My Valentine

My Valentine:

10 Years ago I had the privilege of walking down the aisle to this man. Its amazing to look back and remember what you've been through in only a short 10 years. Nathan has stood by me and supported me through three c-sections and four beautiful children, and two angels we never got to meet. He has seen me through the death of my sweet brother and Dad, He had to be the Man of not only one household but of two when he was only 21. He has worked three jobs and gone to college with two children and the third on the way. He has given and sacrificed much for the sake of His family. He is the very image of God and I am extremely blessed that God showed me grace in giving Him to me. When Nathan asked my Dad for my hand in marriage when he was 19 my dad thought Nathan had lost His mind.Why would a 19 yr. old want to get married? Dad made us wait a whole year just to make sure Nathan needed an out. Nathan was so young and well for lack of better words I was and am still extremely independent. What Dad didn't realize at the time was that Nathan was a man who didn't back down. He has and continues to meet me head on,which is incredible to have, someone who doesn't always let you win but calls you on the things that are wrong, the only difference is Nathan does it with style. I've watched Nathan with our friends and family who ask Him advice, He's a natural at it. He can tell you the truth without any pain at all. I always tell people He's the Novocaine you get before a tooth extraction, I'm just the tooth extraction! God has molded us so perfectly together, and continues to chip away the selfish things we hold on to. I am overwhelmed this Valentines Day just knowing that God gave me the perfect gift 10 years ago. Here's to our Happily Ever After.

Hosanna

The song Hosanna has to be one of my favorite worship songs sung by Brooke Fraser. There is something in the words: Heal my heart and make it clean, open up my eyes to the things unseen, show me how to love like you have loved me, break my heart for what breaks yours, everything I am for your kingdoms cause .... This is my mandate for the new year, to not get so hell bent on my own version of my hopes and dreams, but to seek first the kingdom of God....seek first.. I know we all get distracted, discouraged, frustrated believe me I've been there, I could be there tomorrow, but I really believe if I and maybe you put what God wants first, whatever that may be in our lives that He will use our dreams and hopes for His purpose. He's planted those things in our hearts for a reason, we just need to have the right priorities first and sometimes a little tweaking... seek first....

How Deep does the Water Go.......

How deep does the water go??? That's a question I asked 7 years ago, the day my 24 year old brother and 47 year old father went missing. It was suppose to be an exciting time, Thanksgiving was almost here and the cold chill of winter had finally smiled on Louisiana. I had always loved the holidays and enjoyed the anticipation of getting to see my relatives and friends while spending some much needed time together. It was a day that started like any other day, I got up early to drop my oldest daughter, Hannah, off with my mom. My dad was up early as well getting ready to check the fishing nets and crab traps he had laid out last week, a hobby he had acquired early that year. It was his personality to never just be still, he always had to have some sort of hobby whether that included a challenging game of golf or getting to be in his boat on the bayou, or hunting some big game, he loved being busy and being outdoors. My dear sweet brother on the other hand had just finished a sixteen hour work shift the night before and was still sleeping as I entered the house. I quickly said my good mornings and headed out for Baton Rouge early morning traffic. On my way to work that morning I felt an overwhelming feeling to just start thanking God for all the things He had done in my life, all the things He had given me, all the things He had brought me through, it was if the Holy Spirit was sitting right next to me in that car. It was a Monday the start of the work week, but a short one due to Thanksgiving that Thursday and I was pleased, the day seemed to fly by. During this period of our lives my husband Nathan was working for a speciality lumber company that supplied wood to cabinet makers and trim carpenters, he got off early and had called me to tell me his boss had given him four tickets to the LSU basketball game that night. Now for anyone who knows my husband, they know how much he loves LSU and all things LSU. Nathan and I quickly tried to think of someone who would want to go with us, I suggested my brother, but after several attempts to contact him and my dad to no avail I tried my mom who said she had not heard from them all day and that dad had possibly went hunting and was probably out of cell phone range. Disappointed, because I loved spending time with him, Nathan and I had some close friends of ours go with us and we set out for the game, it was a cold night,even for Louisiana,and in my heart I felt and unusual pain, one that I could not understand or rationalize.

To be Continued.........

It's Just Money

For all those who would like to know what's it like having four children basically take your one or two or none and add fifteen million. No seriously my children have all ready taught me some valuable lessons. For instance how not to worry. One day as I was sitting at the dining room table trying to figure out the increasing bills and becoming frustrated at the notion of how much money was actually going to gas my daughter said, "Mommy don't worry it's just money". She's right we get so caught up in how much this and how much that, what to save, how much to save,what to buy and so on we forget and get frustrated over nothing,really its just money its not the most important thing, it helps, but only God can do the impossible. And no not that you shouldn't save or plan for the future but it shouldn't consume your whole life. God didn't put us on this earth just for us to work and plant for ourselves He has us here really to serve others. Even though it does get hard not to focus on your own daily battles I have relied on that advice my daughter said to me that day,"its just money mom". "It's Just Money"