Thankfulness Days #23-30

Mmkay, I missed a few days! But we had a wonderful trip to Mississippi to celebrate all our blessings with our families, and we have been trying to decorate for Christmas. I forgot how MUCH is involved in this. And how messy it gets. And how much there is to put up/take down. Yikes.

OK....
#23. Thankful for Starbucks. YUM! White chocolate mocha no whip, please!

#24. Thankful for my children's friends. I love watching them play with their friends and I am so glad they have good friends from our church.

#25. Thankful for church committees that work so hard to get things done. I did something I never thought I'd do this week...write a thank you letter to the finance committee! HA! But I'm so thankful for a church who works to see that our financial needs are met.

#26. And because of that, I'm able to stay home with my children. So thankful for that! I may have already mentioned this one. But it's worth another mention. I love being able to be here. I love that my husband supports me in that. Wouldn't miss these moments for anything!

#27. Thankful for heated seats in my car!

#28. Thankful for Dr. Pepper. Hardly a day goes by that I miss out on one!

#29. Thankful for technology. Love my iphone, blogging, facebook, Words with Friends, email, texts, etc

#30. Thankful for the birth of Christ. Looking forward to celebrating with my sweet family the TRUE meaning for the upcoming season.

Thankfulness Day #22....R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I am thankful that other people respect my husband as much as I do. I got this little email that is sent out to people in our area, and there was a special piece about Eddie in there. Apparently, the author of this little newsletter asked a few people from our church to write some thoughts on Eddie for this edition. Here's what they had to say:

a. I Have known Pastor Eddie for little over a year.  I’m old enough to be his “young-looking mother” and yet he is my PASTOR! 

Eddie came here and immediately captured our hearts but most important, he is a man after God’s own heart. His testimony is one that echoes humility and sincerity about his struggles and victories in his Christian journey—which makes it  even easier to relate to this mighty man of God.

The Holy Spirit continues to move in First Baptist Church and Dr. Eddie has been used as a key to open the door for greater things. There is a fresh excitement and  joy in the atmosphere under his leadership. We are seeing souls added to the Body of Christ daily. Eddie makes me laugh!!!!   Eddie makes me cry!!!!  As long as Ole Miss continues to rank low in the poles and LSU continues to be on top, I believe Eddie will continue to walk in humility all the days of his life.  

Seriously, we love our pastor and are so grateful that God sent him to us. 

b. I first met Brother Eddie at a deacon’s supper on a Thursday night before the weekend when he came in view of a call to our church.  This was a supper for the deacons to be able to get to know him and Stacy, before he preached that Sunday morning. 

I was supposed to leave for a mission trip in two days, but my grandmother had become very ill, and I was struggling with a decision about what to do.  I talked to him about it, and he gave me some very sound, wise advice.  He then asked me if he could pray for me, and at that moment, I knew he was for real. 

He called me the next day to check on me and see if I had made a decision.  Some people try to impress you spiritually, but some people just do what the Lord leads them to do.  He is in the latter group.  He was not trying to impress me or obtain my vote when he gave me advice,  prayed for me and checked on me.  That began a friendship that has deepened since then.  I followed his advice, and was very glad that I did so.

However, he doesn’t just give advice.  He also receives it, because he is a man that walks in humility.  It seems to me that so many spiritual leaders think that they are always correct, and refuse to seek advice from “ordinary” people.  Dr. W does not hesitate to ask for advice from members in his congregation, because he recognizes that the Lord speaks through other people at times, and he wants to hear from the Lord.

He is also a man of integrity.  What you see in the pulpit is what you see behind closed doors.  I know because he and I went on a mission trip to Haiti in May of 2011, and I lived in close quarters with him for a week.

Finally,  I don’t know if I have ever met any other preacher/pastor who is as down to earth and likeable as Dr. W.  Yet at the same time, he does not back down, but stands firm on principles and the Word. 

Our church has been greatly blessed by him and his family, and we have all grown to love him deeply.

c.One of the biggest challenges of faith for all of us is to trust God as we wait on a clear response to our prayers.

 

At First Baptist, our long-time and beloved pastor retired in June, 2009. and we set out to find God’s man to “shepherd our flock” for the years ahead.  Our body of believers benefitted in a deeply spiritual way in the following days and months, as we all agreed that we would not set our own expectations in the “search,” but that we would genuinely seek and patiently wait for God to clearly reveal His servant to us. 

After 15 months of continual prayer and diligent attention to this holy process, He led us to Dr. Eddie in Georgia.  He became pastor of our church on October 31, 2010.  I am positive that the Lord brought us together. 

Eddie, as he is affectionately known by our folks, has responded to this call with a heart for people and a passion for the preaching of God’s Word.  Not long after Eddie got here, I overheard several people saying, “What a great pastor!  He’s just a regular guy!” 

Later I went to Eddie, and voiced a slightly different sentiment.  I said to him,  “I am so thankful for you and your relationship skills, and even more so for your love for the Lord.  But I must tell you, I really don’t want you to  be ‘just a regular guy.’ I want you to be the best example of Christ that you can possibly be.” 

Eddie’s life experiences, especially as a child and teenager, allow him to effectively relate to so many that are hurting.  He is transparent: a quality that I greatly admire in any person, but especially in men, since we tend to keep our masks strapped on pretty tight!    

God has blessed Eddie beyond measure with relationship skills, and with a brilliant ability in the pulpit.  My prayer is that every day, for many, many years to come, Eddie will channel those magnificent gifts into actions that draw the response: “That’s Eddie W. He’s like a regular guy, but this guy is Jesus’ man. A man after God’s own heart.”  

 And here's what the editor added in: 

(Talking about the first time he met Eddie) -

Also there was DR. EDDIE W, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Eddie, who is one of the most humble, decent, and down to earth men I encounter in my faith walk, was asked to give the closing prayer. Thereafter followed one of the most heart-felt and inspirational prayers I have heard in some time.

Those residents who attend First Baptist Church are truly blessed to have Pastor Eddie in their midst and in their presence. He is truly a great ambassador for Christ and a role model for us all.

The first time I met and talked with Pastor Eddie I could sense he was a very special person and a very special pastor. We in Louisiana are blessed to have this man of God in our midst. We lift you up, pastor, and thank the Lord for blessing us with your presence.

  How cool is that?! I'm so thankful for a Godly, respectable husband!!

Thankfulness Days #20 & #21....The In-Laws!

I am thankful for my in-laws! I hear so many people fussing about their mothers-in-law...how they can be judgmental or nosy or rude or bossy or manipulative. I am SO thankful that I can not relate to that!! My mother-in-law is supportive and helpful. She loves my kids (and US!). She loves hanging out with my kids. She takes all 4 of them and at least acts excited about it. She never complains that they are too wild or that it's too chaotic or too much. And she comes back for more...and sounds excited about it again! Do you know how it makes this mama feel to know that I don't have to stress about how stressed SHE is when she has my kids? GREAT!! So, thank you, Nana! Thank you for loving my kids!! We all 6 love you!

Other in-laws I'm thankful for are my brothers and sisters-in-law. Family get togethers on both sides are so much fun. Eddie and I both get along so well with each others' siblings and spouses. I am so thankful that there is no bickering and fighting when everyone gets together. We genuinely enjoy being around our families! 

Thankfulness Days #18 & #19

OK, so I skipped last night. My bad. It's because I was out having a life! :)

Which brings me to what I'm thankful for numbers 18 & 19.  First, I'm thankful for Girls' Nights Out!! Yay! I got to go to dinner with 2 of my friends last night. So much fun. We tried to go to Starbucks, but it was already closed. Say what?! Anyway, we still had fun!

And, along with that, I am thankful for my friends! I am lucky (?) that I have moved around a little bit and have collected friends from many different stages of life and places.

Here are some pics of my awesome friends. Definitely not all of them, but some pics I could find quickly!

Hometown Friends:

 Lauren, Casey & me...Toga               Lauren, me, Allison, Betsy...Sr. Cruise

 Betsy, me, Allison.....senior year          Allison, Katie, Elizabeth, Lauren, Casey, Anna, Melody, me

                                                         Aylsia, Amanda, Sara, Sarah, Betsy

                                                        Karen, Tara, Ashley

College Friends:

me & Jennifer...at a swap    Sarah Grace, Leigh Anne, Carrie, Ashley

                                           Jennifer, me....Bid Day Sophmore Year

Jennifer, Jennifer, Leigh Anne, Laura Murphy, Jessica, Gayle      me, Allison, Jennifer            me & Laura                                                       

Carrie, Sarah Grace, me....at a swap         in the Grove                   Grunge swap        

Hometown friends....a few years (or so) after high school....LOVE staying in touch with old friends:

 Kate, me, Catherine                       Shan & me 

                                                                (love that my sister-in-law is one of my BFFs!)

                                                Melody & me                                       Kelsey, Christa, me, Michelle                        

                                                                                   Karen, me, Anna, Catherine, Katie

My newest friends (from churches Eddie has pastored):

Some GA friends: Michelle, Patti, me, Dory

Some LA friends: Ellen, Becky, Mandi, Chastidy, me, 

Julie, Crystal, Crystal

Thankfulness Day #17

Today I am thankful I got to enjoy this with my sweet family.....

Thankfulness Day #16

Today I am thankful for my big brother! He is so much fun and I love when we get to spend time together!!

Thankfulness Day #15

Today I am thankful for my freedom and for those who fought or it. (yeah, I know I shoulda done this Friday. What of it?!) so glad I live in America!

Thankfulness Day #14

Today I am thankful for forgiveness. I heard this song in the car today. Relief, joy and gratitude washed over me!!


Forgiven
Sanctus Real


Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

[chorus]
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

[back to chorus]

When I don't fit in and I don't feel like I belong anywhere
When I don't measure up to much in this life
Oh, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ 'cause

[back to chorus]

Thankfulness day #13

Today I am thankful for time away with my sweet husband. For 2 nights. Alone.

And for my awesome mom for coming to stay with the kids.

Sam's First Deer Hunt/Thankfulness day #12

Sam went hunting with Eddie for the first time this morning. He wakes up at 5:15 without too much complaint. He comes to my bathroom to take a no-scent shower. I hear him whisper to Eddie when they got in here that he wants to give me a hug. Eddie's response? "OK, but don't wake her up." Yeah, since that's possible. He hugs me and scurries to the bathroom.

For some reason, getting in the shower displeases Sam. He is now full-fledged whiny. He's whining that the shower is too cold, that his pants are too big, that he doesn't know where his hat is, that the "dot" will be too small to shoot. (I guess he thinks there will be a dot on the deer like there was in the paper he shot when he was practicing shooting his gun). Eddie is fussing at him to be quiet just as loud as Sam is being to begin with.

I take their picture to commemorate this big day.

They both looked beyond thrilled, huh?

Sam spends the hunt sleeping while Eddie watches for signs of deer. Of which, there are none. They come home empty-handed and disappointed.

When the hunters return, Meri Hobbs, using her spidey-sense detects a sour mood. So, she turns on her charms. "Sam, you look handsome." Sam mumbles his thanks and skulks to his room to change. I go in and ask him what's wrong. "I don't look handsome," he says, "I look stupid. I just want to go hunting and not wear this." Mm-Kay.

Although the morning wasn't perfect, I am so thankful that my husband spends time with our children!

P.S.  That WAS the end of the story. I was waiting until tonight to upload my the pictures and post this. But, they decided to give it one more try! They went back out this afternoon. About 5:30, my phone rings. It's Sam saying, "Mama...I got a big buck and we see the blood and when we find it we will bring it home and it will be in the back of the truck and you can see it and we can eat it for supper."

And, notice he no longer looks "stupid" but is wearing blue jeans and a hoodie!

So...just for the sake of record-keeping, it weighed 255 lb and scored 140. Way to go, Sam!! :)

And to add to my thankful list, I am thankful my husband and my son have something they both love to do together and hope they will enjoy hanging out and hunting for many years to come! (And Eli and Noah, too, when they are older)

Thankfulness day #11

Today I am thankful for fun nights out with my family and friends. We are on our way home from eating out with another family and we talked and laughed and had a great time. Someone even commented how "well behaved" our table full of boys was. What?! We'll take it where we can get it!! :)

Thankfulness Day #10

Today I am thankful for yoga pants. Seriously...best thing ever! It has a 2-fold purpose.

1. Of course, numero uno is comfort. Being a SAHM, I have no need to bother with makeup or fashion or any other such nonsense. It's all about comfort. I only have to deal with actual buttons and zippers maybe twice a week!

2. A bonus benefit is that if I do actually venture out of the house (rare occurrence) and someone happens to see me, there is a slight possibility that they may jump to the completely-wrong conclusion that I have been exercising. Since, of course, I'm in exercise clothes.

Disclaimer: This is NOT a picture of me in yoga pants. This is picture I found on google images. If this was, in fact, me, it would indicate that I had been exercising; which as I previously stated, I have not. Plus, my feet aren't that big! :)

Another thing I'm thankful for is that the last pair (or 6) of yoga pants I bought at the Gap outlet were $2.99 each. I thought they were $7 each, and they rang up at $2.99. SCORE!

Thankfulness Day #9

Today I am thankful for my mom! I am thankful for many things about my mom, but the trait I love the most is that she is one of the most selfless people I know. She is so willing to give of herself to whomever. She is so gifted at so many things (cooking, sewing, decorating, technology, etc) and she is so willing to help anyone who needs it. She is generous...with her time, her knowledge, her resources, her love. She will drop everything to help out (especially with the grandkids!!). I appreciate her so much and would love to grow up and have her spirit of serving!

This picture is the 4 generation of women...my baby girl, me, mom and Grandma

Thankfulness Day #8

Today is my daddy's birthday, so I thought it would be appropriate to do my post on him! I am very thankful for my dad.

My dad is such an amazing man! He is great man of God. He is wise. He is generous. He is funny. He is patient. He is friendly. He is kind. He is loving. He is laid back. He is approachable. He is likeable. He is respected. He is a man of peace. He is gentle. He is thoughtful. I don't describe many men as "sweet", but my daddy is sweet, y'all! I am thankful for the way he loved/loves my brother and me. I am thankful for the way he loves his grandchildren. I am thankful for the way he loves my husband and my brother's wife. I am extremely thankful for the way he loves my mom. But I am MOST thankful for the way he loves the Lord. I hit the jackpot when it came to daddies, and for that I am thankful.

Thankfulness Day #7

Today, I am thankful for our church. We seriously have the best church ever. These people are so loving, so supportive, so generous, so willing to serve...I could go on and on. If we could have designed the perfect church to come serve, this would be it! I totally understand why former pastors have stayed 20+ years. I never want to leave, either!! God is doing such amazing things in our church right now, and I am so thankful to get to be around to watch it!

Thankfulness Day #6

Today I am thankful for our sweet kiddos. Looking back at all their past Halloweens kinda got this mama weepy. We have been blessed with 4 amazing children and I love watching them grow and learn to love the Lord. It is so much fun to get to watch them grow up. It's awesome to look back and realize that 10 years ago, I was unsure whether I'd even be able to have a child. I am overwhelmed by these precious gifts from our Heavenly Father.
PS. I just realized I did the kids twice!! Oops. Guess that means I'm extra thankful for them. :) I'll try to come up with something different tomorrow!

Thankfulness Day #5

I am thankful today for my sweet kiddos. God gave me a love for children when I was very young. I loved babysitting and helping out in Bible School and eventually I loved teaching school. Then God blessed me with my own children and I love getting to be their mom. It humbles me that God has given me such fabulous children and I am so thankful to Him for that...and I pray that Eddie and I will raise them to be grateful for His blessings to them. 

Thankfulness Day #4

Well, these are in no order of importance...but today I am thankful for my new shoes!! I seriously love them!! It is like my feet are wearing sweatpants.

My left heel hurts. Often. This helps it hurt less!! So, thank you, Nike!! :)

Thankfulness Day #3

Hand in hand with yesterday's blessing of marriage, today I am thankful for my husband, Eddie. I am thankful for his faith. For his love. For his friendship. For his strength. For his sense of humor. For his loyalty. For his encouragement. For his faithfulness. For his help. For his support. For his example. Somehow, God saw fit to pair me with this man, and for that, I am so thankful!!

Now...Halloween pictures of my babies...

So hard to get all of them looking and/or smiling at the same time

Strong Spidey

Silly Cinderella

Sweet Elmo

Unsure about this lion

Roar!!!

 

 

What are you thankful for today??

Thankfulness Day #2

Today I am thankful for my marriage. God has blessed me beyond what I deserve. Eddie is the greatest man I know. I am thankful to have someone to share life with. To share my dreams and thoughts and burdens and responsibilities. He is truly my partner in life. What a wonderful institution God established when he ordained marriage. I am not saying that our marriage is perfect, but we are getting better at working through the not-so-perfect times. In the words of Blake Shelton in "God Gave Me You"....

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

December will be our 12th anniversary and I look forward to the next 70! 

What are you thankful for today?