Gavin is MAD!!!!!!!!

Gavin was throwing a fit here! Enjoy!

"My Mommy and Cousin Alesha Like to Take Lots of Pictures...." says Gavin Michael.

Baby Gavin Laughing!

So, I spent about 4 hours with my lil cousin Gavin on Thursday. Bless his heart, he is adorable. Enjoy this video clip....

You and Me Goin' Fishin' In the Dark............

Actually, it wasn't dark but here's some pics of Michael, Billy and I fishing at Laurel Lake on Wed. This is before the cold kicked in worse on Michael and hit me for the first time because of the rainy weather and cool air. Enjoy!

Eventful Day

So..... today was very eventful. I am actually just now sitting down for the night to relax. I got up and read some in the book Nehemiah and then got ready to go to Middlesboro with my mom and brother. It was so pretty out. I put on a linen skirt and a cool top and left. Mom and I went to watch "Premonition" while my brother went to another movie. I have to say, the movie left me sad. I just really thought it would end differently than it did. Anyway, we enjoyed lunch at J. Milton's and then went to Wal-mart.

Later, I went with Verna to eat dinner and to visit Danielle's grave. It was such a beautiful sight. The sun was setting and it was just like a postcard. We drove by the site of the wreck and passed Darrin's house. Chub's car was there so we stopped by. For those of you who don't know who Darrin and Chub are, they were Danielle's two closest male friends. She could hang out with them and be just like one of the guys. She did hang out there often and actually that's the place she left right before her wreck.

So we talked with Darrin and Chub and reminisced. It was nice. I hadn't been to Darrin's since probably Sept. of 05, two months before I got married and Danielle went home to be with Jesus. I enjoyed talking to them and witnessing to them. Verna really did a good job. She just put it out there. She told me that she definitely feels Danielle impressing upon her heart to visit certain people to make sure they are ready in the event that Jesus were to come back or their time should appear.

As Verna talked tonight, I was amazed by just how much God's hand has been in this whole situation. We've talked about it before, but even now He is still arranging things for all of us. It's amazing. I am so blessed to have been friends with Danielle, and not just friends but special friends as Verna calls it. I am even more blessed to have been given the opportunity to get to know Verna, her precious mother. Like mother, like daughter!

How Great Is Our God ......... My Evidence.... A Precious Husband

My Precious Husband

I am laying in the dark right now next to my precious husband. He is asleep and I am blogging. We had the best time tonight, doing absolutely nothing. I had driven to the dealership that he works at to meet him for the gym. He didn't come out at 8pm like usual, so I figured that he had a customer. I was right.

He called my phone at about 8:30pm and said he wasn't going to get to go to the gym because he had to work late with the car deal. I told him I was parked outside and he immediately began apologizing. I told him it was no big deal and that I could ride with him to follow the elderly couple to their home with their new car. Then I realized that he would have to back track to get me back to my car. When I mentioned it, he just shrugged it off and said he didn't mind. I protested but he said something that made tears sting my eyes. He said that at least we would be spending time together. I agreed and as I pulled my car closer to his, I thanked God for such a wonderful husband.

A year ago, we were not as close as we are right now. We loved each other but it was that first, difficult year and then some. I can remember praying for God to have His way with our union and to help us have a marriage that magnified Him. I prayed for my husband to rededicate himself to the Lord. In August, he did just that and we have been so blessed with a deeper friendship and love than ever before. God knows just what we need, right when we need it. Suddenly, all the sleepless nights and the tears from that first year faded and all I could see was how wonderful God had made this marriage experience for us. He continues to do so.

It is soo amazing for me to look back over the past 5 years of my life. Michael and I have been together (with the exception of a year in between) the whole time. We have had a lot of ups and a whole lot of downs. We have been apart, God has dealt with us both, and He has placed us together and in situations we need to be placed in. How merciful is our Savior? It amazes me everytime I think about it because I always prayed so hard, growing up, for a strong, Christ centered marriage and to think here I am living out my dreams because God is so good to me. How blessed I am! Sometimes, I think we need to just stop and realize just how blessed we are.

Not Sure What To Say..... Happy Spring Break!

Hi. I know I am very inconsistent lately with my blogging. It is nearing the 2007 testing window for us at work and things have been insane. I currently am on spring break and I am loving every moment of it. The best part is just not having a schedule. I wonder how it feels to sleep until your body wakes you up. I wonder how it would feel to be able to rearrange your schedule without asking for someone's approval. I love my job but sometimes I would love to control my own days. *SIGH*

Anyway, it has been a long time since I have posted. This week I am really going to try to focus and blog regularly. I miss it. I've just been too exhausted to think of the words to type. I miss my release. I can't imagine a world without writing.

Almost a whole Month......

I am such a bad blogger lately! Yes I am still alive. Things have been insane lately and I have been worn out. I am trying to fit in as much math as I can with my students, get ready for a major unit review at the school, and finish my Rank 1 work before Spring Break so that it can actually be a break. So far so good! That's what's been going on with me lately. I have scheduled a beach trip with my buddies from work and my momma and brother the week after we get out of school. Church has been awesome, as usual! God is still GREAT! I actually cried my entire way home last night thinking about where God has brought me from in this past year. He is such a wonderful Father! My cousin Monica and I were discussing just that today. She was so concerned about getting into pharmacy school and she just felt God speak to her and she had a sweet peace. Today she got a letter and she found out she got into ETSU. I just can't praise God enough for the things that He has done for me and those I love. Thank You Lord Jesus!

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!