LIVE EVERY SECOND!!
FOLLOW your heart, EMBRACE your dreams, and CHERISH your life!!!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

I am thankful

Psalm 92:1King James Version (KJV)

92 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:


''Thank you Lord for your blessings on me! There is a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep, there's food on my table , and shoes on my feet, you gave me your love Lord, and a fine family, Thank you Lord for your blessings on me.''

As I sit here sipping my wonderful cup of coffee, I also am sipping on God's Goodness... When you say ,''Thank you Lord..''.. do you really mean it? Do you come with a humble heart THANKING Him for ALL He has done?? That is a hard pill to swallow. It really should NOT be difficult if we stop to think of EVERYTHING He gives us EVERYDAY.. Stuff we take for granted, food, clothes,  HEAT AND AIR,  transportation.  Think about when you were a kid, and all the stuff your parents did for you to provide for you..  and then those SPECIAL things they did for you. You showed them how THANKFUL you were for them. Think about the Lord and what HE daily LOADS us with benefits... what if we NEVER were thankful...I am so thankful for His unfailing love and the grace HE gives everyday. I am thankful for my salvation, my Christian Home, and my husband, and our health. I am thankful for our families and that we have been blessed with great times again this year, and made precious memories together, stuff money CAN NOT buy!!!
This year I am especially thankful for answered prayer and the opportunities He has allowed me and hubby to serve Him more. We are so blessed. We are thankful for the ways He has allowed our schedules to be open at certain times to do things for others and to serve Him together. Around a year and a half ago, I was just down about everything.. just felt let down.. full of hurt, and a lot questions, not really knowing  what would be next.. wondering what the Lord wanted for me .. today, I am thankful for blessings that at that time, were already in the making.. Stuff I could do for Him and not for anybody else. Today, I am thankful that I can use my talent and abilities to serve Him, and that makes ME happy.Sipping on the Goodness He gives to me, in HIS time..
How can we thank Him for all HE has done. We will NEVER be able to thank Him enough. Just as we pray when we want a specific need or want to be met, We can pray and thank Him for everything He has done and will do.Prayer is a wonderful thing, and each time we do and come before Him, we should remember to thank Him already for the bountiful blessings we have received. 
Just stop and think of ALL you are thankful for today!! If you were able to get up out of bed today, eat a great meal with your family, or even more, READ this post, you have a lot to be thankful for!!
Thank you Lord for all your many blessings!
It is NOT thankful people who are Happy, It is HAPPY people who are THANKFUL!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Another Great Time

We  just returned a few days ago from our annual anniversary trip. This time, we wanted to do something different. We decided to go to the Florida Keys. We both had never been there before. We had talked about going a couple years ago, but decided to do a cruise, so this year we finally got to go. We left on a friday, and drove down to one of our favorite places to spend the night, Amelia Island. We love it there... so quaint and fun, and beautiful. We ate at one of our favorite places, Barbara Jean's... what a treat, simply delicious!!!!! We left the next day and drove 3 1/2 hours to stay the weekend with some amazing friends. We went to their Church on Sunday. It is in Fort Pierce, fl. We had so much fun catching up with them. It was great to see their beautiful Church and fellowship with their sweet folk. We left there on Monday and drove on down to the Keys. The first few days, we tent camped. We stayed three nights at the Bahia Honda State Park. It was so beautiful. We had no electricity, just running water. We had a great time , fishing, and cooking our meals. It kind of took us back to our '' earlier'' days of camping.. back to when we first got into camping.... I can tell you I am so thankful for our camper now... The access to having everything right there with you is so great..haha. We did sleep well, and had some funny times there.
We spent the first few days exploring the lower keys.. going to Big Pine Key, Key West, and Islamorada. there are some beautiful places. We went to some great spots for fishing!!! Key West can get a little wild some, but it was very fun. The nightly sunset party was really fun and beautiful to see.
 Bahia Honda State Park
 Our Camp SITE
 at the famous buoy here in Key West

 the Butterfly Museum. this was amazing!!!
sunset party on Mallory Square
We packed up after our three nights at Bahia Honda and headed north to Key Largo. It was a short drive. We stopped to feed the tarpon at Robbie's before heading to our next beachside cottage.
 Chris is feeding the Tarpon...
my turn now.. one did knick my finger.. it hurt a little
We spent the next four nights at the cottage. Key Largo is quaint like the other keys. It is a little small. There are little hole in the wall places everywhere.
 Our beachside cottage.. just steps from the water and dock..

We went to a nearby flea market, and shopped, they do not have a walmart. they have Kmart. It was really cool.

 HERE WE ARE AT THE THEATER OF THE SEAS

We went to the Theater of the Seas. It is like a little seaworld. They have dolphin shows, parrot and sea lion shows , glass bottom boat rides. We enjoyed that so much.
We left there on Monday and headed back toward Vero Beach. We spent the night there with them again, and I got to check something off my sand bucket list... I got to pick oranges...!!!!! We were treated by a man that goes to our friend's church. He has worked there for over 30 years. It was a great experience, and one I will always remember. wE DROVE OVER SEVEN MILES OUT TO THE ORANGE GROVES.

We also visited the Navy Seals Museum before leaving Fort Pierce. This was so neat and a great place for history. We got to see exactly HOW they took down Osama.



We drove to Savannah to spend the night before arriving back in good ole SOUTH CAROLINA!!! It was a wonderful little adventure.. We love to do things like that, not really sure of where we are going or what we are doing... just going... lol we had a  great 14th anniversary!

Monday, June 27, 2016

Wedding fun

we had such a fun time at the wedding of niece, Corrie. She finally said I do to Kevin. They had a great ceremony at a beautiful barn at a nearby winery. It was simply gorgeous. We had great weather, it was a HOTT SUMMER DAY. I directed this wedding, it was a pretty BIG wedding party. It was so fun , and great to be with family and friends. Here are a few pics..


 THE HAPPY COUPLE
 THE WEDDING PARTY
 A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO SAY I DO
 ME AND MY WEDDING DATE
 EATING CAKE
This was such a fun wedding. We enjoyed a nice BBQ dinner for the reception along with some yummy cupcakes and the music was pretty neat too. My parents were recognized as the couple who had been married the longest. I was happy for them and glad it turned out great.... but when it was all over.. I have to admit, I was a little sad.. beacuse we had spent a lot of time prepping and planning the week before and of the wedding, doing little things here and there for the wedding... but anyway they had a wonderful dau , and that was my desire... accomplished!!!

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

I know.. need update

I know those of you who read this blog probably wonder why I have not updated it in  a while... just simply busy, and really have not had the time to sift through everything.. but here goes..
Since the last post, we have had numerous happenings. Our niece has had many fun wedding showers. She and her man Kevin are so ready to spend their lives together. She has had many nights up preparing for the big day. here are a few of the bridal shower pics...
 this was a lingerie shower given by her friend, LOGAN.

THE LUAU I GAVE HER
 WE HAD A BALL AT THE LUAU I GAVE HER. WE SPENT THE WEEKEND AT A NEARBY LAKE, ENJOYING LAKE FUN AND BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AND SOME AWESOME FOOD.

THIS WAS THE CHURCH SHOWER!!

SO, YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE BEEN REALLY BUSY WITH PRE WEDDING ACTIVITIES. NOW ON TO THE BIG DAY SOON... WOW TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Live Life in FULL Bloom

Everything is great around here.  We are so busy,  but it is good.  We have been busy with bridal showers for our niece, Corrie,  who is getting married to Kevin  on June 11th.  We are having a lot of fun,  preparing for the big day,  and also,  they are building a house.  It is a great thing.  The Lord gives our family so much,  we are so undeserving.  He is so faithful. We are so overwhelmed  and happy to see what He is doing and how He is blessing this couple already!!!
the front of their gorgeous home
the living area of their home

We just returned from the annual Teen Camp meeting in Murfreesboro, TN.  We look forward to this meeting every year.  I was so ready to go this year.  I needed the break away from the every day rut,  and I needed to be around my Christian friends, and hear some good messages from God's men.  It was a wonderful time of fun, and great food, fellowship,  and great spiritual food too as well. It was a great meeting,  Sunday,  back home at Church. .I always look forward to hearing what the teens got from the meeting. I  must admit,  I was a little discouraged at first this year.  A lot has changed in a year's time.  But at the end of the meetings,  I became more encouraged, to go on, and live life in FULL bloom.
my Pastor preaching in the camp meeting
me and my buddy hubby

That leads me to the main point of this post.  I really do love Spring time.  It is amazing to see every day,  more and more blooms on the trees.  It is a picture of  God's hand,  and how He really does control EVERY detail of our life.
I love to take pics of the new "life" we see every year when everything is blooming.
Live life in full bloom... Bloom where you are planted. ..
This means so much to me. I want to always do what the Lord wants me to do. I feel so undeserving that He would use my life to bless others,  but it is a true blessing!  I want to be used wherever God wants me to be used. . Just as God controls every little bud that  He produces beautiful flowers, trees,  and fruit. HE controls every little detail of mine and your life. . It gets hard and rough sometimes,  and people can be so rude, and things don't go as you plan, but remember that He knows what is best, and can make something beautiful of your life.
This is so very true!
''Life's field  will yield as we make it,  A harvest of thorns or of flowers! '' - J.Goethe
I want a huge harvest of flowers, not thorns!!! :)
this bush is so bright and pretty
the Azaleas blooming in my front yard against the house
pansies and tulips in the park
this is such a unique tree.. it is beautiful and my favorite color
love this tree and the colors are so pretty!
Live life in FULL bloom!

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Sunshine is back

HE put this sunshine over my shoulder.. just for ME!!

the warmer weather is here this week.. I have so enjoyed being able to walk around outside and feel and see the beautiful sunshine!!!! It only means that SPRING is almost here!! I am excited about the time change that will happen this weekend!! I love being able to come home to a little bit of daylight left.. We can do more things outside... and ready to gear up for this year's camping and fishing season..!!!!!

The change of seasons is something that has always fascinated me... I know it is all the LORD..but simple things that seem so little... like walking into work, and hearing the sweet, little birds just chirping away, and yet, the day is just breaking.... and the sky.. let me just say, ( just in case you have never really noticed..lol).. I am really into the sun.. sunsets mainly.. but I do love those sunrises.. lol.. I just don't get around to seeing them as often..lol..  I am so into how the sun sets.. It really is amazing to watch.. The colors, the sky afterwards... the beauty of God.. is just breathtaking!!
 This was taken at the lake last may.. It was a beautiful end to a beautiful day!!!!



When I see things this beautiful, I think of a lot of different things.. But one thing that hits home to me, is just how POWERFUL God really is. The CREATOR, the FINISHER, the TRUE GOD!!  I love it when He speaks through nature... The end of a perfect day, with a promise of '' I am in control!""  When all these certain people want to prove that God does NOT exist...all they really need to do is look up.. 
''Every sunrise can give us Hope, but every sunset gives us Peace."
We had one of those ''spur of the moment days'', the other day.. Hubby comes home and says for me to get ready.. get ready to go on a little day road trip....''ok, I said!'' So, we got in the car and took a long country road.... a long, bumpy, BUMPY, country road...... to a bait and tackle shop he goes to, when he goes on the men's fishing trip.... We have an upcoming fishing/camping  trip planned, and we needed some things, so , we went.. and then traveled back and stopped for a late lunch at one of our favorite places... Culver's... We tried Culver's in florida last year on vacay for the first time.... we drove by and I said,''that is a new place, it looks good''.. so, we tried it.. needless to say, we went back 5 times in 14 days........ I know.. that is crazy.. but DO NOT knock it till you try it.... the custard is simply delish!!! My point is, We just love those spontaneous trips down those country roads.. even if they are rough.... lol  we still had fun, just being together... and admiring the beauty of the Lord..

Psalm 36:5King James Version (KJV)

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.


God is faithful.. He is faithful to bless us with TIME. Time we take for granted, time we need for healing, time we need with each other.  When I look at the clouds and sun, it reminds me also of the promise of Heaven!! Thankful for this today! It is really hard to even think about, but if the sun and clouds can be so beautiful down here.. think about the beauty of Heaven. WOW!

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Rejoice

As Christians,  we are to rejoice.  Rejoice in the good times,  even rejoice in the bad times. We don't need to be anxious as to why things happen,  but in these certain times,  let YOUR requests be made unto God. 




COLOSSIANS3: 16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Even IN the biggest problems we face, we can go to Him and pour our hearts to Him, and know that He is working them for OUR good and for HIS glory. Then, as the scripture says, fill our minds with Psalms and hymns , singing unto the Lord. sing..sing sing.. to the top of your lungs if you have to... to me, that is giving Him glory, not only for what He has done, but going ahead and doing it for what HE IS GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE.
Our minds can get the best of us ,if we let it. I fight the '''what if's'' ,ALOT! But, I have to say, that over the past year, I have learned to depend on Jesus like NEVER before... Sometimes, it does take certain trials to get you where you need to be. It takes them for God to mold you, and make you BETTER for Him.. No, I know I am not perfect, but I am forgiven, and that is really ALL that matters .A year ago this week, I was so downhearted.. I really was uncertain of what was going to happen... My sis was had just finished up all of her chemo treatments, and we were playing the waiting game, as a family..... I, personally, had just recently been faced with a true, discouraging time. I was lonely, and really confused, and a little, no ALOT hurt.. but I knew that God would see me through. When it seems that you have NO one sometime, and stuff gets thrown in your face, it is really hard to keep on keeping on, but you have too.... so,  I made up my mind that I would just go on and trust Him, and not worry about things I had done or things I could not change, but to go on for Him.I am so thankful, cause it has helped me draw closer to Him, and also, I can rejoice in the fact that a year later, I have learned that JESUS is really all that matters, and these little things that I think do, DON'T!!!!!!!! I don't have to try to be anybody but MYSELF, and to worry about what God thinks about me, and to have a forgiving heart, and let GOD deal with those who still hold stuff against you, or still may need to forgive you in their heart. This is true biblical repentance.

Colossians 3:13King James Version (KJV)

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

  And also, after all the chemo treatments, and all that my sis had been through, she is still cancer free..
. THAT IS SOMETHING TO REJOICE ABOUT..and I can rejoice too, because God brought me through a valley of uncertainty, a valley of confusion, a valley of  a broken heart. It has brought more Positive things in my life and made me dwell less on the negative, and things I know I can not change, the LORD can and will take care of that .... and showed me that I can do more, and be a better Christian for His good and for His glory. It took these certain things to really learn something.. and that is to  REJOICE in the POSITIVE and the NEGATIVE things , God will give you the victory. Thankful I can rejoice today.. I am rejoicing!!! His love NEVER FAILS!!


 HERE WE ARE AT THE LATEST DOCTOR'S VISIT!
THE DOCTOR SAYS,''YOU ARE HEALTHY!''

rejoicing as a family!!!!