Powerful

 

 

These lines are from "The Gate of the Year," a poem written in 1908 by Minnie Louise Haskins:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." 

And he replied, "Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God 

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!"

True Love

My biggest Big and my littlest Little... Melts my heart :)

Family

 

 

The best part of Christmas is sharing it with the ones you love :)

Presents Presents

 

 

Selfie Addict

Apparently we all got a bit carried away explaining selfies to the old folks this week :)

Christmas Baby

A Few of My Favorite Things

 

Merry Christmas

Wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

No matter where you may be in your "life" here on earth, I pray that you accept the greatest gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we focus on the real reason for the season this Christmas.

Sweet Surprise

 

Look what I received all the way from across the ocean today! My long lost (but never forgotten) Frenchy Friend Audrey sent me a special gift to remind me of how much I miss her...sigh.

S is SO impressed that I have a friend who lives in France-lol. And
Audrey is impressed that I actually left my country to get my babies. Yes, I told Audrey that I would never leave the US for fear that they wouldn't let me back in!! Haha, looks like I had no idea what was in store for me 15 years ago.

Miss you girlfriend. Thanks for the sweet gift, and especially the sweet gift of your friendship.

PS: Yes, that is my 14 year old she is holding ;)

December Life

Been busy enjoying the season. Hope you are too!

Lord Help Me Find It

Listen while you read!

I don’t know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I’m finding I can’t do this on my own

I don’t know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I’m done fighting
I’m finally letting go

I will trust in You
You’ve never failed before
I will trust in You

[Chorus:]
If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment 
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can you help me find it
Can you help me find it

I’m giving You fear and You give faith
I giving you doubt
You give me grace
For every step I’ve never been alone

Even when it hurts, You’ll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath
You’ve never let me go

I will wait for You
You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You

[Chorus]

I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)
‘Cause You are all I need

What Is Really Necessary

Simplify

 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (NASB)
 

We are busy moms, aren’t we? It strikes me that the verses above don’t say, “What does the Lord require of you but to clean the kitchen, do the laundry, work full-time, get the groceries, sign the kids up for soccer, sign the kids up for football, sign the kids up for piano, drive the kids to ballet, go to the pool twice a week in the summer, do craft projects with the kids daily, host the company Christmas party, and … so on.
Rather, God’s list is pretty short. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with God. Maybe it’s time to pare down my to-do list.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)

Are you anxious and troubled about many things–even good things like serving others? Are you missing the one thing?

Entering the holiday season this year, I’m issuing a challenge. Moms, let’s find some ways to simplify our lives. I’m not sure how, but maybe we could say no to a party. Decorate more sparingly. Give fewer and simpler gifts. Stay home with our families. Spend less money. Spend more time with those we love. Be content with what we have. Make time for the one thing. Sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him!

Christmas Crazies

 

My crew is starting to look a bit of Christmas Crazy!! Thinking they are definitely all Straights;)

New Career for Hubby

Sorry I left you all hanging from my post back in October.  The big changes I was talking about came in the form of a new job opportunity for CJ.  We officially closed Straight Towing this month, for him to move on to a bigger and better opportunity with United Rentals, Inc.  He is now a district dispatcher with this great company. 

So I guess you could say he traded this

 

for this

 

The best part about the new career is that it is a Monday through Friday- no nights or weekends!!  It has been a very very very long time since he has not had to work nights and weekends regularly.  So unfortunately you no longer have a friend in the wrecker business :(  But if you need to rent some equipment, he can hook you up-LOL.

Spoiled

How could her daddy say no?!? Little bit's two favorite things combined into one...Hello Kitty and a mermaid! She is in love.

Memory Monday

 

I recently found some old photos that brought back some terrific childhood memories for me.  I spent many many weekends simply playing on this branch.  As crazy as that sounds it is very true!  You see my family went camping up in the north Georgia mountains often.  No electricity, no running water, no modern conveniences, and especially no ipods, tvs, or cell phones ;)  What we had on these weekends were more along the lines of playing in the creeks, fishing, dune buggy riding, finding your own pet rocks, campfires, and of course SPAM (not the email kind-lol).




However the most important thing I still remember about our weekends in the woods was my time spent with my FAMILY


 
 

Those weekends were just an extra extension of the love I received at home.  I realize now that my childhood that was filled with love and family is not something everyone else in the world had.  I know now just how lucky I am, how grateful I am that my parents loved me and were able to show me that love everyday.

 

I want to say thank you to my mom and dad for painting me a happy childhood.  The many memories I have of growing up are filled with happiness and love for my entire family.  I hope and pray that all my children will one day be able to reflect back on their childhood favorably one day as well. 

 

I hope and pray that the time we spend together now is something they will always remember as a happy time. I want them to know how important they are to me, how important family is to have around, and especially how important it is to have God part of your family.   Looking forward to making many many more memories with my family!!