"I Went to a Strongman Competition!!"

Yesterday, David and I had the opportunity to go and watch a "Strongman Competition". Our daughter, Savannah's, boyfriend was in it. It was quite interesting to watch. The human body can display such amazing strength in unbelievable ways! These men, young and old alike, were phenomenal! I do well to just carry a full load of laundry, in the basket, upstairs!!

There were different levels represented: Masters, Light Weight, Novice, Middle Weight, and Heavy Weight. And there was six events required to participate in: I'm not going to try to guess at the names of those. I'm sharing a picture of Savannah and Taylor and the 5 of the 6 events he paritcipated in.

A funny insert:: I had to tell my Mom, when she saw these pictures, that No Taylor did not tattoo his face. Haha! Rather he has a signature look at each competition and this helps him to stand out and be remembered.

Taylor did very well and placed 3rd in the Middle Weight division! YAY!

As I thought about sharing this Blog, I could see how this competition related to life itself in different ways.

1. All men were strong, but not all men had the same strength.

We all have strengths, but not all of us are strong in the same areas. Does that make one better than the other? No, not at all. 

2. It wasn't always about the strength that was required, but rather about the technique.

If the technique was wrong, often the strength didn't matter. Your approach/ways/technique to handling life matters more than how strong you may view yourself. One example:: How do you handle stress in your life? Is your first resort to handle it the best way you can yourself -OR- to seek God and his grace, his guidance, and his help to help you with it?

3. The men pushed themselves farther when given encouragement.

We all need encouragers in our life. Whether they be a spouse, a parent, a friend, a teacher, a grandparent....and the list goes on. God plants those people in your life to spur you on....to go farther....don't give up.....keep trying.....you ARE going to get there!! David and I recently had the opportunity to go on a beautiful trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. While there, we hiked to 3 different waterfalls. These hikes were NO easy walk in the park....in fact it was downright exhausting (but great excitement too!). On one such hike, we were on our way down the mountain and a man was hiking alone up the mountain. He was growing weary from the hike and wasn't so sure his efforts were even going to pay off. He questioned us as we were in passing saying "Is there really a waterfall ahead?? I keep going and can't find it!" We both assured him "Don't stop now, you're almost there! It's just a little farther ahead. Keep going." Later....as we had taken our time coming down off the mountain, we see this man once again. He was SO HAPPY! I asked him "Did you find it?" He excitedly replied "YES! and my friends are never gonna believe I did this! But I got proof....there was a girl there and she took a picture of me on my camera!!!" It was so awesome to be able to encourage this man to "Keep keepin on!" when he could have easily given up and not reaped his awesome reward! In much of life we can apply this mentality - - one step at a time. And in that one step at a time, you know what happens? You get closer and  closer to all that God has waiting for you ahead!! We know that our ultimate reward will be when we see Jesus' face and he wraps his arms us around us welcoming us home! But there are many "rewards" here on this earth as well. Keep keepin on, my friend. Don't stop....you're almost there!

As I shared earlier, we all have many strengths and all they all vary from one another. But just as we all have strengths, know that we all have weaknesses too. Never use your strength to look down on another brother or sister who may not share that strength. For you may be the very one God uses to encourage and lift them up to be all that they can be. And as we all know....the tables can turn and we too may find ourselves needing the strength of another to pull us up. For it is by God's grace that we are who we are, where we are, and all that we are.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped."

Psalm 28:7

Trust in the very One Who is your strength and shield.

"Slam the Door....HARD!"

What DO you do when the past comes knocking?

Do you answer it curiously? Do you resolve that THIS time you can handle it, and answer it knowing your strength will see you through? Do you answer it hoping no one else will know?

 -OR-

Do you slam the door shut, knowing NO good will come of it whatsoever?

I want to share something very personal with you regarding myself. Why? you may ask. Because in ALL things and through ALL things...I want God to be glorified and lifted up! And....because I want to encourage YOU to know that you're not alone in your struggles. There is HOPE !

This past weekend a voice from the past came calling. No, it wasn't a voice inside my own head, but rather a real voice. A voice I had NO desire whatsoever to associate with. And to let you know - I absolutely, positively chose the option mentioned above of slamming the door SHUT knowing NO good would come of it whatsoever! But, after I did.....fear began to creep in. Fear of things from the past that had been overcome through God's grace and healing, somehow resurfacing again. Fear of why was this voice even contacting me. Basically....fear of fear. As my heart was racing and I nervously prayed, God began to calm me. I read my Bible, and prayed, and wrote out memory verses, and wrote out God's promises, for the next two hours until my husband got home. I can testify to you that God was my anchor to hold onto during that time. He held me in his hands.

Upon my husband arriving home, I began to nervously unfold the evening to him, really not being sure of how he would react. Have I told you that the very character of God Himself has been placed inside my loving and dear husband? This beautiful gift, of someone more than a husband, is beyond describing what a true blessing he is to me. God knew in the beginning, before time ever started, who this girl would need in her life.....thank you God, with the most sincerest thanks. My husband not only listened to me pour my heart out, but also lovingly reassured me each step of the way<<<just as God did/would. He then prayed out loud for me. I did ask him if he would and he very willingly agreed. That is such a strength and one of the truest blessings to hear your spouse pray out loud for you. I encourage you to do it!! One of the things David prayed was that I would view God as the Father that He is - protecting his children, not letting anything happen that was not allowed for our own good. (A sidenote here: the next day at church, we sat behind a family. I watched the dad with his young daughter of about 7 or 8. He always kept his arm around her while standing or sitting. It was a beautiful picture of what our Lord does for us. Except I believe He holds us in his strong arms and carries us closest to his heart. But He never, ever lets go.)

To keep it clear and focused here - - God and God alone is the One to bring me through any of life's hurts, fears, shames, regrets, pain. He needs no help at all. My total dependence IS on the Savior of not only my salvation, but also my Savior Who lifts me from my problems of everyday life. God's beautiful grace is sufficent for me. I thank Him with a full heart for being enough for all my life's needs. 

And I know that He has also given me a help mate to walk with me through this life. To encourage me, to calm me, to hold me, to love me just as I am. Again....the very character of God. 

I don't want any confusion of someone thinking I esteem David as the one to get me through everything. 

I want to bring God's Words into this Blog. For my words can be taken as "O that's great and nice for her - - but what about me?"  So, it is for all those "me's" I share the following verses. May it bring God's encouragement and strength to your heart.

Psalm 55: 16-18 "But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battles waged against me, even though many oppose me."

Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from ALL my fears."

Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped."

Psalm 31:1 In you O Lord have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame, deliver me in your righteousness."

Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 31: 14-15 "But I trust in you, O Lord; I say You are my God. My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those that pursue me."

Psalm 32:7 "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

These are some of the verses I have been committing to memory and using them. I strongly encourage to memorize verses if you are not. It helps in such enormous ways! In fact it is essential in two parts of wearing the full "armor of God"......the "shield of faith" and the "sword of the Spirit". Try it!! You will be glad you did!

Some others - -

Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by who we cry Abba! Father!"

Mark 5:36 "Don't be afraid - just believe."

Romans 8:37 "We are conquerors through him who loves us!"

Jeremiah 30:17 "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds declares the Lord."

Jeremiah 30: 10-11 I inserted my name and you can do the same - "Debby will again have peace and security and no one will make her afraid. I am with you and will save you declares the Lord."

Exodus 14: 13 "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. Verse 14 - "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Lamentations 3:22 "Because of the Lord's great love we are NOT consumed, for his compassions never fail." 

Isaiah 41: 10 My most favorite verse in the Bible - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Before I end up quoting the entire Bible to you....I will stop for now. God's Words are just SO powerful and SO full of HOPE !! They are what we base our everything on.....hope, peace, joy, comfort, faith, trust, victory, freedom, ....... and the list goes on.......

And not only has God given us his Words through the Bible, but also through song! Friend, I also strongly encourage you to listen to christian music. . . for it uplifts the soul in so many wonderful and God honoring ways!! It truly has been such a source of encouragement and strength for me in my life.....and to think there was a time I had NO desire to listen to it at all. Thank you God for bringing me thus far.

I know my Blogs get long-winded....but please allow me to share through song also. . . 

Darlene Zschech with Israel Houghton : "In Jesus' Name"

"God is fighting for us. God is on our side. He has overcome. We will not be shaken. We will not be moved. Jesus, you are here - carrying our burdens, covering our shame. The resurrection power of Christ is alive in me and I am free! In Jesus name I will live, I will not die. I will declare and lift you on high. Christ revealed and I am healed. In Jesus name God is fighting for us. Pushing back the darkness. Lighting up the kingdom that cannot be shaken. In the name of Jesus enemy's defeated and we will shout it out."

A song I've never heard until this past Sunday sung by a person I've never heard as well. But, it spoke volumes of God fighting for us - not being shaken - he carries our burdens - covers our shame - and HIS power is alive in me!!

Forever Jones - "Hold Me Still"

"You said don't worry bout your future daughter. Just think about the things that matter. So I won't magnify the small things anymore. I'll only glorify the Father. Cause you hold me still. When the waves around me began to build, I'm in your hand. Though it's sometimes hard to stand. You have made my heart and you hold it still. So, don't involve yourself with useless chatter, just talk about the things that matter. And when you feel the world around you shatter, just lift your eyes up to the Father and he'll hold you still. Oh, I see the waves - I'm not afraid. I see the storm - I'm not shaken. I feel the world quake - my ground is stable."

Another song of strength, through the Father, when fears, doubts, worries try to come. He holds us still. No matter what - trust his strong arms around you, child of God.

A very favorite artist of mine - Mandisa: "Overcomer"

"Whatever it is you may be going through, I know He's not gonna let it get the best of you. You're not going under, cause God is holding you right now. God is the overcomer in you. <Yes I changed up the words a tad because I'm NOT the overcomer, but rather HE is the overcomer in me!> Just take a breath, don't forget to hang on to his promises. The One who overcomes death is living inside you. Fix your eyes on the One who holds your life. For there's nothing he can't do."

God overcomes in us what we cannot do for ourselves!! Thank ya Jesus!!! Nothing consumes and nothing overwhelms....because we hold onto his promises.

Just one more song!!!!!

Chris Tomlin - also a favorite - "Our God!"

"Into the darkness you shine - out of the ashes we rise. Our God is greater, Our God is stronger, He is higher than any other. Our God is Healer and awesome in power. And if our God is for us then WHO could ever stop us? And if our God is with us then WHAT can stand against us?" My answer-- NOTHING!

Nothing formed against us shall stand......period. For God IS stronger, greater,  and higher than any other!! 

Friend, as I said, I know my Blogs are long, but there is just SO much of God's goodness to share with you!! I could keep listing song after song as well as verse after verse!! And along with Chris August, I will sing to you - -  "I will sing about your love, I will shout it to the sky. I will tell of what you've done, when the people ask me why I live my life this way - I'll say that I am unashamed of You!! For what your grace did and what your grace does!!"

And THAT, my friend, is why I share.........

"Hello My Name Is....Freedom!"

I'm writing from the heart today - - wait. . . that's where I always write from. I guess that means today's Blog won't be any different then. :)
Today is a brand NEW day and I'm making it day set apart from any other. You see I am declaring it a day of no more REGRET!!! I have 2 simple reasons for sharing this Blog with you: 1. I have it in writing for myself as a declaration. 2. I want to encourage YOU!

Today marks the end of allowing myself any forms of fears, doubts, worries, what-ifs, anxiousness, and all other forms of regret over my past sins, mistakes.  The same resurrection power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead is the very same power that lives inside of me! That is the power with which I am choosing to do this. Friend, if you are a child of the true living God, you too also have that same power! I will no longer check myself to make sure I've done everything necessary to have God's complete restoration in my life....for I have and He is.

We all hear stories of how people were "lost as a goose" before they came to know God as their Lord and Savior of their life. But how often do we hear stories of God's own children falling by the wayside into some very REAL and deep sin?? Not often. Wanna know why? Because God's kids are supposed to be A-Ok. They got it together and life is supposed to be a pretty righteous thing now that they have going on. But guess what - - - God's kids fail too. Ones that are even living their whole entire life for HIM fall, slip, sin, choose the farthest thing apart from God....whatever you want to call it. But they do. I know because I was one. And I still am one....we ALL are one. But by God's G R A C E he didn't leave me in the slimy pit of sin I once was in. He is my Deliverer. He is my Healer. He is my Rescuer. He is my Redeemer. And my hope (you know - that word I always write about in Blogs) is in him and him alone. King David in the Bible was a man referred to and known as "a man after God's own heart". David lived his whole entire life devoted to and trusting in the Lord God himself, but look at the very REAL sin in his life - lust, envy,adultery, murder, lying. Did God say "You're done for David. You sinned one too many times. I can't use you anymore. You're a has-been." NO way my friend!!! Once David recognized the sin in his life, agreed with God about it, confessed it, and turned from it - - God was right there to heal and restore and even use him in greater and mightier ways than before! I picture my life being somewhat considered to be like David's (not that I'm boasting in any such way) but to say that yes I've lived my whole entire existance for the one true and living God, and yes I did fall into some very real sin, and yes I recognized, agreed with, and walk away from that sin just as David did. Therefore I know without a doubt that God has healed and restored and even used me in greater ways than ever imagined before.....just like David. All glory and ALL thanks go to God and God alone!!!

Friend, there is something I want to share with you that could help you. I know it has helped me. I was just sharing this with a member of my family yesterday and it helped them.
When we have sin in our life it can't and won't bring glory to God and it needs to be taken care of. There are 4 points and I've mentioned 3 of the 4 already in the paragraph above.

1. Agree with God on the matter in your life as sin. Sin is sin and there's no excuses to make it acceptable in your life. See it for what it is.
2. Once you have agreed with God that it is sin, there needs to be genuine brokeness and sorrow over that sin. I'm not saying you have to make yourself be sorry. I'm also not saying there has to be wailing and crying over it (although weeping over sin can be a normal reaction in some). What I am saying is to be real with God. He knows your heart. Be genuine. Confess.
3. Take immediate action on any current sin....and walk away from it. Choose TODAY to say no. You can't do it in your own power and strength, but you can do it in God's power and strength. Remember that resurrection power I spoke about? And know too...it may take time. God doesn't promise just to zap you and you have no more sinful desires anymore. There will be times he allows for a plan that will simply take time. We don't speed it up....and we don't slow it down when it's in his hands.
4. Set boundaries. If you know there is something that causes you to be tempted stay away from it. Take it out of your life if possible. Set limits. Don't pet the sleeping dog of temptation right outside your door as our Pastor put it one Sunday. We all have weaknesses and areas that tempt us. But recognize those areas and ask God to help you steer clear of them.

I know so very clearly that ALL that God has allowed into my life....good and yes even the bad....he has used to make me who and what I am today! I can clearly say thank you God for all that you have allowed in my life. I wouldn't be the me I am today....and I like me. :)

Don't let the voice of regret be a part of your life. Choose with me today as one who is set FREE through Christ alone!! Know that true freedom is submitting it to God....whatever "it" might be....submit it to God and be free with me!!! :)

I would like to share a wonderful song that sums up this whole Blog. Please take a moment to listen . . .
http://youtu.be/mJlCj9_Sfj0
If that link doesn't work, please go to Youtube and look for Matthew West with his song "Hello My Name Is". It's really GOOD!!

Thanks once again for letting me.....simply be me. I appreciate YOU. :)

"Those Darn Shower Hooks!!"

As I was thinking and praying and drawing a blank today on what to write....I decided it wasn't going anywhere. I called my Mom and she encouraged me that I just needed to wait. It's hard to wait at times, especially when I have the perfect opportunity to write, I have the desire to write, and I've asked God to help me to write. Sometimes it's just not the right moment and we haven't waited long enough.

Sooo....I waited......

Tonight, I decided I would change things up and clean a bathroom instead of my normal routine of Tuesday afternoons. I had the time, I was alone, and I wanted to hang a new shower liner for the bathtub - so why not. We recently had bought new shower hooks and David had hung the curtain himself. When I attempted to unhook these heavy metal rings only a few would cooperate and unhook for me. I kept trying though. I tried standing one angle, and then another, all the while balancing myself on the tub. I tried with all my might - they still wouldn't budge. I would take breaks and give it another try. I started praying telling God "God you know how to do this. Would you please help me?" The more I tried, the more determined I got. The more determined I got, the more I prayed. Still....I ended with the same result....only a very few hooks unhooked. I decided this just wasn't going to happen no matter how hard I tried. It was best, yet again, to just wait.

And soooo.....I waited.......

Later, my son came home, and I asked him to come and see if he could help me with something. I showed him the problem. He started to tug and pull at the hooks himself. They were definitely hard to come apart, but he did manage to unhook the rest once he figured out the pattern. Sidenote for Mom: She has NO upper body strength. :) After his task was complete, I was able to take old liner off and put new one on. All the while, being able this time to snap hooks shut. Re-hung curtain and liner and job was complete!!

As I thought back over the course of events for the evening, I began to realize a Blog was taking shape here! And that's always a good thing!! :)

You see I believe God was showing me something here in my frustration. There are times in our life that we may call upon God to help us with a certain situation or problem and maybe it seems that he isn't helping the way we thought he should be. Maybe just maybe it's because he asks us to wait on him first of all and secondly maybe he is sending that help/encouragement through another human being to lift us up and show us a better way. Don't get me wrong here - I fully believe without a doubt that God and God alone is able and is big enough to meet any of our needs. He alone rescues, He alone saves, He alone delivers, and He alone sustains. And I also know there are times in our life that we need encouragers to lift us up and tell us "You're gonna be ok." "God's got this." "You can trust him all the way, all the time." We need others to keep our focus on what is positive and what is true. When our thoughts get twisted and misguided, God can bring others to us to help straighten them out once again and see that there really is no reason for fear, doubt, or worry. I still believe that God can and will take care of all this alone in his timing and in his will....but maybe there is something beautiful and assuring when he allows others to help guide our life as well.

 

I know for a fact that God has truly blessed my life in immeasurable ways when he gave me my David. I praise God first and foremost - for he is worthy of ALL my praise for ALL that he is in my life. And I praise God in my David secondly - for I know it is God in him that exemplifies God's love, grace, mercy, compassion, faithfulness and patience to me. Through God - my David has helped me, led me, loved me just as I am, accepted me, and assured me....time and time again.

So friend....know that God is able to rescue, to heal, to deliver, to help in whatever your circumstance may be - and he ALONE can do it. But know to that there are times he may bring those along such as a friend, a spouse, a parent, a relative, or even a child to encourage us and graciously point us back to God himself - - for HE alone can save. See the beauty of God's blessing on your journey. And remember to thank God for those he has allowed to brighten and enhance your walk with a God who loves YOU just as you are!

"Sharing My Heart and Passion With YOU!"

As I sit here and try my very best to come up with something to share with others through writing . . . I come up blank. Maybe most would say O well today is not the day to write and be off to do something else with theirselves. Me - my passion is to write and encourage and share. . . so I wait.

In my waiting, I think back over the past days to see if there is something I could relate back to and share with you that would be encouraging and inspiring. Again. . . I come up blank.

So instead I share the passion of my heart.

And it is this.
God IS the Redeemer of our lives. The very Redeemer of our lost souls through his salvation. And. . .  the true Redeemer of his own children, through grace and forgiveness.

My friend, if you don't know the salvation he gives for you, it is free to ALL who call upon him as Lord and Savior. He will do it - just ask. But, also please know that if you are a child of God - failure, mistakes, weaknesses are NOT something you are immune to. Christians DO fall. And when they fall, God picks them up again. . . not leaving them to their own strength that fails.

God's grace is REAL. God's forgiveness is REAL. God's healing is REAL. God's rescuing is REAL. And God's resoration is REAL. I'm living proof to each of these in my life as a child of God - who has experienced failure, mistakes and weaknesses. But evenso, knowing that it is God Himself who has made beauty from the ashes, promise from despair, hope from hopelessness - - - and a light to you to give you hope. Hope to know that you may fall, but God will never leave you nor forsake you. His loving hand will lift you up, set you on a better path, cleanse you from your sins, and through him and him alone be the Healer that will set you free.

Sometimes God asks that we be patient and wait on him as he is doing all of this. It is in those times that we trust no matter what our emotions, thoughts or doubts tell us. God IS in control and he WILL see us through. I read in a devotion these words: "When we walk in difficult places, God sends the strength and nourishment to face what comes our way, not all at once, but day by day." Also, God tells us in Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

I know I have talked about this subject, probably alot, through statuses and blogs too, but it is the very heartbeat God has given me through my own personal trials and errors to share HIS deliverance with you child of God or lost sinner.

And so it is I leave with you these words: "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man (or woman) whose sin the Lord does not count against him (or her) and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalms 32: 1-2. And one more: "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people." Psalm 3:8.

My friend, let God be the One who brings deliverance into your life. Trust him for it!! :)

"Being My Mother"

There is a lady in my life that has a special place in my heart that no other human being has and I call her. . . my Mother. And it is with that opening that I dedicate this Blog simply to her.



My Mother became my Mother on the very first day of May in the year of 1966. She was 26. . . I was 0. She loved me, cared for me, nurtured me just as any loving Mother would. She had many previous jobs before I entered her world. But she would give that all up and not return to work until I was 12 years old. And even then it was as if she was still right there with me, for she would become a teacher teaching at the very same private school I attended. Yes, it just so happens that she would become MY teacher as well. So, she was never far from me.

As I was a young girl I self titled myself as a "Daddy's girl" and rightly so I was. But who would so gently lead me in the prayer of salvation at the tender age of 5. . . my Mother. Who would be there to come and talk my way out of each and every problem I ever had. . . my Mother. Who would discipline me when it was needed . . . my Mother. Who would wrap their arms of love around me and squeeze me each and every morning. . . my Mother. Who would encourage me to be the best God had made me to be. . . .my Mother. Who has and to this day still makes SURE that I know I'm loved, forgiven, needed, cherished, enjoyed. . . my Mother. And who, to this day, is my 2nd very best friend who is always and forever there to help me, guide me, encourage me and love me. . . my Mother.

You see my Mother loves me unconditionally. . . she always has and I know she always will. That kind of love comes from God Himself and I am so thankful. As much as some may think, I was not a perfect child!  Nor have I been a perfect adult. But through the heartaches, the tears, the frustrations her loves keeps shining and her heart keeps smiling. . . and I honestly couldn't imagine life any other way. I know that I am deeply and graciously blessed for not all others have this love in their lives.

I sincerely thank God for the time that He has given my Mother to be here on this earth and I DO pray with utmost sincerity that He continues to extend it. When I think about living on this earth without my sweet Mother on it and knowing that she is just a phone call away, a text away, a drive away, it brings real sadness and literal tears run down my face if I let them. I have a very dear friend on FB who has lost not only her Mom, but also her Dad . I know there is sadness and a place in her heart that longs for them. My heart goes out to her. She is such a strong and positive lady. I pray that if and when that day should ever come (though I've often, growing up, just told God He could wait and just come get us all at once: Rapture) that God would give me the strength and positive heart to keep keepin on. I know without a doubt that God meets our EVERY need, so I will trust in Him.

As an adult, my Mother has been right there every single step of the way as I raise my own children. She feels every hurt, every frustration, every concern. She is there to cheer me on to keep loving my children even when they are simply UN-lovable. She encourages me to know that this too shall P A S S. It is so true that when you become a mother yourself you realize so much of what your own Mother went through and how very grateful she stood by you all through the years!! My Mother believes the best, hopes for the best and sees the best for her grandchildren. She never, never gives up. For her faith and her hope in God and God alone. He is able to do that which is impossible. . . and she knows it!

I thank God for the godly Mother He has placed in my life. Her wisdom is priceless. Her love is rich. Her character is noble. Her heart is here to give itself away.

I have often wanted and prayed to have the wisdom that my Mother has when it comes to dealing with my own children. She has always seemed to have the right words when needed. But as few, as futile,and as uneffective as my words seem. . . I know that God can take them and use them still.

I know that there may come a day when I can no longer reach out and express my GREAT love and appreciation to you my Mother. . . so it is with these words that I give my heart in saying. . . I love YOU. You have made me proud to call you - - - my Mother. :)

I find my Mother in these verses: "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:28-29

And for all you who may be reading this and were in my Mother's Home-Ec class. . . who can possibly forget this verse! "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." :)) Proverbs 31: 30




My Mother. <3