Delighting In The Pursuit

2009-04-27T17:26:00.001-04:00

Testing the mobile feature of Blogger.

"You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman

2008-11-23T17:29:00.002-05:00

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Just talking to my Jesus....

2008-10-12T18:58:00.004-04:00

" So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." - Colossians 3:1-4 (HCSB)

Jesus, I love you and how you are rockin' my world right now. You are amazing. But I am not seeking what is above like I should. Guide me this week, day by day, to set my mind on you. Give me eyes to see the "idols" that I need to remove out of my life. I want to be filled with You. I want Your light and Your love to just ooze out of me onto others. Thanks for taking care of this girl in the palm of your scarred hands.

Learning

2008-09-08T11:06:00.000-04:00

Apparently God wants me to learn a lot right now. It amazes me that when I read something out of God’s Word that it’s exactly something I needed to hear – something to encourage me, something to wake me up to realize how I am slacking (i.e – a good kick in the rear), or it’s Him just letting me know that He thinks I rock. Below is a scripture that just hit me this weekend and I wanted to share.
Be blessed!

Galatians 1:16 "For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ."

Galatians 2:16 "...yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified."

A Bloggity Make Over Edition

2008-09-07T18:50:00.005-04:00

Hey y'all!

I hope you guys have been doing well. I just wanted to make a BIG shout-out to Amanda @ Mama Sings. First of all, she is one of my favorite bloggers to read because she keeps it real (so go check her out) and second of all she has the same style for flair that I do. Through her blog I found something that makes me as happy as a Diet-Coke-from-Sonic-at-10:00-at-night; a FREE blog design place. It's called The Cutest Blog On The Block and that is where I found my new Fall design. L-O-V-E it!! So I am sharing the love --- check out www.cutestblogontheblock.com.

Flair it up girls... flair.it.up!
Karen

Some New Finds...

2008-08-31T17:15:00.002-04:00

I just found a new favorite person in ministry - Kelly Minter. Please check out her website at www.kellyminter.com. I am currently reading her book "No Other Gods" and I am having my socks completely knocked off by how good this is. Plus she blogs (she's over on my favorite blogs list). Here is the link to her latest post and it just really hit home for me so I thought I would share.

Another person I have found is over at Ministry So Fabulous. She is also in my favorite blogs list (check her out if you haven't already) and I can't wait to read more of her stuff.

Hope y'all are having a blessed day!
Hugs ~
Karen

Theory Blown To Bits ....

2008-08-24T17:23:00.015-04:00

I had it. The kind of moment that while you are talking in that moment you know it's not you, but that God is speaking through you. It was quite amazing. And I must say faith-building. It just confirmed how I am right where I need to be at this point in my life. That God carved out a purpose for little ol' me. While He is busy with the "big things" like making sure the stars are in the right place in the sky at night or that a child in a third-world country gets a meal today, He is taking the time to make sure I know He has a purpose for me.

I was "doing my thing" working at church this morning. I was pumped with all the activity going on because it was Promotion Sunday for our 6th graders. (By the way, it was amazing to actually see how many students are in our ministry and to already see that God will be doing a mighty work in the Student Ministry this school year at Brookwood.)

Anyways, a mother of a high schooler that I had met before wanted to talk with me with her daughter there. It was like I was looking in a mirror from 15 years ago. It was absolutely scary in how reflective it was.

I was the girl scared to talk to anyone. I had no real friends. Hated myself, how I looked and how I felt. Hated my life at home. Didn't like the church I was at. I just wanted to stay in my room away from the world. Just wanted to be homeschooled in order to avoid people at school. Had no clue who I was. Had no clue of God's love for me. Had no clue of how a true family operated. Had no clue of what church really was. (If my Mom hadn't literally pushed me out of a car to go apply for a job when I turned 16 years old, I would still be that girl - living in a hard, cold shell.)

I saw that same girl today at church with her Mom. And I just had to reach out to her. "Karen the Assistant for the Student Ministry" wasn't talking to the girl and her Mom today. The Karen that has overcome some of those issues with God's help (and is still working on a few of those issues) was talking. God was directing my words. I listened to myself talk and was like "where did that come from??". And when it was all over I was exhausted yet amazed. I was shocked that God would use some of the junk from my past to help in such a powerful way. I want that girl to know the God who created everything, created her for a reason. That He loves her more than anything. That He made her the way He did for a reason. And that He is there to love her no matter what she does, how she looks or how she feels on any given day of the week. And that there are other students like her that she can connect and grow with. (We have some pretty amazing students in the High School ministry. Students that I wish surrounded me while I was growing up.) This Mom wants me to be around on Wednesday nights with her daughter to help her connect. But I had to explain to her that God has lead me to get back into Praise Choir. With God's guidance, I was able to think of a way to help that the Mom was good with. But it would involve the assistance of another student. After our conversation I thought - who would be able to really help connect with her. Who would stick with this girl for the school year to help her? And sure enough God directed my steps to one of the best student's for this girl. In less than 5 minutes, before I even had a chance to pray to God about it, He stepped in and provided an awesome student that is willing to stick with this girl.

I have heard people talk about experiences like this and thought that these were wonderful experiences, but that God would never use me for something like that. That I am not knowledgeable enough or any of the other hundreds of ~~reasons~~ lies that Satan wanted me to believe. Today God blew that theory to bits and he made those bits turn to dust. This experience has made me realize that I need to fill up on even more of Him. To re-wallpaper my mind even more with God's Word so that I will be ready for the next time God uses me. Not if He uses me again - but when. Because after this experience I know He will definitely use me again. Needless to say, after church was over I was in my van all of 5 minutes and the thoughts of "this really wasn't that big of a deal... you didn't really do anything" flooded my mind. And I immediately realized Satan was back to his old tricks. And that is how I know this experience did matter today. Because Satan was not too happy about me reaching out to someone with God's love. Right after that one of my favorite songs came on the radio. It was like God saying "that's my girl...showing some of My love to others." He knew exactly what I needed to hear by playing that song on the radio.

I hope that God rocks your world this coming week as much as He has mine. We serve, love and worship an amazing God!

Love y'all!
Karen

Pink Hair!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-27T19:51:00.004-04:00

Pink hair. Never in a million years would I have thought I would have pink hair. About two weeks ago my friend Elicia colored her hair pink (and yes, she works at the church with me). It was so cool and I wanted to do it as well, but I wasn't sure if I could pull it off and I didn't have the money to spend on a dye job at the time. So when I went to Sally's Beauty Supply store I found out they have spray color and it was on sale. So I have hot pink, lime green and blue to try out. Today I tried pink. The beauty of this is that I can wash it out right away if I don't like it. I am totally diggin' on the hot pink and this coming weekend I may just go and get that dye job of blond and hot pink through my hair. Here is a picture of me from today with my hot pink spray job. It's so cool! LOL

Floored by Jesus

2008-07-27T16:34:00.004-04:00

Amazing. Busy. Tiring. Awesome. Awestruck. Excited. Changed. Thankful. That was my week this past week. There was alot that happened so be ready for a long read. LOL

Brookwood had "Adventure Week" aka VBS this week. Adventure Week was called "Slime Time" and it rocked. The Childrens' Ministry put so much work into this event and you could see it. Literally... see the You Tube video below. Each day it all started at 9:00am in the Auditorium with 300+ kids and their Crew Leaders for a half hour program that included games, skits and worship. The Worship was lead by the Student Band and had a Dance Team of Students to get the kids pumped. It was an amazing experience to see over 300 kids get into Worship the way that they did. Jumping up and down, arms in air talking about "telling the world" about Jesus and what a "happy day" it is because Jesus changes us and we'll never be the same. For months I have been asking God to show me how to get more involved in Worship... to show Danny ... to show us both how to do authentic worship that our amazing God would find pleasing. And to do it together in church. Well, this week He answered my prayers. When you see 300+ kids bring the house down with worship, you just get it. It's like a "light bulb" moment. (Both Danny and I grew up in conservative churches. Hence the reason for asking God to show us more about worship.) Danny was a Crew Leader this week. By Friday I could see a change in him. It completely floored me. I was thinking "He was a Crew Leader.... he was teaching the kids... why would he have a change?" But after thinking about it this is what I realized. The kids were being changed and learning and their excitement about it all cycled around to Danny. Isn't it amazing how God works?!!? By Friday Danny was in tears talking about how amazing this week was. How this week he learned as much if not more than the kids. And that just rocks my world because not only has it made an impact on Danny, but Danny is willing to share his thoughts and feelings to me about this experience. This week Danny got to sense and experience God's presence in a way he never has before. But he wasn't the only one. To be able to start my work day in worship with 400 people was amazing. Then to be able to turn around and do it again at 2pm just blessed my socks off. And on top of that I was able to experience this all with my husband since he was a Crew Leader. Amazing. We will never be the same when it comes to worship. This is just the beginning for us in our journey. I can honestly say that me and Danny are not the same people we were almost two years ago. God has done some mighty, awesome, scary, exciting and, extraordinary things in our lives since becoming a part of Brookwood. And this past week was just a small but amazing part of our journey. We will never be the same.

Now for another thing I was so blessed to be a part of.... I have been part of the Brookwood Praise Choir since Danny and I joined Brookwood in January of 2007. In November of 2007 I had to back off from Praise Choir because of all the hours I was working at Brookwood. Well this spring I realized that I HAVE to get back. That God wanted me back in it and that I needed it. Well, they take a break in the summer so I decided to start back in August when they resume. About three weeks ago our church was called by HIS Radio 89.3 and told that we were in the running for winning the opportunity to be the choir to sing on their road trip to Chick-Fil-A here in Greenville. After all the votes were counted we were the winners! We went to Chick-Fil-A on Woodruff Rd at 6:45am to sing on air off and on until 9am. To be in the outdoors with all the amazing people in our Praise Team, Praise Band and Praise Choir was such an experience. We were all there just to praise our amazing God. It just floored me (again) at how amazing our God is. To stand their and sing "God of This City" in public was amazing. To stand their and sing with my fellow Worship Team members near one of the busiest roads in Greenville just blessed me more than words can say. I was floored that God allowed me to be a part of this.

This week has made me even more excited about what God is going to teach me and Danny in the coming months. And I am floored that He would use us for anything. God is going to show us some mighty things. He already has. He is going to show Himself off to us and others in how He works in our lives. Have to end this post with this You Tube video of one of my new favorite songs - "Make It Matter" by Natalie Grant.

God Bless!
Karen

I Will Not Be Moved

2008-07-06T19:07:00.007-04:00

If this song doesn't make you shout by the end, I don't know what will. When this comes on the radio in my car, the kids know this one Momma turns up. The words are powerful and so rock my socks off. Enjoy! (You will need to pause my music list on the right side to enjoy the video.)

Unbalanced

2008-07-06T14:48:00.006-04:00

That is what has been happening the past three months. Over the past couple of weeks God has shown me I am just too unbalanced. It is one thing to be dedicated to your job; to want to be successful and (especially with working at a church) want to go above and beyond to help make the ministry successful. But to place it above all else, to focus on nothing else is not good. Not healthy. And not how God wants it. And I am so guilty of this. I didn't mean to get to this point. I couldn't even tell you how I got to this point. It just kinda happened. Don't get me wrong I love my job and the people I work with. I praise God each day that He has blessed me to work at Brookwood. It's just my life has been unbalanced and beginning tomorrow I am backing off a little. Meaning no more working late hours. As some of the folks say at church, you will never have everything done - there will always be something to do. I think the perfectionist in me was trying to prove to myself that I can get it all done. I have felt like I am floundering in the unknown territory of ministry. Growing up the way I did in the church that I grew up in, there was no such thing as ministry. No one ever "did" ministry. So this whole thing of ministry is brand new to me - unknown to me and lately I have felt like I am struggling in it. Struggling with finding my place. I feel guilty that I haven't balanced life and ministry/job. I've been wondering why God placed me where I am since I am new to everything I am experiencing at Brookwood. I am not as experienced as others. After an amazing heart to heart for two hours with my good friend Jill this weekend(who knows very well what goes on when you work in the ministry); I know that God has strategically placed me at Brookwood for this time. That He has plans to use me and that it's ok to not be perfect in everything I do - I am new to this and learning. God is so amazing in placing me at Brookwood when He did. To make me get out of my comfort zone, to stretch me alittle - to make me grow. And to connect me with people that will surround me with prayer, love and guidance as I go through this new season in my life.

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

"Remember ministry is not about position, it's about people. Let name after name be written on your heart. He who turns water in to wine, turns wimps into warriors. You have a ministry. Go fulfill it!" - Beth Moore

Finally!

2008-04-19T19:15:00.005-04:00

Hey y'all!

I finally was able to get an appointment with a special facility that will screen and test Alex. This makes me one very happy Mama! And it's not six months down the road like I thought it would be - it's in May. Praise Jesus! ("Heysus" to my yada yada sisters - LOL)

Here's the latest picture of Alex...

Just had to share...will share more later. I hope you all have a blessed Sunday! Here at home it will be a beautiful Spring Day and we are grillin' after church. Yummo!

Blessings~
Karen

The Lord's Prayer

2008-04-13T19:49:00.002-04:00

I just found this and had to post it. I am sure y'all have seen it but I had to post it. Too precious....

75 Days Away!!

2008-04-13T19:36:00.003-04:00

I just can't believe it!! I get to go to THIS! I am so excited! I have never seen Beth Moore live and my girl Mandisa will be there to help out with the worship. This is so rockin' my world right now! Only 75 days away! Woo-Hoo! Praise Jesus!
(I'm just a tad bit excited...)

Blogging, Boys and God = Crazy Goodness

2008-04-13T19:27:00.003-04:00

What's rockin'?

I have been looking around at some favorite blogs of mine and realize I miss blogging very much. You guys have been keeping busy since I last got on! There have been times I think about blogging, but I tend to think I need to write some long book. I have realized I need to let go of the expectations I put on myself to write something long and inspiring. I will be back writing, but it may be 5 short posts in a day or 1 long post in the day. I am letting go of my extremely high expectations of this blog. I am learning and experiencing so much in life right now that I need to come back to this place to get it out of my head.

I have so much I want to share. Life has been crazy good. Life has been challenging. Life has been stressful. Life has been fulfilling. Life has been. Through it all I see God working in amazing ways in my life and Danny's.

One way God is working on me and Danny is through our boys. My oldest, Avery has us thinking that he is ADD. We have had some difficulties with the school system in getting him the help he needs now instead of making him wait until he is well into first grade. Currently me and Danny are trying to figure out what school we should put him. We have decided that the public school system in our area is currently not good enough for our kids. We are praying for God to lead us in the direction we should go. We have several challenges. One is that it's late into the year for registering for the fall. Second is how much it will cost. But I know that God will provide a spot for Avery in the school that He wants him in and God will provide the finances for it as well. It's just hard for the planner in me to not know what is going to happen now. My youngest, Alex is behind for his age and I have been told that he may be mildly autistic or that he has a mild learning disability. So we are trying to get him figured out. I was trying to take care of Avery first and then move on to tackling Alex's issues. But God apparently wants me to work on both of them at the same time since Alex is becoming more of an issue in Childcare.

My life is at a fast pace right now with "I don't knows" sprinkled in with some doubts and insecurities. Yet I have some glimpses of where God wants me to be and how to get there. More and more I am realizing (and so is Danny)that God is just working on us because He loves us something crazy. And He has a specific plan for simple people like us. He has blessed us so much and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us. And what we are going to learn from the journey.

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Sanctuary = An Awesome Bible

2008-04-13T18:09:00.007-04:00

Ok. I just got a new Bible (to add to my growing collection) and I had to share it with y'all. It's called the "Sanctuary" Bible. It's a women's devo Bible and has devos for the week and weekend "built into" the Bible. First of all, it's just pretty. And I LOVE me some pretty. Second, it's in the version I am growing to love -
the New Living Translation (NLT). On Sundays my church has been using verses from the NLT and they just pop out to me. So I am really excited about this Bible and what I will learn from it. I think the best price I have seen for it is at Christian Book.com. If you have one, or if you get one, please comment and let me know what you think about it. I would love to hear your thoughts about this Bible.

Blessings to you and yours~
Karen

Life Is Good!

2008-02-17T19:56:00.012-05:00

Hello y'all!

Boy have I been away for awhile!! Life has been so amazing and fast these days. To give you guys an update, I am now an Admin Assistant for Students and Music at the most AMAZING church ever, Brookwood Church. I absolutely adore my job! This job is more than a job - it's a ministry and I love that I am a part of those ministries.

My boys are doing great! Avery is doing well in school. And Alex is actually using a few more words. We are looking at getting him evaluated because he is behind in his age group. Danny is doing really well. He is playing the part of Stay At Home Dad. Our car broke down again soon after Christmas and one week ago we bought a new used van that we LOVE. It has alot of room and perks that we will get to enjoy on road trips. In March I will be going to my first ever Women's Retreat at The Cove (NC). I am so excited to see what God has for me to hear at this retreat. Plus I get to room with some awesome women from my church. I KNOW I am going to have a blast!! Then at the end of March I get to go the Extraordinary Women's Conference with another great group of women from the church.

Now I have to share this.... on Friday me and Danny (along with Laurel - my best friend and a couple that we know via church - Natalia and Thomas) went to Winter Jam. It was AWESOME!!! The performers were MercyMe, Mandisa, Skillet, BarlowGirl, Newsong and some others I can't remember. I went to see Mandisa, Barlowgirl and MercyMe. Mandisa was AMAZING! That girl can get her praise on y'all! I was thinking we would just see them sing, but they ended up doing autographs as well. When we found out that Mandisa was signing during break, I ran with Laurel to get in line to meet Mandisa.

I was 4th or so in line. My heart was just pounding thinking that in a few moments Mandisa would be walking out to sign my mini-poster. Laurel is such a great friend. She said that she would take a picture of me and Mandisa if Mandisa ok'ed it. So here I am praying that Mandisa will be ok with a photo. Then, she came out. In her jeans with black sequins (which totally rocked by the way) and black lace top. She was gorgeous! So the teenagers in front of me got their signature and picture and left. Then it was my turn. She smiled at me with her big smile and said "I love your hair!". Then she signed my mini-poster. Laurel proceeded to tell her I am her biggest fan (LOL). Y'all, the moment you are in her presence you don't see haughtiness, you see humbleness. She is genuine. Her love for God and people just radiate. It was amazing. I asked her if she would mind getting a picture with me and she said to come on over to her to get one. She didn't just stand next to me - she just squeezed real close to me and put her arm around me. The picture you see below is what Laurel took at that moment. I was hoping the picture would turn out because I was beginning to tear up from the excitement of it all. I told her thank you and then Laurel and I walked away. Then the moment caught up with me and I just bawled to Laurel about how awesome it was. I felt silly for crying over that (and told Laurel so) but she helped me realize that it wasn't so silly. She is just really inspirational to me. Before I got to meet Mandisa, I bought her book from her table ("Idoleyes"). I have wanted to read it for awhile and just hadn't had a chance to get it. I am almost done with it. I am floored that her struggles with food and the reasons why she struggles are so like me. I wish I had read it before I met her so I could have communicated to her how much it means to me to know that I am not alone in the struggles with life and food and how encouraging she is to me.

So at the end of the concert me and Danny got in line to meet BarlowGirl. First of all, their performance was GREAT! We need more role models like BarlowGirl and less like Britany Spears. BarlowGirl rocks! They are so cool in person. They loved my wedding ring - LOL. They were at a table and the rule was that you couldn't go around the table to be by them. So I didn't think I could get a picture with them. They proceeded to tell me to just lean in on the table and they would do a picture with me. How awesome was that!? So below is the picture that came from that moment.

Well guys, I have alot more to write but I am out of time. I gotta head to bed for work tomorrow. There is more I would love to post and will have to catch up on that later on this week.

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Pictures!

2007-12-16T15:37:00.000-05:00

I don't have too long to write... but wanted to catch up with some pictures. Avery had Grandparents Day at school for lunch. So Danny's Mom and my Mom got to eat a special lunch with Avery this past week. That is what the pictures are from. Also, I threw in a picture of Avery and Alex working on letters on my Mom's computer. It was so funny I had to capture the moment. I'll catch up more when I can.

Blessings and Hugs!
Karen

Happy Veteran's Day!

2007-11-12T15:47:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to take a moment to thank all you Veteran's out there. My family and I appreciate all the sacrifices you have made to keep our country free. God Bless Y'all! And everyone else, please don't forget to thank a Veteran today. They have done so much for us.

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Selah

2007-11-08T12:43:00.000-05:00

This song is in one of my favorite movies - "The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood". I looked up the lyrics today and they are SO good. It's really spoke me today and I just had to share. (At least for today, this is the first one playing on my playlist here.)

Have a blessed day!
Karen

Selah - by Lauryn Hill

Nothing can be done against the truth
No matter how we remain in denial
Wasting time
Replacing time
With each empty excuse
But that'll only work a little while
Coping with despair
Knowing you're not there
Ashamed to just admit
I've been a fool
So I blame it on the Son
Run away from everyone
Hoping to escape this ridicule
Trapped in misery
Wrapped so miserably
In this deception that I'm wearing like a skin

Dying to maintain
Oh I keep trying to explain
A heart that never loved me to begin
Oh I'm such a mess
I have no choice but to confess
That I've been desperately trying to belong
Lying to myself
And everybody else
Refusing to admit my right was wrong

And then He came
Selah
And it means
Praise and meditation
And then He came
Selah
And it means
Did you think about that?
And then He came
Selah
Oh and it means
Praise and meditation
And then He came
Selah
Oh and it means
That it is sealed

How beautiful is fruit still in denial of its roots?
My guilty heart behaved so foolishly
This treason from within
That reasons with my sin
Won't be happy till it sees the death of me
Selfishly addicted
To a life that I depicted
Conflicted cuz it's not reality
Oh what's left of me
I beg you desperately
Cause me to agree with what I know is best for me
Please save me from myself
I need You to save me from myself
Please save me from myself so I can heal

The choices that Ive made
Oh have been nothing but mistakes
What a wasted use of space
Should I die before I wake?
In all of my religion
I've fortified this prison
Obligated to obey
The demands of bad decisions

Please save me from myself
I need You to save me from myself
Please save me from myself so I can heal

And then He came
Selah
And it means
Praise and meditation
And then He came
Selah
And it means
Did you think about that?
And He came
Selah
Oh and it means
Meditation
And then He came
Selah
Oh and it means
That it is sealed

And then He came
And then He came
Then He came, then He came, then He came
And then He came

I Haven't Abandoned Y'all!!

2007-11-04T17:57:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

I don't have alot of time to write here, but I wanted to give alittle bit of an update on how things are going.

I know it has been quite awhile since I have been on, but things have been kinda hectic to say the least. My Grandma passed away, then my brother was wounded in Iraq and then our car has broken down two times. It has been a month!! My family and I appreciate all of your prayers for my brother. Paul is doing better. He is here at home with my folks while he recuperates. What happened to him was this. He triggered the plate that set off a bomb in a house he was checking out. He got shrapnel all over pretty good, broke his right foot and had his pinky toe on his right foot amputated. Apparently, the pinky toe is the most important toe for balance so once the foot heals from being broken he will have to learn how to balance without his pinky toe. He may or may not be going back. It all depends on how his recovery goes. His injuries could have been so much worse. We are so thankful that they weren't!! Please continue your prayers for him. I appreciate them all so very much!!

Danny was able to get a job at UPS which is awesome because they are a GREAT company to work with and a VERY stable company. We are so thankful that God has provided this job for Danny! I am still doing some temporary work at our church and loving it very much.

I have alot on my mind that I would love to write about and hopefully when things calm down some here I will be able to write about it all.

I hope y'all are having a great fall so far! Below are a couple of pictures of me and Danny at my parents church and of Alex and Avery at my parent's church's Fall Festival. I have decided to try to grow my hair out ... we'll see how it goes. It's been short for around five years. So I don't know if I will have the patience to have it grow out or not. LOL

I should be back on soon and until then I hope y'all are doing well!

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Prayers Needed

2007-10-14T17:23:00.000-04:00

Please keep my brother, Paul, in your prayers. He is currently serving in Iraq and was wounded by a bomb on Wednesday. He is currently recovering overseas and should be sent home very soon to continue his recovery. My family and I would greatly appreciate your prayers for him during this time.

Hugs and Blessings~
Karen

Grandma

2007-10-05T13:14:00.000-04:00

Cornbread and tea at Grandma's house. Sunday afternoon lunches with a Sunday afternoon ride in Grandma's car afterwards. $20.00 ~~bribe~~ "prize" money for NOT biting my nails. Summer trips to Savannah, GA - just me and my Grandma. Avery making Sunday afternoon visits to see Grandma at her assisted living apartment. Precious memories of my Grandma. Thursday, October 4th around 12:00pm my Grandma passed away. I have never known life with out Grandma being in it. She has lived in the same house since my Dad was in high school. Her house has never been more than 20 minutes away from wherever I have lived. It's really strange and sad that she won't be around anymore. And I will miss her greatly. I disagreed with her on some of her views. But I still loved that feisty, independent, strong woman. She was a great Grandma to me and my brothers. She was 84 years old and lived a very full life. Some would say that it was time. And I knew that it was... but I thought she would be around for awhile longer because she was such a strong woman. I was fortunate enough to see her in the hospital two days before she passed. She looked so weak. So frail. So different. I saw two sides of life that night that I will never forget. The end of life and the beginning of life. Right after visiting my Grandma in the hospital I decided to go to the famous 6th floor of the hospital - the Maternity floor - the same 6th floor my precious boys were born on. I was able to see the beautiful and precious beginnings of life. A pair of twins had JUST been born - a boy and a girl. Full of life. That sweet aroma of "new baby" was in the halls. Behind the glass were those sweet babies with rosy, pink skin and heads full of dark hair. Precious as can be. And I kept thinking how only two floors below me my Grandma was struggling to live. And how we don't have alot of time here. That God wants us to use this life to the fullest to bring Him honor and glory. It made me realize even more so that this life is precious. This life is a gift from God. This life is fleeting. And that this is not home. That you have to live life to the fullest NOW and not later when you can get things in perfect order - because things will never be in perfect order. This life is not about us - it's about Him.

I love my Grandma. And my hope is that she is resting in peace.

(I may not be able to get on for the next few days due to helping my family during this time. Please know I love y'all and I am thinking about you.)

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Thankful Thursday - 2nd Edition

2007-09-27T20:57:00.000-04:00

"He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord." - Psalm 40:3
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing..." - Psalm 30:11

It's Thankful Thursday and time to praise our God, girls!

I am thankful for ...

1) ... God's Word. It has really helped me through some tough issues I have been going through. Put simply... His Word is awesome!

2) ... the "physical" hands and feet of Jesus shown by many people at our church. They have truly been there for me and Danny with open arms. These past two weeks have been quite a challenge for us, yet such a tremendous blessing because of Jesus working through these precious people.

3) ... the leaders of the Children's Ministry at our church. They really and truly love our Alex (and Avery, too) and want to help in anyway possible to get Alex where he needs to be.

4) ... that God laid it on my heart to teach the two year olds at my church. It is a little bit of a stretch for me to be teaching the twos. I don't think of myself as a very good public speaker - even to two year olds. That's what is stretching me some. But I know (and when you know girls, you just know) God wants me there and I am really enjoying it. This past Sunday was really good and I can't wait for this Sunday!

5) ... God's timing. It just "so happens" I am going through Beth Moore's "A Woman's Heart" study with my Bible study group at church. This past week was about God's provision. It is so powerful to be studying that while going through the "wilderness" myself.

For more TT, please click here.

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

The Queen Is Back, Y'all!

2007-09-23T20:54:00.000-04:00

Oh my gracious!! I can hardly contain myself!! I just found out that they are making a sequel to the movie "Elizabeth" with Cate Blanchett. It's called "Elizabeth: The Golden Age". Y'all - it looks SO GOOD! Click on the picture and you will go to the movie website. I will have to somehow see this when it comes out. I just love reading and studying about this time period - it's just fascinating to me. There is one review of this movie on Yahoo and they loved it. I have a feeling this is going to be a good one and I hope Cate Blanchett wins an Oscar this time for playing Elizabeth.

Hugs and Blessings~
Karen

Delightful Hodgepodge

2007-09-23T16:07:00.000-04:00

Hello!

I don't have much to blog about today (or time), but I did want to drop by to tell y'all hi.

Tomorrow I will be setting up a pediatrician appointment for Alex to get evaluated. Please pray that God guides me and Danny in this situation. We want to help Alex in anyway that we can to get him caught up to where he needs to be. Tuesday, Danny should find out about the UPS job. The Puppet Ministry that Danny is heading up is really taking flight. He is so excited about it all! It has been changed to where they will have a puppet "performance" every Sunday instead of once a month. I am so glad that Danny found a ministry that he can work in that really fits his personality. This weekend we received a FREE dryer from someone at our church - God provides, girls!! Now I just need a computer... LOL!!

Well, I am about to head out to my Love and Logic class (parenting class). If I am not able to get back on today, y'all have a great Monday!

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

God's Workin' On Me Somethin' Fierce!

2007-09-21T13:22:00.001-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Hey girls!

This week has been a week, y'all. I don't think I have ever experienced such a range of emotions in one week's time. When Danny lost his job at The Truck Farm I knew it was a "God Thing". Danny was working extremely long hours. Long hours that kept him away from church activities and from our family. I really think God wanted Danny to slow down some and the only way was to take The Truck Farm away. Even with that going through my head and me considering it was a blessing that he was no longer at The Truck Farm, I was still stressed out about what we were going to do financially until he found a new job. The stress of that and the news that Alex (my youngest) needs to be evaluated because he maybe "mentally" behind in his age group, just had a grip on me this week. I tell y'all - God is workin' on me somethin' fierce. In front of my sweet group of Bible Study ladies I just broke down crying (something I haven't done before - I usually don't just cry in public). I had my socks blessed off by Beth Moore during the video (it was about God providing) and I had all these frustrations, worries, concerns, and more worries built up so much that I just "exploded" to my Bible study group. They were so sweet!! Just another reason why I love my church so much - they completely understood and were nothing but supportive of me. Especially my group leader. She was just such an awesome encouragement to me! We talked for a good while after group. Just hugging and crying and her pointing me to the only One that will see me and my family through this. And she asked me a question that curiously enough had to do with alot of things I was reading this week online and through daily email devotions - Are you in the Word? Are you starting your day (everyday) by spending time with Him first? So obviously with as much as I am running into this subject this week, I get the message He is giving me - "GET IN MY WORD, GIRL!!!" Now I wasn't upset or offended at all by my Bible study leader talking to me about getting into the Word. It was something I needed to hear and she said it with nothing but love.

Then, Thursday (day after Bible study) I was called by the church. They were offering me a temporary part-time job until the end of the year. Obviously, I grabbed the opportunity and said a few PTL's. (LOL) He is Jehovah-Jireh, girls (not that I doubted it before - it has just been reinforced) and I actually saw it in action this week. Danny had a walk through at UPS on Thursday morning and should know by Tuesday if he has the job or not. I am praying hard that this happens only if God wants Danny there. The really nice thing with UPS - their health, dental and vision insurance is completely FREE. And Danny would have vacation and sick time. There are also a couple of other opportunities for him. We are completely trusting God to provide exactly what Danny needs for a job and to guide us in where Danny should go.

PTL, my stress and worry from earlier this week has "somehow" gone away. I believe that my God took it away and filled me with a "peace that passeth all understanding". Here is a portion of Scripture that has really touched my heart and has been read and re-read since I found it. I have highlighted the whole chapter in my Bible because it's just that good.

"Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons-- Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He has broken the gates of bronze, And cut the bars of iron in two." Psalm 107:10-16

I don't know about y'all.... but there has been many a time that I have rebelled and done what I wanted to do without praying about it and taking it to the Lord. Times I have thought I could fix things myself. That I can do what I want. And each time I (we - Danny and me) fall flat on my face.

God is awesome y'all! I don't think I have ever felt so worked on by Him. It's alittle "hard" and "challenging", yes. But I know that He is doing it because He cares about me and loves me.

I won't be back on until Sunday girls, so I hope y'all have a great weekend! I should be back Sunday with several posts. I have alot on my mind that I want to write about! (LOL)

Blessings and Hugs ~
Karen

Avery's First School Project

2007-09-16T22:21:00.001-04:00

Hey y'all!

This post is more for me for memories-sake than for anyone else. Avery (with some assistance from me) completed his first school project tonight here at Mimi's house. It's a poster collage of things that are all about him. It actually turned out really cute. He picked the pictures to use and his name is in pipe cleaners.

(Please pardon the mother that is looking kinda fried in the picture. See, this momma ran out of "hair-stuff" to make my new do look decent. So kinda just ignore her.)

Now, Alex was wanting to be included as well. So we had him do his own mini-project with dinosaur stickers. LOL

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Neglected Knee-Usage

2007-09-15T14:40:00.000-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Hello y'all!

I happen to be drying some laundry here at my Mom's (yes, my washer and dryer has been broken for awhile now. But PTL, I got a washer for FREE from a friend of a sweet friend of my mine from church. Thank you, Donna-Leigh!!!). I was looking around in "Blogland" (or Bloggityville as some refer to it) and found this really great post over at FaithLifts. I promise y'all, I will be writing something of my own here in the coming days, but I really wanted to share this.

This post really hit home as I am horribly guilty of neglecting my knees. Since I know that, I need to get my knees-in-gear and my nose in the Book. I am doing better since getting into a Bible study. But I'm sorry... pretty good is not good enough for me - let alone good enough for my awesome God who takes care of me.

Click here to get to this post and I hope you enjoy it!

Blessings~
Karen

Let's Live Well, Girls!

2007-09-14T14:06:00.000-04:00

Ok... this is really my last post of the day since I have to go grab Avery from school in a few minutes. But I just found this and wanted to post about it really quick. It's sort of a challenge from Darlene over at Christian Women Online. I read the whole premise of this and I am so on the wagon to do this. Please click on the button up above to get all the details. It's time to "live well" girls! Here's a small portion of what Darlene had to say that really hit home for me:

"If the body is the envelope of the spirit and soul, doesn’t it only make sense to work from the inside out? If you’re at the point in your life where your body, your home, your family, or your spiritual life is slipping out of control, it’s time to get behind the wheel of the car and start gaining control. Or as singing sensation, Carrie Underwood, would say, “Jesus Take the Wheel.”" - Darlene Schacht

As it says in 1 Corinthians 9:25 - "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things." I have got to rein in alot of things in my life. Darlene suggested making a list of things you feel like you should be working on to be temperate in. Well, here's a short list of my things to become temperate in. But I can only become temperate in these things with God giving me the strength. When I accomplish these things (notice I said when) it will all be to His glory.

* Set aside time in the morning to be with God through reading His Word and journaling.

* Eat smaller portions at meals.

* Drink more water and less (gulp!?!?) Diet Coke. ("I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength..." Philippians 4:13)

* Get into some sort of exercise routine. (Possibly walking the mall??)

* Help Danny in any way I can, to get a job that will be a challenge for him and yet also be able to get us financially settled. We desperately desire the refreshing feeling of being financially stable.

* Stop comparing myself to others.

* Understand my boys better and how to discipline them based on their individual personality "bent". So that motherhood will be a joy for me and not a burden.

Well, that is all I have right now. I am sure I will have more to add to the list later on. (LOL) I hate to cut this short, but I can't leave my little man standing around looking hopelessly for his Momma to come and get him.

Again, have a blessed day girls!

Hugs and Blessings~
Karen

Mom and Dad

2007-09-14T13:22:00.000-04:00

Well here's a glimpse of where I come from. They never take a picture together. It's like pulling teeth. (LOL) But somehow my brother Paul got this picture of them while they were at Chimney Rock this summer (it's the location of where the movie "The Last of the Mohican's" was filmed). So I thought I would post it real quick since I came across it. On September 2nd they celebrated 29 years of marriage. They have come A LONG way (I'm not bustin' on y'all Mom and Dad - LOL). But the next picture is the funniest. At least to our family. See... my Dad has NEVER mowed the lawn. NEVER. He has really bad allergies to grass. My Mom always did it until my brothers were old enough and then at that point they only helped sometimes. Well, after 29 years of marriage I guess my Dad thought it was time to show some "love" to my Mom. He mowed the lawn. This picture is just too precious. It makes me laugh each time I have seen it. So maybe after Danny and I have been married for 29 years, Danny will then put his dirty clothes in the hamper... there is hope! LOL

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Rockin' Bloggin'

2007-09-14T11:40:00.000-04:00

Blessings girls!

Today is such a dreary day here in SC and with my "challenging" circumstances lately (see past posts for details) it would be easy to have this be a pity party/worry-till-my-hair-turns-gray day. But for some reason I am not in that kind of "party mode". I really think God has given me peace in my heart about everything going on. Because I can't explain it any other way. I also think some of it has to do with all your blogs I've been reading today. They are all really encouraging. I just love y'all!

I found a couple new blogs and I wanted to "spotlight" them here and share the blessing...

Girlfriends of God... I just read this post and my jaw dropped. It was such a great post. I couldn't do it justice in doing a mini-summation of it so please go here to read it.

His Word Is Life To Me ... This is a friend of Patty's over at Girlfriends of God. She just loves God's Word and loves sharing it with all us ladies. Great, great blog! Check out this recent post that was a good kick-in-the-rear for me.

I may not be able to get back on until Sunday... so if I am not on before then - I hope y'all have a great weekend!

Hugs and Blessings~
Karen

"He Believes In You"

2007-09-13T14:29:00.001-04:00

I just have a second, but I wanted to share this with y'all. It's the lyrics to one of the songs on the CD "How You Live". It just a plain good song that really speaks to me right now ...

He Believes In You
(co-written by Nichole Nordeman)

You're not hearing the answers
You've been praying for
You try and try
Can't find an open door
You're not seeing the miracles
Not a one in sight
And the way you feel
You sure need one tonight
Your faith is crumbling
Your feet are stumbling
It's so hard to believe in Him

But He believes in you
When you're at your weakest
And hope's still burning through the night
But you can't see it
You know in your heart He loves you
But at those moments when you can't believe it's true
He believes in you

Chin deep in the water
You tried walking on
And you reach for Him
And you think He's gone
He's still there beside you
With His stubborn love
No He never left
And He won't give up
He will protect you
Until you're rescued
Oh there's nothing He can't do

'Cause He believes in you
When you're at your weakest
And hope's still burning through the night
But you can't see it
You know in your heart he loves you
But in those moments when you can't believe it's true
He believes in you

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

How Do You Live?

2007-09-13T10:59:00.000-04:00

God has blessed me with such a wonderful life! Yes, there are (see post below) and have been some challenges. Yes, I have not handled some things the way I should have. But enough looking back. Enough. I am always looking back and then judging myself on past actions. When I need to look forward. Yes, it's ok to look back to see what you have learned. Mistakes are opportunities to learn, right. But when I talk about looking back, I mean dwelling on it. Thinking that you are only worth the mistakes you have made. Or thinking of all the mistakes I have made and then feeling like a stupid moron for those mistakes made so that when you try to make a decision on something in the present it's hard to because you don't want to be a stupid moron again. Does anybody else understand my crazy train of thought? I just need to realize I can't do anything to change the past. I can't do anything to make it as if past mistakes didn't happen. I can learn from it though and MOVE ON. Something I am not so good at, but I am working hard on.

Now, what made me think of all of this? Point of Grace's new CD "How You Live". It is by the far the most bestest (I know that is not a word, but I am making it one here...LOL) CD they have put out yet! The music itself is very good and the lyrics just had me crying (Family, yes I know, in my "old age" I have become the one that cries at Hallmark commercials). It just really hit home for me. If you don't have it, please go run and get this CD!! You won't regret it!!

Here's the lyrics from the song "How You Live" (which was written by Cindy Morgan):

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
And have what you want but want what you have
And don't spend your life looking back

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been
It's not who you knew, it's not what you did, it's how you live.

So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
Go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Face it and you'll be ok

Wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin
So give to the needy and pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do it bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
And make peace with God
And make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end there's nobody else

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Thankful Thursday - 1st Edition

2007-09-13T10:28:00.000-04:00

I am thankful for...

1) ... God being Jehovah-Jireh. He provides what you need when you need it.

2) ... God being faithful.

3) ... Danny losing his job at The Truck Farm. It means God has something better in store for him.

4) ... my boys. As much of a challenge as they are (see post below) I love them dearly and I am so thankful for them. They sand off the rough edges of my personality (as my Mom says).

5) ... my church. My church is awesome! I have never felt this way about any church I have been in. I have learned so much since being there. This is definitely where God wants our family to be.

6) ... my brother, Paul. (Will I love you too... LOL) Paul is fighting for us over in Iraq. As much of a pain as he was growing up... I love him and my family is very proud of him. Be safe, Paul!!

7) ... my Mom's computer being fixed. It runs so wonderful, I can now blog again. Thanks Mom!!

What are you thankful for? It can't be nothing, because our God is awesome and blesses us far more than we deserve! Please comment so I can come by and look at your list of blessings.

For more TT, go here.

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Warning: This Is A Non-Sugar Coated Area

2007-09-13T09:28:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all!

I know it's been a few days, but things have been kinda hectic around here lately. The verse up above is basically how I feel right now. I promised y'all I wouldn't sugar-coat things around here.(LOL) This is a very real place....

God is really working on me. I can feel it. He is definitely pressing me to get to where I need to be - dependent on Him and not on anything of this world is definitely one area. Financially things are really difficult right now. The place where Danny was working (yes, was - I will go into that later on here) had made changes in how they would pay their employees commissions and salary. With all these changes, Danny hasn't been paid what we were thinking he was was going to get. It's all kinda confusing so I won't get into all the boring details. Danny sold about four or five cars last month. Which I think is great for a new pre-owned car salesman. But apparently that wasn't enough. They let Danny go yesterday - but on good terms. They said that he is not a pre-owned car salesman. That he would be great as a new car salesman. So today he will find out if he can get on at a big Kia Dealership here in our town. Please pray that if this is where Danny should be that the Lord busts the doors wide open. The pay would be much better and this dealership has a huge amount of business(there were days when Danny would be at The Truck Farm from 9am until 8pm and not a single person would come by). I find it really funny how God works. My current Bible study at church is Beth Moore's "A Woman's Heart - God's Dwelling Place". It's about the tabernacle. This week's "homework" is a study on the wilderness and how the Israelites had to depend on God to provide. Ain't that somethin'?! I think I will be doing the whole week's "homework" in one sitting today. (LOL)

Now onto my other "challenge(s)". My kids. Alex specifically. I love that boy to pieces!! I know God gave him to me to teach me something. I know that God chose me to be his mother because I was the only one suited. And I wouldn't trade him for a million girls. But I just don't know what to do with him. Lately, whenever we go to church, he seems to be the challenging child of the group. The Alex I have at home is a VERY stubborn child, VERY curious child, and VERY sneaky child. Yet Alex is also a VERY loving child, VERY funny child and VERY creative child. When I was doing some work at church, he would go into childcare at church. Almost everyday, I was told he had a rough day. I think there were only a couple of "good" days. One day, he didn't get his way and he didn't want to be in timeout. So the teacher had to have Alex sit by her and he bit his own arms (almost cutting through skin) while screaming mad. I tell y'all - there were days that while I was leaving it took all I had not to cry while going out the door. Who wants their child to be the tough one of the group? I just don't understand him. Yesterday, the ministry leader for his age group watched him while I was in Bible Study. I love her dearly!! Her name is Patti Jo and she loves children. She especially loves helping special needs children. So you know she has patience and a heart for kids. She said that they had a rough day with Alex. And I just cried. I told her I just don't know what to do with him sometimes. She just hugged me and told me that she loves Alex sooo much. She told me that she specifically asked to be in the room he was going to be in because she loves him dearly. She told me that she has some ideas to run by me. So sometime this week I will be talking to her to get some ideas on how to make being with Alex a blessing and not a challenge. Avery has had his times lately too.... he is just VERY mouthy. Again, I love him dearly and wouldn't trade him for a million girls - but there are somedays I just want to say "why, Lord?" because I just don't know what to do. Right now, Danny and I are going through a class called Love and Logic. We are hoping that this will give us some guidance in how to handle our two boys. I love Avery and Alex so much... I want my joy back in being their Mom. I want it to be a blessing to be their Mom. I want my boys to focus all this "energy" they have into growing up to be awesome men of God.

Well, I gotta get going. Sorry this was nothing inspirational or fun. It's just what is going on with me right now.

I know my God is looking out for me. He is Jehovah-Jireh (a name for Him that I have just recently learned and I absolutely love). I know my God loves me. I know my God has plans to prosper me and not to harm me. I know that through all of this my God is greatly to be praised. For He is good no matter if I am going through storms or sunshine.

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen

Happy Grandparents Day!

2007-09-09T21:48:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to wish all you Grandparents out there a VERY Happy Grandparents Day! I know myself and my family love all the Grandparents in our family and couldn't imagine our lives without them in it. We appreciate all that they do!

Love y'all!
Karen

Welcome!

2007-09-09T19:50:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all! Let me first extend a big, warm, Southern welcome to my new spot in the blogging world! I am so excited about this new spot of mine! For anyone new, my old blog is here and you can go back to check out my past ramblings when you get a chance. I hope you enjoy your time here. I want this to be a place of encouragement. A place to get and be real. I hate being fake or putting up a facade! I have been doing the facade thing for years and that "hat" has been retired. I am so excited to see what God has in store for this blog of mine! Please know that so many of you bless my socks off that I tend to think my few words are not that important. That what I have to say won't really help anyone. But that is wrong and that is the Enemy whispering in my ear (he's good at that). If this place only helps me in seeing how awesome God is working in my life - then that is an important enough reason to do this. If someone else happens to be blessed with my meager words, it will be completely because of God and not because of anything of me.

I hope to see you often! Currently, I am only be able to post about 3-5 times a week. Please comment when you can. I love hearing from people and meeting new people! I promise I don't bite... LOL.

Blessings and Hugs~
Karen