We Still Remember! In Loving Memory of Danielle L. Bowman who went home to be with Jesus November 30, 2005

I sit here tonight in the almost early morning hours and I weep. I weep because I am so overwhelmed right now and so brokenhearted that I can barely see the words I type. It is 1 year later and I think I'm crying as hard now as I did then. The sun has arisen and set for 365 days just the same as if nothing changed. To the majority of the world, nothing has. To those in my world, it could never be the same.
I remember not getting my usual "talk time" on the way to work and wondering if she was running late. I remember my mother walking into my classroom to break the news to me knowing how I was going to react. I remember her saying that they weren't sure but that someone had called the school and said that she was gone. I can see the concern on my 4th graders faces as I held my head and dialed her home number on my cell phone while standing in the front of my classroom. I can hear her sister's screaming even now as she told me that it was true.
Oh, if I let myself, I can feel the nausea as I held my head and kept saying "Oh God, help us, please Lord" in the hallway and I can see Thomasa's face as I explained to her what had happened. Images of us walking back and forth in that hallway praying aloud for help are so fresh in my mind. I remember the stares and the "I'm sorry" remarks and the trip to her house to be with her family in Thomasa's husband's little red truck with her and my mom.
I remember Verna's face. I remember her sense of confusion, as her mind attempted to function normally and then was reminded that this had happened to her baby girl. I remember making the plans, trying to be strong.
I am reminded of the literal pain that I felt looking down on my best friend, for once, being still. She was never still. She was never quiet. I remember speaking about her and looking out at the thousands of people praying for God's guidance to see me through. I remember telling her in my heart, "I'm doing this to honor you for who you are! I want people to know just how great you are!" I can see the graveside and all those with hurt in their hearts wiping tears and wrapping their coats tighter around them to shield the bitter cold.
It hurts my heart to go back. But, it is good to go back. In all that I've reminisced about above, I can feel pain, however, it's a different pain because it was and still is comforted by my, Danielle's, and I pray Your, Heavenly Father. I look back at 12:03 A.M. and I say
"Thank You Lord for what you've brought us through. Thank you for the kindness by so many and the thoughtful hearts that have went the extra mile to help us feel comforted. Thank you Jesus for the love of each of us that love her, coming together to help each other. Thank you for my closer relationship with Verna and Hannah and Derek. Thank you for the memories that I have in my heart with Miss Danielle that I will forever cherish and for letting me have her there at my wedding before calling her home. Thank you from the depths of my soul, most importantly, for holding me in your arms through this past year and all the ups and downs that have came along with it. I praise you in the midst of this storm. You are a good God and you are a constant God. You know exactly what you are doing and we trust your guidance. You have held us when our bodies are weak with grief and you have dried our eyes and lead us on when we have cried a river. Oh, praise be to your precious name Jesus for all that you have been, are now, and ALWAYS will be!"
I am reminded of the verse I used in Danielle's Celebration of Life that I had found marked in the book she had been reading about learning to love again.
Philippians 3:13-14 (King James Version) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
That's exactly what we must do friends. We have to keep pressing toward Jesus. We grieve, we ache, we hurt, but that's only for ourselves. We know she is OK. We know that she's better than ok. She's WONDERFUL right now. She is elated at the feet of Jesus. We have to focus on our race now, she has finished hers and is enjoying that prize. We must continue on in her footsteps, those that resemble Jesus' so much as He shined in everything she did, and we must keep pushing as hard as we can to finish our race.
I wanted to share with you two more things. The first thing is the thoughts that I shared at Danielle's Celebration of Life last year and then the lyrics of a song that has really touched my heart in this situation. I hope these touch your soul and help you to remember Danielle and the light that she let shine brightly every moment of every day to honor Jesus.

"In Honor of Danielle"
Written Dec. 1, 2005
"Daniel" aka Danielle IS my best friend. I had prayed for God to send me a good Christian friend for so long and He finally did that. She and I hit it off so well. She was the one person in my life that I could call up and she'd be ready to go in no time at all. She loved to be on the go and to get into things, but never things that would hurt her witness. She knew she had to uphold her light for all to see and she tried her best to do that. I know that she succeeded in that. Danielle is beautiful and she doesn't even realize it. She's the kind of girl you'd think would be stuck on herself, but she has never been. She always knew the trends and the latest styles. Always looked like she'd stepped out of a fashion magazine. With that said, she was also the girl that could be one of the guys. She loved hanging out and just being country. The whiny country songs were just her cup of tea. Danielle was definitely one of a kind.

In the past 6 months she and I had become extremely close and I told her all the time that I was so blessed that God sent her to me. She was my partner in Sunday School, in Prayer, and in good and bad times. She celebrated my last few days of single life and my first day of married life. She made an extra effort to make sure that I felt special during the whole thing and I couldn't wait to return the favor. She had began a book that she had gotten while making a hospital Prayer visit and she could not stop talking about it. As I flipped through it and cried I noticed a verse that she had underlined: " Brethren, I could not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)" This was what she lived by. She made each day count by committing it to God. She Prayed the whole 2 hours to and from work and she was constantly thinking of who she could inspire. She would turn her back on her past, no matter how hard, and focus on improving those situations. And most importantly, she pressed on, making each day take her a little closer to Jesus.

On November 1st of this year, my mom Marsha and I sent her flowers to celebrate her birthday. On November 30th of this month, she woke up in Jesus' arms. The past 30 days have been packed with non stop appointments for her. But she has reached her last appointment, and this time she was on time. And as bad as it hurts me to tell her goodbye, I know that she's having the time of her life worshipping at Jesus' feet.
Danielle, I love you and I'll always consider you my best friend. You'll be with me in spirit. And I'm a better person because you loved me.

In my grief tonight while traveling home from church I found comfort in a song by Third Day entitled, "Cry Out to Jesus." I wanted to post the lyrics for you to read as an encouragement to your hearts on this bittersweet day. Bitter because we grieve, yet sweet because we know that Danielle has already had a whole year with Jesus and is happier than she could ever be on this earth. And I truly believe that it won't be long until we join her with Jesus!

Cry Out To Jesus
Words by Mac Powell / Music by Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye
And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough
For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

(c) 2005 Consuming Fire Music / ASCAP. All rights administered by EMICMG Publishing. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Showing Love To My Friends: Important Information I Want To Share With You That Could Save You're Life Dealing with Cops and Cell Phones

Normally I don't forward things, however, I think this is an important thing for everyone to know. Here is the email I received. Read and let others know this important information.

God Bless,

Alesha

RECEIVED THIS FROM A JUDGE-FRIEND AT COURTHOUSE. I THOUGHT IT WORTH PASSING ON :-) After reading this, I tried it and was connected directly to the State Police. This is something I never knew about and want to share with everyone.I knew about the red light on cars, but not the #77. It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. *Lauren's parents have always told them never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc.

Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called #77 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.

Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.I never knew about the #77 Cell Phone Feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe &quiet place. You obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them (i.e. put on your hazard lights) or call #77 like Lauren did! Too bad the cell phone companies don't generally give you this little bit of wonderful information.*Speaking to a service representative at ** Bell ** Mobility confirmed that #77 was a direct link to OPP Dispatch. So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about #77. Send this to every woman (and person) you know; it may save a life.

Patty Kaplan

Personal Business Assistant

StarWerks Limited Art Inc.

847/433-3977

#77 ON CELL = STATE POLICE!

Normally I don't forward things, however, I think this is an important thing
for everyone to know. Here is the email I recieved. Read and let others
know this important information.

God Bless,
Alesha

RECEIVED THIS FROM A JUDGE-FRIEND AT COURTHOUSE. I THOUGHT IT WORTH PASSING
ON :-)

After reading this, I tried it and was connected directly to the State
Police. This is something I never knew about and want to share with
everyone.

I knew about the red light on cars, but not the #77. It was about 1:00 p.m.
in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED
police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. *Lauren's parents
have always told them never to pull over for an
unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a
gas station, etc. *

Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called #77
on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over
right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked
police car with a flashing red light on
his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police
cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving,
remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.

Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her.
One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind.
They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the
ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.

I never knew about the #77 Cell Phone Feature, but especially for a woman
alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car. Apparently
police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe &quiet place. You
obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them (i.e. put on
your hazard lights) or call #77 like Lauren did! Too bad the cell phone
companies don't generally give you this little bit of wonderful information.

*Speaking to a service representative at ** Bell ** Mobility confirmed that
#77 was a direct link to OPP Dispatch. So, now it's your turn to let your
friends know about #77.

Send this to every woman (and person) you know; it may save a life.

Patty Kaplan
Personal Business Assistant
StarWerks Limited Art Inc.
847/433-3977

Do you Dare?????????????????

Here are the key verses to learn to be a soul winner for Jesus Christ that are taught on the Dare to Be A Daniel journey:


STEP ONE:
John 3:16:
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 10:10:
10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

THESE VERSES SHOW A SINNER THAT GOD LOVES THEM. GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO EXPERIENCE PEACE AND LIFE: ABUNDANT AND ETERNAL. (FROM WWW.DARETOBEADANIEL.COM)

STEP TWO:
Romans 3:23:
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23:
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SIN SEPERATES YOU FROM GOD. WE CHOOSE TO DISOBEY GOD AND GO OUR OWN WILLFUL WAY. THIS REULTS IN SEPARTION FROM GOD. (FROM WWW.DARETOBEADANIEL.COM)

STEP THREE:
John 14:6:
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 5:8:
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4:
3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

JESUS IS THE WAY. JESUS CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS AND ROSE FROM THE GRAVE. HE PAID THE PENALTY FOR OUR SIN AND BRIDGED THE GAP BETWEEN GOD AND PEOPLE. (FROM WWW.DARETOBEADANIEL.COM)

STEP FOUR:
John 1:12:
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Romans 10:9:
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

TRUST JESUS! WE CAN RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST WHEN WE BELIEVE IN HIS MESSAGE AND TRUST IN HIM ALONE TO SAVE US. (FROM WWW.DARETOBEADANIEL.COM)

A PRAYER TO RECIEVE CHRIST:
Here is a prayer you can use to guide someone through the steps to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. (FROM WWW.DARETOBEADANIEL.COM)

DEAR LORD JESUS, I KNOW THAT I AM A SINNER, AND I ASK FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS. I BELIEVE YOU DIED FOR MY SINS AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD. I TURN FROM MY SINS AND INVITE YOU TO COME INTO MY HEART AND LIFE. I WANT TO TRUST AND FOLLOW YOU AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR. IN JESUS' NAME I PRAY, AMEN.

CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOUR FRIEND:
1. ENCOURAGE THEM TO GROW CLOSER TO GOD.
2. INVITE THEM TO CHURCH.
3. REMIND THEM TO PRAY AND READ THE BIBLE DAILY.
4. HELP THEM BECOME A WITNESS TO OTHERS, JUST LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN TO THEM.
5. MOST OF ALL, THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE IN THEIR LIVES ---AND IN YOURS FOR ALLOWING YOU TO BE HIS WITNESS!

Happy Thanksgiving ummm Weekend!

(THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY FOR YESTERDAY BUT I WAS HAVING SOME CONNECTION DIFFICULTIES SO I HAD TO POST TONITE INSTEAD!)

Hello all:

I have had Thanksgiving for the last 2 days. On Wed. I ate with my parents and brother and yesterday, we headed out to Louisville to eat with my "in-luvs." Needless to say, Michael and I are stuffed with Thanksgiving food. We are also stuffed with the flu still, along with everyone else here in Lville. I did learn something new yesterday. I was introduced to a "Sugar Glider" for the first time by my cousin Jessie here in Lville. This little guy's name is Dusky and he is a cutie. He is, what my husband calls, a flying

squirrel, that comes from Australia. He is a lot like a bat, because he has extra skin under his arms and he can't handle loads of light. Anyway, I was amazed at him because I had never seen one of these before.

Here's a picture of Dusky in his cute blue, fuzzy ummm.... cuff warmer play thing (????)

I encourage those of you that keep up with me on here to do just that with Hannah's legacy on her site. Even though she is in Heaven, the site is still maintained by her family and it continues to be a beautiful blessing to my heart. Her mother's Thanksgiving entry is particularly beautiful.

I also encourage you, even some of you old people like me, to visit www.daretobeadaniel.com This is an awesome site that has been created for teenagers to develop a soul winning spirit. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THIS SITE TO ALL THE STUDENTS THAT KEEP UP WITH THIS SITE OR ANY PARENT WITH A TEENAGER OR PRETEEN. Now, grant it, I am not yet a parent but I still think my opinion counts here.... JESUS should be the top priority in our kids life. And I don't mean only when they are little or when its convenient around sports or clubs or whatever.

Matthew 6:33 (Whole Chapter) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we teach these "young adults" that putting God first means that everything else will fall into place, we are teaching them the ultimate life lesson. Does that mean that they'll get the winning spot on the football team? Not specifically. I truly believe God does bless athletic (other special) abilities in order to bring honor to HIS name because I've seen it happen plenty of times. However, God will bless them in special ways on and off the field.

I, personally, am working through the Dare to be a Daniel series myself and I am learning things about soul winning, as an adult, that are still very beneficial to me. I venture to say, the majority of Christians today haven't the slightest idea where to start when it comes to winning souls to Christ. If you, like me, are a Christian that wants the extra knowledge, visit www.daretobeadaniel.com and explore. You just might enjoy it. PS When you order the FREE kit, they even send a CD with some cool contemporary Christian music on it. Let me know your progress!

"I Will Praise Thee For ever" A Poem by Me in 2005

I FOUND THIS ON MY LAPTOP AND WANTED TO POST IT. I WROTE THIS IN FEB. 2005 IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, FOR A FRIEND THAT NEEDED A POEM TO EXPRESS SOMETHING BUT HAD WRITER'S BLOCK. I HOPE THAT IT TOUCHES YOUR HEART AS IT HAS MINE AS I REVISITED THIS VERSE!

I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. ---Psalms 52:9

How precious is the name of Jesus?
Is it because of the way that it looks scrawled down in ink?
Partly.
Could it be the essence in which it rolls off my tongue?
Possibly.
Father, confident, best friend, counselor,
Is it the fact that He is each of these to me?
Definitely!
But the most precious reason is that He died for me.
Me!
Such a small grain of sand amidst billions more.
Such a small, inadequate water drop that the wind eagerly blows one way
Then another across a rooftop.
Me.
Precious blood dripped down a rugged tree
And hit the ground beneath.
The dirt on that ground,
That was and still is me.
And unlike the powerless raindrops that had hit that same dirt before,
This blood created a new mixture.
No mud did it create.
It created life for a dirty sinner like me.
A sinner that would always be filthy in the eyes of God.
Yet with this blood stained mixture,
He would be able to see me through rose colored glasses.
So you ask,
Just how precious is the name of Jesus Christ?
He is the mixture that creates life in me,
And continues to do so in millions of other lifeless beings.
He is that precious.

What's the big deal about PRAYER????

OK OK I'M PROBABLY KILLING YOU GUYS WITH ALL THE RANDOM STUFF BUT HEY I'VE BEEN COUPED UP IN THIS APARTMENT FOR 4 DAYS... I'M GOING NUTS! OK, OK... ONE MORE THING. I FOUND THIS ONLINE AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT SO I WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH YOU GUYS... ENJOY....


FIRST POINT::: Prayer is something we have to work at. Luke 11:1 says, "Lord, teach us how to pray." Prayer is something we need to learn to do! And it's not something that you can just read through a manual and say "Eureka, I've got it!" and scratch "learn to pray" off your to-do list. It's something you have to work at every day; I've been a Christian for years, and I'm still learning how to pray. My pastor will be the first to admit that he is still learning how to pray, but he will also tell you that because he tries to learn, God teaches him. So what should we do? I know this may sound weird, but we need to PRAY that God would teach us how to pray! Complex and odd concept, I know, but I'm hoping y'all will get it.
I get it!!! YAY!!!
.....

SECOND POINT::: What keeps us from praying? Here are some thoughts.
1: WORLDLINESS--- Don't pretend you don't know what that means. We live "in the world" (John 17:11) and because we are in it, it affects us. Sometimes it affects us more than we think. We are daily bombarded with things of the world, "the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does" all of which "comes not from the Father, but from the world." (1 John 2:16) The world is constantly telling us to focus on the physical, and none of the spiritual. There's the problem. Prayer is a SPIRITUAL exercise! So be careful. Matthew 26:41 tells us to resist the world by keeping watch in prayer- meaning make sure that you're focused on God. Like the hymn says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus... and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." I think that, since we're kind of stuck in this world for now, that is all we can do, and pray for strength and resistance.
2: BUSYNESS--- We don't pray, sometimes, because we just don't take time to pray! Imagine that... And usually the culprit is busyness. Now, the Bible does say that a strong work ethic is a mark of strong character (all you slackers out there, take note!). But the Bible also gives us a great example. In Luke 10:38-42 you will find the story of two sisters, Mary and Martha. In a nutshell, Martha was a worker. She did a lot of good things and was very busy, and was especially busy when Jesus came to visit them. But she was so busy that she literally fell apart and flipped out at Mary when Mary stopped working to sit and talk to Jesus. Both sisters loved Jesus, don't get me wrong, but Martha didn't know when to just stop with the good works and SPEND TIME WITH GOD. Mary knew, though, that there was nothing more important that she could be doing. Now, am I saying that we should just neglect our shores and schoolwork, etc. and spend all day praying- no. God also tells us to respect authority. But we need to take at least a little time (even just five minutes) and talk to God, hand over our troubles. We need to learn to be like Mary. "A woman who is too busy to pray is simply too busy!" (Quote from "A Young Woman's Call to Prayer")
3: FOOLISHNESS--- NO! None of US could EVER be FOOLISH!!! Hehe (can you sense the sarcasm?) We become so wrapped up and consumed with what is foolish that we fail to pray. It's a given! And then what happens? We begin to lose our ability to know the difference between what is of God and what is not. (Hebrews 5:14) We blur the line between what is wise and what is stupid, between the essential and the meaningless. And then we lose sight of THE primary thing in life- our relationship with God! We spend our priceless time on the "wrong" and inferior things, and fail to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness". (Matthew 6:33) Because, if we focus on Him, all other things we NEED will be supplied to us without us having to worry about it. (Again, I'm not saying anything like, "go ahead and quit your job- God'll provide!" What I'm saying is more like, "if you lost your job, don't lose hope, keep looking, God will give you the job you need.") BUT the opposite is true when we pray. When we seek him, God gives us His wisdom. He helps us direct our energy, time, and efforts toward the big picture, whether we know what the big picture is or not. He will help us live life as He meant it to be lived- to the fullest, and showing the lost what fullness we have. Prayer will also help remind us that the secondary things- money, fashion, etc.- come "not from the Father but from the world" and will most definitely pass away. (1 John 2:16-17) Focus your life on the eternal, not the earthly- and the only way we can do that is through prayer. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." (Jim Elliot)
4: SINFULNESS--- We don't pray because we know we have sinned, and we feel immense guilt. Adam and Eve hid when the Lord entered the garden, the day they sinned (Genesis 3:8). And King David ceased praying and "kept silent" after he'd sinned (Psalm 32:3). So how do we fix this problem? David says, "Confess [your] transgressions to the Lord" (Psalms 32:5) James says, "Confess your sins" (James 5:16) John also says, "confess our sins," (1 John 1:9) Hmmm.... I think I see a pattern here.... Wow, imagine that, the people who wrote the Bible, inspired by God, might have known what they were talking about! Confess your sins, guys. I know sometimes it seems hard, because it's embarrassing, admitting that you messed up, especially when you're talking to God, who's... well... perfect. But He knows you did it anyway! He's just waiting for you to confess, because how can he clean someone who keeps denying that they're dirty?
5: FAITHLESSNESS--- We don't really believe in the power of prayer. We don't think that prayer really makes a difference- therefore we don't pray. Wow. We better fix that problem quick! If you're running low on faith, do what the disciples did- ask God to increase your faith (Luke 17:5). But how do I ask him to increase my faith when I won't pray because I don't think it'll make a difference anyway? Well, isn't it better that you tried and nothing happened that wouldn't have happened anyway, than that you didn't try and something amazing that could have happened didn't? (Wow, I think I just confused myself)
6: PRIDEFULNESS--- "Prideful? Who's prideful? I'm humble and proud of it!" How many times do we have that attitude? Honesty, now. I know I have. Prayer reflects our dependence on God, so not praying is saying that we don't have any needs- or worse, saying, "I think I'll take care of it myself, God, I don't need you right now." God, however, calls out, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven." (2 Chronicles 7:14) So let's be quick to humble ourselves- God does not hear the prayers of those who are so full of pride. In the New Testament Jesus says that the men crying out their prayers so men will hear and marvel have their reward here, but none in Heaven. So let's be quick to humble ourselves and pray to God as David did: "Search me, O God... see if there is any offensive way in me." (Psalm 139:23,24)And remember, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18)
7: INEXPERIENCE--- We don't pray because... we don't pray. And because we don't pray, we don't know how to pray... so we don't pray! It's a never-ending, vicious cycle that so many of us get caught up in. Prayer, like any skill, comes easier when it's practiced, repeated. The more we pray, the more we know how to pray, what to pray for, etc. And the more we know how to pray, the more we pray. Yes, it is just that simple. Lather, rinse, repeat. "It is sheer nonsense to imagine we can learn the high art of communing with the Lord without setting aside time for it." And remember, "We're not talking to a brick wall when we pray- we're talking to someone who really listens."
8: LAZINESS--- Uh-oh, we've hit the big one. All the obstacles to prayer are indeed prayer killers. But even if we get over those, this one could ruin all of it. Laziness- or lack thereof- will make or break us in the Prayer Department. We all know how it goes, right? Habits form, and we're too lazy to break them. So they continue, and sooner or later take up more and more time, and we're too lazy to even set aside time AWAY from the habit to pray, let alone break the habit TO pray. Now, how can we fix this little problem? STOP BEING LAZY!!! Break and give up the habits that keep you from God or prayer- because, even if they seem like a good thing, if they're keeping you from prayer they're probably not what you should be doing anyway. Set aside a set time, if you have to, to pray. Say, from 7:00-7:30 I will pray and do a devotion. Or, for the ten minutes before bed I will pray. It's really not that difficult. All God wants is some of your time, and since He gave you that time in the first place, don't you think you can oblige?

Personality Test Results... hmmm what do u think?

Big Five Test Results

Extroversion (52%) medium which suggests you average somewhere in between being assertive and social and being withdrawn and solitary.
Accommodation (76%) high which suggests you are overly kind natured, trusting, and helpful at the expense too often of your own individual development (martyr complex).
Orderliness (70%) high which suggests you are overly organized, neat, structured and restrained at the expense too often of flexibility, variety, spontaneity, and fun.
Emotional Stability (20%) low which suggests you are very worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.
Inquisitiveness (40%) moderately low which suggests you are, at times, overly small minded, traditional, and conventional at the expense of intellectual curiousity, possibility, and progress.
http://similarminds.com/big5.html">Take Free Big Five Personality Test
http://similarminds.com">personality tests by similarminds.com

Mr. & Mrs. Goodlett: A Reflection on Our 1 Year Anniversary!

A Collage of Our First Year of Marriage




So today is November 19, 2006! Michael and I have been married for one whole year today. It blows my mind in one way yet in another way it feels like its about time! Where did this whole thing start?
Michael was persistent enough to continue to ask me out back in 2002 even though I was positive, so I thought, that I didn't want a boyfriend. He finally told me that he was coming to Barbourville to stay for the weekend and that if I wanted to go out on a date that would be great, and if not, he would find something to do and then go back to Louisville and I would never have to see him again. Guess what? He did just that! And of course, me being the good girl that I am, I couldn't let this sweetheart come to this little town and feel all alone, I went out with him.
That date was the start of a lifetime relationship. I can remember being extremely ill as I got closer and closer to our meeting spot. It was so bad that my friend Misty's husband Chris was convinced that they should turn around and take me home. However, Misty wouldn't hear of it, so we continued. Boy am I glad that she did give me that extra boost of encouragement! Misty and I at graduation
I remember the smell of Michael's cologne, Clinique Happy for men. I was in shock as I hugged him and took in this awesome smell. I remember looking at him for the first time face to face and feeling my knees get weak, honestly!
He was so handsome and not my type at all. I was use to falling for guys who had a small frame and no muscles visible at all. I always claimed that these guys would be my equal and that I didn't want someone to "protect" me. Michael was the opposite. He was a bit taller than me and muscular. I felt protected and for the first time, that wasn't so bad. He had ice blue eyes and a kind hearted smile. I was amazed. Actually, I was so amazed that I told Misty in the bathroom of Ruby Tuesday in London that he may just be "the one".
The day he met my parents!
Us after celebrating our birthdays for the first time

However, Michael began to let his thoughts get the best of him. He began to wonder if this kind of relationship would be best for him and for me. We lived 3 hours away from each other. I was broke and in college with barely a free moment and he was unsure if this was something he wanted to really commit totally to. We took a break for a couple of days at the end of July. It broke my heart, but I was ultimately the one who called it off. I told him that if he wasn't sure, I didn't want to hold him back.
Immediately, he realized his mistake and he begged me to forgive him. I communicated to him that I didn't want to involve him in something that may be more than he could handle. He told me that he wanted it no other way. That night I prayed for God to give me guidance. I had heard all the negative comments about a long distance relationship, yet I still felt that God was leading me to give it another shot. So I did and I'm grateful that I did so.
Michael and I spent countless time together. I would stay with his parents and then he would stay with mine. No matter how hopeless the situation seemed, God seemed to work it out for us. We became engaged on January 1, 2003 12am at the riverfront in Louisville, Ky.
Us after I graduated from Union in 03

The next year brought about more traveling and time spent with each other's families. Holidays here and there, birthdays, other occassions finding somewhere to share. Finally it was time for us to begin setting up our life. I was half way through my first year teaching when Michael moved into my childhood home to prepare for our future. My parents and I had moved 20 minutes away into a new home that God had blessed my parents with. Michael and I were going to live in my old home after we got married.

Michael and I fishin' at the beach in 03
However, something wasn't quite right. I knew that I loved my fiance' but I just felt like somethiing was lacking in my heart. God was speaking to me. It hurt me to think about it, but it got to the point that I could no longer enjoy spending time with Michael because of this awkward feeling. I couldn't explain it and he couldn't understand it. We broke up shortly after he arrived here and he had moved away within a couple of months.
Pain flooded my heart and soul as I searched for answers. Why did this happen? I loved him, so why did I let myself push him away? I could not figure it out until I started looking outside the box.
During this painful time, the only comfort I could find was in God's house. I felt that God was leading me away from my home church, the church I had been raised in for 21 years. I began going to all sorts of Baptist churches. I actually went to any singing, revival, teaching, etc that I could find because those were the only times that I felt at peace with my situation.
I visited Binghamtown Baptist quite often and found that God dealt with my heart profoundly there. I had visited once before for the funeral of Pastor Bingham and was amazed at the celebration of life that developed that day. I had attended the funeral because I had always admired this spiritual man of God and his work. My grandmother would request that we call upon him for prayer above any other preacher. I felt as though I needed to pay my repects to this Heavensent Man of God.
So now I was visiting Binghamtown and realizing that the work that the elder Preacher Bingham had started was faithfully being continued by his youngest son William Boyd Bingham and the rest of the church family. I recall Wed. night studies of the book (I have mentioned before in my entry about Danielle) by Hunter Bingham entitled "Praying When Life Hurts." This book study was near to my heart because it was exactly what I needed to hear from God. Preacher Bingham, a willing vessel, also knew just when to pat me on the shoulder and tell me that everything would be alright. I knew that every word from his mouth was from God because he had no clue about my situation or even who I was at that time. He was just letting God be his guide.
Days turned into months and I attended every service at Binghamtown. I made new friends, God bless my friend Danielle who helped me through some hard times. Michael and I would talk and then we would stop talking again. I felt as though it was pretty much over. However, there was still a little voice inside me that would encourage me to speak to him when the opportunity would arise.
The start of another new year was on its way on New Years Eve 2003. I was going through some personal issues and believe it or not, he was the only person that I wanted to talk to about them. I called him up and we talked all night long. He begged me to come down for the holiday and I reluctantly said no. However, we continued talking a bit here and there and even spent some time together when I chaperoned an Academic Team trip to Louisville in March of 04. After that trip we had decided to try again, but some issues came up with him that made things, once again have to be put on hold. God saw us through and we decided that we were going to try our best at this.
Once again, a couple of months later while I was in Washington, he backed out again. He just couldn't get past the hurt that I had caused him when he had moved for me. By this time I had realized that God had been dealing with my heart and that He had put it upon my heart to break up with Michael so that He could have my undivided attention. I had put my fiance' above my relationship with God without even realizing it. God had given me hints, signs, nudges that I needed to open my eyes. They didn't work, but He knew that losing Michael would open my eyes and let me realize what I had done. And it did. I realized it. Michael, however, didn't understand why I had been so unsure.
Finally, after months of going back and forth, we had a heart to heart talk and discussed how God had worked in both of our lives. I explained that God had used our breakup to open my eyes and Michael told me that he understood. We began dating again in the summer of 2005 and we became engaged for the 2nd time at the top of the ferris wheel at the Kentucky State Fair on August 20th 2005. It was actually only moments away from my birthday of August 21st. Michael proposed with a pink sapphire ring that would hold the place on my finger until I could get back home and pull out the engagement ring that I had longed to place back on my finger for so long.
This set things in full swing for us. Here we were praying for God to help us make it this time. And He did. God is so good! We set our date for November 19, 2005 in Gatlinburg, TN. We were married at a garden attrium that was affliated with an actual wedding ministry and we had a Church Sermon wedding : ) Our family and closest friends were in attendance and most importantly, God was the number one focus of our wedding. We had our reception at a 3 story cabin his parents had rented and it was amazing and laid back. Our honeymoon was spent in the Smoky Mountains at a condo of our very own complete with a heart shaped tub.

Our Beautiful Cake
Michael trying to smear cake on me!!!

Looking at Each Other On the Balconey of the Cabin
Posing at Texas Roadhouse During Our Honeymoon

Door to our Honeymoon Condo
View from our Honeymoon Condo
My Car after Danielle Painted It Up!


So a year later here we are. I am laying in bed sick with the flu and Michael is coming down with it. I look horrible with one eye so swollen that it looks as though it is melting, yet he still manages to kiss me on the forehead and say "I love you babygirl!"
God had a journey for my husband and I to go through. It was hard but we perservered and made it through. Actually, we are still making it through. Our first year has been full of ups and downs, highs and lows, but God has remained constant. Whenever we have strayed a bit from Him, we have turned and asked for His guidance once more and He has not failed us yet. I pray that we keep Jesus the focus in this marriage and that we always turn toward Him when we realize we have strayed away from His guidance.
To my husband, thank you for being the closest example of perfect that there is in a husband. Thank you for loving me when I am unlovable and for helping me when I am unbearable. Thank you for being my best friend here on earth and for being such a wonderful Christian example to me each and every day. I love you and I look forward to the moments to come in our marriage. (P.S. I can't wait to see if our babies actually have red hair!)
To my Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding Michael and I throughout our lives. Thank you for every obstacle and challenge that we have been through both individually and together. Thank you for all the good moments that help us when we are in the valleys thinking that life is just not worth living. Thank you for creating Michael to complete me and me to complete Michael. I pray a special blessing upon our marriage and our future. Please Father help us to focus solely on YOU and YOU alone! Please Lord, help us to stay the course even though there are marriages falling apart around us left and right. Protect us, lead us, and guide us, In Your Precious Son' Name, Jesus ....... Amen.

Saturday Morning.... Extremely Sick!

Good Morning All:

I come to you this morning from the right side of the bed that my husband Michael and I share. I have been on this side of the bed for the past 15 hours trying to sleep off the flu. I rarely get sick, but when I do, I really do!
Michael and I had been planning a trip to Biltmore Estates in NC this weekend because Sunday is our 1 year anniversary. We decided early on in the week to plan a shorter trip to Gatlinburg, TN because we are trying to cut costs and because we have to go out of town for Thanksgiving this coming week as well.

Work this week was sooo stressful for me. By Tuesday I felt as though I was going to break and by Wed. I broke. I must add that there were other stress related factors contributing to this "break" other than work, however, being there didn't help. So I came home Wed. afternoon with a migraine and I was ill all night long. Michael told me that I should just take the rest of the week off to relax and that we would go on our trip earlier than planned. So, that's what we did.
We had a nice time on our trip, however, my "cold" got worse instead of better. By the time I arrived home last night, I realized that I was walking around with the flu instead of a cold. So here I am struggling to breathe in bed this morning.
I have a few prayer requests to pass along to you, one being my family right now as they go through the loss of my cousin Gary Keyes. Gary had been sick for a long, long time and he passed away Wed. morning at about 3:30am. A couple of years ago, Preacher Bingham prayed with him and he got saved. That is the only thing that matters now that he has left this ole world. We now know where he is without a doubt and we can smile knowing that he isn't struggling to breathe anymore! God is soo good!
My second request is that of a personal one. Michael is still searching and praying for God's will in a job hunt since his layoff. The opportunity that we were almost 100% sure of fell through on Wed., so we are now back at square one. It is stressful, but God is good. We both know that God has a place for him, we just are unsure of where yet. Please keep that in your prayers and thoughts. Who knows, maybe God will use one of my faithful readers to share a job opening that they have heard of with us.
Hopefully, I will have a tribute to my husband posted by tommorrow (1 yr. anniversary) and I will have the study of Titus that I've been trying to get posted for 2 weeks up!

Keep us in your prayers and thoughts.

Welcome Home My Child .... A Tribute to Hannah Sobeski

http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewMyStory.do?method=executeInit

This afternoon, I read the news of the passing of Hannah Sobeski on Thursday at 4:30pm. It shocked me first and foremost. I could not get over the fact that she was gone. I have never met Hannah, nor have I met any of her family; however I was connected spiritually because she IS my sister in Christ. I never really even thought about her passing away because in my heart I knew God was going to heal her.
The more I sat in silence in my quite apartment, the more the puzzle pieces began to fit together. Hannah had went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, the same day that I had felt led to talk about her inspiration in my life as a teacher sponsor for our Christian Club 1st Priority. That same day I had students coming to my classroom to use my computers during their recess to leave Hannah a message. That was only an hour before she left this world of sorrows.
Wow! How amazing! God was using Hannah even as she was nearing her last breath! This 18 year old girl, 7 years younger than me, was providing me a life lesson even with her death. God uses those who are willing. That's all that it takes for us to be used of God, just an eager willingness for His work to be done in our lives. Hannah was eager to let the world know about God and what He had done for her.
Some of you reading this may question, "What exactly did He do for her? She died. She wasn't healed. She believed God would heal her and he didn't." But that's the amazing part friend! God DID heal Hannah! He healed Hannah spiritually. She blossomed into a Saint before all those who were by the wayside watching and she was healed of any kind of worldliness and the effects thereof. She suffers no more, cries no more, worries no more, feels anxious no more, grieves no more, and most importantly she DIES no more! God healed Hannah in the best way possible! A physical healing, though wonderful, eventually is overshadowed by later physical death; but a spiritual healing is ETERNAL!
Hannah was at a crossroad when she was told she had sarcoma in May. She could either be depressed and negative, or she could be faithful and obedient. She chose obedience and for that reason, dear friends, she is kneeling at the feet of Jesus worshipping the True King.
I encourage each of you to read Hannah's journal entries, especially the last 3 entries by her mother and aunt. The story of Hannah's homecoming is very touching!

May you be encouraged by this wonderful, beautiful Saint of God!
MAY YOUR LIGHT SHINE, JUST LIKE QUEEN HANNAH'S!

God's Impression of Titus Upon My Heart!

Titus 1
14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
JEWISH FABLES AND COMMANDMENTS OF MEN TO ME SIGNIFIES GOING AGAINST THE WAYS OF TRUTH.... A FABLE IS A MAKE BELIEVE STORY THAT HAS AN UNDERLYING MEANING YET IT SAYS A JEWISH FABLE. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THESE "FABLES" ARE BAD BECAUSE THEY ARE JEWISH. IT JUST SIMPLY MEANS THAT MAN WROTE THEM JUST LIKE HE DID WITH THE "COMMANDMENTS OF MEN."
15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
(I REALLY LIKE THIS VERSE. THIS EXPLAINS WHY SOME OF US DON'T "GET" THE JOKES OR SILLY STORIES THAT WORLDLY PEOPLE TELL. I'M GRATEFUL TO GOD THAT I AM PURE!)

16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
WOW. THIS FITS US ALL AS CHRISTIANS AT TIMES DOESN'T IT? CAN ANYONE STAND UP AND SAY THAT HE/SHE NEVER DENIES THE LORD IN THEIR WORKS? LET ME ASK IT THIS WAY.... DO ANY OF YOU SMUGLY GRIN AT WORK WHEN YOU ARE BRAGGED ON? ISN'T THAT DENYING GOD IN OUR WORKS? DID HE NOT GIVE US THE ABILITY, THE STRENGTH, THE KNOWLEDGE, ETC TO COMPLETE OUR TASK? THE SAME TASK THAT IS PROVIDING ENDLESS PRAISES ON OUR ACCOUNT? YES! EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD IS FROM GOD! DOES THAT MEAN WE SHOULDN'T BE PROUD OF OURSELVES WHEN WE DO WELL? NO.... BUT WE SHOULD GIVE GOD THE GLORY FOR EVERYTHING GOOD IN OUR LIVES!

Titus 2
1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

AHH! A DISCUSSION OF HOW OUR ELDERS (MEN AND WOMEN) ARE SUPPOSE TO ACT IN ORDER TO BE ROLE MODELS FOR US.

4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

I PUT THE ELDER VERSES WITH THE YOUNGER VERSES TO HELP US THAT ARE STUDYING THIS WORD OF GOD TO FIGURE OUT JUST WHAT IS EXPECTED OF US.
MEN:
Elder Men
be sober (Don't Drink Alcohol)
grave (To focus on deeply, intently)
temperate (mild)
sound in faith
sound in charity
sound in patience
Young Men
be sober minded (Don't Drink Alcohol)
showing thyself a pattern of good works
showing uncorruptness in doctrine
gravity (seriousness)
sincerity (heartfelt)
Sound speech so that no one will have anything evil to say of you
WOMEN:
Elder Women
act in a holy behavior
not false accusers (gossip or spreading rumors)
not given to much wine (Don't Drink Alcohol)
teachers of good things (All good things are of God)
Young Women
be sober (Don't Drink Alcohol)
love their husbands
love their children
be discreet (good judgement in conduct)
chaste (pure in thought and act)
keepers at home
good and obedient to their own husbands so that the word of God be not blasphemed

9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

(THESE VERSES ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY SHOW US THAT EVEN IN OUR WORKPLACE, IN OUR HOMES, IN OUR VOLUNTEERING, WE ARE SERVING GOD, NOT OUR BOSS OR OUR OVERSEER! BY DOING WHAT THEY ASK OF US, WE ARE BEING A GOOD SERVANT TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. )

11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

(GOD'S GRACE IS FOR US ALL! )

12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
(THE ABOVE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL TEXT! WE DENY OURSELVES OF THE THINGS THAT "APPEAR" INTERESTING AND INTRIGUING HERE ON EARTH AND LOOK PAST THAT SORT OF QUICK FIX FOR OUR REAL HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST! LOOK AT VERSE 14, "WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US" FOR ALL OF US, WE ARE SO UNGRATEFUL! AND I LOVE HOW WE ARE LABELED "A PECULIAR PEOPLE" I LIKE BEING PECULIAR, HOW ABOUT YOU? : )

Titus 3
1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (NOTICE THE END... BE READY TO EVERY GOOD WORK.... NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY CHRISTIANS!)
2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (NOTICE WHO THE TEXT IS PAINTING A PICTURE OF.... JESUS CHRIST!)
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (WOW! I HAVE NEVER BEEN AN HEIR TO ANYTHING, BUT WHAT A WAY TO BEGIN, AN HEIR TO ALL THAT MY HEAVENLY FATHER OWNS!)
8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

You'd think 3 posts in 12 hours would be enough!!!

Morning all:



I have fallen in love with blogging. I don't really have the opportunity to share my thoughts on my blog a lot while I'm working, but during these long weekends, I love to post as much as I can.

I am Christmas shopping online during my spare time. I figure that finding bargains that way will be a lot easier and more efficient for me, because I can practice self control in shopping a lot better that way. HAHA If anyone knows of any good websites, please, send them my way!

In Church on Sunday, Michael and I were surrounded by little children. They were on every side of us. He and I both really enjoyed the little guy next to me that stood in his mom's lap the whole service and praised God. Preacher Bingham also pointed out this little guy at the beginning of the service and said that he had learned from watching the church Praise God. I totally agree.

I watched this little fella as he came in with his mom. They were a couple of minutes late and the choir had already begun. He couldn't wait for his momma to get his arms out of his coat so he could lift his hands to Jesus. How precious! He'd clap and then praise some more. I really saw Jesus in that baby. I could see Him all over his little face and in his eyes! Jesus was speaking to that child. I really believe that little children connect with God a lot easier than adults because they are open and they have great faith.



I began to get, what I refer to as, "the itch." I had this itch a few months ago, then a long period of time hanging out with small children took care of it. After seeing this little baby boy in church, I felt it reappearing. I was mentioning this to Michael after church and he said the same thing about him. Does this mean I am going to try to have a baby asap? Nope. I realize that we aren't in a situation where that would make sense right now. However, if God were to bless us with a baby, I know He'd make a way. With that said, I don't think we'll be trying soon because there's still so much we'd like to take care of before we have a child.

I think that the biggest reason I desire a child, is so that I can pour all of the teachings of God that I have had into he/she. I want my child (children) to learn to honor God, as Michael and I did, from day one. I see things that I want to do differently with my child, in order to better equip he/she for this world. Granted, I know this sounds funny to those of you reading out there that have children. I know that it will not be an easy task to raise a child, but I am sure you will agree with me that it is rewarding.

I, once again, make mention of my friend Kristi. She has 3 children and she is a year older than me. I admire her strength! I admire her discipline! She is a wonderful mother! I know that there are days she finds it hard to accomplish all that she needs to accomplish, however, she always puts God first and always instills God's love in her babies. I want to be that kind of mother to my children.

Now that I have gotten all philosophical as usual, I am off to visit Baptist Family Fitness. I have a special request I would like to ask each of you to remember, dealing with my health. I'm ok, nothing major, just something that I want to see God move in considering my family's health background. Genetics are soo good, yet soo bad haha.



Love to all,

ME

ME AS A BABY LEARNING TO WALK

MICHAEL AS A BABY

Creation versus Evolution .... My Notes!!!

These are my notes from Dr. Jim Gardner, a Creation Scientist, who spoke about the importance of not being decieved by Evolution. Read these and contemplate on the thoughts provided.... ENJOY, I know I did!

Teaching Biblical Truth to the Next Generation!

www.canopyministries.org
www.ICR.org

The Consequences of the Path You Choose
Proverbs 4:18, 19
18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Proverbs 14:12 parallels Proverbs 16

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
God says it twice!

Evolution today

Today people refer to the definition of evolution as "changed."

Horizontal selection and Natural selection

(We can see horizontal selection through animal husbandry,however, vertical selection, the fact that we are "evoloving" into something even better is far fetched because the human body works exactly the opposite!)
"Natural selection is the process by which individual organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those with unfavorable traits. Natural selection works on the whole individual, but only the heritable component of a trait will be passed on to the offspring, with the result that favorable, heritable traits become more common in the next generation" (Wikipedia.org).

Animal Husbandry:

the breeding, feeding, and management of animals for the production of food, fibre, work, and pleasure.

We don't see vertical selection!
Evolutionists think that particles moved into things higher and more complex. WRONG!

"From goo to you by way of the zoo"

Vertical Evolution
Evolution states that man is the top of the food chain and that we are "gods" in control of our own lives and destiny.
Evolution feels that man decides what is true.

IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!
* Hitler believed in Darwinism! He thought he was doing a favor for the world by weeding out those that were not "perfect."





God created the Heavens and Earth so HE ALONE has the right to make all the rules.
He has the RIGHT to do what He wishes with our lives.

Marriage is 1 man and 1 woman 4 life!

1963-64 Engle Case
In 1963, Engle vs. Vitale, this court ruling decided that prayer conducted by teachers, or a moment of silence, would interfere with the Establishment Clause. This meant there would be no more prayer in school. There have been over half a dozen court decisions against school prayer over the past fifty years (School Prayer: A Community at War: Important School Prayer Rulings, pg. 1).

*Want to build a bomb in the US Public Schools?
INSTILL IN A CHILD:
1. NO ABSOLUTES
2. LIFE IS ACCIDENTAL
3. WE EVOLVED FROM ANIMALS.
4. TEACH MILLIONS OF YEARS OF VIOLENCE
5. TEACH THAT THERE IS NO GOD
6. TEACH THAT THE BIBLE IS NOT TRUE
REMOVE THE BIBLE, PRAYER, & 10 COMMANDMENTS FROM THE SCHOOLS

THESE THINGS WE ARE DOING NOW IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE WONDER WHY WE HAVE SO MUCH VIOLENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND IN OUR YOUTH!

When Nations Die by Kerby Anderson

10 Signs To the Fall of a Great Nation
(Note: Only 2 of the 10 have to be present for a great nation to fall and has been proven throughout the fall of great nations in history, however, our U.S. has all 10 of these signs present today!)

1. Increase in Lawlessness
2. Less Economic Discipline
3. Rising Bureacrecy
4. Decline in education
5. Weakening of cultural foundations
6. Loss of respect for traditions
7. Increase in materialism
8. Immorality (homosexuality)
9. Decay of religious belief
10. Devaluing Human Life

Rules Penalties Place
SIN DEATH HELL


Cheating is stealing... its a 10 commandment!
85% of college students admit to cheating at some point in their education!

Every human being is free to choose which ever of these 2 beliefs that he/she wants!!

HOWEVER
YOU ARE NOT FREE FROM THE CONSEQUENCES THAT COME WITH THE CHOICE YOU MAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those consequences will affect you and everything around you!
Cummulative choices of Americans have helped to cause the problems we have today.
We have turned away, as a nation, from Jesus.

We have secular humanist to define the debate, we let them say creation is religious while evolution is science.

EVOLUTION IS A RELIGION! IT IS NOT A SCIENCE.

PROOF THAT EVOLUTION IS NOT A SCIENCE....

1. Science (noun)
1 Branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts systematically
arranged and showing the operation of general laws. EVOLUTION IS NOT
BASED ON FACTS!
2 Systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through
observation and experimentation. WE HAVE NEVER SEEN EVOLUTION HAPPEN!

2. Complexity to Simplicity: 2nd Law of Thermodynamics EVOLUTION TEACHES THE OPPOSITE AND DOES NOT OPERATE IN THE 2ND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS!

3. What About the Scientific Method?
Imperical Science: 3 things that must be true!!!
a. Observable
b. Testable
c. Repeatable
4. No True Transitional Forms

5. Evolutionists say that, "No real scientists believe in creation."
WRONG! (Good Book to check out ... In Six Days by John F. Aston)
6. Evolution is a faith based religion and Creation is also philosphical and faith based. FOR THIS REASON, CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM! DO NOT EVEN TRY TO CONNECT IT TO THE BIBLE! IT IS NOT OF GOD!
7. A non-Christian cannot see Biblical evidence
eg. Grand Canyon: 2 Scientist 2views
* There's scientific evidence to support both BUT a non-Christian cannot see the evidence from the Biblical view.
* ALL scientists have the same evidence!
8. They believe in evolution because they are blind!
Romans He can be clearly seen by the things that He has made.
9. Evolution is Science fiction and based on speculation
* Evolution is using creative imagination restrained by rational speculation that the entire universe evolved from literally nothing.

Richard Dawkins, famous evolutionist says that anyone that does not believe in evolution "...is ignorant, stupid, or insane (or wicked, but I'd rather not consider that)."

***The evolutionist's bible is On Origin of the Species written in 1859 and though it is title suggests it tells the actual origin of the beginning of species, it does not mention even once where the species came from!
****Darwin had no degree! How scientific is it to follow a science formed by a scientist with no degree!
****The book was republished in 1971 (Biggest reprint ever because they were putting it in the public schools to teach) and the foreword was written by Harrison Matthews: "The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology and biology is thus... Belief in the Theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to the belief in special creation. Both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither up to the present, has been capable of proof." THOSE ARE WORDS STRAIGHT FROM AN EVOLUTIONIST, EVOLUTION CANNOT BE PROVEN. TO BE CONSIDERED A SCIENCE, IT MUST BE PROVABLE.
****Neil Vorx says that Evolution is not a religion because there is no deity but he is missing the point that in evolution, WE ARE THE DEITY!
THE BIBLE IS THE HISTORY BOOK OF THE UNIVERSE ---EYEWITNESS IS JESUS CHRIST!

IT IS LOGICAL TO ASSUME...
1. Written by 40 different men in 40 different languages
2. Written over a period of 1,600 years
3. 1 COMMON theme
4. 1 COMMON focus
5. It has no material errors.
6. It has never been historically inaccurate.
7. It has never been scienfically inaccurate.
2nd Timothy 3:16- All Scripture is Inspired by God
Exodus 20:11 - This scripture was inscribed by God.

****Even the verses that are... "A begot B and B begot C" (Made up example!) are important because they show us the continuous line between Adam and us and that we are sons of Adam and we have the Adamic nature of sin....that's why we need Jesus! THIS PROVES THAT WE ARE SINNERS!

7 C's of History
God created the world perfect!
The creator enters HIS creation!

1. Creation
2. Corruption
3. Catastrophe
4. Confusion
5. Christ
6. Cross
7. Consummation

(This presentation covers the perfect “CREATION” that was created by God that was “CORRUPTED” by man’s sin of disobedience. It covers the resulting rapid decent into unmitigated violence until God finally judged the world with the “CATASTROPHE” of a global flood destroying the entire surface of the planet. It briefly explains the continued rebellion of mankind resulting in the “CONFUSION” of languages at Babel. Finally it finishes with the coming of the “CREATOR” into this world as a man, and the voluntary subjection to death on a “CROSS” for the redemption of fallen mankind and the entire creation, and covers the glorious hope of the coming “CONSUMMATION”) (www.canopyministries.org).
The Creator shed His precious Blood to redeem His creation!
Lamb's Book of Life: We have eternal life regardless of where we spend it! PARENTS, DRAG YOUR CHILDREN TO THE WAY OF THE CROSS! DON'T EVEN GIVE THEM THE OPTION OF NOT ATTENDING CHURCH WHILE THEY ARE UNDER YOUR ROOF! CHILDREN HAVE TO BE TAUGHT RIGHT FROM WRONG!

We bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

****DON'T BE DECIEVED BY THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN MOVEMENT! THEY ARE NOT BASED ON THE BIBLICAL BELIEF OF CREATION! THEY BELIEVE THAT THE WORLD WAS INTELLIGENTLY DESIGNED AND THAT'S IT... THEY DO NOT TAKE IT ANY FURTHER! IT IS JUST ANOTHER DECEPTION FROM SATAN!

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

I want to be like Hannah!

Good evening to all:

I sit here in my bed, pretty much well relaxed and rested after a whole day off here at home. I have been working on my online tests and measurements classwork since last night and I am almost finished with the exception of one lesson assignment. I decided to clean off some of the old emails on my computer and now that I have finished with that, I decided to go to my MyWay.com page and visit my daily links. I visited Kristi's Blog and I was welcomed by a billboard picture of Hannah Sobeski. (Kristi, if you are reading this I am copying that picture and link from your page!)

I clicked on the link that was provided in Kristi's entry and was directed to Channel 7 WSPA news in Spartanburg, SC. The news website contains an interview video clip with Hannah. I am requesting that all that read this entry check this clip out! http://www.wspa.com/midatlantic/spa/home.html and click Hannah Sobeski interview. Please watch this clip if for no other reason but to honor this courageous, young girl.
I cried as I watched Hannah discuss her cancer in the interview. She spoke with courage and with firm faith. I was amazed at her strong composure. She stated that she would like to graduate from Clemson in 4 years, get married, and have children. BUT, she made sure to add that if that was not God's will for her, that she would be fine with that.
I sit here in awe tonight. I complain all the time about staying so busy and never getting to take a break. Today, I've had a peaceful break. I have enjoyed it! However, how ungrateful of me to complain about a full life when there are others, like Hannah, who aren't getting to do the things that I am doing. Do I really need to complain at all? And I know, we are all human. Females, at least my female friends, love to complain a bit here and there, we call it "VENTING." I realize that it is good to talk and get things out of your system, however its moments like these, people like Hannah, that make me reevaluate my entire life.
With that said, please don't think Hannah is lacking in anyway. She is probably closer to Jesus right now than any of us. She stated in her interview that her priorities had changed alot since she had been diagnoised with cancer. She talked about the importance of relationships with family and friends, and most importantly God. Hannah is not missing out on anything that could ever mean more than what she is being blessed to experience.
I pause momentarily tonight to ask myself a question, are my priorities in order? Simple answer, no. Yes, they are more in order now than they have been in a long time. Yes, I do my best to put Jesus first in EVERYTHING that I do. However, I fail quite often at that. And sometimes satan uses that to try to push me further away. I'll admit, sometimes it works. So many people laugh when I say that I should be living a better life for God. They tell me that if I am doing such a sloppy job, they must really be bad off. But, its a personal thing. My best attempts may seem wonderful to some people, actually they would seem wonderful to me a few years back if I could have glimpsed into the future, but the closer you get to God, the closer you want to be.
I have always been known as "a good girl" and you know what, that has never bothered me. I have always had 100 pairs of eyes watching me to see if I really am living this life with Jesus that I speak of. I'm not perfect, I've made mistakes. I continue to make mistakes daily. However, I have had Jesus through all things that I have been through, and He has pulled me up when I have fallen and helped me get started on the right path again.
I look back at my high school and college years and I am so thankful to God that he preserved my testimony. I am glad that I wasn't swayed into attending weekend parties or sharing intimate moments with random guys. I always had people telling me that I would regret not "living", but that's what they didn't understand, I was and still am "living!" Survey most adults in the world today and rarely will you find any that can say that they have never touched alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc. Most can't say that they have only been with their husbands. That's the easy way out. It's easy to get drunk or high. It's easy to be "well known" with guys. It takes integrity to NOT do those things. And those who don't are extremely unique.
Do I say all this to toot my own horn? Nope. I give God the glory for the preservation of my testimony. I pray continuously for Him to continue preserving it. I could make a bad decision right now and have to live with the consequences forever. But by God's grace, He sustains me and helps me to be a light to my family, friends, students, etc. Its nothing about me that is good, its only Jesus that is in me that is good. I say all these things to open the eyes of those of you reading. Young or old, male or female, good past or not so good past; Jesus died for you, too. Turn from your sin and depend on Him. Don't try to fix yourself, instead give yourself to Him and let Him do the fixing!
I've said all of the above to say this, I want to be like Hannah Sobeski! I am 8 years her senior, but she is at a spiritual level of maturity far greater than mine. What a light for Jesus! I want to be like Hannah... now the accountable question for my readers, Do you?