Much Better

Thank you so much to each and every one of you who prayed for me these past few days.  I am happy to report that my neck is feeling MUCH MUCH better.  I still have a little "twinge" once in awhile, but for the most part the pain is GONE. 

Isn't it amazing that the God who created the universe still hears the prayers of His children?  And that His mighty hand still reaches down and touches us with His healing power?  I am so blessed!

Prayers For Healing Please

Girls, I have a prayer request . . . for myself.  Last week I woke up one morning with a horrible "crick" in my neck on the right side.  It was pain-ful.  After a couple of days it went away, so I didn't think much about it.  Day before yesterday it hit me again.  I've tried heat.  I've tried massaging my neck.  I've tried moving my head slowly from side to side to try to gently stretch the muscles.  But just when I think its feeling better, it hits me again.

I have no other symptoms.  No cold, no fever, no headache, nothing but a really, really, really sore neck.  If I move it the wrong way, well, oh my, the pain is sharp.

So, would you please begin to pray for my neck?  I know that God is a healer, and while most of the time I think of "healing" to mean healing for cancer, or healing from an accident, I KNOW that God is more than able to heal this old stiff neck of mine.  So would you please agree with me right now for healing, in Jesus name.

Thank you gals so much for praying!  I don't know what I would do without my bloggin' buddies!  I love each and every one of you, and I want you to know that pray for you too!

Fresh Anointing Power

Following is a copy of a old devotion by David Wilkerson, who passed away last spring.  If you are feeling down in your spirit.  If you are wondering why this trial just won't pass. If you are sick and tired of the enemy wreaking havoc in your life, then YOU need to read THIS:

FRESH ANOINTING POWER by David Wilkerson

God allows your trial because He wants to make you “devil-proof”! That does not mean you will not be attacked again but you will be trained to stand! It is all part of His preparing you for greater service, greater anointing and expanded usefulness in His kingdom.  Furthermore, the Lord is trying to strengthen you against the devil’s wiles. He is raising up a body of believers who have faced the devil, who have been strengthened against him, and who know his devices and are not afraid of him! God is saying, “Once you understand why you are going through this, you will have taken back all the ground you lost. You will be in control again—by the power of the Holy Spirit!”  Once Elijah’s trial was over (see 1 Kings 19) he would never run again. He now had a sense of direction and he was reassured in his spirit. You see, God was about to send him to nations to raise up kings, leaders and prophets!  God told Elijah: “Go, return on your way...anoint Hazael as king over Syria...anoint Jehu...as king over Israel. And Elisha...you shall anoint as prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:15-16). Elijah had been given fresh anointing power. He was in control again!  “So he departed from there” (verse 19). Elijah came out of the cave to do God’s will! He did not have to shed a river of tears. No, he simply had heard the Word of the Lord!  Beloved, the only hold the devil can have on you is fear. And you must shake it off in faith! You have to say, “I am not going down. God is going to give me a fresh anointing from heaven—He is going to use me!”  Do you believe that God is not finished with you—that He is teaching and training you for better things? He wants to speak to you in your cave of despondency. He wants to tell you what to do and where to go—and He wants to bring you out!  So get up out of your despair and shake off the bondage of fear and depression! Depart from your cave. You will discover that the moment you get up and walk out, the anointing will flow!

I don't know about YOU, but I needed to be reminded of this today.  I need to be reminded of just who I am IN CHRIST!  I needed to be reminded that the enemy has NO authority over me and my family.  We need to speak those things which be NOT as though they are, and give the devil his marching orders in Jesus name.  We have no power over the devil on our own.  But thank God, Jesus left us all the power we need.  At the name of Jesus every knee must bow, and the enemy must flee!  So today, pray for that fresh anointing power to fall in your life and in your home.  God has a plan for you.  A good plan.  Do not let the enemy steal that from you.

Praise the Lord!!!

I'm Back!!!!!

Wow!  I can't believe our week in Mexico is over and we are back to real life.  To say we had a BALL would be an understatement.  The weather was beautiful (except for our last day at sea when Tropical Depression Lee decided to make an appearance). 

I am so thankful that my two sisters and I got to spend an entire week together.  We have never done that before, and we have all agreed that we need to spend time together MUCH more often.

If you've never been on a cruise, I highly recommend it.  It is extremely relaxing, and the beach in Cozumel, Mexico is beautiful. 

Thank you to everyone who prayed for us while we were gone, and thanks to God for keeping His hand upon us.

Four Years Ago Today

Four years ago today a family in our little town was involved in a car accident.  It was a Friday night, and they had been to "open house" at school.  Their 11 year old daughter was excited to begin 6th grade.  So she brought her school supplies to put in her locker and came to meet her teacher and see all of her friends before school started on Monday.

We didn't see them that night.  Although our daughter, Alex was the same age, we didn't go to open house, and instead went to the local football "jamboree," a kind of pre-season football scrimmage.  Our son Cole was a freshman, and on the football team, so we went to the jamboree instead.  I remember that night so well.  It POURED and I mean POURED down rain.  We sat in the stands watching the kids play and just got soaking wet.

As we headed back home after the game, and back into town to pick up Cole from the team bus, we came upon an accident scene like nothing I have seen before.  More highway patrol cars than you can imagine.  Lights everywhere.  And just off the edge of the road a dark pickup truck that had obviously been involved in a horrible accident, and bob-tailed semi-truck off the road as well.  We drove by and I remember saying a prayer for those involved and then we headed home.  Within an hour my telephone was ringing.  The owners of the dark pickup truck were a family in Eldon.  The mom a local girl from our little town.  The dad a highway patrolman.  Their daughter, a friend of my daughter.  She had been to my house many times, and Alex to her house.  Their son, a few years younger. 

I will spare you the details, but the little girl never regained consciousness.  The rest of the family sustained minor injuries, the brother, a broken collar bone, but the daughter, well, the impact of the accident was on her side of the truck. 

Today, my daughter and all of her friends are wearing pink in honor of the little girl.  Pink was her favorite color.  I ask for each of you to lift this family before the Lord today and ask Him to strengthen them, and encourage them.  It has been a difficult road for them as we can only imagine.  They have a new blessing in their family, another son.  But I know that the memory of their daughter never leaves their mind, and the memory of that rainy night four years ago. 

Today I am praying for them, and for all of the girls in that group of friends who are remembering their friend today.  And tonight, I will hold my daughter, and son, a little bit tighter, and give them both an extra hug as they head off to bed.  And I will thank God for my blessings.  Please remember this family in your prayers today.

Head to Veranda Interiors For a Giveaway

My blogging friend Melissa at Veranda Interiors is having a cool giveaway!  If you've never visited Melissa's blog, you are in for a REAL TREAT!  She lives "up North" in Canada, and she and her husband have just built a gorgeous new home.  Actually, they build LOTS of new homes as she and her husband are builder/developers.  Her new home is absolutely stunning and she will be posting more pictures soon.  So head on over to Veranda Interiors for a chance to win.  You'll be so glad you did! 

Tuesday Things

Wow, this past week has been BU-SY!!!!  I know you all are in the same boat.  Summer winding down, school starting back up.  It's a crazy time of the year!

My daughter Alex  started her sophomore year of high school last Thursday.  Many of her friends have already turned 16 and are driving to school.  YIKES!!!  I know Alex is COUNTING THE DAYS until her birthday, but this mama is glad that we have a few more months before this happens at our house.  I know it will be fine, I just need a little more time to adjust (I KNOW you all know what I mean!).

Cole started college yesterday.  Wait a minute, and I'll repeat that, 'cause I can't believe it myself.  "Cole started college yesterday."  Wow.  I am the mother of a college student.  I can't believe it.  Where have the years gone?  I remember his first day of Montessori School.  His first day of kindergarten.  His first day of high school.  The first day of his senior year.  And now, his first day of college has passed.  Time marches on.

A couple of weeks ago I hinted to you about a trip I am taking.  Well, the trip is almost here and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.  I am leaving this weekend and taking a trip with my two beautiful sisters.  And, wait for it, wait for it, WE ARE GOING ON A CRUISE TO MEXICO!  Can you believe it??  We have never gone anywhere, just the three of us.  A couple of times we've gotten together for an afternoon to do some Christmas shopping but we have never taken time to do something together, just the three of us.  I would have loved for our parents to come with us.  And while my dad would love it, my mom is terrified of the water, and couldn't bring herself to cruise so, unfortunately, they aren't coming.  I am disappointed.  I would have LOVED that time, just the five of us, like it used to be, but that's O.K.  I could NOT enjoy myself knowing my mother was terrified, so we will take tons of pictures and tell her all about it.

We leave out of Galveston, Texas on Monday, on a Carnival Cruise.  I promise to post pictures when I return and share a little about our trip so those of you who have never cruised before can see if it is something you would be interested in doing.   We took our kids on a cruise nearly 6 years ago.  In fact, we are sailing on the same cruise ship, but stopping in one different port.  Obviously, I loved the cruise or I wouldn't be going again.  And, cruising is probably the most inexpensive vacation you can take.  Seriously.  The three of us are staying in an ocean view room, all meals included, for $388 per person.  Yes, you read that right.  $388 apiece.  For the room, all the delicious food you can eat, and a trip to the white sandy beaches of Mexico. 

I would appreciate your prayers for us as we prepare for our trip.  For great weather, and for smooth sailing (NO TROPICAL STORMS OR HURRICANES PLEASE :))!!!  And most particularly I am asking our Lord to bless this sister time, that we will come back rested and refreshed, and even more thankful to the Lord that he sent the three of us to be sisters.  I am so blessed!