Catch Up

So. A lot has been happening!

Today, a door was shut. A prayer was answered. And not at all in the way I was hoping for. It is sad, but in a way a relief for me (right or wrong as that may be, it is true). Sometimes deciding what God wants for you is taxing. And confusing. I just hope that for their sake and the church's sake, the people made the decision God wanted them to make and not the one they "thought" best for themselves.

We KNOW without a doubt that God is leading us into full time ministry. A door opened a couple months ago at a local church, and things started to get tense, so we tried very hard to slam the door. However, God wouldn't let it close. Now, we are being forced to take a peek around that door and see if we were missing something. Or if fear was ruling instead of God...hard stuff there.

And then there is the other church. The one 5 1/2 hours from here. The one that contacted Cameron. He is one of their top three candidates (out of thirty some odd---how neat is that!!). They need a full-time youth guy. And are looking for a separate part time music man. But Cameron can fill BOTH of those positions. So there is a "buzz" about him. We shall see where this one leads. My husband is a sought after sort. And I am so proud of him. Honored to be his wife. Blessed beyond my own belief. Sometimes I pinch him just to make sure he is mine!

Just a thought...

So. Yesterday while painting my new bathroom chocolate brown (or what Cameron rudely deemed "dookie" color--who says that!!?), I was teasing my dad about taking my mom and us getting small matching tatoos in a hidden place. He replied, "What you choose to do in moderation, your children will do in excess". Ummm...and why hasn't this been said before?!! I really liked it though. It is profound, real, an eye opener, a good gauge of when to abstain from something...just really wise. So, thanks Dad. I'll nix the tatoo thought :)

What you choose to do in moderation, your children will do in excess

Happy Easter!

I know. I look like a librarian. And Cam has raccoon eyes from his fishing trip without sunscreen. But this is the best there was. And if you could see my whole outfit, it was darn cute!

These sweeties. Gracie is growing her bangs out and they are in that awkward phase...but she said this week she wants to cut her bangs and her hair off short. We shall see...These precious little white dresses that you can't see well are adorable! They are little Jackie Kennedy style things with gold flecks on the white fabric. Precious. AND I got them on super sale in December for $3 each!! How great is that!!!!!
This is the whole gang. My parents, the 6 "blood" grandkids and the 1 "adopted" grandkid (in the plaid dress...she is my best friend's daughter). Aren't they all so pretty!

Easter was...cold. Rainy and all that. I think Jesus should make every Easter sunny and bright since it IS His resurrection day. But we made the most of it. We had good church, great lunch (my Mama made my favorite fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy), and even better naps!

We are still working feverishly on the new house. Hopefully this week we will make some real progress. We have the new kitchen ordered (cabinets custom built by our friend the cabinet maker, new countertops, and that fun stuff). The whole house is primed and ready to paint. Now we just have to go do it. Ugh. So it will be another week of no posting I am sure. I do, however, have a menu! I just cannot eat Rosas anymore. Or cereal. I need a planned menu. Funny how that really helps me...

Blah Blah

It is raining and pouring big huge raindrops. I KNOW rain is benficial and needed and all that. But when I have to leave the house, I don't like rain. I want to stay home in lounge pants when it rains. Perhaps curled on the couch reading a book...

So, today, I am home. Not working on the new house. And I feel terribly lazy. I SHOULD be over there helping. Really. I want it to all be done, so we can move and be settled and I can be lazy with my girls whenever I want! Sounds incredibly selfish doesn't it?! Well. It's honest.

So, other than all the remodeling and painting, nothing is new. But when it is done, we are having an open house and all of you will have to come see! Speaking of...know of any cute ideas on how to do that without "asking" for gifts? I don't want presents, but I do want to invite others to come visit and satisfy their curiosity...

Hey Out There!!

It has been another busy week! I have been working my good sized booty off at the new house! I just didn't realize how many muscles I had!! hehehe But let me tell you, I am LOVING the new house. It is going to be just gorgeous! When things get farther along, I will snap some shots for you all to see!

We have a couple who are wanting to write a contract on our house! It is actually kind of a weird situation because Cameron is actually acting as their realtor. He has taken them to other homes and such, but they want ours (PRAISE THE LORD!!) So, they met this evening and had to cut it short due to a volleyball game, so we will know final word tomorrow. Pray pray pray!!!

Speaking of praying. I want to share an amazing answer to prayer that I have received this week. On Sunday, I prayed some pretty specific not too easy requests. The first was that the Lord would allow the people He had chosen to live in our house come to our Open House. This serious couple came to the open house. (need I say WOW?) The second has not been answered yet, but I am having faith. We went to Veribest Sunday (it seemed logical after the Revival and the door closing at Harris to just go visit "home"). I KNOW that the Lord is wanting us to go into full-time ministry. We both know this. But it isn't an easy or fun process. It is HARD. I want to go where my family and friends are. I do know, without a doubt, that He wanted us to leave Veribest when we did, but I have always said I wasn't sure it would be a forever kind of goodbye. I am ready for the hello. So, Sunday, I prayed that He would somehow allow us to serve in Veribest. I really have no idea how He will answer this. It may be evangelical work with Veribest being home base, it may be working there full time and trusting God to fulfill our needs with real estate (but eek!!). I don't know. I just know that I want that. And I also know that He is able. I will keep you all posted on WHEN He answers this request. Because I know He will!!

The Week

Let me tell you--this has been one heck of a week! Satan, for some reason, didn't want me to be in the revival. On Tuesday, Ellie did great in the nursery until the preacher started, then they called me back. On Wednesday, Gracie had fever. With no other symptoms. So, of course, I couldn't go. I am so sad that I missed out! I wanted to be there. I needed to be there.

On Tuesday, Faith had a 3 year check-up. But Ellie has been sick for a month now (cold symptoms) and she started to run a very low grade fever in the night. So, I made her an appointment at the same time. It turns out that Ellie has a double ear infection and is in the very beginning stages of pneumonia. Fun X-rays. She pooped right before we went in there. I was so embarrassed. She smelled rank! Antibiotics for her ( I HATE antibiotics). She weighs a whopping 19 pounds. And Faith is still small. In the 25th percentile of height and weight. 29 pounds/ 36 inches. She also still has blood in her stool. So, we had to have blood work drawn to check for anemia and Krohns Disease (I am guessing as to the spelling, but that is how it sounds). Both have come back normal, but she needs to see a gastrointernologist. And the one that serves San Angelo won't see us when he comes here because we cancelled our last appointment. They expect us to drive to Temple. Ummm...no. I will find a new doctor. Maybe in the Fort Worth area.

We closed on our new house yesterday. So, now we NEED to sell this one fast. And I need to start painting. And packing. I really really really don't want to! I also got into it with my best friend. It was awful. I cried like a baby. Literally. I crawled into Cameron's lap and bawled. I am not sure what all happened. And how it spiraled out of control. But I am thinking it was probably me. I tend to open my mouth when I shouldn't. And out comes my opinions and my views. And they aren't always right. Add to that all the stress I am under, and it isn't pretty. I value our friendship a ton, and I hate fighting. I don't like having disagreements. I like pretty things. with flowers. and music. and maybe a hug or two. And I really don't know how to make it up to her. To let her know that all I want is for us to be closer. You know, for me, friendship is a lot like marriage. The lines of communication must stay open. And you have to have the freedom to say what hurts and what you are feeling. And there has to be unconditional love that doesn't leave a lingering awkwardness. And I honestly don't know how to accomplish that. This stuff is HARD!

Now today, I really must prepare for the move. So I probably won't be updating for awhile. Talk to you soon!

Revival

There is a Revival going on in Veribest right now. And it is GREAT! The speaker is fantastic and the musician awesome. Toes are getting stomped on and hearts are being softened. Isn't Revival wonderful? I love to hear the message in a new light and have a jam packed week of worship. I sorely need it. I haven't been as trusting as I should be. I have been stressed and worried, and Jesus tells me not to be either. I have tried to please others and not just Him, I have read into so many actions that were really unimportant in furthering His kingdom. And that should be my focus. Not whether someone approves or wants me. I need to lean on Him and garner His strength and see myself and my situation through His eyes. He has a plan for us. And it is more than I can imagine. Now, if I can teach my head how to follow what my heart knows...