Marie for starting the open window.

Wordless Wednesday! (My First)

2007-02-14T19:40:00.000-06:00

My most memorable Valentine Day!

2007-02-13T22:25:00.000-06:00

Psalm 89:28 (New International Version)
"I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail."

Several years ago I was riding in a GMC pickup truck next to the love of my life on our way to a steak dinner for Valentines Day. The night before he told me all he got me was a card (1) for valentine's day because that was all he could afford. I responded with something like "that is fine I don't need anything else I have you." So we are driving along the highway sitting next to each other on a bench seat in the pickup and all of the sudden he says, open up the glove compartment. So I open it up and there is a wrapped present in there. You said you weren't getting me anything. He just had this huge grin on his face. So I opened the present up and right away, I'm like I can't believe this did he get me a ring? I saw this gold jewelry box (2) that had a picture of me and him on the lid when I opened it and it played the song "we've only just begun" then I saw a bunch of tore up tissues in the ring department. I started pulling them out and my heart was beating so hard I couldn't believe it, I was so excited. Then I got to the bottom of it and there was nothing. So I turned the music box on again and said this is so neat thank you. I'm sure now thinking about how foolish I must have looked he was probably laughing very hard underneath, but he didn't let it excape. So I start looking out the window and enjoying the ride and all of the sudden he throws me this little stuffed bear that says "I wuv you!" on the front of his belly. I looked at it and hugged it and said oh, this is so cute, Thank you I wuv it! Then I sat it down on the seat and he said, "Pick it up and look at it." I said, "I did, it is so cute." Then he used his deeper voice and said once again, "No, Cathy look at it close." So I picked it up and looked at it again and all of the sudden I saw something sparkle and my engagement ring was on the arm of the teddy bear. (3)

I'm sure I started crying and wiped my eye's on his sleeve, and tried kissing him as we were still driving down the highway. After I settled down we got to talking and we had to be back to his house in a couple hours so he could milk the cows, and I wanted to go to my house so I could show my mom and dad the ring. So I said, "Jim, can we just go to McDonalds drive through instead of for that steak dinner, we just don't have the time." He responded with, "If I take you to McDonalds for dinner the day that I ask you to marry you I will never live it down." Guess what 25 years ago today this took place and I do still remind him that he took me to McDonalds the day he ask me to marry him. We were so young then, still in High School and we got married that September. We had several people tell us we were too young, and it would never last, but here I am 25 years later going to be sitting next to the love of my life on Valentine's Day at McDonalds. Oh, I'm probably not really, he might take me to Wendy's. No really I don't know if he will even take me anywhere for dinner, but that's okay I still WUV him!

I'm taking off my cowboy hat!

2007-02-12T23:26:00.000-06:00

No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet. ~Author Unknown

I get to take my cowboy hat off in about 3 days because I won't have to pull out those pictures to show everyone. I will be holding them all in my arms!!!!! We are going down to Branson, Mo 500 miles away to 3 of the grandchildren and our other grandchild that is 1000 miles away is coming up from Texas to meet us there. So I think I'm going to get a picture of all of them together, in the same picture. I can't wait! I also can't wait to hold them all and see how much their little personalities have changed.

Make sure you are ready when I get back. I will be puttin my cowboy hat back on and pullin those pictures out, fast, to show you how precious my grandchildren are.

Psalm 103:16-18 "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-"

Lord,

I just thank you for your everlasting love and giving me the chance to share that love with my children's children, please help me to be an example to them as I love on them. I am so thankful you have given Jim and I this chance to get away to be able to do this. Thank you for bringing our son Curtis right now, to join up with us in this ministry, to give us this opportunity. You are such a loving God, and I thank you for loving me!

In Jesus Name,

AMEN!

Guess What I haven't taken my hat off yet and my daughter just sent me some pictures via email so I just had to show you.

I hope he's wearing his happy face when we see him!

Isn't he just so cute even when he is crying!

I forgot to mention that we would be taking our two babies with us please pray for us as we travel with these two.

My baby, Curtis, is going to be 20 tomorrow!

2007-02-05T16:59:00.000-06:00

Born: February 6, 1987

Where has the time gone, it seems like just the other day I brought him home from the hospital and was cradling him in my arms. It seems like just yesterday that I was beside his hospital bed, when he had pneumonia at 6 weeks old. It seems just like yesterday that I was bathing my son, after he would work on cars with his daddy. It seems just like yesterday that I was teaching him how to read. Where has the time gone. It seems just like yesterday that I was watching him play t-ball, baseball, wrestle, and football. Wow, where did the time go? The next thing I knew he graduated from High School.

Now I have the privilege to hear him correct young men when they use the wrong tone, or wrong words. Just the other day my husband and I were sitting in our office and Curtis was dealing with one of the boys, at our ranch, and we heard him say, "I think you owe me a listening exercise, don't you, you didn't listen to what I told you." It sounded just like his dad, but the boys already respect him, and look up to him as a big brother. He wrestles around with them, plays games with them, and gets them to respect him. Which is exactly what has to happen here or there is nothing but chaos. It is so awesome to see him working right along side his dad in this ministry, but I'm not here to say that he will do this for the rest of his life. If he chooses to go off and do something else with his life than that is his choice. All I can say, for now, it is a time that his dad and I will never forget watching our son in ministry with us. He still hasn't found his mate yet, so this type of work may not be for her, who knows? God knows and He's the one that gave him to me 20 years ago and I thank him for my baby. By the way he is single! I'm trying to find him a good christian woman if you know of one. He is a fine looking young man if you ask me, but I'm sure I'm a little prejudice after all this is my baby!

Miracle on 300th Street

2007-01-29T00:18:00.000-06:00

Thought I would share the newsletter for the boys ranch that I just sent out. The last newsletter that was sent out in November I stated that a company backed out of a committment of triple matching a golf outing someone put on for us last June, 2006. We were suppose to receive the triple match in October and this was going to finish purchasing the cows to fill the dairy barn. The company decided to back out on this committment due to the fact that our website states that we hold bible study with the boys. This company had given already in January of 2006 to this ministry.

Here is a portion of the newsletter I just sent out on Friday. God is an Awesome God!

The last newsletter we sent out we ask you to join us in prayer and start believing that this ministry would not only receive a triple match, that would equal the $18,000.00 but God is going to double that triple match, because our God is a God who still performs miracles today, and he is going to display his power among the people. Well, we are excited to share that your prayers have been heard and MIRACLES DO HAPPEN! Since the last newsletter when I ask you to start believing to receiving, we have received the $36,000.00. Isn’t He an AWESOME God! The cows are completely paid for and $9,000.00 worth of corn is paid for to feed the cows. Our God is in the miracle business and He is using great people to help perform miracles in young men’s lives by keeping the doors of Miracles Can Happen Boys Ranch, open another year. We made it through another year and we are starting the 15th year, in 2007. We would like our thanks be made known for everyone that had a part in the miracles taking place in the year 2006 and as our Pastor put it on New Years Eve, may we hear from HEAVEN in 2007! I believe due to your prayers and support, we’ve already started to hear from HEAVEN. We are excited for what God has in store for 2007.

Testimony of 2006: Jim say’s “What is going on, why are you acting like this?” Boy says, “Okay, I’ll tell you why I’m acting like this because I don’t want to go home, I just want you and Cathy to adopt me, you are the only one’s that have ever made me do the right things. I’m scared that when I go home, somebody will lie or do something to make me mad because it’s wrong, and I will end up losing my temper.” This boy has told us several times that he feels good about himself for once. There is no way we could start to adopt the boys because it would be never ending but with your help in this ministry we can continue to bring more boys into this home and share the love of Jesus with them. Thank you for making a difference!

If we're wrong, just wasted words!

2007-01-26T00:27:00.000-06:00

About 10 days ago I posted Jesus is the only way asking all believers who read this to lift boy #32 at the boys ranch up in prayer. Last night this boy was on his way to work and he was in a little wreck. He told us later that if he was 5 seconds earlier, the other vehicle could have hit him in the drivers door, and possibly could have killed him. We ask him if he thought about where he might spend eternity, if that would have happened. We told him if he wanted us to pray with him we were here, but we were not going to force Jesus on Him. My husband said, "I'm not going to get any extra crown or anything by you praying because I've already done my job with your life. I have shared with you what you need to do to have eternal life." He just fidgeted a little more. Then I said, "You know if we are wrong then the words you would have said in a prayer to ask Jesus into your life would just be wasted, but if we are right then where would you spend eternity?" Once again we assured him though that it needed to be his decision, and not ours, and it also had to be from his heart. He was very emotional, but never mentioned anything to us about praying with him. So we gave him his hug good night and went to bed ourselves with heavy hearts. God is definitely working on this young man's heart, and I'm asking again please join us in prayer for this young man's soul, my heart hurt for him when he was scared about his life and how he is struggling to accept God's Grace.

My pesky bugs!

2007-01-23T00:30:00.000-06:00

II Corinthians 4:13 "It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken. With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,"

I just got done listening to one of my online lessons with Beth Moore "Believing God", she told me to tell that mountain to move and if God doesn't move that mountain, climb that thang! My mountain right now are these bugs on my bathroom floor everyday! I just swept my floor about 4 hours before I took this picture. Why can't my bugs look pretty like the other bugs in the picture above? I was sitting on my toilet today looking at my daily bugs, and thinking that is just like the enemy to rob me of my joy, I just swept the floor and there are the bugs again. So figure it up if I had 6 bugs on my floor after 4 hours, if I only swept my floor once a week I would have 252 bugs on my bathroom floor. I'm so sick of these bugs! Just like I'm so sick of the enemy robbing me of my joy and trying to send other bugs in my life, to keep me focusing on the bugs instead of focusing on the beauty of the one that created the bugs. I'm going to tell that mountain to move and if it doesn't move, because it might be stubborn like me, then I'm gonna climb that thang! I believe those bugs are going to leave! Thank you Jesus for loving me, even when I'm kind of pesky like the bugs in my life right now! Thank you for forgiving me when I let you down, and thank you for using people in my life to teach me. I love you Jesus!

Part one "My Story"

2007-01-22T00:05:00.000-06:00

Mark 11:22 "Have faith in God, " Jesus answered.

Have you ever felt like your faith is sometimes wavy like it looks in this graphic? In the past 16 1/2 years my husband and I have been on a path of living by faith. I will admit it hasn't always been easy and there have been times I wanted to throw in the towel. I want to write a book someday, so I will practice with little clips here on my blog. So here is part 1 of my story. Not sure when the next part will come but keep visiting and in the mean time keep wondering.... to be continued!

Where are you God? I remember wondering this back in 1990 when God moved my husband, our three children ages 3, 5 & 6 and me about 500 miles away from my family that I had never been away from, the whole 26 years of my life. My husband and I decided that we were going to be the chess pieces and He, God, would be the master chess player, and where He would move us we would go.

Approximately a month before we moved we had visited a ranch for troubled boys. We heard about the ranch through, Intercristo, a Christian job placement network. After looking at the run down ranch, and talking to the program director, we left the property and fell silent. We were in awe after hearing the faith stories the program director shared with us, and couldn’t even talk. About 5 or 10 miles down the road, we both said at the same time. "What did you think?" Then at almost the exact same time again, we said, "Our house!" While we were there we were shown this run down three- bedroom trailer house that we would be moving into, while working with the boys on this ranch, if we took the job.

At this time my husband and I were doing pretty well. We married right out of high school, started a family not even a year into our marriage, and didn’t have any college degree. My husband was working in a factory making about $14.00 an hour back in 1990, I was doing in home day care, with several children, and my husband also was running a mechanic shop out of our two car garage. We had bought our first house 5 years prior when we were 21 years old, and it was on a corner lot, with a swimming pool in our back yard and a big fenced in yard for the children.

Guess what, my husband said, "are we sounding a little like the rich guy in the bible? We want to serve God but are we really willing to give up our earthly possessions to serve Him?" Wow did he step on my toes or my heart? Actually it hit both of us, and we both agreed that if God wanted us to serve Him then He would have to sell our home, because renting was not an option for us. So we called the realtor on a Tuesday, we talked, he came by and put a sign in the yard. This happened the day before the small town newspaper came out. We were thinking we have plenty of time, because this house was on the market a year and a half before we bought it and we were selling it for more than what we bought it for 5 years prior. I have something to tell you. If you are not willing to be used by God don’t tell him you are ready, if you really aren’t because he works fast. You see, the very day the sign was put in our yard the realtor called to show our house but we told him to wait until Saturday to show it because we had some painting to do. Is our God awesome or what? The couple that came to look at our house that Saturday bought our house and we moved within the next month.

So there we were packing up, and the program director of the ranch we were moving to called us. He said, "The couple that was living in the farmhouse about 2 miles away from the ranch just left today so you won’t be moving into the three-bedroom trailer house, you can move into the two story farmhouse." Is that just like Our God to try to out Bless us? Here we were trying to be a blessing and following His calling on our life. Instead He had to turn around and out Bless us by giving us the two-story farmhouse to move into. Wow, that just gives me the holy bumps all over again just reminiscing about the whole thing. Where are you God? He was right there all the time. The whole year and a half we were at that ranch, learning what ministry was all about, before He, the master Chess player, moved his players again. You want us to what? Where are you God?

My Prayer!

2007-01-18T00:46:00.000-06:00

Jesus is the Only Way!

2007-01-15T01:02:00.000-06:00

1 John 4:15-17 "If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him." NIV

My husband and I have had 34 at - risk boys come live in our home in the last 14 years, we are so blessed to be able to share the love of Jesus with these boys. I will be honest it hasn't been an easy road, however, it has been a road to remember. God has used us as his tool, he is the master gardner and we are just the hoe that try's to turn up the top soil that has become so hard. We try to keep the boys with us approxiamately 2 - 2 1/2 years, because we feel if we get them around 14, and it took them this many years to get where they are, God needs some time to use us to build a firm foundation under their feet when they leave.

We have had boys here anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 1/2 years. As of right now every one of the 34 boys except one, which is living with us right now, has made a profession of faith. This is what brings me to write this post. My heart is hurting right now for this boy, because he has been with us for a year and a half and I realize the time is almost running out. As I'm writing this I'm thinking shouldn't our hearts hurt every day for loved ones that don't know Jesus, because our time is running out. No one knows the day or the hour. Wow, I don't know about you but what about your family members, are you constantly trying to reach them? I will have to say family is the hardest to witness to, but as I yearn for this boys salvation it is really making me think of my family members.

This young man refuses to ask Jesus to come into his life, he is probably the easiest boy we have worked with regarding attitude. He will also be the first to answer questions in morning devotions, and the first to ask questions in Bible Study at night. When we memorize scripture, he will be the first to have it memorized. Just the other day, he was getting ready to go for a job interview and he has been looking for a job for about a month, so as he was getting his keys to his car from me. I said, "Would you like me to pray for you?" He said, "sure", with no hesitation. When he came home with paperwork and a job, he was very excited. I shared with his excitement and then God gave me these words. "If you don't believe in Jesus, why did you not hesitate at all when I ask if you wanted me to pray before you left for this job interview." He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders and walked to his room.

So this post is to ask every believer in Christ that reads this to please lift boy #32 at the Miracles Can Happen Boys Ranch up in prayer that he will quit running from God and just hand the baton over to Jesus. After all God is still in the miracle working business here at Miracles Can Happen Boys Ranch.

Too young to be a Grandma?

2007-01-10T22:53:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 29:17 "Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul." I don't feel too young to be a grandma today! Our youngest son, whom will be 20 in February, has joined up with us in our ministry, which we are very excited about, he is a great mentor to the young boys we work with. However, I don't quite understand this verse right now. Could you try to help me understand it? My son thinks he can discipline me now and he is not giving me peace or bringing delight to my soul. He is bringing aches and pains to my body because for some reason he thinks that his mom and dad need to do a work out with him 3 days a week. Ohhhhhh, am I sore but ohhhhhhh do I need this! So I guess I have handed the baton over to Jesus with Curtis because now he is raising me and teaching me what is right for me. But this isn't fair, I'm suppose to hand the baton over to Jesus not Curtis. Did it hurt Curtis this much when I was disciplining him? Yeah, I'm sure it did only instead of his back hurting his behind was hurting.

To be honest my son is giving me great peace and delight to my soul, because he feels that God wants him to be a mentor to young men right now in his life. It brings great joy to know that even though our son watched us struggle in this ministry, for the past 15 years, he must of seen the joy we have sharing the love of Jesus with these young men.

So even though I'm hurting right now, I know I need this discipline of exercising. I have struggled with back pain since I was 25, have spent several days down in bed because of my back, so my back does need strengthened and this is the only way it's going to happen.

Proverbs 15:32 "He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding."

Lord,

Help me not to ignore this discipline, because I do want to gain

understanding, even if it is taking my baby to show me true discipline.

Thank you for disciplining me as your child when I need it, you are a

great Father and I love you. I want to praise you in advance for the

way you are going to help me feel young again! Thank you for bringing

Curtis, here, to join up with us in this ministry.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

2007 New Years Meditations!

2007-01-03T22:15:00.000-06:00

Laurel Wreath invited us to post on our site about our hopes, dreams, and goals for the next year. What a great way to look at New years resolutions in a much different way.

I have been struggling with my prayer life for quite sometime and I have been so excited since Sunday morning service about the year 2007 and my prayer life. Since then, I have been reading What Happens When Women Pray by Evelyn Christenson and Too Busy Not To Pray by Bill Hybels and also the Busy Grandma's Guide to Prayer by Lisa Whelchel & Gentry Coleman, which I mentioned in my previous post "I will always be a mom but now I'm a Grandma!" The funny thing is I have already read the first two books I mentioned here and done a bible study on both of them. However, it's time to blow the dust off them and study them again, because I'm ready to Hear from Heaven in 2007! Our Pastor challenged us on New Years Eve to Discover the Dynamite and pray like we have never prayed before and Hear from Heaven in 2007. I'm excited because I believe that prayer is dynamite when it is lit on fire, and I'm ready for my pray life to explode in 2007, because I do want to hear from Heaven in 2007! My hope is that my prayer life will do what I'm dreaming it's going to do as I reach my goal of Hearing from Heaven in 2007!

Thank you God for the excitement you have put back in my life, as you carried us through 2006 in our ministry my husband and I are in, struggling financially to keep the doors open, and the way you ended our year with great encouragement financially. God is good and still in the Miracle working business so if you would like to read about some miracles take a look at our ministries website Miracles Can Happen Boys Ranch, Inc. Where Miracles are still happening Today!

I will always be a mom but now I'm a Grandma!

2006-12-29T23:28:00.000-06:00

At times lately I've felt like my job is done being a mom because my children no longer live in my home. Not quite a year ago, God was telling me to meet with this women weekly for an accountability partner, but I kept putting it off. I didn't understand why he would want me to meet with her because she has 4 little children still at home and my children are all raised. Why God, I need someone else to help me through this time in my life. Wow, does that sound selfish or what? It's all about Him, not about me! I am human. Anyway all along I'm wondering Lord, am I really being a mentor to her like I should be, because I haven't had my study done on several occasions. We are trying to do a Beth Moore bible study online together and I just keep putting it off. Like I said before I'm human. Sorry, Robin, I wouldn't blame you if you found someone else as your accountability partner and friend.

There's been several times I have left after being with her and thought man did I mess that time up Lord, I'm sorry I didn't even make sure we took time to pray before we ran out of time. Well guess what she gave me this great Christmas present and it is an awesome prayer journal called "The Busy Grandma's Guide to prayer" by Lisa Whelchel & Gentry Coleman and this has helped me realize that I'm not done being a mom because my children still need me to cover them in prayer as they raise their own children, my grandchildren! First I pray for myself, in this journal, then my adult children, then my grandchildren, then my grandchildren's future, then my grandchildren's character, then the children of the world. It is amazing how I'm still needed in my adult children's life.

She also wrote me a letter and stuck it inside the book, one thing that stuck out to me was this little part right here. Robin, I hope you aren't mad that I'm sharing online with everyone. "God knew I needed somebody to laugh with and cry with - and laugh till I cry with - and He sent me You!" Does God know what he is doing, of course, she needed me and I needed her, and I'm very greatful for my accountability partner, she has taught me I will always be a mom but now I'M A GRANDMA! Now she just needs to help me pray that maybe some day I can be a close by grandma instead of a long distance grandma. I have 3 grandchildren 500 miles away and 1 grandchild 1000 miles away. By the way Robin why weren't you here crying with me when I kissed Dylan goodbye. (He's the 7 month old that lives 1000 miles away from me.) I needed you big time that day! Just kidding, my sweet hubby held me that day, I think he was crying a few too, but he wouldn't let me see them.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

2006-12-22T23:06:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from my youngest grandson.

"I am getting spoiled from my grandma and grandpa, they won't quit kissing me since they don't get to see me that much. My grandma bought me this silly hat I'm wearing and she keeps taking pictures of me right and left. I think she is a little proud to have me as her grandson!"

Merry Christmas from Dylan!

Deck the Walls!

2006-12-15T23:49:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas, come on in and have a tour of my home, actually it's not my home it's God's, because he provided if for my husband and I back in 1996, when we moved into this log cabin, with no doors, no windows, and we even hung our clothes from the rafters. We were able to finish it in 1998 and it was completely paid for, only by the grace of God! You see my husband and I are founders and program directors of a non - profit boys ranch for at - risk boys and we said we would only expand when money came in, so we would not ever borrow money. I had to give you a little background before I take you on the tour, because of some of the things you will see. So here we go hope you enjoy, would you like a cup of french vanilla coffee? The first treasure we stop to see is kind of wierd. Years ago, I read about a christmas tradition I wanted to start with our three children and we didn't have a whole lot of money so I bought this little baby Jesus at the dollar store, and I agree it is ugly, but what we do with this baby Jesus is hide it early Christmas morning then before the Christmas story is read the kids have to find Baby Jesus. Then we read the story.... then they get to open up presents!

It is a fun tradition!

See what I mean by a little wierd?

Now let me take you to the beautiful tree that our 4 at - risk boys decorated after I read them One Incredible Moment by Max Lucado. We cranked the tunes up and listened to Mercy Me Christmas CD and had a lot of fun. Then we had hot chocolate together. One of the boys shared with me that one christmas his dad didn't put up a tree so he drew one on paper, cut it out and put it on the wall. Did that make me feel guilty as we were putting up this beautiful tree!

Now let's take a look at this wooden set of trees that the boys made this christmas, they made 30 of them, cut them out, and painted them. We gave them away as gifts to a volunteer group, who comes out to the ranch once a month. Aren't they just so cute?

They really look nice in a log cabin!

You're probably wondering why, did she name this deck the walls, well here it is. My husband doesn't like it too much when I have the boys decorate his pride and joy, but he loves me so he let's me do it, anyway. They usually have red noses on, but I keep forgetting to pick two up at the dollar store when I'm out and about, maybe next year they can be rudolph again.

My daughter and I about 9 years ago took old christmas cards that I had been saving for a couple years and made this collage to cover a deer mural, and we also made a back groud for the fish tank. Enjoy!

I have some more things I want to show you in my home, but I'm running out of time. I hate to be a rude hostess and all but my daughter, son-in-law, 7 month old grandson and my son are coming home Monday from Texas, they all work at a children's home there for girls and boys. So I will walk you through the rest of the house without saying a whole lot. Sorry to be so rude, but hey I have to get all my wrapping done, so I can just sit and hold that grandbaby. I can't wait! Have a Merry Christmas and remember Jesus is the Reason why we celebrate this time of year. Thanks Boomama for setting up this Christmas Tour of Homes, it was great fun to share with everyone. Hope you all enjoyed.

Mary, my unsung hero!

2006-12-08T16:22:00.000-06:00

I can’t imagine being a young virgin girl, taking care of my everyday chores and suddenly a stranger just appears in my house. This stranger says something like, "Look at you! God has looked upon you as a special woman. God is with you!" Wow, I think if that happened to me that I would have to sit down and take a deep breath, before I fell down. Then I would be wondering why me? I’m just an ordinary girl. Why would God say that about me?

Then out of the blue this stranger says, "Hey, girl, calm down, it’s okay, God has picked you out of all the girls around to have you carry his Son. You will give birth to this child and you will call him Jesus." Wait a minute, that is so far fetched, there is no way, I have never slept with a man, how can this happen? The stranger answers "Yes there is a way, young one. The Holy Spirit will come down on you and the power of God will cover you. Anything is possible with God."

I can’t imagine I would tell this stranger that I understand everything he is saying and I do want to serve God with all my heart. So I will wait for this to happen.

How could I show my face when everyone knew I was not married, but pregnant? Then when the time came to have this baby holding him in my arms, knowing that some day I would watch him suffer, a very brutal death, to save the world. How could I do that?

How could she have possibly done this? As we approach this Christmas Season let us remember Jesus is our "HERO", He is the Reason! As an empty nested mother I would have to say that Mary is my unsung hero this Christmas, because She gave birth to Jesus and later let go of him trusting God to finish her job.

Thank you God for choosing Mary and not me!

My Most Memorable Christmas!

2006-12-08T01:10:00.001-06:00

My husband and I had felt the Lord calling us back to our hometown area to start a boys ranch after working at one in Missouri for a year and a half. We moved back in March of 1992, the ranch become a non profit corporation in July 92 and we were living by faith trusting God for everything. A couple weeks before Christmas that year, we had no boys yet at the ranch, we sat our 3 children down ages 5 - 8 1/2 and told them since mommy and daddy were trying to get this ranch started to help trouble boys, we didn't have any money to get Christmas presents this year. The older two were just kind of quiet and accepting, then all the sudden, our youngest one says, mommy, all I want is just one present, I just want a violin, that's all. Wow, just a violin, that's all! We had to explain that he probably wasn't going to get that or anything. They finally understood and were okay with it. A couple days later we recieved a phone call from an individual who had no idea about our conversation with our children. This individual told my husband to come over because she had a gift for us for the ranch. When my husband came back home he had tears in his eyes, with a check for the ranch for $10,000.00 and and personal check for Christmas of $5,000.00. Our son did receive that violin that Christmas, and the presents under the tree that year, said from: GOD! That is probably the Christmas I will never forget. Let us especially not forget the most important Christmas when Jesus came! Let us remember to keep Him in the center of our life, even during the busy schedules, shopping, and family gatherings. After all, He is the Reason for the Season!

Take My baton, Jesus!

2006-12-07T01:18:00.000-06:00

Please don’t take this role in life lightly,
Accept the huge
Responsibility that God has given you to raise this child or children.
Every day ask Him to help give you the
Necessary tools to
Train a child in the way he should go.

This is not an easy job being a parent; as a matter of fact, it is the hardest job I have ever done in life. I started being a parent at nineteen; wow seems like years ago. Now twenty-three years later I am wondering what happened? I thought I had 3 children that God gave me, where did they go? What? He only gave them to me for a little while! Oh, so now I have to trust the second part of the verse and when he is old he will not turn from it. How do I do that Lord, because this is the hardest part of being a parent? I want to hold my little boys and little girl in my arms again every night and tell them I love them. I want to tell them that they shouldn’t do that because they might hurt themselves or someone else. I want to help them make the right choices, not make the wrong ones. I want to wipe their tears away when they are hurting. I trust you Jesus to finish raising the children that you entrusted to my husband and me for a time and season.

Please take them Jesus
Accept this baton that I’m handing over to you in this
Relay, that I am in, and help me to
Encourage another parent
Not to take this role lightly, because if we
Train a child in the way he should go when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

You’re not finished with me yet, Jesus, so I know you’re not finished with my children.