Twelve Years

Today, twelve years ago, I gave birth to Isabella.  It was a long day, but we were so glad to finally meet our first born!  She lived her first two & a half years in North Carolina, and the last 10 in Memphis.  She has been a joy & I am always learning more & more about parenting!  I look forward to see how God will use her life today & every day for His glory.  I pray He will keep her turning back to Him in all she does.  From the birthday morning:

Tradition of streamers over their bedroom door

And tradition of breakfast in bed!

She started reading a book (one of her favorite gifts) about one of her favorite TV shows....Duck Dynasty!

More pictures to come in the next few days from celebrations with friends.  Thank you for your love & friendship towards Isabella!  

On this February 5th, I also reflect on my precious grandmother, Moutie, who went to be with Jesus 5 years ago today.  I love her so much & sure miss Moutie.  I am comforted to know I will see her in heaven one day & thankful for each day I had here with her.  

25 Years

It has been 25 years this summer since I graduated from high school.  This week, I was able to visit with several high school classmates, a few which I haven't seen in 25 years.  It was funny because of all of us there, I was the only one they kept saying I hadn't changed a bit!  Apparently, if you know me now, this is what I looked like in high school!! I'm hoping this just means I haven't aged too much :).

Later that night, this got me thinking about several scriptures about how we are to live our lives.  I was pondering on how I lived my life then & how I live now.  I am thankful for my high school years & for God's protection in my life.  I pray that I may live each day in a way that points others towards Christ.  I am thankful for God's forgiveness towards me for the many times I fall short of the commands He has given us.  I am challenged today & challenge you to act & be not only a hearer, but a doer of His word (James 1:22).

Ephesians 4:29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
    
Ephesians 4:32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Philippians 2:14-15  Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure children of God.

Colossians 3:12  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience.

The Ring

I am thankful to have this back on my finger...my wedding ring.

I have been without it for almost 2 weeks while it has been at the jeweler.  I picked it up yesterday & it was so shiny after being freshly polished!  I still like my ring & am thankful for it & for what it symbolizes.  My ring needed some repair & is good as new again.  After seeing it so clean, it inspires me to do a better job at keeping my ring shiny.  Marriage is beautiful, but requires work.  Just like keeping a ring clean, even more so it is important to cherish my marriage & quickly fix repairs to keep it good as new.  Almost 15 years later & I wouldn't trade the ring or my husband!  I am thankful Avery chose this ring & me!  

Happy Friday!

Rags to Riches

Brook was in a play over the weekend called "Rags to Riches", based on the life of Job.  This was her second play (she was part of a summer workshop play last year).  She enjoys this & it has been a great opportunity for her. She has entered a group of people where she didn't know anyone, & has made friends, learned a lot, & grown in confidence.   After the performance, she took the initiative to help clean the set.  I loved seeing her servants heart in action. Here is our budding thespian....

Brook played the role of one of Job's 10 children

She also played another role & did good at both her parts.

This was right after curtain call.  Brook is on the front row.  See her striking a pose??

Proud Papa & sister

Thespians unite! "Act well your part. There all the honor lies".  

"To Love Another Person is to See the Face of God"

Can you guess what movie I saw?  Almost 3 weeks later since its release, but I just saw Les Mis at the movie theater.  I had seen it several times as a broadway play, but I strongly recommend you seeing this on the big screen.  I thought it was great. I admit, afterwards, it felt weird saying it was such a great movie because I normally am a romantic/comedy type movie goer. I saw Parental Guidance & would recommend that movie for anyone who is a grandparent or parent.  It is also appropriate for the family to see too (unlike Les Mis).  I laughed & cried during Parental Guidance.  I admit, I didn't cry during Les Mis, although there are some very powerful, touching scenes.  I was somewhat surprised at myself, since several people had told me to have tissue on hand for Les Mis.  

I feel like most people have seen this play or movie, so I don't think anything I will say will give away anything of the movie.  There are so many acts of grace & forgiveness demonstrated throughout the movie.  There is also the negative portrayal of the one who lives according to the law with no grace.  This movie provides a beautiful reminder of God's mercy & grace & the forgiveness of sins He provides for us through the death of Jesus on the cross & the power of His resurrection.

This movie is the portrayal of the musical, so there is talent seen that we don't see in most movies.  My favorite song from the play has always been "On My Own", sung by Eponine. Hands down, this always is the highlight of the play for me each time I've seen it.  A pleasant surprise, the movie was no different.  I thought the performance of that song was phenomenal.  It was even more enjoyable to see the scenery & see the rain as she sang. Eponine's two songs, which I love the other one as well, are both sung in the rain!  The actress who played this role had come from broadway, talent at its finest.  The other famous song from the play is "I Dreamed a Dream".  This was sung beautifully with such powerful emotions shown in the movie.  So I thought it was great too.  On My Own is just my favorite of all the songs.

I think this movie will be a the theaters for a while, so go see it on the screen if you haven't already.  Some of the scenes are definitely more intense on the screen though, so I did cover my eyes a few times.  Remember, I like romantic comedies with happy endings?  It is a movie that will leave you in deep thought & conviction as well.  I am so thankful for the mercy & grace God has provided for me & may I show that to others around me as well.  May I love other people well & show them God's love for them.

Sisters in Christ

Sunday was a special day for Isabella & our family at church.  Isabella stood up before our church with our pastor & expressed publicly her profession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord & Savior.  She was also baptized. Afterwards, we had some family & friends over for lunch.  It was a great day.

Our pastor with Isabella

She looked beautiful, my daughter & sister in Christ!

Isabella spoke with such confidence

Isabella being baptized

Isabella with her sweet Jr. High friends

Isabella with her Jr. High leaders

Family photo

Grandparents

Grandparents in town from NC

We were thankful to share this day with grandparents & people who have made an investment & impact on Isabella's life (our sweet friends Kaitlyn & Jared were here too, but missed getting a picture with them.)  There are other friends & family who couldn't be with us today, but we are thankful for each who have been an example of the gospel to her.  We are encouraged to know she is surrounded by people in her life to encourage her in her walk with Christ.  

Huey

.As a teenager of the 80's, I liked 80's music & always enjoyed going to concerts.  In the last 20 years, I haven't gone to many concerts for many reasons, but I do always try to go to see one of my favorites, Huey Lewis & The News when they are in town.  Sunday night, I had another chance to see him in concert.  And like all the rest, it was a great show & fun night.  Huey & his band put on such a good show.  They have a horns section, talented back up singers, and Huey plays the harmonica like one of the best.  Here are some highlights of our fun night.......

Tour buses

I was excited & ready for the show!

We had great seats

Doing his thing on the harmonica

It's dark, but that is me in the foreground of this picture

Flashback picture to when I met Huey in October 2010

Until the next show.......