Fall? Already?

I am so going to make my sister Debi mad by even mentioning the word "fall", but I can't help it. As I write this at 7:30 a.m., it is 55 degrees outside. The high only got up to 81 yesterday and by last night it had cooled off to the low 70's. Y'all. I love me some fall weather.

Todd and I are NOT beach/summer people. We're more like mountain/fall/winter people. I seriously think we would both be happy living in Maine or Alaska. Cooler weather makes me so excited for fall~Halloween, soups and stews, sweaters, my yummy red coat that I adore, fuzzy warm blankets, fires built by my hubby~I love all these things! Bring it on!!!!

Someone else who loves this weather~Andy the WonderDog! We gave him a bath last night~which is much more pleasurable for us all when we're not being FORCED to do it {because of him being a dog and all~that's all I'm gonna say}. He cracks me up. He hates the water, loves the massage Todd gives him when he shampoos him, but the part he absolutely ADORES~the towel rub at the end. He's like a bull when he sees the towel~he runs full force toward it and stops by shoving his head in between Todd's legs. It's hilarious. Then he gets all frisky and stuff. Too cute. He's such a good dog. Remind me I said this the next time he acts like a normal one.

Unfortunately I don't think this loverly weather is going to last because I just looked at WeatherBug. But it's nice to dream, right?

What are you looking forward to? Do you have any fun traditions that you do with your family every year?

I hope you all have a fantabulous Tuesday!! Love to all!

ThE eNd Of A gOoD tHiNg

I have mixed feelings about finishing Bible studies. Especially when it's one as good as the one I just finished. It's always bittersweet~I miss the lessons learned from a particular topic~this one was the fruits of the Spirit~but I am thankful for what God has shown me through it. I just finished my last day of homework before we meet tomorrow night. It was amazing! The last day was all about living the life of a victor~from the time we rise until the time we lay down at night. I thought I'd share some Scripture to tell you why this thrills me so~and why I love the idea of falling to sleep with Him every single night.

Psalm 63:1~8

1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Comfort is found in these words! I also love this verse:

Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Well, I don't have time to expound much more on this~I have to get my lunch ready for work. I hope this soothes your weary soul today~I know it did mine. Love to all and be blessed!

Cool Quote

I came across a neat quote this morning in my morning devotion and wanted to share it. I've been praying for a special lady in my life~if you're reading this, know that this is meant for you today.

"Jesus did not come to explain away or remove suffering. He came to fill His presence with it." This is by Paul Clidell, a French poet, and diplomat.

If all we can do is pray...then ALL we can do is pray. There is power in the name of Jesus. We sang a song at our choir concert this Sunday night that says this:

"Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name~let the nations say it louder
Nothing has the power to save but Your Name!"

We sang this last night at choir practice, too. We were praying for some pretty big issues, and Music Man started singing this song. There is POWER in His name. Prayer is powerful, and if for now that is all you can do~then do it. He hears, listens, and comforts. He brings peace like no one else can. He restores minds, marriages, mends broken hearts and works all things out for the good of those who love Him. He NEVER does anything accidentally. If God has placed something so strongly on your heart that all you can do is think about it day and night, then PRAY. Keep on doing so until He reveals to you what else He wants you to do.

I hope this find its way to someone who needs it today. Love to all.

Ummmm.......

It's funny how things hit you~and yesterday I kept thinking what it will be like next year when Graham isn't with me at the school anymore. I wish I could continue to move along with them, but I am pretty sure that will not happen. I like being a part of the school and knowing all of his friends. That won't be the case next year. I know, I know, it's a whole school year away. I was just thinking about it all day.

So was Noah, apparently. He came up to me last night and asked what Graham was going to do when he got out of school and none of us were home. I told him I guessed he'd stay by himself for a little bit until I was able to get home. Actually, I think it was Jonah that said that. I thought it was funny how we were both thinking about it on the same day.

Anyway. We had a great Monday~all the neighborhood kids were out all afternoon and evening. Graham and Drew went on a bike ride with the girl next door {doesn't that sound like a book or a movie?} while Todd stood outside talking to neighbors. I had already gotten all comfy for the night, so I sat inside and read. I know. I was exhausted. Mondays are rough for me, although I haven't figured out why yet. It was loverly. And peaceful. I don't get to read in those conditions very often.

This morning I am going to the chiropractor for my physical therapy evaluation. I will be curious to see what it involves. My back hasn't hurt in several weeks now, so I'm thrilled about that. I also have not been getting headaches~which I used to quite frequently, and I didn't even put those things together until just recently.

And speaking of that, I need to get off of here. I hope you all have a fantabulous Tuesday!!! Love to all!!

Happy Monday!

It was a great weekend, wasn't it? God blessed us with with gorgeous weather all weekend, and I officially have fall fever. I love this time of year~when the dog days of summer slowly give way to the upcoming cooler temperatures. I love cool mornings and evenings. So do the kids because they can actually play outside without even breaking a sweat. Same goes for my hubby when he cuts the grass~I love respites from all the heat we've had.

I love fresh starts, too. So I guess that means that I kinda like Mondays. It's a new week, and the possibilities are endless.

The reason I love all of this "freshness" so much is because it reminds me of God's love. We are not a perfect people~no matter how much we love the Lord. Adam and Eve are the ones that caused sin to happen, and even by breathing, we are all sinners. I confess that I am nowhere near perfect~ask my husband, ask my kids, and I'm sure they'd be quick to point out my faults. The point is, though, that in spite of that~Jesus loves me just as I am.

I love the book of John~in it we learn that in order for Christ to grow in us, we must become less and less. We have to allow Him that room to grow abundantly in us, and if our "selves" are in the way~then that will stunt His growth. MercyMe sings a great song about this~it's called So Long Self. I'm sure you can find it on YouTube.

I also love the story of the Samaritan woman~the woman that had been so shunned in her hometown that she had to get water in the hottest part of the day instead of the mornings or evenings like all the other women. They forced her to do this because they didn't want to be seen with her. But Jesus sat with her. He asked for a drink of her water, and when she refused to give it to Him, choosing instead to question Him, He told her all about the Living Water~the kind that when consumed, would quench all her thirsts.

John 4:14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.

Do you think she turned that Water away? Of course not! "Please, sir" the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water." John 4:15 states.

Just as she was~Jesus loved her enough to offer her eternal life in Him. What is He offering you today? Don't turn Him away. Just trust in Him~in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

A Little Scripture

Isaiah 50:4 The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he awakens me and opens my understanding to his will.

I read that verse 3 times this morning~once in my morning devotion, once by accident when I flipped open my Bible to Isaiah, and once again in an email devotion that I get everyday called The Vine. You know that usually happens when God is trying to get your attention.

I am loving this day that I am about to start~I love Sundays!! Especially this one because tonight we're having a concert with Regi Stone. We practiced yesterday and had an amazing time of worship just in the practice. I'm excited about tonight! If you're reading this locally, come join us tonight at Memphis First Assembly of God at 6pm! You will be blessed, I promise!

Well. It's time for me to go wake up all my men for church. I'm going to attempt to get them to eat breakfast, but I just found out last week that they've been eating donuts at the church every Sunday~the ones that this sweet man brings to the people that help out in the Sunday School office. So. We'll see how this goes. Love to all, and be blessed today on this Lord's day!

A Quick Note...

I'm about to be off to church! I am excited because the amazing Regi Stone will be with us all weekend. We're having a one day retreat at the church, and ending it with a concert tomorrow night. I'm really excited.

Can I just say how wrong it is that I was up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning slaving over a hot stove? Literally. I made a yummy breakfast casserole to take for our breakfast.

I hope you're all having an amazing weekend~we got ours off to a great start last night with some couple friends of ours. Fun times! If you don't mind~remember my sister Debi in your prayers today~she has been sick since we visited almost a month ago with what she thought was a sinus problem, then vertigo. Turns out she's having severe migraines. Dembra, if you're reading...love you and praying.