Prom time: Hillary and Andrea prom "07"
GOTCHA 🐾 PRAISE
2 hours ago
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
My Run-a-way....get-a-way
Most of you know the things my family is going through and it has not been a easy road. A couple of weeks ago we noticed a change in the good direction. I was thrilled and wanted to call everyone. But, it was short lived. This past week was very hard on me. I was feeling so alone and drained of everything and well....I just wanted to run away. I know you are not suppose to question God...but, I was wondering "Where are you? Why haven't you done anything? Why do I feel you are not listening to me? Are you there?" I cried most of the day on Friday and was beginning to think the tears would not stop. This is the first time that I felt there was no hope and I felt so alone. Beverly suggested that Joey and I take a weekend getaway and not take Andrea with us. I thought there is no way Joey will agree to this. On Friday as school is getting out...Joey calls and tells me that he has 2 loads to take to Jacksonville, FL. 1st load to be delivered on Saturday morning and the 2nd load to be delivered on Monday morning. Which means he will have to stay the whole weekend. He asked me to go with him and take off work on Monday. I first told him there is no way I can take off work on Monday. I told my neighbor (at work)Kerri and she said "you need to go.. this is your runaway time". I called in a sub and got everything ready for him for Monday. Called Joey and said I am going. Went home packed (way to much), made arrangement for Andrea to have a place to stay and was sitting on ready when Joey got home from picking up the loads.
We arrived in Jacksonville on Sat. morning about 6:30. Joey drove all night. He found a "nice place" for us to stay and we carried our things in. I could not believe my eyes! this place was a dump.even the roaches had moved out! Joey was so excited before we went in because they gave him a discount for having CDL on his license. He was going to drop me off and deliever his load. Well, lets just say I wouldn't stay there by myself. So, I go with him....when we get back to the pit....Joey is so tired and is ready to sleep for a while. When I pulled back the covers to the bed ....you want believe this ....there are cigaretts holes in the sheets!!!
The t.v. didn't work and then the bathroom...oh my...I want go there.
We decided to go for a drive. We went to visit John and Ann Sweat they use to live in Calera and John was the assistant to Bro. Hal. It was so good to see them and their boys have grown so much. John told Joey the area we were in was not a good one and they suggested St. Augustine ( not that Jacksonville is bad just where we were was bad). So, we leave there and drive as fast as we can to pick up our bags and head to St. Augustine. The hotel was more money (poor Joey) but oh was it nice. On Sunday, we went to church with the Sweats and headed back to old parts of St. Augustine for sightseeing. We rode one the trolley through the city and went to the beach. I have never seen the beach on the Eastern side of the U.S. In my opinion the gulf beaches win hands down!! There were people riding their bicyles on the beach!! I have never seen this. the sand was not near as beautiful has Destin or Gulf Shores. But, I got to see the beach of St. Augustine and I can't complain. We had a wonderful supper with fresh fish and oh my it was yummy!!
They also have outlet stores that I was itching to go through. Joey hates shopping and so, when he asked what else I would like to do; I was hesitant to tell him. I thought "why the heck why not" so I told him I wanted to go to the outlets. He said "lets go"!!! I was so excited.....we walked through the shops and he didn't complain not once. that is amazing!!! Of course they had some outdoor shops that we went in and that helped.
I am telling you about my trip for 2 reasons. 1) When I thought there wasn't away to get away....God showed me and gave me away. He also showed me that He was with me and had never left. (I knew this just needed to feel HIM). God knows what we need before we do and I give HIM all the Glory for my much needed get away!! Thank-you God! 2) I don't feel the pressure I felt before we left. Things at home with Andrea are still not great....but, I know that God will work this out in HIS time. I may need you to remind me of this from time to time. 3) I know I said 2 but, I can't leave this out. It was so good to spend time with Joey ..just me and Joey. Everytime we would try to talk about home (andrea) we would remind each other that now is our time and we can discuss this later. I really needed that. I think Joey did too. It was also good to visit friends and see how God is working in their lives. John is a great minister...if you haven't heard him speak .....I suggest taking a little trip. okay, maybe that was 4.LOL
Joey is on his way to Kanas City, MO. today and I told him that he would miss me.. at least he has Bertha. That is what I nicknamed his GPS.LOL Actually, I already miss him.
I know that God hears me and I know that God is looking out for my family. I know that God loves Andrea and will bring her to where she needs to be on HIS time. I just have to keep praying and never lose HOPE!! For those who are praying...don't stop and thank-you!!
We arrived in Jacksonville on Sat. morning about 6:30. Joey drove all night. He found a "nice place" for us to stay and we carried our things in. I could not believe my eyes! this place was a dump.even the roaches had moved out! Joey was so excited before we went in because they gave him a discount for having CDL on his license. He was going to drop me off and deliever his load. Well, lets just say I wouldn't stay there by myself. So, I go with him....when we get back to the pit....Joey is so tired and is ready to sleep for a while. When I pulled back the covers to the bed ....you want believe this ....there are cigaretts holes in the sheets!!!
The t.v. didn't work and then the bathroom...oh my...I want go there.
We decided to go for a drive. We went to visit John and Ann Sweat they use to live in Calera and John was the assistant to Bro. Hal. It was so good to see them and their boys have grown so much. John told Joey the area we were in was not a good one and they suggested St. Augustine ( not that Jacksonville is bad just where we were was bad). So, we leave there and drive as fast as we can to pick up our bags and head to St. Augustine. The hotel was more money (poor Joey) but oh was it nice. On Sunday, we went to church with the Sweats and headed back to old parts of St. Augustine for sightseeing. We rode one the trolley through the city and went to the beach. I have never seen the beach on the Eastern side of the U.S. In my opinion the gulf beaches win hands down!! There were people riding their bicyles on the beach!! I have never seen this. the sand was not near as beautiful has Destin or Gulf Shores. But, I got to see the beach of St. Augustine and I can't complain. We had a wonderful supper with fresh fish and oh my it was yummy!!
They also have outlet stores that I was itching to go through. Joey hates shopping and so, when he asked what else I would like to do; I was hesitant to tell him. I thought "why the heck why not" so I told him I wanted to go to the outlets. He said "lets go"!!! I was so excited.....we walked through the shops and he didn't complain not once. that is amazing!!! Of course they had some outdoor shops that we went in and that helped.
I am telling you about my trip for 2 reasons. 1) When I thought there wasn't away to get away....God showed me and gave me away. He also showed me that He was with me and had never left. (I knew this just needed to feel HIM). God knows what we need before we do and I give HIM all the Glory for my much needed get away!! Thank-you God! 2) I don't feel the pressure I felt before we left. Things at home with Andrea are still not great....but, I know that God will work this out in HIS time. I may need you to remind me of this from time to time. 3) I know I said 2 but, I can't leave this out. It was so good to spend time with Joey ..just me and Joey. Everytime we would try to talk about home (andrea) we would remind each other that now is our time and we can discuss this later. I really needed that. I think Joey did too. It was also good to visit friends and see how God is working in their lives. John is a great minister...if you haven't heard him speak .....I suggest taking a little trip. okay, maybe that was 4.LOL
Joey is on his way to Kanas City, MO. today and I told him that he would miss me.. at least he has Bertha. That is what I nicknamed his GPS.LOL Actually, I already miss him.
I know that God hears me and I know that God is looking out for my family. I know that God loves Andrea and will bring her to where she needs to be on HIS time. I just have to keep praying and never lose HOPE!! For those who are praying...don't stop and thank-you!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Attitude and Encouragement
I know it has been a while since my last post and as most of you know my family is going through a lot and with the Christmas break we have for school...I haven't taken the time to write. I hope this year I will do better.
I was thinking about this past year and the things I would do different and etc. I really want to work on my ATTITUDE towards well, everything! I seem to.. especially lately, get a bad attitude and I don't like how this makes me feel or how I treat others when I have it. I also want to see opportunities to help encourage other people. Over the last several months, I have had so many wonderful people encourage me and I want to return the favor and help others. Even if it is a small has a pat on the back or a smile, I want to encourage others to not give up and keep the faith. In one of the devotions for today I came across this scripture: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2 (NIV) Okay, I for one have never considered a trial joy....especially the one I am still working on since OCT. But, has I look back since the beginning I can see God's hand in every step of the way. How awesome is that? There have been days that I have been so embarrssed and frustrated and just tried to figure out "what in the world is happening to us?" that I would pray for God to just take me away... to open the floor up and let me fall in. I have felt discouraged and defeated to the point that I just wanted to stay in bed and not look out from the covers. I have cried to the point there were no tears and also got to the point that I couldn't even pray (I really hate to admit this). Then I would get scared and think if I can't pray then what is going to happen to my family? When I was at this point.....I had assurance that someone was praying for me and my family. These times, a friend would call and say "I am praying for you..I just want you to know that God has put you on my heart today and I am praying". Do you know how much that meant to me? That my God cares so much that when I felt so low and having a pity-party that HE would send me a sign! WOW!! I would pull myself up and start to weep and say "THANK-YOU"! I can see how God is using us (my family) and how God is using everyone around me for the prayers and encouragement to face this trial and no longer feel defeated. While victory is not here yet, I can see that my family will be stronger and I give God the glory for all his is doing in my life.
If you're feeling frustrated, defeated and discouraged by the trials in your life, I want to encourage you to look beyound it and to what lies ahead. It can be difficult to face our trials with the kind of spirit that sees great value in disaster, but that's what the Lord expects from us. I want to share this poem that is in the devotion from today. The author is unknown, the poet obviously knows the formula for the foundation of joy.
It's sometimes very difficult
for us to understand
the wisdom and the love behind
the things that God has planned.
But we wouldn't have the rainbow
If we didn't have the rain;
We wouldn't know the pleasure
If we never tasted pain.
We wouldn't love the sunrise
If we hadn't felt the night;
And we wouldn't know our weakness
If we hadn't sensed God's might.
We couldn't have the springtime
or the yellow daffodil
if we hadn't experienced
the winter's frosty chill.
And though the brilliant sunshine
is something God has made.
He knew too much could parch our souls
so He created shade.
So God's given us a balance:
Enough joys to keep us glad,
Enough tears to keep us humble,
Enough good to balance bad.
And if you'll trust in Him you'll see
Though yesterday brought sorrow,
The clouds will part and dawn will bring
A happier tomorrow.
While I typed the poem this song came in my thoughts : Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness, moring by morning new mercies I see, All I have needed thy hand hath provided....
Thank-you Jesus for reminding me that you always provide for me! Help me to see beyound the trials to You for the lessons necessary to grow my faith. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I was thinking about this past year and the things I would do different and etc. I really want to work on my ATTITUDE towards well, everything! I seem to.. especially lately, get a bad attitude and I don't like how this makes me feel or how I treat others when I have it. I also want to see opportunities to help encourage other people. Over the last several months, I have had so many wonderful people encourage me and I want to return the favor and help others. Even if it is a small has a pat on the back or a smile, I want to encourage others to not give up and keep the faith. In one of the devotions for today I came across this scripture: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2 (NIV) Okay, I for one have never considered a trial joy....especially the one I am still working on since OCT. But, has I look back since the beginning I can see God's hand in every step of the way. How awesome is that? There have been days that I have been so embarrssed and frustrated and just tried to figure out "what in the world is happening to us?" that I would pray for God to just take me away... to open the floor up and let me fall in. I have felt discouraged and defeated to the point that I just wanted to stay in bed and not look out from the covers. I have cried to the point there were no tears and also got to the point that I couldn't even pray (I really hate to admit this). Then I would get scared and think if I can't pray then what is going to happen to my family? When I was at this point.....I had assurance that someone was praying for me and my family. These times, a friend would call and say "I am praying for you..I just want you to know that God has put you on my heart today and I am praying". Do you know how much that meant to me? That my God cares so much that when I felt so low and having a pity-party that HE would send me a sign! WOW!! I would pull myself up and start to weep and say "THANK-YOU"! I can see how God is using us (my family) and how God is using everyone around me for the prayers and encouragement to face this trial and no longer feel defeated. While victory is not here yet, I can see that my family will be stronger and I give God the glory for all his is doing in my life.
If you're feeling frustrated, defeated and discouraged by the trials in your life, I want to encourage you to look beyound it and to what lies ahead. It can be difficult to face our trials with the kind of spirit that sees great value in disaster, but that's what the Lord expects from us. I want to share this poem that is in the devotion from today. The author is unknown, the poet obviously knows the formula for the foundation of joy.
It's sometimes very difficult
for us to understand
the wisdom and the love behind
the things that God has planned.
But we wouldn't have the rainbow
If we didn't have the rain;
We wouldn't know the pleasure
If we never tasted pain.
We wouldn't love the sunrise
If we hadn't felt the night;
And we wouldn't know our weakness
If we hadn't sensed God's might.
We couldn't have the springtime
or the yellow daffodil
if we hadn't experienced
the winter's frosty chill.
And though the brilliant sunshine
is something God has made.
He knew too much could parch our souls
so He created shade.
So God's given us a balance:
Enough joys to keep us glad,
Enough tears to keep us humble,
Enough good to balance bad.
And if you'll trust in Him you'll see
Though yesterday brought sorrow,
The clouds will part and dawn will bring
A happier tomorrow.
While I typed the poem this song came in my thoughts : Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness, moring by morning new mercies I see, All I have needed thy hand hath provided....
Thank-you Jesus for reminding me that you always provide for me! Help me to see beyound the trials to You for the lessons necessary to grow my faith. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Don't Stop
I know some are wanting an update on how things are going...
First, I want to thank all the Prayer Warriors who are praying for my family.
God is working and I feel the strength and encouragement from the prayers.
The "lost sheep" is home (PRAISE THE LORD)!! The battle is still raging. I know this is a spiritual battle and I have given it to God. This is so hard to do. I keep wanting to fix things and I am learning that I need to leave it with God. Don't stop praying. We have small battles everyday and and I know that God will win the war. This is all I can say right now. I hope to have more bloggs soon.
Just remember to pray 24/7. My little lamb needs covered in prayer 24 hours a day.
First, I want to thank all the Prayer Warriors who are praying for my family.
God is working and I feel the strength and encouragement from the prayers.
The "lost sheep" is home (PRAISE THE LORD)!! The battle is still raging. I know this is a spiritual battle and I have given it to God. This is so hard to do. I keep wanting to fix things and I am learning that I need to leave it with God. Don't stop praying. We have small battles everyday and and I know that God will win the war. This is all I can say right now. I hope to have more bloggs soon.
Just remember to pray 24/7. My little lamb needs covered in prayer 24 hours a day.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Calling all Prayer Warriors!!!!
Prayer Warriors......My family is under attack We need prayer. Please pray for Joey and I to have guidance and direction. Pray for Andrea to find her way back to God!
Call your deacons, prayer chain....anybody who can pray. Ask them to pray for us!!
Call your deacons, prayer chain....anybody who can pray. Ask them to pray for us!!
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