Kahli's Junior Prom 2009

This past Saturday was Kahli's Junior Prom. She went with her boyfriend Chris and about 50 others friends. They had a really good time and YES I let her stay out until 7:00 in the morning.

Kahli is a very responsible young lady and she called and/or texted me from each stopping point of the evening. She even asked if I wanted to follow them to the restaurant and take pictures. I wanted to, but earlier in the day I threw my back out, so I could only go as far as the first stop.

The next morning Kahli had to work at church for the 9:15 service, which she did am excellent job of staying awake but unfortunately during the 11:15 worship service I found her doing the "head bob" once or twice.

We talked a lot about the prom and what everyone was doing and what she found to be acceptable and not acceptable and yes I am very proud of the beautiful young lady she has become. No matter what anybody tells me.....SHE IS AN AWESOME TEENAGER!

Thank you Lord for not allowing Kahli to be as bad as I was when I was her age...

CALIFORNIA countdown...

Just in case anyone is wondering.....

Only 54 more days until Kahli and I arrive in San Diego, to be with our west coast family for 17 days!!!!!

I miss these two little faces so very much. I know that when I arrive in California, Faith and Isaac will be so big and so grown up. This picture was taken last summer and you know what a year can do to children. They are growing in leaps and bounds. Not only are they growing in stature but they are growing into young adolescents and they are beginning to have very distinct personalities and the best thing is that they are growing spiritually. I know that they are young but through conversations that we have on the phone, I know this to be true.

Just a month or so ago, I was feeling bad. I had been sick and missed work for a whole week (this is something that I do not do unless I am in the hospital or recovering from surgery). Anyhoo, Isaac called me on the phone and we talked for a while, then he said "you know Nana, my Daddy said I need to pray for you." I told him that I had not been feeling good and that prayers were very welcomed. I no longer got that out of my mouth, when he said " Can I pray for you RIGHT NOW, Nana?" WOW.....really....I said "of course" and he prayed the sweetest most heartfelt prayer to GOD without missing a beat. YES, they are growing spiritually.

Faith also amazes me with her questions about the LORD. Some of the questions she asked blow me away and I do not know how to answer them. Even when we think that they are not listening, they are. Faith has such a heart for the LORD, she shows it and shares it in her own unique way. She loves to go with her Daddy to feed the homeless on Saturday mornings in downtown OB. When she finds out that some children are homeless, she wants to bring them home with her.

What a sweet, sweet spirit Faith and Isaac both have. The reason is that each and every day their parents not only preach, teach and share the gospel but they live it out daily in their very own lives. The children see their parents helping others, praying for people and living out GOD'S word every day. Jim and Michelle are incredible parents and should be very proud to have these two extremely special children!

So you see, I can not wait to see them. I can not wait to hug them, play with them, read with them, swim with them, snuggle with them and LOVE THEM!!!!!

only 54 more days......

Kahli Dance Recital 2009

Thank you to everyone that has prayed for Kahli over these past couple of weeks. She completed her dance recital today with the help of JESUS, who carried her through. To watch her dance you would never know that she has been so sick.

She was amazing, even if she is my daughter. She sparkles when she goes on stage and you can tell how much she enjoys what she is doing. She definitely entertains her audience.

I was very proud of Kahli tonight for many reasons. She did an incredible job dancing. She did an amazing job leading her little girls in their dances. She is a great encourager to the younger dancers. Her attitude remains positive throughout her storms and the best thing of all.....She went on stage prior to the show and led a prayer for all of the dancers that were on the stage.

She credits the great show to JESUS!

Ready, Willing and Able

For awhile now, I have been looking for a "small group", a "home group", a "bible study". I often hear people talk about how they had a great bible study at some one's home and how close their "home group" is.

I have been longing to be a part of something like that. I have been praying and searching for a couple of years. Every time, I hit a dead end road.

Is the LORD trying to tell me something? Is this dead end road really an open door for me to be doing something to glorify HIM instead of satisfy me?

I have talked with many people during these couple of years and every time I do, the conversation always turns to me. What is it that I am looking for? What kind of group do I want to be in? What do I want to achieve in this "group"?

Tonight, as I walked and prayed, I asked the LORD to reveal to me what HIS will was regarding this quandary that I have found myself in, and what did HE want me to do. Because honestly, i often get lost in me and what I want, forgetting that my main goal here on earth is to glorify HIM.

HE has revealed many things tonight through this prayer time . I feel renewed about something that I have longed for, for so long. I feel like my prayers have finally been answered. I now know how I can accomplish what I think HE wants me to do regarding "home group".

No, it is not what I was looking for. It is not going to be comfortable. It is not going to be easy. It is going to take some work. I know that I need to step out of my comfort zone in order to achieve this.

I am ready, willing and very able!

"please pray for kahli"

Please pray for Kahli. Over the past couple of weeks she has not felt well and now that her Spring Break is upon us, she has been down and out. She has suffered with fatigue and muscle cramping. She has had headaches and unable to sleep at night. Now she has come down with a horrible cold and is feeling miserable. Please pray that she is able to re cooperate quickly.

She is really looking forward to church this weekend, with all of the extra services and more chances to minister to the special needs children. However, in order for her to do this, she needs to be well.

This Easter Sunday will be a very special day for us both and it will be much better if she is up and able to go to church and be around fellow believers.

HE LIVES!!!!!

We are blessed!

HE is in control!

Over the past couple of weeks, I have encountered some events in my life, that have made me step back and look. I have gone through numerous feelings including, fear, anger, sorrow, anxiety and hurt.

In talking with a friend of mine the other day and she gave me this verse:

...for i know the plans i have for you, declares

the LORD, plans to prosper you and not

to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and

a future...

JEREMIAH 29:11

This verse has gotten me through the hard times. Once again, i am reassured that HE is in control therefore, I am surrendering myself to HIM!

Thank you JESUS for loving me!

"heard the gospel today"

today is sunday....one of my favorite days ot the week and today was no exception....today i had the honor and pleasure of going to covenant church to hear jimmy preach.....even though he did not have a voice this morning, the gospel was heard loud and clear....one of those messages that leave you thinking and praying and pondering thoughts all day long...

then tonight, i went to newspring and listened to clayton king give a message and heard more of the gospel preached loud and clear....and still i walk away thinking, praying and pondering thoughts...

on my way home as i was driving i heard a song that kind of sums up my day...

BE STILL, MY SOUL

be still, my soul: the LORD is on your side.

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to your GOD to order and provdie;

in every change GOD faithful will remain.

be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

be still, my soul: your GOD will undertake

to guide the future, as in ages past.

your hope, your cofidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

be still, my soul: the waves and wind still know

the CHRIST who ruled them while HE dwelt below.

be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the LORD,

when disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

sorrow for forgot, love's purest joys restored.

be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

yes, the LORD is with me always and forever...whatever i am going through HE is right beside of me. ..HE is in charge...HE will provide. HE knows the order of my steps each day...may HIS will be done...BE STILL and know that HE is GOD!!!!