Testimony

I wanted to post my testimony today. To point us all to the cross and to the One who matters most. Well, I grew up in the church. My mom and dad took me faithfully since the day I was born. We went to Christ United Methodist Church, here in Coulwood. When I was eight I went to Camp Lurecrest for a week and that is my first recollection of accepting Jesus into my heart. We saw the Jesus film and I was really impacted by it and the life of our Lord and what He had done for me on the cross. But when I came home from camp nothing really changed in my life. It wasn't until my freshman year of college that God began to draw me to Himself. It was 10 years ago this month!! Wow! I began attending Campus Crusade for Christ at East Carolina University. Little did I know my life would never be the same again. I learned what it meant to live for Jesus. What it meant to have a relationship with Him and to obey Him. He surrounded me with friends who were on fire for Him as well. My defining moment was after one of the weekly meetings. One of the staff members was giving a talk on sharing the gospel. And she said, "On a scale of zero to ten how sure are you that you are going to heaven? Then she went on to explain how you are either a zero or a ten, there's no in between." I got back to my room and began to process what had just been shared. I realized that I would have said I was a six or seven. My reasoning, I am a good person and I don't get into much trouble. But I prayed right then, Lord I want to be a 10. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins and for completely forgiving me of all my sins-past, present, and future! From that point on there was a change in my life. I wanted to live for the Lord and not for my own gain anymore. Suddenly His Word was my guidebook for living instead of what I felt was right.

Soon after my conversion I met Jeremy, the love of my life! He also held my hand as I walked the journey of learning who our Savior is. And we are still learning more everyday about His amazing grace and love for us.

Four and a half years ago God brought us to Crossway Community Church. This has been by far one of the most fruitful tools God has used to bring me closer to Him. I am surrounded by men and women who truly live for the Lord everyday. What do I mean by that? Their lives reflect the commands in scripture and they are daily identifying sin and working to rid themselves of it, so that they can glorify God more. They realize the impact that living today has on where and how they spend eternity. You see, you will spend eternity somewhere. It is not a choice.

So if you are a believer and reading this, may you be encouraged to reflect on your testimony and give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for you. And if you are a nonbeliever or are unsure, may you be encouraged to seek the Lord and ask Him to change your life and show you how to live for Him.

Holy God in love became, perfect man to bear my blame, on the cross He took my sin, by His death I live again.

Happy 50th Mom!!!

Today is my Dear Mom's 50th Birthday! So I would love to honor her today. My mom is one of the most servant oriented women I know. For all of my 27 years of life I can't think of a time when she wasn't putting other's needs before her own. And that is still true today. For instance, She watches my girls and my niece Tristen A Lot! When I am sick with a migriane all I have to do is call her and she comes and gets the girls for me for the day. What a gift that is! She delights in blessing others. She will come over with special little gifts for the girls and I, so fun! And she is constantly asking me what the girls need.

Mom, Happy Happy Birthday! Thank you for your excellent example of what it means to be a servant. Thank you for serving Dad, Lauren, Ab, me, and our hubbies, and all the grandbabies all these years. I often think when it is time to serve someone, "what would Mom do?" Thank you for doing without in the early years so that we didn't have to. (Even wearing jogging pants to the mall. I have forgiven you for that:))

I love you tons!

Home Sweet Home

Well us girls made it home safe and sound. Oh and with a few shopping bags:) Anyway, our appts went well. For me Dr VanLue added a progesterone pill and increased my thyroid medicine. Hopefully these adjustments will help me sleep better and just maybe help with my migraines, etc... Thanks for your prayers.

On the Road

I am hitting the road tomorrow morning with Kim and Dawn. We are headed to Florida to see Dr VanLue. You may recall I have been seeing him for hormonal and migraine issues for two years now. So it is time to make the trip. We would all appreciate your prayers for safe travels and that Dr VanLue would have wisdom on how to help us. I am doing pretty well. Hormones seem to have stabilized and the migraines are improving slowly but surely. Thanks, I'll update you when I get home. Oh and of course there is fun to be had while three girls are together without children. Afterall, our little condo is right in the heart of the outlets.....

The Beginning of Something Great!

First, thank you all for your encouragment of our little blog! I added the comments part so you can leave them on the blog now.

Now to the something GREAT... I am going to be an Auntie again!!!! Yes, that's right, La La (as Gracie calls my sis Lauren) is going to have another sweet little bundle of joy! Due around April 29th, Lord willing. Now I know it is normal to get excited about babies and all but we are ecstatic around here for this one! Why? Because Lauren and Chris have been trying for a little over a year for their second child. If you have ever been through the agony of waiting you know how hard this is. Yet our Great God, in His perfect timing will give them the child He has handcrafted for their little family. So, praise you Lord and Congratulations Lauren, Chris, and "T" (what Tristen calls herself).

The Beginning of Something Good

Here goes! This is my first posting. I have become rather inspired by many of my friend's blogs these past few days. Becky has inspired and encouraged me to take the plunge! So here goes.... I hope you all will enjoy it, especially my dear in laws, Gramma and Papa Ron and Aunt Pam and Uncle Bill, who live out of town. So let's start by posting a pic of my little ones. Gracie 3 1/2 and Piper 17 months! Oh and that's Aunt Abbie with Gracie! I couldn't turn the pic of Pipes, sorry!