"A Birthday of Love and Special Memories Shared With You!"

Rather than post some pictures, with cute little meaningless captions, that probably no one sees on Facebook, I decided to share through a Blog.
For the week of June 28th - July 4rth would be as my Mother happily called it - "The week to go down in the book of memories for all time!!" You see. . . this was a week especially just for her. It was to be a gift of love from her wonderful son-in-law in everyway as well as a daughter that loves her plentifully. And not only from these two, but I believe from her dear sweet twin sister who celebrated 72 blessed birthdays here by her side.....and on the 73rd one happily watching from Heaven above. I truly believe she was very much a part of it ALL just as she always has been. :) Thank you Auntie for helping God and us to give my Mother such a wonderful birthday present of love! :)

David and I planned a birthday trip for her in advance. First, we decided we would take her and my Dad to see my brother and his family in Enid, Oklahoma for the weekend. Second, we would drive to Branson, Missouri from Enid and stay there for most of the week. And third, this part of the trip was so spontaneous that none of us knew about it until it happened. We surprised her with all of this news and then told her to sit down at the computer and pick out some shows and events she would like to do while in Branson. It was slightly overwhelming, but together we made our choices. We showed her the cabins we would be staying in while there. Soon everything was booked and ready to go. Now all we had to do was wait!!

FINALLY....the big day arrived!!!

David and I packed down my Jeep, made sure all 4 animals had been taken care of, said "Goodbye and be GOOD" to our son (who we left at home for an entire week by himself!!) . . . and we were off. . .

First stop, pick up Mom and Dad in Irving! We ate lunch with them at one of our all time favorite spots "Braums" and of course it was dee-licious! We loaded them up and headed for Enid! Nine and a half hours of driving from Atascocita and we arrived!! My brother Dan was beyond shocked, animated (as always), and quite entertained by the fact that he hadn't seen David since his major weight loss. He was rather intriqued by the whole matter and it took time for his animation to wear down. . . as usual. Haha! There are NO words to describe my brother for those who know nothing of him. He is beyond your wildest imaginative thoughts indeed. . . and me knowing him - he will absolutely LOVE reading those words!! You're welcome Dan. :)
We would eat dinner with Dan, wife Kim, and daughter Megan at El chicos that evening. Later, Dan would come entertain us in our hotel room with Megan. Or maybe it better said - Dan came over to entertain Debby - David watched - Megan fell asleep on the bed. When my brother and I get together - ALL the world becomes a genuinly GOOFY place to be!! :)

(I had to add this picture here so that when you see my Blog it shows her)



Saturday came and we were off on a new adventure! David had found a brochure about a place called "The Little Sahara". He mentioned it to Dan << he excitedly told us he had always wanted to go there. So off we went! The Little Sahara is a place like none other we had seen. It was just about 1 1/2 hrs from Enid and it was simply amazing to see.....sand dunes.....pure sand and only sand everywhere! It was just as if God had poured out his entire sand bucket in one section of his creation! How did ALL this sand get here? Scientist have their theories, people have their myths - but we have God and no one else but Him could have done this. It was a sight! We were there to ride ATVs over the dunes, buuut it was not to be. The place that rented the ATVs said no rentals past 12 noon because it's too hot. Are you serious!! It was hot yes...but not Houston hot! We were told we could BUY a flag for $25 and put it on our Jeep...but that would include a minor detail....DRILLING a hole in it! So, instead we all walked up a steep sandy hill and onto a unfinished observation place. David so wants to bring Levi back to do this sometime....riding the ATVs that is. Better come before noon!!

We had a wonderful weekend with Dan and his family. On Sunday he wanted to wash and wax my Jeep before we left. When I say wash and wax you have NO idea what I'm saying. This boy can put a lasting shine on your car like nobody can! He got his authoritive voice on and even got David scrubbing and polishing! It was fun to watch and observe. As always....Dan makes life fun. :)

My Jeep stayed CLEAN the rest of our trip to Missouri and Arkansas and all the way back home!!

After eating my most favorite place of any - SUBWAY - we were saying our "Goodbyes" and hitting the road for Branson, Missiouri!We arrived in Branson that evening and let me tell you the weather was nothing but amazing....in fact the rest of the week it was amazing! Lows in the 50-60s and highs would be low 80. Awesome!

We were finally at our beautiful cabin and we were pleasantly suprised at just how beautiful it was! My Mother exclaimed that she had found her dream home afterall. :) It was literally on the side of a mountain as if you were out in the woods<<my forever sweet spot in this world- - - but just a block or so from the main strip itself. The best of both worlds I would say!



This was the backside. It had a screened in porch, right off our bedroom, that would quickly become our favorite spot. That pond, although yucky looking from this view, held all the beautiful night sounds that I have loved since I can remember! If I could put my recording of it all on here I would! We even saw a baby deer all alone coming for a few days to drink in the mornings. Beautiful birds as well as coons too.



See...I told you we like this spot! :)

This entry into the Guest Book that I wrote would explain our whole trip and the very reason for it:

Happy Birthday to you Mother!! :)

Monday came upon us and we were up and ready to go start our adventures! First on the agenda: take a cruise! That's right! I've made it quite clear to all my family that I will NOT be stuck on a boat, a plane, an elevator, or anything I cannot get off of at any given time. So, when we were getting ready to board our "cruise" I simply texted my children "Mom IS going on a cruise...believe it!!" Ok...so what if it only was a 2 hour cruise and what if it only was just a paddle wheel cruiser?! We had FUN....and that's what counts!!

Everyone scrambled to the open deck above so we chose the lower enclosed seating down below. It was perfect! Air conditioned, quiet, and to ourselves! We were served a delicious lunch.

The water was so beautiful and the scenery gorgeous!

I love this picture of the two of them. So cute they are. :)

Later, that evening we were off to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede show! I will tell you that my dear, sweet, wonderful husband literally became the "Snicker's Diva" at this one. You know....the commercials where someone is hungry and turning into someone they are not until another person gets them a snickers candy bar and tells them to eat it....and once again returning to their former self. We had been told that this show would have a very LARGE meal served at it and not to eat a thing before the show started at 8pm. Next time we will know better. The tourist lady we dealt with even said "O we never recommend people booking the boat cruise lunch as the same day as the Dixie Stampede show.....too much food in one day. They were wrong. Let's just say none whatsoever of the pre-show nor the show itself was very desirable to my diva-starving-husband....that is until somewhere around 8:30ish and he began to get some food.....mind you we had been here already since 6:45 (told to be early and had a pre-show). Once he got some food in him the show became one of the best ever! Haha! It really was an AWESOME show....there was everything I loved in it.....Indians, Cowboys, Pioneers, real animals, skill, tricks, AND even comedy!! 

Each day was such a blessing in little and big ways! I know God had his hand upon it all and he even had help from Auntie herself. Each place we were led to go to eat seemed like it was hand-picked by those two, for there would be christian music playing or not crowded or even both. Even our times of goin to the shows and events were met with little to slim lines....and Branson is a very crowded tourist place! Just go to Dick's 5 & Dime....and you'll for sure find the crowds there! It's an original 5 & dime and sales all of the old things of long ago forgotten days. Neat store....but far too crowded for us. I spoke of my Aunt helping....funny story.....we traveled alot of the back roads to stay away from the crowds coming in and letting out from the shows on main strip. Sometimes, even David can get lost. :) We were looking for a store to get some groceries from and was getting nowhere. All of the sudden out of the blue we hear a female voice in the backseat firmly and confidently say "Turn left." << it was my Mother's GPS on her phone, but we all decided it was Sandra telling us where to go. David turned left and continued to follow her commands. She got us to a WalMart and once there we said "Thank you, Sandra!" :)

While in town one day, my Dad came upon his brother. See for yourself!

Sidenote: We also came upon one of my very favorite newest store while in town.....a place with two names: "Pennies From Heaven" "The Copper Coin". It was definitely my store! The lady owner that founded and ran the place had a very inspirational story to go along with why she sold what she did....but I won't go into all of that. I will share that she places GREAT emphasis in finding pennies on the ground. In fact EVERYTHING that she sold had one shiny copper penny attached to it. The pennies symbolized her trust in God. For on the penny it says "In God we trust". Her story and reason for sharing the penny struck a mighty BIG thing with me! For a few years now I have collected pennies found on the ground, for they too have helped me to believe that when found - God is reminding me that He knows where I am and that I can trust in Him in all things. The whole place was very encouraging to me....and of course I had to purchase something. My Mother actually bought it for me as a Thank You gift for all that we were doing for her! :) It was quite fitting that she would give it to me for on it had the very words of scripture she gave to me on my birthday - Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thy own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Tuesday was here and we had places to go and people to see....alot of them dead though!

First stop....my much anticipated event....the TITANIC museum!! As any member of my family knows this girl loves museums....it's usually the people I'm with that become dislikers of them!! I can read forever and that's no exageration! Just 4 hours and 40 minutes into the museum and dear David finally said "Alright...that's it....you're done." Hahaha! He is soooo very patient with me....thankfully! I can remember a time of going through a museum while our kids were still small. David lovingly told me to take my time and enjoy while he and the kids went at their own pace. He then took them outside and played with them giving me all the time I needed. What a guy! Sooo....I'm normally well behind everyone when it comes to museums. Funny thing - - my daughter texted me the other day and said "I always thought I hated museums. Then I went with other people. Found out they weren't that bad." That made me laugh in big ways!! LOL! :) Ah well.....



It was very realistic and quite interesting, but left you with alot of unanswered questions and confusion. We each were handed a boarding ticket, upon entrance, of an actual person riding the ship that fateful night. At the end of the museum you find out if your person survived or perished. We all survived....except my Dad.

Next on our agenda was the wonderful show of "Joseph" for the evening! But first, we had to make sure dear David got something to eat this time...or else. :) Our little dinner was quite fun and satisfying.



Jospeh was a spectacular play! Very professionally and beautifully scripted out. A story of forgiveness and trust in our God alone. We had perfect seats! The Amish people thought so too and came and joined us. There was 13 Amish that came and sat right behind us. At intermission, my Mother could no longer stand it...she had to do what she does best....TALK to them. She stood up, turns to them, leans over the chairs and says "Now all y'all Amish or Mennonites?" And thus began their conversation......that's my Mother! Gotta love her. :) 

You can see 4 of the Amish directly behind. I was a little concerned that I would offend them by taking this picture. But, they handled it fine. :)



An evening of relaxing after a big day!



Wednesday dawneth....and here we goooo!

Today's plans? Go to the historical <<another word this girl loooves>> homesite of  a family who lived long ago in the beautiful Ozark mountains! Yes, I love History! So, we thought this was just another historical home place to see and tour. Little did we know that it was national acclaim! If any of you have ever heard of the book "Shepherd of the Hills" this is from where the book was written and the lives of the characters were written about. It was written in 1907 and would make the 4rth most popular book ever read.

Remember those Amish people we were with the evening before? Yes sir....they were back! We, in fact, took the whole tour with them. My Mother, being her sweet, fun-loving self, quite animatedly welcomed them back too. They were quite friendly with us and rather knowledgable about .....well everything. The tour guide started us off by saying "Who all has read 'The Shepherd of the Hills' book?" Every single one of the 13 Amish people, (kids included), raised their hands confidently! It must have been required reading in their clan or something. :) And well as for us 4?? Nooope....not a one of us. On into the tour, David made a comment about this being really interesting to which one of the Amish ladies leans over and said "It would have been more interesting had you read the book!" Haha! :)



My Dad bought a new belt buckle while there. :)

I love this picture of my Dad....he just is so at home and fits in perfectly here. :)

The beautiful view these mountain people once had from their home! No paved road there, of course, and all that lucious green you see farther out is a deep valley with more mountains beyond.

I'm entering a pretty little church built in 1901. Love old churches!

It was a beautiful old place full of history and long ago days.

Later, it was time to get Grandma her nap while David and I went shopping on our own. We were in search of gift souvenirs for our children. Hey Mom got more souvenirs too....can't beat that!! We had dinner with my folks and soon were off for our last and final show of our trip. This last show would turn out to be the oddest of all shows. Let's just say....our expectations were far off the charts than the actual reality was. For those of you who know and are familiar with the Cirque de Soleil acts you know these are very professionally done performances. So can you blame us when we booked a show titled Cirque Montague that we had the very same high expectations?? We were met with surprise.....maybe what was missing this time was those two little letters "de" .....we will know better next time. Although, mostly entertaining for what it was....Cirque de Soleil it was not.



One of the performers was a Uni-cycle riding Mime....probably one of the best performers they had. He came and visited David before the show.



The Mime "told" David to take their picture together...that is what he is attempting. :)



Thursday arrived.....the day we loaded up and said our goodbyes to the wonderful memories made. :)

David and I had decided that we would take the long way home and surprise my Dad with going through his hometown....what's left of it.....Antoine and Delight, Arkansas. We told my Mother of our plans and she was so excited for my Dad. Four and half hours later and we would arrive ..........



And this. . . .

But this is a whole other Blog I'm going to be writing about soon! When we got back to Irving, we had my Dad sit down and voice recorded just about 50 mins of him retelling his childhood days of long ago. I'm anxious to get started on it!!



There is one very special and dear picture I will share last with you. For in it it shows the sweet love one special Son In Law has for his Mother In Law. I will tell you that each and every single stop we made and each and every single time we got in my Jeep my David was getting a little blue stool out for his M-I-L to step out or up in so that she could enter and exit my Jeep! That meant so very much to her and since our trip has bragged to all her friends about her wonderful S-I-L. <3 She is loved. :)

A beautiful smile on a beautiful lady.

So, that was our trip {in short} shared with you!

It was a week of specially made memories for a specially made lady.

I love you my Mother.....I always have....I always will.

THE END.



"Celebrating Her. . . "

This Sunday, June 30, marks a very special day. It is the day that we celebrate two very beautiful women's lifes here on earth. The two beautiful women I speak of are my own dear mother and her sweet twin sister. One we celebrate here on earth. The other we celebrate living joyously in Heaven.

I have been wanting to write a special Blog in celebration of my Aunt, but all the while not being sure of how to share. For it is not sadness I want to bring, but rather a smile. I know that is what Auntie would want afterall. :) I do not write this Blog in "memory" of her - - for she has never been forgotten. I write it simply to celebrate her and the beautiful presence she was in her time on this earth.

I shared, in April of 2012, a Blog in honor of her and some of the many memories we made here together.
http://lifeiswhatgodmakesit.blogspot.com/2012/04/if-you-had-chancewould-you.html That link should take you there if you would like to read. There is a very dear memory that I did not share in that Blog and since then I have wanted to. Although it may not mean much to others reading, it is very meaningful to me. I have memories of laying on her bed, an old fashioned wire table fan blowing gently on me, listening to the old classic Disney 45 records, and looking at the big colorful pages of the album they came in. If I can remember correctly there was The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Polyana. . . to name a few. I must have listened to Mary Poppins quite often for out of all, it is the very one that brings the MOST memories alive. I bought the Mary Poppins soundtrack sometime back and play it many times over. When I do, I can't help but believe that Aunt Sandra is dancing around the house along with me as we loudly belt out the songs together. Or in the times of just sitting quietly and listening while tears stream down my face. It is in those times - whether dancing and singing loudly or just quietly sitting and listening - that I often feel the closest to her. I can't help but believe that the very last song on the album/CD must have been one of her favorites "Let's Go Fly a Kite!" for it is one that we sing the loudest together. :) I would have loved dearly to have thought to ask for those records in times past.

Though we can not reach out and physically touch her, verbally hear her, or see her, we do celebrate not only who she was - but who she IS today. Her presence here while on earth was a blessing to many countless lives. She was a tender heart, with a pretty smile, a tell it how it is attitude, and an inspiration to those around her. And today - - today she is a living, breathing, very much alive, vibrant, healthy, O so happy daughter of God Himself!! She is alive and living, more than we possibly could be, in every sense of the word!! Her days are filled and overflowing with the truest form of JOY, while she is praising and rejoicing and serving God!! How wonderfully A M A Z I N G will that day be for each of us when our time has come!! We will not only be alongside her, but also rejoicing, praising, and serving God Himself as well!! Can't wait!! :)

For those of you reading along, I ask that if you would just stop and say a prayer for each of her family members during this time. There is hope most assuredly for all of us, for we each one day soon be reunited with her. But it is during that waiting moment that we sometimes need prayer. Thank you!

And to my dear, sweet, never forgotten, Auntie - - I loved you then, I love you now....I always have, I always will.

Happy earth Birthday this Sunday!! :)

The beautiful SMILES I leave you with. . . .



"Two Paths....One Choice"

David and I often love to ride our bikes anywhere and everywhere. Hot or cold....sunny or rainy....
Any day is a good day when you can ride a bike! :)

This past Friday we tried our bikes out on the trails instead of paved cement. I have to say it was AWESOME!!! I really think I could do a mountain bike excursion....going down a mountain!! I say the word "down" because going "UP" the mountain might do me in for sure! As we were bumping along the trails and pushing through the brush, I laughed as David said, "You do know these bikes are not made for this don't you??" We have the old timey Cruiser replicas. I didn't care....I laughed and pushed my way through, almost falling several times. :) I absolutely love adventures!!

After we first arrived, I took a picture of the path that lay ahead of us.

It was relatively wide and open with easy access as well as comfortable easy riding. No thick foliage to push through and not many if any bumps to ride over. It was very scenic.

And then we took the real trails leading off of that one. . .



Although this was not the "top adventure" trail I speak of in the earlier part of my story, it was MORE narrower than the first, MORE bumpier than the first, and certainly alot more skills were needed as you are gripping the handle bars now more tightly while bumping, twisting, turning, picking up speed, and pulling all the O so STICKY spider webs off of you!! (By the way....I was informed by dear David that he received not one single spider web on him all thanks to his wife who combatted her way through them first. Glad to be of service dear.)

I did not take a picture of our most dense path we took. Let your funny imagination create an image here of a very silly wife laughing loudly, falling mostly, and looking hideous in her extreme  pleasure as her sweet and wonderful husband follows along behind her smiling to himself in how crazy his funny wife is. :)

As I thought about the two paths that I DID take pictures of - - - a thought began to take shape as it often does when I'm searching for a Blog to share.

These two paths can be very symbolic of what God talks about in Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

I see the first path representing the "wide gate and broad road" that is taken by so many people in our world today. It is the easy path, the open path, the comfortable and well traveled path. It is also a path that leads to destruction and many people can unknowingly be deceived into thinking otherwise. It's the world's way...the one that says "God loves everybody and if you're good enough and even if you're not....He would never send you to a place called Hell." "Afterall...you're not as BAD as that person...."

The second path represents the "narrow gate...and narrow is the road that leads to life." Few are said to find it because of one of the many great deceptions of simply them being "good enough" will ensure their road to Heaven. Sadly...it won't. Jesus said in John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  Also, in John 10:9 he says: "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."

Friend, there is only one path we must choose....the "narrow one"....the one that leads to life in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

As always I want to share with you how you can do that....just as I have in recent Blogs. For I want everyone to hear and know about the "narrow road" that leads to life!! :)

The following was taken and copied from a previos Blog I had shared in the past - - -

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Have you ever heard the question asked "If you were to die today and went to Heaven and God stopped you and said 'Why should I let you into my kingdom?' what would you say?"  Many people have what they feel are genuinely perfect answers for this and many consist of them being simply good enough to earn their way in. Or. . .  Church membership. Baptized. Family heritage. Giving enough money. Others may believe that a loving God could never send anyONE to such a horrible place as hell and therefore make their way in as well. Well, sadly...none of this thinking is right. There is only ONE way and ONE way only....and that being through the perfect blood that Jesus shed on the cross for our salvation. Through His sacrifice for our sins, we receive the grace that He freely gives. We receive it through faith and faith itself is also given to us by and through God.

I could really draw this blog out with more lengthy discussions. But I believe that salvation is simple and therefore should be presented in a simple manner. That statement reminds me of a very special Christian kindergarten teacher I had a long time ago. I had asked Jesus into my heart at the age of 5 (also being the time of attending her class). She had ran into my Mom years later and had heard that I was struggling with doubts of my salvation. She replied to my Mom "Tell her to quit making it so HARD." Salvation is not a complicated thing...but sometimes we as humans tend to make it hard.

First, know that we ALL have sinned. If you have broken just one commandment...and we all have....then you are guilty of sin.
Romans 3:10 - "As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one."
Romans 3:23 - "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 5:12 - "Therefore just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam) and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because ALL sinned."

Second, the price has been paid!
Romans 6:23- "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!"
Romans 5:8- "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Third, how we receive our gift!
Romans 10:9-10 - "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

It's as simple as ABC!
A= Accept that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour!
B= Believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead!
C= Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and call upon Him to save YOU from your sins!

Lastly, we know that when we call - He hears!
Romans 10:13 - "For EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will BE saved!"
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "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." If it were by works anyway...someone would ALWAYS be better than you. . . and whose to say where the line would be drawn?? Side tidbit there. :)

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I try hard not to be too repetitive in my Blogging. But, this dear friend, is worth repeating many times over. :)

Won't you choose the path that leads to life eternal today if you have not?

I leave you with a very beautiful part of God's creation that I was able to take a picture of while on our paths. In my thinking it represents God's happiness. And it reminds me that we can be happy in Him....for He is faithful and trustworthy!!

"The Little Girl on the Bicycle"



David and I often ride bikes. In fact, we choose to ride bikes wherever we go rather than riding in the car when possible. We both enjoy the exercise, being active together, and enjoy being outdooors. I admire his willingness to hop on his bike, after a long day at work, and go for a ride with me. :)

The other day, as we were riding, a little girl appeared in front of us. I didn't see from what direction she came. . . it was just as if she showed up. As we followed her, I noticed how young she was and how, in this day and time, it seemed odd that she would seemingly be so far from home without an adult close by. She pedaled on crossing a couple of busy neighborhood streets. She wasn't on a leasurily kid-ride, but pedaled with great intent, stopping only once to grab a precious souvenir (a feathery stalk from a flowering plant). She was off once again with great determination to reach her desired destination. We continued to follow her. We usually have no problem passing others on bikes, or people walking - this girl was pedaling! Watching this little girl brought back memories for me in a sweet and tender way. I too was once that little girl pedaling hard and with great purpose. She reminded me of being O so young and on my own each day. For back LONG ago, starting around the age of 6 or 7, I would ride my bike over a mile each way to school. Heck the way I went could've been 2 miles each way! I am so thankful that my Mother had the faith to let me have that freedom at such an early age. For in this day I don't believe many Mothers would. As some say, "things were different back in the day". I doubt that, for evil and bad have always been. . . they just weren't talked about and made public as they are today. I can remember crossing very BUSY streets for someone so small. I remember the "scary streets" too that you didn't just pedal casually on, but rather stood up on the pedals and gave it all you had! As I look back, I am amazed and all the while thankful for both a Mother willing to give her child an early independence AND for my God who was with me to watch over me....every pedal of the way.

As we followed on, my phone distracted me from my thoughts of long ago. We stopped only briefly to check the distraction. As we started back on our way, I noticed the little girl was no longer in front of us. I pedaled on a little faster to search where she may have gone. I could see for quite a ways up ahead....nothing. I could see to the left where the streets intersected.....nothing. It was as if she simply vanished....gone just like that. We do entertain "angels unaware" as the Bible says! I believe it whole heartedly too!! Maybe she was the little angel that would remind me how that God has been with me all along....never leaving nor forsaking me....even in my worst times....even in my times of doubt....even in my good times....always with me. Or maybe she was the little girl that God himself would call me to pray for. That is exactly what I did as I rode. I prayed for her safety and protection, for her to know she is loved, for her to make wise decisions for all the days that lay ahead, and most of all - for her to know the Lord as her Savior. I have prayed since then when God brings her to my mind. I pray with great emphasis that God leads and protects her with all the many choices that lie ahead of her. How awesome would it be to know that a stranger {a kind unknown person} would take the time to stop and pray for your very child?! I would absolutely LOVE to know that there are people praying for my children that I don't even know!!

Regardless of the many questions there may have been as to why this child would appear such as she did and then be gone just like that ( I do tend to have an analytical mind sometimes ha!). I find these things to be certain and true::
1. God has been with me always and never leaves me. Just as He was with her. He crossed the "busy streets" of life with me and He even carried me through the "scary streets". He isn't just with me in those times but also in the "happy times" of enjoying life as David and I do together.
2. Jesus prays for me. Even when no one else is praying for me I know that He is. No one may have thought that day to stop and say a prayer for this little girl, but Jesus was and He even invited me to join along with Him in it.
3. We can trust God to get us to our desired safe haven for He alone is trustworthy. Just as He took this little one safely to her destination....back to Heaven or to her house! :)

Friend, know that YOU too can have those assurances!

For if you too have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior of your heart then He assures you that YES He is with you today....tomorrow.....and always {He was even with you yesterday too!} You are never ever alone. If you are in times of doubt, pain, hardships, trials do NOT ever give up on Him. For He alone is supremely trustworthy and will carry you to your safe haven. He not only will help you, but He IS helping you even now. Sometimes we just need to give Him more time and space....and wait. But never quit trusting....NEVER. If you are having a hard time doing so then tell God and ask Him to be the trust that you need. He understands. Afterall...who knows us better than the very One Who created us?!

Also, know that Jesus does pray for you to God the Father. When it seems no one else knows and no one else cares....He does. And He lives to intercede for YOU. John 17:9 "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours." God intercedes for us in our weakness for us personally. Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." How empowering to know that Jesus the Holy Spirit prays for us in our weakest moments!!

And lastly....God will take you safely to your safe haven. Psalm 107:28-30 "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven." We can be confident in Him because of Isaiah 46: 4 "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

I leave you with this: 2 Timothy 4:18 "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Friend....He is with you....pedaling through life's journey WITH you. Never give up trusting in Him alone.

"You Went HOW Fast?!?!"

There once was a boy. . .

who became a man

in just 3 short days.

And this is his Mother to tell you his story. . . 

It all began with this car.

We had purchased this car for Levi just months ago to get away from the higher car note as well as the gas guzzler that his former truck was. It is a stick shift. Something I have NEVER cared to learn. My son blew me away with how very quickly he took on the mind adjustments of learning such a thing! Basically...he was driving on his own, without any supervision, within just over an hour! I was a tad hesitant, but followed my faithful leader's (David) lead, and let him go for the rest of the evening. Can I just say the boy had only received his license just months before that and here he is now not only learned to drive a truck, but was also driving a stick?! But when David says "Deb, he's good." that's all this Mom needs!! Nothing else matters. Guess that's why I was able to let him take his Dad's Camaro from the other side of downtown Houston and drive it home, with us no where in sight, while we drove home the unlearned stick shift, when we bought it for him. :)

As it goes. . . boys and men love to improve their cars and look at all the many possibilities of what to do next. Thus you can see some of the changes Levi made to his in above picture. The main reason for his changes were due in large to him finding a car club online that hosts a cruise each year in San Antonio. Although old fashioned Mom and Dad really liked the previous look, it simply would not do if you were going to a car club show and cruise. Of course.

When Levi informed us about his desire to go, Mom was just a little out of the loop. I'm thinking a cruise....Levi wants to go on some sort of 1 day cruise and it has to do with car stuff?? Noooo Mom. It's a cruise through the Hill Country with actual cars driving and he wanted to be a participant. It was a Nismo fest - - Nissian/Infiniti/Z get together if you will. Ahhh that sounds nice son...of course you can go! Afterall...it was still in honor of his 17th birthday and what better way to celebrate and give the boy a really COOL present....something he LOVES doing.....cars and driving!!!

Can I just insert here that my kids blow me away with their confidence?? They do. It's a true blessing to me to see that, for I have never been as confident in ways they each are! As you read this story, you will see more of what I mean here. . .

Without going into too many details (I'm known for that!)....I will say - Dad got the weekend off, hotel reservations made, friend selected for Levi <he was going to do this totally all by himself if no friend could go...another blown away moment!> tickets purchased for events....and we were off!!

This would be Levi's first official road trip - - although he had done some lengthy distances, it would never be this far and without an adult in car. Normally, we would have this view of him on the trip, but we did loose them for awhile enroute to S.A. No worries....he found us again.



He did very well keeping Dad's very GREEN Camaro insight even through all of Houston's traffic as well as S.A.'s night time traffic. We were unsure alot, once night time hit, if he was with us or not. But God knew where he was and that was fine with me. We did make a stop at one of the O so famous Bucees while enroute there. For the life of both David and myself, we have YET to figure out what makes this place so dad-gum famous?!?! Craziness....but people absolutely LOVE IT. It was just a good stretching point for us. But it would bring in a key person into my story as well. On the road, Levi had seen 2 really AWESOME cars. He slowed down, gave them the thumbs up, and waved. On he went. While at Bucess, he again saw these cars and was excited!! One of the guys came over to Levi and Jon and started making conversation about them and us going to the Nismo Fest. The other guys stayed back and it was apparent this guy was going out of his way to be kind to a 17 y/o boy. It made this Mom feel good for her son. Soon after our pitstop and stretched legs, we were back on the road...leaving the really COOL cars still there. Later, we would arrive at the hotel where some were to be staying and there appeared this same guy once again. And as before, he made his way over to Levi and began talking to him. I was beginning to get not suspicious but baffled that a 20 something guy, with cool cars, and cool friends, would do this! He would tell Levi about the cruise, such as what to expect, what group to get in - NOT the advanced - and just overall informative and friendly. I would later learn this guy's name was Andrew, he was 27, and was very knowledgeable about the cruises. He would also be labeled as Levi's God-sent-angel...and I'm not lying. For this guy would keep making appearances throughout our stay in S.A. He made sure Levi got where he needed to be in the cruise...his group thankfully. He encouraged Levi in different ways regarding his car and what to do with it in the RIGHT way and not the crazy kid way. He made him feel like one of them even though Levi and Jon were definitely the youngest ones there. That's right....my baby was in a man's world now. These were all 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's involved in this event! He made sure they exchanged numbers so if there was any problems during cruise they could reach him....as well as to stay in contact once we left S.A. He even gave the two boys a ride in his car, while on the cruise, to a bank so they could get some cash to eat at lunch. David and I talked twice with Andrew as well during the weekend. We tried to express our gratitude for his friendliness and looking out for our son....he was a talker though....hard to get alot in....but I think we got it across. :) It was nice to hear him tell of how well Levi did with the cruise. He talked of him keeping it in control, stayed up well, didn't get crazy like some kids would...he seemed generally impressed by Levi. 



A man's world he had stepped into.
At least he had the folded arms right!

Registeration for Cruise.

Mom taking pictures did not make him happy.

It's what Moms do!

The Line Up.

And they're off!!



David was required present to sign for Levi being as though he was under the age of 18. Thankfully it wasn't required that Dad be present in the car for him to go, for that would have meant Mom would be there too and ain't no way I would have survived that!! Levi agreed quite agreeably (later) that Mom would not indeed. Instead....Dad and Mom went on their own "car cruise"! David decided to show me a "little" of what the Camaro could do itself on these back Hill Country roads!! It was fun and it was scary...making it fun/scary!





Lost real roads....kept going.

All the way til there was no more...the literal end.





So back down the moutain "hill" we went.
We decided to travel to an historic place known as Gruene, Tx. located by New Braunfels. The history was nice, but undisclosed to the public eye....you needed to read before you got there. For those who don't know, History is one of my absolute favorites and David is so good to me to find it and share it with me!! This place was beyond crowded though!!! Again....why?? I think it had much to do with the the fact that evening was coming on and the drinking night life people were coming in droves. Nice.
Once again, my David shined, he did not like the crowds at all....and I can't stress that fact enough. But he endured them for the sake and pleasure of his wife so that she could catch a glimpse of History in anyway possible. I thanked him graciously.



There was some History provided, but not much.

David wanted to hang this sign at our home.

Very profound I would say.

LOOK in this tree for some AMAZING wind chimes!!

He loved them!!!!

The oldest dance hall known to still be in existance today!!

George Strait got his start here...among others.

I just HAD to post a picture of our O SO awesome brownies we got while out on our "cruise"!!



We got the call that Levi and Jon were now back at the hotel and they were going to the "garage party". We were still 45 mins away and were done with our sightseeing, so we headed back. Let me say that when Levi told us previously about "garage party" I was a tad MORE hesitant that he and Jon be a part of this. For I knew what there would be....I'm not that naive. And once again....David assured me "Deb, he's good." And so he was. And once again....angel Andrew would appear and be his friendly self, as before, to Levi and Jon.

Afterwards, we met up with them and went for dinner. We had Chicken Express on the brain, but couldn't find a close enough one. Plan B - go to Olive Garden across from hotel....waaaay to crowded. Plan C - go to Whataburger down the road a piece. Whataburger has not 1 but 3 school busses of kids crowded inside. Plan D - go to knock off of Chicken Express called Golden Chick that we thought we had seen earlier in day. Golden Chick NO WHERE to be found. (We are in 2 cars this whole time, mind you). Plan E - Go up the road and find SOMETHING somewhere to consume. We find another Whataburger, but choose instead to go to the completely empty Arbys beside it. YAY!!

And that is when I learn of all the many interesting facts of what my dear son just lived through during his adventure of becoming a man......

But first, I had to take a picture of just how very exhausted he was after having that much F U N!!!

Yes he was that tired.

This Mom would learn that her boy would travel in a very FAST paced group, BUT was thankfully "toned down" from previous year. Previous year they took a turn, that posted at only 10 mph (but sign had fallen down) at all of SEVENTY mph!! Can you even imagine?!?! Angel Andrew said he made sure to know exactly where that turn was this year and wasn't going to let the same thing happen again. My sincere thanks to Andrew for that one!! Levi would retell how that they drove for a total of 6-7 hours...that's intense driving folks, not just your out and about casual driving on a Sunday afternoon! They would go up to speeds of 120 mph at some straight aways...other times just your normal everyday 105 mph!! HA!! In between turns, on a side of a mountain, it would be somewhere between 60-80....nothing deadly there! HA! I was told by Angel Andrew that there are times that if you don't make the curve....you not just crash....you plummet nicely straight DOWN the mountain....sometimes guardrails are there....annnnd sometimes they are not. HA!!

As Andrew related though....Levi was always well in control of his vehichle, kept up, handled it all very well. Can I please re-say....this BOY not that long ago recieved his license, learned to drive a BIG truck, learned to drive a stick shift-FAST car, had the confidence to enter a RACE with grown men , and has now been highly complimented in such a way?!!!! Wow.....that's all that comes to mind right now....just WOW!!! That and thank ya Jesus!!! :)

Levi would go on to say that this was one of the BEST experiences of his life!! Well, Happy Birthday son and yes you grew a mile in my eyes!!

The next morning, we woke up early and went to breakfast. I have never in all my days, saw a hotel breakast are this FULL and the place was big too!! Apparently, this was a happening place on Sunday morning!!

This is only a partial shot of it too!!

We headed out to find the Car Show that was some place else down the road. Waaay down the road...we learned. So far down...we got lost.....and yes once again in 2 cars. But we did find a pretty park that we went through while in search of said Car Show!! Gotta like that!!

We did make it to the Car Show finally! It wasn't the biggest show we have been to, but this was still relatively big.



Some of our faves.....

These two were David and mine's favorites there!!

I found it interesting that at a "man's event"....ok MOSTLY man's event that there were PINK port-a-potties!! Nice touch!! :)



Go-Kart fun too!!

When we arrived at this Car Show it was 10:30am.....when we left this Car Show it was just about 4:00pm and we still had the drive back to Houston. I will tell you right now that almost 6 hours at a Car Show, on a hot asphalt parking lot, with loud bass music constantly playing, only so many times you can look at the same cars, and be within ear shot or closer to people sharing their UN-intelligent words....is entirely TOO long!!! The first couple of hours was cool....and by the time lunch came around we were ready to go...we had seen what we wanted to. But stayed we did....for our son. O the things parents will do for their kids!! You see upon arriving, Levi spotted the raffle ticket give aways, and as we all know - - raffle tickets aren't called until the end of the show. So you know where this is going......    

Anyways, the time had FINALLY came and guess what?! HE WON! He was sooooo excited and I guess it made up for maybe some of the time waited just to see his happy self. But wouldn't you know it....the part he won for his car was not even something he could use for his car!! That's right...so not what he thought it was. This guy handles disappointment in ways that would simple amaze you.....I know I've always been amazed at the maturity in which he handles it. Needless to say....I felt sorry for him. I wanted to tell him to take it back, but I knew that wouldn't happen. And so he accepted it and went on.



Poor guy......

And so it is that I finish this very lengthy Blog. A Blog of Trust- how a Mom trusted God and her husband to let her son do something he loved in so many ways. A Blog of Gratitude- how God sends people like Angel Andrew to help us and guide us through our times of unknowing. A Blog of Confidence- how a boy became a man with such confidence to join in a "man's world". A Blog of Firsts- how that he sailed right through them, and Mom and Dad let him trusting God all the while. A Blog of Adventure- how that David and I have such fun in our many adventures of life! And a Blog of Handling Disappointments- there are always gonna be disappointments in life, but we can make the choice to handle them well and simply go on.

Thank you, God, for giving me such an amazing boy to love and share in his passions. Thank you for the safety and protection you provided for him through your very own hand as well as through Angel Andrew's presence and friendliness. Thank you for a Dad who recognizes a boy's passion and does what he can to make it come true for him. And most of all.....thank you simply for You being the Faithful You that you are in our lives!:)

And just to let you all know now - - Levi states that he is now a professional driver - - no doubt the boy truly is!!

I will end with a picture of the beautiful view we had from our 11th floor room. There is a wonderful bike/walking trail that you will see. David enjoyed walking it together. O wait!! did I mention my O so wonderful and super sweet husband WALKED those 11 floors with me when we would leave or return to our room?!?!! That's right....this girl don't DO elevators if she doesn't have to and the way I saw it...I didn't have to!! Haha! :) I love that man!!





Being away is fun....but returning to your own germs, kooties, and BED can be O SO much fun too!!

THE END!!

"Who Turned Out the Lights?!"

Just the other day David decided we would go out for lunch to a spot we hadn't frequented lately. It was a nice surprise when we pulled up! For those who do know and those who do not. . . there is ONE thing I try never to leave the house without. And that would be - HAND SANITIZER!! As you can guess, I did not have mine. I headed towards the restrooms to wash my hands. As I neared it, I remembered the motion sensored lights in the hallway just outside the restrooms. They nicely appeared on as I entered the hallway. It was a different story once I reached for the Women's handle and attempted to enter. I pulled it open only to find darkness on the other side with no visible light inside. I thought "Well, the inside of the bathroom is the same way, so shouldn't me pulling the door open make the lights come on??" I mean what's the meaning of "motions sensored lights" if no apparent movement is causing the effect of light?? I decided to enter, while keeping my foot propping the door open, and see if I could find a switch. No such luck....not a single switch anywhere inside those walls! I began waving my arms and saying "Heeelllloooo!!" Still nothing.

For some reason, there seem to be funny stories that appear when it's me and motion sensored lighting.....O and well - restrooms too. I can remember one such funny incident and actually wouldn't have minded seeing it on a sensored video! Yes, it was that funny. For lack of telling too many details - - it was me, in a restroom, trying my best to keep the lights on while in use of facilities. In other words...leaving stall and taking a lap once up and down the aisle, as well as lots of jumping up and waving arms and saying "Helllooooo!!! I'm in here!!!" while in stall. Could it be said perhaps they're saying I'm a bit slow in the stall? Ha! Couldn't be! I blame it on poor time management of lighting! ;-)

Now where were we......
Back to the present complication.....as I'm still propping door open with one foot and nothing is happening, I wonder if I can stretch myself to the sink all the while still propping door open with foot. Not gonna happen. I'm no Stretch Armstrong. A thought crosses my mind to go try the Men's Restroom. I decided against. As the situation lingers, I then decide well....maybe I should just let the door go and see what happens while I stand here silently in the dark. Guess what? - - - I let the door go. . . was all the way inside. . . and BEHOLD the lights came on!!!! No more wondering, no more darkness, and soon, no more dirty hands. :-)
Dumb idea if you ask me.....but hey I found the light!!

As I came back to my seat, I told David all about it (of course) and that's when the Blog processing mind started taking over inside of me. As you know, I'm always looking for an inspirational thought to cross by me to share with my readers!

So many directions God could take me to share this with you.... faith, letting go, trusting even when we don't see, direction......etc.

As always though, my heart leans towards giving you HOPE. Hope in the waiting. Hope in the unseen. Hope in the past. Hope in the present. Hope for the future. Friends, maybe there is a place in your life that you are at and you feel as if you are left standing there with the door open and no one is turning on the lights to light your way. Maybe you have held onto that door for so long that you don't know how to let go of it and watch God Almighty provide the direction you are seeking in your life, or that of your children, or spouse or whoever it may be. We have ALL been door holders at one time or another in our lives. Afraid to let go, afraid to trust, discouraged because the "light" isn't seemingly coming on in our lives, our children's lives, our spouses. Friend, let me remind you. . .  Jesus IS the Light and He IS always there to light our way...no matter the situation, circumstance, or the person. Our hope IS in Him. We must remind ourselves that His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. Isaiah 55:8. Also know that He has the plans for each of our lives. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

There are MANY unknowns in life to us. But we take comfort in knowing....God is always and forever in control. "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

We trust - "For I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8. "Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8.

We hope - "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24 "Those who hope in me will not be disappointed." Isaiah 49:23c

We wait - Lots of waiting!! "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 28:14. "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1.

Friend, I leave two verses that I believe sum up the whole Blog.
"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5.

"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 27:1.

Whatever door you may be hanging onto may it be fear, doubt, discouragement, undecided direction, worry....let it go in God's strength (and not your own) and watch him bring the needed Light to your soul that you may be searching for. Allow God the time needed to work in your life, your children's life, spouse's life and DON'T give into discouragement when you don't see it happening right away. God's timing is perfect no matter the wait. Believe it. Hope in it. Rest in it. :-)



"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. :)