My Heart is HIS Throne

Are There Birthday Parties in Heaven?

2012-01-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

Roger Dale Johnson
January 27, 1951~Oct. 5, 2003

I believe in Heaven there is...
Feasting & Family.
Joy and Happiness.
No Pain.
So Happy Birthday Roger...
tell all our loved ones and our LORD Jesus I love them.

My heart
still belongs to you
love, Sheila

You are missed with tears...
...but remembered with laughter.

God Bless Us Every One!

2011-12-27T05:23:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for being able to celebrate the birth of my Savior with my family! On Christmas Eve I spent the evening with my sister Lois and my brother-in-law Floyd. We are a small family but we had a wonderful meal and each one of us had a small gift under the tree. Several years ago we stopped buying gifts for each other. Instead, we give the money that we would have spent to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. It provides for Southern Baptist missionaries all around the world to tell the gospel story of Jesus!
Then I spent Christmas evening with my late husband Roger's family at Nancy (Roger's sister) and Gordon's house. Now that's a big family! It included my 2 step sons and daughters-in-law, my 4 grandchildren and bunches of nieces, nephews and cousins. I told Nancy she needed to build a bigger stairway!

Every year I am honored to read the Christmas story from Luke 2.

There were 35 family members there and we had a very blessed time!

Working hard and lovin' it in Mississippi

2011-11-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

Why do we love working with the Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief/Rebuild Team of Tates Creek Baptist Association so much?

Because we love Jesus so much!! We love to serve others in HIS Name!

Sammy and Ms. Kathleen

Ms Kathleen was so glad we turned her mattress while we had her bed apart to put in the new window!
The guys are making headway at the Fellowship Christian Church!

Wonderful job trimming the windows at Lilly Orchard!

Part of God's plan for our team sometimes is to just listen and talk to lonely little ladies and spoil their poodles! I am really good at that! I was so blessed to be able to sit and talk to Ms. Kathleen. She spoke many words of wisdom to me that day and I will never forget her and Sissy!!This is the little cross that Larry made for her out of electrical copper.

As soon as I gave it to her she wanted me to hang it up! Her son had passed away last year and we were able to bond in that way. God sure does know what He is doing!

We worked hard but we also played hard as you can see from the next photos!

We had our very own pool! No, I was not sitting on Frankie! The pool had a slide and I was sitting on that. Looks like Marie had fun huh?!

We went to church on Wednesday night at Lilly Orchard Baptist. Don't know for sure if Billy Wayne and Frankie are hugging or wrestling!

Opps! I forgot....What happens in Pascagoula, stays in Pascagoula!

We worked hard, we played hard and we prayed hard. We thank God so much for allowing us to serve Him by serving others.

DISASTER RELIEF/REBUILD MISSION TRIP 2011

2011-11-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

Once again God gave me the opportunity to serve Him by serving others on the Tates Creek Association's Disaster Relief/Rebuild team. Once again we went to Pascagoula, Mississippi and for the first time since Katrina in 2005 I did NOT see any blue tarps covering roofs! Still lots of signs of Katrina's destruction, and probably some places will never get re-built but God has moved in a mighty way there and I'm sure that part of my heart will stay there on the gulf coast forever!

There were friends from 5 churches on the trip and we had a wonderful time! Staying together in the Jackson County Association's bunkhouse always makes me think that the first church must have been alot like that. We went to church together, worked together, ate together, laughed and cried together and sang praises to our LORD together!! It was a blessed week.
This is where we went to church on Sunday morning. It was also one of the churches we worked on while we were down there.

Pat and I were sitting on a picnic table in the soon-to-be-floored covered deck that they will use for an outdoor fellowship hall and kitchen.

We had a wonderful worship service there and enjoyed meeting the members.

We packed a few pews even though our whole team wasn't there yet.

This is the pastor and his wife and a couple of their elders.

Oh, I almost forgot to post a picture of our partial team that Brother Butch took before church...

He even zoomed in to get a really good picture of one of our dear Brothers in Christ up to some meanness!!

But we love him anyway. If the guys didn't pick on us we would think something was wrong with them!!

Monday: Getting ready for breakfast and then to head out to our job sites. We had 4 wonderful cooks!!! They make sure we don't get hungry.

This team had 3 Keiths on it! This is Keith Parke who we called simply K.P. He always wants to be first in the chow line.

This is Lilly Orchard Baptist Church in Moss Point, Mississippi. This is where the team I was on worked the first 3 days.

This is the old church which is now their fellowship hall. Just before Katrina hit in 2005, they had build a new church and had it finished except for Sunday School rooms. Katrina tore off the roof of the new sanctuary and tore down the sunday school rooms. The only part that was undamaged was the old church.

They repaired the roof and replaced the furniture in the new sanctuary, and were working on this addition to the new church that would house their Sunday School rooms. The old church made a perfect fellowship hall.

This is my team....Frankie and Billy Wayne...

Larry the 'Lectrician

Butch the apprentice.

And the queens of caulk! Sheila, Judy and Pat.

Tune back in next week for the second installment of "What happens in Pascagoula...stays in Pascagoula" and "Stumpy the al-log-ator"

UPDATE:
Did I mention how much we ate?

Catfish and Bluegrass music at Catfish Point!
Barnhills!!! I love this restaurant. Everytime we go we eat here after church on Sunday morning.

Even after a huge breakfast most days the guys from Lilly Orchard would fix us "brunch"! Woody is on the left and Archie on the right. They were so good to us!

And I did promise to show you "Stumpy" the Allogator so here he is....kinda hard to see him.

To be perfectly honest I can't even see him now! But we crossed this creek to and from Lilly Orchard each day and there was a LOG in the creek that looked just like an Alligator!! So we named him "Stumpy". He was always looking for us to come by...always in the same spot! That was one lazy allogator!!

Even after a big breakfast and a nice brunch we worked so hard we had to have a tootsie roll pop break! Yum! We took sooo many pictures that I will have to post more later!

After lunch on Sunday, we took a break from eating and showed Marie and Betty the Pascagoula Beach Park and walked down the pier. Beautiful day!

Who do you say GOD is?: Who do you say GOD is?: Welcome to open forum. Wh...

2011-10-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

God is my Creator and Sustainer of life...He is my strength when I am weak and my comfort when I am grieving. God is Redeemer, Master, Savior. He is my Protector and my Shield, my Friend in the middle of the night. God is everything good and is the Light of the world. He is my only Hope and I love Him so much...but I want to love Him more, serve Him better and know Him more intimately. I am lost without Him, He is my Everything! I praise Him when I'm on the mountain and I praise Him when I am in the dark valley, because He is always with me. Even when I have turned my back on Him in the past, He has never left me. Oh, that we could love each other the way God loves us. Marlo I too have been challenged by Brother Bill this week at Bethel and am so thankful for men of God that will preach His Word straight and true. And I am praying to GET OVER MYSELF and live for Him!

How Hot Is It Where You Live?

2011-07-20T12:23:00.001-07:00

WHAT AM I? CRAZY??? ALL FOUR AT ONCE?!!!

2011-07-18T13:09:00.001-07:00

Tyler

Aaron

McKenzie

Addison

Well maybe...For the past 4 years I have taken one of my grandchildren to the fair. Mostly because I can only afford one at a time and also because I can only handle one at a time!! First I took Tyler. What did I learn? DO NOT let them win a goldfish as soon as we get there because I will spend the rest of the night carrying it around. :-( The next year was Aaron's turn...What did I learn? My grandchildren are much braver than I am when it comes to fair rides! Next was McKenzie. What did I learn? Girls can be so much fun!! So last year it was Tyler's turn again and this year would have been Aaron but I decided Addison was old enough to go to the fair with Mamaw. But then I got to thinking how many years it was going to be to get through all of them again and I ain't gettin' any younger. :-( LOL! So I decided to take Aaron and Addison both. Then I got to thinking (obviously a very dangerous thing for me to do) that Aaron would have to ride by himself because Addison wouldn't be able to go on the rides he would want to go on and I obviously couldn't let her stand and wait for the two of us to ride! The only solution I could come up with was to take all 4 of them this year! Robbie offered to come along with us if he is off work to keep me from having to take a handful of nerve pills. That way the older kids can ride together and me and Addison can have fun with the tamer rides. So, here we come Madison County Fair 2011!

READ ALL ABOUT IT! AJ REDEEMS COUPON!

2011-06-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

Aaron took advantage of the beautiful weather Saturday to redeem his coupon. IT WAS HOT! So I asked him what he wanted to do, praying that he wouldn't say play baseball in the back yard. Whew! Thank You God! He decided he wanted to go to the movie!!! The wonderfully air conditioned movie! Of course we first made a Wal-Mart run to stock up on snacks for the evening and pick out his birthday present. (His birthday is in February but he is a very busy young man and this was the first opportunity to take have his coupon day). Then of course we had to stop at CiCi's for pizza. His very favorite pizza. And while we were there he only asked for 50¢ to put in those junk machines. :-) Then on to see what was playing! Lucky us, we had tickets that my boss had given me for my birthday and they were still good! Even luckier, we got there just as Kung Fu Panda 2 was starting! Luckiest of all it was 3D!!!! (Only cost us $3 extra) But, do you know that 1 large popcorn and 2 small drinks cost $14? Outrageous!! Anyway the movie was great even if it did make me a little dizzy. When we left the movie it was around 8:45 and getting kinda dusky dark. Cooler though. So I asked him what he wanted to do next and he said "Mamaw you remember that car wash kit you got for Christmas at Aunt Nancy's?" I said...."uh...yes..." "Well why don't we go home and wash your car?" "But Aaron my water hose is messed up." "But we can go to Wal-Mart and get you a new one." "But it will be too dark to wash the car!" "No it won't Mamaw! We can use Papaw's big yellow spot light!" .....then he said it.....the words that broke me down and dispelled all my arguments..."That's why I love coming to your house Mamaw....we do such fun things!" Does he know how to work his Mamaw or what? So we stopped at the car wash and vacuumed out the car, went to walmart and got a new hose, went home...by this time it was 10 PM...and got Papaw's yellow spotlights and plugged them in right at the garage door and hooked up our new hose and got my Christmas car cleaning kit out and washed the car. We only sprayed each other a little! :-) Several cars went by and Aaron said..."I bet everyone thinks we're crazy Mamaw!" "Who cares?" I said. We had a blast! Then I had to make some fudge for a couple of the sweet baby boys at church that had graduated HS. Was very late when we finally got into bed. The next morning we got ready for church and I dressed in what I thought was a very tasteful and pretty capri outfit. He looked me up and down and said "Are you gonna wear THAT?" I said "Yes, why?" He looked at me again and said "Is that even church clothes?" I didn't have time to change or I probably would have. :-)

In The Midst of Disaster...God is in Control!

2011-06-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

This year there have been so many disasters not only in our country but throughout the world. It should come as no surprise because God tells us in His Word that it will be like this in the end times. I believe we are in the end times....but I don't know how long these days will last or how bad things will get. Only God the Father knows that. But sometimes, watching the news and even just looking at what's going on in my own small town I get a little overwhelmed. So as I was praying this morning, God led me to Psalm 60. It reminded me that He is still in control and the He is our Hope in the midst of disaster and trouble. I just want to bless His Holy Name for encouraging me always through His Word! He loves me and I love Him too!

Psalm 60

O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O, turn Thyself to us again!

²Thou hast made the earth to tremble, Thou hast broken it; heal the breaches thereof, for it shaketh.

Thou hast shown Thy people hard things; Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

⁴Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah

⁵That Thy beloved may be delivered, save with Thy right hand and hear me!

⁶God hath spoken in His holiness: "I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem and portion out the Valley of Succoth.

⁷Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the strength of Mine head; Judah is My lawgiver.

⁸Moab is My washpot; over Edom will I cast out My shoe; Philistia, triumph thou because of Me."

⁹Who will bring me into the stronghold city? Who will lead me into Edom?

¹⁰Will not Thou, O God, who hadst cast us off, and Thou, O God, who didst no

t go out with our armies?

¹¹Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man.

¹²Through God we shall do valiantly, for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Bethel Baptist 2011 Mother Daughter Brunch

2011-05-20T11:40:00.001-07:00

Our cups run over and our tables fill up...

And the fellowship is oh so sweet...

Mama and Louise are at it again...

Sweet voices singing praise to our King!

God speaks a Word through His servant....

Our mother is in Heaven but we are blessed to have each other...

NUTTY SLUMBER PARTY!

2011-02-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

My baby girls from Berea College came to my house Friday night for a slumber party! Well not all of them....but 5 of them! I picked them up in the Bethel van when I got off work Friday night....we went to WalMart to pick up some snacks....rented a wonderful movie (boo hoo) "Letters to God" Great movie but it made us all cry but that's ok we just kinda took turns laughing and crying and eating and playing with Daffy Dog all night. All in all it was a pretty wonderful, amazing, love filled and nutty evening! Ruthie, Mary, Cathy, Tara and Kara....I love you!!

Tara is up to something...

But Sheila....I want to do the glaze!!

Daffy Dog like to lick the glaze lid...

Can we play ball now?

Please Cathy!

Mary is looking for the "Nut" Song

Ok, Ok, Kara you do the glaze!

Oh you want to do the whipped cream too???

Well Tara may have something to say about that! Take that!

Yes, they shared it.

So where was Ruthie when the making of the strawberry stuff was happening? Talking for an hour with you know who...

The finished product...After Tara wrote her name in the whipped cream, they used mixed nuts to show the world how nutty we are!

No Daffy Dog, I just washed my hands! I'm not playing right now.

Ah that's better...someone else play with her

Ok ok ok... here's my ball....get it get it get it....throw it throw it throw it!!!

Ruthie helped me with my physical therapy exercises...worked me hard...then found my grandma's lion bank....Aslen the bank!

Sixteen Years

2011-02-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

My baby boy Tony has been in Heaven for 16 years on March 25. I still miss him so much but am full of joy at the thought of how happy he is there. He was the most amazing son and I am thankful to my Lord for letting me have him here with me for 20 years. After me and his dad split up, I used to tell him that HE was my "child support", not the money his dad gave me. We had such good times together. Once a week, on my night off, we would go out to eat (usually at Jerrys) and he always got chili spaghetti. Then sometimes, depending on how much money we had, we would go to a movie or to the mall just to "window shop". He loved going into Footlocker to look at basketball shoes. Once when we went to see Indiana Jones, during the scene where the guy was eating baby snakes, I just about got sick, but he just kept right on throwing that popcorn in his mouth laughing at me!
We always had a close relationship and we loved to share our days with each other. Many times when I was downstairs ironing he would come down and sit on the toilet (with the lid down of course) and we would talk. I think that is why I hate to iron now. Because that is one of the times I miss him most.
When he was around 9 and 10 years old, we would be watching tv and he couldn't get close enough to me....would lay all over me and I would have to get him to move to get up and go to the bathroom or to get a snack. Then at around 13, all of a sudden he was grown up and I couldn't pay him to sit next to me. And at that age when we went to the mall, he always had Steven or Eric or someone with him and didn't even want me to go into the same movie as them!! Oh how fickle!
He loved Halloween even after he was too old to go trick-or-treating. Once he dressed up as an stabbing victim....bandaged all over with fake blood and a fake knife going through his head. He had a tape of spooky music playing and all the lights off in the house...put candles on the stairs and the front door open where you could see them, sat in a chair on the porch, very still until kids came to knock on the door...then he would get up to get candy for them and they what they thought was a dummy came alive! I had to make him stop because he was really scaring the smaller kids.
He was always very competitive and loved baseball, basketball, golf, and billards. I started him a collection of sports figurines like an elephant playing basketball and a bear playing baseball and he collected many over the years. When he died, many of his friends would come to the house and want to have something of his to remember him by and alot of them would pick one of his little sports things.
When I married Roger he was 17 and they really bonded so well. They had so much fun together. If one of them was in the shower the other one would get a pitcher of ice water, sneak in and pour it over the shower and let me tell you....the screams were bone-chilling! A couple of times he went to Pidgen Forge with us, once just to go to the Elvis show down there. He loved Elvis! But the other time we went we stayed about 3 days and they had so much fun riding go-carts and helicopters and just being buddies. When he was sick he told someone that Roger wasn't just a good man, he was his best friend.
Oh yeah I miss him everyday.....but there will be a day.....when I will see Jesus face to face and get to hug my baby boy again!

God's Love Came Down At Christmas

2010-12-28T10:29:00.000-08:00

I always do Children's Church in December so I can teach the kids about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions and also so we can have a birthday party for Jesus! This year I got each of them a little story book called "Love Came Down at Christmas".
So when we had our family Christmas get together, Jared wanted me to read it to the family.

Aren't they cute? Hannah didn't have alot of Christmas joy in this picture so you can't see her.

That's a little better!

Only 4 of these are my grandchildren...but the other 2 are my sweet great-niece and nephew!

Addison loves her little cousin Lilly!

Hannah showing off her new purse.

This is my nephew Kaiden. All of the kids are getting so big!

My sweet Kenzie-girl!

Jared and Tyler lovin' Christmas!!!

Aaron is never still long enough to get a good picture!

Neither is his little sister, Addison!

Tyler is taste-testing the goodies!

Aunt Janice and Lillie, the newest addition to the family...at least for now...Michelle and JJ are expecting!!

Merry CHRISTmas!

2010-12-22T13:47:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a very Merry CHRISTmas!

WMU LADIES CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT EXCHANGE

2010-12-17T10:53:00.000-08:00

On Friday, December 10th, we had our annual Christmas Ornament Exchange. We had soooo much food and sooo much fun!! There were about 30 ladies and many babies! We are thankful to celebrate the birth of our Savior and thankful for our fellowship together.
Lisa putting together her cupcake Christmas tree

Me showing off my sandwiches :-) I can't cook so when I make something everyone likes I have to really show it off!

You can't hide from the camera Olivia!

Sweet fellowship among sisters in Christ!

Maddie sharing her santa hat

Janice, Lisa and Marie wanted to be sure to be first in line!!

Yum, yum!

Counting to see how many girls brought ornaments to exchange

30 women can make alot of noise....I'm trying to get everyone's attention!

Judy, trying to see whose gift she wanted to "steal"!

Wonder what Gladys got?

Everyone loves Lois's dance to pick her ornament. This year she changed it a little bit. :-)

I am so thankful for my wonderful Church family!!

FAMILY GROUP

2010-12-14T08:01:00.000-08:00

The youth minister at our church, Larry David, asked me back in Sept. to be part of a Family Group Bible Study with some of the college freshman girls. The leader of the Bible study is Ruthie, who is a sophomore and is part of the leadership team at Baptist Campus Ministry. The goal was to help the freshmen get used to campus and being away from home and staying in God's Word and was supposed to last only during the month of September. Well, most of the girls ended up coming to our church and we enjoyed our fellowship together so much that we decided to keep meeting. We drew names for Christmas and had dinner at Ruthie's dorm apartment and exchanged gifts. What a great time we had! Just see for yourself. Our group is Amanda, Tara, Kara, Cheyenne, Cathy, Ruthie, Mary, and ....and me!

I am so thankful to God for bringing these sweet girls into my life. Christmas is hard for me sometimes but this year thanks to my Family Group of college girls, I made new memories!

LIFE IN THE BUNKHOUSE

2010-11-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

The very first trip I took with the Disaster Relief/Rebuild team to Pascagoula, Mississippi after Katrina we stayed in the Jackson County Baptist Association's bunkhouse. This is my third trip with the team and again we stayed in the bunkhouse. It's like coming home. It has a bunk room for girls, and one for boys. It also has a couple of bedrooms, a dining/kitchen combo, a shower/bathroom room for girls and one for boys, and then another half bath. Also a small lounge or common area but there are usually too many of us to be in there much. The guys use it alot of times after evening devotionals to play cards and just talk about man stuff. The girls usually have mini-slumber parties in our bunk room. Don't stay up too late because we have to get up early to go to whatever work site we are assigned to. It makes me think that maybe that's the way the early church was. Living together, working together, praying and studying scripture together. It is always an absolutely amazing experience and I have made so many new brothers and sisters in Christ!

This is me and Jimmy in Rebecca's house

After the first day of work....collapsed!

Wilma grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. The building behind her is the Jackson Co. Associational Office.

Everyone congregates in the dining room...

Frankie looking innocent...

Don't the tables look pretty?

The chow line.

Wilma showing her muscles with Sammy and Hamp planning in the background.

Betty is true blue even in Mississippi!!

Pat with a wordless salvation puzzle.

A tender moment caught...Hamp and Sandra separated for the week...he snuck in the ladies bunk room to say goodnight!

Judy is claustrophobic...so she got on the top bunk.

Keith can't live without his Dr Pepper

Robbie leading the devotional.

Judy caught me on the phone checking up on my Daffy Dog.

This is Sammy. The heart and soul of the Tates Creek Association Disaster Relief/Rebuild Team!
Ron. The carrier of the stomach bug. Nuff said!

Working at Rebecca's house in Pascagoula

2010-11-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

While the Tates Creek Disaster Relief/Rebuild Team was in Pascagoula, Mississippi last week, we worked on 4 different houses. The girls and I only worked at Rebecca's house though and we had such a blessed time! Here are a few pictures

This is a FEMA cottage that Rebecca has been staying in since the trailers were outlawed because of some kind of chemical. For the first several weeks after Katrina, she lived in a truck camper. This little cottage was actually kinda nice. But wait till you see the house that has been built entirely by volunteer labor!

The team worked on it last year and it is almost complete now. She hopes to be in before Christmas.We painted the baseboards outside....

And the men handed them upstairs to be installed

This is Rebecca's 2 Spitz doggies, Jake and Micah....she had another smaller female named "Boo"

First time I have ever done any caulking and it was fun, but my fingers got sore.
I am so thankful God lets me serve Him by serving others! Thankful that even though 8 of us got a stomach bug while we were there, it didn't last long (devil can't hold us down!) and we all stayed safe working and on the trip home!! I will post more later about the great time we have together as we work, pray and live together for a whole week in the Jackson County Baptist Association Bunk House in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

See no evil, hear no evil and Evil Knievel

2010-11-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

On Sat. Oct. 30, we set out in the Bethel van for Pascagoula, Mississippi on the Gulf coast with our Disaster Relief/Rebuild Team. This is my third trip with the team and once again, I feel so blessed that God allows me to serve Him by serving others! On the trip down we had a great time! Who said Christians can't have fun!! Jimmy Fritz is a dear brother in Christ and I love him but....He is so hard of hearing it is funny how he misunderstands things sometimes. Another brother in Christ, Keith Miller is very near sighted and for some reason packed his glasses in his luggage and had to squint to see menus and maps on the way down. Looked like Mr. Magoo. And Kenny Murphy, another brother, did most of the driving on the way down. Wild man! So the girls, there were only 3 of us among 5 men, came up with names for them....

See no evil, hear no evil and Evil Knievel!!

SO GLAD

2010-09-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad that God is in control and I can relax and not worry!

ADDISON GRACE - COOKIE MONSTER!

2010-07-27T05:38:00.000-07:00

Decisions are hard for a cookie monster....which one to eat first??

Bethel Baptist VBS 2010 ~ Saddle Ridge Ranch!

2010-07-15T08:28:00.001-07:00

Roundin' up questions and Drivin' home answers using God's Word!!

James 1:5 ~ "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

I am havin' a ball with VBS!! Austin is my dancin' partner and his mom took some pictures of us last night! We have already had one salvation and now have a new little sister in Christ and praying for more before the week is over! God is so amazing!!

I praise Him! And I am so thankful that even an old lady can have a blast at VBS!!

Favorite Scriptures

2010-07-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

I have many favorite scriptures! When I was a pre-teen, my best friend got mad at me one time and it broke my heart! God led me to the last part of Psalm 30: 5 -
"Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning." And I have found that is so true.

When my son Tony was sick, Mark Pope, one of the UK Wildcats shared his favorite scripture with him...Joshua 1:9 -
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; Do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Now it is one of my favorites.

Our church, Bethel Baptist, is a very missions minded church so I love Acts 1:8 -
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Psalm 19:14 is what I pray every morning when I get up...
"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer."

One of our favorite boys in Pascagoula, praying during their backyard Bible School!!!
Oh the power of prayer!!

VICTORY IN PASCAGOULA!

2010-06-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Our youth group from Bethel Baptist Church have been going to Pascagoula, Mississippi for the past 3 years doing back yard Bible School and various other ministries. The first year they went they met a family with 2 young boys named Jarvis and Jamarkus. They fell in love. They came back with pictures of the boys and told us all about them. Missed them terribly! Last year I got to go with them and I was blessed beyond measure. Not only by meeting so many sweet parents and children but also by watching our teenagers grow in their service to God and their love for others. But when we set up for our Bible School at the same apartment complex they had been at the year before, they were disappointed to learn that Jarvis and Jamarkus were not living there any more. They talked to the apartment manager and he knew where they had moved to and contacted them so they could come! They were so excited to see our teenagers! To know they had not been forgotten, to know that the people from Kentucky REALLY loved them....and so did Jesus!! They all had a great time. This year I didn't get to go with them, but was praying for them and getting texts and phone calls from them letting me know what all was going on. Imagine my suprise when I got a phone call from Marlo and when I answered a sweet little voice said..."Is this Ms Sheila?" I said yes and he said "Guess what I just did? I just prayed and asked Jesus into my heart!" I don't have words to describe the joy I felt...knowing that this precious baby boy was now my brother in Christ! One of mothers of another child got saved too! 3 trips to Mississippi, 3 years in a row. It was so worth every mile, every gallon of gasoline, every anxious moment, every prayer, every tear...to know that even if I never see him in Pascagoula again.....

I will get to see his sweet face in Heaven some day! I am so proud of you Jarvis!

MADISON COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE

2010-06-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

I was honored to be able to speak at the Relay for Life event at Mike Caudill Middle School on Friday night. God gave me words and helped me tell my story without crying uncontrollably. This is what I said:

"On Monday Nola came to the Richmond Register where I work to talk to Lori and Ronica about the Relay tab that was printed on Wednesday. I've known Nola for many years and she asked them if I still worked there and then came over and asked me to speak tonight. I said "No I can't" But Nola said "Yes you can." Lori and Ronica said "Yes you can." They both told me I was one of the strongest women they knew. But I promise I'm not. If I have any strength at all it is because of my God. He gets me up out of bed every morning and I praise Him because I couldn't even be standing here without Him.
I went home and called my pastor Kenny Davis and he said "yes you can, if you do it in God's strength." He prayed with me and I decided to do it.
I'm positive that everyone here today has been affected in some way by cancer. Some of you are fighting the battle right now. Alot of you are cancer survivors. Many of you know how hard it is to watch a loved one suffer with the pain of not just the disease but the treatment of the disease.
My 20 year old son Tony was diagnosed with a malignant tumor behind his sinus cavity in January of 1995. He was in the hospital for 3 months. It took a month to even diagnose him but after they did, he had aggressive chemo (I remember the nurses called it the Red Devil) every weekend and radiation Monday thru Friday. But he died just 2 months later on March 25. I was devastated.
My husband Roger was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2002. In the 7 years between these dark times in my life alot of research was done and alot of progress was made in the treatment of cancer. But again I was devastated because it didn't help my husband. He died too in October 2003. He was 52. He wasn't hospitalized the way Tony was, just when he had low counts and once when he had pancreatitis. I was honored and blessed to be able to take care of him at home.
Before Tony died, he had a talk with me. Well, he couldn't talk but he had a letter board that he used to spell out words. He told me not to be mad at God. That if he could go back and change things and not be sick he wouldn't. That because of his sickness alot of people had become closer to each other and to closer God. He trusted God and knew that He was in control. It was his courage and faith that kept me going. The same was true with Roger. He kept telling everyone his was a "win/win" situation. If God healed him here on earth, he won and if God chose to take him home, he won. And so even in my devastation...when I thought I would never have joy in my life again...I have been blessed beyond measure. God gives me joy unspeakable in so many ways that if I started naming them ya'll would have to listen to me all night.
We are here tonight to remember our loved ones that lost the battle with cancer, and to honor those who have won that battle or are still fighting the battle. We are here to raise money for more research that will bring us closer to a cure. Even though I have lost more loved ones and friends to this horrible disease in the 15 years since Tony died, I also have many loved ones and friends that have won the battle, in particular my brother-in-law Gordon. I praise God for them.
If you are here tonight and you are in that place where you have no hope and you feel like you will never have joy again, please believe me when I say there is hope. There will be joy. Have faith.
We have to keep on fighting. We have to keep up the research. We can never give up hope. But most of all we have to keep on praying to Almighty God for a cure.
Psalm 103 verse 2 says, "Bless the Lord. O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases."
Even though neither Tony or Roger had a lot of money to leave me when they died, they did give me something far more valuable. The assurance that they had eternal life in Heaven and that we would be together again someday. The most precious gift you will ever give your loved ones is one that won't cost you anything. Jesus already paid for it."

I hope God was honored and someone was encouraged. I still miss my guys.

Tony in his white t-shirt showing off his new tatoo that gave his momma a heart attack! Must admit though that it was a neat tatoo. An American bald eagle with it's wing (American flag) across it's beak.
This is Roger at the Relay for Life the year after Tony died.

THINGS IN COMMON PART 2

2010-05-27T05:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I started a post about several "photo shoots" I have done lately. Ran out of time and didn't get to finish it....so here is the rest:

Mother/Daughter Brunch

Our theme was "Sanctity of Human Life" and our guest speaker was Chris Jolly. I love Chris dearly and she is a sweet Sister in Christ and a great speaker.

Of course we ate first.

The last biscuit...

Sweet Madelyn lovin' her some chocolate strawberry

Of course Brother Kenny came to bless the food and sample it to make sure it was fit for Daughters of our King to eat!!

We had a funny skit....

And several beautiful mothers and daughters singing praises to God!

We always have so much fun together and are already looking forward to next year!

And last but not least we had a Country wedding at Bethel last Saturday!

My pictures inside didn't turn out very well.

Mr. & Mrs Donnie Ray Gadd

Michelle was absolutely beautiful!

Anna and Holly looked like they had just stepped out of the "Little House on the Prairie"!

Cameron was sweet too.

Lisa made the wedding cake and it was beautiful! Decorated with real flowers and real barbed wire.....not really. The flowers were real but the barbed wire was fake!

I was surprised that Donnie Ray didn't smash cake into Michelle's face!

Two of our favorite senior saints from church enjoying the beautiful day!

This is what happened to some of the flowers from the cake!

I didn't get a good picture of Brother Kenny at the wedding but here he is at the reception with his daddy Kenton. The only difference is at the wedding he had on his overalls and a white shirt, not the checked one! Wallace did the cooking and had hamburgers and his famous BBQ. Also had potato salad, baked beans, broccoli casserole, fruit salad etc. The food was of course set out on a hay wagon and I am sorry to say I did not get a picture of it...take my word for it...it was wonderful!

WHAT DO THESE THINGS HAVE IN COMMON?

2010-05-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

A Mystery Dinner Theatre, Coupon Days, a Mother/Daughter Banquet and a Country Wedding at Bethel Baptist Church.....

I was there taking pictures at all of them...Tyler the "nerdy businessman" delivering food!
Ty and his friend Casey "The murder victim".
Oh No! Don't tell me Elvis is the guilty one? He's not? Whew! So, who-done-it? I'll never tell!

Me and Aaron had a great time on his coupon day playin' ball.....

Playin' cars on the road rug...

Havin' a picnic...
And cleanin' out the garage...Aaron found Papaw's tackle box and had a great time cleaning it out!
Ty got some neat stuff from WalMart when he came for his coupon day...
Fun playin' Cadoo! Tyler beat me just like Aaron beat me at baseball...

We walked Daffy Dog but I have no idea why Tyler is staring into the "poop bag"!

Tune in tomorrow or the next day or the next day for more about the Mother Daughter Brunch and the Country Wedding at Bethel!!

National Day of Prayer

2010-04-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Please click on the title of this post to sign the petition to save the National Day of Prayer!

Picture of Jesus

2010-04-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

I don't especially like pictures of Jesus because we really don't know what He looks like. But I got an email from a dear friend today with paintings of Jesus and I loved this particular one because it shows Him with a child. Whether it is what Jesus looks like or not, it clearly shows the love He has for children. Don't know who painted it, if anyone does please let me know. I just wanted to share it with you.
Beautiful. Today, I really need to sit on His lap and cuddle with Him.

RANDOM PICTURES AND THOUGHTS

2010-04-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

I love young people. Children, teenagers, college kids, young guys that are either around the age Tony was when he died, or around the age he would be now if he had lived.
God has blessed me with so many young people in my life! My grandchildren and nieces and nephews and the young people at church make me very happy!

The youth drama was about being in bondage spiritually. Some of these young people are in bondage spiritually and physically. I pray for them daily. Jesus loves them. And I do too.

A funny thing happened to me on facebook today. I get news updates from Channel 18 and they had posted something about the earthquake in China. Several people had commented and one guy said "God bless them." Another guy named Tony had commented after him and said "god bless them? I guess it was the devil that caused the earthquake." He sounded so mad at God! So I commented and said, "God bless them and God help us all. I will pray for you Tony." I meant it with all my heart. And I have been praying for him. Several people commented to him and he just got madder. Then he sent me a message on facebook. "Sheila, do you ever look in the mirror in the mornings and ask god why he didn't make you pretty?" I got so tickled at that but it made me so sad too. I really hadn't meant to make him so mad. So I replied back and said, "LOL! No, Tony I have never asked God that. He loves me no matter how ugly I am. I'm really sorry for making you so mad, and I just want you to know that God loves you too." I haven't heard back from him yet.

BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH HOMECOMING April 11, 2010

2010-04-13T08:30:00.001-07:00

The ladies on the kitchen committee get to the school early to receive food.

Most everyone stops and brings food on their way to Sunday School...

Even the preacher!

More food...

Keeping the food hot and cold is part of our job!

Reserving a place for one of our Senior Saints!

Time to put the food out.

I think we always have more deserts than anything else!

We love these rolls but are even more thankful for the "Bread of Life" our Savior Jesus Christ!

Great food...Wonderful fellowship!

I am so blessed by my Bethel Baptist Church Family!

Cardboard Testimony

2010-03-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

Last night at church we had Cardboard Testimonies. It was an amazing service. We had special singing, a video of "Watch the Lamb" and lots of testimonies. My sister's praise is wonderful! She was diagnosed 12 years ago with pulmonary fibrosis and given 5 years to live.

God gave her a new lung and she has been serving him tirelessly for 10 years!

My testimony was about how devastated I was when Tony died...I was completely without joy.

But God has filled me with unspeakable JOY because He has put so many young people in my life and has allowed me to minster to them! From all the children, teenagers and college age kids in my church, to the guys from the Bluegrass Career Development Center who are about the same age Tony would be now if he had lived (several of them took part in our cardboard testimonies)....God has brought them into my life and blessed me and I love all of them! My God is Awesome and I praise Him!! My thanks to Holly, Katie and Larra who helped me out with my cards! Sometimes I just have too many words!!!

CATS HAD A GREAT SEASON!

2010-03-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

But I am really sad they lost to West Virginia on Sat. Mostly because of Patrick. From everything I have head about this young man he has lots of integrity and is a great athlete. I am going to miss watching him play ball at UK. Since the Cats are out I am pulling for anyone except Duke!!

Good luck in all you do Patrick!

Tony Gadd ~ October 19, 1974 ~ March 25, 1995

2010-03-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Missing you with tears, but remembering you with laughterLove Mom

GO CATS!

2010-03-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

MARCH MADNESS!
March 12, 2010 ~ UK 73-Alabama 67 GO BIG BLUE!!
Patrick had 20 points. Wall 23. Cousins 7. Bledsoe 10.

March 13, 2010 ~ UK 74-Tennessee 45 GO CATS!

March 14, 2010 ~ UK 75-Mississippi State 74 in overtime!

UK Wildcats~ SEC Tournament Champs!!

MEET FRED THE FROG!

2010-03-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

I have blogged a couple of times in the past about my Daffy Dog's pet frog Fred. Well, we hadn't seen him for quite some time, so my sister and I were shopping one day and found this really cute frog. I couldn't resist...I bought him and brought him home and put him in the floor right next to Daffy's crate. She didn't pay not one bit of attention to him! Can you believe that? Of course I guess he wasn't nearly as smelly and interesting as the original Fred. But I tried to get her to play with him anyway...

But she would have nothing to do with him...

All she wanted to do was bark at me saying "No, I would rather play with you!"

So I gave in...

She wears me out!! But I love her dearly!! She is my very special blessing from God!

Typical Wednesday?

2010-03-04T06:48:00.000-08:00

Almost.

My day, of course started at the Richmond Register where I work in the Composing Department setting ads. I really like my job and try daily to honor God in it. I always start my day with my favorite scripture; "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

After work, a SS classmate and I took a meal to another classmate who had had back surgery. Of course I can't cook very well, but I popped some frozen garlic bread in the oven to go with the baked spaghetti that Sharon had made. The night before, I had made a batch of my famous peanut butter fudge. After a short visit, we went to church.

On the first Wed of every month we have our business meeting at church and we are always so blessed! Many may find that hard to believe, but it's true! Our church family are for the most part, of one mind and heart and want to do God's business letting Him do the leading. After all it is His business!

After church, I got home and realized the UK game was on a channel I could actually get (had to downsize my cable to basic because the rates went so high). As I have said before on other blog posts, I haven't enjoyed watching the Cats play BB since my son Tony died in March of 1995. That year when he was in the hospital, 3 of the Wildcats came to visit him. Rick Pitino was the coach that year and they were on their way to the NCAA tournament when they came to visit. One of the players, will always be my very favorite Wildcat. Mark Pope. Imagine my surprise when they showed him sitting with the Georgia Bulldogs!! He is on the staff there. Like myself he has aged in 15 years but I remember him like this.

And I also remember him picking up Tony's Bible that was laying on his bed and sharing his favorite scripture with him. Joshua 1:9. It encouraged Tony so much and became his favorite too. Now it is one of mine.
So Mark is my favorite all time Cat. But....
Who do you think my favorite player on this 2009-2010 team is?

They are all so great but...It would probably have to be....

.... Pat Pat!

Go Cats! This old woman is enjoying you this year. Oh yeah, I guess Coach Cal has alot to do with it. Go Coach Cal's Cats!

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

2010-02-24T10:07:00.000-08:00

It's time once again to be praying about what God would have us give to The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions. I am passionate about missions and am very blessed to be a part of an Acts 1:8 church. We are ALL called to pray for missions, give to missions and go on mission. Even if we only go across town or across the street. Or even sitting at our computer at work. We can always be on mission for God.

Sometimes I get so excited about our missions offerings at church, that they tease me. I have been known to talk too much and too long about missions. Our treasurer tells people that many times someone has written him a check for our missions offering just to shut me up!! Well today, my pastor, who has a wonderful sense of humor also, sent me this cartoon by email.

It's me!!! Thanks Brother Kenny! Brothers and Sisters....it's time to get your wallets out!!

To learn more about The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, click on the title of this post.

Can God really teach an old dog new tricks?

2010-02-04T07:07:00.000-08:00

Well duh.

God can do anything. One of my goals (not resolutions) this year it to STUDY the Bible this year. Not try to read it all the way through. Study, meditate, research. I find my self saying more and more as I read God's Word, "Huh! I never knew that!" I have even started writing in my prayer journal "What God taught me from His Word today" I'm lovin' it :-)

I'm reading in the book of Leviticus right now. I never really thought about what God could teach me about the way Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices and how they had to be consecrated and all.

In Leviticus 8:22 it says "And he brought the second ram, the ram of consecration. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. V. 23 and Moses killed it. Also he took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot." He did the same with Aaron's sons.

Why would he do that? Alot of you probably already knew the answer to that, but to my shame I must admit that before when I read Leviticus I just kinda skim through because Jesus died for my sins and I don't have to offer sacrifices. So I never really thought about it. This year I want to know God more intimately. Why did He do that? Because Aaron and his sons needed to be consecrated to Him. They needed to hear Him with their ears. They needed to serve Him with their hands. They needed to walk in His paths. Blood on right ear, right thumb and right big toe.

Leviticus 14 talks about lepers. About how they were unclean and couldn't live with the rest of the congregation. But when they were cleansed they had to show themselves to the priests and there were certain steps in the cleansing ritual he had to follow. V. 14 says "The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot." It was symbolic of the fact that he needed to be cleansed spiritually too. To hear God's Word, to serve Him in righteousness and to walk in His ways.

I don't have leprosy. But I need to be cleansed daily.

Jesus please make sure I have a drop of Your precious blood on the tip of my right ear, on my right thumb and on the big toe of my right foot. Cleanse me and make me a fit vessel to hear Your Word, to serve You daily and to walk in Your ways. Amen

Simple Pleasures

2010-02-03T06:38:00.000-08:00

Over at Kelly's Korner today, she blogged about some of her simple pleasures. So it sounded like alot of fun, and I am not very busy today. Most of my favorite pleasures are simple...

Like having my Daffy Dog snuggle with me when I am sick like I was last week.

Getting unexpected email pictures of my grandchildren, like this one of McKenzie at a kids make-up party! She had her nails done and a pedicure too!

Another simple pleasure I have is having a snow day on Saturday with no where to go and no need to get dressed or put on make up...

Cheating with a Snickers bar every now and then like I did Monday...

Climbing into a bed with fresh, clean sheets...

Hearing one of the kids at church talk to Jesus....

A good cup of just plain old coffee with cream...

Coupon days with my grandchildren...

God giving me sweet, sweet memories of Tony and Roger...

and last but not least...

waking up on Saturday morning and realizing I can go back to sleep!!

Who Never Changes?

2010-01-29T12:04:00.001-08:00

Not these guys....

Last week they were #1,
This week they're probably not.

But,

Jesus Christ is the same...
Yesterday
Today
and Forever
Hebrews 13:8

The UK Wildcats are having a great year, but they can't be number 1 forever.

Jesus will always be number 1.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?

2010-01-26T11:50:00.000-08:00

WE'RE NUMBER ONE!! GO CATS!

Haiti Response Fund

2010-01-21T12:40:00.000-08:00

More than 2 million people in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and many more throughout the country are in desperate need of water, food, shelter and medical care following the catastrophic earthquake Jan. 12.
To help with Southern Baptist Haiti relief efforts please visit the IMB webpage by clicking on the picture below.
100% of the money received will go towards Haiti Response Fund and zero dollars will go toward administrative costs.
If you would rather give by check or money order, make it payable to IMB and reference the Haiti Response Fund in the memo section.
Send to:
Office of Finance
International Mission Board
3806 Monument Ave
PO Box 6767
Richmond, VA 23230-0767

7th Heaven

2010-01-19T07:33:00.001-08:00

Anytime my grandson Aaron talks about his papaw he calls him "my Papaw in Heaven", probably because he has another papaw that lives right next door to him. :-)

January 27 is Roger's birthday. His 7th one in Heaven. I know there are no tears in Heaven, so I can picture him looking down on his grandchildren and....

....smiling.

We all miss you Papaw.

RETRO ME

2010-01-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

This is me about 34 years ago.

The trouble is, when I look in the mirror I see this...

...and I say...

"Who are you and what did you do with Sheila?"

My Heart Is HIS Throne-2010 Goals

2010-01-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I was going to resolve to lose weight this year...walk more...be healthier. But I resolve that every year and always break it! Maybe if I just say it is one of my GOALS I might do better. Have to wait and see. I am always so half-hearted about things like that. I love to eat and I don't love to exercise. I do love to walk my Daffy Dog but it has been so cold lately....(see what I mean? Excuses, excuses). But there are a few things I am passionate about resolving. Can't do it by myself. Well, can't do anything by myself for that matter. But I am rambling. I need God's help in 2010 to achieve my goals. And here they are:
1. I want to STUDY God's Word and not just read it. Even if it means I don't read through the Bible in a year. I want to take time and really study.
2. I want to HEAR Him when I pray and not just talk.
3. I want to be OBEDIENT when I know He is speaking to me.
4. I want to LOVE Him more.
5. I want to LOVE my neighbor as myself.
6. I want to be a better mamaw, step-mom, MIL, sister, friend, Christian.
7. I want for people to KNOW when they look at me that I have Jesus inside!!!
Please, if you read this, pray for me to reach my goals!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering WE MET GOD'S GOAL!

2010-01-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree Lighting 2009

We set our goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at $12,200 this year. But somehow on the banner the goal got written as $12,500. Well, apparently, God had His own idea about the goal, because our treasurer has reported that with the cash we have already raised and the pledges made we will meet or exceed the $12,500 mark!! Our God amazes me!! Please continue to pray for all our international (and of course our North American) missionaries...for clean water, good food, a comfortable place to stay, language skills, people of peace, opportunities to share the Gospel, encouragement, joy, peace, provision and protection.

VOTE!

2010-01-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

LISA DAVIS for county clerk!

She loves babies...

She loves Brother Kenny...

...and she loves me!

She also loves being a conservative Christian.
ps (she also had so many clothes on this cold December night that she couldn't move) She's not really that...
uhhh...
hefty.

Click on the title (VOTE) of this post to go to Lisa's website

Sweet Dreams

2010-01-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

First of all let me say I am a diabetic. Have been for many years. I don't enjoy it but it is part of my life. I am also a choc-aholic. Well really I love candy of any kind. But especially at Christmas.

I have so many good friends at work and one of them makes wonderful candy every Christmas and shares with us all. Even if we're diabetics. I took mine to my sister's (who is also a diabetic) Christmas Eve so I wouldn't eat it all by myself. Notice in the picture the little Snickers Santa on my easel? That was a sweet gift from my boss. I didn't think to take a picture until I had already bitten his head off. I am so thankful for my insulin pen that comes out every time I have sweet times of cheating! Alas, the Christmas candy is all gone now, but I can still dream of it everytime I see this picture...sigh...and then eat a sugar-free peppermint!

Merry CHRISTmas

2009-12-23T11:36:00.000-08:00

Calvary's Babe

words and music by Annette Herndon/BMI

His name is Jesus, precious Jesus,
The only one who is worthy of our praise.
Many years have come and gone -
God's still searching for faithful ones
Who will raise Calvary's Babe in worship and praise.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bitter-Sweet Christmas

2009-12-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

I have a small Christmas tree this year that I decorated by myself. Without Roger. Without Tony. But God never leaves me and He let me find this sweet ornament in one of my boxes that I hadn't gone through in several years. I love my little Christmas tree and I am full of the joy of the birth of my Savior!

Bethel Ornament Exchange 2009

2009-12-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

On Friday, Dec. 11, the ladies of our church got together for our annual ornament exchange. Here is the way it works...everyone brings an ornament to put under the tree. Then we draw numbers from 1 to ever how many ladies that attend. Number 1 picks an ornament from under the tree. Number 2 can either take an ornament from under the tree or take number 1's ornament. If she takes number 1's then that lady gets to pick another one from under the tree. And so on...We have another funny rule that not every one enjoys! You have to do a little dance as you are picking your ornament! :-)
Like I said, not everyone likes this rule (we are Baptists!:-)) but we have fun with it anyway! We bring finger food and eat and laugh and have a great time!

"Oh, Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good!"

2009-12-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

Sweet Addison Grace had her surgery Monday at Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville. God's hand was on her the entire time and she got to come home on Wednesday. Now she is almost back to her normal self, with just a little soreness. I just want to praise God with my whole heart! Thanks to all who prayed for her. Just see in this picture how much Aaron loves his Sissy!

WHAT IS IT?

2009-12-02T07:53:00.000-08:00

"What is that thing Earl?"
"I have no idea Henry, I can't see it very well, can you get a closer look?"
"I'm-trying-to get up-a little higher, uuhh!"
"Can you see it now Earl? What is it? Huh? What is it?"
"I-can't-quite-see...Henry..."
"Is it a mouse, huh, Earl? Or maybe a bird? Is it Earl?"
"No! It's not a mouse! It's not a bird! It's that Daffy Dog from next door!"
"Run Earl!"

No these are not my neighbor's cats...I just like the picture. :-)

Does Practice Really Make Perfect?

2009-12-01T11:52:00.001-08:00

Not yet. But Daffy is a good subject to practice on! I am not used to having a camera so I missed a great photo opportunity last night when I gave her a bath. She loves her bath. Maybe next time. Meanwhile, here are some pictures of my sweet girl. (Yes in the bottom picture, she is sitting on my lap and that is my foot you see!) :-)

Thanksgiving Potpourri

2009-12-01T10:23:00.000-08:00

My family, my church family and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am truly blessed by God even though I don't deserve it. I spent Thanksgiving Day with my late husband Roger's family with my my kids and their families. Our WMU put together 4 Thanksgiving boxes for needy families in our church and community and Lois, Janice, Marie and I delivered them the Monday night before Thanksgiving. I have been blessed by many things, one of them being the digital camera my WMU ladies got me. Trouble is, I don't know how to use it! So I will be practicing. Please be patient with me...I am going to get help from some good friends of mine who really know what they are doing! You know who you are!

"The School of the Pilgrims"

2009-11-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

The group had made great sacrifices to be able to teach their children the truth of why God made them, and of His plan for them. First, they had sold their farms in England---that had been in their families for generations---in order to be able to move to Holland, where they hoped to have the liberty to teach their children God’s truth. And while there was liberty to do it, there wasn’t the means to do it. The parents in this group (known later as the Pilgrims) were shut out by the Dutch economy to the point there wasn’t enough money to allow them to teach their children. So many hours were spent just scraping out a living that there was no time left to educate their families. So then, they made the second sacrifice: They got on a boat, the Mayflower, and crossed the Atlantic to come to America in order to be in a place where they could have the means and the liberty to teach their children God’s truth; and be able to teach all the academic subjects from the principles of God’s truth revealed in the Bible.
The Pilgrims were taught well the truth recorded in the Bible which states,
“as a man thinks, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7)
They knew that whatever they allowed to go into their child’s mind was going to determine the direction of that child in life. They likewise knew that, without a Biblical education in history, government, and logic, their children would not know how to defend this new civil liberty they had established. Thus, they implemented Biblical methods of education, and developed textbooks that agreed with those Biblical methods.
One such textbook was The New England Primer. This was an amazing little book that taught thousands of children how to read and think. It’s Biblical approach to reading fixed in the minds of children God’s purpose for them. For example, they taught the letter A by showing how it was used in the Bible; it read: “In Adam’s fall, we sinned all.” The letter C was taught by using it in the sentence: “Christ crucified, for sinners died.” The letter R was used in the rhyme, “Young, pious Ruth, left all for Truth.” Beside these statements were pictures which illustrated the experience being used to teach the letter.
On over in the The New England Primer were questions that children learned to answer by memorizing the written answers given, thus fixing Biblical truths in their mind. For example the first question asked was:
“What has God done for you?”
The answer the children then gave was:
“God has made me, He keeps me, and He can save me”.
Later in the Primer, the concept of covenant was taught, since it is the most basic concept
that must be understood to maintain relationships, both to God and man. This concept would be the basis of church membership, marriage, and of civil government. The question was asked to the children:
“What does the Lord bind His people to in His covenant?”
The children were then to answer:
“To give up themselves and their [children] first to the Lord, then to the
elders and [brothers] of the church…”
Then the question was asked:
“How do they give up themselves and their children to the Lord?”
The children would then answer:
“By receiving through faith the Lord and His covenant to themselves, and
to their [children], and accordingly walking themselves and
training up their children in the ways of the covenant.”

Does this reveal how far we’ve slid from America’s original education system?
What would this region be like if our schools taught this way to our children?
Perhaps you should start one that does!
From "Think About It" by Don Pinson from Heritage Ministries of Kentucky

What am I thankful for?

2009-11-24T06:53:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for so many things. Salvation. My family and church family. My health. My job. My home. My Daffy dog. The Word of God. His guidance, comfort, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and peace. His forgiveness. Last night 4 of us from our WMU (Women's Missionary Union) took Thanksgiving boxes to 3 sweet families in our community that are having a hard time. So this day I am so thankful that God lets me serve Him by serving others.
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18.
(pictures of the families to follow when I learn more about my camera!)

Total Delight!

2009-11-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

Sometimes my mouth just drops open in total delight! Last night at our pie social after church, Brother Jimmy and I were surprised with gifts from the Brotherhood and the WMU. Brother Jimmy loved his Bible and I was just flabbergasted with my Armor of God pin designed by Ivy Helms and my very own digital camera! Now, for a change, I can be the one taking people by surprise with a snapshot! I love my WMU! And I love the Brotherhood. And I love my entire church family. And I love church pie socials!!!

My Daffy Dog

2009-11-20T11:13:00.000-08:00

My dog Daphne has lived with me for about 3 years now. I adopted her from the Scott Co. Humane Society because I was so lonely after my husband died and then the Yorkie he had given me 12 years before died too! Daphne has been my sweet companion and friend and she does such funny things that I call her Daffy Dog. She is part Basenji and part Terrier. Basenjis don't bark, but she got her voice from her Terrier side! She barks when she wants me to play, she barks when she wants me to go outside with her, she barks if someone rings the doorbell, she barks if someone is walking down the street, she barks when my phone rings, she even barks when I pick up the phone to call somebody! She loves to play fetch with whatever toy she happens to have handy and she always brings it back. She is a great cuddler and gets under the covers every night and sleeps right next to me. I am so thankful to God for bringing her to me!

What do Church and Walmart have in common?

2009-11-20T10:24:00.000-08:00

When my sister had her lung transplant several years ago, the doctors told her when she first got out of the hospital there were 2 places she could NOT go to for a while....Church and Walmart. Why? Because when people are sick they will still go to Church and Walmart!

Operation Christmas Child Accomplished!

2009-11-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

Last Friday night, our wMu (Womens Missionary Union) ladies and our CiA (Children in Action) had a great time putting together our Shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. Some of us wrapped boxes, some of us went through the "assembly line" to pick out just the right items for the boy or girl we had in our mind's eye that would receive that box. Most of us ate cake & cookies and did alot of talking and hugging. We ran out of shoeboxes and while a couple of our ladies went to get some more, some of the kids built a ... well I don't know exactly what it was ... out of pencils. The kids were a big help and so excited about sending out God's love in boxes going where only He knew all over the world. Praying for each child and their families...that we will get to meet them in Heaven someday!
To find out more about Operation Chirstmas Child click on the title of this post.

The Santa Train - Christmas at Renfro Valley!

2009-11-12T05:31:00.000-08:00

It's time for Christmas in Renfro Valley, Kentucky! You don't want to miss all the Renfro Valley Entertainers in their new show featuring The Santa Train! Click on the title of this post to learn more. Man, I love Pam, Wayne, Jeff and all the other Renfro Valley entertainers. And Jeff...And Jeff...And Jeff! Here is all the entertainers on the show...
Rick Aiken "Snod" on Piano
Porter Corum - Fiddle
Don Gulley - Guitar (singing If We Make It Through December)
Glenn Thompson - Guitar and Banjo (Band Leader)
Jeff Watson - Bass (sings with the Guys, Trio and his own song Silver Bells)
Susan Tomes Laws (Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons of Blue)
Debbie Gulley (The SAnta Train)
Doug Smith (Have a Holly Jolly Christmas)
Ethan Eversole on Claw Hammer Banjo (singing Christmas Times A Comin')
Wayne Combs "Station Master" (Oh Holy Night)
Billy Keith (It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year)
Pete Stamper "Santa" (Reads the Christmas Story of the birth of Jesus)
Betty Lou York - Comedy
David and DeLois Sherman (Beautiful Star of Bethlehem)
Pam Perry Combs - (singing I'll Be Home With Bells On)
EVERYONE WILL BE SINGING A MEDLEY OF CHRISTMAS HYMNS
Kaylee and Lauren Thomas - Clogging
Summer and Hunter King : Extras

Please Pray for Stellan

2009-10-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

Some of you know about MckMama and her son Stellan. He is a very sick little boy again and needs many prayers going up for him. Please click on the title of this post to go to MckMama's blog to check on Stellan.

Messin' around with photoshop

2009-10-27T12:59:00.001-07:00

Uncle Fred's barn watercolored!

I wonder what McKenzie wants for Christmas?

2009-10-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

Do ya think....ear rings?

Fall in Kentucky

2009-10-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

I quit smoking when my oldest grandson Tyler was born almost 10 years ago. It was hard to do. There is no doubt in my mind that smoking is bad for you and I certainly don't want my grandchildren taking up that habit. But growing tobacco in Kentucky has been a way of life for so many people here. It has fed and clothed many families in this beautiful state and has provided many others with extra money to spend for Christmas. Even though the tobacco farmer is slowly disappearing, I have so much admiration for them. A tobacco farmer must surely have great faith in the God of all creation, to provide the right amount of rain, sunshine and protect the crop from disease. I'm sure they spend much time on their knees.

My pastor, Kenny Davis, recently took some pictures of his uncle's barn showing the beautiful blue sky and the colorful trees of fall....and the tobacco curing in the barn. What a picture! I can almost smell the leaves and the crisp fall air. Who could paint such a picture except our God?!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2009

2009-10-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

A reason for giving

More than 1.5 billion people are missing out on the opportunity to hear the Gospel. They are living in pockets of lostness, hidden behind cultural, physical, political and language barriers to a Gospel witness. The Bible describes them as living in darkness, alienated from God and without hope in the world.

Our obedience will give them hope. God calls every church and every believer to be on mission with Him to break down the barriers. Through prayer, volunteering and strategic partnerships on the field, you and your church can help bring a lost people into God's family.

But could it be that one of the barriers to reaching these pockets is a lack of financial resources? We must also be willing to give sacrificially to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering so those called to invest their lives sharing the Gospel can go.

Our goal at Bethel is $12,200 this year. Please click on the title of this post to learn more about Lottie Moon.

Some things are natural...some are not...

2009-10-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

It is natural for dogs & cats, and brothers & sisters to fight. It is natural when people see a newborn baby to say "Awww..". It is natural for ducks to swim and birds to fly. For rain to fall and smoke to rise.

It is not natural for a mother to bury a child...

Dear Tony,

I can't picture you at 35. You went to Heaven when you were 20, so I'm thinking that even though you are celebrating your birthday there, you're still 20 years old. I watch all of your friends growing up and getting married, having babies and I miss experiencing that with you. But I know without a doubt that your life in Heaven is so much better...God's word says, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
1 Cor. 2:9

I'm here on earth celebrating your life in Heaven.

You are missed with tears but remembered with laughter.

Love Mom

Anthony Wayne Gadd

October 19, 1974 ~ March 25, 1995

DONATE A HAT TO A CHILD WITH CANCER

2009-10-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

My son Tony has a birthday coming up. On Oct. 19th he will be 35 years old. He is celebrating his birthday in Heaven like he has for the last 14 years. He was 20 years old when he died from a malignant tumor behind his sinus cavity. I can't even tell you what kind of cancer it was because despite the fact that his pathology report was sent many places, the only thing they could tell me was that it was a very quick growing, aggressive type of sarcoma. He was in the hospital for 3 months before he died, having radiation therapy M-F and chemo on weekends. When his hair started coming out, it wasn't as embarrassing as it was aggravating for him. He asked one of his nurses to go ahead and shave his head. He loved Michael Jordan so everyone told him he looked like a "White Mike". He was so sick he couldn't get out of bed and move around so having something on his head never really concerned him. But so many friends and family brought him hats, and "do-rags" and he was so tickled. One of his friends even brought him a shirt that said "Hair by Chemo". Even though Tony was 20 years old when he died, childhood cancer fills my heart with pain and dread. It is almost unbearable to watch anyone you love suffer with cancer, but to see children go through the agony of chemo and all that comes with it is especially hard. Small things like a cute hat to give them a little lift is much appreciated I know. If you would like to donate a hat to a child with cancer, please click on the button on the right side of my blog page. And please pray for childhood cancer victims and their families.

Roger Johnson 1951~2003

2009-10-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

Today is the 6th anniversary of my husband's death. Here is the memorial I put in the paper:

"For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Chirst will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17

Waiting for the day we can be together again. If it is God's will, I will be here serving Him, missing you with tears, but remembering you with laughter.

Love Sheila

Addison's first haircut and Dr. Seuss

2009-10-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

Last night I stopped by to see Aaron, Addison and Stef. Robbie was at work. I had been on church visitation and was in the neighborhood and all. :-)
Stef had been off work and had been busy all day cleaning, catching up on laundry, taking Aaron to ball practice, and taking Addison for her first haircut! She did so good sitting in that little car! It was bedtime, so while Stef was getting Addison ready for nite-nite, Aaron read some Dr. Seuss to me! I was so proud of his reading! He sounds the words out and knew almost all of them with just a little help from Mamaw. I love spur of the moment memory making with my grandkids!

Dear Pastor Kenny

2009-09-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

I was just looking at Beth Moore's blog and she did a thank you post to her pastor. It inspired me to do a thank you post to my pastor. I love getting inspired and sometimes I know God inspires me through other Christians. That's what just happened with Beth Moore. God brought my own pastor to my mind and reminded me that I don't thank him enough. That I don't tell him how much he means to me and what a wonderful influence he has been in my life. So....

Dear Brother Kenny,

You are absolutely the most kind hearted and humble man I have ever known. But at the same time you very boldy stand up for your Christian values. You protect the pulpit at Bethel by only having men of God stand behind it. You are passionate about missions. You are passionate about seeing people saved. You are not afraid to do things differently even though "we've never done it that way before". You always encourage me when I am ready to give up. You have always been there for me when I needed a red bandana to blow my nose on. You have laughed with me and cried with me. You have many times been the source of my laughter. You are such a sweet big ol' hillbilly, with a wonderful sense of humor. I love a preacher that can preach the Word, but be funny at the same time. I believe God loves to hear us laugh. Not only do I love to hear you preach, but you have taught me so much over the years and I am thankful for that ability you have. I love that you love people. You are my spiritual hero...(so superman has more hair, you are a REAL hero). Thank you!

Love in Christ

Sheila

PS The cute guy in the picture with him is our associate and youth pastor Larry David. I love you too David and my next letter will be to you!

Operation Christmas Child

2009-09-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

At Bethel Baptist Church our WMU puts together Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes to be sent around the world by Samaritan's Purse every Christmas. It is so much fun to do this and we have done it for many years. Roger and I used to do it together and going shopping to fill up a shoe box full of small items for children that may not get anything else was one of our favorite things to do at Christmas! Not only do they receive small toys, hygiene items, school supplies and hard candy, each child receives the good news of Jesus Christ. The following stories were taken from the Samaritan's Purse web site. You can visit the web site by clicking on the title of this post.

Shining the Light of God’s Love
The last memory Nana has of her village is of flames shooting through rooftops and screams echoing through the streets as she joined her neighbors in a desperate flight for safety.

Nana was seven months pregnant at the time. She and her husband, Bagrate, owned a modest two-story house and a store in the Georgian town of Xeiti. They were caught by surprise on the afternoon of August 6 when Russian forces assaulted their quiet community, dropping bombs and setting fire to many buildings.

With no time to gather their belongings, the couple sped away in their car, veering around burning vehicles. They kept driving until they ran out of gas, then continued their escape on foot—an arduous undertaking for Nana.

Xeiti was among 36 villages burned or bombed last year by Russia in a territorial dispute with Georgia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The city of Gori also sustained damage from bombing raids. The conflict left hundreds of civilians dead or injured, and displaced tens of thousands. Many of the survivors remain holed up in dilapidated school and abandoned buildings, afraid to return to their villages and rebuild.

In December, heartache gave way to hope for thousands of Georgia’s suffering families as Operation Christmas Child teams began blanketing the war-torn region, bearing gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love.

We came across Nana and Bograte living among the refugees crowded into old military barracks in the town of Koda. Among the 350 boys and girls who received shoe box gifts was the couple’s daughter, Lizzie, born two months after their harrowing escape.

“Thank you for the gift,” said Bograte. “We are trying to make our lives as normal as possible, but it is difficult. We have only the hope of God to get us through this.”

At another refugee center in an old school building outside of the capital of Tbilisi, 50 children heard a presentation of the Gospel and received words of comfort from a member of the Operation Christmas Child National Leadership Team in Georgia.

“We are bringing gifts that were specially prepared for you by children in America,” explained Pastor Gela. “They want to encourage you during your time of crisis.”

One at a time, the children walked to the front of the classroom to receive their boxes and Greatest Gift of All Gospel booklets written in the Georgian language. They returned to their seats and patiently waited until every child received a box before they opened them.

One girl lifted a cuddly brown teddy bear from her box and cradled it in her arms. A teenage boy got a green baseball cap and slapped it on his head, grinning.
For the past decade, Pastor Gela’s Pentecostal church in Tbilisi has worked with Operation Christmas Child to help deliver shoe boxes to youngsters in some of the poorest neighborhoods in the country.

“We are always trying to expand our ministry to children,” he said. “The boxes give us an opportunity to reach out to them in a way that would not be possible otherwise. They are a good tool for explaining to them who Jesus is and to share the Gospel with them.”

Two years ago, his church began offering the 10-lesson Bible course through the Operation Christmas Child follow-up discipleship program. Over 100 children enrolled in the program during that time period, and the pastor has requested lessons for 500 children in 2009.

“I remember one boy last year whose parents wouldn’t let him come to church. That was before he received the Bible lessons,” Gela said. “Now they have given him their blessing to go to Sunday school.”

The next series of Bible lessons are scheduled to begin in January. Children who received shoe boxes last month are among those who will participate.

If there is a silver lining to the war, Pastor Gela notes that the hardships and uncertainty have prompted many Georgians to turn to Christ like never before. People seem more open to hearing God’s Word, and there has been an increase in the number of families who attend his small church. Along with that revival has come a heightened desire to minister to those in need in their community, particularly those affected by the war.

“We distribute food and clothing to the refugees. But we want to give them something deeper than physical help,” he said. “These people are hurting. We talk to them about Jesus Christ, and it’s a great blessing to see the powerful change in their hearts.”

Samaritan’s Purse plans to send more than 100,000 shoe box gifts to Georgia this year. Most of these boxes will be distributed by volunteers from local churches like Pastor Gela’s. As part of the follow-up ministry, an estimated 8,000 boys and girls will take part in the Operation Christmas Child discipleship program throughout the country.
You can click on the title of this post to learn more about Operation Christmas Child.

every number has a story.

2009-09-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

What do you want most in all the world? What I want most is to try to take as many people to Heaven with me as I can. At Bethel we have a list of names of people that are lost. We call it the "Most Wanted" list. It used to be the 10 most wanted but it grew and grew. Did you ever just sit at work and watch people come and go and wonder if they are saved? Or if, when they get their business done and walk out the door, will they live to make it home? That sounds morbid I guess, but sometimes I think of things like that. I can be sitting at a red light with a car next to me and wonder if that person knows Jesus. I will say a prayer for them that God will reveal Himself to them. Jesus really is coming again. Soon. In the meantime people are dying every day without Him. We need to pray. Pray for personal revival and church revival and national revival. Pray. Pray with urgency. People are dying. Without Christ.

Oh No! Summer is going, going.......

2009-09-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Addison and McKenzie are enjoying the last little bits of summer! Addison will have her surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital on November 12 and we covet your prayers.

McKenzie

2009-09-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

My granddaughter McKenzie was 6 years old on Saturday. We had all been very preoccupied with Donnie being so sick and so Scott and Jennie postponed her birthday party. But I did put her picture in the paper to tell her I love her. She was 2 weeks old when her Papaw died. I think he was just waiting for her to be born before he went home. She gets more beautiful every day and I know Papaw is proud of her.

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring...

2009-09-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

I really do love rainy days. At least I love rainy days when I am indoors. When me and Peggy and the guys took our Disaster Relief chain saw training, it was a very rainy, cold day and we got soaked to the bone! But today it's raining and I am at work sitting here with not much to do until the ad reps start turning in the real estate ads. So I thought I would blog. I would really like to be home with Daffy dog, just relaxing. :-) But blogging is good too. When I am not busy at work I start thinking about my Lord Jesus and how blessed I am. I am so thankful to Him for my salvation! I am thankful for my family and church family and my family in Heaven. I am SO thankful for my grandchildren and how thoughts of them can make my day seem sunny even when it's raining! My grandson Aaron spent the night with me a couple of weeks ago. Not long after his bike wreck that scared us all to death! So I took him shopping for a bicycle helmet. Of course we had to go to the arcade and we played miniature golf. My oldest grandson Tyler is getting so tall and handsome. I think he could be a model. What do you think? I am also thankful for the opportunities God gives me to serve Him by serving others, which is why we took the chain saw training. Yes, I know I am rambling back and forth but after all...it is a rainy day and my thoughts are running rampant. So I'll stop now and just post some pictures. Thank you God for rainy days.

Donnie's Homegoing

2009-09-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

My husband Roger has a wonderful family that I am so very proud to be a part of. Even with Roger in Heaven, the family still includes me in all their get-togethers both happy and sad. Growing up, Roger was raised by his granny Stella and Aunt Anna Mae and was so close in age to his uncle Donnie and aunt Nancy, that they were more like brothers and sister. I am honored to be thought of as their sister-in-law. Donnie was diagnosed with lung cancer a few months ago and lost the battle last Thursday morning. He lost that battle, but was COMPLETELY healed by God when He took Donnie home to Heaven. I will miss my brother-in-law. He was a kind and gentle man and was always so good to me. But I am so happy to know he is in Heaven with Jesus now. And Roger. And Tony. And Granny Stella. And Thelma, Roger's mom. I praise God that I can look forward to being with all of them again someday. I know they had a wonderful reunion when Donnie got there, but oh what a reunion we will have when we can ALL be together again with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
In Loving Memory of Donald Lewis (Donnie) Bowles
1946~2009

We Are Family!

2009-09-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

McKenzie, Tyler, Addison, Aaron, Jared, Hannah. Cousins, brothers, sisters.

Finished Artwork by Anna

2009-09-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning at church I had a nice suprise. Anna finished my horse picture! And Holly painted me one too! Double suprise! I can't wait to get them framed. Here is a picture of Anna's finished work. Thank you soooo much Anna and Holly!
Top picture is the one she drew it from.

Bethel at Spoonbread Festival 2009

2009-09-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

Our Youth, Jr. Youth, wMu, CiA, and Brotherhood from Bethel Baptist will have a table at the Spoonbread Festival this year! Come on out and learn more about us and our mission to share Jesus with our community! To learn more about our church click on the title of this post.

Fred the Frog part 2

2009-09-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

Seems like Fred has gotten so popular here at the Register that poems are even being written about him! One of my co-workers that will forever remain unnamed, is obsessed with Fred! He was always asking about Fred, how he was doing, what I was feeding him, was I giving him as much love as I was Daffy, etc. I really began to wish that I had never told anyone about Fred. It just began as a way to amuse myself and give my co-workers a good laugh. This guy was running it into the ground. Every one in the office was getting sick of the Fred jokes. So one morning when he came in and asked me how Fred was, I told him I was just heartsick! Fred was gone! I had found a note tellling me he was running away from home and going to live with (Unnamed Person) because he was certain that (Unnamed Person) would take better care of him and feed him gourmet frog food. So. Now he is telling me Fred never made it to his house and wanted to put his picture on a milk carton! Unfortunately I don't have a real picture of Fred because I don't own a digita camera. I am a really old person! I keep meaning to buy one but never get around to it. Maybe some day. (to be continued).
P.S. Yes he did write a 2 page poem about Fred that I will blog about later!

The Adventures of Daffy Dog

2009-09-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

I rescued a Basenji/terrier about 3 years ago. My dog Winston was 12 years old and he died about 2 years after Roger did. I really missed him but DID NOT want another dog! But then I started dreading going home from work. It was so quiet. I didn't have anyone but myself to talk to. That became weird. So I started visiting petfinders.com. Looked at millions of dogs! When I saw her face I fell in love with her! She was at the Scott County Humane Society and she was house broken and crate trained. Her foster parents brought her to Berea to meet me. I was so excited about getting her and we have had great times together ever since.
Then came Fred. The frog. And Landen. The mole.
I am happy to say that Daffy dog caught Landen Sunday morning!!! I was very proud of her! She started to bring him (or her) to me, (dead, thank goodness), and I told her "No! Drop it!" She dropped it and I got about half a roll of paper towels and picked him (or her) up and threw it over the fence into the woods. I took Daffy in the house and gave her a treat, and then brushed her teeth! Tried to brush her tongue but she was having none of that! Unfortunately I think there is at least one more mole in the yard, so she is still happy digging and looking for it. I am not going to name it!! Well, maybe I will. Check back soon!

Fred the Frog & other critters in the back yard

2009-09-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Well, most people know I am silly. So it will come as no suprise to know that I name things. Like the mole that is tearing my back yard up. I named him Landen. I dreamed about the mole one night and in my dream his name was Landen. Or her name was Landen. Anyway...back in the spring, this frog showed up on my back porch. We had a very wet spring and here was this frog on my back porch every time I let Daffy out to do her business. Just sitting on my back porch. Daffy wanted to eat it. Only natural being a dog and all. But of course I wouldn't let her. She would chase the frog off the porch and he (or she) would get under the day lilly that is right beside the back door. Hiding. Thinking Daffy dog would not find him (or her). Of course, every time Daffy went out she would look for the frog, find it and want to eat it. So I started telling her that she couldn't eat the frog because it was her pet frog Fred. Of course she believed me...she believes everything I tell her. So she stopped trying to eat Fred, just wanted to find him (or her) every time she went out. If Fred wasn't around it would worry her to death. Fred went missing one day after a bad storm we had and Daffy almost lost her mind! Worried so much about him (or her). Then, one beautiful day Fred came home. How did I know it was Fred you may ask? Well, it looked just like him (or her)! Stay tuned, there are many more stories about Fred the Frog to come!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

Have I ever been wordless in my life? I just wanted to share this picture of me and Papaw with Tyler at his first Easter Egg Hunt at our property on the hill where we will be building our new church. I sure do miss my Roger. What an amazing man he was! A wonderful Christian husband, father and grandpa!

Foolishness & Wisdom

2009-08-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

I was reading in the book of 1 Corinthians this morning. 1 Corinthians 1: 25 says "the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stonger than men". NKJV
In verse 20 it says that God "has made foolish the wisdom of this world". I think that is more true today than it was even in Paul's day. I watch the news and listen to the politicians and they really think they have all the answers. But they have everything upside down and backwards. They are calling good things evil and evil things good. Not just the politicians of course. The "superstars" of Hollywood and sports are full of the "wisdom" of this world. The financial mogels of the world, the Donald Trumps and Bill Gates, who think just because they have lots of money and "stuff" that they have it made. So sad. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed at all the things that are going on in the world today. But then I remember that God is in control and He has a plan. I may not understand it but I know the end of the story! I get such a strong desire to be there...at the end of the story I mean...but I know there is much more work to do and many more people to hear the story of Jesus. So I am happy to be here... somewhere in the middle... asking God to use me to help someone know Jesus. Because you know, there is something better than spending eternity in Heaven! Taking someone to Heaven to spend eternity with you!!!

PRAISE!

2009-08-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling kinda down lately. Somewhat stressed at work. Worried about this and that. But God's Word tells us not to worry about anything but in all things to praise Him. So that is what I am doing today!
"Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes;
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!"
Psalm 150

Please pray for Addison Grace

2009-08-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

My youngest grandaughter is Addison. I haven't been able to spend as much time with her as I have the other three. But I love her just the same and I know her Papaw in Heaven loves her too! Addison is such a sweet and beautiful baby girl and needs your prayers most especially because she has bilateral reflux which causes her to have urinary tract infections which can be very harmful to her kidneys. She has to take a daily dose of antibiotics and still has had several hospital stays because of this disease. Stefanie has made an appointment for her to have a consultation at Cincinnati Children's Hospital next month. Please pray that the doctors there will be able to help her not to have to be on antibiotics and not to have so many urinary tract infections which causes her to have a very high fever. If that means surgery then I have no doubt that God will take care of her! I am so glad He is in control!

LET US PRAY

2009-08-13T05:44:00.000-07:00

Interposition: The Prayer

“…as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.”
–1 Samuel 12:23

That the national government is getting farther and farther away from our Constitution is obvious to any honest student of America’s Founders’ philosophy. There is great need for the working of interposition as they called it: The Biblical term for a person or an agency to step in between the disordered government and the people’s rights, in order to preserve those rights. This process begins in prayer. We must commit to join the thousands who are daily pleading with God to intervene in our national affairs.

As the prophet Samuel prayed for Israel’s disordered government servants, let us faithfully do the same; knowing that God is in control of all government, even disordered ones. Robert E. Lee echoed this when he said, “Let us pray for our nation… Let prayer be our passion; let prayer be our practice.” LET US PRAY . . .

Father, in Jesus’ Name, we admit to You that our governments are now so far from Your order revealed in Your Word. We are wrong. Not deserving it, but appealing to Your mercy, we humbly ask you to intervene in our nation’s governments. Please remember the sacrifice and the prayers to You by our forefathers when they asked You to bring their children back if we strayed. For Your own glory, that the world might know that You keep Your covenant, please turn us and our government servants back to You and the order of Your Word. Thank You, O Lord, for hearing us.

Courtesy of the Family Foundation August 13, 2009

Please pray for our nation and our government leaders who are not following God.

May our hearts continue to be HIS throne!

Keep Your Lantern Lit!

2009-07-30T05:50:00.001-07:00

Matthew 5:14-16 ( KJV )
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Are Our Lights Shining?
A man was killed at a railroad crossing one summer evening in 1891. His relatives sued the railroad, claiming negligence on the part of the watchman. During the ensuing trial, the watchman was called to the witness stand. The prosecuting attorney asked him several questions. “Were you on duty at the crossing at the time of the accident?” “Yes sir, I was.” “Did you have a lantern?” “Yes sir, I did.” “Did you wave your lantern in warning?” “Yes sir, several times.” Having answered in the affirmative to every question, the watchman helped the railroad win its case. An officer of the railroad came to see the watchman later to thank him for giving evidence in favor of the railroad. The officer inquired, “Tell me, Mr. Jarvis, were you nervous during the questioning at the trial?” The watchman replied, “Yes, I feared every moment that he would ask, ‘Was the lantern lit?’ ” Anyone can go through the motions of outward religiosity. We can wave our lanterns wildly, but it accomplishes nothing if we do not light them! The night is dark. Many lost souls have no hope but us.
Is your light shining???

A Few Things That Make Me Smile! :-)

2009-07-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

I love my grandkids and pictures, thoughts, and memories of them always makes me smile!

I love horses!

2009-07-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

I have always loved horses and when I was little I had a Shetland pony called Rusty. I loved him so much! My sweet sister in Christ Anna, (whose great uncle sold Rusty to my daddy) is a very talented artist! She is doing a water color of a horse for me and I can't wait for her to get it done. Here is a picture from her art class that she chose to paint for me and the progress she is making on it. Thanks Anna!

FUN AT THE FAIR

2009-07-28T08:10:00.001-07:00

Friday night my granddaughter McKenzie and I made some great memories at the fair! 2 years ago I took Tyler and he won a goldfish that I had to carry around all night! What a cool memory! Last year I took Aaron and what I remember most about that night was riding the tilt-a-whirl that I thought he would be afraid of and him laughing till he almost couldn't breathe because I was the one that was afraid! This year was Kenzie's turn. We had so much fun! Rode the farris wheel, merry-go-round, crazy bus, little roller coaster dragon, big purple dragon that went around and around and made me dizzy, went in the Spong Bob fun house, saw all kinds of cool animals like a cow with 6 legs and the biggest rat in the world (UGH), the biggest horse in the world, ate hot dogs and ice cream cones, watched the horse show, fished and got a big pink bouncy ball and a big purple blowup hammer that said "Girl Power" on it, and saw lots of friends! Whew...But the best memory is when we were getting ready to leave and Kenzie was just "starved to death" and wanted a corn dog to eat on the way home. When we got to the car and started putting all her goodies in the back, she said "Mamaw, hurry it's about to come out! Pull it, Pull it!" Her front tooth, which was already loose, had gotten ready to come out while she was eating the corn dog!!! So I reached over and yanked it out! What a great memory! I have never gotten to pull one of my grandkids teeth before....McKenzie was the first. I will never forget it and I hope she doesn't either. Oh yeah, I almost forgot....she got a balloon that we tied on her big purple hammer but it got loose and started floating away... but it was ok because we figured it just floated to Papaw in Heaven and he got to share in our memories. God is good.

Eliza Broadus Offering for State Missions

2009-07-24T08:15:00.001-07:00

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work," Jesus told them. "Don't you say, 'There are still four more months then comes the harvest'? Listen to what I'm telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest." John 4: 34-35

The need for the Gospel is urgent. People die every day without Jesus. First and foremost we need to Pray. Pray for Kentucky missions and for the lost in this community. Then Give. Your giving to the Eliza Broadus Offering is vital in funding state missionaries, language missions, Baptist Centers, Disaster Relief, Kentucky Changers, evangelism, church planting, international student ministries, and more. Your gifts help to fund R/6 Mentoring Program, a ministry to released offenders. Your gifts help with equestrian ministries and all that will take place next year as we host the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. And the Eliza Broadus Offering will help with "Find It Here" as we take the gospel across our state in March 2010. And finally Go. Go prayer walk. Go volunteer in a Kentucky Baptist ministry. Go invite someone to church. Go tell someone about Jesus.

"My house is full but My field is empty. Who will go and work for Me today?" ~Lanny Wolfe~

It's Harvest Time in Kentucky. Will you go and work today?

If you would like to learn more about Eliza Broadus Offering for State Missions, or if you would like to give to the offering, click on the title of this post to go to Kentucky WMU website.

Memories of 1969

2009-07-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

There are good things and bad things about the internet. One of the good things that I have really enjoyed the last few months is blogging and facebook. I reconnected with one of the girls I graduated with a couple of months ago on fb because she was a friend of my son Scott. Then she connected me with a couple of other girls we graduated with! Faye lives in Texas now but Brenda and Molly and I still live here in Kentucky. Faye came home for a family reunion recently and we all got together for dinner. It was so much fun! We hadn't seen each other in 40 years, when I think we were about 1 year old. :-)...well about 17 or 18 years old. We are hoping to find some other friends on fb and get together again soon! I love old friends! I love new friends too, but man, I love old friends!

Missing Roger

2009-07-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

My husband Roger was an amazing man. When God brought us together, I really didn't believe at first that such a man as that could really love me. But he did. No one had ever loved me like that before. He was always so easy going and calm. I used to get home from work after he did and he would always ask me how my day was. I would rant and rave for about 20 minutes then I would ask him how his day was. He would ALWAYS reply, "Oh, slow and easy." I miss him every day and still love him. I am so thankful to God for bringing Roger to me when He did. Just 2 years after we were married is when Tony got sick. I couldn't have gone through that without Roger. Our anniversary was June 19 and if he had lived we would have been married 16 years. I know he is in Heaven with Tony who I miss very much too and they are both waiting for me. God has something else for me to do here before I can join them and I am happy to serve Him. He gives me the most wonderful memories of them both! I sure hope our grandchildren never forget their Papaw and I wish they could have known their Uncle Tony. Even though I miss them every day I am thankful for the time God gave me with them. :-)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT BETHEL BAPTIST

2009-07-02T08:07:00.001-07:00

INVITATION TO KIDS IN THE BEREA KENTUCKY AREA!
Our Vacation Bible School theme this year is "The Boomerang Express"
When: July 13-17
Where: Bethel Baptist Church
847 Scaffold Cane Road
Berea, KY
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Please come and join us for fun and fellowship and learning about Jesus!
For Van pick up call 859-986-7341

Commission Service

2009-06-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night we had a commission service for those of us going to Pascagoula, Mississippi with the Youth Mission Trip. We were also given a preview of some of the skits they will be performing while we are there. The dramas were such a riveting picture of how the enemy has us bound in sin, but how Jesus will totally free us if we repent and call on Him! I am very proud of all of these kids and am so blessed to be able to go with them and help them do some back yard Bible Schools while we are there. Please pray for God to be glorified in all we do and pray for us to be light and salt, and to grow closer to God and closer to each other through our service to Him.

LOVE ME TENDER

2009-06-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

OK so when Tony was about 13 my mom (who loved Elvis Presley) started telling him he looked like Elvis. Well, he was a huge Elvis fan too, so this thrilled him and made his head swell. He started practicing in his bedroom mirror the "Elvis Look". Roger told him one time that no matter how much he looked like Elvis, it wouldn't do him any good until he took a bunch of singing lessons because he could NOT carry a tune in a bucket!! Of course the beard had to go...my mom gave him $50 to shave it off!! Boy did he know how to work her!