Better is One Day!

I have come to the conclusion that life is just never going to be awesome each day, every day. Don't get me wrong, every day is a day that God has blessed us with, I realize that. But nothing on this earth will every compare to the peace, love, joy, and happiness will we experience in Heaven. One day there will be so wonderful and so fulfilling that if it were the only day we had, we would forever rejoice in the fact that we spent our day that way. The good news is we will be spending more than just one day there, we will be spending eternity with Jesus. He will be the focus of our day, our week, our eternity. How beautiful! So, sitting here with this dull headache and freezing as I type, doesn't seem quite so bad because I know what is to come. A question for you...... will you be blessed with an eternal rest? Do you know JESUS?

Ps. Feel free to let me know if you would like to!

Good Mornin' From A Smilin' Teacher On A Snow Day Off...

Hi All:

Yes... Saturday night's snow lingered just enough to get me out of work once again. Yes! Do I dislike my job? Not hardly .... but who could complain on having a day off to get to do things that need taking care of like............. seeing baby Gavin. haha Yea, I am heading to see him (an hour + drive) today as soon as his mommy calls me to let me know they are up and kicking for the day. I'll be sure to post pictures!

But until then... I wanted to leave you with this verse that I read in my devotion book

The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

that Tina bought me for Christmas. Note... if you are familiar with the book, notice that I am posting the KJV instead of the various ones used in the book. The KJV is a beautiful version that is written unlike the others. There are words there that are too beautiful to miss.

Matthew 6:8:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

The "them" that the Bible is talking about are those who pray for show and those that pray repeatedly because they think that God will hear them better if they repeat themselves. Do not confuse this with earnestly praying for a request every time we pray. That's not what this means. God wants us to let Him know what our heart needs, just in the right way.

This verse is a stand out verse to me. And in the devotion it made mention of something that I thought summed up the purpose of prayer perfectly:

"Prayer is not a way to draw God's attention to your needs. It is a way to draw your attention to how much you need God."

How True!!! God knows everything about us. He knows what my heart desires in the quiet of the night when no one else does. I pray to Him because I need to continue to condition myself to realize that I need God more than oxygen, water, food, social interaction, etc. He is my number one need and without Him, I could never exist. An amazing thought, those who do not believe in Him are still being loved by Him. Jesus loved them on the cross just like us. He asked for forgiveness for those that hurt Him, stating that they know not what they do. It is so simple, yet some folks make it so difficult. A simple gift of love. Amazing!

Well....... Jess just called. Gavin has been up almost all night and she's up now. I am off to see my lil 7 lb. buddy. Love to all!

Alesha :D

Ken Duncan's "Where Jesus Walked"

Sea of Galilee

I bought this book back in October I think. It is a coffee table book with pictures from The Holy Lands. I absolutely love flipping through the pages and seeing exactly the places where my Savior walked. It's just amazing to think about. I am posting some pictures directly from Mr. Duncan's Site below. I encourage you to check out this book and his work.

Holy City Jerusalem

Mount of Beatitudes

Sunrise over Bethlehem

Happy Valentine's Day.... from my Precious Husband!

MY PRECIOUS HUSBAND PROVIDED SUCH A BEAUTIFUL VALENTINE'S DAY FOR ME... HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES.... I'LL TRY TO ADD SOME OF HIS V-DAY THINGS TOMORROW!

OK......... SO I COULDN'T WAIT. HERE'S THE THINGS I GOT HIM! I LOVE MY HUSBAND! THE PIGLET THING IS AN INSIDE JOKE ABOUT SOME PINK PJ'S! THE LIL DOG IS THE CLOSEST THING TO A PET HE CAN HAVE RIGHT NOW. THE SOUR CANDY BRACELETS ARE ONE OF HIS FAVORITE THINGS TO MUNCH ON!

Let's Go For A Walk Down the Romans' Road: Romans 8

So tonight's Bible reading was continued in Romans. I just had to share these verses with you because they just overjoyed my heart so!

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

THE SAME SPIRIT THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD IS THE SPIRIT THAT ABIDES IN EVERY CHRISTIAN'S HEART TODAY! HOW AWESOME! WHY DO WE NOT DESIRE MORE AND MORE OF THIS SPIRIT?

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Ab'-ba Father.

BEAUTIFUL.... WE HAVE BEEN ADOPTED INTO GOD'S FAMILY. WE CAN CRY OUT TO OUR FATHER WHEN WE ARE HURTING OR NEEDING HIS SUPPORT. DADDY..... DADDY!

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

HOW ASTOUNDING. WE ARE JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST. WE WERE ADOPTED INTO THIS ROYAL FAMILY AND WE ARE JOINT-HEIRS WITH THE KING OF ALL KINGS WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US! GOD LOVES US SO..... WE DON'T RECEIVE A SMALL PORTION..... BUT A JOINT PORTION!

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

I LOVE THESE VERSES! THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE GRAVE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT MY GROANINGS IN PRAYER MEAN EVEN WHEN I CAN'T FORM THE WORDS TO SPEAK THEM. JESUS KNOWS MY INNER BEING SO WELL THAT I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO SPEAK, HE KNOWS THE DESIRES OF MY HEART AND SOUL! BEAUTIFUL LOVE! AMAZING LOVE!

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

THIS IS SO ENCOURAGING TO ME AS A BELIEVER! EVEN WHEN THE DAY IS ROUGH, I KNOW ALL THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I LOVE GOD AND HE HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE!

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

READ THAT AGAIN SLOWLY....... NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD. NOTHING..... ONCE YOU ARE SAVED, YOU ARE AN HEIR TO GOD'S KINGDOM! HOW AMAZING! WE MAY NEVER BE PRINCES AND PRINCESSES ON THIS EARTH, BUT WE ARE IN OUR HEAVENLY FAMILY! SHOULD THIS NOT MAKE US LOVE JESUS EVEN MORE? HE DIDN'T HAVE TO SHARE THESE THINGS WITH US. HE DID IT BECAUSE HE LOVED US! HE WAS WILLING! WE SHOULD BE, TOO!

Blog For Jesus

The following is an article that God placed upon my heart to write and send to the local newspapers for publishing. I am unsure if it will get published there, nevertheless, it will here.

Blog For Jesus

Written by: Ms. Alesha Ann Brittain-Goodlett

Inspired by: GOD

Fellow Christians,

Ever heard of a blog? Some of you may have absolutely no idea what I am speaking of. A blog is defined by Wikipedia as “…a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronical order.” In layman’s terms, a blog is simply an online journal about a topic of interest. Granted, blogs can be more complex, but for the majority of folks it’s all about expression and interests.
Why am I writing my brothers and sisters in Christ about something as silly as a blog? Good question! I actually found an old friend through a web search that turned up her blog. Kristi is a year older than me and was my Vacation Bible School teacher as a teenager. She was one of the most awesome Christians that I had ever met and we bonded over our last few years of high school and first few years of college. As life teaches us, it is often hard to maintain long distance friendships as we grow older. That said Kristi and I lost touch with each other. Imagine my surprise when I found her blog! I found countless pictures of her husband, children, and a very pregnant photo of her. The most interesting part of her blog, however, was that of her connections to Christ.
By reading her blog and others linked to it, I realized that blogging is an amazing way to worship Jesus!
My journey began at www.blogspot.com , where I created a username, password, and blog title. I then began to “blog.” I didn’t really get moving a lot until a few months later. Now, I can’t imagine not having my “Shine 4 Jesus!” blog to go to and speak my praises to my precious Savior! I can’t imagine not being able to share prayer requests with others and speak of my personal convictions. The more I have prayed and thought about the opportunity I have been led to by God, the more I want to promote it.
So many of us are good Christian people who would love to share Jesus with our family and friends, what better way than to reach folks than to write exactly what you wish they could hear and invite them to read it? What an opportunity! In no means do I want to discourage you from witnessing daily with your testimony and the words you speak, however, this is just an added avenue to reach others for Christ Jesus.
There are so many immoral websites and “antichrist” images on the Internet these days. Think of how just by sharing your thoughts and speaking the name of Jesus online can help. Maybe there will not be flocks of people running to your blog, but if you can touch just one life, isn’t it worth it?
Jesus, himself, gave us the Great Commission and I know me, along with a lot of other Christians, slack too much on this commandment from our Savior. Read these famous verses from Matthew 28: 18-20 KJV: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’" What a blessing we can receive from obeying Jesus’ commandment! So, my charge to you is this: Blog For Jesus!

A Thank You.... for YOU JESUS!

Just an outward expression of gratitude for my precious Savior. Thank you Jesus for all Your many blessings. Thank you for what you've let come to pass and what is coming to pass in the near future. I know that all things are in Your hands and that everything will reveal itself in Your perfect time. I love you!

----Your Daughter

Welcome to the World Gavin Michael! Praise God for New Life, Earthly and Spiritually!

Monica and I with Baby Gavin

Jessica, Monica, Gavin, and my bro Billy
Me, Jess, Mon, Gavin, and Billy
Us again
Me lusting after Baby Gavin ... I feel the itch again haha
Jess and Me (First Cousins, 4 days apart)
Mon holding Gavin


Baby Gavin getting some milk from mommy!
Looking just like his momma when she was a baby.
Baby Gavin, getting tired of the flashes.
Jess and baby Gavin posing.
My beautiful momma holding baby Gavin with my goofy brother in the background.

Gavin's lil legs and feet!
Gavin's itty bitty body!
Jess exposing his little body to the cold air..... he gets a little mad right after this pic.
Jess and her son Gavin.
Jess smiling at Baby Gavin!

Billy holding Gavin and saying he is super tiny!

So......... I met my lil cousin today. I was pretty impressed. He came out looking pretty sharp! haha I love babies, especially when they share my blood. Gavin was no exception. I held him and asked Jess every question you could think of about the pain, the shot, the delivery, etc. I held his lil body forever and my favorite part was his lil butt. No joke, his little butt fit in the palm of my hand. That's God guys! What a blessing! So innocent and so precious. I am reminded of the verse that is written on my personal checks from Psalms,

Psalm 139:13:
13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. KJV
( For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. NIV)


Usually, I don't quote from anything but the KJV, however, I thought I would use this verse to supplement my KJV one.

God is so wonderful. Its amazing how He fashions these little people just so that they can come into our lives. What we have to realize is that we have to, in turn, give them back to Him. Pray His will for them daily and Pray that He gets all the glory in their lives for everything that He does. We have to let Jesus guide us in the molding and shaping of these little people and their minds. What an awesome job! I can't wait to be blessed with my own children and be able to share my Heavenly Father's love with them. I hope that my children can read the following verse and say "That was me in my mommy's belly!"


Psalm 22:10 (Whole Chapter) I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.



Mamaw with me and Jess as babies! I know she thinks lil Gavin is adorable and of "good stock" because of his full head of hair!

Uncle Bruce...... Mon and Jess' dad.... Lil Gavin's Papaw.... I know he would love dressing him in camo and taking him hunting!

Just Chillin'..... No Really I Am!

LtoR: Jessica and Monica at lil Gavin Michael's shower!

Hi all:

Just stopping in to speak to my beloved blog. I love having my only spot on the web to use just for myself and my thoughts about my beloved Savior! It's so frustrating to constantly hear that you can't "express" your faith at work and in other situations. Praise God, I can praise as loudly ... errr.. AS LOUDLY AS I WANT TO ON HERE!


Today my cousin Jessica had her little boy. He weight 7 lbs. + and his name is Gavin Michael. I am in shock just because it is so wild for her to be having a baby. We are four days apart and I never thought I'd be the last one to have a child. I am so tickled for her though! She is at a good point in her life and I am so happy that she is. I can't wait to meet lil Gavin tommorrow after work. I've heard that he looks just like her! Too cute! Her daddy would be so excited..... what am I saying... I'm sure God already let him in on it.


You know, its wild. I get the "itch" for a little one and then I get so stressed out that I talk myself right back out of that itch. Of course if I ended up pregnant right now, it'd be ok. But.... I'd rather wait until school is over for me (May 2007) and I'd like to tie up a few other loose ends first. I know God has the future for Michael and I in His hands and when its time for a baby, He'll bless us with one. So, I think I am just going to keep waiting it out for now.


Why did I title my entry "I'm Chillin'.... No Really I Am!" ? Well probably because I am sitting here in my apartment freezing from lack of heat. It's a cold one out there tonight and I didn't get home much earlier than Michael. Usually I try to get in first and crank up our heaters but not tonight. Too much drama. I got home and barely got in the shower and out before he walked in with dinner. So needless to say....... I'm chillin'.


I also wanted to mention something that I neglected to mention a few weeks ago. On a Sunday night a few weeks back, I missed a phone call from my cousin Monica (Jessica's sister) who is in college right now. I have had her and Jess on my heart for a long time. Monica and I had had a big discussion about Salvation on MSN a few weeks earlier and I was praying so hard that something would give in her life. So, I missed her call that Sunday evening and she left a message. On my way to church I listened to it and could barely understand her because she was screaming. To sum it up, SHE GOT SAVED! I was so excited for her. She has always made me so proud but to hear that she made the biggest decision ever? Wow... awesome! God is soo good. So I wanted to tell the world that she is now living for Jesus and I am so proud of her. Keep her in your prayers and thoughts. As with any Christian, a new Christian especially needs lots of extra prayers for strength and courage. It's hard enough when you are seasoned, let alone just starting out and facing satan. I know that God will bless her for her hunger for Jesus and His word. I love you Mon! (And I am so positive that your dad and mamaw are so proud and thrilled for you....... probably pretty excited to see you in Heaven, too).

It's Been Quite Some Time!

Hi All:

Just thought I would let you know that yes...... I am still kicking. Life has been pretty stressful here lately, even though we've had some snow days off. I am juggling my last 2 classes, work, after school tutoring, planning for a unit review at work, helping my hubby get better, and communing with God. Amazing how 24 hours never seems to be enough.
I found something very cute on Kristi's page. Click here for the Top Ten Reasons to Quite Your Job. Her added comments are adorable also! So many times people dismiss the duties of a housewife/mother. Hats off to all of you who are! My mother was a stay at home mom until about 3 years ago and I know she worked a lot harder than some people do at their outside jobs! I admire the fact that she was able to do that because I love that we spent all that time together and I know my brother does, too. Now, she works outside the home just because she wants to. I am so proud of her!
I also wanted to take the time to remind everyone to visit Hannah's Hope, the new ministry for Hannah Sobeski's Hope, Jesus Christ! This is a new site and is great. You can also order cds, bracelets, etc. I urge you to read the blog. It never ceases to touch my heart!
I will do my best to post again asap. I miss my blogging, however, I am so sleepy that I can barely form sentences. God Bless you all!