"Here It Is....The Day She Said YES!"

I would like to begin this Blog with how I PRAISE God in all the many wonderful ways he is working in each of our lives!! His mercy and grace are unfolding a step at a time and it is so much more than amazing to watch him work!! Friend, he has a timetable and a plan and knows how to fit all the many different pieces of life's puzzle together to make it into something BEAUTIFUL! As the song goes "I'm gonna take all the broken pieces and make something beautiful like only I could. So put it all in the hands of the Father - Give it up, give it all over to the One and only One who can turn it into something beautiful."
I truly believe he is doing exactly that....in his timing. Don't get discouraged when YOU can't see it happening. Most of the time we don't. God is just working a little longer behind the scenes to make it that much more beautiful. Trust HIM. There is hope.

And now....for the BIG day!!

Tuesday, October 16, 2013 would become a day to represent a very special time in the life of our daughter, Savannah. It would become the day she received Taylor Tibbitts proposal question with a .......YES! It was also a day that was shared by many including her parents. Something that this mother will cherish always. God is doing some really super amazing works in the life of our daughter and us....and I give God all the glory and thanks from a truly grateful mother's heart! Please, I ask that you keep us each one in your prayers as God is working out his will in our lives.

At 5:30pm, we met up with Taylor's family and their friends, inside a privately owned hangar. It was a little overwhelming to see all the many people there. We were told to wait inside the hangar. Once Taylor and Savannah arrived, then the doors would be shut concealing our presence. This was ALL a surprise to Savannah. Taylor had taken her to Oive Garden to eat. He had made up an excuse to have to go out to his work site, after their dinner, and do something he had forgotten. Once they had arrived, the doors were shut, and we all were making up our own stories of just what was going on beyond those doors. Taylor had a helicopter awaiting Savannah once they got there. They would then take off for a ride and finish it with a view of the field below that said "Will you" with a heart to land in below the words. Once she saw the words "Will you" he would then finish the rest of the sentence himself with the words "Marry me?" while holding the ring in his hand. :) Smooth huh!

 Heather and I knew that Savannah was nervous about flying in general. So, many of the stories circulating around were ones such as "The poor thing probably isn't wanting to get on the helicopter!" "She's probably standing there crying and Taylor's trying his best to talk her into it!" Many of us had our ears up to the hangar's door trying to catch anything we could possibly hear. I thought I heard her scream once and told Heather....that in turn started all the more stories circulating! Haha! We had Savannah a pitiful mess. BUT in reality, what did lay beyond those doors was the complete opposite. She was loving every moment of it and quite excitedly agreed to go for the ride!! :)

All the many people celebrating a special day with Taylor and Savannah!

Taylor's Mom taking an aerial picture of the proposal field.

Such a beautifully HAPPY girl she was!!!!

Savannh was SO excited!! She was sending Heather and I pictures while they were up in the helicopter! :)

We also got aerial views of the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship of Texas!

She was loving it!

Soon we excitedly spotted them coming in the horizon!!

It was SO exciting watching them come in!! :)

This Mom got a very HAPPY hug from her daughter - - a true blessing indeed!!

A toast to the newly engaged couple!

Our beautiful girls!!

Taking a picture with Taylor's brother. :)

Cody...always the character.

After all the excitement, we were invited over to Taylor's parent's house for fajitas.

It was a very wonderful night shared by two special people . . .

Thank you, God, for the growing blessings you are allowing us to see in our lives.....

And the BIG DAY is - - - - -

May 8, 2014!!!!!

"Have YOU Ever Done This?"

Want to know something really COOL ? I hope so, because I'm gonna tell you!!

The Bible says God is Holy.
This means He is perfect. He has never sinned, cannot sin, and will never sin. He is so perfect that sin cannot live in His presence.

On the other hand, the Bible says man has done wrong.
I've lied - you've lied. I've coveted/been jealous - you've coveted/been jealous. I've dishonored my Mother and my Father - you've dishonored your Mother and your Father. The Bible calls wrong doing - sin.

And there is the great problem.
Our sin cuts us off from God. If sin cannot live in the presence of God and sin is in us, then we cannot live in the presence of God. Our sin cuts us off from God in this life. Therefore, when we die, we will go to a very terrible place called Hell.

But God loves us SO much!
In spite of our sin, God sent His one and only son, Jesus. This is why Jesus Christ is such a BIG DEAL! Jesus Christ came into this world and died on the cross for our sins. God took all of our sinfulness and placed it on Jesus. So, when Jesus died, He was paying our penalty for our sins. And when Jesus arose from the dead, our debt was paid in FULL ! So....now anyone can have their sins forgiven and have a personal relationship with Him.

The Bible says if you believe this is true. . .

• God is perfect
• Man is sinful
• Sin cuts us off from God
• Jesus died for our sins

and you are willing to surrender yourself to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior - then you will be made right with God.

Have YOU ever done this?

Since this is a Blog and I have no way of knowing your personal answer to that question, I'm going to give you choices of what your answer might be. You choose where you best fit in.

Yes - that's fantastic!! I'm a Christ Follower too! The Bible tells us that when we receive Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, He gives us a new heart! He gave me a new heart by wanting to know Him, seek Him, and live only for Him. How has it changed you? Where is your relationship with Jesus Christ now?

No - You can do this right NOW in this very moment!

As I've shared in previous Blogs, it's as simple as A,B,C!

A= Accept that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.

B= Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose from the grave.

C= Confess, with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and call upon Him to save YOU from your sins.

Know that Jesus is right there with you and hears you when you call upon Him.

"For EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will BE saved!" Romans 10:13.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that NOT of yourself, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no man can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. >>If it were by works someone would ALWAYS be better than you. Whose to say where the line would be drawn??

What do I do after I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior?

Find a church! Get baptized! Read the Bible - start with the book of John or my favorite - Psalm.

But know that these things do not seal or complete your salvation. Your salvation was sealed when you accepted, believed, and cofessed. These are just steps that God asks us to take in order to grow in Him as we should. Baptism is only an outward expression to others of an inward change.

And so as I close this Blog, I leave you with this one question again. . .

Have YOU ever done this?

"Miracle Number 3!"

Three significant miracles have taken place, in our family, over the last 2 weeks. . . and yesterday was one of them! All three of our children not only came to church with us, but they even rode with us in the same car. . .my little Dodge Neon no less! I wish someone could have taken a picture of us all packed in the "little yellow car that could".

Going as a family to church may sound trivial and something to be taken for granted, but NOT in this family. It rather is, as stated, something no less than a miracle!! I know that God needs absolutely NO help from me, but this Mom stuck to her guns and didn't back down when setbacks that tried to step in. There was no setbacks going to happen - - we were going to church together. . . period.

I was so thankful that I even documented the miracle with picture taking too!





I pray daily for these three gifts in my life. They have each been raised in a solid christian atmosphere where God was/is leader of our home. They have attended church during their growing years, but somewhere at some point got mixed up. Moreso my girls. Now church is a place where people judge you, people are hypocrits, people don't accept you as you are, people are unfriendly, and people are boring. I know very well that God can remove this thinking and open their blinded eyes and softened their hardened hearts. I truly believe....no question about it. And in His timing - - He will. 

I say those very personal thoughts to share with you an incident that occurred during our Sunday morning miracle.

I share this incident with limitations, for I do not wish to show anger or rudeness. . . because it could turn that way. Rather I give an account of something we all need to be aware of and careful with. While the service progressed, Savannah had a slight cough. As she coughed, I began noticing a lady seated in front of her. The lady was beginnng to seem agitated. Let me say here that Savannah's cough was in no way loud, she wasn't leaning forward when she coughed, nor was it constant. She would cough just every now and then. At one point, the lady in front of her turns herself completely around, sitting on the edge of her chair, gives a look that said "Did your really just cough?!?!?" and turns herself around. My daughters found it amusing and rude. As time went on, I saw the lady close her Bible with a little added force, grab her coat and her purse. . . and continue to sit there. I knew she was on the verge of leaving by now....rather obvious. Well, as you guessed it.....Savannah coughed once more as time passed by. Lady jumps up, sitting on the 3rd row from the front of church, says to her friends with a look of disdain "I can't take the coughing anymore."...... and leaves.

As a protecting mother, I was mad << best word to use. But as a positive mother, I chose to tell my kids that this lady was looking for a way out beforehand and she found one. She must have felt uncomfortable, out of place and needed an escape plan.....Savannah became her ticket out. My kids, of course, didn't see it that way. As I related the incident to my Mom later, she said something about praying for the lady and going on. I told her right away "I didn't pray for her!" This was an example of someone living out in the flesh exactly what I had been trying to guard my kids from seeing.....making what they think of christians today and churches all around.....the truth!! How could she?! But as time passed and I thought about what my all so wise Mother told me, I decided I WOULD pray for this lady.....for only God knew of any pain she may have been feeling, what fears she may have been experiencing, what problems she may have been facing.

As I did pray, my thoughts changed to a more positive thinking. I know because of this incident my kids are not damaged and in time will return to church again. I also know that I canNOT nor have I ever been able to guard them from really anything in this world. What I can do is to keep praying for each of them to have their eyes opened, their ears opened, their desires to be God's, and their fellowship- with a God that loves them more than I do- to be R E A L.

So please the next time you may feel the need to be annoyed by something, don't like the way someone is dressed, tempted to say an unkind word, don't approve because they aren't like YOU.....take a moment and realize that this someone may be needing God and a closer walk with Him and your disapproving may be the thing that steps in and hinders that from happening.

In the front of my Bible I have written these very true words: God is infinitely more concerned over my children than I ever could be. He IS abundantly able to care for them in any and every situation.  The same applies for your children {no matter the age} as well, my friend! :)

As always.....thanks for letting me share!

"A Mother's Heart....Shared With You."

To my daughter, Savannah Ann, whom I love more than you even begin to know.

You entered our world on the day of June 14, 1991 and we were blessed. God wanted to take a little extra loving care and time to mold and make you into the beautiful baby you became. I carried you 41 weeks instead of the normal 40 weeks. Maybe it was because God knew I would need that extra 1 week to hold you as close to my heart as I ever would. Unlike the first C-section surgery I had with your sister, Heather, I would feel this one in great intensity. But the pain was worth it....and you became ours to hold and love now with our arms and not just our hearts.

Your sister took sole responsibility for you even at the very young age of just 3 years old. There are several pictures of this little "mother" taking care of her "baby". She loved you then.....and she loves you now....even when you don't believe it.

We chose your name, Savannah, the very day before having you. We were strolling around the mall and stopped by JC Pennys. They had a furniture collection by the name of Savannah on it and thus became your name. The name Savannah would not become popular until 13 years later therefore allowing you to be that unique beauty you always have been.

At 3 months of age you were dedicated to our Lord Jesus by Mom and Dad along with Pastor Dale Williams at Southgate Chapel in Irving, Tx. You had a very dirty diaper at the time and Pastor Dale handled you and the dedication service with such love.  Dale if you're reading this....know that as I have told you before....there has NEVER been another Dedication Service for both of my baby girls that you gave them that was more sweet, caring, genuine, heart-felt and sincere. Thank you for that!!
Later, you would go to Cubbies for Awanas at the age of 3 at Spring Memorial in Spring, Tx. You received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, at the tender age of 5, at this same church. And you would later be baptized, at the age of 5, at Lakeland Baptist by Bro. Gary. I write these into this letter because I count them of great importance. For you see - all of life is centered around what Jesus has done for you in your life!

                                                   

I still remeber those long, beautiful ringlets of hair you had. If I remember correctly, you would later put or get gum stuck all in that beautiful hair too! I tried my best to get it out, but ended up cutting alot more of your hair than I wanted. So it was at 6 years old that you would receive the biggest haircut ever taking several inches off. Some people told me it would come back even curlier.....and although you still had a wave and body in your hair....your sweet baby ringlets were now gone.

As time moved on, you grew to be the you that God would create you to be. You was a child that loved the human touch of skin to skin. Your great grandmother, Mama Rea, would in fact be the one to figure this out very early on. You cried and cried one night shortly after bringing you home from the hospital and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was wrong. Exhausted I let Mama Rea take over and she knew just the thing....place you skin to skin alongside of her. . . calming you right down. It would continue to be that way throughout the years. As a baby, seems you only wanted to sleep when I was holding you, as a toddler you always, always requested being rocked before going to sleep, and as a child you were often found sliding in bed with your sister with your entire body draped across her. As well there were many nights you ask that I lay down beside you letting you fall asleep before I go. I would always know to wait for that special twitching of your body that would signal you were now fast asleep. As much as I thought I was SO tired and just wanted to go to bed in my bed.....I now know those days were few and they are missed.

I also will always and forever remember our special prayer time each night that we had together. They were special times AND funny times. As we would talk about the prayer request to pray for somewhere at some point silly times would slip itself in. As you would start to pray you would get the giggles....and just as sure as you would get those giggles....Mom would also get them! I can remember having to get a pillow and hold it up to my face with one hand while the other hand is holding yours just so you couldn't see my smile. That's all it took....just seeing Mom smile made you giggle all the more HARDER! At times I thought we would NEVER get through those prayers!! :) I'm sure God must have enjoyed listening to all the laughter shared between a giggly precious child and the Mother who shared right along with her. As soon as the prayers were finished, the hug would begin. My dear child.....you cannot even begin to understand just how much I miss those hugs. If I let myself I will soon begin to start crying....and then I won't be able to type. Those hugs were worth more than you can imagine. I didn't realize just how much at that time. You would reach up and pull me down to you, while laying on your bed, and all the while just hold me close.....heart to heart, cheek to cheek, ear to ear. Sometimes you were still giggling and others you just seemed to never want to let go. If I could go back in time ..... it would be to those nights..... and I would never let you go.
OK....now I am crying.
There have been times I have wondered, that as you and your sister got older and she began experiencing more things in life and would call me into her room to talk about them....that I was rushing yours and my time together to go and talk with her. You often would teasingly get onto me for how much time I would spend in Heather's room compared to yours. In fact you would time me giving me the exact number of minutes I spent in her room verses yours!  I was excited to hear about all the new things in life Heather was experiencing and may have seemed anxious to get in there. But you was always on my mind too.....I never ever wanted to make you feel second best. And if I did that or have done that, Savannah, for that I am truly sorry in the most sincerest way.

And time marches on. . . . .

And here you are today. . . .my always beautiful Savannah Ann.

Somewhere, somehow along the way you quit believing in our love. Somewhere you quit receiving and giving the many forms of love. . . hugs, smiles, sharing time together, kind words. This all seem to become foreign to you....and for the life of me and your Dad we have never once figured out why. You would even one day just basically pack up and leave our home to live in another. This hurt more than you know. It would seem another family would become your family. And as any Mother knows you will always fight for what's yours. But just as sure as I knew you were mine and I loved you dearly.....I also knew that I had to believe God had a plan in all of this....for absolutely NOTHING happens in our life without God allowing it and having a reason, a plan, and a purpose in sight. So.....I let you go.....physically....but never internally....for you are mine and always will be. I hold no grudges regarding the family you went to be with....although it was very hard harder than you know....they were there for you to be whatever God wanted them to be in your life.

Through time though, as you have went away to college and are now once again back in our home, I see changes that God has brought. I am forever grateful as well!! So grateful that I wrote a Blog about it! Read it sometime....it's all about you! :) It's titled "When God Brings a Distant Child Home".

Savannah, God loves you more than I do, and even though you may not see that as much.....please know that it is. I know that words can just be pretty words and sound good, but please know that my words I offer to you are so much more than pretty words with empty meaning. They are from my heart....the truest, most sincerest place of any person living. Above all.....share a relationship with God. Put Him first. Live your days for Him. Talk with Him. Seek all that you need in Him. Wait on Him. And trust in Him. This world has nothing even on it's best days to give you. It's empty and will leave you empty. But in and with God ....is everything! I pray that God will give you the eyes, that comes with maturity, to see and understand this.

And it is with this purpose that I write this to you my child. . . . to know that I love you, I am proud of you, I thank God for you, I believe in you. For we are never guranteed tomorrow. . . .