Better Business

If you know me, you know I am not a tuber.  I do not enjoy floating in a river due to my fear of snakes and other strange creatures that inhabit said river.  However, because I am a loving wife and devoted youth leader :) I do go on one tubing trip a year.  We usually head to the standby Adventures Unlimited, but this year we heard about another place-Perdido Natural Adventures.  It's only 15 mins. from the church and 1/3rd the price!  We thought we would try it out.  
We pulled up to Fran's Country Grill to meet the bus to pick us up.  At this point-it's a little sketchy!  Fran's is a shack next to a truck repair shop in the middle of nowhere!  As we walked up to the bus I was expecting red-neck Bob to meet us.  Much to my surprise and delight we were greeted by Hannah and William.  Hannah is from Finland and has a marvelous accent!  William is the nicest guy!  They welcomed us and were so excited to have us with them.  We piled the kids in the bus with Mr. William and the leaders rode in "the SUV" -as Ms. Hannah called it-down to the river.  They were the most helpful and genuinely sweet people.  They got all the tubes, canoes, and kayaks down.  They loaded and tied the coolers into tubes for us, got all the kids flip-flops and shirts organized and back on the bus, and made sure everyone had applied sunscreen!  They sent us off with waves and no time limit.  Just have fun and they would be there when we were ready.  
Hannah and William took care of everything when we got back.  They got all the coolers out, put all the boats away, made sure the kids all had extra time to swing on the rope swing and that they all got the rights shoes and shirts.  This was the best service I have experienced anywhere in a long time!  We had a great day and the Lord blessed us by keeping the storm away until we were all safe in our cars.  
If you live in the Pensacola area I highly recommend Perdido Natural Adventures-great time, great location, great prices, and the sweetest people!  


 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' – Matthew 22:37-39

Better Blog

I wasn't able to check my blog updates until late this afternoon and when I did there were a ton!  As I scrolled through the plethora of coupon updates and free offers I was discouraged.  I just wanted to find something real, something to nourish my spirit not my wallet.  Surely someone had something profound to share that would touch my heart.  


I stopped myself and thought how outrageous that sounded.  Why am I going to a blog for encouragement and teaching?  Don't get me wrong, there are lots of great bloggers out there that often write from their hearts and touch mine, but I have 24 hour access to the greatest "blog" of all time.  So I did what I should have done in the first place...I got out my bible and read words straight from the father of my soul, the one who will always speak words of life to me, the source of my strength and joy.  I will be forever grateful and full of praise for my God who has moved mountains for me!  

“Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
John 4:13-14

My All-Star

I was listening to K-Love today and heard about their all-star contest.  Who is the most encouraging and influential person you know?  Tell them about that person and they could win a prize.  I immediately thought of my person and how what an amazing all-star they are.  So here is my 250 word entry about my All-Star!

My husband David is my encouraging and influential all-star because he plays so many positions with all his heart as, Pastor David.  He’s played many positions-the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I’ve seen him play janitor, scrubbing toilets and trashcans.  I seen him play maintenance man, screwing in light bulbs and fixing broken chairs.  I’ve seen him play lawn care man, sweating bullets to mow and pick up trash.  I’ve seen him play worship leader to children, teaching them to dance, sing, and raise up hands of praise for the Lord.  I’ve seen him play teacher to students who have never heard the words of Jesus and are desperate for the Living Water.  I’ve seen him play the hard role of protector for kids who are being abused.  I’ve seen him play the role of disciplinarian to those who are bullying others.  The most influential position I’ve seen him play is father.  God hasn’t yet given us our own children, but he has given us many spiritual children.  I’ve seen David step in and play the role of father to children of all ages who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fatherless.  I suppose the reason he’s an all-star is because he always plays his positions out of overflow!  His best position is as a disciple of Christ!  The Lord is his first priority everyday, and it influences everything he does and everyone he meets, especially me.

                     Wrestling is a dad's job!

Without Excuse

Praising God today just for who He is.

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Romans 1:20

Warrior Man

This is a poem my Grandma (Sweetie) wrote about my Papa just before he passed away.  I couldn't be more proud of either of them!

Warrior Man


He was just a country boy-Small knowledge of the world-Slight of frame-Bright blue eyes-Coal black hair that curled


Finished high school when seventeen-Played baseball ran track-Won state medals-Silver and gold-Endurance he didn't lack


His dream was to be a farmer-But land was hard to find-He made a choice-His country called-Was young and in his prime


Traveled the world, sometimes alone-When fighting in two different wars-Korea, Viet Nam-Was hit by a bomb-Has mental and physical scars


Came back to the Bootheel to choose a wife-Soon had three kids in tow-All were beautiful-All were bright-These children he loved so


Had many medals to pin on his chest-Representing the best of the best-He did what he could-For America's good-Was A-One when put to the test


A soldier at dawn, a student at night-He finally had his degree-Promotions came fast-The die was cast-A college degree was the key


Finally retired after twenty four years-Was offered Bird-Colonel to stay-With kids in their teens-Who needed some roots-Retirement would be the best way


Taught school ten years, principal for two-Has finished his Masters at last-Job offers Middle East-Boston, D.C.-For him that time had passed


Truth and Justice, Honor and Courage-That's how he chose to live-To do what's right-With all his might-He had so much to give


To know him now, this gentle soul-Except for his biggest fan-The things he's done-You'd never know-He once was a "Warrior Man"!

Radical-1

Disclaimer:  This is a little heavy, but where I'm at.


God was really speaking to me today.  During worship this morning He confronted me with a question that has been on my mind the past few days....do you believe what you say you believe?  


I have been reading a new book that takes a "radical" look at how we should respond to who Jesus is.  Do we really believe that Jesus is so good and satisfying that we would leave everything and everyone to obey him?  Do we really believe he is all we need?  


I sang it this morning in "Healer", but do I really believe it?  It is so hard to think about.  Would Jesus be enough for me if I lost everything?  There are somethings I know I could make it through, but there are others on which I NEVER let my mind stay very long.  


Would Jesus be enough for me if I lost David?  


As I am writing this my throat is closing up and my eyes are burning.  Just the smallest thought of it makes me sick to my stomach.  I want the answer to be yes, Jesus would be enough for me.  How can I be sure though?  


Jesus told me this morning that if I want to be sure, if I want to live radically for only Him, I have to draw closer and just like Pastor was saying, I HAVE to put him before David in all areas.  I have to speak out what I believe and then live it out every day.  I have to walk in radical obedience to Him.


Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'  Matthew 7: 21-23


This is my prayer-create in me a new heart that is radically and only for You.  

The Luckiest!

I may have mentioned this a few times before, but over the past few days I have been reminded again and again of the most amazing blessing in my life, my husband.  If you don't know him, you're missing out!  He is the most amazing person I have ever met.  Here are just a few of his amazing qualities...


-funny (he keeps me laughing)
-playful (he keeps me young)
-passionate about God, me, family, youth, kids, and life 
-loving to everyone-even those most people aren't loving to
-adventurous (he gives me gray hairs in a good way)
-brave (I always feel safe and secure)
-honest (I never doubt him)
-enthusiastic 
-dependable (he always keeps his word)
-considerate (he always thinks of others before himself)
-imaginative (of my!)
-hopeful (he gives me hope)
-faithful 
-generous with his time and resources
-trustworthy (I can always count on him)

-great with kids of all ages and abilities


As his wife, I get to see the side of him no one else does.  I get to see the David behind closed doors and I can honestly say he is an even better man at home than he is out in the world.  I'm not sure how many women can say that about their husbands, but I am so blessed and grateful that I can.  He has changed my life forever in so many ways.  He has shown me the truest picture of God's love for me.  I thank God for him all day, every day!  I'm so in love with my God and my husband!

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 20:6


If you know him, you know what I'm talking about!  What do you think is one of his best qualities?