Psalm 56:3- When I am afraid, I put my trust in you...What a great verse. It's so powerful w/out a lot of words. I'm sure David wrote it in one of his many running & hiding from King Saul, who was trying to kill him. I don't have anyone trying to kill me, Monte maybe, especially after my dramatic stove/pan incident, but that's a story for another day lol, but there are times I am afraid. I'm afraid for my kids, I just want good things & happiness for them & I forget that sometimes they've got to walk through the fire so that God can purify them & do & work in them-His mighty plan, (not mine!!) turning them into the diamonds He wants them to be. I'm afraid, sometimes, for my sister, she lives so far away & I feel anxious for her. I'm afraid, at times, for our country, I wish that we could live in unity, that the shootings & the hate would go away & we would show kindness to each other, even/especially when it's not deserved. I guess I could probably go on & on w/ my fears, but I'm not going to. We all have fears, we get scared, nervous, or anxious, but what we need to do is exactly what this verse says, put our trust in God. There's no promise that we'll never be scared but there certainly is answer to the fear--God!!! So if your fears start to creep up & you find yourself worrying & fretting, go to God! Read His word, especially the book of Psalms, pray-tell Him all about those fears--& then just rest in God & let Him turn those fears around, equipping you w/ exactly what you need so you can continue on. Giving you His strength & courage to get through that time of fear. He takes care of us always & loves us endlessly. I pray that gives you the promise of hope through the times of being afraid!!

Watching the Greenbay Packers w/ Trevor is not fun. He's very emotional, that's his team. He loves everything about them. So when he was home he had to go to his grandparents house to watch the game. He would yell at the tv, throw things, jump up on the couch, it was to much. So let's talk about the Packers-Cowboys game last night. There was yelling at the tv, turning the channel b/c, "I can't take this, this is ridiculous," deciding that, "the Packers are really Americas team b/c they are owned by the people." Now you might be thinking, "oh Trevor came over to watch the game." No, that would be his dad!!! Right away I knew where Trevor got it, it was very obvious. Now I could care less about football. I don't know much about it, in all honesty I don't really have a favorite team. I could care less!! But last night I found myself so worried about this game. I'm not even kidding, before I knew it I was praying for these Packers players. I didn't even realize I was doing it. Until the Cowboys intercepted the ball & Monte was not very happy & I found myself feeling anxious, my heart was racing, my stomach was in knots, & I realized, "I've been praying for these people!?" I don't know them, I'm never going to know them, & does God really care about the outcome of this game? I mean I know He loves the players & all those involved, but does it really matter if the kicker has enough strength to make this 51 yard field goal? I don't know!! But I was praying for him!! Then I was thinking prayer is important no matter what we're praying about, it's communication w/ God! Important!! I remember one time somebody said to me, that "God goes through our prayers like mail & throws the junk out." I don't believe that, I believe if it's important to us--it's important to God. Working w/ kids I have prayed for animals, deer hunting season, school work, spending time w/ friends, families, everything. There were times when I thought, "hhmm--well okay!" But it's important & it's important for kids, all of us, to know that God loves for us to pray to Him. It's like if you have kids, you want them to talk to you, about whatever is on their minds. So no matter what it is, no matter how trivial it might seem, if you want to talk to God about it--do it!!!Go to Him & let Him know (even though He does!) what's on your mind. I know you'll be do glad you did. Even after I thought, "why am I praying for this game?" I thought, "oh well, it's time well spent & words well said!" Here's a verse or 2 to just remind you to always pray, about everything!! 1Thess 5:16-18- Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.

It's Friday!!! Yay!!! That always brings a smile to most faces. We're glad for the break of the weekend. Ready to be able to sleep in or get some things done that we haven't during the week (laundry!!!) or just do nothing. But this Friday is Friday the 13th!!! Ooohhhh I remember watching those movies through out high school at our sleep overs. Had to have atleast 1 scary movie & it seemed it was Jason & his many freaky adventures w/ high school kids at some abandon lake resort. Well this Friday we're supposed to have ice come in!!! That is scary enough w/ out watching Jason in his hockey mask!!! So what I wanted to give you all today is just a verse or 2 that is encouraging. That brings us hope. That reminds us that God is w/ us always & that he takes care & protects His children. So even though it's Friday the 13th & we have this impending curse of ice lol, take Gods word & hold it close & know that He protects, provides, encourages, & loves us always!!! Isaiah 43:2&3- When you pass through the waters, I will be w/ you; & when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;... Isaiah 61:10- I delight greatly in The Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.

I know I've talked before about how I love to read about the different names of God & what they mean & how they apply to us today just like they did back in bible times. Well the One that sticks out to me today is Jehovah Ezrah--My Helper. Isn't it so encouraging to know that God comes right along side us, He encourages us, He provides us w/ strength, & insight. He equips us for all that He has planned for us to do!!! He is faithful to us--reliable, firm, steady & trustworthy. He nourishes us, props us up & always gives us His support!!! This kind of knowledge reminds me to be so thankful even in the times I'm feeling alone. He reminds me I'm/we are not alone. It's encouraging & even beneficial to know these things, to know Gods word & take it w/ us wherever we go. So remember these things as you go through out your day today, your Jehovah Ezrah--Your Helper is w/ you always!! Matthew 28:20- I am w/ you always, to the end of the age.

Today I'm going to get just a little mushy....it's Natalie's 17th birthday!!! Every time I say that I find it so hard to believe. How did she get to be 17!!?? She should still be playing w/ barbies, not looking at prom dresses. She should still have a bed time of 8:30, not working till 9 & then starting her homework after that. I know that time has away of moving on & college visits are in our near future, & really I'm excited for her. I know that she is seeking His will in the decisions that she's making. I know that she is constantly becoming a godly young woman after Gods own heart & how exciting that is to see. So even though my momma heart would love to turn the clock back for just a little bit, I'm thankful for this time to watch her grow in grace & love & see all the great things God has for her. She makes my heart smile always!! And even more than that--I'm sure God is smiling too!!! Happy Birthday sweet girl!!! Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord, "plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future."

I wasn't going to send anything out today...mostly b/c I'm struggling w/ God wanting to show forgiveness or compassion to me. Have you ever felt like you've just stepped in a big ol' pile of YUCK & how could or why would God want to be near you?? I'm kinda there...my actions & my thoughts are not where they need to be--not where they've ever been. So anyway I thought, "I'm just gonna lay low. I'm going to pray & read my bible & just let God do what I know He will!!" He doesn't want me like this, I fully know that!! I was writing in my journal & here is what was on the top of the 2 pages I was writing on... "God knows your value; He sees your potential. You may not understand everything you are going through right now. But hold your head up high, knowing that God is in control & He has a great plan & purpose for your life." Galatians 1:15 (NCV)- God has special plans for me & set me apart for his work...He called me through his grace. After reading that I thought, "okay--I've stumbled, fell, & crawled, but Gods not done w/ me!!! He's not turning away. His mercy is endless & His grace is enough!!" So it's a new day of a new week & I'm ready to go wherever He leads!! Hope you all have a great Monday!!!

My mom had a heavy day yesterday so I'm going to start this week out w/ something light that hopefully puts a smile on her face & yours too.....I read on fb (where everything is true right??) that if you wake up w/ a song on your mind that it's an angel that has sung to you while you're sleeping. Well most of the time I wake up w/ a cheer!! Yes, a cheer. Would you like an example....V I C T O R Y--thats our Wildcat battle cry---or how bout....Hip Hop FC rocks let me see that left drop...BOOM shake it out...you get the idea. So I decided that it must be that an angel or angels are cheering me on...right?! How else could that be explained. They see my struggles & my battles so why wouldn't they want to cheer me on. How great is it to think about this "great cloud of witnesses" cheering me on--cheering us on!! It makes me excited. None of us are ever alone, God loves us & takes care of us, even in our deepest of slumbers. So I hope this encourages you all as you start your week out. To know & have the assurance of Gods great love for you!! I'll leave you w/ a verse or 2 of course & a cheer to "cheer" you on!!! Hebrews 12:1&2- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders & the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run w/ perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer & perfecter of faith. "Our team is whaaat? RED HOT Our team is what?? RED HOT Our team is R E D oh baby W/ a little bit of H O T RED HOT--Red Hot Red Hot Red Hot!!!!