...of a blonde joke, courtesy of Poddy. Thanks Pod!

Sarah was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana. She wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking. After becoming very frustrated with the "no haggle" attitude of one of the shopkeepers,Sarah shouted, "Maybe I'll just go out and catch my own alligator so I can get a pair of shoes at a reasonable price!"The shopkeeper said, "By all means, be my guest. Maybe you'll luck out and catch yourself a big one!" Determined, Sarah turned and headed for the swamps, set on catching herself an alligator. Later in the day, the shopkeeper is driving home when he spots Sarah standing waist deep in the water, shotgun in hand. Just then, he sees a huge 9 foot alligator swimming quickly toward her. She takes aim, kills the creature and with a great deal of effort hauls it on to the swamp bank. Laying nearby were several more of the dead creatures. The shopkeeper watches in amazement.Just then Sarah flips the alligator on it's back, and frustrated,shouts out, "Dang it, this one isn't wearing any shoes either!"

...how spooky.

I have to admit. With all that's going on in our country I'm a little spooked. But a friend shared her story with me today...a story I really needed to hear. She said God woke her earlier than usual and assertively said, "The heart of the king is in MY hand. Your security lies in Me not in a group of people [i.e., government]. Now do you believe it? Or not?" From that moment on her prayers were the same focus however not from a point of defeat, but a point of victory.

Wow! That's right! We've been through financial crises before. The disciples believed they were going to live to see Jesus return. Nothing is certain. Everything can and/or will be shaken. God is not. He will not be shaken. He is the Only Thing unshakable. So, do I believe it? Or not?

Lord, please keep me from deception. Even the elect will be deceived. If they are vulnerable, then who am I? Help me remain humble and dependant on You that I would not lie in the smoke overtaken with confusion and deception. Grace me with Your discernment. In Jesus Name. Amen.

...what a great trip I had today.

Today was another travel day. We drove from Lake City, South Carolina to Augusta, Georgia last night, shaving 2 1/2 hrs off the total trip to Huntsville, Alabama. That left us about 7 hrs driving today, dropping Todd off at the Atlanta Airport on the way. It was all -in -all a very pleasant trip. After the kids played their D.S. games for hours I finally made them turn them off to reconnect with the world. Good decision! They had a blast sitting next to each other in our jam packed minivan. Tickling, joking, laughing...non-stop. They acted like they actually liked each other. It was a day to remember...thus the reason for my post. I thought it should be recorded for future blackmail.

While the kids were behind me entertaining each other I had the freedom to think. An opportunity rarely provided. It was fun. I cracked the windows just enough to feel the crisp, 65 degrees wind blow through my hair. I noticed the detail of the trees as they passed. I loved the sound of the tires on the road at 75 miles an hour, and the sense of camaraderie I felt as I traveled beside other drivers for miles in a sort of unofficial convoy. Lake Guntersville was as beautiful as always, especially as dusk was making it's debut. And what a debut it was with the gentle, gray-blue atmosphere and the cool breeze...very easy on the senses. The water was like glass it was so still and the birds were dancing against the peaceful, mountainous backdrop. The music was just loud enough for me to enjoy and it was MY music. Not princess music, or children's praise. Some of which I love. But not today. It was Jerry Rafferty all the way from the airport to Huntsville, with a little classical prelude (until the sleepies kicked in). I was loving life. Quiet in the midst of the noise. God was in it. He knows what I like. And He was there to enjoy it with me. That's what I call peace.

...it was too short.

Well today I send my mom back to TX. She came Tuesday.We visited Charleston for a 24 hour mini vacation and brought her back to Lake City for 3 nights. Now I'm taking her back to the Charleston Airport this morning. I really enjoyed her stay even though it was short, too short. She had a lot of time with the kids and I know that is important to her. The kids change much quicker than I do. Let's hope it stays that way. In another 10 years I want people to say I havn't changed a bit. Don't we all? Anyway, I'm grateful I have a loving family. People who make big sacrifices to spend time with me and mine. Next Friday my dad and step mom are visiting me in Alabama, then a couple days later, my grandparents. I'm blessed. God has been good to me.

PS. Charleston was beautifully charming. The hotel we stayed in was also incredibly charming. More on that later.

...of another joke.

If you think "20 to 30 pounds" on the outside of a diaper box means how much the diaper will hold.....YOU MIGHT BE A RED NECK!



That is sooooooooo me! We get our money's worth out of every diaper!

...of a blonde joke.

There were three blondes at a cocktail lounge toasting to "51 days!"
One of the blondes asked for another round and said, "Here's to 51 days!"
They did this numerous times and finally the bartender asked, "I don't get it. Why are you toasting to 51 days?"
One of the blondes explained, "Well you see, we bought this puzzle, and on the box it said 2 to 3 years, but we finished it in only 51 days!!"

He he he.

...How am I going to get everything I want into 12 suitcases?

Well, we have 6 weeks, 4 churches, 32 hours of driving, (who knows how many restaurants and fast food stops!), 6 wardrobes to dwindle down, miscellaneous goods to sort, friends and family to visit, 30 days of homeschooling, 5 Wednesday night church meetings to attend, 3 doctors visits, and twelve bags to pack. My biggest concern...how am I going to get all my stuff into those bags? Yes, I am a "collecter", to put it kindly. I love clothes and accessories. I love to host and to decorate...which requires STUFF. But when I look at the sea of packables and non-packables which I desire to contain, I see the mercy of Jesus. Because He knows me. He knows me in and out. He knows my make up and what I love. From the small, American, stoneware coasters, to the high quality cookware given to me, to the clothes and accessories I desire to express myself in. I know, that I know, that I know, with out a shadow of a doubt that these are small sacrifices to make, to follow Him. I will pack as much as I possibly can into the suitcases I'm allowed with no guilt attached, and leave everything else behind. And then, when the smoke clears I watch Him fill my needs. After all, it isn't what's on the walls in my house that creates an irresistible peace, it's His presence in my home. It's not what I wear that will draw people to Christ, it's His presence within me.
I love Him. He is mine and I am His. Though I don't necessarily look forward to rolling each and every clothing item, weighing and repacking each suitcase, leaving behind some of my favorite things, or giving them away by necessity; I look forward to the pleasant surprises He has in store for me. Every time I receive a "thing" according to my wish list, it's like He's saying to me "Remember what you gave up for me? Here, this one's better. Let's enjoy it together. I love you." Even still, if I received nothing in return, walking in obedience is the greatest fulfillment I've ever experienced. And seeing people discover Jesus?...can't be compared to. He's so capable. He's so personal.
That's why I do what I do.