Children are a blessing from the Lord!

It is so awesome to see the energy that a happy little child can bring into ones life!

They are all so sweet and happy and just can make one glow when they walk into a room!
I think that one of the most AWESOME things in life is when
you walk into a room and a little one runs up to you and says
"Hey, hehehe."

And they remember you and wrap their arms around your legs or hold up their arms for you to pick them up!

Thank you Lord for blessing us with little ones to raise for you!
Thank you for letting us be a part of their lives!

They are cheerful,

they bring a smile to your face,

they are walking miracles,

they are creative even at so young an age,

and they are all just downright precious!

"Hey Ma'am..."

Sunday morning, Daddy came up stairs,
asked us to all come in Noel's room and told us that a dear friend, fellow brother in Christ and
church choir director had been found lying in his pasture and wasn't doing well.
We then prayed for Mr. Nathan and when about our usual Sunday morning habits.
Then we got a phone call.
Somewhere around 8:00 or 8:30 on Sunday morning,
this dear man passed away into glory.
It has been a long time since someone we knew and dearly loved, has passed away.

We went to church that morning and I have never had a harder time singing praises
to our Lord.
The hardest one was,
"I'll fly Away."

In our church there was the strangest emptiness there.
Mr. Nathan wasn't standing up there with his bright smile, red socks and white hair leading the music.
I think one of the hardest things was he met, it seemed like everyone when they came in the door of the church and if you were a lady he would say,
"Hey Ma'am."
And then give you a peppermint.
I don't know how his pockets never bulged with all those peppermints in them.


The receiving friends was on Tuesday evening and I have never cried like that.
I was just barely able to tell his wife,
one of the sweetest little lady's you will ever meet that I loved her.

Then, all of us sisters were asked to do the hardest thing any of us have ever done.
We sang at his funeral.
It was an old Negro spiritual called,
"Wayfaring Stranger."
But it was so amazing because it like God gave me the greatest peace I have ever had I think.
As we were singing, in the middle of the first verse I almost started crying then I looked out the big window in our church and the most AWESOME peace flowed over me.
Right then I knew that people were praying for us and that it was going to be okay and it was!

Thank you Lord for that wonderful peace!

We then went to the grave site and it was not your normal burial.
Both his son's brought their guitars and many other men did and it was an ol' gospel singin'.
It was so wonderful.
Not only was it wonderful, it was amazing, everyone there wanted to be there and they were sad but they were happy at the same time because we all knew that Mr. Nathan would want us to be happy.
And then we sang,
"I'll Fly Away."

As we were singing this wonderful old hymn the biggest breeze came up into that tent!
It was amazing.
If you had witnessed that, there would be no way you could say that there is no God.
He gave us all the most peaceful reassurance that when we all get to Heaven not only what glorious day that will be but Mr. Nathan will be there with a peppermint in his hand welcoming us, with his big smile, saying,
"Hey Ma'am."

Thank You Lord for my mama!!

She has taught me to love being outside,
she has taught to support our servicemen,

she has taught me to cherish friends and family,

she has taught me to love to read and learn,

and much more!

Yesterday I was taking a wee babe from the nursery down to the gym so his mother wouldn't have to walk all the way up to the church building where the nursery is. Another mother had come and got her baby and I was walking with her. As we were walking she said that she didn't see how my aunt (who does the nursery every Wed. and Sun. during Sun. school) had the patience that she did to be with babies that much! Well, in reply I simply said, "She's just Aunt Carol." And then she went on to say that she didn't know how my mama did it with seven when she only had three and at times she felt as though she could just pull her hair out and that we were all just so well mannered and that it seemed as though Mama never got mad. And I just told her that we all have our days and that the worst was when Mama would tell us to go sit in the bathroom while she drank a cup of coffee and then she came in there to talk to us and a little more! And when I told her that the look on her face was worth a million dollars!

She said, "Ya'll got spanked?"

"Oh yeah." I said in reply.

And I went on to tell her that I had a mouth and she was like,

"You? But you're just so sweet and nice."

So I said,

"Maybe I am, but I am like that because my mama did spank me."

And then she asked if spanking me finally cured my mouth and

I said, "Oh no. Liquid soap was what did it!"

The look on her face was priceless!

My mama knew that if she didn't do that, then I would grow to be one the rudest people you ever met because I wasn't afraid to say or tell anyone anything! And because of my mama and the Lord I am not like that. But, like I said above we all have our days and she is always there to help me through those days!

Dear Lord,
Thank you for my mama!
A woman who was not afraid to discipline her child!
Thank you for giving me the mother that I have so that she could help mold me
into who I am today!
She is not only a dear friend but she is a awesome mother!

Proverbs 13:3

"Self-control means controlling the tongue!
A quick retort can ruin everything."

Today me and Baby Girl went and helped a near a group of people finish
the out side of a fellowship hall.
We were all excited about being able to help because we love to do construction work!
Well, when we getting out of the car,
someone that really drives me crazy and all we do is argue, pulls into the parking lot.
Right before I got out I sent up a short to God asking him to have us working on opposite ends of the building and then I knew that everything would be okay.
Well, as we were getting everything ready to start working, the man in charge of the project,
"Leah-Joy, your gonna be this hear fella's right hand man."
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, NOOOOOO!!!!
I cannot work with this guy!

Well, anyhow, so around the building we went with our latters, staple gun and ply wood.
And it was amazing!
We never argued, picked on each other or anything!
I don't know about him but I think that the Lord must of had my tung because there
was more then once when I wanted to say something rude or negative but I didn't.
I can't think of any other time when the Lord has given me that much self control.
It is amazing the way He chooses to teach us lessons
because I really have been being quit rude with my mouth and I know that God helped me
with that then He will help with everything else!

Thank you Father for helping me have control of my tongue and not ruining a wonderful day!

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Noel is now a Licensed Practical Nurse!!!
She is now going to start her ministry!
The Lord is so amazing!

She has come through so much!
We are all so proud of her!

Thank you Father for such an AWESOME sister!
One who keeps going even when the going gets tough!
Please keep her safe as she continues to walk in your will
and strengthen her hands as you did Nehemiah's.

Wonderful Wednesday

Today was another wonderful Wednesday!
I was blessed with being able to go to my grandmother's house!
It is so peaceful there!
I love Wednesdays and going to visit with my wonderful grandmother!
We talk, embroider pillow cases and watch "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire."
Today she wasn't able to go to church because her right knee has been bothering her and she is having a hard time walking.
Please keep her in your prayers that her right knee will get better.
But that will not stop her!
I think that is where we part of our stubborness from!
But if you met her you would never guess that she is STUBBORN!!!
But it is a quiet way and when she makes up her mind there is NO changing it!

Even though she didn't eat with me she got up and warmed me up some supper and sat and talked with me!
It was so wonderful!
She told me what she use to put in my daddy and uncle's lunch boxes and
many other things like when the hay in the field would be ready and how she never really did like Oreos and still doesn't! : )
Then I rode to church with my aunt and helped her in the nursery!
My aunt is so amazing! She can make any baby stop crying unless they want mama.
But then at times she can make stop crying for that!
She is so amazing!
We had two 2 year olds, one 1 year old, one 6 mon. old and one 9 mon. old!
It was a lot of fun!
They are all so precious!

This little dude is one of the 2 yros.
He is such a good lil' fella!
Him and Grace are having fun on the BIG chalk board!
If you click on the picture you should be able to see the pig that they drew!

SHE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!
Her test only lasted two hours and then she and Mama went to the Tennessee Aquarium!

We should know the results of the test on Thursday afternoon! Praise Him from whom ALL BLESSINGS flow!

Pray Without Ceasing

As many of you know, Noel has graduated from nursing school!!!
Well, in order to be licensed she has to take a State test!
If you read this early enough please pray for her!
She will be taking the test, Tuesday April 22nd, from 8:00 am-1:00 pm.
We all know that she will do well for she has always been in her Father's will!