I'm amazed at how my Savior can take any and every circumstance around me to show me more about him. My prayer has always been that this journey of life I'm on would continually bring honor and glory to him, so by using every opportunity; my mistakes, my successes, and my day-to-day adventures, he teaches me how to use it for his glory. This life he blessed me with is ALL about him! So, these are my thoughts, my heart cries, and my lessons from his glorious Word. These are the teachable moments from my Savior!

Psalm 25:4-5 "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Conversations With a Kind Soul

I went to my favorite little grocery store this afternoon and as I walked up and down the aisles I frequently passed an elderly man shopping as well. He looked pretty rough and smelled as though he had been working hard out in the heat but he was intently shopping up and down the aisles. On one particular aisle, I noticed his lost look as he glanced through the spices and that's when I heard him say,

"Ma'am, can I ask you a question?"

I politely turned to him and said, "Absolutely!"

He proceeded to ask me about what kind of spices he needed to fix something in his crock-pot. He couldn't even think of what it was but after listening to him describe it; I concluded that he was wanting to cook a roast. We chatted about cooking pot roasts and I showed him some things I use for mine. He began sharing a bit of his story with me of being recently divorced and now alone trying to figure out how to fix all the good foods he loves. He was a sweet soul and I was blessed to share a few minutes in conversation with him.

It reminded me that we can be so busy in our own worlds that we forget about those hurting all around us. People we pass in the grocery store, see at the coffee shops or doctors offices, those who pump gas beside us at the gas stations, well, they all have a story. Sometimes just a smile and a kind word is all it takes to make someone's day. Sometimes it may take a few minutes of our time to stop and let a person know that they are important by engaging in conversation. I am thankful for that reminder today.

In a world that is turning darker by the minute, I was blessed to share a few minutes of "Light" with an elderly gentleman on the spice aisle of my little grocery store. There is nothing sweeter than talking about my Jesus and sharing the hope that only He can offer. I left the store today with a heart overflowing in praise to God for His divine appointments. He is so good!

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Walk Worthy!

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

Today, as we go about our way, let's remember "who" we are and also "whose" we are.

Precious Lord, as I begin my day, may I walk in a manner worthy of YOU. Lord, may I represent my family well by my words and actions but may I also remember that I am a child of the King and may others see YOU in me. I pray that I will shine the Light of Christ in a dark world and that I will lead others to YOU. Help me put selfish desires to death and show others that life in YOU is full and abundant! YOU are my Savior, YOU are my God, YOU are my EVERYTHING and may my life be pleasing to YOU! I love YOU, sweet Father! In your Holy name I pray these things, Amen and amen!

"We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God."

Colossians 1:9b-10 (HCSB)

Monday, May 25, 2015

~ Memorial Day ~


This morning as I sit on my front porch and drink my coffee, my thoughts go out to all those who made this liberty possible. I'm sitting here enjoying God's beautiful creation in freedom with God's Word open, the birds chirping, the sun shining, and a heart of gratitude for all those men and women who sacrificed their lives to make this possible for me. Yes, what a huge reminder that freedom isn't free!

This freedom that we enjoy today comes at a huge price for someone else. Today, as we enjoy our cookouts, our time at the beach, out in the boat, or just sleeping in late and hanging out with our families, may we remember and thank God for those who made it possible. 

Our pleasure comes at someone else's pain.

Thank you to all who serve! God bless America today and evermore! 

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."
John 15:13 (NKJV)

Friday, May 22, 2015

Chilly Morning on the Porch!

My front porch rendezvous with Jesus has included a warm blanket this morning because the temperatures are quite chilly! Lol! I love it!!!! I love a cool morning breeze as I sip my coffee and read the Word! And the temps are going to stay under massive heat today, which also makes me very happy!

As I prepare for my day there are so many things that I lift in prayer. There are friends having medical procedures, friends facing tough decisions, loved ones struggling with family situations, news stories that shake us and make us hurt, and so much more on this Friday. So today, I begin here...laying burdens at the feet of Jesus.

There is a brand new day ahead of us. There is a God who already knows what lies ahead. He is in control of every situation we face, every difficult decision in front of us, every shocking news story that brings questions. He is in control!

Today, let's rest in HIS comfort, rely on HIS guidance, trust in HIS sovereignty, and praise HIS holy name for HE is GOD and we are not!

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
Psalms 118:8 (NKJV)

"That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.'
Isaiah 45:6-7 (NKJV)

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalms 118:24 (HCSB)

Thursday, May 21, 2015

My Sanctuary!

There are so many things I love about my home! I love the people that inhabit it with me. I love the location away from the chaos of city life. I love the view from my front porch. I love the marks in the kitchen doorframe that measure how my precious kiddos have grown. The list could go on and on but one thing I love the most is that I have been able to call this place home for almost 10 years now. Yes! Almost a whole decade! I have never, in all my 42 years of life, ever lived in one place that long. If you really want to know, I have moved 19 times over my 42 years and I've been here for almost a quarter of that. Shew!!!!!!! When we moved here in 2005 I told Matt that I was done moving and when I die (of course, hopefully not for a really long time! Lol!), he could bury me in the back yard. Haha! That would be the last move I would make. I would move on up to heaven with Jesus and this shell of mine could stay in the yard. Ha! In all seriousness, if God calls us, we will go wherever He leads but I am thankful He has allowed us to stay put for a while!

A few years after we moved here, the big housing collapse happened and all the busy construction in our neighborhood ceased. So there are many undeveloped lots all throughout our section of neighborhood and my favorite area is the one undeveloped cul-de-sac on the other side. This place has become quite special to me. There have been lots of bike rides & walks with my family down that road. Ben had many driving lessons prior to getting his license and now Callie is getting her turn as well. But the one thing so special about that cul-de-sac is that it has become a sanctuary for me. My prayer walks always seem to stop there. It's not glamorous but the beautiful scenery of God's creation surrounds me and I lift my hands in praise, sing songs of worship, and pray to my Father in the solitude of undeveloped land. What sweet sweet time! Tears of joy and tears of burden have been shed on that concrete slab but the presence of the Holy Spirit overwhelm my soul and His glory shines!

Maybe you have a place like that too. A sanctuary away from the craziness of life when you can just "be" in the presence of Jesus! A place to make memories. A place to listen. A place to praise. A place to sing. A place to worship. A place to cry. A place to rejoice. A special place!

Today, I'm thankful for that place! I'm thankful for the amazing moments with Jesus and I pray that He continues to work in my life to mold me more into the woman He wants me to be. I'm a work in progress! But today, I praise YOU, Father, for our special place! Have YOUR way in me!

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him."
Psalm 62:5 (NIV)

"Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness."
Psalm 150:1-2 (NIV)

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."

Psalm 150:6 (NIV)

Monday Morning Prayer!

Good morning friends!

Those of you reading this right now...you have been prayed for on this Monday morning.

This is my prayer for you and may you have a blessed day in HIM....


"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
 Romans 15:13 (NLT)

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Summer Mornings!

Summer has begun for me! Yes, work continues but just not as early! Lol!

Many things to do but in this moment....

My favorite thing about summer is front porch mornings with Jesus! My Bible, coffee in my special mug made by the sweetest 18-year-old son, loyal dog at my feet and a beautiful view of God's creation. Looking forward to many mornings like this!

More of you sweet Jesus...more of YOU!

"Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives."

Psalms 90:14 (NLT)

Friday, May 15, 2015

A Morning Message!

Hey YOU…

You, reading this right now...

You got this!

Trust God~New strength~Soar high!

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Another Year to Praise My Lord!

Today I'm thankful to begin a new year of life! 42 years of walking this earth and, prayerfully, many more to honor and serve my Lord!

Thank you, Father, for the gift of life. May my life honor and glorify YOU all my days!

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

Psalms 139:16 (NLT)

"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

The Word!

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

I went to bed the other night and this verse started going through my mind. I had not read it that particular day but for some reason over and over throughout the night as I tossed and turned, this verse was on my heart. I just kept reciting it out loud throughout the day yesterday in praise to God for being my constant source of direction and comfort. I'm so thankful for his unfailing love and also his sovereignty over my life. O, how I love the Word of God and how it permeates every crack and crevice of my heart. It soothes. It heals. It corrects. It teaches. It comforts. It directs.

It.Speaks.Life!

More of YOUR Word, Lord....more of YOU!

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:1 (NIV)

Monday, May 11, 2015

Prayer Time!

I spent a great deal of time last week devoted to prayer. Prayer for our country, our communities, our churches, our schools, our brothers and sisters around the world, my family and loved ones and many other things on my heart. I'm so thankful that my God hears me at all times and anywhere I lift my prayers to him. It was a sweet time as these prayers took place just about everywhere. On the undeveloped cul-de-sac in my neighborhood, the grocery store checkout, at the fast food restaurant, in the car, in my home and many other places! I'm so grateful for a God that not only hears my prayers but acts on my behalf.

God is at work! Take some time and devote yourselves to prayer! What an amazing gift we have to lift our burdens to the throne and have confidence that God hears our prayers. To be still in His presence is a priceless treasure!

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalms 46:10 (NKJV)

"Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2 (HCSB)

Today, I just want to praise HIM for his presence and sovereignty in my life!

Precious Father, I love you and thank you!


Sunday, May 10, 2015

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm so blessed to have the most wonderful mother. Her love for God and others inspire me daily. She truly displays the light of Christ in a dark world and my life is richer because of her selfless and caring spirit to everyone she encounters. Mom, I love you so much!


Ben, Callie & Caleb...I am forever grateful to God that he gave me the high honor of being your mom. You three bless me beyond words and I love each of you so much. This day is special because I celebrate each of you & the incredible gifts that you are to me. God's three amazing blessings call me "mom" and that is a treasure!

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Happy 8th Gotcha Day!

Happy 8th Gotcha Day to our sweet Caleb!

Eight years ago today on the other side of the world, a scared little 3-year-old boy walked through the door of a government office and into our arms. God blessed us immensely through the miracle of adoption and we praise Him for the courage to take the journey!

What a precious moment that I will never forget and always cherish! Holding Caleb for the first time and realizing how perfectly he fit in my arms and seeing how God orchestrated every detail to bring our family together is a true gift!


Today we celebrate Caleb, the blessing of family and what an amazing God we serve!

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Eight Years Ago We Were China Bound!

Eight years ago today our little family of four boarded a plane to fly to the other side of the globe to bring our precious Caleb home! What an amazing journey God had for us as he knit our family together the way only He could.

Stepping outside our comfort zone took great courage and faith in God. The journey hasn't always been easy but so worth it! Eight years later, the prayer on my heart is the same...Lord, give us the courage to follow YOU wherever you lead us and give us strength, courage and faith for the journey. His ways are perfect. All honor and glory belong to Him!

"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15b (NIV)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)