I feel lost....

So, this past weekend we went to the beach and I took my Verizon Internet card with me just in case I wanted to get on my sister in laws (Susan) laptop while we were there (yes, I was going to get up to date on here)... Well, I only used 1 time on the way down there and I know for a fact I stuck it back in my pocketbook. I even saw it in there a couple of times... Well Sunday we got back and Eric wanted to get on the Internet and guess what???? I have LOST my Verizon Internet card... Yep, just got made the first huge payment on it on Thursday before we left to go to the beach and now it is missing... Susan has clean her car out, I have gone through everything that we took, cleaned my pocket book out (it needed it anyway), another couple that went with us car broke down and they have to go back and get it and he is going to see if the owners of the house will let him go back in so he can look around for it. I am still waiting on rather or not he has found it or not but it is not looking good... Bad thing about it is that we got it for free cause and now I am going to have to pay the full retail for it cause I didn't get the insurance. I don't think he ask me if I wanted to get insurance or not cause I would have cause I knew this was going to happen sooner or later... So, until we find it or until I go and get another one I will be getting behind cause I have no way to post pictures or the time to really go update at work... Pray that it is found soon!!!!!!!!

Frazzle Female

On Thursday night myself and some of other crazy gals went to hear Cindi Wood that wrote Frazzle Female speak at Taylor's First Baptist. Her hold thing on "Frazzle" is was taught out from the story of Mary and Martha. Well you know our church and has had a Mary and Martha year I believe all the ladies I heard speak this year from Kathi Mumpower, Sherry Vaughn and Ruthie Neely (which by the way are wonderful speakers) all have spoke on this subject and you know that little passage in Luke 10:38-42 has been brought in some many wonderful different ways. It is something that all of us women near to hear... You know we don't have to be a Mary or a Martha we just need to have both in us...We need to sit at the feet of Jesus but we are also called to be servants. Here are some things that she spoke about...

1. You have a choice! You can't control other people but you can control your attitude and you have to let God take care of them. Even the little things as the sock ball, let God take care of that. John 16:33 and Matt 5:3

2. Are you to busy? Pray about what God has you doing? We do things for Him but are we stopping to love on Him.

3. Keep an on going dialogue w/ God going all day. If you are angry about something take it to God instead of your sisters. Mark 6:31

4.Let Jesus help you through the day, pray about your house work and all your daily life stuff.. He saved us so let go to him for your power to get through the day.

5. Don't have a quite time take baby steps to develop one. Everyone has distractions just don't let Satan win by getting discourage and not spending time w/ God each day.

6. When you sit at Jesus feet you are...
.more patient
.you have peace
.you have a mind like Jesus

Now some fun things I learn..

1. Rhonda does not drive fast when she is talking and driving.

2. There is a traffic light before you get to the church and I didn't notice that on the way there, but it was all good they found us..

3. Joy doesn't like her food mix up and will play with it to make it look like she ate something and even put it on others plates but she does love little pumpkins

4. Always bring a jacket, it was freezing cold....

5. Me nor Rhonda brought a camera so we could post pictures on our blogs..

All in all it was a great night and I had a fun time hanging out with some ladies I never get to...

I also would like to thank Shay for getting this all together for us, she was unable to go in the end cause her father had emergency eye surgery. Please keep Shay, her father and the rest of the family in your prayers.

Fireproof

On Friday night we went with some couples from our Sunday school class and some ladies to see Fireproof. If you have not already gone and seen do so... It is such a wonderful movie and every couple needs to see it, even single people. Eric hates going to the movies so I had to plan a date night for our Sunday school class just so he would go.. He loved it too. The folks in GA have done a wonderful job with this and brings the gospel to you in such a great way. You will laugh, you will cry and you will feel like you are in the movie.. The book that is used in the movie LoveDare is worth every couple doing and it is on sale at Christian Supply for $9.97, I am headed there today to get my copy.. I have to say this is the best movie that I have seen in a while... Some little info about it that I thought was great...

1. It was only suppose to be in select theater for a limited time... Spartan 16 has had it there I think for 5 weeks and are still playing it on 2 screens on the weekend....
2. Kirk Cameron use to be an atheist now he is such a wonderful man of God that him nor his wife (she was also the girl he married on Growing Years) will kiss or do any love scenes. She was the stand in for the movie during those times.
3. If you saw Facing the Giants the main guy in that has a part in this

Go see FireProof if you haven't and if you have leave me comments on what you thought of the movie...

Boo In The Zoo

This past Saturday Eric and I took Tyler to Boo In The Zoo at Greenville Zoo. It was really fun for him cause he had never been before so it was something new. They put all the animals up except for the reptiles that are in that room and some of the birds. Different companies around Greenville come in and pass out candy to kids. It really is something good but next year we will have to remember to go on members time so it will not be so crowded... This year Tyler wanted to be Bibleman, not sure why cause he doesn't watch it... I think it has to just with the name, cape and the mask... I would rather him be that than something scary or gory... Here are a few pics of Tyler as Bibleman...

Fall Festival

10/11/08
The church fall festival was a couple of Saturday ago and I hated that I didn't get to help out any but with Eric working on side jobs and Ryan had to work as much as Stephen is a great big brother I knew that he would not watch Tyler like he would be need to be watch for at least an hour. So instead he was sent to help with the youth sale Zaxby. I dropped him off around 12 and I didn't go back until 2 so I am hoping he did help... I do fill guilty when I don't help out with a great event like this cause I know it takes alot of people to make this such a successful event.. Hopefully next year I can...

Anyway, my sister in law Susan came and picked me and Tyler up and we went with her and her kids Preston and Emily. I think the boys had a great time and Emily was just happy going down and playing on the play ground. Here are a couple of pics from the day...

Tyler on the bull, that is all we heard about until he got there and rode it.

Preston, Tyler and Emily

Tyler and Preston working together on some ride. I was so proud of them they did great..

Not only did we get some fun family time in but I also meet up with a dear long lost friend of mine... I couple of months ago I was on Facebook one day and I notice that somebody had left a comment on Brian friend Mary Beth page and I knew the name and I was 100% sure that it was the same person but I knew she wouldn't know me or remember cause the last time I had seen her she was 2 but her mother was like a sister to me and we had gone through some really hard and fun times with each other.. We worked together and lived together for a little bit and we both dump the frogs in our life and meet 2 other guys we work with and married them. Our families did everything together. We had Ryan and Taylor and they were 2 little buddies... To much of a story but long story short we lost touch of each other and there was never a day in my life that I didn't think of Faye and wish that time back again...I am happy to say that Mary Beth told Taylor I was asking about them and who I was so we became friends on Facebook and talked for several weeks. They came to the fall festival and I have to say that bond between Faye and I was still there and we are talking again.. She has such a beautiful family and has turn out to be a Godly women that devotes herself to her kids. I have to say where we were 20 yrs ago to where we are today, who would have thought Faye and I as mom's taking our kids to a church Fall Festival. I am so thrill that we have a forgiving and amazing God that seeks us out and is our wonderful Savior...

Copper River lunch & Other things

Well, we went back today for our free lunch and I have to say that the staff and owner at Copper River in Boiling Springs went out of there with niceness (is that a word) , the service was wonderful, the food was great and I have to say I am thankful for all that Mr. Hannah did for us.... If you have not gone to Copper River do so, esp if you like salad their is awesome just ask for cheese to be added...

So, I am hoping to get my post up about our youth retreat to TN a couple of weeks ago this weekend but tonight we are going to see Fireproof w/ some people from Sunday school and tomorrow I am help painting the girls Sunday school room and I need start getting things together for our beach trip Thursday so I am going to try and work on getting caught up between all of that... I did have some cleaning I needed to do but since Dormans was closed today cause of a chemical spill I left Ryan at home to do the majority of it... Cross your fingers it will get done..lol

If you get a chance stop by cousins blog, he is a baptist minister in Denmark, SC and he just came from a conference it is pretty good..
http://andyfbcdenmark.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!

Oppotunities To Pray

I really like this one... How many times do we see a situation like this and either tell our kids to stay away from other kids like this or we even say something like about his parnets or about the child in a negative remark... When we should be praying for all situations even ones like this.. This was a great reminder...

OPPORTUNITIES TO PRAY
by Suzanne Benner

What would happen if we viewed the variety of things we encounter each day as opportunities to pray?For example, whenever I pick up my son from high school, I see teenagers dressed provocatively or defiantly, lighting up cigarettes and clinging to each other. And if the window happens to be down, the language that filters in sometimes makes me cringe.My natural inclination is to rail against parents who tolerate that kind of behavior and kids who show little or no respect.Yet, God knew ahead of time that I would to be waiting on that particular day, at that exact time, to see those specific kids. Therefore I can consider it a summons from God to pray for those hurting children who are crying out for love and attention.Every day is packed with opportunities to pray, if only we would take them.Stepping out the front door into a warm sunny day is a chance to thank God for His marvelous creation.Reading the newspaper each morning provides a myriad of opportunities to pray for lives that are in crisis, for peace in our land, and for wisdom for world leaders.Every siren wail is an invitation to pray for God's intervention in the lives connected with that disturbing sound.Even menial or monotonous tasks, like scrubbing toilets or paying bills, are chances to thank God for His provision in our lives.The Bible says, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)~

God, thank you for the many opportunities and reminders to pray that You give me throughout the day. May I be faithful in responding to You.

Questions: How can viewing even distressing situations as opportunities to pray change the way we think? What opportunities to pray have been presented to you today?

Copper River Update

Well, if you read my post last week about my lunch experience and buy an $18.40 grilled chicken salad and water you know I was not at all happy (who would be) well Friday it really got to me so I went and sent the main Copper River people an email about my experience thinking I doubt anything will come it except I never will go back.... Well, I was wrong... I got an email from the owner and operator of the one in Boiling Springs and he he apoloigzes for the service and for what happen and invited the whole group that I went with (there were 10 us) back for lunch ON THEM... They are going to buy lunch for ALL of us... here is a few parts of the letter
“ what happen wasn’t right” and we would like to make it up to you and your friends.
Your waitress should have been more helpful in helping you select what you wanted. It is her responsibility, as it is with all servers, to make sure that we assist you in getting what you want and at the correct price
So please except our apologies and come back with your friends for lunch on us
I thought is really kind of him to take the time to read the complant and want to make it right... You know alot of resturants might would only satisfy me but he wants to with all the people I was with which I thought was awesome... In the beginning I did think it was wrong that he said it was the waitress responsibility but then again the more I thought about it she should have inform me of the cost, she should have suggest another way to do the salad and she should have not acted like I was trying to get one over on her.. So yeah, I have to agree with him... But I don't know what is going in her life or if she was having a bad day or whatever... I am just happy that they are wanting to make it right.... So there was a happy ending to the story, well as of today.. We will see Friday...

Have you ever had an experience at a resturant and they came back to make it right for you??

15-Minute Breakthrough

A friend of mine sent this to me and it so a great reminder. I am doing the Bible study right now Power of Praying Women and I really truly wanted to do this and do it in depth cause I want to be praying woman, wife, mother, friend but sometimes I have that question.."How do I pray?" "What do I say?" I don't have all the spiritual words that other people have and then there is that I don't have time for a quite time or to do my Bible study, class is tomorrow I have to jamb in a whole week just so I will know what they are talking about... Then I get to the point to where I get frustrated and question God and ask him why does he have me teaching high school girls, Biblical teaching I have a hard time teaching and I have never been good at reading, studing and then being able to share for 30 mins what scripture is about... But I am so thankful that my God is so patience with me and when I am so lost that He lifts me up and He shows me what He is doing and what He is using me for... I do pray and I have learn that if I just call out His name He is there, I can just say thank you and He knows. I am learning to pray out loud and I do want to continue doing that to where I don't feel tongue tied. The best prayer I have when praying out loud, for doing my Bible studies, for preparing for a lesson is that I ask to clear my mind and take away all the distractions and open my spiritual eyes, ears, heart and sould up to what He wants me to see and learn and you know what I get it when he does... We take out 15 mins a day to blog, email, talk on the phone, read books or watch TV why do we have a hard time taking at least 15 for God. This is my prayer for the week...

The 15-Minute Breakthrough

with Robert Morris

"Surely I have stilled myself, just as a small child is quiet with itsmother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me." (Psalm 131:2)
Robert Morris teaches us how to "elevate" our spiritual life.
Years ago, I suffered with severe headaches. After a series of tests, the doctor said, "There is nothing physically wrong with you. You have headaches because you are stressed out." I knew stress was ruining my life, but I didn't know what to do.
When I asked the Lord for help, He told me I needed time with Him every day. I told him, "I have tried, but I don't know how to have a quiet time."
The Lord said He would teach me. I was surprised when His instructions didn't begin with time requirements. He didn't say that He closes at 7 A.M. so we could only meet together from 4 to 6 A.M. He also didn't demand I spend three hours or write long, scripture-like entries in my journal. He showed me that we have an ongoing relationship and "quiet time" was my opportunity to cast all my cares upon Him.
Stress is like a snowball going down a hill. It gets bigger and bigger, gaining size and weight with the momentum. Jesus told us, "Each day has enough trouble of its own," (Matthew 6:34b) so our burdens must be unloaded on Him each day or they get carried over to the next day until the weight is too much for us.
The minute I sat down with God to unload those burdens, a mental battle began. Don't forget to pick up the cleaning. Don't forget your appointment and the bills that need to be paid.
David wrote, "My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him." (Psalm 62:5) To get to that peaceful state of mind, I had to tell the distracting thoughts to leave in the power and authority of Jesus to make that part of my soul be quiet. Then I sat there for a few minutes until I could feel my heart rate and breathing slow down.
Once my mind was still before the Lord, He asked me to focus my mind by singing to Him. I reminded Him that I am not a singer and He assured me that He listens to my heart. When I asked what I should sing, He said, "The song you woke up with." I never thought about it, but usually within the first few minutes of the day, a song will come to me. I have also learned that God will give me a song if I ask and listen for it. Often that song will stay in my heart all day. God showed me that special song is a key to entering the Holy Place where I commune with Him.
I learned that I must pray what is on my heart and mind in my fifteen minute breakthrough. I don't have to pray about world peace unless world peace is on my heart. I don't have to pray for the government or the economy unless I feel burdened. I also learned it is not selfish to pray about our weaknesses and temptations. God wants us to have an honest conversation about what concerns us the most.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Be anxious for nothing." How can you be anxious for nothing? The next phrase explains. "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
The last part of my quiet time is used renewing my mind with the Word of God. "I beseech you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And don't be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)
"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God divides between the soul and the spirit -- between what we think and what God thinks. God's word helps me to get His perspective daily.
Going to a new level in your relationship with God only takes 15 minutes. Quiet your mind and sing to Him. Then focus your mind and pray what is on your heart. Lastly, renew your mind with His Word. You will never know the breakthrough He is waiting to give you until you decide that it is worth your time to come to Him, get to know Him and let Him work in your life. There are days I spend more time in every phase of my quiet time, but this is the starting place to move into more intimate levels of relationship with the Lord.

This WeekWill you miss out on what God has for you in the days ahead because you are too busy to give Him 15 minutes a day?

Prayer"Lord, I desire this spiritual breakthrough. Help me set aside time to clear my mind of distractions, get into Your presence with song, pour out my heart to you in prayer and let you mold me and shape me by Your Word."
Join Robert Morris all this week on LIFE Today.

Leave your thoughts.....

Tongue in Cheek- Avoiding Gossip

Here is my devotation today from www.christianwomentoday.com.. I am just as gulity and this step all over my feet... It talks about work but it is for everything I believe...

A co-worker recently crept into my office. Judging by the look on her face, and the way she quickly and quietly closed my door, I knew she was about to gossip. She proceeded to tell me very unsavory details about someone I admired and respected. She was not sure if it was true, but she assured me that she received the information from a very reliable source, so how could it be wrong?
I must confess I had enjoyed the “juiciness” of the scoop she was giving me, right up until the point when she started sharing the information that was just so damaging to the image I had of this well-respected person. I suppose I should have changed the subject when it turned sour, but instead, I let her continue, my eyes growing as big as saucers as I took in each morsel of gossip.While her talk had enticed me to listen to the whole story, regretfully, I am now faced with some very negative images of one of my mentors engaged in unseemly conduct, an affair no less.

Most gossip would appear to be harmless, and doesn’t carry the same repercussions as the above scenario. Our culture tends to treat gossip lightly. While most people think it is a bad habit, gossip is a generally accepted pastime that people share in when they congregate around the lunch table, or the water cooler. We may innocently “dish,” “get the goods,” or hear the “dirt,” on someone, but God doesn’t take the whole matter so lightly. He says that our tongues are set on fire by hell (James 3:6).
God is not pleased when we gossip in the workplace, and neither is your employer. According to Human Resources Specialist, Cassie Dibiase, who owns Resources and Results Consulting in Houston, Texas, “Listening or contributing to gossip in the workplace is probably the single most destructive behavior for anyone hoping to succeed in the business world.”
Key points
Gossipers in the workplace are viewed as untrustworthy and are less likely to receive promotions or key assignments
Important lines of communication between employees and supervisors are often disrupted because of a lack of trust created by gossip
What might appear to be simple gossip can often result in a full-blown investigation, causing irreparable damage to an individual’s reputation, and to the gossiper’s reputation as well.
What are some ways to avoid getting caught in the snare of gossip?

Know if it is gossip
The dictionary defines gossip as rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature. To know if you’re gossiping, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself how you would feel if the person you were discussing suddenly happened upon your conversation. Would you be embarrassed? Chances are, as a Christian, you know when you are gossiping. You get that unsettled feeling from the Holy Spirit that maybe what you’re discussing isn’t quite appropriate.

God’s view of gossip
Not only does the Holy Spirit convict us, but God commands us through scripture not to gossip. Proverbs 4:24 reminds us to “keep corrupt talk from our lips.” God doesn’t want us listening to gossip either. Hearing the gossip is about as bad as spreading it, since you can’t erase the negative words you’ve heard about a person. Proverbs 26:22 says, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”
The Philippians 4:8 principle
To help us remember what is and isn’t acceptable to discuss, use Philippians 4:8 as a guide: “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” While the writer, Paul, instructs us to think about these things, it seems to me that Philippians 4:8 is a good way to measure our conversations too.

Gossip just plain hurts
Simply put, gossip hurts people. When my dearest friend and co-worker went through a divorce a few years ago, many of our colleagues came to me looking for information. My friend was so devastated and shocked over the divorce, that to discuss her hurt and raw emotions with anyone seemed unthinkable. Furthermore, I ran the risk of seeing mixed rumors circulate about my friend. Ms. Dibiase points out, “Just think back to the playground… when someone spread untrue tales around the schoolyard. They were hurtful, unproductive and damaged friendships. Playground rules still apply. The only difference is professional reputations are taken more seriously – the stakes are higher.”
Setting parameters in your conversations
Melissa and her friend Monique are close confidants. As Christians, they were both worried about crossing the line of gossip in their daily conversations. They came up with a way of setting “parameters” in their conversations. When their speech began to tread into gossip territory, one gently reminded the other that they needed to steer their conversation to a more edifying topic. Surrounding yourself with close friends who are Christians and like-minded in spirit always helps keep gossip in check.

Steering the conversation
While maintaining ties with fellow believers is a helpful way of keeping our tongues in check, we don’t always share office space with other Christians. How do you keep gossip under control when you are with people who aren’t necessarily focused on guarding their talk? While my first impulse is to stay away from situations that would put me in the middle of gossip, I am reminded that Jesus himself broke bread with non-believers and those who gossiped, among other things.
When gossip begins around you, try to cut it off with a gentle remark to sway the conversation. Or, better still, turn to your gossiping co-worker and ask her about what’s happening in her life. It has been said that a gossip is one who talks to you about others; a bore is one who talks to you about herself; and a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about yourself. It’s an almost guaranteed way to change the conversation.
After you read this article, you’ll probably try harder to avoid gossip, but since we are only human, you might still have to catch yourself every now and then. As my friend Melissa puts it, “Gossiping is something we always have to keep in check with the Lord.” Why not pray this simple prayer in faith today and release the control of your speech back into God’s hands.

Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life and accommodating gossip and other conversations that are hurtful to others and not glorifying to You. But I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Good Book

I just got done ready The Shack and let me tell ya it was wonderful.. If you have not read this book yet do so... If you have read it leave me your comments on it.. I don't want to go into details about it I will say I read the back of it when it first came out and I was like nah, don't sound good to me, everybody was telling me how get it was and I was nah we don't have the same reading taste and then Sherry use a part of the chapter when he goes back to the shack and she got me so interested in that I had to go and get the book... All I can tell ya is that oh how I would love to experience going to the "shack", how do you get to that point?? It is a wonderful book and also if you have a hard time understanding the trinity well I understand it a little more now... You can check out the website at www.theshackbook.com.

Worth the read, got a book let me know..

Stephen's B'day

The weekend of 9/22/08

My middle child and last b'day of the year was on Monday 9/22/08 but we halfway celebrated it the weekend before. Eric was in AL helping with some remodeling at our pastor dad's church while I was at home with the kids and doing all the taxi driving. Stephen is my hard child to buy for and the only thing he wanted was a phone so Friday night we took off to Verizon to check out the phones but we had to do it quickly cause he wanted to go to the Dorman game that night and I had a dear friend and her daughter with me so we could out to dinner after we drop him off, well if you know anything about Verizon there ain't nothing quick so I had to leave the salesman and promise to go back the next day... Stephen went to the game and had fun w/ his friends just what he wanted to do. Tyler and I went to eat dinner and hung out w/ Melissa and Emily Claire just as I wanted to do. So Saturday morning we took off back to Verizon to get him a phone and to sign up for the internet needless to say even though we had the best help (see Chris when you go to Verizon) we were there half a day and I still had to go and get a b'day gift and take Tyler to a party and be back home to meet some ladies for dinner and movie. So, needless to say I was running around like a chicken with my head cut-off all day... But my child got his phone and thinks it is the best thing in the world now. Now, I know some people are saying 14 is to young for a phone and all that stuff but we are one of those families that do not have a home phone so he needed it. I have to say he has come out to be a little socializer (don't think it is really a word) since he got the phone. For his actual b'day we took him to his favorite resturant (and one of my least favorite) Golden Corral and we got him tickets to go see TobyMac and Family Force 5 in November w/ some friends, of course my arm had to be twisted to take them (NOT, I can't wait either) so I will post about his actual celebrating b'day next month... Stephen is my loveable, why you so nosey, reading, funny (he has a knack about making Eric laugh which is hard) and smart child. He has been such a blessing in the past 14 yrs and so have the other boys but I have to say he is the true mama boy but in a good way.... Here are a few pics of him in action...

Beach Retreat out on the basketball court doing yoga, it was one that you had to be there forHaving spa time at schoolJust his cute self at my sister

Ryan's 16th

9/10/08 and 9/13/08

So, my oldest has turn 16 and boy did he think that we were not going to do anything for him. I had told him all along that he got his car and phone durning the summer so that was it (well in presents it was) but I couldn't let his special age go by without anything... We did for his b'day go to Fugi w/ almost all the youth kids that were there that Wednesday night and we told him that it was all he was getting. But, I have been thinking of this every since July and have kept it from him every since then too (see I can hold secrets). Ryan turn 16 on Sept 10th and a very good friend of his Hannah Hammett turn 16 on Sept 16 so I had told her about my plans when we went to Powerplant this summer and she made a comment that she to would like a surprise party so without her knowing I contacted her mom to see if she wanted to go in with me and do it and she did. Then another friend of theirs and neighbor and fellow church buddy Griffen he was turning 16 on the same day as Hannanh so the Susan's (both other moms are Susan) went in together and gave the 3 of the surprise b'day party over at the Hammetts on the 13th... Now, Hannah is a true women already that chick figure it out before the party which I really did hate but then again she was able to get with Ryan and with the help of Griffen sister Hannah and have them all come back to the Hammett's all at the same time... The party was truly great we had swimming, karaoke, pizza, chips, music, cake and some even a cake fight...I want to thank the Hammett's to opening their home to all us...

Blowing the candles out

Cake

Cake fight

Swimming

Hannah and the b'day girl singing for us

The Lawson clan (Ryan's 2nd family) and friends

Now, one true surprise for the weekend.... My sister's came to the party too and that was the first one that one had been to since Ryan was probably 3 and the first one that the other had ever been too.. If you know anything about me you know that I had a period in my life where the only family I had was under my roof and that was it... My sister's are wonderful and I love them dearly but when you have a demanding family member you sometimes just let things be to save peace and also one sister had been living all over the US and in Canada for a long time. This past Christmas we all meet up again and ever since then we have become a family again. Ryan being Ryan and can be so sensitive just having his aunts and cousin there was truly more than he would ever ask for.. Thank you Lisa and Steph for driving from GA and you Lynn from driving from Ft. Inn to come and make his day so much more special...

Ryan and his 2 aunts (on each end) and Allyson mom

Ryan, his cousin Stephanie and precious Garrett

Me and sister's Lynn in pink and Lisa yellow...

The last surprise for him... Ryan went to his cousin Stephanie wedding in March and meet her new sister in law Allyson ever since then they have been texting and meeting up when all possible at least once a month (she lives in Augusta, GA also) so her and her mom came down for the party and spent the night in a near by hotel and they went to church together Sunday, lunch and hung out the whole day.. He knew they were coming down but he had no idea that they were spending the night and he got to see her a whole another day.. At this point they are still just friends (later post on that) but she is a very special girl to him and to us... Funny how God works things out, remember we had not seen or really talked to my sisters and nieces until December and Ryan was more than happy to ride to GA with me the first of March for the wedding and you never know he might have met his bride there, I know that it is waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy to early but it is something I wonder about sometimes.. Thank you Dorthy and Allyson for making Ryan's b'day a great one...

Ryan and Allyson at his party

One more b'day to go!!!!!!!!!! Will finish catching up hopefully this weekend, I have Stephen b'day somewhat and our youth retreat... Until next time..............................

Loving Well Retreat

9/5-9/6
We hosted a weekend women's retreat at our church the first weekend in September and we did the retreat in a box by Beth Moore entitled Loving Well and boy was it good...Our very own Karen Bishop led the event and did such a wonderful job of sharing her life w/ us and sharing what God says about us loving each other... Beth narrow it down to these types of people in our life...

Joy- this is the person in your life that you truly just enjoy to be around.
Testy- you know that is just the person that actually just gets on your last nerve and you want to explode on them sometimes.
Foe- this is the person you can not stand at all, they have cross that line.
Far- this is the stranger you might see

With all of these people we are called to love each and every one of them just as Jesus loves us, that is the greatest and first commandment to love each other..

I looked at this list and I truly try to decided if I had a name for each one and I was so happy that I had so many Joy's in my life, now I am different before testy becomes a foe I just walk away from that relationship until I have calm down and had a break from that person and then I go back to where they are the joy/testy in my life... But it also made me think since I truly do not have really any names that were testy or foe ( it stay on hand) could I be somebody testy or foe person??? My goodness that really hit me cause I don't believe I am to many joy, so since them I have really try to treat everybody with a loving nature so maybe I can become more of a joy than a testy. Is that far person are they seeing Jesus in us? Are we taking time to say hello and just give a smile? To summarize what I learned that weekend and if you want more let me know and I will share cause I am such note taker but to summarize it we are to love each other as Jesus loves us and we are to forgive each other as we are forgiven.. pretty simple uh??? I pray everyday to be more like Jesus and love those around me, it is a struggle but with His guidance I will get there one day...

I want to say also a big thank you to Kathi Mumpower and Sande Campsen for getting this retreat all together and making it as wonderful.. I had the privilege to work along side Sande for the last couple of years in the women's ministry and with Kathi in the youth and I truly believe that God is calling me to work closer with the younger ladies of our church so this year I am teaching 10th-12th grade girls on Sunday morning and I have never taught like this before and with all my kids in school now and in everything else I need to be a mom and wife too and I want to grow closer with our Lord so I have given over the reins of working in the women's ministry to Kathi. I know that the women of AMRBC and other ladies will be truly bless with Kathi and Sande and I believe that they have so much more to offer than I can right now, so I want to say thank you to the both of them for making their first retreat together such a wonderful blessing to me... I can' t forget to thank also Julie, I am one of those people that I really do wish I could sing cause let me tell ya I can truly worship through music just as much through hearing God's word and Julie brings me to that place every time that it is true worship... So thank you Julie again for blessing me. We have some very talented young ladies in our youth that are wonderful singers an they to bless us with their voices that weekend... Also thank you to every lady that help plan or had a part of the retreat I know it could not have been made possible without you..AMRBC is truly bless with some wonderful ladies...

Girl's Night

8/29/08

The Friday night in August I was blessed with having a girls night out with some of my friends... We meet for supper at Red Lobster (love those cheese biscuit) and then instead of ordering dessert with them we walked over to Mable Slab and sat outside eating our ice-cream and sharing stories of kids, husbands and alot of laughter, we were there so long we closed the place down... It was a really great and fun night with my friends that I am truly blessed to have in my life....

Copper River

I wanted to share with my lunch experience at Copper River in Boling Springs today... I went with the group I work with and we were all excited about going and getting their wonderful salad... Well, the waitress came and I ask her could I get the Copper River salad w/out the ham and turkey but instead of grilled chicken and she said sure you can do that so that is what I order. Well when I got my check it was for you ready for this...... $18.40... yep I said it $18.40 for a grilled chicken salad and a water... Is that crazy or what????? So, I made a comment to the waitress you go the manager over there and here is how everything went down.....

Me- I have done this before and I have never been charge extra, only when I added to the smal salad and they told me they would.
Mgr- I don't think so, cause they could not come out of the kitchen w/out them charging you for it. You must be mistaken
Me- No, I am pretty sure this is not the first time I have order this but it is the first time I had to pay them this much.
Mgr- Let me go and check
Mgr comes back- well our policy is that if you add chicken to your salad then you are charge for it
co-worker- well, did you take off for the ham and turkey she didn't want
mgr- no we didn't the salad comes with it
me- well I told I could sub them out
mgr-no mam you can't (only time he was somewhat polite)
me- well you need to info the waitress that they need to let people know of extra charges cause if I had known I would not had gotten the chicken or maybe even the salad cause the chicken was not worth $5
mgr (here is where it gets good)... the owner is happy w/ the ticket
me- I bet he is happy w/ it, but I'm not so you have a great day

You know if I was quick witted I would have ask for my ham and turkey since I paid full price for them and then paid also for a piece of burnt tough chicken....

Then as we are leaving on of the girls ticket was $11.03 and she just left $11 they chase her out the door for 3 cents, I mean for 3 cents.... The tip was already inclueded in on the check take 3 cents out adn pay the check...

Is $4.98 that big of deal??? I mean when did we stop making the customer happy and become smartys to our customers? I work in retail alot and our motto was the customer was always right and make them happy... I mean there were 9 of us that saw and witness this whole thing, mine was not good but when they chase her down for 3 cents that went a little way beyond for me...

So, if you know of anywhere to get a great salad let us know cause our Copper River days might just be over, I know mine is...