Happy Birthday Danielle

It is 11pm on October 31st, 2006. I just walked through my door. I have had an extremely long day of running around. Mom was still under the weather, so I took Michael's car (he was still working on cleaning mine up) and drove up to pick my brother up and take him to school before I went to work. This was my 2nd morning of getting up early to do that and I am feeling it ha ha. I had a really, really LONG day at work. My students in one class were just not cooperative and I wasn't feeling well, needless to say, I felt like I spent my entire math hour with them just continuously getting on to them. I went to mom's house after work and laid down on her couch and was out cold. After she picked Billy up from football practice, I jumped up from my nap and hopped in her car to head to Middlesboro. Verna, Danielle's mom, had asked me to come over for Halloween to give out candy with them and I was happy to do so.
I really enjoy spending time with Verna and Danielle's family. It really makes me think of her a lot because I see so much of her in each of them. Though my heart aches knowing that I can't giggle with her while sitting on the couch there, I know that she is there with us and I feel blessed to have grown closer to her family over the past year. They are a wonderful family and I am blessed to call them friends.
Tommorrow (Today by the time I actually post this) is Danielle's 26th birthday. She will be having an extra special birthday this year because she gets to spend it with Jesus and I'm sure that He will really help her celebrate. It seems so strange that only a year ago today, I was making sure my bases were covered and determined that Danielle's birthday would not be taken for granted. Mom and I got online on November 1st of 05 and found a florist to deliver birthday flowers to her work in Knoxville. I kept calling her and asking if anything had arrived and she was like, "Lesha, what did you do?" She was so surprised to get those flowers and I was so glad that she liked them. She told me that she was gonna beat me up for doing that and that told me all I needed to know about her joy in receiving them.
Today also marks a year ago that she spent, what would be her last date with Todd, her life long love interest. She was crazy about him and Lord knows that we shared countless nights doing P.I. work in Middlesboro looking for him. She really cared about him, more than I think he will ever realize. So much so that she told me right before Halloween of 05 that she wanted him to be happy and with someone who treated him right and that was Godly even if that person wasn't her.
On that last date, she went out to eat with him in Knoxville and bragged about her flowers. She also went with him to the hospital to visit his very sick cousin who was facing a serious surgery. "Alesha, I don't know what came over me" she said. "I just couldn't leave that hospital room without praying for his cousin and it was just the best feeling. I asked everyone to hold hands and I prayed aloud for God's hand to be upon her. Tears rolled down my face and everyone in the room was crying. When I looked up, Todd was just looking at me with tears in amazement," she explained. Wow, what a clue that my best friend had given me. She was growing even closer to God. I was so blessed to witness it daily and to encourage her. It amazes me that I didn't realize that she was growing close to Him, so that she could be even more ready to go home to Him.
A year ago this month, I got married. The month of November will always be bittersweet for me. There's Danielle's birthday on the 1st, my bachelorette party on the 12th, my wedding on the 19th, her homecoming in Heaven on the 30th and lots of random memories staggered in between. Oh how blessed I am that God gave her to me for a month longer to get to have those precious memories! How could I have had a happy wedding without her there? God let me have those memories. God gave me those amazing thoughts those last few months, thoughts of wonder and awe that I actually had been blessed with such a Godly, intimate friendship that I had prayed and longed for for so long. I praise Him for every second that we shared and every memory that I have in my heart that contains her.
I could elaborate even more and probably end up bawling even worse within seconds, but I feel like I've said enough for now. My heart is heavy as the clock turns 12am. I know that this will be a happy yet hard month for me to go through. Even more so than me, I know that the Bowman family will have lots of ups and downs this month even if no one sees it behind their smiles. Please friends, remember those who love, and I say that in the present tense, Danielle. Pray that God will bless us this month and every day thereafter with peace and warmth knowing that she is enjoying time with Him. Pray that He drenches our hearts and minds with memories of her that just help ease the pain in some way, shape or form.
If you are reading this and you know Danielle, take a moment and reflect on her life. And examine yours, if you were to go home right now, where would your home be? I have no doubt that Danielle's home is Heaven because I saw the evidence daily in her life, especially in her final months on earth. Be sure friends that you can say that your home will be Heaven. Don't let small details that won't matter in the end keep you from calling Heaven your eternal home.
To Danielle, Happy Birthday my precious pal! I miss your presence and your big heart. I miss our P.I. work and our worship experiences, especially Wed. nights! Most of all, I miss your big smile and that silly laugh. No, Danielle, your skin doesn't look green and no your ears aren't sticking out. You are spending this 26th birthday in perfection, without worries or fears, and with your Heavenly Father. Today, on your 26th birthday, may we all celebrate, Danielle Lilly Bowman is resting in the arms of Jesus. Happy Birthday my one and only Best Friend.

In Jesus' Love,

Alesha

There is VICTORY in Jesus

Victory Baptist Church
(502) 239-6699
7808 Beulah Church Rd
Louisville, KY 40228

I spent my Sunday morning at Victory Baptist, my usual place of worship when I am in Louisville. Victory is Michael's home church and it is also where he went to Christian school. The pastor, Randy Kennedy, preached on the secret ingredients in the Christian life. He introduced us to the topic by using an episode of the Cosby Show in which Elton, the son-in-law, tries to prove that he can cook. With Cliff's help, he whips up some spaghetti and the family is wowed and wondering what the secret ingredient is, which in fact the sauce is really store bought. I enjoyed this message so much that I wanted to share my notes with you all on my blog. The secret ingredients that we discovered in worship today were as follows:

1. We cannot be SAVED unless there is a secret ingredient (The Blood of Jesus Christ).

Hebrews 9:22:

22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Acts 16:31:

31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.


2. We are SUSTAINED by a secret ingredient (God's help).

Psalm 27:13:

13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 94:17:

17Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

Isaiah 40:31:

31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.



3. We SERVE with the help of a secret ingredient (Love).

John 21 :

John 21
1After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

3Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

8And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

9As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

14This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

20Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

23Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.


4. We live a SANCTIFIED life with the help of a secret ingredient (Being Like Jesus).

Romans 6:4:

4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.


5. We go SOUL WINNING with the help of a secret ingredient (Staying close to Jesus).


John 15:5:

5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Sunday Night .... Monday is on its way.....

Bonjour my fine, feathered friends:

HaHa That's how I talk to my students. I use all sorts of neat names like (the one above), chicks (girls), fellas (boys), peeps (my class), lil peeps, etc. I love being a unique teacher.
I just wanted to drop in a few sentences and let you guys know that I want you to spend special time in prayer in the next few months for Danielle's family and friends. November is going to be a hard month, but God will see us all through it. I pray that God will just really guide Verna, Danny, Hannah, Derek, and Gran through these next few months. He's been faithful thus far and I know that He will continue to be. Just remember them in your prayers. Also, remember Hannah's boyfriend Matt, he is a new Christian tonight. He was saved in church today and I was so glad that he made that decision. Hannah is such a beautiful girl and though I don't know Matt, he seems like a good guy. I am so glad that thats one more thing that they have in common and can enjoy together.
I also would like to request prayer for Michael's home church pastor Brother Gardner Gentry of Victory Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He has really been an inspiration to Michael and his family. He has been doing mission work in Africa for about 6 or 7 years (something like that) and he has contracted sicknesses there before. This time he has been poisioned by arsenic in which they use to wash their clothes in Africa to rid parasites that is in the water there. He accidentally was exposed to it and inhaled it. He has ulcers from his mouth all the way down his throat to his stomach. He is in bad shape and he needs prayers.
Also, remember Hannah still. According to her journal, she is fighting hard still. Remember my former student "T" and his family. Pray for God's hand to be upon them as he walks through this ordeal. Pray for pastor Charles Jones from Riverview Baptist also.
Lastly, remember me. I want to continue to grow in my faith. I want to be more bold. It sadens me that we are so bold about things that we believe passionately in, until it comes to Jesus. I feel like even though I am bold in my faith, I'm not bold enough. I'm not doing the job that I could do for God. Like Garry Bingham preached Wed. nite, any job we have on earth is provided by the Lord. We are working our jobs for Him! I am teaching for Him. There are stippulations at the workplace, especially for me since I am in public education, however, God uses us regardless. My students know my beliefs, I don't force them upon them. I don't preach to them daily, but they know. They SEE Jesus in me. They read my blog! They message me online. They know my faith. I pray that I will always have Jesus shining through me for the world to see. I pray that my students will be saved and will be able to lead their family and friends to God. According to the world, it will never happen. With God, I know that it will!

Love to all,
Alesha : )

Saturday Morning....Wow What-A-Week!

Hi friends,

It is Saturday morning here in Barbourville, Kentucky. I am getting ready to head out to the gym with my hubby. This was my first week back to work after Fall break and let me tell you, I can definitely feel it. It's amazing how just 9 days can make your body get into a new pattern of not standing all day. My back and feet have ached this week from standing 7.5 hours a day, because contrary to the thoughts, not all teachers sit behind their desks. Actually, I rarely sit down. Its cherished when I do. *HERE'S A PIC OF ME WITH ONE OF MY STUDENTS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO*
I have had an awesome week with my Savior! I spent Wed. melancholy and weepy. I could have sworn that I saw Danielle coming to sit with me in Church. It was so real that I had to walk out for a few moments to gain my composure. Wed. night was tough but God's grace is sufficient.
Thursday night, I decided to revamp my Prayer/Bible time. I have OCD (truthfully!) and I sometimes have a hard time during my prayer time if I leave something or someone out. I know that satan uses this, so I decided to outline the "Constants" on my prayer list, so that I can refer to it if needed. In the midst of that, I decided to research prayer. It's funny, I have been a Christian for 16 years now and I have prayed for years. However, I sometimes wonder if I am praying effectively. I am not concerned with how the world views my prayers. My only concern is speaking to my Jesus in the correct way.
Now this may sound silly to some of you reading this. I know that God hears my prayers and I know that He answers them, its just that I want to be more effective in my Praises for Him and more effective in my intercession for the lost and those who are in need. I also want to be more effective in praying for myself, something that I recently realized I do not do enough. I guess it's the feeling of being selfish, but I really have begun to realize that in order to help others, I have to ask God to help and work on me more often.
So in my search for Prayer advice I, of course, consulted my Bible and I also went to the Billy Graham organization website. I really admire Billy Graham because he has stood the course, ONLY because he really listens to God and puts Him first. I once read that he will not even enter an elevator with a woman unless there are other people present, just so that no one will be able to assume or accuse him of something. This keeps his testimony clean. I am not saying he is perfect, obviously none of us are, but I really believe that he leans on the Lord for guidance. It also helps that my Mamaw Brittain really admired him as well and sent his organization gifts throughout her life. She received his Decision magazines and for about 2 years after she passed away, I continued to receive those magazines out of their kindness towards me. They also sent me a lot of information about the comfort of God when she passed away. *MY MAMAW BRITTAIN HOLDING MY COUSIN AND I WHEN WE WERE BABIES (I'M THE ONE WITH THE BABY DOLL AND BROWN HAIR)*
When I searched the website, I found a lot of good information on the site. I also spent time looking up how to study the Bible. Yes, I've read my Bible my entire life, however, I want to learn how to do that more effectively, too.
I urge those of you reading this to visit the Billy Graham website. There are a lot of awesome things there. There's a whole section that contains questions that people have asked Mr. Graham and his Biblical replies to them.

PS. Please, continue to remember Hannah. Please, add a previous student of mine that I will refer to as on "T" on here just in case his family doesn't want me to use his name online. He has a cancerous tumor on his liver and will be having surgery in the next few weeks. Pray for God's mercy on his precious, little life. He is truly a miracle child already and I have faith that God will continue to use his life to bring people to Him.

Reflection on Being a Servant of God

Hi Peoples:

Just wanted to speak hello to everyone. I once again urge you to Pray for Hannah that is discussed in yesterday's blog. Please keep her in your Prayers and keep asking those you know to pray for her.
Church was great today. It's so nice to be able to attend church with my husband and family and not feel like someone is being left out. I do want to see Michael's entire family back in church so that we can enjoy the same feeling with them when we attend church in Louisville. God will work that out, we just have to keep the faith that He will answer our prayers.
Our pastor talked about various ways we should serve God tonight. He discussed reasons like:
1. Serve the Lord joyfully and willingly (Deuteronomy 10:12-14)
2. Make a choice to serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)
3. Serve the Lord with Fear, and Rejoice with trembling (Psalms 2:11-12)
4. Serve Him with excitement and energy (Romans 7:6)
5. Serve Him with Love (Galations 5:13)

These ways really shine a light on our servanthood with our Savior. Think about a Master and his servant. A master doesn't want a servant that does things because he/she has to and does so with a bad attitude. A master also doesn't want a servant that shows he is serving him against his will. A master wants the servant to fear him because of his power and authority over him/her, yet he wants the servant to know that as long as he/she is doing what they should be they will be happy. A master desires a servant that quickly arises to his/her feet to do things for them with energy. Lastly, a master desires a servant to do things because he/she cares for him.
Now, obviously, not all "masters" and "servants" fit this mold. This is an ideal picture of servanthood with a PERFECT Master and His servant. We, as Jesus' servants, should first of all make the choice that we WANT to serve Him and that we ARE GOING TO serve Him, no matter what may come. Once we make that declaration, the other 4 ways of serving will be introduced into our lives more easily. When we know that we aren't doing something just because we have to do it, rather because we WANT to do it, we are more likely to give it our all. Think about it, why wouldn't we want to serve this Master, Perfect Master, who gave His all for us and who has Saved us. If someone gives you a gift at Christmas, do you not usually feel obligated to provide he/she with a gift in return. Jesus has given us a gift, should we not feel that obligation to return a gift of servanthood and praise to Him in return?
With that said, we should look at our obligation as an opportunity. This is an opportunity to do something to bring honor to Jesus. That in turn should make us joyful and should make us willing to do things for Him. We fear Him not because we think He is this strict ruler who is just waiting for us to mess up, rather because we know that He has ALL the power to do anything. We fear in the sense that we acknowledge we haven't done anything on our own and that everything we have is given to us because He wanted to bless us. He was rich when we were poor and He saved us and gave us all that we have just because He loves us.
Lastly, do you not love someone who really does things for you that make them go out of their way? Someone who provides encouragement and praise when you need it. Someone who lightens your load whenever possible? That person multiplied by infinity, is Jesus Christ. He has done so much for us, even by giving you the breath you are inhaling at this moment. Should that not give us the desire to serve Him with love? To love every opportunity that presents itself to glorify Him? Yes, it should! And we should be energetic in these things, not down and out. We should smile and have a good countness about ourselves. We are children of the King. How awesome! We have all the riches that will ever be laid up for us just because our Heavenly Father loves us. Praise God for His love.
I pray that you, as well as myself, will take these 5 ways to serve God serious and will put them into action in your life. I also pray that I, myself, can be a support for you and that any of you reading these posts, can be a support to me.

In Jesus' Love,

Alesha : )

Thoughts Of Others ... Please Pray For God's Will in the Life of Hannah Sobeski

Hi All:

I am sitting here at 1:34am thinking about Hannah Sobeski. Hannah is a girl I have never met and I have never even heard of until about 20 minutes ago. She is a girl that lives in SC and is in high school at Dorman High. The only reason that I came across her is because of Vacation Bible School taught by the awesome folks at First Baptist of Spartanburg. I always loved this ministry and have made a lot of lasting friendships through it.
One friend that I have on my facebook friend's list had a message on her status for people to please Pray hard for Hannah Sobeski. I was curious so I clicked and skimmed her page for more information. I ran across the link above and was so touched by what I found.



This beautiful, teenage girl has been fighting sarcoma, which from my understanding is a form of cancer, and has stood her ground faithfully throughout the entire battle by giving God the the praise and glory for everything that has occured as a result. It is so empowering, as a Christian, to see this young lady stand so firm in the face of adversity. It's so easy to talk the talk when you aren't having to walk the walk. Hannah is a girl who is speaking out of true faith from her heart as she stands in the midst of a continously, brewing storm.
Hannah was crowned homecoming queen last night according to her website. Throughout the entire event, she gave all honor and praise to God. Her story was on the news and in the papers and nothing she said was edited to take out Jesus' name. This morning, Hannah awoke to learn that her tests show that her tumor has doubled in size since she began her chemo. The decision was made for her to go home and to end further treatment.
My heart just aches for this young girl and her family. How hard must it be to learn that you are given no hope from the medical world? Especially as an 18 year old girl. But as much as my heart aches, it also rejoices. Because, though medically all hope has been dismissed, Hannah and her family have hope in Someone much greater than any earthly doctor. Jesus Christ is their hope and as they stated on their website:
"We will continue to pray that God will kill this tumor, He doesn't need chemo or any other drug. We know He is able. And we also know that He is soveriegn and His plans and ways are always right, whatever happens. We will not give up!"

I urge you to click the link above and read about Hannah. Most importantly, I urge you to Pray for this Faithful Servant of God. Pray for His will to be accomplished in her life!

With that, I offer up my own prayer for Hannah:

GOD BLESS THIS PRECIOUS YOUNG GIRL AND HER FAMILY, DEAR JESUS. PLEASE JUST BATHE HER IN YOUR BLESSINGS FOR HER CONTINOUS EFFORTS TO BRING PRAISE AND HONOR TO YOUR NAME THROUGHOUT EVERY PHASE OF HER BATTLE. LORD, REACH DOWN AND TOUCH HER FEEBLE BODY AND MAKE HER PHYSICALLY WHOLE AGAIN, IF IT BE THY WILL. JESUS, I KNOW SHE WILL REMAIN UPON THIS EARTH UNTIL YOU ARE READY FOR HER TO ENTER INTO YOUR KINGDOM AND BE WITH YOU. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL TOUCH HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND COMFORT THEM. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL LET HER LIGHT SHINE EVER SO BRIGHTLY IN THIS DARK WORLD SO THAT OTHERS CAN ALSO HAVE THE FAITH THAT SHE HAS. I KNOW THAT NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT MEANING AND I KNOW THAT, AS HARD AS THIS SITUATION IS FOR HANNAH AND HER FAMILY, YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR THE WHOLE THING. LORD, HELP ME TO OPEN MY EYES AND REALIZE ONCE AGAIN THAT WE ARE NEVER PROMISED TOMMORROW. HELP ME TO BE A WILLING VESSEL FOR YOUR WORK. JESUS, PLEASE JUST WRAP YOUR STRONG ARMS AROUND HANNAH RIGHT NOW, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, AND WHISPER SWEET PEACE IN HER EAR. LET HER KNOW IN HER HEART THAT YOU WILL BE WITH HER NO MATTER WHAT AND LET HER FEEL A PEACE THAT IS UNSPEAKABLE. LORD, JUST LET THY WILL BE DONE AND LET ALL THAT IS ACCOMPLISHED BY IT BE USED TO GLORIFY YOU. I LOVE YOU PRECIOUS SAVIOR AND I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY SOUL SO THAT I CAN PRAY THIS PRAYER FOR HANNAH.
IN YOUR PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME I PRAY,
AMEN

Today's Thoughts

Just blogging before hitting the shower. Yea, I know... lazy, lazy waiting until 3pm to shower. My fall break is almost over *sigh* and I have yet to take a day to rest. Things go way too fast and I still have things I haven't accomplished yet. Lord willing I'll get to it all soon. Anyway, my lunch with Verna was wonderful yesterday. We spent 3 hours talking and I think it's something we both really needed. It's great to know that we can glorify God with our Christian friends. It's also great to know that we can glorify God even after we are in Heaven with Him, just as Danielle is today. So many lives have been touched, and are still being touched, by hers. How amazing! I want to leave that kind of legacy when I go home to Heaven. Which reminds me of one of my favorite Christian songs, Legacy by an artist who's name escapes me right now. Download it if you have time, its wonderful!

It's getting a little Nippy outside :D

Hi All:

Just waking up on a cold, October morning. Day number 6 of my 9 day Fall break has arrived! I will be meeting Verna, Danielle's mother, at around 12 or so for lunch at Pine Mountain Lodge so I have to make this quick. Just wanted to post and say how truly blessed that I am. I woke up this morning in my bed, under my covers, with my goofy hubby laying there next to me. He started complaining that I fell asleep before I gave him his much deserved back scratch (He made his famous rice last night after church and that was the payment haha). I sat up and scratched his back and thought about how much things had changed in the past year. This time last year I was nervous because my wedding was quickly approaching. I was still a single girl and I was spending time with Danielle, running around at Wal-Mart and in Knoxville late at night. Now, only a year later, I am going to bed much earlier (usually) and doing much, much more during the day. God has blessed me with things to occupy my time since I don't have my best friend to run around with. I now have a husband that leds me from the couch, where I have fallen asleep, and to the bed. He makes sure I am covered up and ok and then he climbs in to go to sleep. My mom always did this growing up. I have a good job, 3 (almost 4) degrees under my belt, a wonderful family including my in laws, a wonderful church and pastor who truly preaches God's word, and a bright future in the distance. Wow! All the little things that I stress about on a daily basis don't seem as huge this morning and I praise God for that. Most importantly, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me more than anyone and who patiently waits for me, even when I am taking too much time, to accomplish His perfect will. Thank You Jesus for your precious blessings on my life! If you never do another thing for me, you have done much more than I deserve already. And the thing is, I know you have more in store for me because you do love me and you do want to bless me. How Great is Our God? Great beyond words! Take a moment of your time today readers and meditate on that question.

Psalm 139:17
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

WAking Up In Louisville on a Saturday Morning

Have you ever opened your eyes and wondered, "UGH, do I have to get up?" That's me today. I am visiting my inlaws and I have a sinus headache this morning. This is one of those days where I want to get up and go shopping or play with my niece and nephew but I just feel all yucky. It's days like this that I think about Heaven and smile even bigger knowing that I will never have a day like this there. And the thought of never being tired again, WOW! That is amazing. I feel like I stay worn out all the time. There are days when I get excited about having children and then I stop and think, if I am worn out now, how will I be with my kids? But I know certain things will be finished (I'll be finished with school) and certain things will begin (I'll have kids). *Sigh*

I have been reading a lot on the www.desiringgod.org website. There are some wonderful articles there. The one I just finished last night was Ten Aspects of God's Soverignty Over Suffering and Stans Hand In It. Wonderful read! I would advise anyone reading this to read that article. It will definately lift you up. Our God is so wonderful and so amazing.

Here's some pictures to keep ya entertained : )

www.flickr.com alesha468's Us Goodletts photoset

Hi Guys!

Just trying to email a post to see if it works.... Lol

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

Malachi 3:3

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.

B.I.B.L.E
Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth
..... Thanks for this one dad!

I am still kicking.... looooong couple of months!!!

Ok.... so I just typed this entire post and hit a button that made the page go away and........ yea, you guessed it... I deleted the entire thing. Grr. haha The post was just basically informing all of you faithful readers (thats a joke in itself) of the things that have went on in the past couple of months. Here is a recap:

1. My husband rededicated his life to Jesus. I am thrilled because I
have been praying about this for awhile now. Our relationship has
never been better!

2. I totaled my yellow sunfire on August 2nd. It was a Friday and my
second day back to work. I hit someone in the backend because the
car in front of them stopped suddenly. I have a beautiful scar on
my right hand from using it to bust out the window haha. Thank
God I was ok, but my car wasn't.

3. I went to GA to get a new car. I found a Pontiac G6 GTP in Fusion
Orange. It ended up being the weekend before my birthday, so
Michael and I made a trip out of it and had a great time.





4. We found out that Billy (my brother) has a kidney disease. He has
been releasing a lot of protein in his urine and no one had a clue.
Anyway, after a couple of days in Lexington at the hospital, a
kidney biopsy, and a stressed and worried family; he was
diagnosed with Membranous Nephropathy. (spelling?) The
disease is actually the best kidney disease to have because it can
go away on its own. Just keep him and us in your prayers.

So, besides all of those things, I have started back at Union. I will finish my Rank 1 degree in May 2007. Thank God. I will be so glad to be finished. I am really beginning to feel older because I can't seem to stay up late, stay gone, and have the energy that I use to.
I have been thinking alot about Danielle lately. I guess because it has been almost a year. A whole year. It seems unreal. This time last year (Sept. 17, 2005) she and I were at the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville, Tn. We went and ended up with front row seats the the Uncle Kracker concert (I don't even listen to UK haha) and we went to the rodeo at the fair afterwards. Its just so hard for me to believe that she has been gone this long.
November 1st is her birthday. My anniversary is November 19th and the one year anniversary of her Homecoming to Heaven is November 30th. Who would have thought that so much would have changed so fast. It definitely gives me one more reason to be excited about Heaven. I cannot wait to worship at the feet of Jesus with Danielle by my side.
On that note...I'm off to be melancholy for a bit.

10:58 PM ..New Day... A New Hair Color! A Reflection About My Best Friend Danielle Lily Bowman

I am writing this post in this color in honor of my newest transformation. Today I went to my usual hair stylist and I told her I was ready for something new. It was then that I pulled out my "Celebrity Hairstyles" magazine and pointed to a girl with, you guessed it, red hair. Donna (my hair stylist) joked that people would be asking if my husband and I were siblings now that we have matching (sort of matching) hair. I promise to add some pictures as soon as I get a chance.
I have been feeling sort of down and out lately. The past 8 months have been extremely hard for me. I have ups and I have downs. I guess people assume that death is something that you just have to make yourself get past. I know, for a fact, that this isn't the case.

I spent Sunday night with Danielle's mom and my mom at La Esperanza. We reminisced about Danielle and her goofy ways. We talked about her fashion sense, her personality, her big heart, and most importantly, her faith in Jesus. I left last night feeling like I couldn't breathe. I know all the verses and promises of God. Those are the only things that have helped me to get through this extremely tough time. I know everything is fine, actually, WONDERFUL, for my closest Christian gal pal; yet I can't help but miss her voice, her personality, her big eyes and smile, her clumsy actions, her "walk out of a magazine" attire, and mostly our deep talks about our Faith.
I prayed for years for God to send me a Christian friend that I just clicked with. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of good Christian friends, but it's almost like for some reason there were always obstacles that prevented the friendships from lifting off the ground to reach higher levels. I know satan works that way. But my friendship with Danielle was stronger than that because God sent us both down paths to meet each other.
We were friends in AP Biology in high school. She was a year older than me with long strawberry blonde hair that was curly. I was always your "good girl" in class. I didn't talk or get into trouble. I wasn't perfect, but who is? haha Anyway, when Miss Danielle and I ended up sitting together at a table with Jessica Helton and Emily Walker (all three were a year ahead of me in school), I quickly learned about getting called down for talking in class. She use to whisper to me the whole time and the teacher, Rebecca Lay, would call us down. But I always enjoyed her silly personality and it was worth getting called down over.
Fast forward 5 and half years to 2003. I had just broken up with my now husband Michael. I was completely lost. I had grown up in my church and I had worked in it my whole life; yet after this major breakup (provoked by God speaking to my heart and letting me know that it just wasn't the right time yet), I knew that I had to see where my heart was drawing me. I visited church after church. I enjoyed them all, but when I visited Binghamtown Baptist Church I just knew.
Preacher William Boyd Bingham was so humble and so eager to give God's word to the congregation. I knew God was speaking through him because he seemed to preach things that I really needed to hear, even if they were things I may not want to accept.
I really knew that I was in the right place when we started a Wed. night book study over a small hand held book entitled "Praying When Life Hurts " by W. Bingham Hunter. (Click here to see the book http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=89). Wow. You talk about God meeting your needs. I was amazed! Astonished! Enthralled! This book, this collection of scriptures and thoughts, was God's way of reinforcing the personal, intimate studies I had been sharing with Him in my devotion time. He was letting me know that I needed to continue to trust in Him and that He would meet my every need. If Michael and I were not meant to be together in the long run, He would provide the right man for me. If we were, He would work it out in His own time and way. And He did. He worked it out perfectly. Bless His holy name!!!
In the mean time, God was preparing me for a chapter of my life that had been put on hold for awhile in my eyes. He was preparing me for the good Christian friend that I had been longing for.
Enter Danielle Lily Bowman. I noticed this girl that looked so familiar to me one night at church. She was across the church (which is rather large) and I had yet to force myself to go to the eye doctor for a screening which would later affirm that I needed contacts and glasses. I saw her again one Wed. night after I rushed into the church and sit in a pew without noticing those around me because I was running late.
William Boyd asked us all to greet one another so I turned around and was face to face with the person who would impact my life, my world, and my soul forever. She had lost a tremendous amount of weight since high school. I was amazed. She, of course, was like "Hey Alesha! How have you been?" We didn't get to talk much because church began. Weeks later, we ended up hanging out with Brooke Welch and Ginger Johnston. We would later be known as the zany foursome. I was amazed Danielle, who hadn't talked to me in years, just acted like only a few months had passed. She filled me in with all the details about the drama in her life. The four of us had weekly hangout sessions after Church on Sunday and Wed. nights. We were all living up the single life, but in a good Christian way.
Fast forward to December. My beloved best friend talks me into going to Nashville with her, Ginger, and Kaci Thomas.
It was a spur of the moment thing and I am not usually a spur of the moment person. I went and I had a blast. She and I bonded by hanging out until 5am and heading to Wendy's before letting ourselves back into the hotel room where Ginger and Kaci had retired hours earlier. We got in our bed and were both knocked out.

Weekly, we shared moments similar to this. Everything was spur of the moment with Danielle. She was, correction, is the most fun person I have ever known. Strange how we can feel so lost when we are use to having someone like this in our lives to keep us "young" and they take up new residence with Jesus.
Fast forward yet again until the summer of 2005. We were planning, correction, helping her as she planned Brooke's wedding. She really went out on a limb to help Brooke out. She and Ginger both spent a lot of time and money putting together a wedding for Brooke because her father had passed away only months earlier and things weren't figured out. I helped with what I had, but they really put the effort in.
A lot changed after that wedding. Danielle and I became even closer, mainly because of things God revealed to us both.
We spent that time until the day she went home to be with Jesus constantly, and I do mean constantly) on the phone with each other. Every weekend was spent doing something. I was worn out! But I was so elated that I had been blessed with this wonderful person that I could honestly say was my best friend.
In the meantime, Michael and I had mended our relationship and gotten engaged. She was so excited for me. She offered to help me with the wedding, but this time, I wanted her to enjoy the wedding with all of us. She had been in so many weddings and done so much work. I wanted this one to make her, and everyone else involved, feel honored and important. Later, her Gran would tell me that she said that it was the most relaxing and fun wedding she had ever been a part of.
She laughed as I flipped out over dress sizes, she had me picking up makeup at Walgreen's for her, she had me help out at the Cumberland Mt. Fall Festival Beauty pageant (that ironically I use to codirect and she now did), also the John Anderson concert at the festival, etc. We spent a couple of hours at the mall letting Brooke try on her dress for my wedding on her lunch break at Belk's, looking at clothes, eating at Taco Casa, and sharing cookies (that she forced me to eat haha) at the Cookie Factory (the place where she held her first job). I remember our conversation while eating at Taco Casa. We discussed how we both had been raised to see the best in people and to always take up for those that other people looked down upon. We confirmed that it was amazing how God had let us become so close and how it was so astounding that we had all these things in common years before and never realized it. I realized that day that we had something special.
It may seem strange for some of you reading this to really grasp this friendship. Sometimes, satan tries to take away the depth of it all from me. But God always reaffirms to me in some way, shape, or form that our friendship wasn't a normal friendship. It was much more.

Danielle planned the most exciting bachelorette party for me. She decked me out in a sash and pearls along with a veil and headpiece. She actually made me walk around all night like that. We went to a wrestling match where she had arranged for me to be involved.
There were 4 guy friends of hers that had shirts made just for the occasion. The wrestlers were even involved. They came off the stage and hit on me and kissed my check.
I was beet red. She knew it would embarrass me too death. When it comes to that stuff, it doesn't take much. We went to Shiloh's for dinner and gifts and she handcuffed me to the waiter for a photo.
We went to Feltz for clean music, live band, diet coke, and dancing (which I don't do).
She managed to pull me on stage with the band and she, Pam, and I danced (I swayed) as everyone in the place stared. Embarrassing? Yes! Important? Most definitely!
This was the most significant moment of our entire friendship. I had an arm around Danielle and Pam and God gave me a moment. One of those moments that you don't receive that often. All three sweaty gals swaying on stage, laughing, smiling, having the time of our lives. I looked at her back and then glanced up and she smiled...at that exact moment I knew that I would NEVER have another night like this.

November 19th came. We had an amazing time at my wedding. So much fun. I called her every day that I was gone on my honeymoon and she got onto me for focusing on her when I should be focusing on Michael. I told her we just missed her and then we'd all 3 talk on speaker.
Thanksgiving break went by. My first day back to work as a married woman came. I drove to work from my new apartment and I called her, like I had so many other mornings (and evenings). We talked the entire half hour to work and then another 2o minutes while I straightened up my classroom. She talked to mom for a few and then we decided we'd email back and forth while we both were at work. (We did that daily also!) I emailed to see if she made it to work on time (we both always run late) and she wrote back and said she was a couple of minutes late but no one mentioned it. She preceded to tell me about eating tons of junk food and how she had to stop. That was the last email I ever received from her.
Tuesday morning I grabbed my phone to call her but I had forgotten to charge it and my car charger was missing. I called Tuesday evening and we talked for about 2 minutes before she lost reception and said she'd call back. She was in TN. I hadn't heard from her, so that night I called and left a huge message on her voicemail talking about how I knew God was going to send her someone to fall in love with. We had discussed that a lot in the previous months and I wanted to lift her spirits.
Wed. morning I called her cell and it went straight to her voicemail. I immediately had a feeling that something was wrong. She had probably overslept and was gonna be late again. I went on to work and decided I'd email after breakfast. My mom came into my classroom with a stressed look. I asked what was wrong, she said for me to stay calm, I kept asking and finally it hit, "It's Danielle isn't it?" She said that Tina (my bestest pal and Pam's mom) had received a call from Pam. Pam was crying so hard she couldn't talk. She had heard Danielle had been in a car accident. I asked if she was ok. Mom just looked at me. I said "She's dead isn't she?" She preceded to tell me that Pam had been told that but they weren't sure if it was true. I grabbed my phone and called her house. Hannah, Danielle's sister, answered the phone screaming and answered no when I asked if she was ok. I didn't even say bye, I hung up the phone, grabbed my head and walked into the hall. I couldn't breathe, think, or make sense. Ms. Risner, who had watched Danielle grow up in church and in school and had spent time in Prayer with her mother, asked what was wrong. I told her and she got upset as well. We paced the hallway just crying and praying.
Shortly afterward, we had prayer with our principal and left to be with Danielle's family. Ms. Risner sat with Verna and tried to comfort her while I went to Danielle's room. There was her clothes, her tan pants from the bachelorette party, the boots, the big rings, etc. I ran across a book that she had been reading. I picked it up and went downstairs to the kitchen table to sit with my mom. God had sent us there for a purpose because we really came together and worked to plan her funeral. I worked on the obituary. I asked for them to put that she had gone to be with Jesus and I gathered all the clubs and organizations that she had been involved in. I also put together the eulogies from her friends. The hardest thing I ever had to do was to get up and attempt to keep my composure in front of thousands of people in order to honor her the way she deserved. God blessed me so much and really helped me. I made it through. It was the very least that I could do.
It's been 8 months. Some days it feels like it has been every bit of 8 months and others it feels like 8 days. It's been hard, especially being a newlywed (I was married 11 days before she went to Heaven). I feel like I haven't been myself in 8 months. So many things to do, so much left undone. But when God says, "Come home child", nothing else on earth takes precedence.
Verna (Danielle's mom) gave me Danielle's chunky silver ring to keep. It was my borrowed item in my wedding. I wear it on any necklace that I happen to be wearing that day. I also designed a ring with a cross. It says "Alesha and Danielle Eternal Friends" and contains 2 pink stones because she loved pink and 2 blue stones because she had beautiful, big blue eyes (even if they were from her contacts).

So, I detailed all of that for this purpose; today I changed my hair color. I am now a redhead. All day I've been excited. I love red hair! But all day I've had a longing. A longing for a friend that would help me figure out just what to do with this new color. The thing is, I have this longing quite often. Sometimes when I'm sad I wonder how she'd be cheering me up and when someone we know is going through a life changing even I reach for the phone to inform her. So many times I have the longing to see her. So often I wonder what would Danielle say?

2:18 A.M. and I'm all alone...... NAHHH Just Hanging With Jesus : )

(NOTE... I HAD EMAILED THIS POST TO MY BLOG AND IT NEVER WENT THROUGH SO I AM REPOSTING THIS WAY. THE DATE SHOULD BE FRIDAY JULY 21, 2006. )

Hi all....
It is currently 2:18 am and I am lying in bed alone. This is the first night that I have EVER spent the night alone in my life. I'm such a baby haha. It's nice to have solo time, I just don't like to be alone in the dark. So, here I am using my laptop in bed until I am so sleepy I can't hold my eyes open. That's the theory anyway : ) The best part about spending alone time is the fact that its not really alone time, rather time spent with just Jesus and I. I can talk to Him without interruption or intrusion. I can meditate on His word and His will for my life. I love you Jesus!

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Malachi 3:3

B.I.B.L.E BasicInstructions Before LeavingEarth..... Thanks for this one dad!

Just sharing a few pictures with you

Welcome To My Blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all! After discovering an old friend of mine's blog space on here, I felt the urge to give birth to the creation of my own. Granted, I can't promise I will be as in depth as some of these, (especially after work starts up again and my classes are in full swing!) but I'll try. So here goes...

Love to All,

LESH