Happy Birthday

last week was my sister, Lorieann's, birthday.. we had planned on celebrating this past sunday after church for lunch... we did not get to do that.. we have not had any rain here in quite some time... God poured it on us Sunday...it was so much needed and we were so thankful for it..... we did not celebrate sunday because it was so nasty....outside..so, we will celebrate tonight with a hearty breakfast for supper!!!! yumm.. I can't wait.... my MAMA'S hot biscuits and gravy..... yummo...

it's gonna be delicious....

it seems the cooler, fall weather has arrived....every year when the fair comes to town, we always have a few days of rain..NEVER fails..... but this year, we are definately not complaining..

i have enjoyed some days off from work..it has been great to sleep, and just chill in my pj's all day if I want too...lol..

Thankful for the rain, and for family to spend time with today...

IT'S FALL YA'LL

Ecclesiates 3:1 To every thing there is a season , and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

happy fall to everyone!! we love this time of the year. the cool mornings, and warmer afternoons are quite enjoyable. i had a great time sleeping in this morning.. i love my sleep.. we love this time of the year.. beautiful leaves turning, fair time, weekend trips to the mountains, hayrides..punkins...you get the picture.... i am going to put up some fall decorations this afternoon....

the change of seasons always amaze me... i love them all...winter is my least favorite... but to think that the Lord has all of this in His hands... He has it under control.. He makes everything beautiful... beautiful snow in the winter...spring brings pretty buds and new life, summer brings warmth, and fall brings beautiful change upon us...

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made everything beautiful in his time; also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

we are looking forward to a great weekend... our annual Sigma Rush night will be Sunday night.. we are looking forward to a great year in Sigma with the teens...

HE WILL PROVIDE

this has been a tough week. our week started off with a hard hit.. for a second time in seven years, we have had to replace the water pump on our well.. it was '' fried'' again. this was a hard hit to us, mainly financially.. it was over 400.oo to replace it... that is a hunk of change when you don't expect it... but He always provides for us!!! He always gives us what we need, when we need it...it is a good thing when we depend on HIM..

Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation, Selah.

He is so faithful to provide us with the benefits and things we need each day. Praise Him for everyday things, including SHELTER, food, clothing, safe travel, a job, and so on..

Another thought.. a home, just a few miles from us, today, exploded and was destoyed by fire. Thank God the couple was able to get out right before it exploded... We are thankful for home, and for the home HE gave us eight years ago. It was truly, without a doubt, HIS will for us to have this house..

This week, also, means we are a little closer to some much needed time away.. looking forward to just ''chillin out'' for a week, and doing nothing much... I am ready.

my ME time

Personal time is very important.It is a time to be alone and reflect, rest,or regather yourself. It, for me, is a personal time of devotions, prayer time, and a time for writing down thoughts, goals, and personal stuff. It always ends in praise to the Lord for everything He has done!!

I have enjoyed my personal time this week. It has given me time to reflect on what the week's events held, what has or has NOT been accomplished,and what is to come in the next few weeks.

Everyone should have a personal time, away from it all. It can be anywhere. It can be at home in your living room, at your dining room table, on your bed, in a swing in your yard.. I love coffee shops, tea rooms, and book stores..For me, yesterday, it was in my pool.. We still have not closed the pool yet, due to hot days here.. but I know those days will soon be over, so, I choose to take advantage while I still can...LOL.. and I love it...I love fall, but I drag summer out to the very end!!!!! It was a hot, beautiful day, and I wanted to let the sunshine fall, and I could feel it's warmth all around me.. It reminded me of His love for us... The beauty of Him was all around, and it was enjoyable to have it near and dear.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and heavy laiden, and I will give you rest.

take time out for you physically too. Get hair done, nails, geta pedicure..(LOVE THESE) . rest your body..get a massage, give yourself a facial.. take care of your self.

Each day, start by giving it back to Him. He gave it to you to use for His glory.Let Him lead you in every opportunity, option, decision. I like to set personal goals for the week. It doesn't always mean they ALL get accomplished. Some of my personal goals this week included preparing for the new Sigma year, organization of my kitchen, and giving myself some personal attention physically, a mud mask to my face,,lol......During your ''me'' time, write down those goals, prayer requests, and never forget the Praises... that always helps me, because we never can do this enough!!!! WE ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO PRAISE HIM FOR.. HE HAS BEEN GOOD TO US!!

always have a grateful attitude. I try to be a good witness, and to ask the LORD to help me at work, home, wherever I may be.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicene: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Take some time out this week to have that personal time with God. Allow Him to use you for His honor and glory.

'' Fully trusting??''

TRUST- sometimes, we find this a hard thing to do. it is easy to get in a rut of doing it on ''our own'', and not depending on our Heavenly Father, to help us through. things happen beyond our control. the washing machiene quits, your well pump burns up, or you might have to do some work on a vehicle. these things happen when we least expect it. we want to do everything on our own to ''fix'' the problem, without relying on Him to help us in the situation. in the end, we realize we can't make it without Him. He is whom we place our trust, and He will provide.

Some take life ''as it comes''. ''Roll with the punches''..so to speak. Are we fully trusting in Him to see us through??

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.

Psalms 40:4 Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust.

only JESUS can satisfy and help us through our ups and downs of life. they will come. and sometimes when we least expect them to. Trusting in Him makes all the difference in the world. in HIS TIME, will come the new car, (sigh...). new furniture.. all the material things don't matter...

Psalms 9 :10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou,

Lord, has not forsaken them that seek thee.

sometimes, we need to do a ''reality check'' on our own lives. we have to reshape, rethink, and rededicate.

''reshape''.. take out the old, and go for the new. remove those things that stop us from fully trusting in Him. confess our faults..EVERYBODY has them.. I know I have plenty.. have true JOY in your life.

J- JESUS

O - OTHERS

Y- YOU

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righttousness; and ALL these things shall be added unto you.

''rethink''..- what can I do for HIM?? He has done so much for me?? give Him time, talents, job.?? Prioritize.. and think about what really matters. Jesus, IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

'' rededicate''.. give it all to Him. seek HIM in all you do, and do what you can for GOD.

There will be no excuses in HEAVEN.

He is with us always, and it is so good to know we can trust Him. He never fails. Trust in Him for even the little things that come our way.

Exodus 33 :14 And he said,''My presence shall go with thee , and I will give thee rest.''

i needed this today.. this was just part of what I studied today in devotion. I need to trust Him more, even for the small things.

'' Turn your eyes upon JESUS, look full in His wonderful face. And the ''things'' of earth, will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.'' AMEN.

NEVER FORGET

never forget 9/11

today, we remember those who tragically lost their lives and pray for their loved ones also.

Thankful for the troops serving our country, and for the everyday heros who give their time to protect us and our freedom. we are grateful for those who risk their lives everyday to help those in need.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

AMERICA,AMERICA, GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE!

cooler temps= FALL

cooler temps have arrived here in the upstate this week, and that means fall is just around the corner..this is one of my favorite times of the year.. time for hot soups, football, fair time,and beautiful fall leaves, and then it will be vacation time for us two, and then Christmas will be here before we know it..

we have had a great revival this past week..still feasting off of those great messages, and then a great day yesterday at Church. He always knows when we need it most!!!

SEND down Thy likeness from above, and let this my adorning be: Clothe me with wisdom, patience, love, and lowliness and purity. Joachim Lange

busy as bees

we have been busy as bees here at my little ''love nest'' this week. Chris has been working and I have too.. we have been in revival all week with Bro. Tony Hutson. It is always a great revival, and he is one of my favorite preachers. as for me... you can tell what I have been up to these past few weeks. the apples, on my trees were loaded in the spring, then as it became dryer weather, they began to fall off..the ones left on the trees ripened quickly.. so, I did not want them to waste, so, I began my usual ''fall time ritual'' and started my apple butter.. I have made 3 runs so far. I think it is pretty.

I always love this time of the year.. but I hate to see summer leave us.. I love summer time, spent with family and friends.... my niece, Corrie, just turned 21 yesterday.... whew..where does the time go?????? It won't be long and Chris and I will be celebrating 8 years of marriage..we are looking forward to our annual anniversary trip together...can't wait!!!

He is my sweets!!

this is a picture of a few of the apples we picked off of our trees.. they were so beautiful with the colors..

'' The kindly word that falls today may bear its fruit tomorrow.''